Rosemary, lavender and sage all in a tall glass with cold water.
Which of these in hot water would be good for your stomach?
I said I wanted something different, something gentle on my stomach. Travelling has its needs.
She said: I have just the taste you want and it will be gentle on your stomach.
We were in Cleves. The restaurant appeared to have been decorated over time. A heavy curtain, squarely fitted on a rail, rested in folds on the floor, to keep out winter’s drafts as the next familiar face came in. This day, it was in a wavy pulled back on each side letting air in and out.
Time and love was in the face of the owner, the main provider of the food. She knew what they wanted and how they liked their food. We were new but she had her special way of reading faces and providing, and so she brought a tall glass of hot water with leaves inside. There on the saucer was a long spoon and a portion of honey to add to one’s own liking. All nice, but it was the lemon verbena that was spreading its warm lemon colour through the water and filling the air below my head as I rested my hands around the glass and my elbows on the well washed wooden table. Tired and travelling.
What did I do after travelling and happy to be home, I bought a small plant of lemon verbena, placed it with good drainage in a large pot of soil, mixed with sand and it thrived in the heat waves.
As has the newly planted rosemary.
But yes there is an odd one out amongst these four: lemon verbena, rosemary, lavender and sage. The sage is the one to take care about it has a high concentration of tannins and volatile compounds that can irritate a sensitive stomach. The three, each in a weak tea can do some good and the kind lady knew this well.
A warm glass of newly made lemon verbena tea except I have added a stalk of Rosmary from the new plant. They won’t stay in long. Only long enough to make the warmth of lemon rise.
Here are a few thoughts with stomach:
An empty stomach is not a good political adviser.
Albert Einstein
But
A full stomach doesn’t understand hunger.
And
The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.
Flannery O’ Conner
‘ Every person is fully known to Jesus as if they were the only one for whom He, the Saviour, died. The distress of every one touches His heart. The cry for help reaches His ears. He came to draw all people to Him. He invites them to follow Him, and His Spirit moves on their hearts. Some are drawn some refuse. Jeaus says: ‘My sheep know my voice and I know them, and they follow me.’ E G White.
No one is compelled, evil compels. Jesus draws you with loving kindness.
Take care,
Sandy 🙂