Bidens pilosa is primarily considered a weed, in many parts of the world it is also a source of food and medicine. The leaves have a resinous flavor, and are eaten raw, in stews, or dried for storage. It is especially important in eastern Africa, where it is known as michicha. In Vietnam, during the Vietnam War, soldiers] adopted the herb as a vegetable, which led to it being known as the “soldier vegetable”. It is susceptible to hand weeding if small enough, even then must be bagged, and thick mulches may prevent it from growing. In traditional Chinese medicine, this plant is considered a medicinal herb, called xian feng cao .In traditional Bafumbira medicine, this plant is applied on a fresh wound and is known as inyabalasanya. Extracts from Bidens pilosa are used in Southern Africa for malaria. Its many common English names include black-jack, beggarticks, hairy beggarticks, cobbler’s pegs, devil’s needles, hairy bidens, Spanish needle, farmers friend, Devils Pitchfork, hitch hikers and sticky beaks.

If you’re looking for a powerful symbol of hope, life, and faith, look no further than the tamarisk tree. This significant tree has a rich history and a deep spiritual meaning. The next time you see a tamarisk tree, take a moment to reflect on its significance. Let’s get to know its rich history. The tamarisk, also known as “the salt cedar”, is a small to medium-sized tree that can grow up to 30 feet tall. It’s an evergreen tree native to dry areas of southern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. Nowadays it has spread everywhere (North and South America, many places in Europe, even in colder areas where it remains a bush and also in Australia, where it is called athel pine. You can find it easily near river banks or sandy grounds. It can even grow in the banks of the Dead Sea, where nothing else can live. Something curious about tamarisks: the shade of the tamarisk is much cooler than that of other trees. In the evenings, as the temperature gets cooler, the salt crystals formed on the branches of the tamarisk tree absorb the moisture that is in the air forming little droplets of water on the branches; and then, when the sun rises and the heat begins to evaporate the water, the water droplets burst open creating a fine mist in the air. These droplets produce a natural form of air conditioning that cools anyone under the shade of the tamarisk. Its leaves contain a high level of tannin. They provide delicate lines in eco printings and the effect they give to compositions is very subtle and special. Benefits of the Tamarisk Tree The tamarisk tree has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes. In ancient times, the bark and leaves of the tamarisk were used to treat fever, wounds, and digestive problems. It is used to make a vegetable product called Manna (no connection to the miraculous food that kept Hebrews alive for 40 years when walking through the desert). Manna is created when the tamarisk is boiled, strained, and used as honey. It also provides windbreaks, soil stabilizers, and shade for livestock and people. Spiritual Symbolism in the Hebrew culture Symbol of Hope and life The evergreen nature of the tamarisk tree represents hope and life. The tamarisk tree also symbolizes new beginnings. If you’re going through a tough time, the tamarisk tree is a reminder that better days are ahead. Symbol of strength and resilience It can withstand heat, even devastating fires or long dry spells by sending roots deep down to find underground water. So Tamarisk trees can live for over hundreds of years in extremely poor conditions. The tamarisk tree, with its ability to thrive in harsh conditions, is a reminder that you can overcome any obstacle if you have faith and determination. A reminder of God’s fearfulness  As we will see later, the tamarisk was a spiritual symbol of the covenant between Abraham and God. This story reminds us that no matter what happens in life, God will always keep His promises. Symbol of eternal life Since the tamarisk is an evergreen tree, some see that it symbolizes eternal life Sacred tree Today, the tamarisk tree is still considered to be a sacred tree by many people. Let’s get to know this interesting tradition Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God.” (Genesis 21:33) According to the Bible, Abraham and Abimelech, a Philistine ruler, made an oath and sealed an agreement of peace and mutual tolerance. After this oath, Abraham planted a tamarisk, as a visible sign of God’s fulfillment of both of these blessings upon the descendants of Israel and all the people of the earth. Now, let’s look at some of the reasons why the tamarisk tree was spiritually significant for Abraham. First, as we already mentioned, tamarisk trees are often referred to as “salt cedars” because they are a type of evergreen that produces a salt-like substance on its slender branches. Salt has always been considered a blessing in the Bible. Secondly, the tamarisk tree also produces a honey-like substance that is sweet to the taste. The Tamarisk must have been seen by Abraham as the “Tree of Life”…as it was evergreen and able to survive extreme difficulties over the years. Last, but not least, tamarisks take a long time to grow and Abraham knew this, so when planting it he was leaving his blessing for future generations. Therefore, Abraham was not only commemorating a present peace agreement, but he was looking forward to the future blessings upon himself and his future descendants. So, after all these revelations about the meaning of this unique tree…..I wonder….. What am I planting today that will benefit future generations? Isn’t this a question that we, enthusiastic printers, should make ourselves?

Sumac (or sumach) is a variety of flowering shrub that belongs to a family of plants known as Anacardiaceae (closely related to cashews and mangoes, did you know?) Sumac thrives in subtropical and temperate climates and grows all over the world, including various parts of the Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa  There are more than 200 different species of sumac, all of which belong to the genus Rhus.  From the point of view of botanical printing, it’s a very interesting and “generous” plant. It contains tannins and also color. Sometimes, it can  also act as a discharge leaf, especially when natural dyes are involved. Therefore, using the proper mordants we can obtain quite a variety of different effects with the same leaf. The prints are always crisp, precise and clear.   Staghorn Sumac (Rhus Thypina) Staghorn sumac is known in some parts of the world as “velvet tree” or “vinegar tree.”  Velvet refers to the velvety texture of the fuzz on the outer branches , and vinegar because in some areas a vinegar is produced from this variety of sumac.  In Haleb,  Syria, a milk drink is made from the seeds of the sumac. Most probably this is the most common sumac variety used for ecoprint in Europe and North America. Tiger sumac Also the kind “Tiger sumac”,  which is just a compact form of the staghorn sumac, is very popular among ecoprinters, as it is easily found in gardens. Like almost all kinds of sumac, the leaves turn red in the Autumn and add an amazing touch of color to any landscape. Monika Lorenz – Tiger sumac on Viscose dyed with Indigo   “Poison sumac” – Toxicodendron vernix Sometimes also called thunderwood, it is a type of woody shrub that belongs to the same family of plants as poison ivy. Although it shares the same name as sumac spice, the two belong to different plant genera and share very few similarities.  Unlike sumac spice, poison sumac is not edible and can actually be extremely dangerous to health. The plant contains a compound called urushiol, which can irritate the skin and mucous membranes, causing a poison sumac rash. When the leaves are burned, the compound can even enter the lungs, causing pain and difficulty breathing, which can even be fatal.  Rhus coriaria or Syrian sumac This is the variety I find here in Israel and usually print in my studio. People  cultivate this variety for culinary use and herbal medicine.  This kind of sumac, used for cooking,  is characterized by the large, dense clusters of bright red, pea-sized fruit it produces.  This explains the origin of the name : “Summaq”  means “red” in Arabic.  People can steep the fresh fruits to make tea, but more often they dry and powder them for use as an herbal supplement or culinary seasoning.  This same variety of sumac has also been used for medical treatment for centuries. The herb contains tannins, polyphenols, flavonoids, organic acids, and essential oils. Various scientific studies demonstrated that Sumac had  a protective effect against liver damage and  leukopenia,  along with its antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.  Recently, several scientific studies suggest that Sumac extract could be useful in the treatment of COVID-19.   But it has even more benefits: its astringent quality, due to the tannins it contains, makes it useful to fight  diarrhea, hemorrhoids, excess urination, and bleeding. Due to this mentioned high level of tannins, in ancient Greek and Roman times, sumac was used to dye wool and tan leather.

Eco printing is a sustainable alternative to traditional textile production methods, which often rely on advanced technology and toxic substances that can harm the environment, human and animal health.