Herb

We know that peppermint is the menthol flavoring found in chewing gum, toothpaste, and even shampoo. But apart from these common simple uses of peppermint, are there other benefits that we should know about? Yes, and plenty.

Peppermint is oftentimes regarded as the most ancient medicine. And while ancient people did not have the scientific advantage that we have now in discovering and verifying the real benefits of this herb, they nonetheless saw its medicinal properties. Popular as treatment for digestive system-related problems, peppermint is also known for its other properties such as memory and blood flow enhancer.

Historical evidence supports that the usage of peppermint as memory enhancer dates as far back as 3000 years ago. Back then, it was also used as treatment for other conditions such as inflammation and wounds. These ancient uses were further established by contemporary studies which were able to prove that the menthol aroma of peppermint invigorates the senses, promotes arousal of focus and concentration, as well as improves performance of clerical tasks.

Nowadays, this property is employed using aromatherapy. According to users, the result of using peppermint-based essential oils is pretty obvious. The soothing smell of the herb easily relaxes them and helps them recover from stress. It also stimulates something in their brains that leaves them with clearer thinking. Afterwards, mental acuity and memory clarity are achieved.

Moreover, the herb is also used to fix any problem related to blood flow. When used topically, the herb’s oil can increase the flow of blood on the area, the symptom of which is the warm sensation on the applied area. It is also reported that this herb can reduce heart palpitations which generally affect the circulation of blood in the body.

With the benefits mentioned above and those that were not discussed here, it is clear that peppermint is not just an ordinary herb. It is something that brings about both relaxation of the mind as well as the body.

Every great cook knows the importance of using fresh ingredients for the best dishes; using fresh herbs are just as important as using fresh vegetables. Whether you have an entire garden to dedicate to growing herbs or just a small space out your apartment window, you can create an herb garden for all of your cooking needs.

Herbs can be grown in small pots, or right in your garden; keep in mind that herbs do not grow to be big plants, so if you are putting them in your garden with other plants, keep them away from the larger ones where they may get overtaken. It may be a good idea to start the herbs in small pots and then transfer them to your garden when they get bigger. Many people like to grow herbs right outside their kitchen window, where they are easily accessible. What could be more convenient than picking the herbs as you need them, right outside your window?

You will need to decide on which herbs you want to grow depending on your likes and taste buds. A good start would be to plant some rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and mint. Also, decide on whether you want to use seeds and grow your herbs from scratch, or if you want to purchase seedlings that have already been started. If you are a novice gardener, seedlings may be a better choice.

Once you have planted your herbs, you will want them to reach their full potential by using fertilizer or compost. This will give the soil the nutrients it needs in order to grow your herbs to perfection, in both size, and taste!

If you live in a climate that has four seasons, you may want to consider bringing your plants indoors for the winter; or you can dry your herbs. Air drying your herbs will maintain the nutrients and essential oils and are as good as using fresh. It will also give a nice fresh scent in your home!

To air dry your herbs so you can ensure an ample supply for winter, it’s best to pick the leaves in late summer or early fall. Let the leaves dry completely and place in a paper bag that you have punched holes in. Don’t forget to label the bag with the name of the herb. Hang upside down in bundles of 4 or 5 branches. Your herbs should be completely dried in two or three weeks. You can then take them and store them in airtight containers or Ziploc bags.

Your family will definitely taste the difference once you start using your fresh herbs; and you can be proud of your creations, not only of your garden but of your cooking!

Since herbs are plentiful this time of year, why not use them to make a variety of simple herb butters? You can even freeze the butters to enjoy in the cooler fall months ahead. You can buy fresh herbs at the grocery store or farmer’s market, or even grow them yourself in a small herb garden, or in pots on the windowsill.

Use these tasty butters on everything from grilled steaks, fish, and chicken, to cooked vegetables. And don’t forget to slather some on a big chunk of fresh bread. Yum!

To make herb butters, chop the herbs very fine (and pulverize the seeds). Cream the butter. Then blend in the herbs and seasonings. Roll the herb butter into a log, then wrap the log in waxed paper. Store in the refrigerator, or put in the freezer (for up to 6 months).

Try the following herb butter combinations:

BASIC HERBAL BUTTER
2 sticks softened butter
1 Tsp. chopped, fresh green basil
1 Tbsp. chopped, fresh marjoram
1 Tbsp. chopped, fresh chives
1 tspo. chopped, fresh rosemary
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

PARSLEY HERB BUTTER
1/2 c. softened butter
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. chopped basil
1/4 tsp. oregano
Pepper to taste

ROSEMARY BUTTER
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 sticks softened butter

Variation: To make pretty pats of these butters, spoon softened herb butter into candy molds and freeze. When the butter is frozen, pop it out of the molds. Store the butter pats in the refrigerator.

If you have any form of arthritis, I’m sure you’ve considered using lots of different options to ease your arthritis pain. Ayurveda is an ancient healing art that has been practiced in India for centuries and has naturally also been used for arthritis treatment.

Mukul Myrrh is a small, thorny plant which is common in India and guggul comes from the yellow-colored resin produced by the stem of the plant. Guggul is one of the most used herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. It is because it has amazing properties – it is anti-inflammatory, analgesic and is an immune enhancer. It is used for joint pain, arthritis and sciatica, among others.

This is not all, this wonder herb can reduce existing plaque in arteries and improve the body’s metabolic rate (therefore the fat burning activity) and improves the function of the thyroid. It also helps lower cholesterol. It decreases the platelet ‘stickiness’ in the blood, thus reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. This is why it is one of the best herbs used in Ayurveda to treat obesity and related disorders. This herb, however, should not be used during pregnancy as it promotes menstrual discharge and is a uterine stimulant.

Another Ayurvedic herb (well it’s a combination of 3) is Triphala and this is a good thing to take as well when you are using guggul as this supports the herb gugul and also helps to detox your body.

As arthritis thrives in an acid environment (which is why acid forming nutrition is counter-productive – coffee, for example), it is important to rid your body of unwanted toxins and then add foods to your diet that are alkaline forming. This includes lots of vegetables and most fruit. Cut down on meat, coffee and alcohol. Smoking is very acid forming and should also be avoided.

You can also do research online to find out more information why Ayurveda can be a great help with arthritis treatment.

Thyme is an herb that has been known about and used since ancient times. Egyptians used it as an ingredient for embalming, ancient Greeks would burn the herb for its aromatic properties. The spread of thyme through Europe is credited to the ancient Romans, as they used it as a room purifier and a flavoring for cheese and food.

Thyme was a symbol of bravery and courage in medieval times. Ladies would sew springs of the herb onto handkerchiefs that were given to knights. Oil of thyme has also been used medicinally in topical applications, mouthwash, and as an antiseptic. Thymol is the substance contained in the herb that makes it an antiseptic. Thymol is the active ingredient in Listerine mouthwash.

Thyme is an excellent antimicrobial herb. Studies have shown that thyme used in preserved food actually helps prevent spoilage, especially in foods that are not cooked, such as salads. Using fresh thyme in a salad can make the salad safer to eat.

Thyme originally is indigenous to Asia and the Mediterranean area, but is now grown around the world. Its strong scent and mild mint flavor gives a good accent to many recipes such as soups, stews, roasted meats and pasta sauce. It should be added to the recipe towards the end of cooking, as too much heat for an extended time can kill the flavor of it.

Thyme is easy to grow. Sow directly in a sunny, well-drained spot or in pots. Thyme is an herb that is good dried or fresh, and along with bay leaf and parsley it makes up the classic bouquet garni of French cooking.

Herbs have many uses and have been grown and gathered for thousands of years to protect against germs; heal injuries, infections and ailments; as scent in perfumes; to flavor food and drinks; as a disinfectant for wounds, clothes and homes and even as currency.

Growing your own herb garden is quick and simple and serves as an excellent way to reap some of the many benefits of herbs by collecting them right out of your own front yard. But before you start planting, it is important to create an herb garden plan which will help you layout your herb garden aesthetically and functionally.

Before you start planning the layout of your garden, you’ll want to consider what types of herbs you think will be most useful to you. You can base your choices on personal taste preferences or the preferences of your family or anyone else you may cook for. If choosing the herbs one by one from so many available options seems like a daunting task, consider drawing up a layout for a themed herb garden. An Italian herb garden would be useful for a cook who makes a lot of Italian dishes and sauces. If you choose an Italian herb garden consider sage, basil, chervil, parsley, onions and garlic while creating your herb garden layout. If you prefer spicy food, plan a layout for a spicy herb garden. Some options include coriander, cilantro, cumin, cayenne pepper, horseradish root and jalapeño peppers

Next, choose a number of herbs for your garden that grow to different heights. Plan the layout of your herb garden so the herb plants will be arranged varying in height. Tall herbs should be placed in the back, serving somewhat as a backdrop for your other herbs. Most of your herbs will be medium height, so set aside a lot of space in your herb garden layout for those plants. Finally, the low growing herbs should be positioned at the front of the bed where they won’t be covered by the taller plants. Also, while creating your layout, plan to use different leaf shapes and colors. Mixing shapes can create interest and will be aesthetically pleasing. Mixing different colors will also add interest to your herb garden.

During your layout process, it is also important to consider how you are going to display your herbs. Some creative options to consider include herb wheels, rock gardens, spirals, or as a border for a larger garden. If you’re looking for simplicity, plan a plain square herb garden layout. There are a number of more traditional layout such as a crosses or rhomboids. Don’t forget to consider practicality during the layout process – many gardeners plant their herb garden close to the kitchen for easy accessibility.

When choosing a herb to improve memory, people usually want to know how fast will the effects appear, what the side effects are and what is the price of the treatment. They are recommended to make a comparison between the medicinal plants, in order to pick the best herb to improve memory.

In most of the cases, the effectiveness increases once with the number of ways in which the herb can improve memory. Ginkgo biloba, for example can enhance the blood flow to the brain, enhance the circulation throughout the entire body, prevent cholesterol from turning into plaque, fighting free radicals and improving the mood. People are recommended to look at ginkgo biloba as their first options, as many scientists consider it the best herb to improve memory.

The brain needs 20% out of the entire amount of oxygen that is consumed by the body. When this level drops, people experience dizziness, vertigo, and fatigue as well as memory loss. Ginkgo biloba is regarded as a good herb to improve memory as it can reduce fatigue by oxygenating properly all the other organs.

Next, it prevents the cholesterol from turning into plaque. If this change succeeds, the plaque is deposited on the arteries and the blood circulates with difficulty. In the end, stroke becomes inevitable. As stroke is a major cause of memory loss, by preventing it, ginkgo biloba helps in the memory improvement process.

Ginkgo biloba is an herb to improve memory that contains more than 40 active substances. Out of all these, flavonoids and terpenoids seem to be the most important. These are two types of antioxidants that boost the immune system and help the body to fight the free radicals. The latter type of chemical substances helps significantly in the development of cancer and heart diseases. Brain cancer, as well as stroke, represents major causes of memory disorders.

Ginseng is an herb to improve memory that acts as an energy booster. In conclusion, it helps people to decrease the stress and depression levels, which are also causes of memory loss. On the other hand, rosemary is a herb to improve memory that enhances directly the mental processes.

When choosing the best herb to improve memory, people must also know the contraindications of these herbs. Most of them are anticoagulants, so they must not be used in excess. In addition, pregnant women are recommended to avoid supplements based on ginkgo biloba.

We all like buildings and houses that have nice, green gardens with flowers and trees. Vegetation always gives a natural touch to human areas. That’s the reason why most hotels and resorts try to have them either inside them or in their surroundings; they can be very soothing to visitors.

People also try to get a small garden in their houses. Sometimes it’s in the front of the house, sometimes in the backyard and sometimes in the balcony. Such gardens are typically flower beds with the intention of making the home look prettier. Nevertheless, some people with experience in gardens also use them to grow plants that are more useful. They use them to grow perennial herbs.

A perennial herb is a long living plant that is used for one or more specific purpose. This purpose can be religious, medicinal, aromatic, but most commonly, it’s culinary. The term perennial means that it lives for at least two years, although people use the term more commonly to refer to any plant that lives for a long time.

Growing perennial herbs in your garden is a good inexpensive source of species. If you like cooking and gardening, then you’d be having fun while supplying yourself of things you need for your cooking.

Just a word of caution. Perennial herbs are grown mostly in temperate areas. If you live in a place where winter is harsh, you probably won’t be able to grow them unless you have a greenhouse. With that being said, here is an example of a perennial herbs that is common and easy to grow.

Mints. These herbs have several advantages besides being perennial . First of all, they have purple flowers, which makes them good for decorations. They also have a fresh, strong odor, which can be used to make the house smell good, or as garnish. If used well, they can accompany lamb, chocolate, fish sauces, and others.

Don’t plant culinary herbs way out in the garden. Plant a container herb garden right outside your kitchen door so you can quickly run out and snip some while you’re cooking dinner. If you put it in a decorative container, you can feature it on your deck. Show your guests how to “scratch and sniff.” Most people are amazed and delighted when shown how to rub the leaves of herbs between their fingers and then “sniff” them.

You can plant a culinary container herb garden virtually any time during the growing season, providing you can find the potted herbs.

Here’s an easy, quick “kitchen” herb garden you can put together in an afternoon.

Get the containers. Start with a 12 inch outdoor planter. It’s OK if it’s a little larger, like 14 or 15 inches. Also get a 6 inch terra-cotta pot and enough regular potting soil to fill them both up. Don’t get the kind of potting soil with fertilizer or plant food in it; herbs prefer soil that’s not too rich.

Get the herb plants. Here’s my list of seven culinary must-haves: chives, cilantro, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

Time to put it all together. Transplant the rosemary into the 6 inch terra-cotta pot. Place the entire pot directly into the center of the soil in the 12 inch (or larger) container. Push it down so that only the fatter part at the top of the pot is showing. Planting the rosemary in its own pot makes it easy to bring it indoors for the winter. It also makes use of the space in the center of the larger container.

Plant the rest of the herbs in a ring around the potted rosemary. If you pretend the container is an analog clock face, plant the remaining herbs in the following positions:

* 12 o’clock – parsley
* 2 o’clock – cilantro
* 4 o’clock – chives
* 6 o’clock – thyme
* 8 o’clock – oregano
* 10 o’clock – sage

Use a small garden trowel and transplant the herbs in their respective positions. Plant the herbs near the edge of the large container so that the low-growing thyme and spreading oregano can cascade over the sides.

Put the container herb garden in a sunny place with the parsley in the 12 o’clock position at the northern-most point. Cilantro and chives will be on the east side, oregano and sage on the west and thyme on the south.

Water the herb garden two or more times a week and more often in hot, dry summer weather.

Before it freezes for the first time in autumn, bring the potted rosemary into the house so you can keep it in a south-facing window over the winter. Don’t over water it but don’t let it dry out either.

Except for the cilantro, the rest of the herbs in the container garden will keep growing outdoors even after a few light frosts. (Cilantro is a tender annual which has a tendency to go to seed. Chances are that it’ll be finished for the season long before the first fall frost.)

You can store the larger container herb garden in an unheated garage, closet or basement, depending on the severity of your winters. Give it a little water during the winter months if the soil appears dry. There’s no guarantee that all of the herbs will survive winter, but some might.

In spring, put it back in full sun as soon as temperatures stay in the forties during the day, even if it gets cold at night. Water well. If they lived, they’ll start growing in just a few weeks.

And if they didn’t, start a new container herb garden. You already have the container and the rosemary from last year. And because herbs are seldom bothered by pests, it’s OK to re-use the soil.

St. Johns Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) is also known as Klamath Weed or Tipton’s Weed and is widely known as an effective herbal remedy for depression and sadness.

I have personal experience with this herb. A few years back I was in a low period where I was feeling overwhelmed and very sad. I tried a St. Johns Wort supplement and found that it worked incredibly well. In the end I had to actually cut my dose back due to its effectiveness.

There are at least 370 different species of this amazing plant in the plant genus, Hypericum, discovered to date. This herb thrives in subtropical areas of the world. These include Asia Minor, North America, India, Russia, China and Europe.

This perennial herb flowers yellow and is traditionally harvested on June 24. This is where it got its name; June 24 is St John’s day. St. Johns Wort is easy to identify. The yellow flowers are normally about twenty millimeters across and are found late in the Spring to early summer. If you smash the seeds or yellow flowers you will discover a purple/red colored liquid.

This herb is not all glamor and glory. Many countries consider it to be a noxious pest of a plant. When it is consumed by livestock it can cause many problems from depression of the nervous system to photosensitization. It can even cause death among
ranging animals.

The Cochrane Review, which conducts research on medicine and gives reports based on evidence, claims that St. Johns Wort is similar to antidepressants that exist on the market, today. It is considered very effective for treating both depression and major depression.

The beauty of this herb is that compared to antidepressants that are manufactured today it has half the side effects. Compared to older, trycyclic, antidepressants it has 5 times fewer side effects. To me that’s a major event. One of the single largest problems with prescriptions is the overwhelming amount of side effects they cause.

Some countries, such as Germany, often prescribe this herb to treat depression symptoms. It is dosed out in several ways including: capsule, tablet, tincture and tea (loose or teabag) forms. It works wonderfully in children and is very cost effective.

The cost of medicine in North America has people constantly seeking out a cheaper alternative and this natural plant is often found to be the solution.

The only type of depression that St. Johns Wort is not effective in, according to studies, is dysthymia. Dysthymia is termed as chronic depression which is not as severe as major depression or depression.

Although it has been found to be most effective in treating depression there are other ailments that it is often used for. Hyperforin is a chemical in the plant that is thought to help treat alcoholism.

It is also used to holistically treat ADHD by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine. The studies on these two uses of the plant have not been thorough nor conclusive.

Check with your local herbalist to see if they have any recommendations. You can often combine St. Johns Wort with other herbs to achieve the results you are looking for.