Thyme for Herbs

Moon over Michigan

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:03:00 +0000

Wow, what a moon!! One of the benefits of getting up early in the morning (especially here in the northern states like Michigan) is viewing the incredible natural beauty of my surroundings. Being able to breath the fresh new air of the day (well, except for an occasional skunk) is a plus also.
This is what I woke to today. Believe me, my camera does not do it justice. The moon was HUGE! As bright as a spotlight! I wish you could have been there.

Please make your car a NO PHONE ZONE!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Book Giveaway - Winter Seed Sowing

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:34:00 +0000

One of the best parts of garden blogging is the online friends that you make. Recently, Monica at Garden Faerie Musings and I discovered each other. Monica is the author of Fun with Winter Seed Sowing.
She is an advanced master gardener, a master composter, writer, and speaker. Monica, a fellow Michigander, has been published in the Ann Arbor News, Michigan Living magazine, The Washtenaw Gardener, and many other publications. One of her special projects is a Cat Garden for cats living in a no-kill retirement community, maybe the first and only in the country. She also designed a fountain garden for an 1860s home near Ann Arbor called Cobblestone Farm, drawing from her knowledge of plants that would have been planted in that era.

Monica's book, Fun with Winter Seed Sowing, is a different approach to seed starting. Using Mother Nature's original plan, she demonstrates ways to sow seeds in recyclable containers, such as milk jugs and juice bottles, outdoors, leaving your house free of pot and container clutter. This idea utilizes natural light, rain, and snow melt. The seeds remain dormant in the pots until they begin to leaf out in nature's own good timing. By the time they are ready for transplanting, they have already been hardened-off. What a great concept! The book describes everything you need to know using whatever type of container you decide, including the soil type and different ways to mark pots.

Monica has generously offered one of her books as a giveaway. Outdoor seed sowing should only be done until mid-March here in the snowy North, so time is of the essence. If this new concept interest you, here's how you can enter:

1. Leave a comment about why you would like to win this book.

2. For a second chance to win, sign up as an e-mail subscriber with Feedburner, Feed Blitz, or become a Google Follower (see sidebar.) Then leave a second comment telling me you have subscribed or that you are already a subscriber.

If you subscribe in more than one way, leave a separate comment for each.

3. For a third chance to win, blog or Tweet about this contest with a link here, then come back and leave another comment telling me about it.

4. For a fourth chance to win, subscribe to Garden Faerie's Musings and come back and tell me about it..

5. If you're not a blogger, be sure to leave your contact e-mail address like this to avoid spammers: pianananna(at)gmail(dot)com. If I don't have a way to reach you or you don't respond in three days, your name will be disqualified, and I will choose again, picking my favorite answer.

Good Luck!!

Open to US residents only, 18+.

Winners will be chosen by random.org.

Email addresses will not be shared with any third parties.

This Giveaway ends on Friday, March 5, 2010 at midnight EST.

Please make your car a NO PHONE ZONE!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Antique Garden Books

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:58:00 +0000

I love antiques and anything that reminds me of the past; garden books are no exception. Like most of you, I have quite a large variety of garden books, but the ones that are most special are from another era.
Recently my mother gave me a little garden book that was first published in 1945 by Whitman Publishing Company. My parents were married in 1946 so I think it was new to her, possibly a gift - I forgot to ask.

This darling little book is only 2 and half inches high by 4 and a half inches long. Inside the cover is written the price -- 25 cents! Now that's a bargain, but considering my mother made 35 cents an hour back then, it took some careful thought for someone to spend that kind of money on a book.

The name of the book is "A Guide to Garden Flowers." It is comprised of 57 pages of prints of flowers and their descriptions, with an additional 4 pages for the glossary and index. The glossary includes such terms as annual, bulbs, and mulch ; in other words, a real beginners book.

This precious book also had companion books available - A Guide to Field Flowers and A Guide to Woodland Flowers. Oh, how I wish I could find those. Maybe someday I'll come across them in an antique shop.

Flower books are eternally up-to-date. There may be new fertilizers, garden tools, garden clothing, and professional soil blends available to us now, but a particular plant will always and forever need the same amount of sunlight and rain to flourish. So don't be afraid to collect wonderful antique garden books; they're such a joy to read. Knowing that my mother studied this little book as a young wife while planning her garden makes it even more special to me.

Please make your car a NO PHONE ZONE!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Just Hangin' Out

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:29:00 +0000

Have you seen this photo going around on email? It's how I feel about winter right now. Hanging isn't good enough. It's time for a serious meltdown!!!! If spring doesn't come soon, I'll have a meltdown of my own.

Please make your car a NO PHONE ZONE!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Oh, That Orange

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

While doing this Color in the Garden series, I discovered that I don't really have a lot of orange in my garden, except for daylilies, and I try to avoid buying any more of those. Orange seems to jump right out and take control of your eye, leading you away from the other beautiful colors. But if used in small amounts the color orange, or even rust, can be an awesome color. I try to keep it away from red, but combined with purple or blue, it blows me away.
I noticed that Mother Nature only seems to allow orange flowers to bloom in the heat of the summer or early fall. I think the pigment is stronger than the pastels and provides protection from the sun. The way nature works things out is absolutely amazing.
The following pictures are a few of the orange and rust flowers I found in my garden:

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Passionately Purple

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

I am passionately in love with purple flowers-- well, not quite as much as my daughter, she loves everything purple and has since she was very young. I love purple in my garden, all shades. I love the contrast with reds and yellows, and the way it complements pinks and blues.

Can anyone deny that a garden rich in purples is truly majestic? Purple, the color of kings -- the color of sweet grapes -- the color of good wine -- the color of passion!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Pretty in Pink

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

I love flowers that are dressed "pretty in pink."
I know we just started the Lenten season, but I am dreaming about Easter day and hoping for some real spring weather in six weeks. Spring also brings to mind those wonderful light pastel colors; especially pink. It brings up childhood memories of Easter bonnets, frilly dresses, and shiny new shoes. I know I'm rushing the season, but this year, in my state of mind, it just can't be helped.
The following are some of the pink flowers in my garden. Enjoy!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Blue on Blue

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Blue on Blue, Heartache on Heartache ...... Remember that old song by Bobby Vinton? Oh, how my mother loved the "Polish Prince." It's a sad song about two lovers who are no longer together.
Part of one of the verses says:
Now the trees are bare
There's sadness in the air
And I'm as blue as I can be

Well, I'm blue, because I'm not able to garden. I need to get my fingers in the dirt. My fingers are itching to dig. Please February pass quickly!!!

In the meantime, I'll reminisce about some of my blue flowers that are still at rest.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Yummy Yellow Flowers

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:02:00 +0000

Did you notice that I'm on to a new series? It's called Color in the Garden and Woods. First I did red, for Valentine's Day and then white for winter. Now I'm moving on to yummy yellow, one of my favorite spring and summer colors. It reminds me of sunshine and warmth; something I need badly today. Here's my bouquets to you from past pics in my garden. I hope it brings sunshine your way.

Evening Primrose

Forsythia

Rudbeckia

Tulips

Heliopsis

Honeysuckle

Spring Bouquet

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Winter White Wild Flowers

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:22:00 +0000

It's about this time of year that I really get tired of the snow and all of the white. I'm ready for color in my world, so I start dreaming of wild flowers in the spring. But I suddenly realized that in the spring and summer, when gardens and woodlands are bursting with color, I overlook white. White flowers make a wonderful accent and look "pure as the driven snow."

Why do I compare the white flowers of the warmer seasons to snow when I am living in a "winter wonderland" right now? I guess the "grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." In the heat of a warm day, they look cool and refreshing.

I think it's about time I appreciate white flowers for what they are, beautiful and elegant, and not put them in an "extra" or "accent" category. Here are a few of my favorite winter white wild flowers that I can look forward to finding in my native woodlands of Michigan in the next season.

Lily of the Valley

White Yarrow

Dame's Rocket

Queen Anne's Lace

White Clover

Oxeye Daisy

Trillium

Wood Anemone

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Valentine Red!

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my faithful readers! I love you all.
Here are several bouquets of red flowers from my garden in past years. I wish I could send them to you special delivery!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Burpee Herb Kit Giveaway

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:39:00 +0000

If you've ever been undecided about how you can plant herbs in a container or which ones are suited to grow together, your problems have been solved for you. I've had a long association with Burpee so I know that they know their business; as a matter of fact, they've been in business since 1876! That's plenty of time to figure out what works and what doesn't in the gardening world.

Did you know that Burpee was started in Philadelphia by an 18-year-old with only $1000 in his pocket? It's still a family-owned business to this day, now owned and operated by George Ball, Jr.

In the aftermath of the Civil War, America was in a great depression, but still most people were full of hope for the future. W. Atlee Burpee was one of them. His family expected him to become a physician, but as a young man, only in his teens, he had a love of all things relating to farming. Burpee's father actually enrolled him in medical school, but his spirit and drive to do what he loved most convinced his mother -- who was a little more lenient toward him -- to allow him to take a different path. She agreed to give him the start-up money he needed for his agricultural business. And the rest is history!

In our economic situation today, growing our own vegetables and herbs is almost a must for some of us. We need to keep the faith as Americans did in 1876 and other years of hard times. We need to follow the example of Burpee and find a way to follow our hearts. Good times will come again; but in the meantime planting our own produce, culinary and medicinal herbs is one way to help our families get through it all. Burpee is right there with us, ready to help us out.

Wow, are we lucky or what? If you love the idea of growing your own herbs, here's your chance to win another wonderful item from Burpee. It's the Complete Garden Herb Kit. This all-in-one kit comes with an environmentally friendly container made from compressed rice hulls, soil for planting, and seeds for four herbs; Greek Oregano, Italian Parsley, Genovese Basil, and Common Chives. And the best part is, Burpee is offering FIVE of these kits, so your odds of winning just went way up.

Here's how you can enter:

1. Leave a comment after visiting the Burpee web site, about what your favorite gardening item would be, or how you would use their plants and seeds.

2. For a second chance to win, sign up as an e-mail subscriber with Feedburner, Feed Blitz, or become a Google Follower (see sidebar.) Then leave a second comment telling me you have subscribed or that you are already a subscriber.

If you subscribe in more than one way, leave a separate comment for each.

3. For a third chance to win, blog or Tweet about this contest with a link here, then come back and leave another comment telling me about it.

4. For a fourth chance to win, subscribe to the Burpee email newsletter at the bottom of their site, then come back and tell me that you have done that.

5. If you're not a blogger, be sure to leave your contact e-mail address like this to avoid spammers: pianananna(at)gmail(dot)com. If I don't have a way to reach you or you don't respond in three days, your name will be disqualified, and I will choose again, picking my favorite answer.

Good Luck!!

Open to US residents only, 18+.

Winners will be chosen by random.org.

Email addresses will not be shared with any third parties.

This Giveaway ends on ............Sunday, Febraury 21, 2010 at midnight EST

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

The Giving Essence Gift Set Giveaway

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:19:00 +0000

Now that you've followed along with my different series on herbs, you can see how useful herbs can be to your everyday life, either in the kitchen or in the medicine cabinet. I've pointed you to Diane's dk Mommy Spot recently, and now I'd like to point you toward The Giving Essence, an herbal store owned and operated by Diane.

Diane has a talent for creating wonderful balms made from her essential oils and dried herbs. I've been fortunate enough to try, for myself, many of these products. Currently, I am using the Peppermint Lip Balm and her new Lavender Mint Foot Balm, but I've also used the Essential Peppermint Stick Headache and Stress Remover, and the Dream Stick, as well as several of the Essential Sprays.

Since lavender is one of my favorite herbal scents, I couldn't wait to give the new foot balm a test run. Combining the lavender with mint was genius! It's cool and refreshing and at the same time calming.

I've used lots of foot balms over the last few years, trying to get rid of the dry and cracking skin on my heels. Some work and some don't, but one thing they all had in common was their greasiness; I'm not fond of wearing socks to bed to keep my sheets clean. The Giving Essence Foot Balm does not leave an oily spot behind on your bed clothing After regular nightly use of my pumice stone followed by the balm, I found a huge improvement. I feel like I have my feet back to normal again --they're almost as nice as a baby's behind --and if I stick to the regimen, I won't be embarrassesd to wear sandals this summer!

If you would love to give The Giving Essence a try, you can enter to win a Lavender and Mint Lip Balm and Foot Balm Gift Set. Here's all you have to do:

1. Leave a comment after visiting The Giving Essence website, about what your favorite product would be and why.

2. For a second chance to win, sign up as an e-mail subscriber with Feedburner, Feed Blitz, or become a Google Follower (see sidebar.) Then leave a second comment telling me you have subscribed or that you are already a subscriber.

If you subscribe in more than one way, leave a separate comment for each.

3. For a third chance to win, blog or Tweet about this contest with a link here, then come back and leave another comment telling me about it.

4. If you're not a blogger, be sure to leave your contact e-mail address like this to avoid spammers: pianananna(at)gmail(dot)com. If I don't have a way to reach you or you don't respond in three days, your name will be disqualified, and I will choose again, picking my favorite answer.

Good Luck!!

Open to US residents only, 18+.

Winners will be chosen by random.org.

Email addresses will not be shared with any third parties.

This Giveaway ends on .................Friday, February 19, 2010 at Midnight EST.

The Giving Essence provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose; nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Easy Medicinal Herbs - Calendula

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:49:00 +0000

Calendula - Calendula Officinalis

This is the last post in my series of Easy Medicinal Herbs. I saved it for last because I wanted to end on a pretty note. Calendula is also known as Pot Marigold. This is the old-fashioned flat-leaf marigold that you might often see in your grandmother's or great-grandmother's garden. The flower color is vibrant and ranges from orange to yellow. Calendula is easy to grow in any soil reaching 12 to 18 inches tall. Be sure to nip the dead buds regularly for continuous blooming.
I spotted some in my 80-year-old neighbor's yard years ago (we're in zone 5) and asked if I could pick some flower heads that had gone to seed. I sprinkled the seeds around the area I wanted them to grow that spring, and Voila! beautiful flowers later in the summer. Just continue to do that or leave the flowerheads on and they will self-sow, and every year you'll have a cheery area in your herb garden. In zone 8-10, sow seeds in late summer to early fall for blooms in the winter months. Lucky you!

I'll bet with all of the delicate prettiness of this flower you never knew it was an herbal.
Calendulas are antiviral and antiinflammatory. Used in a tincture they can treat acne, sooth irritations, calm abdominal cramps, relieve constipation, reduce inflammations, and control bleeding.

As in most herbs , the uses are too numerous to list, but here are a few "recipes."

For an eyewash:
add 2 drops of tincture of calendula with 1 tablespoon of distilled water for each eye.

Soak in an herbal tub for a soothing bath:
If in season, float some pretty flowers in the water, but be sure to remove them before draining the tub.
You can also place dried flowers in a cheesecloth or muslin bag and dangle from the faucet under the running water. As in all herbal baths, it is best not to use loose herbs so as to not clog the drain.

If you are out of any dried herb, either seeds or flower heads, check with your local health food store. Most carry quite a large variety of leaves, etc. They are pre-packaged, and in some cases already ground, if that is what you need.

A favorite place of mine to shop online is The Giving Essence. They offer essential oils, dried herbs, as well as balms and sprays. Diane is committed to making the world a better place and a percentage of every order goes to charities around the world.

Keep checking in with Thyme for Herbs as we will soon be offering a giveaway from The Giving Essence. You won't want to miss this one!

I hope you enjoyed this series as much as I enjoyed doing it. It was a whole lot better than writing about winter and all of that white stuff there is outside right now. Keep happy thoughts; gardening time is just around your herbal (and daylily) corner.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Easy Medicinal Herbs - Garlic

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Garlic -- Allium Sativum

When I was young, people weren't so European in their cooking, and even though my mother was a Ukrainian-American, she never used garlic in her food. I guess my father didn't like it. I really didn't know anyone who used garlic. When I was first married, I wanted to expand my mother's recipes and started experimenting with new and cultural dishes. Honestly, I didn't even know how to open a garlic bulb. One time when a spaghetti recipe called for 1 clove of garlic, I threw the whole bulb in! The odor was so strong to us that two weeks later, someone came over and asked if we were having spaghetti for supper.

Now I can't imagine my kitchen without some garlic on the counter or in the fridge. Several years ago, we became aware of garlic as a medicinal and started taking garlic pills to aid in heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. It may also be good in regulating blood glucose levels and preventing cancer. Now that we're in the middle of winter, it might be wise to take extra garlic to help fight a common cold.

For a good vapor rub, crush 6 cloves of garlic and add 1 Tablespoon of petroleum jelly in a glass or enamel pan. Heat until the jelly is melted and put into a sterilized jar. Cool. Use as a rub on the chest when needed.

For a cough aid, finely chop 8 cloves of garlic and place in a sterilized jar. Cover with 4 Tablespoons of organic honey. Use 1 teaspoon every 2 hours for relief.

For centuries the Chinese have used garlic to heal wounds by placing slices of raw garlic directly on the affected site. During World War I, the American military followed suit on the battle field.

In cold areas like mine, plant garlic 6 weeks before the ground freezes and then harvest in late spring. Cut the scapes back as they grow, to force larger bulbs. Garlic is virtually pest free (what insect would want to take a bite out of that powerful tasting plant) and doesn't even mind close planting. How easy is that?

Although garlic is known as an antibacterial, antiviral, and an antifungal, it does have one very noticeable side effect -- halitosis, better known as bad breath! The cure for this? Eat garlic with friends!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Easy Medicinal Herbs - Feverfew

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

I used to have migraines. They disappeared as I got older, so if you are a sufferer, there's some hope; age will take care of it.

Feverfew was the first herb that I tried many years ago. I was at my husband's convention, and I had the beginnings of a migraine. The wives were taken to an herb farm while the men were at a meeting (this was before women were treated equally as part of the regular workforce.)

It was suggested that I break off a feverfew leaf, take it to my room, and chew it, and then lie down for a few minutes. WOW! Is it bitter! But the results were just as promised. In a few minutes I was good as new. From then on I was sold on herbs; and that's how I started my first herb garden. In the winter when fresh leaves aren't available, you can keep some essential oil handy and use a diluted solution as massage therapy for your temples.

Feverfew, tanacetum parthenium, means fever reducer in Latin. It's actually a member of the sunflower family. If you have allergies to daisy like flowers, like ragweed or chrysanthemums, do not try feverfew. You may have an allergic reaction. Children under two should not be given feverfew, as their allergies are not yet known at this stage.

Some of the many medicinal uses are for:
Stomach ache, toothache, psoriasis, asthma, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and menstrual irregularities.
Recently the medical community has been using feverfew to aid in rheumatoid arthritis. It seems to work for some but not have good results for those with more severe symptoms.

Feverfew is also a moth repellent -- it's no wonder with that bitter flavor. And what else can this herb accomplish? It relieves the sting of insect bites. A simple remedy is 2 tablespoons of flowerheads in one cup of water; dab generously on the bite and let dry.

I do want to caution you that there are some side effects associated with the use of feverfew, some of which are related to constant use. These are: canker sores, irritation and swelling of the tongue and lips, and loss of taste. As always, if you are unsure if you should use a particular herb, consult your physician or herbalist.

If you enjoy studying and learning about herbs, check in with Diane at dk Mommy Spot. She is studying herbalism and has lots of wisdom to pass on as she goes through her courses.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Easy Medicinal Herbs - Chervil

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

I have to admit that before doing this post, I knew very little about chervil except as a culinary herb. I was aware that it had some medicinal properties but I had not realized to what extent. That's one of the reasons I love doing these series; I'm getting an education right along with you as I research my facts.

Chervil, anthriscus cerefolium, is usually thought of as one of those fine herbs used in French cooking. It's in the parsley family and can be used the same way, although it has a mild licorice aroma.

Chervil is an annual and grows best with seed planting; it does not transplant well. It prefers a rich, moist soil, but with good drainage. Partial shade is just fine for this feathery plant, which is why it works so well as a container plant indoors. Harvest the leaves of chervil often or it "bolts" which is the term used when a plant suddenly decides to stop producing. As long as you cut leaves regularly, it will do just fine. Chervil will grow to 24 inches tall and 12 inches wide; therfore not taking up too much space in your garden.

As far as the medicinal uses, I am very surprised at what I found.
Chervil is a mild diruetic so was often used as a spring tonic, flushing out the liver and kidneys.

It's said to cure hiccups when infused with vinegar, and aid in digestion.

Try chewing on a leaf as you would parsley for a breath freshener.

As a skin cleanser or to cure acne, make a tissane, let cool, and splash on the skin. And ladies, chervil also helps with those wrinkles that we all like to hide.

Place a warm poultice made from the bruised leaves in hot water on your aching joints and watch that arthritis pain disappear.

Chervil is also said to aid in poor memory and depression, as well as being an expectorant to help with a stubborn cough.

How's that for an all-around herb? I have to admit to being quite impressed with chervil!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Easy Medicinal Herbs - Chamomile

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:19:00 +0000

I've written a lot about chamomile, but how can I possibly do a series without mentioning it again? I couldn't imagine my garden without some chamomile; I love the delicate daisy flowers and their sweet apple fragrance.
German chamomile, or Matricaria, grows upright to about 18 inches, while the Roman chamomile is a creeper. Both have medicinal properties but German chamomile is more often used.
Chamomile grows in full sun with a light, dry soil. Sow the fine seeds in spring or early summer on top of the soil. Do not cover. Keep moist until germination. It is an annual but can reseed itself if some flowers are left to go to seed and drop. As in most herbs, because of the self-seeding, it might pop up in others areas but generally does not travel far.

Chamomile has so many uses it's hard to know where to begin. A tea can be made for a cool compress to soothe tired eyes.
Most familiar to most of us, is a tea made with 1 teaspoon of dried flowers to one cup of boiling water for insomnia.
For acne, infuse a handful of dried flowers in 1 pint of boiling water for 10 minutes. Cool, strain, and then keep refrigerated in a tightly sealed jar until ready to use. Splash on face.

Scientists are testing chamomile in a variety of ways but, the medical community has not come out with the results on most studies. These are some of the areas listed as points of interest:
Cardiovascular
Common cold
Eczema
Colic in babies
Diarrhea in babies
Mouth ulcers (also baby teething)
Sleep aid
Gastrointestinal conditions
Bladders irritations
Vaginitis
Penile sores
Wound healing
Comfort for cancer patients

As you can see by the list, all areas of the body can benefit from chamomile. What a fantastic herb God has put on this earth for our use.

As always, be sure to consult your physician before using chamomile, especially if you are pregnant or nursing.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Easy Medicinal Herbs - Chives

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:58:00 +0000

Did you ever think of chives as being medicinal? Well, not in the true sense of making medicine from it, but it does have health benefits and medicinal properties.

Chives, or Allium schoenprasum, is a member of the onion family. They're so easy to grow that even a new gardener can succeed with chives; just sow the seeds in the spring in full sun in a rich, well-drained soil, and then harvest in the summer or early the following spring. It takes a small amount of maintenance with just medium watering. Planting it near your roses can prevent black spot, another added benefit. They also repel Japanese beetle, a real problem in my area. Chives will multiply and the clumps can become large, so lift and divide about every three years. They also do well in containers, and then you won't have any "spreading" worries, but they will still need to be divided on occasion.

Chives, similar to garlic, contain a mild antibiotic and are beneficial to your circulatory system. They are rich in vitamin A and C and contain lots of calcium and iron.

When harvesting chives be sure to cut the spear(s) all the way to the ground. If you don't, that cut end will die and look similar to dead grass. Cutting to the base also allows for the new growth to break through easily.

Chives don't dry well, as other herbs do. I found the best way to store and keep them is to freeze them. Either store them in freezer-safe containers, or put cut chives in an ice cube tray with a small amount of water. When the cubes are frozen, place the cubes in a freezer bag. When you need some chives, remove a cube or two and thaw in a strainer. It's almost like fresh!

Besides all of these wonderful qualities of chives, I just really enjoy their pretty little globes of flowers. The color is an added bonus to my garden!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Easy Medicinal Herbs - Fennel

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:16:00 +0000

My next herb to talk about is Fennel or Foeniculum vulgare. Did you notice how much it looks like dill? I often have people ask me if I'm growing dill in my herb garden when it is in fact fennel. The fennel leaves are quite a bit thinner than dill, so you should be able to recognize it. Fennel and dill have been known to cross-pollinate so it's best not to plant them near each other.

Plant fennel seeds in the fall for easy and early germination as soon as spring arrives. If you missed out on the fall planting, you can also sow seeds in the spring. Fennel requires a rich, well-drained soil and does not like clay. Keep your seeds (which are actually the fruit of the plant) moist for two weeks until the leaves appear, but avoid overwatering. You might want to plant it at the back of your garden; it can grow up to 5 feet tall.

Fennel is another herb that is good for indigestion, heartburn, and bloating in adults, and colic in babies. Use a bag of cool fennel tea for sore and tired eyes.

The root and seeds can both be used for medicinal and culinary uses, but I find the seeds easy to harvest and store. I always have a jar of fennel seeds handy in my kitchen; I love their licorice, anise-like flavor. Use the chopped leaves in a salad or the seeds in the dressing. Sprinkle ground seeds over grilled meats. Add crushed seeds to breads.

Chewing fennel seeds will depress your appetite, so it works well for a weight loss aid. Drinking brewed fennel tea made from lightly crushed seeds is also a diuretic, and because of this, can be helpful in hypertension (of course, be sure to consult your physician on this one.)

Stay tuned to see what's coming next in Easy Medicinal Herbs.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Easy Medicinal Herbs - Dill

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:54:00 +0000

I am about to embark on a new series about easy-to-grow herbs. These herbs will be specific to having medicinal properties.

Most herbs are both medicinal and culinary, but in this series I will focus on the medicinal properties of these herbs.

I am not an herbalist or a doctor, so I am only passing on things I have learned by reading books and in some cases things I have tried myself. I will suggest other sites for you to explore to continue your research, and books you can purchase or check out at your local library.

We'll start with Dill - Anethum graveolens. What a shocker! I bet you only thought dill was for flavoring and canning.

Dill is an annual. It grows quickly and easily from seed, which can be good and bad in your garden. Make sure you plant it in an area off by itself or where you won't mind its roaming ability, because as it self-seeds, a good wind causes new plants to pop up in strange places. It grows well in most soils, but likes a sunny location. The seeds can be used whole or crushed in a coffee grinder. I like to have a special grinder just for my herbs. The seeds keep for a long time in a tightly sealed jar if kept out of the sunlight.

The name Dill comes form an Icelandic word "dilla" meaning to lull. It works well for insomnia. Dill has been known for generations to ease digestion and improve the appetite. It's used in children's medicines to this day to help with colic and flatulence.

Here's a simple tisane (herbal medicinal tea) recipe to ease an upset stomach:

Add one teaspoon of lightly crushed dill seeds to a cup of boiling water. Let steep a few minutes, strain, and drink.

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Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Burpee Seed Starter Giveaway

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:50:00 +0000

I'm ready to start thinking about seeds and what I will need to start planting. I'm still in limbo with trying to sell this house, so I don't want to get too wrapped up in garden plans, but I can't seem to stop myself. I am compelled to think about my herbs and what I would like to grow in case I am fortunate enough to move in time to plant an outdoor garden.

In the meantime, starting herbs indoors is just as rewarding, and then later, I can transplant them to larger pots for my kitchen window shelf . Of course, the same principal applies to starting vegetables indoors, but then you'll want to be sure to plant your seeds to coincide with the appropriate transplanting time for your area.

My good friends at Burpee have come up with something really exciting for those of you who have gone "green" and are concerned about our environment. They have a new Eco-Friendly Seed Starting Kit for 2010. Each kit includes a 36-cell PLA planting tray and a PLA watering tray. What does PLA mean? Basically, it's an al-natural plant-based product made from corn, or in this case, sustainable coconut coir fibers; it's 100 % renewable, disposable, and biodegradable.

Each cell has a Burpee Super Growing Pellet in the bottom -- just add water and watch it expand.

You'll also find a biodegradable germination sheet, 3 wooden plant labels, a 1 ounce package of organic fertilizer, and a Plant-O-Gram ( a chart to help you keep track of what you planted and where.) This kit is really well thought out, in true Burpee style. The people from Burpee want you to have a chance to give this kit a try so they are offering FIVE kits as giveaways. Here's all you have to do to enter:

1. Leave a comment about something newly offered in 2010 that excites you at Burpee.com.

2. For a second chance to win, sign up as an e-mail subscriber with Feedburner, Feed Blitz, or become a Google Follower (see sidebar.) Then leave a second comment telling me you have subscribed or that you are already a subscriber.

If you subscribe in more than one way, leave a separate comment for each.

3. For a third chance to win, blog or Tweet about this contest with a link here, then come back and leave another comment telling me about it.

4. If you're not a blogger, be sure to leave your contact e-mail address like this to avoid spammers: pianananna(at)gmail(dot)com. If I don't have a way to reach you or you don't respond in three days, your name will be disqualified, and I will choose again, picking my favorite answer.

Good Luck!!

Open to US residents only, 18+.

Winners will be chosen by random.org.

Email addresses will not be shared with any third parties.

This Giveaway ends on Tuesday, January 26th at midnight EST.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Thyme -- Facts and Fiction

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:27:00 +0000

Thymus vulgaris

Most gardeners, whether you are interested in perennials, vegetables, or herbs, don't think twice about picking up a shovel and attacking the soil. For the genteel ladies of the past, it was a new experience. Here is what one gardening author wrote for well-refined ladies who were just beginning to learn about their hobby.

It must be confessed that digging appears, at first sight, a very laborious employment ... but by a little attention to the principles of mechanics and laws of motion, the labour may be much simplified and rendered comparatively easy .. .
Jane Loudon
Instructions in Gardening for Ladies, 1840

One of the first herbs these ladies would have planted would have been thyme. It's great in soups and sauces, meats and vegetables, as well as a host of other recipes.
Thyme grows best in full sun in a fairly dry soil, but a heavy rain doesn't seem to affect it.
As I do my research, I am learning new things right along with you. There's so much to learn yet about thyme, that it amazes me.
So in this last of my four part series, let's get on to the facts and fiction.

Facts:

1. Thymus came from the Greek word meaning courage; therefore this herb was often connected to stories of heroes and soldiers.

2. Another Greek meaning is fumigate. Thyme was used as a refresher and cleanser in the bath.

3. In the language of flowers, it means a call to action. Combines with the meaning of "courage" this explains why soldiers often took a sprig of thyme to battle.

4. The Romans used thyme as a tea to cure melancholy.

5. Thyme works well as a moth repellent in drawers and cupboards.

6. If you plant thyme near lavender, both will flourish.

Fiction:

1. According to legend, thyme was used for the Virgin Mary's bed.

2. If a toddler is the first person to touch a new plant after it has just been planted, he will remain single for the rest of his life.

3. Having a potted plant of thyme in the house was thought to cause death or illness.

4. If a young woman placed a sprig of thyme in one of her shoes and a sprig of rosemary in the other, on the Eve of St. Agnes (January 20th), she would have a vision of her future husband.

5. Thyme was an aid in seeing fairies. All you had to do was collect a sprig of thyme in an area where fairies were known to abide, and place the sprig on your eyelids. If they were nearby, you would be able to see them.

For he painted all things that matter,
The tints that we all pass by,
Like the little blue wreaths of incense,
That the wild thyme breathes to the sky.

Alfred Noyes, The Elfin Artists, 20th century

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Rosemary -- Facts and Fiction

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:03:00 +0000

Rosemary - Rosarinus officinalis
The Latin name (ros-marinus) means "dew of the sea."

If you seen my last two posts, you can guess where I'm going. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme; a memorable line from a song from the sixties based on the most common four herbs used in the kitchen. Of the four, rosemary was the least familiar to me in my early marriage. It does have a stronger flavor than the others and also a pungent scent. I have grown to love rosemary, and just to touch the leaves and then smell my fingers can take me to Heaven.

Rosemary grows best is a sunny location with alkaline soil. It should be in a well-drained area. It also grows well in pots. Containing the roots forces the fragrance to be strong. When harvesting, cut 4-inch sections from the top.
Now for the Facts and Fiction:

Facts:

1. In the language of flowers, rosemary means "your presence revives me."

2. Rosemary is the birthday flower for January 17th.

3. Astrologers call it the "herb of the sun."

4. The French used to spread their wet laundry on rosemary bushes to dry, leaving behind a fresh scent on their clothing.

5. In the 1200s, Queen Elizabeth of Hungary used a toilet water made from rosemary flowers and white wine as a facial. She was known for her youthful appearance.

6. Place rosemary in the pages of an old book to dispel the musty smell.

Fiction:

1. On Midsummer's Eve (June 23rd) place a bowl of flour underneath a rosemary plant. In the morning, you will find the initials of your future husband or wife written in the flour.

2. Crush rosemary flowers and tie them to your right arm to make you feel happy.

3. Brides wore wreaths of rosemary on their heads to help them remember their wedding vows.

Are you going to Scarborough Fair
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine

Simon and Garfunkel, 1968

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.

Sage -- Facts and Fiction

pianananna@gmail.com (Jane Marie) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:31:00 +0000

Sage - Salvia Officinalis

I've written quite a bit about sage already, so if I repeat myself forgive me. It's a fantastic herb used for flavoring foods, as well as healing.

Sage prefers a sunny location, and can take dry soil conditions. It can be grown from seeds or cuttings. It has been well-loved throughout the centuries so the folklore and wives tales abound.

Here a just a few of my favorites:

Facts:

1. Plant sage next to a beehive for a sage-flavored honey.

2. The Chinese valued sage so much that they traded the Dutch three chests of tea leaves for one chest of sage leaves.
An Ancient Chinese proverb says, "How can a man grow old who has sage in his garden?"

3. Sage is the birthday flower for January 19th.

4. American Indians mixed sage with bear grease to create a healing salve.

5. Sage can be used as an antiseptic, and an aid in digestion, as well as soothing coughs and colds.

6. Sage was used for dental hygiene; the leaves were rubbed on the teeth and gums. It also whitened teeth.

Wives Tales:

1. Snip the flowers of sage before they bloom to prevent misfortunes.

2. To find out who your future husband will be, go to the graveyard at midnight on Halloween and pick 9 sage leaves without breaking the branch while the clock is striking 12 and the face of your true love will be revealed. IF you are destined to be a spinster, a coffin will be shown instead.

3. Eat sage in May to live to an old age.

4. The Greeks believed that sage would make a man immortal.

5. If you are able to grow a healthy sage plant in your garden, your business will flourish.

6. In the language of flowers, sage symbolizes esteem.

"There in the front grows sage, sweetly scented.
It deserves to grow green forever, enjoying perpetual youth
For it is rich in virtue..."

Wilfred Strabo, 9th century monk and poet

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Bits, Tales, and Yarns - my newest writing adventure.