Herb

It’s that time of year when you are ready to harvest and gather up your herbs for the winter. The question is how can you best preserve your herbs for future use or for selling. Many herbalists use many methods to preserve plants such as drying for teas or potpourri, juice as an extract or powder for capsules, but one of the most reliable techniques for long lasting preservation is tincturing.

Tinctures are ground up herbs soaked in solvents, such as water, vinegar, honey, wine, glycerin or alcohol in order to extract the essential elements from the plant. Using alcohol or vodka and water allows the tincture to last a very long time as the alcohol preserves the tincture. You will need at least 30% alcohol to dissolve the herb. Vodka is 40% alcohol and 60% water.

The supplies you need to make a tincture are; herbs, glass jars with lids, alcohol, cheesecloth, and a grinder. To prepare the tincture first you need to grind the herbs into a course powder and put them into the jar. Cover the herbs with the alcohol and stir. Cover and store for at least 10-14 days. Try to shake the jar every day and top off with alcohol if it settles below the level of the herbs as it should remain one-fourth inch above the mixture. After 14 days strain the mixture through the cheesecloth making sure you wring as much of liquid out as possible. Store the tincture in a glass bottles away from light and heat.

A few herbs that work well as tinctures are;

Lemon Balm……… Use the leaves and stems. Medical Use: Mild antidepressant
Yarrow…….. Use leaves, flowers and stems. Medical Use: Fever and flu
California Poppy….. Use leaves, flowers and stems. Medical Use: Sleep aid
Calendula…….. Use the flowers. Medical Use: Digestive and intestinal aid
Oats…….. Use the seed heads. Medical Use: Relaxant

Tinctures are very concentrated use 10-25 drops in a glass of water two or three times a day. If you are trying to avoid drinking alcohol use a glycerin solvent instead. I would purchase a good herbal tincture book and experiment with different solvents and herbal combinations. Make tinctures products that are you’re very own concoctions and apply labels to the bottles with your own trademark. When selling your tinctures make sure you include the costs to prepare and bottle your product in the selling price. You can sell your tinctures on eBay, your own website or at a local specialized retail shop.

If you are not selling your tinctures, they would make excellent gifts for your friends and family. Remember that herbs are used for different purposes, if you are selling or giving away medicinal herb tinctures make sure you label the bottle accordingly. Some herbs do not mix with other medications or should be voided if you are pregnant or nursing. It is advisable to consult with your physician before taking any medicinal supplements.

Best of all making tinctures is easy, affordable and a reliable way to preserve the herbs from your herb garden. And a great way to make some BACKYARD BUCKAMOOS!

Origanum onites (Labiatae)

Appearance:

Marjoram is a bushy plant reaching some 60 cm (2 ft) in height. Marjorams have a pleasant and distinct aroma. Pot marjoram is somewhat stronger and it is one of the most popular of the cultivated herbs, flourishing in temperate climes. Flowers are pink and white in summer.

Usage:

Flowers and leaves can be used for potpourris. A favorite culinary herb with many uses in stews, soups and stuffings.

History:

Many people get confused about marjoram. Before the Second World war common marjoram (O. vulgara), a red-stemmed perennial which spreads by means of small rhizomes was dubbed wild marjoram in most American cookbooks. Modern cookbooks refer to it as Oregano. To compound this confusion, some Southern U.S. states refer to an unrelated plant as marjoram. Get a photograph to be sure of identification..

Sweet marjoram is a native of North Africa. It likes temperate climates: in Summer it has purple/blue flowers mixed in with leaves ballooning at the stem tips. This untidy knot-like appearance gives it the nickname of ‘knotted marjoram’. it is also regarded as the best type for cooking as it has he best flavor.

Cultivation:

Pot or wild marjoram grows well from seed sown in spring, summer cuttings or root division in autumn (fall). Sweet marjoram needs to be treated as a half hardy annual.

All kinds of marjoram can be started by sowing indoors or in cold frames early in spring, and are ready to transfer when the thermometer reads around 10deg C. or 50deg F.

Harvesting:

Pick straight off the stems. All the marjorams dry well for winter use.

Pete Steel has grown herbs for 25 years in several different climates and soils. The result is a book on herb growing called “Kung Fu Herb Gardening Exposed”. It covers all aspects of herb gardening and herb usage.

Other than that animals are life essentials and fishing is wonderful. The sea is the only environment that counts next to a garden plot.

The authors, Velma J. Keith and Monteen Gordon, have done a great job of providing concise and extensive information on th71 herbs, 38 vitamins and minerals, and 175 of the most common ailments for women, children and families.

The herb section includes for each herb: classification, a brief description and an extensive list of the most common uses. Pages on vitamins and minerals cover the positive effects and explain in detail why each substance is needed and what can happen if the body becomes deficient. Also stated is toxicity, enemies, natural food sources and all of the herbs included in the book which contain the nutrient being discussed.

Over 150 conditions and ailments are addressed with treatment options for herbs, herbal combinations, diet changes and/or exercise. Several pages are devoted to helping the reader to understand the need and the methods for cleansing. Also included are a few specialized chapters focusing on women, infants and children and last, but definitely not least, is a chapter with herbal preparations and recipes. The authors give directions on how to make infusions, decoctions, compresses (fomentation), extracts, tinctures, oils, ointments, bolus, capsules, poultices, baths, syrups, plasters, packs and salves.

Finally, this book is very well formatted and organized. It was very easy to read and has a very comprehensive Table of Contents and Index which makes it very easy to find your treatment or herbal fix at a glance.

I am very pleased with my recent acquisition. I would recommend The How To Herb Book (Mayfield Publications ISBN 0-9617825-0-1) to all herbal enthusiasts. A great anchor book for the beginning herbal patron and a much needed addition to complete the serious herbalist’s library.

I am a retired statistical database designer and stay-at-home mom with 3 children. I enjoy learning about the complexities of nutrition and nature with respect for God’s master design. My goal is to uncover the mysteries of optimum health and share them with family, friends and others with similar desires. I currently review products and publish articles for the Bulk Herb Store

Imagine fresh rosemary to go next time you make that famous pot roast of yours, or sweet-smelling tarragon in sumptuous quiches or fragrant lemongrass in that mouth-watering Thai delicacy. And imagine if you had grown all these herbs yourself! That is precisely what a home herb garden would do for you- provide fresh, organic herbs every time you need them, without even having to rush out of your home.

Creating a home herb garden is very simple. It does not need much space. In fact, a nice bright and airy space on your kitchen window sill would do. With proper planning, anyone can start working on a small home herb garden.

1. Planning:

First of all, you have to decide about what you exactly want in your home herb garden. Choose the herbs that you would want to grow. To start with, it is better to grow herbs which need little maintenance and grow quickly. Also, plan how many varieties and quantity of herbs you can squeeze in the area available for your herb garden. Do not embark upon having a crowded home herb garden at the beginning. Small scale is the keyword for beginners. Make arrangements to procure the seeds of the herbs you have decided upon.

2. Space Arrangement:

Next, analyse the place available for your home herb garden. Most of the herbs would require airy space and sunshine. You could even change the position of your plants to catch the sun over the whole day. In such cases, make it a point to have smaller pots so that they are easier to move. Also, keep ready a good source of water for the plants, in case that is an issue.

3. Potting and other measures:

Attend to preparation of pots for the herbs. Make sure they are of the appropriate size to suit the herb. It is important to ensure that the pots have proper drain facility. Blocked drains would ruin the herbs. While putting the seeds in pots, be careful that they are not planted too deep. That would hinder with their ability to sprout. In case you are using an already planted plant, ensure that the transferring of plant into the pot does not to harm the roots.

The great thing about having your own home herb garden is that you can be certain of the quality of the herbs grown. Be sure to use only natural manure for your herbs, and keep the produce as organic as possible.

4. Maintenance:

Ensure regular maintenance of the herbs. They should be methodically watered. Occasional spraying of the shoots enables the whole plant to be fresh and bright. Trim the shoots to get rid of dry leaves and move the pots around to catch the most of sunshine.

5. Use help:

Last of all, do not hesitate to use assistance from experts, who would be able to give valuable advice regarding the better ways to grow your herbs.

Now, go ahead, create your home herb garden and receive compliments when you use home-grown Lavender next time you make ice cream.

Which herb lover doesn’t love Italian herbs? Probably none. They’re one of the most aromatic and tasty herbs around. Italian herbs are world-renowned for their flavor. If you’re a herb connoiseur then you’d want to enjoy fresh Italian herbs with your meals so it’s a great idea to grow them in your own home herb garden. Here’s a list of the most famous Italian herbs.

Italian cooking would be incomplete without basil. No-one can resist fresh pesto sauce which contains basil as a key ingredient. Basil works great with tomato sauce and always enhances any pasta dish. Soups, marinades and sauces all work well with basil.

The most common variety of basil is The Sweet Italian Large Leaf. Genovese Basil is used in authentic pesto. To grow your own basil, plant the seeds in a sunny location or start them indoors in small pots and transfer them directly into your garden. Trim the flower buds below the node to keep the plant from growing up.The leaves can be harvested just before the plant flowers. You can easily store them for upto a week by keeping the stalks immersed in a cup of water. For long-term storage, you can just hang them to dry in a cool, dry place.

Meatballs and Italian sausages always contain fennel seeds. They’re also used for meat and fish to give it that lovely distinctive flavor. Toasting the seeds lightly before using them enhances the flavor of fennel seeds.Fennel originally belongs to Italy and can be found growing naturally throughout the country. Fennel seeds replant themselves quickly when they fall. Due to this reason they should be grown in a separate area in your garden to prevent them from taking over other plants’ growing space. Fennel also requires a good amount of sunlight and well-drained soil. Fennel seeds can be harvested when the flowers turn brown and can be stored in paper bags.

Garlic is an essential Italian herb. They can be directly planted and they grow easily without much attention. Autumn is a good time to plant garlic.Garlic should be harvested when the tops turn brown and fall. The bulbs can be dried in the sun and stored in a bag. Freezing garlic cloves can enable them to be stored for a longer time.

Oregano is another commonly used Italian herb. It complements the flavor of basil and goes well with tomato-based dishes, meat, fish and salads. It’s also great for use with beans and eggplant. Plant oregano stem cuttings or root divisions for best results. Plant them in a sunny part of your garden. Sunlight has a direct impact on the flavor of the herbs. Harvest them before the flowers bloom and keep trimming the plant to maintain its health. Fresh oregano can be stored in water like basil or can be dried for long-term keeping.

Parsley is one of the most flavorful Italian herbs. The flat-leafed variety is more tasty than other types and is great for use in soup stock and vegetarian dishes. You can also use them with grilled meat or fish.Parsley seeds should be planted in direct sunlight or in light shade. It’s a good idea to grow two crops, one year apart, to get the best parsley because the first years plants are always the tastiest. The second years crop can be used for harvesting the seeds. Parsley is ideally harvested when the plant reaches about six inches in height. They can be chopped and dried or frozen for storage or they may be used fresh.

Herbs are the unparalleled endowments of the liberal nature. It helps us to condition our skin and increase the beauty of the body. It keeps us active both mentally and physically.

The use of medicinal herbs for health actually strengthens the bond between man and nature. The use of herbs to treat various diseases has been prevalent from time immemorial. Most of the pharmaceutical industries also cannot produce their medicines without the help of plants or herbs. If today the pharmaceutical industry is successful, then it owes its success to the different herbs used in the manufacture of its medicines.

Herbs also form the most crucial part of our ecological system. These plants and herbs not only provide medicinal value but also add beauty to our planet. Being courteous and non-abusive towards our natural surroundings makes man’s travel of being tranquil, more honoring, and free from frailty.

Herbs hinder the growth of ailments and also act as tonics to the immune system of our body. Even though the mint leaf is very tiny, it is very powerful when it comes to curing stomach pain.

Normally people go in for allopathic medication to herbal options because the result in allopathic treatment is fast. Herbal treatment or nature cure takes time. But treatment through herbs is permanent.

Aloe Vera herb can be used for a healthy skin. In the present world everyone is beauty conscious, and here are a few tips to use Aloe Vera to have a beautiful and radiant skin.

• With the use of Aloe Vera the external layer of the skin grows healthy. The herb acts as a moisturizer. You can add cucumber with Aloe Vera juice or even just use the flesh of the plant and apply it as a face pack. Aloe Vera acts as anti-wrinkle cream. It improves the elasticity of the skin and increases hydration.
• It helps to preserves fair skin and also acts as a sun block application
• For skin disorders, a mixture of Aloe gel with turmeric powder can be used as a face pack.
• Carrot juice and Aloe juice can also be taken in to cure acne problem.
• Aloe Vera also helps in maintaining consistency of hair filaments and helps to fight dandruff. For better results the leaf pulp has to be applied on the hair and left for at least one hour before washing your hair. Try out this mode of using Aloe Vera once in every week and this is sure to bring your dandruff under control.
• Skin burns, skin tan or even skin irritations can be cured with the use of Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera mixed with bee wax and olive oil can be applied on the area of the skin where it has burns.
• Aloe gel and milk mixed together can be taken in to cure intestine burns due to radiation.
• For loose motions with blood in stool, the tender leaves of Aloe Vera together with cumin seeds powder and sugar can cure the ailment immediately.
• In the past, headaches were cured by applying the juice of Aloe Vera mixed with opium on the forehead.
• Insomnia can be cured with Aloe Vera juice. And hair oil is prepared by mixing Aloe Vera with sesame oil and boiling the mixture. This hair oil can be used to cure sleeplessness.

Aloe Vera can be used to cure many female disorders also. Some of them are:
Gynecological problems and menstrual disorders can be cured by using the gel of the Aloe Vera leaves. It reduces pain and fatigue during the menstrual cycle.

Cons:
Since Aloe Vera contains strong purgatives, pregnant women should not use them.

Let us see if Ganoderma which has been discribed as the “miracle herb” can help you with your health regime.

Ganoderma is a type of mushroom that has been know to the far east for thousands of years for its meraculous medicinal
properties.

These mushrooms are regarded as “Spirit Medicine” by the Chinese as they are among the most powerful herbs in Asia.

Chinese medicine has used Ganoderma for over 4000 years and was highly prized as an elixir of immortality.

Research has been done by both Chinese and Western scholars in recent years and with analysis and clinical experiments
done by colleges, hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers its potency is finally coming to light.

So how can Ganoderma help you?

Well here is a list of what Ganoderma can do for you!

* It an anti-inflammatory

* detixicant

* diuretic

* liver protector

* increases energy levels

* intestine regulator

* increases libido

* helps with sleep disorders

* cardiotonic

* blood pressure

* antitussive

* hemocatheresisis and expectorant

* tranquillizer

* helps protect against tumor activity

Ganoderma is a traditional tonic used to nourish,tonify and supplement the whole body as it removes toxins and disperses
accumulation.

It has even been know to help some people with hair regeneration!

Ganoderma has also been know to re-activate the pancreas to secrete insulin in some type 2 diabetes sufferers.

Ganoderma can also function as an insulin. Whereas taking insulin ordinarily will not do this and in fact may accelerate the
aging of the organ. Ganoderma will help retard its ageing with no adverse side affects.

Ganoderma contains a veritable pharmacy of substances which can also help with the immune system by enhancing production
of antibodies,T-cell,macrophages which are the bodies most powerful defense against cancer.

Scientific evidence shows that Ganoderma counteracts damage caused to the immune system by radiation therapy including
anti-tumor activity. It protects bone marrow cells against free radicals generatged by X-rays.

Ganoderma can be taken long term without any side effects.

So to answer the question “Can it help you?”

Without a doubt I believe it can help you as part of an overall health plan along with diet and exercise.

Cantharis for cats is used for urinary tract infections. This herb helps to sustain a healthy flow or urine. Cantharis and Staphysagris are normally used together for cat urinary bladder infections. If Cantharis is specifically compounded together with other herbs, like Staphysagris and vitamins in special formulas used in conjunction with a healthy diet you may be able to prevent further problems of the urinary tract.

In homeopathic remedies the herb, plant or sometimes an insect is used. After processing the full potency product is diluted many times and added to a base formula. The theory behind these homeopathic remedies is like cures like. In other words, if the original herb produces the consequences you are trying to cure and it is taken in these very minute properties, the body responds much like the flu shot which when introduced into the body will produce antibodies.

Cantharis and Staphysagris are prescribed when the symptoms are an extreme urge to urinate, pain when urinating and a pain after the flow of urine has stopped. Even when just finishing urination there is another urge to urinate with little or no urine being produced. Cantharis for cats is prescribed if experiencing rapid and severe inflammation of the urinary tract. The relentless burning pain associated with the urinary tract makes the cat afraid to urinate, and so kitty might go to the bathroom on a cool floor outside of the litter box because it feels better, or they might dribble urine any and everywhere.

Prevention is the key for avoiding repeated bouts of bladder problems with your cat. Keeping the litter box clean is an excellent way to prevent urinary infections. Bacteria from the litter box can enter and overrun the urethra. It is also very effective to make sure your animals have plenty of clean fresh water so they will urinate more and flush out any possible start of bacteria. One of the major causes for cat bladder infections is the fact that cats especially don’t drink or eat enough liquids, so if any bacteria do enter into the urethra, bacteria will multiply very fast.

As an added preventative, consider an immune supplement or a good multi-vitamin to help fight off any future infections. Used in combination with Cantharis and Staphysagris your cat will be able to fight off urinary infections.