Granny Peg's use of thyme for healing inspires Helen's wellness diary entry
A uniquely Irish women’s wellness diary-journal has links to Meath. The Moon Mná Diary-Journal 2023 includes a contribution from local intuitive guide, reiki teacher, and healing practitioner, Helen Colgan from Dunshaughlin. Her piece celebrating the healing qualities of thyme was inspired by her Granny Peg, from Mayo.
“Granny Peg, whom I was drawn to write about in my piece of the Moon Mná Diary-Journal was from Cloverhill in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo.” says Helen.
Thyme evokes memories of Christmases past for Helen. As a child, every Christmas Eve, our kitchen was filled with the aroma of this fragrant herb. My mam Mary always cooked the turkey on Christmas Eve, big enough for two dinners, both Christmas and Stephen’s Day for all of us, six kids and mam and dad,” recalls Helen.
“The energy of this herb speaks to me and it allows me to slow down... It is through thyme that I am reminded of my Granny Peg. A tall, hard, strong Mayo woman, I recall how she used thyme as a soothing remedy for a sore throat. She loved walking the land which she did daily in her ‘frock’, checking the livestock and walking the ditches,” says Helen.
“Ireland has an abundance of powerful but inexpensive, easy-to-find plants, and we were delighted to feature Helen’s celebration of thyme in our latest edition,” says Dr Karen Ward, author of The Moon Mná Diary-Journal 2023. This annual publication is now in its seventh edition. It aims to bring the ancient Irish wisdom of the feminine forth in a new and contemporary way.
As well as empowering women to record and manage their time effectively, the diary-journal imparts wisdom passed down by generations. Each edition includes inspiring quotes and affirmations, crafts, recipes, proverbs, Gaelic words and phrases, moon phases, facts and lore. This year, the Moon Mná Diary-Journal honours Ireland's ancient, healing herbs and their role in women’s wellbeing.
The Moon Mná Diary-Journal 2023 makes an excellent Christmas gift and is available from moonmna.ie as well as selected bookshops, health stores and holisitic shops all over Ireland.