Peach leaf

I've noticed my peaches flowering and getting fresh new growth on them. I'm actually quite excited about this. When I was at NZAMH conference in February, we were lucky to have a talk from the incredible American herbalist, Mimi Hernandez, who spoke to us about medicinal properties of peach leaf.

Peach, Prunus persica, is of course the source of the delicious fruit many of us love to eat. It flowers then the first leaves appear in spring. Spring leaves are best medicinally. It orginiated from the area that is now Iran (Persia, hence its botannical name) and is closely related to almonds and apricots.

You make an infusion by putting peach leaves in a jar and covering with cool water and soaking the leaves overnight in this water. Strain the following day.

Peach leaf water is considered to be very soothing, heat reducing and indicated for morning sickness. It may soothe an upset tummy in a child or someone's nervous tummy. It is also indicated for menopause, parasites histamine reactions and is considered a refrigerant and to be mellowing. Guess what I'll be making this spring.