In the churchyard

The Mystery 

Last weekend we headed out to Alton Barnes. We've passed by this little village many times on our way to the garden center but never stopped to look at St. Marys' the Saxon church and to walk over the fields to Alton Priors to look at the other church, All Saints. Well, we did last week. It was absolutely beautiful. Not only were there two lovely old churches in close proximity, the sun was shining as well and there is a beautiful old yew tree in the church yard of All Saints' in Alton Priors. It is said to be 1700 years old. 

Have you ever wondered why there is always a yew tree in a church yard? My husband and I have talked about that many times, speculating. We thought it might have something to do with the pagans being there first and having a sacred place to worship. We thought that the Christians took over those sacred sites to built the churches. I know that the ancient Greeks used to built their temples near wells and that there was always a tree planted near the temple. The type of tree depended on the God the temple was dedicated to. So for Athene there would be an olive tree because that was sacred to her. So we thought it might be something like that and there are plenty of wells between Alton Barnes and Alton Priors. It is absolutely beautiful. So there was a lot of mystery about the presence of a yew tree in a church yard. Most of yew tress are very old. 

Well, and then I read A book. I cannot remember exactly which one it was but it revealed the reason why there is always a yew tree in a church yard. You need to know, that yew trees are very poisonous. When I was a child I used to play at a play ground where a lot of yew trees stood. The female yew tree has wonderful red berries at the appropriate time of year and as children we gathered them and mashed them up because they were nice and slimy and we could used the as glue. Actually, the red, fleshy seed cover is the only bit of the yew tree that is not poisonous. My mother told me that every thing else, even the grass which grows under the yew tree, is poisonous. And that is the reason that they were planted in church yards. 

Yew trees were used to build long bows, suitable branches providing sap wood and heart wood. Sap wood is at the belly of the bow and is strong in compression, heart wood is at the back of the bow and is strong in tension. So, the yew tree, although poisonous, is very valuable. Even the grass which grows underneath it is poisonous. So you have to plant it somewhere were live stock is not going to be and that is only in the church yard. It was quite a revelation after so many years of speculating. So no pagans, no ancient Greeks or fairies or other mysteries, just cows and sheep. And a very good and sound reason.

But, you see, yew trees are not only good for long bows, the bark of the tree is actually made into a Homoeopathic remedy. It can be used for pain in the knees, elbows and back, when indicated, trembling and an empty feeling in the stomach, if the digestion is very rapid. That is only a small part of the remedy picture but don't forget that we don't treat diseases in Homoeopathy, we treat the whole person. So no self medicating, please. I have studied for 5 years to find the right remedy for you, so give me a call on 07813 195468 to book an appointment. 

The glorious yew tree in Alton Priors