©JessicaWeiser

AbouttheAuthorSandraKynesisayogainstructor,aReikipractitioner,andamemberoftheBards,OvatesandDruids.Shelikesdeveloping

creativewaystoexploretheworldandintegratingthemwithherspiritual

path,whichservesasthebasisforherbooks.ShehaslivedinNewYorkCity,Europe,England,andnow

coastalNewEngland.Shelovesconnectingwithnaturethroughgardening,hiking,andoceankayaking.Visither

websiteatwww.kynes.net.

LlewellynPublicationsWoodbury,Minnesota

AcknowledgementsMythankstoAmyGlaserwhosevisionstartedthisbook,StephaniePui-Mun

Law for her beautiful artwork, and Lynne Menturweck for her direction inpullingitalltogether;LizParsonsandRosanneGraefforinvitingmetojoinourneighborhoodapothecarygardenproject;andmyfamilyLyleKoehnleinandJessicaWeiserwhoshareasmalloasisofa

backyardgardenwithme.

ContentsINTRODUCTION

Part1:CreatinganApothecaryGardenCHAPTER1:AHistoryofHerbalMedicineCHAPTER2:GardenDesignPastandPresentCHAPTER

3:ChoosingYourPlantsCHAPTER4:BugsandBirdsCHAPTER5:ToolsandPersonalGearCHAPTER6:Let’sGetGoingCHAPTER7:PreparingtheSoilandPlantingCHAPTER8:MaintainingYourGardenCHAPTER

9:WindowandPorchGardensPart2:PreparingHerbsforStorageandMakingHerbalRemediesCHAPTER10:HarvestingtheBountyofYourGardenCHAPTER11:AftertheHarvestCHAPTER12:EssentialandCarrierOilBasicsCHAPTER13:MakingYourOwnHerbalRemediesCHAPTER14:OtherFormsofRemediesCHAPTER15:CulinaryUsesofHerbsforGoodHealthPart3:HerbProfiles

AngelicaAniseBasilBay

BorageCarawayCayenne

TheChamomilesClary

Coriander/CilantroDill

FennelGarlicHyssopLavender

LemonBalmLemongrass

MarjoramTheMintsParsley

PeppermintRosemaryTheSages

St.John’sWortSpearmintThymeValerianYarrow

CONCLUSION

APPENDIXA:HerbsforAilments,Conditions,andSupportforGoodHealthAPPENDIXB:MeasurementEquivalentsGLOSSARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

DisclaimerThis book is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place ofmedicaladviceandtreatmentfromyourpersonalphysician.Readersareadvisedtoconsulttheirdoctorsorotherqualifiedhealthcareprofessionalsregardingthetreatment of theirmedical problems.Neither the publisher nor the author takeanyresponsibilityforanypossibleconsequencesfromanytreatment,action,orapplicationofmedicine,supplement,herb,orpreparationtoanypersonreadingorfollowingtheinformationinthisbook.

T

INTRODUCTION

here is a special beauty to herbs. We may know many of them asunassuminggardenplants,buttheiruseisintertwinedwithhumanhistory.

For thousands of years they have provided people with fragrance, taste, andhealing.Myinterest inherbshasaffectedseveralaspectsofmy life—cooking,gardening, and the desire for natural healing—which has led to an interest inessential oils. Before going further, I must explain that I am not a trainedherbalistnoramIcertifiedthroughanyprogramorschool.Iamlikethemanythousands throughout theageswhohavegonebeforeme to learn fromothers,observe,andstudyonmyown.Igrewupinahouseholdwherethefirstlineofdefenseagainstillnessordiscomfortandthefirstaidrenderedafterinjurycamefrom the kitchen or my grandmother’s garden. While commercial productseventuallymade theirway into themedicine cabinet (“new” and “convenient”were the buzzwords of the early 1960s), my mother often drifted back toremediessheknewasachild.Becauseofthat,Ibecamefamiliarwiththem,too.However,whileIconsiderherbscomforting,mypreferenceforherbalremediesgoesbeyondchildhoodmemories.Likemanypeopletoday,Ithinknatureoffersabetterwayofdealingwithcommon,basichealthissues,andIprefernottousemedicinesmadefromsyntheticchemicals.AsImentioned,Iamnotanexpert.Iworkwithherbsandessentialoilsformy

own purposes and not to provide treatment to other people or sell products.WhileitmayseemoddthatIhavewrittenabookonherbsandessentialoils,mypurpose is to encourage others to explore the healthful bounty of the plantkingdom without feeling intimidated. After all, our ancestors were not“herbologists,”theysimplyusedtheknowledgethatwashandeddownthroughgenerations and did what they needed to do to relieve discomfort and stayhealthy.Thatsaid,wemustkeepinmindthatherbsarepowerfulandtheymustbeusedproperly.

Likemanybooks about herbs andhealing remedies, details onhow to growandpreparethemforuseisalsoincludedhere.However,Ihaveveeredontomyown path by integrating information on essential oils.After all, the history ofessential oils is intertwined with that of herbal medicine.While essential oilsrequire a great deal of plant material and few of us have the space to growenoughortheequipmenttodistillit,Ihaveincludedthembecausetheyexpandandenhanceourherbalrepertoire.

GeneralPrecautionsMypurpose forwriting this book is to encourage others to explore the healthbenefits of herbs without feeling intimidated, however, working with herbalremediesmustbedonewithknowledgeandcommonsense.Althoughherbsandessentialoilsarenaturalalternativestosynthetic,chemical-basedremedies,theymustbeusedwithsafety inmind.Herbsarepowerfulhealers,but theycanbeharmfulwhennotusedproperly.If you have not used an herbal remedy before, startwith a small amount to

makesureyoudonothaveanadversereaction.Ifyouhaveanysignofnausea,diarrhea, stomach upset, or headache discontinue use immediately. Herbalremedies are not recommended for internal use by children younger than twoyearsold,andwhengiventoanolderchildtheyshouldbediluted.Womenwhoare pregnant or nursing must be sure to follow precautions carefully and areadvisedtoconsulttheirphysicianorspecialistfirst.Anyonetakingmedicationsshouldalsoconsulthisorherdoctorbeforeusingherbs,astheycaninteractwithdrugs.In addition, it is important to work with your doctor when problems are

prolonged or if they escalate. Luckily today more physicians are open to“alternative”treatmentsandworkingwiththeirpatientsrather thandictatingtothem.Whileitmaytaketimetofindsuchadoctor,itisworththeeffort.

HowtoUseThisBookPart1of thisbookprovidesdetailsforcreatingandmaintaininganapothecarygardenaswell as information forgrowingherbs in containersonaporchor awindowsill.Ifyouhavenotgardenedbefore,thispartofthebookwilltellyouhowtoplanyourgarden, the toolsyou’llneed,howtoget itstarted,andwhatyouwill need tobe comfortablewhileworkingoutside. In addition to generalmaintenance,youwill learnwhatyouneedtodoto tuckyourplants infor thewinter.Part2providesinstructionsonhowtoharvestandpreservethepartsofplants

thatyouwillneedtocreateyourownremedies.Itisalsoaguideformakingandusing foundation mixtures such as infusions, decoctions, and tinctures. Inaddition, it providesdetails onhow tomake anduseother formsof remedies,many ofwhich are based on the foundationmixtures.Youwill also learn thebasicsaboutessentialandcarrieroils.Part 3 of this book is an encyclopedic listing of twenty-eight herbs, which

serves as a reference for their use as remedies. Each entry includes historicalinformationabouttheplant,medicinalusesandrecipes,alongwithprecautionsandcontraindications.Informationonusingtheessentialoilisalsoincluded.Forreaders interested in gardening, there is a plant description with notes ongrowing it and harvesting its roots, stems, seeds, or flowers. Of course, eachlistingincludestheplant’sscientificname.In conjunction with Part 3, APPENDIX A is a listing of ailments and

conditions that provides a convenient cross-reference of remedies and herbs.APPENDIX B contains measurement equivalents to help you determine theeasiestwaytomeasureingredientsforyourpreparations.Evenifyouhavebeengardeningforyearsand/ormakingyourownremedies,

this bookwill serve as a handy reference for both herbs and essential oils tosupportyourhealingandgoodhealth.

[contents]

PART1

CreatinganApothecaryGarden

WCHAPTER1

AHistoryofHerbalMedicinehiletodaytheyareconsideredanalternative

medicine,forthousandsofyearsherbalremediesweretheonlymedicine.Ascivilizations

advancedandwritingdeveloped,someoftheearliestinformationrecordedincludedherbalremedies.DatingtothesixteenthcenturyBCE,theEberspapyrusisoneoftheoldestwritten

recordsontheuseofmedicinalplantsinEgypt.1Alongwiththephysicaldetailsofplants,itcontainedmorethaneighthundredherbal

recipesaswellasinformationonperfumeryandincense.Madefromhealingherbs,many

Egyptianperfumeoilsdoubledasmedicines.

SomeoftheearliestwritingsfromIndiacontainedinformationaboutherbsandspices.ThisevolvedintoAyurvedicmedicine,whichisbelievedtobetheoldestsystemofhealing.Althoughthetenth-centuryPersianphysicianandphilosopherAvicenna(980–1037)isoftencreditedwithdiscoveringthedistillationprocess,archaeological evidence suggests that distilling aromatic plants into oils was

achieved in India around 3000 BCE.2 Herbs are also integral to TraditionalChinesemedicine,asystemofhealingthatdatestoapproximately200BCE.Knownasrhizotomoi,“rootgatherers,”theherbmerchantsofancientGreece

keptrecordsonthepropertiesofherbs.3GreekphysicianHippocrates(460–377BCE), regarded as the “Father ofMedicine,” has been noted for his balanced,holisticapproach,whichincludedtheuseofherbalremedies.Severalcenturieslater, Greek physician and botanist Pedanius Dioscorides (ca. 40–90 CE)compiledthefirstEuropeanmanuscriptonherbalremediesentitledDeMateriaMedica,“TheMaterialofMedicine.”Asaprototypeoftheclassical“herbal”onwhich our present-day books are patterned, it contained instructions formanytypes of preparations and served as a major reference book well into theseventeenthcentury.Claudius Galenus better known as Galen (130–200 CE) was a prominent

Romanphysicianwhosewritingsincludedarangeofherbalpreparations.Oneofhis elixirs, which became known as Venice Treacle, was popular into theeighteenthcentury.4AnotherinfluentialwriterwastheRomannaturalhistorianPliny (23/24–79 CE). Eight of his thirty-seven books dealt with plantpharmacology and were a valuable resource for herbalists through theseventeenthcentury.AfterthefalloftheRomanEmpire,Europewasplungedintotheuncertainty

of the Dark Ages. To escape the social upheaval, many physicians and otherlearned people relocated to Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) and alongwith themwent a storehouse of knowledge. However, even though Europeancivilizationfloundered,theworksofHippocrates,Dioscorides,Pliny,andothersweretranslatedandwidelydistributedintheMiddleEast.AslifeinEuropebecamemorestable,scholarsandmedicalknowledgefiltered

backandsotoodidtheancienttextsofGreece,Rome,andEgypt.Tuckedawayintheirmonasteries,monksnotonlycopiedancientbooksofremediesbutalsokeptextensiveherbgardensforculinary,healing,andreligiouspurposes.Germanabbess,writer,andmysticHildegardofBingen(1098–1179)wasalso

ahealerandanauthorityonherbs.Sheistheonlymedievalwisewomanwhoseworkhassurvived.Incontrast tothecomplicatedformulasofotherspracticing

medicineatthattime,shereliedon“simples,”orpreparationsthatusedoneherbratherthancombinationsofplants.The study that was taking place in monasteries sparked the creation of

universitiesandmedicalschools.Theseschoolsplayedanimportantpartinthedevelopmentof the studyofmedicine.During this time, herbswere central tohealing remedies. By the thirteenth century, the trade in herbs and spicesexpanded between theMiddle East and Europe, and then to Asia andAfrica.AfterColumbus’svoyages,evenmorenewmedicinalplantsarrivedinEurope.Despitethisfloodofplantsandknowledge,manypeopledidnothaveaccess

toorcouldnotafforddoctorvisitsandremediesfromexoticplants.Instead,theydidwhatpeoplehaddoneforthousandsofyearsandreliedonlocalhealers—thewisewomenwhohadspecialskillsandknowledge.AgoldenageofherbalismwassparkedintheElizabethanerabytheuseofthe

printing press. English physician and botanist John Gerard (1545–1612) wasinstrumental in introducing plants from the Americas to a wider audience inEurope. His work entitled TheHerball, or Generall Historie of Plantes waspublished in 1597 and became a classic text. Physician and master herbalistNicholas Culpeper (1616–1654) published his work entitled The EnglishPhysitianin1653.Thisbookhasnevergoneoutofprint.Evenwiththepopularenthusiasmforherbalsamonglaypeople,changewasin

theairwhere themedicalestablishmentwasconcerned.Seizingon the ideaofSwiss physician Theophrastus vonHohenheim (1493–1541) that a little bit ofsomething dangerous can be healing, conventional medicine separated pathswith herbal-based remedies. Purging and bloodletting became populartreatments,asdidtheuseof leeches.Anyonefollowingfolktraditionscametobe regarded as amateurs, and herbal medicine was considered primitive andirrelevant.Foratime,theuseofherbsandoilswasstifledbythisschism,whichwasmadeworsebythewaxingandwaninghysteriaoverwitchcraft.Asaresult,thevillagewisewomensufferedterribly.Herbal remedies and perfumery eventually made a comeback as the world

changed and attitudes shifted. Part of that shift was due to the IndustrialRevolution,whichsparkedmanynewsocialdevelopments.Onewasthecreationofthesuburbs.Whilesuburbangardensweretoosmallforthegrandsprawling

designsoftheRenaissance,theywereagoodsizeforgrowingbasicvegetablesand herbs. Herbs and other plants found their way back into conventionalmedicine but mainly in research laboratories where the active components ofplantswerestudied.In the early twentieth century, the advancement of chemistry was not only

overtakingtheuseofherbsandessentialoilsinmedicinesbutinperfumesandcosmetics aswell. French chemist René-MauriceGattefossé (1881–1950)wasresponsible for resurrecting the use of essential oils during the 1920s. Afterburninghishandinhislaboratory,hegrabbedthenearestbottleofliquid,whichturnedouttobelavenderoil.Intriguedbyitsrapidhealingeffect,hedevotedtheremainderofhiscareertostudyingessentialoils.Althoughinthe1930sherbalremedies began to make a comeback in England, the 1940s ushered in anoverwhelmingamountoflaboratory-producedmedicine.InEuropeandtheUnitedStates,thepost-warshifttowardthedesireforthings

that were “new” (which equated to “better”) regarded herbal remedies asoutmoded.Thiswasspurredonbyamedicalprofessionthatconsideredtheuseof herbs as old-fashioned, superstitious belief.Once again, herbswere pushedout of medicine and this time from the garden, too. The new affluence andgrowthofthesuburbsbroughtchangestohowpeopleusedtheiroutdoorspace.Stretchesoflawnbecamethenormwithornamentalflowergardensforaccent.Herbs were separated from decorative plants and relegated to their own littlespotbythekitchendoor,iftheyweregrownatall.The tide of public sentiment began to turn in the early 1960s with the

thalidomide tragedy. Used to relieve morning sickness, the drug thalidomidecauseda rangeofdeformities inunbornbabies.Faith inmodernmedicinewasbadlyshakenandpeople’sperceptionsofdrugsandhealthbegantochange.Amidst the myriad of social changes during the 1960s, a back-to-the-land

movementandthescienceofecologyemerged.Withthegrowingawarenessofhow our health depends on the health of the planet, the geniewas out of thebottle.Herbalmedicinemadeacomebackandeventhescientificcommunityhasbeguntoacknowledgeitsimportance.Ironically,despiteallthemoneyspentondrug research and development, a substitute for digitalis (from the plantcommonly known as foxglove, Digitalis purpurea) continues to elude

production in the laboratory. In addition, scientists are wondering whatundiscovered curesmight come from unknown plants in places that have notbeenthoroughlyexplored,suchastheAmazonRiverbasin.Although still considered “alternative” for the most part, the practice of

Traditional Chinese andAyurvedicmedicines is increasing in Europe and theUnitedStates.Inaddition,growingherbsandusingthemmedicinallyisworkingitswayintothemainstreamasmanyofustakeamoreactiveroleinourhealingandwell-being.Aswedothis,wecomefullcircletothewisewomenandmenofthepastwhorelishedandreliedontheherbalbountyoftheearth.

OtherTraditionalUsesofHerbsInadditiontobeinganintegralpartofmedicineandtheculinaryartssince

ancienttimes,herbshavebeenimportanttoawiderrangeofuses.Whilewehavetheconvenienceofready-madeproductsforeverydayuse,untilthelastcenturythiswasnotthecaseandherbswereamajorcomponentofgood

housekeeping.UsedforlaunderingclothesandlinenssinceRomantimes,thenamelavender

comes from the Latin lavare, whichmeans “to wash.” The Old French wordlavanderie means “laundry.” 5 Along with lavender, other herbs such asrosemary, tansy, and woodruff were used in linen cupboards to keep awaymoths.Herbswerealsousedin thekitchenpantry tocombatpests.Bayleavesplaced in flour bins helped repel weevils, and tansy and rosemary rubbed onmeatkeptfliesaway.Sprigsofmarjoram,mints,andpennyroyalwerescatteredonshelvestodiscourageants.Elsewhere in the house, herbswere used for cleaning and for odor and pest

control. To avoid increasing dampness in a home during certain times of theyear,fennelandmintwereusedtoscrubfloorswithoutwater.Anybitsofplantmaterial left on the floorwere simply swept up.Rosemary and lavenderwerealsousedforscrubbingfloorsinthismanner.Andforthefurniture,lemonbalmandmarjoramweremade intoapolish.Herbswerealsoadded tocushionandmattressstuffingforfragranceaswellastocombatpests.

InNorthernEurope andBritain from theMiddleAges to the late eighteenthcentury,strewingherbswasavitalpartofgoodhousekeeping.Thispracticeofstrewingplantsonthefloorhelpedtowarmahouseinthewinterandcoolitinthe summer. It was common practice to spread rushes on earthen and stonefloorswithherbssuchassavoryandbasilmixedin.Notonlydidthisscenttheair, theherbs acted as an antiseptic andaided in repelling fleas.Lavender andmeadowsweet were used with reeds to overcome musty odors. Bunches ofaromaticherbswerealsohungaboutthehouseinthesummersotheoxidizingessential oils could cool and refresh rooms. In the sixteenth century, violet,rosemary,andotherdistilledherbalwatersweresprinkledonwoodenfloors toscentandcoolrooms.Whiletherichcolorpurpleusedbyroyaltyandhighchurchofficialswasmade

fromseasnailsandprohibitivelyexpensive,everyoneelsedidnotwalkaroundinplain,drabclothes.Awiderangeofbeautifullycoloreddyesweremadefromherbs.Yellowswerecreatedfromchamomile,fennel,sage,St.John’swort,andyarrow;redsfromdandelion,dock,andSt.John’swort;bluesfromelder,indigo,andwoad; greens from angelica,marjoram, and rosemary; and shades of goldfrommulleinandplantain.In thepast,herbs touchedalmosteveryaspectof everyday life.Nowweare

findingourwayback tonatureasmany traditionalherbalusesbeyondhealingremediesarebeingrevived.

[contents]

1.IngeN.Dobelis,MagicandMedicineofPlants(Pleasantville,NY:TheReader’sDigestAssoc.,1986),51.

2.JuliaLawless,TheIllustratedEncyclopediaofEssentialOils:TheCompleteGuidetotheUseofOilsinAromatherapyandHerbalism(London:ElementBooks,1995),18.

3.BarbaraGriggsandBarbaraVanderZee,GreenPharmacy:TheHistoryandEvolutionofWesternHerbalMedicine(Rochester,VT:HealingArtsPress,1997),8.

4.KateKelly,EarlyCivilizations:PrehistoricTimesto500C.E.(NewYork:FactsonFile,2009),132.5.RuthBinney,TheGardener’sWiseWordsandCountryWays(NewtonAbbot,England:DavidandCharles,2007),126.

TCHAPTER2

GardenDesignPastandPresentome,thewordgardenconjuresupanimageofa

beautiful,aromatic,andtranquilplacetositandenjoynature.Inthissense,anherbgardenisnotreallydifferentfromaflowergarden.Itcanbejustasdecorativeand,ofcourse,smellfabulous.Anherbgardencanbeanattractiveandpeacefulplacetositorentertain,whichcontributestoageneralsenseofwell-beingandhealth.Wecanaddwhimsical,artsy,ortraditionalobjectstocreateastylethatsuitsourimaginations.

Eventhesmallestofherbgardenscanbeaplaceofbeautyandfun.Itcanbeformal like theclassicElizabethanknotgarden,withan intricatedesignwhereplantsseemtobewoventogetherlikestrandsofadecorativeknot.Oritcanbevery informal like the English cottage style, which can seem like barelycontrolledchaos.Anherbgardencanbemodern,traditional,orthemedjustlikeaflowergarden.Itcanalsobeaseparategardenoranherb“room”(area)withina flower garden. In addition, herbs can be integrated into existing gardens offlowers,shrubs,orvegetables.Infact,herbsareverybeneficialtootherplants,whichwewillexplorelater,butfirstlet’stakealookatgardendesign.

TheancientRomanslaidouttheirherbgardensingeometricpatterns,makingthempracticalandappealing.Medievalmonasticgardenswererectangularwithpathsbetweenrowsofherbsandvegetables.Later,theartisticenthusiasmoftheRenaissanceextendedtogardens.GeometricdesignswithsquaresandrectangleswereworkedintocomplexsymmetricalpatternscreatingalivingversionofthePersian carpet. The Elizabethan era marked the dawn of extravagant pleasuregardens in royal courts as well as large estates. To disassociate their outdoorspacefromtheclutteredappearanceofcottager’sgardens,thelandedgentrykepttheirplantsneatlytrimmedandformal.ThisandtheinfluenceofpopularItaliandesignresultedintheknotgarden.Whileknotgardensareabsolutelybeautiful,they take more work to set up and the plants must be kept neatly clipped tomaintaintheappearance.Thatsaid,ifitisthegardenofyourdreams,itisworththeeffort.

Figure1.1.Aformallookcanbecreatedbyusinggeometricshapeswithrepeatingformandcolortounifythe

garden.

If a formal look appeals to you but you want a design that is less labor-intensivethanaknotgarden,theuseofgeometricpatternscanhelpyouachieveit. Geometric patterns can be created from a simple square-, rectangular-, or

circular-shapedgardenbyputtingpathsbetweengroupsofplants.Pathscanbecreatedwithgravel,stones,orbricks.Also,a traditional formalgardenusuallyhassomethingatthecentertoserveasafocalpoint.Thiscanbeastatue,gazingball,pottedplant,oranything thatappeals toyour senseofdesign.Abirdbathworkswell, plus by inviting birds to your gardenyou are encouraging naturalpestcontrol.Atraditionalinformaldesigncanbecreatedbylocatingagardenalongawall

orafencewithtallerplantsatthebackandshorteronesinfront.Ifyouwanttomakeanislandandlocateyourgardeninthemiddleofalawn,arrangeitwithtaller plants in the center and progressively shorter ones out to the edges.Anisland bed can be circular, oval, or kidney-shaped. It can also be a free-formgardenwithirregular,flowingborders.Inaddition,considertheshapesthatcanbecreatedwithinthegardenusingplantcolorsandtextures.Layoutssuchastheladderandcartwheelarepopulardesignsforherbgardens.

Bricksorsmallpavingstonesareoftenusedtocreatetheladderrungsorwheelspokes.Onetypeofherbisusuallyplantedineachofthespaces.

Figure1.2.Thewagonwheelandladderdesignlayoutsarepopularfor

herbgardens.

An important hallmark of good design for any type of garden is having theplantseasytoreach.Notonlydoesthismakeplantingeasier,buttaskssuchas

weedingandharvestingcanbedonewithout tramplinghalf thegarden. Ifyoudon’twantpaths,afewflatsteppingstonesorbrickscanbestrategicallyplacedtohelpyoumaneuveraroundtheplants.Anothertypeofgardendesignistheraisedbed,whichhassomeadvantages.

Inadditiontobeingasolutionforpoorsoil,itprovideseasyaccesstoplantssoyou don’t need to put in paths or do asmuch bendingwhileworking. It alsoprovidesgooddrainage.Raisedbedsallowyou toaccommodate theherbsyouwanttogrowevenifyoursoilisnotwhattheyrequire.Also,ifyouhavemorethan one raised bed you can use different types of soil and group plantswithsimilar requirements together. The gardening project at my neighborhoodelementaryschoolcreativelyusesraisedbedsbygroupingthemintogeometricpatterns.The frames for raisedbeds canbebuiltwithwood, bricks, or stones. If you

make your own with wood, purchase the type that is untreated so chemicalswon’tleachintothesoil.Ready-madeframesarealsoavailable.Oncetheframesareupitiseasytogetstarted:pourinbaggedsoil,workinsomecompost,andyou are ready to plant.My son and I used a raised bed to solve a landscapeproblemwithourbackyard.Thepropertybehindours isa fewfeethigherandour yard sloped directly toward the house. To ease the slope, we installed araised bed along the back fence by stacking long, heavy timbers to create aterrace.To keep the timbers aligned,my son connected themwith long, thickscrews.This terracemeasures about two feet from front to back and creates aperfectbordergardenbecauseitiseasytoworkin.Don’t be shy about integrating herbs into your current landscaping. Bushy

lavender plants can set off a path or highlight a decorative fence, andRomanchamomilecanbeusedforgroundcover inpartiallyshadedareas.Also,herbssuchaslemonbalmandchervilcanthriveinmoderatelymoistareaswhereotherplantsmaynotfareaswell.Amongst the stones or bricks of paths and patios, low-growing herbs can

enhance the stonework and help keep weeds at bay. A patio is a particularlygoodplaceforherbsbecauseitisusuallysituatedinasunnylocation.Aromaticherbswillwarmwiththestoneworkandscenttheair,creatingapleasantoutdoorspace.CreepingthymeandRomanchamomileworkwellforthis.

Aspreviouslymentioned,herbscanbeintegratedintoanestablishedgardenofvegetables, shrubs, and flowers. They can enhance the colors and scent of agarden,too.Also,manyherbsarehelpfulinthevegetablegardenascompanionplantsthatattractbeneficialinsectsanddeterthebadones.

Location,Location,LocationNowthatyoumayhavesomecreativeideasforyourherbgarden,it’stimetostartthepracticalplanning.Ifyouarestartingagardenfromscratch,thefirststepistofigureoutthebestlocationforit.Gooutsideseveraltimesonthesamedayandtakealookatyourproperty.Notewhereisitsunnyorshady.

Frommemory,oroverthecourseofseveralmonths,notefromwhichdirectionyourpropertygetsthemostwindandwherefrostorsnowlingers.Inaddition,takenoteofareaswherewatermaypuddle.Alsofindoutwherewaterlines,electricalcables,septictanks,orundergroundoiltanksmaybeburied.It’snotthatyouwillbediggingreallydeep,butkeepinmindthatwhentheseservicesneedrepairorreplacement,yourgardenwillbecomeacasualty.Ifpossible,considerpositioningthegardenwhereyoucanseeitfromawindowtoextendyour

enjoymentofit.Evenifyouareaddingherbstoanexistinggarden,youwillwanttodosome

assessment.Check if theplantsyoualreadyhavecouldbenefit from theherbsyouare interested ingrowingandgroup themaccordingly.And remember theimportanceofhavingplantingareas thatareeasy togetatandwork in.Whilethestarsdon’talwaysperfectlyaligntogiveusthebestofeverything,withsomeplanning and ingenuity we can create a garden that suits our tastes andaccommodatestheplants’requirements.

WhyScientificNamesAreImportantWhilethecommonnamesforplantsareeasytoremember,theyareasourceofconfusionbecauseoneplantmaybeknownbya

numberofnames.Forexample,theflowerwidelyknownasbleedingheart(Lamprocapnosspectabilissyn.Dicentraspectabilis)isalsoknownasDutchman’s

trousers,ladyinabath,andlyreflower.Andtheblueflag(Irisversicolor)isalsoknownasthenorthernblueflag,flaglily,andwaterlily.Forthisreason,itisimportanttoknowthescientific(genusandspecies)nameswhen

purchasingseeds,herbs,andessentialoils.Thisway,youwillbesureofgettingtherightones.

GenusandspeciesarepartofacomplexnamingstructureinitiatedbySwedishnaturalistCarlLinnaeus (1707–1778).Hisworkbecame the foundation for theInternational Code of Botanical Nomenclature. Over time, as new knowledgeaboutplantsemerged,theirnameswerechangedtoreflectthenewdata.Thisisone reasonwhywe find synonyms in botanical names.Antiquated names arekept to aid in identification, as in the example of the bleeding heart above.Anotherreasonisscientificdisagreement.MostnamesareinLatinbecauseduringLinnaeus’stimeLatinwasacommon

languagethatpeopleengagedinscientificresearchcouldshare.Thefirstofthetwowordsinthescientificnameisthegenus,whichisapropernounandalwayscapitalized.Aplant’sspeciesnameisanadjectivethatusuallyprovidesa littledescription about the plant. The genus for yarrow isAchillea in honor of theGreekheroAchilles,andthespeciesthatisincludedinthisbookismillefolium.Thewordmillefoliumindicatesaleafofmanyparts(millemeaning“thousands”andfoliummeaning“foliage”).Occasionallyyoumayseeathirdwordinanameprecededwith“var.”indicatingthatitisavarietyofthatspecies.Forexample,the naturally occurring white-flowered rosemary has the scientific name of

Rosmarinus officinalis var. albiflorus. Sometimes a variety is referred to as asubspecies,however,thistermisoftenregardedasagrayarea.Athirdwordmayalsoindicateacultivar,ormoreappropriately,acultivated

variety.Thistypeofplantwascreatedinthegardenandnotfoundnaturallyinthewild. The cultivar name is written in single quotes. For example,Menthaspicata ‘Kentucky Colonel’ is a cultivated variety of spearmint. The moremoderncultivarnamesarewritteninEnglishinsteadofLatin.Youmayalsoseean“x”inanameandthisindicatesthattheplantisahybrid.Menthaxpiperita,peppermint,isanaturallyoccurringhybridbetweenspearmint,Menthaspicata,andwatermint,Menthaaquatica.Followingthetwo-orthree-wordnameyoumayalsoseealetterorsometimes

aname,which identifies the individualwhonamed theplant.Forexample, an“L.”followingaplantnamemeansthatitwasbestowedbyLinnaeushimself.While it isnotnecessary tomemorize the scientificnamesof theherbswith

whichyouwant towork, it is a good idea to jot themdown to takewith youwhenyougoshoppingforplantsoressentialoils.Thiswayyoucanbesuretogetthecorrectones.

[contents]

T

CHAPTER3

ChoosingYourPlants

here are several things to consider as you select plants for your garden:your area’s hardiness zone, your garden’s soil type, eachplant’s sun and

moisturerequirements,andthetypeofplants(annual,biennial,orperennial)youwouldliketogrow.Hardinesszonesindicatewhetherornotaplantcansurvivethewinterinyour

area.Thesearebasedontheaveragelowtemperatureatwhichaplantcanlive.Mostannuals,exceptthosethatrequirealonggrowingseason,arenotratedbyzone as they complete their life cycles in one season. Zones serve as a basicguidelinebecausetemperaturerangesfluctuateovertime.Itisalsoimportanttotakeintoconsiderationtheprotectedareasofyourpropertywhereplantsmaybesheltered fromwinds andheavy frost or snowas thesemakeadifference to aplant’ssurvivability.RefertothemapinFigure1.3tohelpyoudeterminewhichplantsmayworkbest in your area.Moredetailed and regionalmaps from theUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)canbefoundonline.6

Figure1.3.Thisisoneofmanyplanthardinesszonemapsprovidedbythe

USDepartmentofAgriculture.

Iliveinzone5ofnorthernNewEngland,soaplantthatishardytozone8,thesouthern states, is not going to survive in my backyard. However, a plantdesignated as zone 6 may grow in my garden if it is in a sheltered location.Sometimesitisworthexperimenting.Atechniquetotryforplantsofawarmerzonethanwhereyouliveiscalled“over-wintering,”whichiseasiertodowithplantsthatarekeptincontainers.Itsimplyrequiresthattheplantbemovedtoawarmer, usually indoor, location during the winter. One that I want to try isrosemary. This shrubby evergreen is hardy to zone 7 and obviously will notsurviveoutdoorsinaMainewinter.However,withtherightconditionsindoors,itmightdowell.Soiltypeisthenextfactortoconsiderwhenchoosingplants.Therearemany

waysthatsoilisdescribed,suchaslightorheavy,butthesetermsarenotallthathelpful.Also,while some sourcesmay list up to ten, there are really just fourbasictypesofsoil:sandy,silt,clay,andloam.Aneasywaytofigureoutwhatyouhaveistofillajarwithsoilfromyourgarden.Putthelidontight,shakeitvigorously,andthenlet itsit foradayor two.Thesoilwillsettle intodistinctlayers.With largerparticles, sandwill settle to thebottom,claywillgo to thetop,andsiltwillbein-between.Theirpercentageswillindicatethetypeofsoilyouhave.Ifthereisafairlyevenamountofallthree,yoursoiliscalledloam.Whilealoamsoilisconsideredthebestforgeneralgardening,theothertypes

can be adjustedwith compost (seeChapter 7).When plant guidelines call forrichsoil,itisreferringtoaloamysoilthathasbeenwellcompostedorfertilized.Ifyouwanttogrowplantsthatrequiresandysoilbutyourgardenismostlyclay,donotaddonlysandasyouwillendupwithasortofconcrete.Usecompostanda little sand to conditiona clay soil.Soil typecanalsobedealtwithbyusingraisedbeds,containers,oracombinationofthese.Along with soil type, moisture content is something to keep in mind when

planningwhichplantstogroup.Anherbthatneedsdryconditionsshouldnotbeplantedwith ones requiring highermoisture.Also, keep inmind that the term“moistsoil”doesnotmeanthatitshouldbesoggyorwaterlogged.

SoilTypeandMoistureContent

SoilTypeandMoistureContent

BasicSoilTypesSandy Largestparticles,dryandgrittytothetouch,doesnotholdwaterSilt Medium-sizeparticles,smoothtothetouch,slickwhenwetClay Smallestparticles,smoothtothetouchwhendry,stickywhenwetLoam Amixofsand,silt,andclay

SoilMoistureContentDry Limitedwatering,soildrytothetouchevenbelowthesurfaceModeratelydry TopofsoilisdrytothetouchbutmaybeslightlydampunderneathModeratelymoist

Topofsoilmaybeslightlydrytothetouchbutremainsalittledampunderneath

Moist Needsfrequentwatering,soilremainsmoisttothetouch,shouldneverdryout,shouldnotbecomeapuddleorwaterlogged

Sunrequirementsare,ofcourse,animportantconsideration,too.Hereagain,therequirementcategoriesarebasicguidelines.Ihavefoundthatsomeplantsnotedtorequirefullsunactuallydowellinthepartsofmygardenthatdonotgetafullsixhoursofdirectsunlight.However,theseareasareshelteredbyafenceandIthinkthewarmththatismaintainedintheselocationsprovidesagoodbalance.Experimentation is the best way to determine what will work best for yourgarden.

SunRequirementsDecodedFullsun Atleast6hoursofdirectsunPartialsun Between4to6hoursofsunPartialshade Between2to4hoursofsun.Whileplantsinthiscategoryneedsun,

theyalsoneedrelieffromit.Shade Lessthan2hoursofdirectsunDappledorfilteredsun

Amixofsunandshade

Don’t let all this informationoverwhelmyou.Knowing theconditions inyourgardenallowsyoutochoosethemostappropriateplants.RefertothePlantsata

GlancetableforanoverviewofthegeneralrequirementsfortheherbslistedinPart3ofthisbook.Whilewewanttoprovidethebestconditionsforourplants,oneof thegood thingsaboutherbs is that theyaregenerallyhardyandcandowellevenifeverythingisnotperfect.Another point to consider is the types of plants you want to grow. Like

flowers,herbsfallintothecategoriesofannuals,biennials,andperennials.Asitsnameimplies,anannualcompletesitslifecycleinoneyear.Itflowers,setsseed,and dies in a single season. Biennials take two seasons. These usually onlybloom and set seed in their second season. Perennials live from year to year.Whilethetopportionusuallydiesbackintheautumn,therootsremainalivebutdormantthroughwinter.Inthespring,perennialscomeupagain.Annualstakealittlemorework,astheyneedtobereplacedeachyear.Some

will reseed themselves, but not all. One thing I enjoy about annuals is thechange-uptheygivetomygardeneachseason.Theycanbegroupeddifferentlyand planted in different spots. In addition, even though biennials have longerlifetimes,theycanbechangedouteverycoupleofyearsfordifferenteffects.You should also consider the remedies you want to make when choosing

plants.Forexample,ifyouandyourfamilyarepronetocatchingcoldsandthefluorsufferfromdigestiveissues,youmaywanttoconsideragardenthatwillbemostusefulfortheseparticularneeds.APPENDIXAwillbehelpfulforthisas it contains a listing of ailments and conditions and the herbs used to treatthem.

PlantsataGlance

Herb Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingAngelica Biennial 4 Partial

shadeLoam Moderately

moist5–8' 3'

Anise Annual Any Fullsun Sandyloam

Dry 24" 12–18"

Basil Annual Any Fullsun Loam Moist 1–2' 12–18"Bay Perennial 8 Fullsunto

partialshade

Sandyloam

Moderatelydry

2–50' Dependsonpruning

Borage Annual Any Fullsun Sandyorchalkyloam

Moist 1–3' 24"

Caraway Biennial 3 Fullsun Sandyloam

Slightlydry

18–24" 6–8"

Cayenne Annual 7 Fullsun Any Moist 24–36" 24"Germanchamomile

Annual Any Fullsuntopartialshade

Sandy Moderatelydry 30" 6–8"

Romanchamomile

Perennial 5 Partialshade

Loam Moderatelymoist

8–9" 18"Clary Biennial 4 Fullsun Slightly

sandyloam

Moderatelymoist

2–3' 9–12"

Herb Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingCoriander/cilantro Annual Any Fullsun

topartialshade

Any Dry 18–14" 8–10"

Dill Annual Any Fullsun Loam Averagemoisture 3' 10–12"

Fennel Perennial 4 Fullsun Sandyorloam

Moderatelydry

4–5' 12"Garlic Perennial 4 Fullsun Loam Moderately

moist1–2' 6"

Hyssop Perennial 4 Fullsuntopartialshade

Sandyorloam

Moderatelydry 2' 12"

Lavender Perennial 5 Fullsuntopartialshade

Slightlysandyloam

Dry 2–3' 12–24"

Lemonbalm Perennial 4 Fullsunto

Loamorsandy

Moderatelymoist

1–3' 12–24"

4 topartialshade

sandyloam

moist

Lemongrass Perennial 9 Fullsun Sandyloam

Moist 3–5' 2–4"

Marjoram Perennial 9 Fullsun Sandy Moderatelydry 12" 6–8"

Herb Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingParsley Biennial 5 Fullsunto

partialshade

Loam Moist 12" 8–10"

Peppermint Perennial 5 Fullsuntopartialshade

Loamorslightclay

Moist 12–36" 12–24"

Rosemary Perennial 8 Fullsun Sandy Dry 3–6' 24–36"

Sage Perennial 4 Fullsuntopartialshade

Sandyloam

Moderatelymoist

1–3' 24"

St.John’swort

Perennial 3 Fullsuntopartialshade

Slightlysandyloam

Moderatelydry

2–3' 16–18"

Spearmint Perennial 4 Partialshade

Loam Moist 12–18" 12–24"

Thyme Perennial 5 Fullsuntopartialshade

Sandyloam

Moderatelydry

6–12" 10–12"

Valerian Perennial 4 Partialshadetofullsun

Loam Moist 3–5' 36"

Yarrow Perennial 2 Fullsuntopartialshade

Any Moist 1–3' 18"

Dependingontheherbandthepartorpartsofit thatyouwanttousetomakeremedies, youmayneedmore thanoneplant.This isbecausemost leaves arebetterwhentheyareharvestedbeforeaplantflowers.Forexample,ifyouwanttousetheleaves,seeds,androotsofangelicayouwillneedseparateplants.Ontheplant fromwhichyou take leaves, cut the flowerheadsoff so theydonotbloomandgotoseed.Thisway,youcancontinueharvestingleavesthatwillbefullofflavorandmedicinalpotency.Theplantsthatyouletfloweraretheonesfromwhichyouwouldharvest seedsand roots.Sowa fewof the seeds in theautumntopropagatemoreplants.Angelicaisabiennialthatisgoodatreseedingitself. I startedoutwith twosmallplantsandnowhaveanangelicapatch inacornerofmygarden.

PlanforAggressivePlantsPeppermintandspearminthaverobustrootsystemsthatcanbeinvasiveandtake

overyourgarden.Theeasiestwaytodealwiththemistogrowthemincontainers.Anotherwaytokeepthemin

checkistosinkbarriersabouttwelveinchesdeepintothesoilaroundthem.Stones,bricks,orothergardenedging

materialcanbeusedforthebarriers.Largeclayflowerpotsorclaychimneyfluesalsoworkwell.In

addition,therootsofmarjoramcanbecomeaggressiveiftheplantisnotdividedeverycoupleofyears.

Givenachance,dill,lemonbalm,St.John’swort,andvalerianwillalsotrytotake over the garden, but not because of rambunctious root systems.You canalmostguarantee that any seeds theydropwill sprout, producingmanyplants.Thiscanbeavoidedbyremovingtheflowersbeforetheyhaveachancetogotoseed. You will find more information about growing herbs in containers inChapter9.

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6.Visithttp://planthardiness.ars.usda.govformoreUSDAmaps.

CHAPTER4

BugsandBirds

Onceconsideredanoldwives’tale,researchindicatesthatcertainplantshaveaneffect on those around it. Some engender mutual benefits, a few are actuallyharmful to each other, some repel pests and/or attract beneficial insects.Companionplantingofherbsisusedmainlytosupportfruitsandvegetablesandimprove their health and flavor.This information is included in the individualherb entries inPart 3.Someherbs are good friendswith eachother but a fewneedtobekeptapart.Herbsarealsohelpfulwhenitcomestoattractinggoodbugsandrepellingthe

badones.Thebadbugseatourgardensandthegoodbugseatthebadones.TheCompanion Planting and Bugs table provides information on how the herbsincludedinthisbookaffectotherplants.Thetablealsoincludesdetailsonsomeof the insects the herbs in this book attract or repel. The Good Bugs tableprovidesdetailsonthegoodbugs.

Bugs:FriendorFoeAn age-oldmethod for thwarting the bad bugs is straightforward and simple:plantavarietyofherbs.Itdoesn’thavetobeawidevarietyofdifferentplants,justavoidhavingalotofonetypeofherbsopestswon’tbeattractedbyalargetarget.It also helps to grow annuals in a different spot each year and transplant

perennialseveryfourtosixyears.Sincepestsusuallyneedmorethanoneseasontoestablishthemselves,changingtheplantsarounddisruptsthem.Inadditiontoweedingandkeepingthegardencleanedup,compostingtokeepthesoilhealthyencouragesbeneficialorganisms,whichwillhelpkeepthebadonesincheck.

CompanionPlantingandBugs

Herb

GoodFor

BadFor

Bugs

Anise Coriander/cilantro;cabbage

Carrots Repelscabbageloopers,importedcabbagemoths

Basil Peppers,tomatoes Repelsasparagusbeetles,fleas,flies,mosquitoes

Bay

Repelsweevils

Borage Beans,cucumbers,strawberries,tomatoes

Attractsbees;repelstomatohornworms

Caraway

Peas

Cayenne Cucumbers,eggplants,tomatoes Repelsmoths,weevilsChamomile,German

Mostherbs,especiallybasil,dill,peppermint;cabbage,cucumbers,onions Attractspredatorywasps,hoverflies;repelsfleas

Chamomile,

Roman

Mostherbs,especiallybasil,dill,peppermint Attractspredatorywasps,hoverflies;repelsfleas

Clary

AttractsbeesCoriander/Cilantro

Anise,caraway;spinach

Fennel Attractsbees;repelsaphids,beetles,spidermites

Dill Cabbage,corn,cucumbers,lettuce,onions

Fennel;carrots,tomatoes

Attractsbees;repelscabbageloopers,cabbagemoths,tomatohornworms

Herb

GoodFor

BadFor

Bugs

Fennel Mostespeciallycarawayanddill;bushbeans,kohlrabi,tomatoes

Attractsladybugs;repelsaphids,slugs,snails

Garlic Cabbage,celery,cucumbers,eggplants,fruittrees,lettuce,peas,roses,tomatoes Attractsbutterflies;repelsants,aphids,Japanesebeetles,slugs,

snails

Hyssop Cabbage,grapes Attractsbees,butterflies;repelsbeetles,cabbageloopers,importedcabbagemoths,fleas

Lavender Yarrow;daylilies,dianthus,coreopsis,yucca Attractsbees,butterflies

LemonBalm Pumpkins,squash Attractsbees;repelssquashbugs

Lemongrass Lavender,mints,sage Repelsants,flies,mosquitoes

Marjoram Asparagus,beets,corn,cucumbers,lettuce,onions,peas,potatoes,squash,tomatoes,zucchini

Repelsants

Parsley

Mostvegetables

Herb

GoodFor

BadFor

Bugs

Peppermint Cayenne,chamomile;cabbage,tomatoes

Parsley Attractshoverflies,predatorywasps;repelsants,aphids,bees,fleabeetles,whitecabbagemoths

Rosemary Sage;beans,cabbage Attractsbees;repelsbeanbeetles,cabbageflies,slugs,snails

Sage Marjoram,rosemary;beans,cabbage,carrots,strawberries,tomatoes

Onions Attractsbees,butterflies;repelscabbageloopers,carrotrustflies,importedcabbagemoths

Spearmint Cabbage,tomatoes

Parsley Attractshoverflies,predatorywasps;repelsants,aphids,fleabeetles,whitecabbagemoths

Thyme Eggplants,potatoes,tomatoes Attractsbees;repelscabbageworms,whiteflies

Valerian

Mostvegetables Attractsbees,butterflies

Yarrow

Mostaromaticherbs Attractsladybugs,hoverflies,andpredatorywasps

TheGoodBugs

Bugs Benefits

Bumblebeesandhoneybees

Thebestpollinators

Butterflies

Aidinpollination

Damselflies Destroyaphidsandarangeofotherbadbugs

Dragonflies

Destroyfliesandmosquitoes

Groundbeetles Destroycutworms,gypsymothlarvae,androotmaggots

Hoverflies

Destroyaphids

Lacewings Destroyaphidsandotherbadbugs

Ladybugs Destroyaphids,mealybugs,andmites

Prayingmantis Destroyawiderangeofbadbugs

Spiders Destroyarangeofbadbugs

Wasps Smallparasiticwaspsdestroyaphidsandcaterpillars;thelargerpredatorywaspsdestroycaterpillars,andgrubs;waspsarealsogoodpollinators

Birds:TheGardener’sAlliesAttractingbirdstoourbackyardsprovidesnaturalpestcontrolforourgardens.Whilewemightthinkofputtingoutabirdfeederonlyinthewinter,birdscanusehelpallyearroundbecauseofdiminishinghabitats.Thefoodinthefeederwillattractbirdsbutmostofthemeatacombinationofinsects,

berries,andseeds,soafterdiningonwhatyouprovidetheyusuallystickaroundtoseewhatelsetheymayfind.Year-roundresidentsthatstakeoutyouryardasagood

foodsourcewillalsoattractmigratingbirds.Feeding in the spring is especially important for the birds returning to your

areauntil they reestablish the layof the land formultiple feeding sites.Whilesummeroffersabundantnaturalsourcesforfood,extrahelpfillingthemouthsofhatchlings is a big attraction for busy parent birds. In the autumn, migratingbirds need to get ready for their long journeys, and of course,winter ismostimportantwhennaturalsourcesreallydwindle.In addition to food, providingwater for birds is another goodway to attract

them to your yard.A birdbath can also function as a decorative feature and afocalpointforyourgarden.Insteadofabirdbath,usealargeflowerpotsauceronthe ground or on an up-ended flowerpot in the garden. If your porch is yourgarden,placeasauceramongstthecontainers.Feedersandbirdbathsshouldbelocatednearvegetation,whichprovidesbirdsasafeplacetowaittheirturnatthefeederortotakecoverfromapredator.Also,itisimportanttokeepfeedersandbathscleantoavoiddiseases.Another attraction is to simply leave an area of your yard as natural as

possible.Thiscanbe just some leaf litterundera shrub,whichwillencouragebirdstoforageforinsects.Abarepatchofloosesoilwillalsoappealtobirdsfortakingdust baths. In addition tokeeping insects in check, somebirds, such as

finchesandsparrows,arehelpfulforweedcontrolbecausetheyhaveafondnessformanytypesofweedseeds.Theavailabilityofnestingsitesalsoluresbirds.Treesandshrubsoffernatural

places but we can foster their interest by providing nest boxes or birdhouses.Ideally,theseshouldbeatleastfivefeetabovetheground,outofdirectsunlight,andshelteredfromheavyrain.Locatingtheseneartreesorshrubsishelpful.Anexceptionisamartinhouse,whichshouldbepolemountedaboutfourteenfeetabovethegroundandat leastfifteenfeetawayfromstructures.Martinsliketobe able to circle their colonies. There are two excellent websites for moreinformation about attracting birds to your backyard: the Cornell Lab ofOrnithology at www.allaboutbirds.org and the Audubon Society atwww.audubon.org.Inaddition,considerputtingupabatboxtoprovideanearbyroost.Batsareexcellenthelpersforinsectcontrol.Invitingbirdstoyourbackyardwillnotcompletelyridyourgardenofinsects

but theywillhelpmaintainahealthy,balancedenvironment freeofpesticides.Ofcourse,thereareotherbenefitsbeyondgardening.Birdwatchingisarelaxingpastimeandagoodstress-buster.Itisalsoafun,educationalexperiencetosharewithchildren.

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CHAPTER5

T

ToolsandPersonalGear

here isadizzyingarrayofgarden toolson themarket,and frankly,morethanmanyofusneed. If youarenew togardening it canbedaunting to

figureoutwhichonesarenecessaryandwhichonesaresimplynicetohave.First, lookforgoodqualitytools.Theyaren’tcheap,but theylast longerand

requireless-frequentsharpening.Inthelongrunyouwillspendlessmoney.Thebestplacestofindgoodtoolsareatnurserysupplycentersandhardwarestores.Youdon’t need tomaxout your credit card, but buy the best quality you canafford;youwon’tregretit.Lookforsolidsocketconstructionwherethebladeormetalpartofatooljoinsthehandle.Ifitwigglesorseemsloose,don’tbuyitnomatter howgreat a bargain itmaybe.Look for tools that have a solid feel tothem;notnecessarilyheavy,butnotflimsy.Takeyour timewhenyougotobuytools.Pickupdifferentones toseehow

they feel in your hand. Experiment with themotions that youwill use in thegarden.Atoolthatfeelstoobigorheavywillbelesseffectiveifitcausesyourhandorarmtotirequickly.Don’tbeembarrassedorfeelsillyfordoingthisinthestore,ifanythingitwillmakeyoulooklikeanexperteveniftheseareyourfirstgardeningtools.Thefollowingtoolsandequipmentwillhelpyouhandleallthebasictasksandmore.Shovel:Themost useful typeof shovel is a combinationof shovel and spade.The garden spade is designed for digging into and loosening soil. It has anarrow,flatbladethatisusuallyrectangularinshapewitharolledtopedge.Ashovel is wider, slightly concave, and designed for moving loose materialaround. The bottom edge of the blade is rounded to a center point. Acombination shovel does both jobs. The blade of the combination shovel iswider than a spade and just concave enough for picking up material. Thebottomedge is likeashovelandrounded toacenterpoint.Likeaspade, thetopofthebladeisrolledsoyoucancomfortablyplaceyourfootonitanduseyour weight when necessary for digging. These shovels are available with

eitherashortoralonghandletoaccommodatepeopleofdifferentheights.Useonewith a handle length thatwill allow you toworkwithout straining yourback.Level-headrake:Thistypeofrakehasshortmetaltinesfordealingwithmaterialheavier than leaves. The tines are spaced wider apart than a leaf rake. Thelevel-headrakeisgreatforlevelingsoil,workingwithmulch,andpost-seasoncleanup.Trowel:Thishandtoolisindispensable.Itlookslikealittleshovelandisusedfor digging small holes and breaking up the soil. Like the shovel, there aremany types of trowels. The most versatile have a pointed, slightly concaveblade. Quality is especially important because the shovel blades of cheaptrowelsareeasilybent.Inaddition,sometrowelshaveameasurementscaleontheblade,whichishandyforgettingtherightdepthwhenplantingseedsandbulbs.Thetrowelismymost-usedtool.Handrake:Alsocalledahandcultivator, thistoollookslikeaclaw.Itusuallyhasthreewidely-spaced,curvedtinesandashorthandle.Itisgoodforweedingandkeepingthesoilloosearoundthebaseofplants.Spadingfork:Alsocalledagardenfork,ithasfourlong,strongtinesthatendinsharppoints.Itisusedfordiggingandlooseningsoil,anditisespeciallyusefulwhen dividing the roots of plants for propagation. The spading fork differsfrom a pitchfork in that its tines are thicker, stronger, and spaced closertogether.Pruning clippers: These are also called pruning shears, hand pruners, andsecateurs.Theyarebestdescribedasa typeofscissors.Handprunershaveashort,curvedbladethatisgoodforcuttingstemsandbranches.Whilethistoolmay get a lotmore use at harvest time, it is handy for generalmaintenancethroughouttheseason.Thereareprunersdesignedforlefties,too.Grass shears: These are handy to keep the grass edging neat if your gardenbordersa lawnbecauseyoudon’twant toget tooclose toyourherbswithalawn mower. There are two types of shears: vertical and horizontal, whichdescribes the direction the blades open.Somehave a swivelmechanism thatallowsthemtoopeneitherway.Ifindthehorizontaleasiertouse.

Knives,scissors,andateaspoon:Aparingknifeorapairofscissorsishandyforopening bags and seed packets. A sturdy old butter knife from the kitchenworkswelltodigholeswhenplantingseedsandsometimesforweeding.Alsoraidthekitchenforanoldteaspoon,whichishelpfulwhenhandlingseedlings.Basketsorbuckets:Itishelpfultohavethreeoftheseinyourgear.Useonetohold your small tools so they are easier to move around the garden as youwork.Useanothertoholdpulledweeds.Thethirdmaynotbeneededuntilthegrowingseasoniswellunderway,butit’sgoodtohaveithandyforflowersorleavesthatmaybereadyforharvestingduringthesummer.Wateringcan:Whetherornotyouhaveagardenhose,thisisbetterforwateringseedlingsandsmall,delicateplantswhentheyarefirstputinthegarden.Thetype of spout nozzle called a “rose” has a wide, flat cover with holes thatseparatethestreamofwaterandhelpstomoistenplantsmoreevenly.Usingawateringcaninsteadofahosealsomakesiteasiertotakecareofplantswithslightly different moisture requirements because you can selectively waterthem.

Whenyouareusingtoolsinthegarden,bemindfulofwhereyousetthemdown.Arake lefton thegroundwith the tinespointingupbecomesa serioushazardshould someone step on it. Unfortunately, I speak from experience, havingsteppedonarakethatIleftontheground.Whenyouarefinishedworkingfortheday,brushawayanysoilonthetoolsandwipethemoffwitharagorapapertowel. Taking care of your tools will help them last longer. Store them in aconvenientplaceandkeepsharponesoutofthereachofsmallchildren.

PersonalGear:BePrepared,BeComfortableWhen gardening, it is important to be comfortable and protected. Becausegetting dirty and sweaty is part of the process, it’s a good idea to wear oldclothesandshoes.Ifyouareclearinganareaforyourgarden,youmaywanttowearlongpantsandsleevesforprotection.Also,chooseclothingthatallowsyoutomove freely.Old sneakers or hiking boots are comfortable choices for footgear.Remember,youareworkingwithtoolsandneedtoprotectyourfeet.Whenfirst startingyour garden, boots are better as youwill be usingyour feet on a

shovel to dig and a bootmakes it easier than a sneaker. If your backyard hasuneven terrain,asminedoes, sturdy footwearcanhelpprevent fallsor twistedankles.Flip-flopsarefinewhenweedinganddoinglighttasks,buttheyarenotagoodchoicewhendiggingandraking.Garden gloves are essential. They save a lot ofwear and tear on the hands,

especiallyfingernailsandfingertips.Gloveshelpavoidblistersandprotectyoufrompoisonivy,thorns,startledspidersthatmaybite,orothercreepy-crawliesthatmaynotlikeyourpresence.Getapairthatfitcomfortablyanddonotfeelclumsy.Ifyouneedtoworkinwetsoil,apairofrubberkitchenglovesworksnicely.There are a few other things that will make you more comfortable while

gardening.Ahatwithawidebrimhelpskeepyoucoolandprotectstheeyesandfacefromstrongsunlight.Sunglassesandsunscreenaregoodtokeepinyourkitforgardening,too.Alsotakeabottleofwaterwithyouwhenyouheadoutsidesoyoucanstayhydratedandcomfortable.To avoid injury and discomfort, don’t hunch over, keep your back straight

whileyouwork,andavoidtwisting.Insteadofbendingorkneeling,trysquattingdown.Itisactuallyaneasierwaytowork.Itmayfeelawkwardatfirstbutitisgoodfor thehipsandanantidoteforsitting toomuch.Liftusing thepowerofyour legs by bending your knees instead of relying on your back muscles.Gardeningisgoodexerciseaslongaswedoitmindfully.

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N

CHAPTER6

Let’sGetGoing

owthatyouhavedecidedwheretolocateyourgarden,havechosenyourplants, andhavegatheredyour tools, it’s helpful tomap thegardenout.

Thiswillsavetimewhenyouarereadytostartdigging.

PutYourIdeasonPaperCreatingamapofyourintendedgardenwillhelpyoudeterminewheretoplacethedifferent typesofplantsaswellashowmanyyouwillneed tobuy.Usinggraphpaperhelpsplanyourgarden to scale,or thereareSmartphoneapps forthisaswell.Whichevermethodyouuse,paperorapp,youwillalsoneedalongtape measure and some wooden stakes to mark the garden boundary. Usingstakes makes it easier to measure and will serve as guidelines when you arereadytodig.Onceyoumeasuretheoutlineofthegarden,sketchinadjacentfeaturessuchas

shrubs,awall,orapatio.IfyouhaveabigoldtreelikeIdo,youmayneedtonotewheresomeofitslargerootsextendaboveground.Includepaths,steppingstones,oranyotherfeatureyoumaybethinkingofaddingtothespace.Afterthe“hard” features areonpaper,youare ready to sketch theplants.Thesecanbeindicatedas circles for theareaseach typeofplantwilloccupyor a circle foreachindividualplant.Yourmapcanbeasdetailedorasbroadlydefinedasyouprefer.Wheneverpossible,plantthesametypeofherbingroupsofthreeforacohesive appearance rather than scattering them all over.A small grouping isvisuallypleasingbutdoesnotpresentalargetargetforpeststozeroinon.

Figure1.4.Agardenlayoutonpapercanbesimpleordetailedandisatime-saverwhenyouarereadytoplant.

While you have paper handy, you may want to consider keeping a gardenjournal.Thiswayyouwillknowwhatyouplantedeachyearandyouwillhavearecordofwhatworkedwellandwhatdidnot.Thereareready-madegardening

journals, but making your own and adding pictures or seed packets or evenpressingafewleavesorflowersinsidecanbeaninterestingandfunwaytotracktheprogressofyourgardenfromyeartoyear.Inaddition,keepingtrackofhowyou dealt with pests and the results of your harvests can provide valuableinformationintheyearsahead.Yourjournalcanbeassimpleorelaborateasyoucaretomakeit.Theimportantthingisthatitbefunandinterestingforyou.

HowtoLayOutYourPlanThefirst step instartinganewgarden is toestablish itsouteredges.Mark thecornerswithstakesandusestringtodefinetheoutline.Ifyourdesigncallsforflowinginsteadofstraightborders,usemorestakesandagardenhoseoraropetodefinetheboundary.Foraroundgarden,putastakeinwhatwillbethecenterandattachapieceofstringthatisalittlelongerthanthegarden’sradius(halfitsdiameter).Fillabottlewithsandandthenattachittotheotherendofthestring,making it the lengthof the radius.Slowlywalk in a circle shakingout a littlesandasyougotodefinetheouterboundaryofthegarden.Onceyouhavedefined theouteredgesofyourgarden, stepbackand takea

looktomakesure it is thesizeandshapeyouwant.Youcanalwaysexpandagardenlaterbutifitseemstoobig,nowisthetimetoadjustyourplan.Ifyouareincludingpathsinyourgarden,alsomarkthesewithstakesandstring.Whenfirstdiggingagarden,beginattheouteredgestoestablishtheborder.If

youare startingwithbareground, removeany fallenbranches, rocks,orotherdebrisandthenturnoverthesoilwithashoveloraspadingfork.Overtime,soilpackstogetherandlooseningitallowsrootstogrowmoreeasily.Thiswillalsohelpwatertopenetratethesoilaswellasdrainaway.Ifyouareclaimingapieceoflawnforagarden,youwillneedtogetridofthe

grass.Thereareseveralwaystodothis.Intheautumn,putdownathicklayerofmulchorcovertheareawithacoupleofinchesofnewspaper,andthencoveritwith a thin layer of topsoil. The grass will die back and the newspaper willdisintegrate.Insteadofwaitingformulchornewspapertosmotherthegrassorifyouarestartinginthespring,youcansimplyturnthegrassunder.Breakupeachshovelfulofsoilandpulloutbigclumpsofgrassandrootstopreventthemfromgettingreestablished.

Whilethegroundmaylooklevel,onceyoustartworkingityoumayfindalotofbumpsanddips.Inadditiontodealingwiththese,youmayfindthatoneendishigherthantheother.Ifso,findamediumpointandredistributethesoilwitharaketomakeitaslevelasyoucan.Ifpavingstonesorbricksarepartofyourplan,digoutthoseareas,too,evenifyouareplacingafewsteppingstoneshereandthere.Diggingoutthepathwillmakeiteasiertocreateastablebasesothestoneswon’tbecomeunevenastheysettle.Anotherreasontodigouttheentiregarden area is to rid it of any bindweed or knotweed roots that creepundergroundandmaketheirpresenceknownwhereyouleastexpectthem.I’msuremyneighborsthoughtIwasarealcrackpotdoingsomuchdiggingwhenIwasstartingmygarden,butIwasbattlingJapaneseknotweed,andmyvigilancepaidoff.Whenlayingoutapath,digtodoublethedepthofthebricksorstones.Tamp

down the ground and then put in a thick layer of gravel and sand. This willcreate a stablebaseonwhich to set the stones.Consider leaving a little spacebetweenthestonesorbrickswhere low-growingherbssuchascreepingthymeorRomanchamomilecangrow.After the paths or stepping stones are in place, continue to dig out the

remainingbedding areas. If your garden is borderedby a lawn, adding a hardedgehelpskeepthegrassfromcreepingin.Awiderangeofready-madeedgingmaterialisavailableatgardencentersoryoucanusebricksorstones.Digdownalittletosinkpartofeachborderstoneorbrickintothegroundsotheywillstayinplace.

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CHAPTER7

T

PreparingtheSoilandPlanting

hefinalandvery importantstepbeforeactuallyplanting is toprepare thesoil. If you encountered earthworms while digging, consider yourself

lucky.Earthwormsareasignofhealthysoil.Alongwithotherorganisms,theyturndecomposingplantmaterial intohumus.Humus isorganicmatter thathasbeen broken down to itsmost basic level. It builds healthy soilwith nutrientsthatplantsneed.Thisorganicmatterhelpsaerateplantrootsandhelps thesoilholdmoisture.Thebestapproachforcreatingahealthygardenistofeedthesoil,which in turnwill feed the plants. Also, go organic. Youwant the soil to behealthy and freeof chemicals soyourherbswill behealthy andoffer thebesthealingandhealthtoyou.Afterall,thepointofherbalremediesistogetawayfromchemicals.Addingchemicalstothesoilmeansthatyouareaddingthemtoyourherbs,whichinturngetsingestedbyyouandyourfamily.

Fertilizer,Compost,andMulch:WonderingWhattoUse?

Astrollthroughagardencentermaygiveyoutheimpressionthatyouwillneedtoputalotofdifferentstuffonyourgarden.Truthbetold,youdon’t.Buildingand maintaining healthy soil is not complicated or difficult, and it does notrequireyoutobuyalotofbagsofdifferentstuff.Thefirstthingthatcomestomind,ofcourse,istousefertilizerforahealthy

garden. The problem is, many fertilizers are synthetic, and, while they mayproduce bigger plants, they do not enrich the soil. They do not feed theearthwormsandmicroorganisms thatbuildhealthysoil.Plantsmaygetagoodinitial boost from fertilizer, but the state of the soil will decline and then theplants will too. To save the plants you then have to add more fertilizer. Theresultisthatyourgardenwillbethrownintotheviciouscycleoffeastorfamine.Toavoidthis,useanorganicfertilizerthatwillnotcausethisproblembecauseitfeedstheplantswhileitalsobuildshealthysoil.

Before saying “fertilizer, yuck,” you may be thinking that organic fertilizermeans manure, but there is a big difference. While manure may be used asfertilizer,fertilizerdoesn’thavetoincludemanure.Manureisanimalwaste,andpetsshouldneverbeconsideredasasourceformanure.Thewastefromcatsanddogsnotonlysmellsbadbutitcontainsharmfulbacteriathatcanmakepeoplesick.Itcanalsoharborparasites.Freshmanurefrombarnyardanimalsisequallybad.Anyurinethatwasmixedinwiththemanurehasaburningeffectonherbs.Then there’sE. coli, salmonella, and other problems.Baggedmanure that hasbeenprocessed tokillE. coli andotherpathogens is available at somegardencenters.However,ifitisn’tguaranteedtohavecomefromanorganicfarm,thereistheriskofpesticideresidues,antibiotics,andothermedicationsthatmayhavebeengiventothelivestock.Inmyopinion,itisnotworththerisk.Thebest thingyoucanuseonyourgarden iscompost.Compost isanatural

fertilizer thatconditions thesoil, improvingdrainageaswellas thecapacity toretainwater.Compostspeedsuptheprocessoforganicbreakdown,keepingtheearthwormsandmicroorganismshappy,which in turnproduceshealthyplants.The best thing of all, it’s free because we can make it ourselves. There arespecialcompostbinsonthemarket,butit’snotnecessarytousethemoranybinfor that matter. I keep a good, old-fashioned compost pile. The advantage tousingabinisthatitkeepsthetemperatureofthematerialhotter,whichspeedsuptheprocess.Whichevermethodyouuse,theimportantthingtorememberisthat compost needs to be turned a couple of times a month otherwise it willdisintegrateintoauseless,slimymess.A compost pile can be unsightly, but it is easily hidden by creating a small

fenced-inareathatisopenononesideforeasyaccess.Becausethepileshouldnot restagainstwood,as thewoodwill rotover time, itworkswell to stackafew cinder blocks to create an enclosure and then surround the blockswith adecorative fenceorshrubs.Locateyourcompostpileon levelgroundwhere itwon’tgetdirectsunlightandwhereitwillhavegooddrainage.Compost is made with soil, vegetable and fruit scraps, leaves, small twigs,

grassclippings,straw,shreddednewspaper,coffeegrounds,usedtealeaves,andplant trimmings.At theendof thesummer, Iempty thecontentsofmyflowerboxes onto the pile, too. Also, instead of throwing out plant material after

making infusions or other remedies, add them to your compost pile. Avoidcooked fruit and veggie scraps,meat, andmilk products, as these cause odorsandattractrats.Startthepileonbaregroundwithacoupleofinchesofsmalltwigs.Thisaids

ingettingairintothepiletohelpstarttheprocess.Shovelacoupleofinchesofsoiloverthetwigsandthenaddtheorganicmateriallistedabove.Trytouseamixof things;not justvegetablescrapsornot justgrassclippings.Topoff thepilewithathinlayerofsoil.Wetitdown,butdon’tmakeitsoggy.Useashoveltoturnthepileoverafewtimesamonthespeciallywhenyouaddnewmaterial.Moistenthepileeachtime.Turningthepilehelpstoaeratethematerial,whichaids theprocessof decomposition.The compostwill be ready touse in a fewmonthswhen it becomesdark andcrumbly.Shovel the composton topof thesoilintheyourgarden,usearaketomixitin,andthenwater.Ifyouaregrowingchamomile,addspentflowerheadsaftermakingremedies

oranypartof theplant to thecompostpileas it is agoodactivator toget theprocessgoing.Yarrowisalsoagoodactivator.Anotherverybeneficialitemtoaddtoyourcompostpileisseaweed.Evenifyouarenotnearthecoast,seaweedinliquidandpowderformisavailableatsomegardencenters.Usingseaweedinthegardenisbeneficialbecauseitaddstracemineralstothesoil.Ifyouarenearabeach,goat lowtidetogatherafewhandfulsofseaweed.Dryit,crumbleitup,andmixitintoyourcompost.Lastbutnot least, there’smulch.Thefirst thingtoknowaboutmulchis that

there are twovarieties:organic and inorganic. In this case, “organic”doesnotrefertoitbeingfreefrompesticides,itmeansthatitcamefromsomethingthatwas living at one time. This type ofmulch ismade of wood chips, shreddedbark,straw,leaves,grassclippings,pineneedles,sawdust,orpaper.Anorganicmulchwillbreakdownandfeedthesoil.Ifyoudecidetousemulch,lookforanorganicmulchthatcamefromapesticide-freesource.Cocoashellsarealsousedfor mulch, however, while they smell nice (who doesn’t like a chocolatyaroma?), they are toxic to cats and dogs. The inorganicmulches aremade ofgravelorplasticand,obviously,willnotenrichthesoil.Thepurposeofmulch is tohold inmoistureand regulate the temperatureof

thesoil. Itkeepsplantscool in thesummerandprotects theminthewinter. In

addition,mulchhelpsdeterweedsandpests.However,insteadofbuyingmulch,you can use grass clippings, leaves, or compost. As previously mentioned,compostisworkedintothesoil,however,whenitisusedasamulch,itisleftontopofthesoilandnotrakedin.Whenusinganytypeofmulch,dampentheground,pulloutweeds,andthen

layer themulch about an inch deep around the plants. Be sure to leave somespacearoundthestemssoaircancirculate,whichwillpreventrot.Mulchafterplantsareatleastsixinchestallsotheywon’tbeburiedanditwillbeeasiertogetthemulchunderneaththem.Slugsandsnailsreallylikemulch,sotrytoleaveabout eight inches of bare ground around the mulch. Grass clippings make agoodmulchforannualsastheyreleasealotofnitrogenthattheseplantsneed.Whilemulchisappliedindeeperlayerstoothertypesofgardens,itcankeepthesoil toomoist formost herbs,which can encourage the growth of fungus.Besuretofollowtheneedsforyourparticularplants.

PlantingYourHerbsIfyouarenewtogardening,buyingplantsthefirstseasonwillserveasagoodintroduction for the tasks involved. Make a list of the plants that you want(commonandscientificnames)andtakeitwithyoutothegardencenter.Lookforplantsthatseemsturdyandhaveshortspacesbetweentheleavesratherthanonesthataretallandleggy.Also,lookforonesthathaveahealthycolorandarefreefrompests.Atsomepoint,ifyoudecidetotryyourhandatstartingherbsfromseed,sow

themindoorsabout threemonthsbeforethegrowingseasoninyourarea.Seedpacketsshouldhaveboththecommonandscientificnamesfortheplantaswellasplantinginstructions.Also,checkthepackettomakesuretheseedswerenottreatedwithchemicals.Items needed for starting your herbs from seed include seed trays that are

divided into sections, a bag of potting mix, and a spray bottle. Considerrecyclingplasticeggcartonsforseedtrays.Otheralternatives toseedtraysarepeatornewspaperpots,whicharebiodegradableandcanbeplanteddirectlyintheground,wheretheywilldecompose.Apottingsoilmixoraseedstartermixareblendsofmediumsthataidseedgermination.Aspraybottleisgoodtousebecausetheseedsneedtobekeptmoist,butwedon’twanttodrownthem.Whetheryouaresowingseeds indoorsoroutsidewhenit’swarmer,start the

daybeforebysoakingtheseedsinwarmwaterovernight,whichwillhelpthemtogerminate.Whenyouarereadytosow,placealittlepottingmixintheseedtray,dropinseveralseedspercompartmentorpot,coverwithsoil,andusethespraybottletogentlywater.Mostseedtrayscomewithlids,andifyouareusingthe clear plastic egg crates, they have built-in lids. Otherwise, use a piece ofplasticwrapandmakeatentoveryourseedpots.Coveringthemhelpstocreateawarm,moistatmosphere.Placetheminawarm,darkspot,whichwillaidthegerminationprocess.Checkthemeverydayforsprouts.When seedlings begin to appear, remove the lid or tent, and keep them in a

warm,brightspotoutofdirectsunlight,whichistooharshforthesebabyplants.Iftherearemultipleseedlingspercompartment,removesomeofthemandleaveonlythestrongestoneortwo.Aftertheseedlingsdevelopseveralsetsofleaves,

transplantthemintoseparatesmallpotssotherootswillhaveroomtodevelop.Putsoil inthepotandmakeawell inthemiddle.Removeaseedlingfromthetraywitha teaspoonandcarefullyplaceit in thepot.Gentlyfill insoilaroundthe roots.Continue to keep the plantsmoist but notwet. If you are using thebiodegradablepeatornewspaperpots,youwillnothavetorepottheseedlings.Lettheplantsdevelopforafewweeks.Whetheryoupurchaseplantsorstartthemfromseed,theyneedtogothrough

aprocesscalled“hardeningoff,”whichtakesafewdays.Afterallthreatoffrosthaspassed,movetheplantsoutdoorsinstagessotheycangraduallyadjusttothelightandtemperatureinyourgarden.Movethepotsouttoaporchorshelteredarea foradayor two,and thenplace them in thegardenwhereyouwillplantthemforanotherdayortwo.Planttheminthegroundonacloudydayorafterthreeintheafternoonsotheywillnotbeinthedirect,hotsunlightrightaway.Usingyourtrowel,digaholeforeachplant.Followtheneedsofyourplants

forspacingtoavoidovercrowding.Plantsreleasemoisturefromtheirleavesandwhen they are too close together the humidity level around them is elevated,which can foster the growth of bacteria and fungus. Crowded plants have tocompete for resources of soil and sun and do not get as strong and welldevelopedasthosethatdon’tstruggletosurvive.Toremoveaplantfromitspot,water it,gently tilt thepot,and thencarefullyslide itout.Support theplantasyoufillsoilinaroundtherootsandpatitgentlybutdon’tpackitdown.Whenalltheplantsareintheground,givethemagoodwatering.Seeds can also be started directly outside. Unlike those sown indoors, you

can’t get a jump on the season because the ground must be warm enough.Followtheinformationontheseedpackets.Whenyouarereadytosow,makeone-inch diameter holes in the soil and drop in two or three seeds per hole.Cover with soil and pat lightly. To make sure that you remember whereeverything is, mark each area with the name of the herb using special tagsavailableatgardencenters,orusePopsiclesticks.Forauniquelook,write theherbnamesonwinecorks,pokeeachcorkontooneendofawoodenbarbecueskewer,andsticktheotherendoftheskewerintheground.Keepthesoilmoistuntilseedlingssprout.Thinthembypullingoutextrassotheyareatthedistanceindicatedontheseedpackettoavoidovercrowding.

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CHAPTER8

A

MaintainingYourGarden

lthoughsomepeoplemay regardgardenmaintenanceasa lotofwork, Iconsiderweedingandotherchoresasalaboroflove.Nurturingthegarden

willcomefullcirclewhentheplantsnurtureusinremedies.

TheVitalTasksofWateringandWeedingWateringandweedingaretwoimportantgardentasks.Wateringisessential,ofcourse,butitcanbeastumblingblockfornewgardeners.Don’tjustwaterthesurface,givethegroundagoodsoakingbecausewateringdeepisimportantforrootdevelopment.However, toomuchwater is just asdetrimental as too littlebecauserootssittinginwaterloggedsoilwillrot.Thetrickistowaterslowlyatthebaseoftheplantssoitsoaksintothesoilanddoesnotformpuddles.Because temperatures and humidity are constantly changing,when and how

muchyouwaterwillvarythroughouttheseason.Useyourfingerstocheckformoisture a coupleof inchesbelow the surfaceof the soil, and then follow theneeds for the types of herbs you have planted. By paying attention to howquicklyor slowly the soildriesout,youwillget agood feel for theparticularneeds of your garden.Water the garden early in the morning. This way, thewaterwill soak into the soil rather than evaporate during the heat of the day.Watering early also gives the foliage time to dry, which helps avoid thedevelopmentoffungaldisease.Plan to spend some time each week removing weeds.Most herbs are slow

growersandweedscanquicklytakeover,robbingthemofwaterresourcesandspace.Thegreatestamountofweedsshowupintheearlypartoftheseason,sokeeping themunder control is importantwhenherbs are in the early stagesoftheirgrowthcycleandjustgettingestablished.Aspreviouslymentioned,mulchhelpskeepweedsdownbuttoomuchcankeepthesoiltoomoistformanyherbs.Itmayseemlikeafinelinetowalk,butexperimenttoseewhethermulchingornotmulchingworksbestforyourgarden.Besuretogetridofweedsbeforetheygotoseedoryouwillhavealotmore

tocontendwithlater.Pullthemoutbyhandanddigaslittleaspossibletoavoiddisturbing herb roots. Also, weeding is easier after a rain shower when theground is soft. Doing a little weeding often is an easy way to keep them incheck.

Propagation:MakingMorePlantsAtsomepointyoumaywanttopropagateyourplantssoyouhavemorewithouthavingtopurchasethem.Therearefourmethodsthatareeasytodo,however,not all plants can be propagated by all fourmethods. Specific information onappropriate propagationmethods is included for each herb inPart 3.The fourpropagationmethodsareseed,division,cutting,andlayering.Seed:Startingplantsfromseedwascoveredinthepreviouschapter.Seedscanbepurchasedoryoucangatherthemfrommanyofyourexistingplants.Division:Thisrefers todividing theplant’s roots.Todo this,digup theentirerootballandthenpullitapartintotwoorthreepieces.Somefibrousrootsmayneed to be cut apart.While this can be done with a shovel, a spading forkmakes this task easier.Once the root ball has been separated, dig a hole foreachpieceandplantthem.Thiscanbedoneintheautumn,however,ifyoudoitinthespringthenewplantswillhavemoretimetogetestablished.Cutting:Startingatthetopoftheplant,movedownatleastfiveleavesandcutoffthetoppartofastem.Cutonanangleratherthanstraightacrosstoexposemoreoftheinteriorstem.Removeafewofthebottomleavesfromthecuttingtohaveenoughofastemtoplant.Placeitinacontainerwithpottingmixandsetitawayfromdirectsunlight.Keepthesoilmoist,butnotsoggy.Thecuttingwillproduceitsownrootsystem.Layering: In thismethod,apieceofstemproduces itsownrootsystembeforebeingcutfromtheoriginalplant.Carefullybendalowerstemsopartofitlaysalong theground. Ithelps topin it inplace.Tomakesomepins, takeawirecoathangerandcutthesidesoffcreatingaU-shapedwire.Carefullypushonepinintothegroundtogentlyholdthesteminplace.Ifnecessary,usetwopins.Cover thatpartof thestemwitha littlesoilandwater it.That is thepointatwhichitwilldeveloproots.Giveitafewweeksandthencarefullymovesome

ofthesoiltocheckforroots.Iftheyhavedeveloped,cutthestemclosetotheoriginalplantandtransplantthenewoneinitsownlocation.

WinterCare:TuckYourGardeninfortheSeasonAt least severalweeks before frost is expected, turn under the soilwhere anyannualsgrewandcutbacktheotherherbs.Ifyouhaveafireplace,keepwoodystems of lavender to toss into the fire during thewinter for an aromatic treat.Autumnleavesaretimedperfectlyforuseasaprotectivewintermulcharoundthe base of biennials and perennials.Mulchingwill also prevent erosion fromrainandsnowmelt.Strawalsomakesagoodwintermulch.An easy way to mulch is to scatter oat seeds around the garden and cover

lightlywithsoil. Inaweekor two littleshootswillappear.Don’tworryaboutoatsovertakingthegardenbecausethefirstgoodfrostwillkillitoff.Thegrassyoatleavescreateamulchthatcanbeturnedoverandworkedintothesoilinthespring.Nomatterwhatyouuseasmulch,intheearlyspringafterthethreatoffrostendspullthemulchbackfromthebaseoftheplantstoallowaircirculationaroundthestems,whichwillpreventrot.Dependingonyourzone,tenderperennialsmayneedtobeover-winteredina

garageorinthehouse.Iftheherbswerenotgrownincontainers,transplantthemintopots.Justlikehardeningoffinthespring,graduallymovethepottedherbsto their new locations so they have time to adjust to the different conditions.Also, check that you are not moving pests inside, which could infest otherhouseplants.Makesurethesenewindoorplantsgettherightamountofsunlight.After the harvest and clean up, the remaining parts of plants can go on the

compostpile.Likethegarden,tuckingyourcompostpileinfortheseasonwillprotectit.Somemicrobesremainactiveinthewinterandprotectingthepilewillhaveitreadytogoearliernextspring.Ifyoucreatedthepilewithcinderblocks,bricks,orstones,yourprotectivebarrierisalreadyinplace.Securingatarpoveritcanhelpkeepitdry.Anotherwaytogetitreadyforwinteristoputleavesandbranchesonthecompostpileandthentopitoffwithsomesoil.Afterthewinterholidays,IrecyclemyYulewreathbyplacingitontopofthepile.ThisworksnicelytoprotectitandinthespringIchopthewreathintosmallpiecesandmixtheminwiththecompost.

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CHAPTER9

J

WindowandPortchGardens

ustlikeanoutdoorgarden,youwillneedtoassessthelocationsyouhavesoyoucanchoosetherightherbsforaporchorawindow.Justliketheoutdoor

garden,many indoorherbs that requirea lotof sunwill alsoneedsomeshadeduring thehottest timeofday. Insteadofawindowsill,place theseherbsonatablenear awindowwhere they canget direct sun aswell as some shade.Aswithanoutdoorgarden,wearesometimespleasantlysurprisedwithwhatworks,soitisworthexperimenting.Onebenefittopottedplantsisthattheycanbemovedtodifferentwindowsto

followthesunthroughout theyear.Also,fromanoutdoorspot theycaneasilygoindoorsforthewinter.Duringthewinterwhenheatedroomsbecomeratherdry,humidifiersarebeneficial forusaswellasourplants.However, it isalsohelpful tooccasionally spray the leaveswith tepidwater togive themaboost.Avoidwindowsillsthatarejustaboveradiatorsasplantswilldryoutquicklyandnotdowellwiththefluctuatingtemperatures.Don’t feel constrainedby conventional flowerpots.Containers for plants can

be varied and imaginative. A neighbor ofmine used several oldmetal coffeepots as planters. Anything can be used as long as it provides good drainage,whichmeans youmayhave to drill a hole or two into something that did notstartitslifeasaflowerpot.Anoldbasketcanberecycledtoholdacollectionofsmallflowerpots.Several types of herbs can be grouped together in one pot and pots can be

arranged together to create an interesting display. Just like an outdoor garden,positionatallplantinthecenterofaflowerpotwithshorteronesaroundit.Asmentioned in Chapter 3, peppermint and spearmint have rambunctious rootsystemsthattendtotakeoverthegarden.Theeasiestwaytodealwiththisistogrow them in containers even if you have an outdoor garden.They should begivencontainersof theirownbecause theywillcrowdoutanyotherplant that

maybesharingtheflowerpotwiththem.Herearesomeherbsthatdowellwhengrownincontainers:

•Basil•Bay•Cayenne•Chamomile•Dill•Garlic•Lavender•Lemonbalm•Lemongrass•Marjoram•Parsley•Peppermint*•Sage•Spearmint*•Thyme•Yarrow*Theseplantsshouldbeinacontainerbythemselves.

Whenplanting incontainers,useones thatare largeenough toallowroomfortherootstogrow.Ifthecontaineristoosmall,plantsbecomeroot-bound,whichmeanstherootswillfillthepotandtheplantswilldopoorly.Startwithalayerofgravelorseashells,whichwillhelpprovidedrainageandkeepthebottompartofthesoilfrombecomingwaterlogged.Also,ifyouaregrowingperennials,youwillneedtorepotthemintolargercontainersastheygrow.Goodsoil iskey forany typeofgarden.Whengrowingplants incontainers,

usepottingmix rather thanpotting soil.Baggedpotting soil is often too thickand clumpy and will result in poor drainage. A potting mix includes peat orcompostedplantmatterandgivescontainerplantsthetextureanddrainagetheyneed.

Plants in containers have a smaller amount of soil from which to drawnutrients, so it is important to adda little compostduring thegrowing season.Insteadofcompost,youcanusea“composttea.”Tomaketheteayouwillneeda bucket and amuslin or cotton bag large enough to hold several handfuls ofcompost.Onceyoufillthebag,tieitclosed,putitinthebucket,andfillitwithwater.Letitsoakforthreedays,returnthecomposttothepile,andusetheteatowateryourplants.Hangingbasketsandflowerboxesworkwellonporcheswherespacemaybe

atapremium.Ifaporchorbalconygetsalotofwind,secureasmalltrellistoarailing to act as awindbreak.On a balcony, youmaywant to use lightweightpotsinsteadofclayonestoavoidaddingtoomuchweighttothestructure.Evenifyouhaveanoutdoorgarden,considerusinga fewpottedherbs toprovideafocalpointandvariety.WhileIhavesomeherbsscatteredaroundmyflowergardens,Igrowmostof

themincontainersonmybackporch.ThesunlightisjustrightthereandIcaneasilymovethemindoorstoatablebymysunnykitchenwindow.Part2providesdetailsonhowtoharvestandprepareherbsforstorage.Italso

contains information on how to make and use herbal preparations as well asinformationonessentialandcarrieroils.

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PART2

PreparingHerbsforStorageandMakingHerbalRemedies

HCHAPTER10

HarvestingtheBountyofYourGardenarvestingneedstobedonewhenherbsare

attheirpeak.Thisiswhenaplantisatitsmostvitalandwillyieldthebestflavor,fragrance,andhealingproperties.Herearesomegeneralguidelinesforwhentoharvestvariouspartsof

plants:

Flowers Thedaytheyopenorjustbeforefullyopened

Leaves

Beforetheflowersbloom

Seeds

Whentheyareripe

Roots Annuals:AnytimeintheseasonwhentheplanthasfinisheditslifecycleBiennials:TheautumnoftheirfirstyearorthefollowingspringPerennials:Fall,winter,orspring

The tools needed for harvesting include pruning shears, scissors, shovel,

trowel,andacoupleofbasketsorbuckets.Harvestleavesandflowersonadrydayjustafterthedewevaporates.Donotgatherplantsthatshowsignsofinsectdamage,mildew,oranydisease.Ifyouplantouseherbsfresh,storetheminasealedplasticbagoracontainerinthefridge.Leavesandflowerscanbekeptaday or two thisway before use.Do not rinse themoff before storing becausetheywillnotkeepwell.Gardeningorganicmeans thatwedon’tneedtoworryaboutcleaningoffpesticides.Also,washingafterpickingmaycausethelossofsomeessentialoil,whichisimportantformanyhealingproperties.Flowers can be harvested by hand or with scissors. Handle them gently to

avoidbruising.Don’tharvestflowersthatlookliketheyarefading,astheywillbepast theirpeak.Dirtyonescannotbewashedanddriedsuccessfullyso it isbesttoputthosedirectlyonthecompostpile.Usescissorstoharveststemsandleaves.Donotpullleavesoffasthismaydamagetheplant.Brushorshakeoffanydirtorbugs.Herbsgrownfortheirleavesareusuallyharvestedthroughouttheseasonand

beforetheplantsflower.Leavesoftenbecomecoarseandlosetheirflavorafterthe plant blooms. After harvesting mints, lemon balm, and marjoram in thesummer, theplantscanbepruneddownto thefirstsetof leaves.Don’tworry,you’renotkillingtheplants,theywillspringbackwithnewgrowthandgiveyouasecondharvest.Basilandparsleycanalsobecutbackthroughouttheseasontoencouragenewgrowth.Seedsusuallystartoutgreenand then turnadifferentcolorwhenripe.They

canbelefttoripenontheplantbeforeharvesting,butkeepaneyeonthembycheckingeachdaybecause theseedswilldrop to theground.Youwillneedaclothorapaperbagtoharvestthem.Whentheyappeartoberipe,gentlybendthe stalk until the seed head is over a cloth placed on the ground or inside apaper bag. Shake the plant so the seeds fall onto the cloth or into the bag.

Alternatively, once the seedhead is in a bag, cut the stalk off the plant. Pokeholesinthebagforaircirculation,hangitsomewheredry,andjustlettheseedsfalloffwhentheyareready.Roots should be harvested in the autumn or early spring when the plant’s

energyisinitsroots,makingthemmorepotent.Ofcourse, ifyouaregoingtoharvesttheleavesorotherpartsoftheseplantsdosofirst,thenharvesttheroots.Onadaywhenthesoil ismoist,notwet,useashovel,spadingfork,or trowel(depending on the size of the plant) to loosen the ground around it. Get theshovel under the roots and gently pry thewhole plant from the soil. Trim offstemstowithinoneinchoftherootandwipeoffanyexcesssoil.

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CHAPTER11

W

AftertheHarvest

hile freshherbs arewonderful toworkwith,mostofusdonot live inclimates that allow us to grow them outdoors and harvest them year

round.Theherbsthatwedonotuserightawayneedtobepreparedforstorage.There are severalmethods for drying herbs aswell as otherways to preservethem.Part3containsinformationonthemethodormethodsthatworkbestforeachherb.

CommonDryingMethodsforStoringHerbsAirdryingherbsisasimplewaytopreservethem.Thiscanbedonebyhangingthem in bunches or laying them on screens. Air drying works best in a darklocationwith lowhumidity,goodairflow,andasteady,warmtemperature.Anattic isoftenagoodplace todryherbsas longas there isadequateventilationand it is not excessively dusty.However, youmay need to block someof thelight fromanywindow todarken thedryingarea. Itdoesnotneed tobepitchblack;justavoidbrightsunlight.Youmayfindtherightconditionsinacornerofa room, aporch, a shed,or evena largeclosetwhere linensor clothes canbescented as the herbs dry. Whatever spot you choose, air circulation is a keyfactor.Gatherherbsearlyinthedayanddonotrinsethemunlesstheyaremuddy.If

you do rinse them, lay the herbs out on paper towels and let themdry beforegatheringintobunches.Itisimportanttobundlethesametypeofherbtogetherrather than mixing them because different plants dry at different rates. Basil,borage,lemonbalm,andmintshavehighmoisturecontentsanddrymoreslowlythansage,rosemary,andthyme.Tieuptotenstemsintobundles.Herbsthattakelongertodryshouldbetied

into smaller bundles of about five or less. Fasten the bunches together withrubberbands,twistties,oryarn.Attachseveralbunches,upsidedown,toawirecoat hanger with enough space between them so air can circulate freely. Awooden laundry rack can be set upwherever the conditions are right and can

holdanumberofherb-ladenedcoathangers.Ifyoudon’thavealotofherbstodry, the bunches can be attached directly to the laundry rack.Whicheverwayyouhangtheherbs,makesurethebunchesarenottouchingeachotherandthattheyarenotrightupagainstawallorotherstructure.Ifyouareconcernedaboutdust,tiecheeseclotharoundeachbunchordrapeitoverthewholelaundryrackifyouareusingone.Forscreendryingherbs,acleanwindowscreenworkswell.Asanalternative,

apieceofcheesecloth,muslin,orbrownpaperwithsmallholespokedthroughitcanbeattachedtoanoldpictureframetomakeadryingscreen.Whateveryouuse fora screen, layout theherbs ina single layer.Thescreenscanbesetonlaundry racks, which will allow good air circulation. The leaves of bay,peppermint, spearmint, and sage dry better when they are removed from thestemsandscreendried.Check your screens and bundles every day and take herbs down as soon as

theyaredry.Theywillfeelslightlybrittlewhentheyarecompletelydry.Storetheherbsimmediately,otherwisetheywillstarttodeteriorate.Ifyouhungherbsinbundles,striptheleavesand/orflowersfromthestemsforstorage.Useglassjarswithtightlids,andavoidmetalcontainersastheycantainttheherbs.Storethejarsinacoolplaceawayfromsunlight.Driedherbscankeepforuptoayearoralittlelonger.Ifyounoticeamistormoistureinsideajar,taketheherbsoutanddrythemalittlelonger.Forseeds,theharvestcancontinueindoors.AsmentionedinChapter10,seed

heads canbehungupsidedown in apaper bag,whichwill catch the seeds astheyfall.Pokeholesinthesidesofthebagforaircirculation.Itmaytakeaweekor twofor theseeds todrop.After this, theycanbedried.Someseedsmaybeinsideahuskorashell,whichwillhavetoberemoved.Gentlyprythehuskorshellopen.Chaff,whicharepiecesofhuskorshellthatmaysticktotheseeds,can be wiped off. Place the seeds in a glass jar with a piece of cheeseclothfastened over the opening. It can take from three to ten days for them tocompletelydry.Reshufflingtheseedshelpsthemtodry,soeachdaytransfertheseedsintoanotherjar.Afterfourorfivedays,testthedrynessbypressingyourfingernailintooneoftheseeds.Ifitishard,theseedsaredry.Transferthemafinal time into a clean jar with a tight lid for storage. If the test seed was

somewhatsoft,continuemovingthembackandforthintodifferentjarsforafewmoredays.If you are keeping seeds for planting a new crop of herbs, put them in an

envelope and mark it with the name of the plant and when the seeds wereharvested.Puttheenvelopeinafreezerstoragebagoracontainerandthenputitinthefreezer.Mostseedswillbeviableforthreetosevenyears.Afterrootsareharvested,washandscrubthemwithwater,andthencutthem

intosmall,one-or two-inchpieces fordrying.Thecut rootscanbekept in thefridgeuptoforty-eighthoursbeforedrying.Becausetheyaredense,rootstakelonger to dry than other parts of plants. However, the process can be jump-startedbyusing theoven.Placea layerofpaper towelsonacookie sheetandspread out the root pieces. Set the oven at the lowest temperature for three tofourhours.Leavethedooropenslightlytoallowaircirculationandtokeeptheroots from baking. Check them every hour and turn them over for uniformdrying.Transfer theroots toascreenandplaceit inawarmroomtocompletethedryingprocess.Usingtheovenisaquickerwaytodryleavesandflowers,however,someof

theessentialoilswillbelost,whichmeanssomeflavorandpotencyare,too.Ifyouoptforthismethod,followthesameinstructionsasfordryingroots.Leavesand flowersmay take two to four hours to dry.When they are crisp, removethemfromtheoven.Allowthemtocoolthoroughlybeforestoring.Themicrowavecanalsobeusedtoremovemoisturefromherbs.Laythemout

inasingle layerbetween twopaper towels.Microwave themforaminuteatatime.Itmaytakeaboutfourminutesforthemtodry,butthiswayyoucanchecktheirprogressandturnthemoversotheydryevenly.Replacethepapertowelswhentheygetmoist.Stopmicrowavingtheherbswhentheyarecrisp,andallowthemtocoolbeforestoring.Dehydratorscanalsobeusedtodryherbs.Linethetrayswithcheeseclothto

keep small flowers and leaves from falling through to lower trays. Set thetemperaturebetween90°and100°Fahrenheit.Leavesand flowersmay takeadayortwo,androotsthreedaysormore.

FreezingandOtherMethodsforStorage

Freezingistheeasiestmethodforpreservingherbs.Itworksespeciallywellforbasil, cilantro, dill, fennel, lemongrass,mint, parsley, and thyme. Someherbs,such as basil, may lose color and texture, but they retain their flavor andpotency.Toprepareherbsforfreezing,laythemoutinasinglelayeronabakingsheetandplaceitinthefreezer.Oncetheherbsarefrozen,storetheminfreezerbagsorplasticcontainers.Herbscanbefrozenwholeortheycanbechoppedupfirst.Putsomechoppedpeppermintinanicecubetrayandaddalittlewater.These

canbeusedtoflavordrinks,oryoucandropacoupleoficecubesintoamugandpourinboilingwaterfortea.Also,herbscanbepureedinafoodprocessorwithalittlewaterandthenfrozeninicecubetrays.Oncetheyset,removethecubesfromthetraysandstoretheminbagsorcontainers.Thesearereadytogowhenyouwanttomakeatea,infusion,orotherpreparation.Iftherearecertaincombinations of herbs that you enjoy using, puree them together and freeze.Alsoconsiderpureeingherbswithalittleoliveoil.Basilandcilantroworkwellthisway.Anotherway topreserve leaves is todry themwithnon-iodized table saltor

seasalt.Placealayerofsaltinashallowpan,laytheleavesonthesalt,andthensprinkleenoughsaltovertoptocompletelycoverthem.Itusuallytakestwotofour weeks for leaves to dry with this method. Check from time to time bydiggingoutaleaf.Reburyitifnecessary.Whentheyaredry,digthemoutofthesaltandshakeoffanyexcess.Storetheleavesinglassjarsinacupboardawayfromlight.Rinsethemincoldwaterbeforeusingtoremoveanyremainingsalt.Strong-flavoredherbscanbepreservedinoil,vinegar,orbrandy.Basilmixed

with sea salt and covered with olive oil can last several years. Although theleaveswillblacken,theflavorandpotencyremainintact.Mintisoftenpreservedinwhite, red, or wine vinegar.Mint can also be preservedwith olive oil. Tosteepinbrandy,fillajarwiththeherb,addbrandy,andstoretightlycoveredforamonth.Theherbmaterialcanbestrainedoutorleftin.Smallquantitiesofthebrandycanbeusedasacordialor,dependingontheherb,asadigestiveaid.Now that youhaveharvested and storedyourherbs, theywill behandy and

readywhenyouneed toprepare remedies.But first, let’s learnabout essentialandcarrieroilssowecanincorporatethemintoourhealingremedies.

[contents]

M

CHAPTER12

EssentialandCarrierOilBasics

ost plants produce essential oils in small quantities, but the plantscommonly called “aromatics” (because of their strong scents) create

enoughforustoharvestandenjoy.Essentialoilscancauseirritationandotherproblems if applied directly to the skin and must be diluted with another oilcommonly called a carrier oil. The carrier oils covered in this chapter can beusedwithessentialoilsaswellastheherbalremediesthatrequireanoil.

EssentialOilsOur sense of smell is intimately linked with memory and emotion. This isbecause the olfactory cortex of the brain is an area closely tied to the limbic(emotionalandvisceral)system.Therearethousandsofolfactoryreceptorsinasmallareaatthetopofeachnasalcavity,andaswebreathein,airpassesoverthesereceptorsandinformationiscarriedalonganerveintothebrain.Essentialoilsprovide immediate access to this rich storehouseofmemoryandemotion,which is why aromatherapy can be a powerful treatment. However, the term“aromatherapy” isa limiteddescriptionofessentialoiluses.Theycanbeusedtopically to fight infection, heal skin problems, soothe soremuscles, and easejointpain.Insteaminhalationstheycanrelievecongestion.Plants produce essential oils for various functions such as aiding growth,

attracting insects for pollination, and protecting against fungi or bacteria.Essential oils are obtained from various plant parts, and some plants mayproduceseparateoilsfromdifferentparts.Forexample,lavenderessentialoilisproducedfromthecombinationofleavesandflowers,whereas,angelicayieldstwo separate oils from its seeds and roots. Essential oils are obtained from: •leaves,stems,twigs•flowers,flowerbuds•fruitorthepeel•wood,bark•resin,

oleoresin,gum•roots,rhizomes,bulbs•seeds,kernels,nutsMostofushaveanidea of what an essential oil is, but the term is oftenmistakenly applied to abroad range of aromatic products from almost any natural source. Two keyaspectstoessentialoilsarethattheydissolveinalcoholoroilbutnotinwater,and that they evaporate when exposed to the air, which is why they are alsocalledvolatileoils.Mostessentialoilsareliquid,butsome,suchasroseoil,maybecome a semisolid depending on the temperature. Some oils are solids.However, the defining factor is themethod used to extract the oil from plantmaterial. Essential oils are obtained through the processes of distillation andexpression.Anythingelseisanaromaticextract,whichismostoftenobtainedbysolvent extraction. The products created by solvent extraction contain bothvolatileandnonvolatilecomponents.The oldest and easiestmethod of oil extraction is called expression, or cold

pressing.Coldpressedmaybeafamiliartermforthosewhoenjoycookingwitholiveoil.Foressentialoils,thisextractionprocessworksonlywithcitrusfruitsbecause they hold high quantities of oil near the surface of their rinds.Dependingontheplant,thewholefruitorjustthepeeliscrushedandthenthevolatileoil isseparatedoutusingacentrifuge.Thissimplemechanicalmethoddoesnotrequireheatorchemicals.Themostprevalentprocessforextractingessentialoilsisthroughdistillation,

whichcanbeaccomplishedusingsteamorwater.Inthedistillationprocess,thewater-soluble and water-insoluble parts of plants are separated, allowing theessentialoil tobecollected.Sometimesproductsaredistilleda second time tofurtherpurify theoilandrid itofanynonvolatilematerial thatmayhavebeenleftbehindthefirsttime.Whensteamisusedinthedistillationprocess,itispumpedintoavesselfrom

underneaththeplantmaterial.Heatandpressurewithinthevessel,producedbythe steam, causes the plantmaterial to breakdown and release its volatile oil.The oil becomes vaporized and is transportedwith the steam through the stillintoacondenser,whereitiscooled.Thisreturnstheoilandwatertotheirliquidstates.Dependingonthedensityoftheoil,itwilleitherfloattothetoporsinktothebottomofthewater.Eitherway,itiseasilyseparatedout.Differentplants,as

well as various parts of plants, require different amounts of time andtemperaturesfordistillation.Inthewaterdistillationprocess,plantmaterialiscompletelyimmersedinhot

water.Thisprocessuseslesspressureandslightlylowertemperaturesthansteamdistillation. Nevertheless, for some plants, such as clary and lavender, steamdistillationworksbetter.After the essential oil is separated from the water in these distillation

processes, the water itself is an aromatic by-product called a hydrosol.Traditionally these have been called floralwaters (i.e., rosewater) and containthe water-soluble molecules of aromatic plants. Hydrosols are also calledhydrofloratesandhydrolats.Hydrosolsshouldneverbeusedinplaceoffloweressenceremediesastheyarenotpreparedunderthesameconditionsrequiredforconsumableproducts.Theterm“floweressence”maycausesomeconfusionbecausethisproductis

not fragrant and it is not an essential oil. A flower essence is an infusion offlowersinwater,whichisthenmixedina50percentbrandysolution.Whereasthe brandy acts as a preservative for flower essences, hydrosols beingmostlywater,cangobad.Justbecausefloweressencescontainalcohol,theyshouldnotbeconfusedwithtinctures,whicharemadewithmuchhigherconcentrationsofherbs.WewilllearnmoreabouttincturesinChapter13.

CarrierOilsforEssentialOilsandHerbalRemediesCarrieroilsarealsocalled“base”or“fixed”oilsbecausetheydonotevaporatewhenexposedtoairasessentialoilsdo.Essentialoilsareverylipophilic,whichmeanstheyarereadilyabsorbedbyfattyoilsandwaxes.

Becausemostcarrieroilsareproducedfromthefattyportionsofplants—suchasseeds,kernels,ornuts—theyabsorbessentialoils,whichbecomedilutedastheyare

dispersedthroughoutthecarrieroil.

Carrieroilscomefromfattyplantmatter, so theycangorancid ifnotstoredproperly.Likeessentialoils, they shouldbekept indark, airtightbottles awayfromsunandartificiallight.Theshelflifeofcarrieroilsdependsonthetypeofoil.Storing them in the refrigerator canhelpkeep them freshandextend theirshelf life slightly. However, like anything else we keep in the fridge, it caneventuallygobad.Ifanoildoesnotlookorsmellright,throwitaway.Mostcarrieroilshavetheirownsmell,whichcanbesweet,nutty,herbaceous,

or spicy. These are not as strong as the aromatic oils and generally do notinterferewiththefragranceofessentialoils.Atthispoint,youmaybethinkingthat the standard vegetable oil from the supermarket doesn’t have any smell.Thisistruebecausechemicalsolventsareusedtobleachanddeodorizethemaswellaskillbacteria.Whilethisextendstheshelflifeoftheoil,italsomeansthatweareputtingchemicalsintoandontoourbodieswhenweusethem.When choosing an oil for making remedies, or cooking oil for that matter,

selectonethatisunrefinedand,ifpossible,organic.Refinedoilsareproducedascheaplyaspossiblewiththeaidofsolvents,andmoreandmoreoftentheyarebeingproduced fromgeneticallymodifiedplants.Refinedoils areproduced tohavenoodorandverylittletonocolor.Asaresult,thesehavelittlenutritionalorhealingvalue.Inaddition,someoftheplantmaterialharvestedtomaketheseoilsisoftenstoredforayearormorebeforebeingprocessed.Whenitisfinallyhauledout,therawmaterialiswashedwithchemicalstoremoveanymoldthatmayhavegrownonitwhileinstorage.Acycleofprocessesisusedbecauseafteroneprocessaddssomethingtoget

ridoftheoil’snaturalodororcolor,itisfollowedbyanotherprocesstoremovewhateverwasputintodothejob.Afterwringingmostofthenutrientsoutoftheoil, it is subjected to one last process calledwinterizing,which keeps it fromturning cloudyat lower temperatures.Unrefinedoilsmayappear cloudywhenstored in the fridge, but this does not change their chemical compositions orharmthem.Ipreferthecloudsandshortershelflifeformyoils.Thereareanumberoftermsappliedtooils.Partiallyrefinedmeansthattheoil

was subjected to some of the chemical processes, which most often includesbleaching,deodorizing,andwinterization.Thewordpurejustmeansthatitwas

notmixedwithanyothertypeofoil.Thewordnaturalonthelabelmeansthatitwasnotdilutedwithasyntheticoil.Anunrefinedoilmaybe labeled“coldpressed”or“expellerpressed,”which

means that itwasnot subjected tohigh temperatures.Plantmaterial is usuallyput through a press more than once in order to squeeze out as much oil aspossible.Oilthatisextractedfromthefirstpressingiscalled“virgin.”

CommonlyUsedUnrefinedCarrierOils

Oil ShelfLife Description AttributesAlmond 12

monthsLighttexture;mediumviscosity

Softens,soothes,andnourishestheskin;absorbswell

Apricotkernel

6–12months Lighttexture;mediumviscosity

Healsdry,sensitive,inflamed,orirritatedskin;easilyabsorbed

Avocado 12months

Heavytexture;thickviscosity

Healsandnourishestheskin;usuallymixedwithalighteroilforuse

Borageseed 6months;refrigerate

Lighttexture;mediumviscosity

Healsandrejuvenatestheskin;usuallymixedwithanotheroilforuse

Coconut 1–2years Lighttexture;mediumviscosity

Moisturizesandprotectstheskin;easilyabsorbed;solidifiesatcooltemperatures

Hempseed 6–12months;refrigerate

Lighttexture;mediumviscosity

Nourishestheskin;easilyabsorbed

Jojoba Upto5years

Heavytexture;mediumviscositywhenwarmed;actuallyawax

Excellentmoisturizer,goodforinflamedorirritatedskin,resemblestheskin’snaturaloil;solidatroomtemperature

Olive 1–2years Heavytexture;thickviscosity

Goodfordehydratedorirritatedskin;usuallymixedwithalighteroilforuse

Sunflower 12months

Lighttexture;lightviscosity

Especiallygoodfordelicateskin

monthsWheatgerm 12

monthsHeavytexture;thickviscosity

Soothesandregeneratestheskin;usuallymixedwithalighteroilforuse

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I

CHAPTER13

MakingYourOwnHerbalRemedies

nadditiontoagardenjournal,youmaywanttokeeparecordofyourherbalremedies.Theamountsofherbsindicatedintherecipesthroughoutthisbook

aregenerallystandardandasafestartingplaceforusingherbs.Becauseweareallunique,wemayfindthatdifferentamountsworkbetter.Takingnotesaboutthe remedies we prepare is important because they provide markers fordeterminingadjustmentstoourrecipes.Thiswaywewillknowwhatworksbestforusandourfamilies.Inthefollowingbasicrecipeswhendriedorfreshherbscanbeused,youwill

notice that a smaller amountofdriedplantmaterial is needed.With thewatercontent removed, the flavor andpotencyof dried herbs aremore concentratedthanfresh.Whenmakingoils,salves,ointments,butters,andhoney,usingdriedherbs is actually better because thewater content of fresh herbs can spoil thepreparation.Thisisbecausewaterencouragesthegrowthofbacteriaandmold.Ifyouwanttousefreshherbsforthesepreparations,allowthemtositatroomtemperature for several hoursuntil theywilt.This reduces theirwater content.When using frozen herbs, thaw and drain them first to reduce their watercontent.Whateverpreparationyoumake,labelitwiththedate,theherbsthatyouused,

andanythingelsethatwasaddedtoit.Useglass,enamel,orstainlesssteelpotsandpansandplasticorstainlesssteelsieves.Don’tusealuminumutensilsasthismetalcanbeabsorbedbytheherbs,makingthempotentiallytoxic.Besurethatallutensilsandcontainersformakingandstoringherbalremediesareclean.

TheFoundationMixturesWhile these preparations serve as the base for many of the other forms of

remedies discussed in the next chapter, they are also used as remediesthemselves. When making preparations with seeds, toast them lightly beforecrushingthem.Totoastseeds,placetheminadryfryingpanoverlowheatandwarm them just long enough to bring out their aroma. This will enhance theflavorofyourremediesandcooking.

Teas/TisanesTechnically, “teas” aremadeonly from theCamellia sinensis plant.These arethe familiar black or green teas.What is commonly called an “herbal tea” istechnicallyamildinfusionknownasatisane(pronouncedtih-zahn).Thewordtisane comes from the Latin ptisana, which was a barley tea given to peopleduring illness.7Atanyrate,becausesomanyofusareused tocallinga tisane“tea,”Ihavekepttothisconventionthroughoutthebook.Tea can be made from various parts of plants: leaves, flowers, roots, bark,

fruits,andseeds.Thespecificplantdetermineswhichpartorpartsareused.Teamadefromthetougherparts,suchasrootsandseeds,shouldbesteepedlonger.Teacanalsobemadewithadecoction.Teaisusuallymadebythecupandconsumedimmediately,whereasinfusions

are generally made in larger amounts with some kept for later use. Also,infusionsarestrongerandbrewedlongerthantea.Whenmaking a cup of tea, I usually add a little extrawater to the kettle to

allowforsomeboil-off.Ialsoliketowarmthecupwithhottapwaterforafewminutesbeforeusingit.Thiswaythecupwillnotdrawoffsomeoftheheatandleave the herbs to brew in tepid water. Special brewing cups with lids areavailable,butIfindthatplacingasauceroverthecupworksjustaswell.

BasicRecipeforTea1–2teaspoonsdriedherb,crumbledor2–4teaspoonsfreshherb,choppedor1teaspoondecoctionpercupofboilingwater

Bring the water to a boil, remove it from the heat, and let it come downslightly from the boiling point. Pour it into a cup containing the herb(s),cover, and let it steep for 10 to 20 minutes. Strain out the herbs beforedrinking.

Anotherteatomakeissuntea.Alsocalledasolarinfusion,sunteaisfuntomakeinthesummer,especiallyifyouarespendingthedayatthebeachorthepool. Teamade thiswaywill not be as strong as brewing it the conventionalway, but itmakes a healthy summer drink. Place the herbs in a jarwith coldwaterandthenputthelidontight.Setthejarindirectsunlightforseveralhours.Putacoupleoficecubesinaglass,pourinsometea,andit’sreadytodrink.Whileteaismostoftenconsumedwarmorhot,dependingonthesituationand

herb,itcanalsobedrunkatroomtemperatureorchilled.Thegeneralcourseoftreatmentwithteaistodrinktwotofourcupsaday.Whenusedasasleepaid,drinkitatleastthirtyminutesbeforegoingtobed.Foraheadache,drinktheteaseveraltimesadaybetweenmeals.

InfusionsAninfusionissteepedlongerthanatea,and,ofcourse,thelongeritsteeps,thestrongeritwillbe.However,withsomeherbs,suchaschamomile,alongsteepbringsoutotherqualitiessuchasbitterness.Also,thelengthoftimeyousteepitmayvaryaccordingtowhatworksbestforyou.Infusions aremadewith the aerial parts (leaves and flowers) of a plant and

sometimeswithseedsorberries.Themedicinalvalueofaninfusionisthat thevolatileoilsarecaptured.However, theseoilscanbe lost if the infusion isnotcoveredwhilesteeping.Alargejarorteapotworkswellforsteepinginfusions.Whenusingateapot,coveritwithadishtoweltokeepitwarmandtoblockthereleaseof steam through the spout.While it’sbest tomakean infusionon thedayyouwilluseit,itcanbestoredinthefridgeforadayortwo.

BasicRecipeforanInfusion4–6tablespoonsdriedherb,crumbledor6–8tablespoonsfreshherb,choppedperquartofboilingwater

Add herb(s) to the boiling water. Steep for 30 to 45 minutes or longeraccordingtoyourneeds,andthenstrain.

Amacerationorcoldinfusionismadewithcoldwaterinsteadofhot.Usethesameamountsofherbsandwaterasnotedabove.Lettheplantmaterialsoakfortwelve to twenty-fourhours inacoolplace.Strain itanduseasyouwouldaninfusionordecoction.Whilethedecoctionmethodismostoftenusedforroots,amacerationworksbestforvalerianroot.Ifyouarenotusingitrightaway,leavetheplantmaterialinthejarwhileyou

storeitforastrongerinfusion.Infusionscanbeusedinsteadofbathoilsorsaltsforatherapeuticsoakinthetub.Whenmadeforthebathorotherexternaluses,infusionscanbemadestrongerthanthosetakeninternally.

OilInfusionsAsthenameimplies,insteadofinfusingherbsinwaterthesearesteepedinoil.Infused oils are commonly used for cooking. Rosemary and garlic oils areparticularlypopular.Medicinal infusedoilsareused formassageandbathoilsandformakingbalms,creams,salves,andointments.Infusedoilscanalsobemadebycoldorhotmethods.Makingacoldinfused

oil is an easier but slowerprocess.On theother hand, hot infusedoils canbekept longer; sometimes forup toayear.Oliveoil isoftenagoodchoice forabase oil as it rarely goes rancid. The hot infusedmethodworks bestwith thetougherpartsofaplantsuchasroots,fruit,andseeds.Thecoldmethodworksbestwithleavesandflowers,whichtendtobemoreheatsensitive.

BasicRecipeforaColdOilInfusionAs with most preparations, this can be made with fresh or dried herbs.Essentialoilscanbeusedinsteadofplantmaterialforanoilthatwillbeusedexternally.

¼cupdriedherb,crumbledor¾cupfreshherb,choppedperpintofoilPlace theherbs inaclearglass jarandslowlypour in theoil.Gentlypokearoundwithabutterknifetoreleaseanyairpockets.Leavethejaropenforseveral hours to allow additional air to escape. If most of the oil gets

absorbed,addalittlemoretocovertheherbs.Afteryouputthelidonthejar,gentlyswirlthecontents.Placethejarwhereitwillstayatroomtemperaturefor4to6weeks.Herbsleft longerthanthismayturnmoldy.Straintheoilintoadarkglassbottleforstorage.Forastrongeroil,putnewplantmaterialintoaclearglassbottle,straintheinfusedoilintoit,andrepeattheprocess.Whenusingfreshherbs,checkforanycondensationinthebottleafteritis

stored. As previously mentioned, the moisture content of fresh herbs getsreleasedintotheoilandcanfosterbacteriagrowth.

BasicRecipeforaHotOilInfusionUseadoubleboilerwhenmakinghotinfusedoiltokeepitfromoverheating,whichaffectsthequalityoftheherbs.Aswiththecold-infusedoil,newplantmaterialcanbeusedtorepeattheprocessforastrongeroil.

¼cupdriedherb,crumbledor¾cupfreshherb,choppedperpintofoil

Placetheherbsinadoubleboilerandaddtheoil.Keepingtheheataslowaspossible, bring the oil to a slow simmer (just a few bubbles) for 30 to 60minutes.Removethepotfromtheheatandlettheoilcool.Placeastainlesssteelstrainerlinedwithcheeseclothoverabowltostraintheoil.Whenitisdonedripping,foldthecheeseclothovertheplantmaterialandpressasmuchoilaspossiblefromtheherbs.Storetheoilindarkglassbottles.

InfusingwithEssentialOilsBecauseessentialoilsdisperseeasilyinotheroils,thistypeofmixtureisreadytogoanddoesnot requireanextended infusion time.Whenusinganessentialoilforthefirsttime,doatestpatch.Todoapatchtest,putacoupleofdropsofessentialoilonyourwristandthen

cover it looselywithanadhesivebandage.Afteracoupleofhours remove thebandageandcheckforanyrednessorsignsofirritation.Iftheseoccur,rinsetheareawithcoldmilk.Youmaytrythetestagainatanothertimeorontheotherwristwiththeessentialoildilutedinacarrieroil.Ifyouhavesensitiveskin,itisadvisabletodoapatchtestonlywithdilutedoils.

TheTwoPercentSolution tableprovides ageneral guideline for a2percentratioofessentialandcarrieroils.Whilea2percentratioisconsideredsafefortopicalapplications,usea1percentdilutionfortheelderlyorchildren,orwhentheoilisforuseontheface.Peoplewithsensitiveskinshouldalwaysuseafewlessdropsofessentialoilintheirmixtures.

TheTwoPercentSolution

CarrierOil EssentialOil

1teaspoon 2–3drops

1tablespoon

6–7drops

1fluidounce

12–13drops

DecoctionsDecoctionsaregenerallystrongerthaninfusionsandaremadewiththetougher,morefibrouspartsofplantssuchasroots,bark,twigs,berries,seeds,andnuts.Anexceptiontothisisvalerianroot,whichisactuallybetterwhenpreparedasamacerationinsteadofadecoction.Whenmakingadecoction,freshordriedplantmaterialcanbeused.Itmustbe

choppedorbrokenintosmallpieces.Berries,seeds,andnutsshouldbecrushed.Leavesandflowersaresometimesusedindecoctions,however,theseshouldbeaddedjustbeforeitisfinishedsimmering.Storeadecoctioninthefridgewhereitwillkeepfor twoor threedays.Foramoreconcentratedherbal remedy,usemoreplantmaterial.Adecoctioncanbeadministeredhotorcold.

BasicRecipeforaDecoction4–6tablespoonsdriedherb,crumbledor6–8tablespoonsfreshherb,choppedperquartofwater

Place the plantmaterial in a saucepan, add thewater, and bring to a boil.Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes or until the liquid isreducedtoaboutonethird.Letitcool,strainitintoajar,andthenstoreitinthefridge.

TincturesStrongerthaninfusionsanddecoctions,tincturesareusuallymadewithalcoholinstead of water or oil. Vodka, gin, brandy, and rumworkwell for tinctures.Rumisparticularlygoodtomaskthetasteofbitterherbs.Industrial,methyl,orisopropylalcoholsshouldneverbeusedtomakeatincture.Becausetincturesareconcentrated,theyareadministeredinverysmalldoses.Inaddition,theycanbeusedasthebaseforasyrup.Tincturesshouldnotbeusedduringpregnancyorbyanyonewithgastricinflammation.

BasicRecipeforaTincture¾cupdriedherb,crumbledor1½cupsfreshherb,choppedperpintof80to100proofalcohol

Placetheherbsinajar,pourinthealcoholtocovertheplantmaterial,close,andshakefor1to2minutes.Setasidefor2to4weeks,shakingthejareveryotherday.Strainouttheherbsandstoreindarkglassbottlesinacool,darkplace.

A tincturewill keep up to two years. Anotherway tomake a tincture is toplaceenoughdriedherbs tofillonethird toonehalfofapint jar.Whenusingfreshherbs,fillthejartothreequartersorslightlymore.Pourinenoughalcoholtocovertheherbsandfollowthedirectionsasabove.Astandardtincturedoseisoneteaspoon,twoorthreetimesadaydilutedinan

ounceofwater,tea,orfruitjuice.Alternatively,addoneteaspoonoftincturetoacup of boiling water and then wait about five minutes for the alcohol toevaporate. Tinctures can also be used straight by putting ten to fifteen dropsunderthetongue.Whileitisnotaspotent,appleciderorapplecidervinegarcanbesubstituted

as a tincturebase for anyonewhoprefersnot touse alcohol.Cideror vinegartincturesshouldsteepforaboutsixweeksbeforestraining.However, theywill

notkeepaslongasthosemadewithalcohol.Dosesforthesetypesoftincturescanbeadministeredbysprinklingonasalad.

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7.CynthiaBlack,NaturalandHerbalFamilyRemedies:Storey’sCountryWisdomBulletinA-168(NorthAdams,MA:StoreyPublishing,1997),13.

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CHAPTER14

OtherFormsofRemedies

hefoundationmixturescoveredinChapter13serveasthebaseformanyofthe following remedies. As with all remedies that are stored, be sure to

label themwith the date, the herbs that you used, and anything else thatwasadded.

BathOilsandSaltsInthebath,essentialoilshelptorelievestress,pain,andmuscleaches.Acarrieroilprovidesevendistributionoftheessentialoilwhenitistobeusedinwater.Forahealingbeautybath,mixessentialoilswithmilk insteadofacarrieroil.Thefat inmilkacts likeacarrieroilandabsorbsessentialoils,whichbecomedilutedastheyaredispersedthroughoutthemilk.Usetwelvetothirteendropsofessentialoilinanounceofcarrieroilormilk,andthenaddittoyourbath.In addition to carrier oils and milk, essential oils can be mixed with salts.

Epsomsaltsarehealingontheirownandmakeagoodmediumforessentialoils.Coarseseasaltcanalsobeused.Saltscontainmineralsthataidinthereleaseoftoxins from the muscles and joints, which is beneficial when dealing withinfectious illnesses, rheumatism, and arthritis. Of course, salts also promoterelaxation.

BasicRecipeforBathSalts

2cupsEpsomorseasalts2tablespoonsbakingsoda(optional)10–15dropsessentialoil

Place the dry ingredients in a glass bowl. Add the essential oil and mixthoroughly.Storethebathsaltsinajarwithatightlid.Theoptionalbakingsodahelpstosoothetheskin.Tousethesalts,addahandfulortwoundertherunningtaptodissolvethem.

CompressesCompressescanbeusedhotorcold.Warmcompressesrelaxmusclesandsootheaches and pains. They also relieve tension and increase circulation. Coldcompresses are used to treat bumps, bruises, and sprains by reducing swellingandinflammation.Theyalsoreducefeversandeaseheadaches.Ateaorinfusionofherbscanbeusedtosoakafacecloththatisthensqueezed

out and laid over the area that needs treatment.Alternatively, 5 or 6 drops ofessentialoilinatablespoonofcarrieroilcanbeaddedto1quartofhotorcoldwater.Givethewateraswishbeforedippinginthecloth.Whichevermethodisused, the cloth should be dipped in the infusion orwaterwith essential oil tofresheniteverytentofifteenminutes.

FomentationAlternatingwarmandcoldcompressesisaremedycalledfomentation.Itisusedtomanipulatetheflowofbloodinanareaofthebody.Startwithahotcompressfor about five minutes to relax and open the capillaries. Follow with a coldcompress, which causes the capillaries to constrict and push blood out of thearea. Leave the cold compress on for two or threeminutes. Replace the coldcompress with a fresh warm compress, whichwill open the capillaries again,bringingfreshbloodintotheaffectedarea.Continuealternatingthecompressesfor fifteen to twentyminutes. This is especially helpful for treating low backpain,musclestrains,andkidneystones.

CreamsAcreamisacombinationofoilsandanherbalinfusionthatnourishesandhealstheskinasitisabsorbed.Sheabutterandalittlebitofbeeswaxserveasthebaseto thicken themixture and give it a creamy consistency. The amount of sheabutter,beeswax,andoilmayvaryaccordingtoyourpreference.

Theeasiestwaytomakeacreamistouseamasonjarinasaucepanofwaterthatisatleasthalfasdeepasthejaristall.Theinstructionsonhowtomakeacream provides two sets of ingredients: one is for making the creamwith anherbalinfusion;thesecondisformakingitwithessentialoil.

BasicRecipesforCream

Ingredientsusingherbalinfusion Ingredientsusingessentialoil½cupsheabutter ½cupsheabutter2–3beeswaxpastilles(pellets) 2–3beeswaxpastilles(pellets)½cupalmond,coconut,orotheroil ½cupalmond,coconut,orotheroil

1cupherbalinfusion 1cupdistilledorfilteredwater

2teaspoonsessentialoilPlace the shea butter and beeswax pastilles in the jar andwarm over lowheat.Whenthebutterandbeeswaxbegintomelt,addtheoilandstirgentlywithafork.Wheneverythinghasmelted,removefromtheheatandstir.Letthemixture cool slightly, pour it into a blender, and add either the herbalinfusion or the water and essential oil. Whip it to get a light, creamyconsistency.Youmay need to experimentwith the amount of oil to get aconsistencyyoulike.Transfer thecreamtoa jar,allowit tocool,andthenstore.

DiffusersandVaporizersDiffusersandvaporizersprovidethemeanstodisperseessentialoilsintotheair.Vaporizersareusuallyceramicwithasmallbowlon topandaspace fora tealightcandleunderneath. Itworksbyplacingafewdropsofessentialoil in thebowl,whichisthenwarmedbythecandleflame.Asitwarms,theessentialoilwillevaporate.Diffusersareelectronic,whichmakesthemsaferthancandlesforheatingoil,especially ifyouwant touse itatnightor inachild’s room.Mostdiffusershavesettingstoadjusttherateofevaporation.Obviously, this scents theairand isgenerallywhatcomes tomindwhenwe

thinkofaromatherapy.Whileitisagreatwaytouselavenderorotheressential

oilstorelievestressandenhancewell-being,thereismuchmoretoit.Essentialoilswithantisepticqualitiesalsokillairbornebacteria.Becauseessentialoilsintheairareabsorbedintothebody,oilsthatfightinfectionorrelievecongestioncanbeusedthisway.Itisagoodwaytofightcoldsandflu,andtotreatasthmaorbronchitis.Inaddition,someoilscanhelprepelinsects,makingthisanidealwaytousetheminthesummer.

ReedDiffusersAgentle,safe,andoff-the-gridmethodistouseareeddiffuser.Ittakesalittlelonger to disperse the essential oil into the air, but it is a nice alternative tocommercialairfresheners.Therearejustafewthingsyouwillneedtomakeareeddiffuser:•Aglassorporcelaincontainer•Reeds•Carrieroil •Essentialoil(s)A shortglassorporcelain jaror avasewitha

narrowneckworksbest.Plasticshouldbeavoidedaschemicalsfromtheplasticcontainercanleachintotheoils.Awide-mouthedjarwithacorkcanbeadjustedbydrilling a hole in the cork so it is large enough to accommodate the reeds.Thereareseveraltypesofreedsonthemarket,however,rattanreedsworkbestas theyareporousandwicktheoilsmoreevenly.Thereedsshouldbeat leasttwicetheheightofthejar.Choose a light carrier oil for the base as thicker ones are not drawn up the

reedsaseasily.Sweetalmondoil isoftenrecommended,but Ihavefound thatsunflower, being a very thin oil, works best. If you are usingmore than oneessentialoil,blendthosetogetherfirstandthengivethemaboutaweekforthecombinedscenttomature.Pour¼cupofcarrieroilintoyourdiffuserjar,add2teaspoonsoftheessential

oil or oil blend, and swirl tomix. Place the reeds in the jar and turn them acoupleoftimesthefirstdaytodiffusethescent.Afterthat,turnthemonceadayoreveryotherday.Overtime,youwillneedtoaddmoreoiltothejar.Whenthereedsbecomesaturated,replacethem.There are several things to avoid when making a reed diffuser. First, the

fragrance oils on themarket for reed diffusers are synthetic and not essentialoils. Some of them may smell nice, but they are made from chemicals, notplants. The commercial base oils for reed diffusers are also usually chemical-

based.Mineraloilanddipropyleneglycolaresometimesrecommendedasabasebutavoidtheseforthesamereason.

FootSoaksInfusions and essential oils, either diluted in a carrier oil or bath salts, can beusedforfootbaths.Awarmorhotfootbathincreasescirculation,aidsinhealinga cold or flu, and helps dealwith insomnia.Odd as itmay seem, a foot soakhelps relieve headaches. Even soaking your feet in plainwarmwater helps todrawblooddown to the feet,which relievespressure in thehead.Acool footbathisagoodperk-uponhotsummerdayswhenfeetcanbesweatyandsore.

LinimentsLike a tincture, a liniment is made with alcohol, however, a liniment is forexternal application only and should never be taken internally. A liniment isusedtorelievethepainofstiffjoints,soremuscles,strains,andsprains.Italsoaids in healing bruises and disinfecting wounds. A warming liniment can bemadewithcayennetorelievepainandstiffness;acoolinglinimentcanbemadewithpepperminttoreduceswellingandinflammation.Tousealiniment,rubitontotheaffectedareaorsaturateawashclothtouseasacompress.Rubbingalcohol,orisopropylalcohol,isoftenrecommendedasthebasefora

linimentandisveryeffective.However,itcandrytheskin,andforsomepeopleitcanbeanirritant.Witchhazelmakesagoodlinimentbaseasitcontainsalowamount of alcohol. As an alternative, use witch hazel water and isopropylalcoholsoyoucanmixthemandcontroltheamountofalcoholintheliniment.Whitevinegarcanalsobeusedasalinimentbase.Besuretolabelyourlinimentforexternaluseonly.

BasicRecipeforaLiniment

4tablespoonsherb1pintalcohol,witchhazel,orotherbase

Placetheherbsinajarandpourinthealcohol.Setasidefor4to6weeks,givingthejaragoodshakeeveryday.Strain,thenstoreinadarkbottle.

MedicinalHoney

MedicinalHoneyHoneyisagoodwaytoadministerherbalremedies,especiallytochildren.Quitesimply,itisaninfusionmadewithhoneyinsteadofwateroroil.Therearetwowaystomakeamedicinalhoney.Theherbscanbecrushedorchoppedandputdirectlyintothehoneyortheycanbetiedintoapieceofcheeseclothormuslinforeasyremoval.Herbsplaceddirectlyintothehoneycanbestrainedoutbeforestorageorleftin.Freshherbsshouldberemovedbeforestoragebecauseoftheirwatercontent.

BasicRecipeforaMedicinalHoney½cupdriedherb,crumbledor¾cupfreshherb,choppedpercupofhoney

Pour thehoney into a slightly largermason jar and set it in a saucepanofwaterthatisatleasthalfasdeepasthejaristall.Warmitoverlowheatuntilthehoneybecomesalittlelessviscous,andthenaddtheherbsorherbsack.Use a butter knife to stir loose herbs throughout the honey or to push theherb sack down so it is covered.Continuewarming for 15 to 20minutes.Removefromtheheat,setaside,andwhenit iscoolput the lidon the jar.Storeoutofthelightatroomtemperatureforaweek.Ifyouaregoingtoremovetheherbs,heatthehoneyagainandthenstrain

it into anew jar or remove theherb sack.Squeeze theherb sack toget asmuchhoneyasyoucanoutofit.Thehoneycanbestoredinacupboardforupto18months.Aspoonfulofhoneycanbeusedinteaortakenstraight.

ThingstoKnowWhenBuyingHoneyWhenpurchasinghoney,thereareanumberofthingstokeepinmind,especiallyformedicinaluses.Wordslike“pure”and“natural”onhoneylabelssoundgood;however, unlike “organic” there are no government standards for theseclassifications. In addition, the czars ofmarketingwould have us believe thatgoodhoneyisgoldenandclearbutthisisnotusuallythecase.Honeycanrangein color from very light to darkmahogany and in consistency fromwatery tothicktocrystallized.Liketasteandaroma,thecolordependsontheplantsandflowersthebeeshavedinedupon.

Goodhoneyiscloudy,notclear.This isbecauseof itspollencontent,whichgives honey its valuable enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Atraditionalfilteringprocesscatchesbeeparts,wax,anddebrisfromthehivesbutleavesthepolleninthehoney.Theproblemisthatretailerswantaproductthathasalongshelflifeandmany

packers want to use the cheapest honey to increase their profit margins. Acommonly-usedprocesscalled“ultrafiltering”notonlyheatsandwatersdownthehoneybutalso removes thepollen. Inaddition to takingaway thishealthycomponent,removingthepollenremovestheonlywaytoidentifythesourceofthehoney.There isnoway to tell if thehoneycame fromacountrywith lowstandardsandregulationsregardingpesticidesorfromacountrywherepollutionandcontaminationmaybeaproblem.Tomakemattersworse,somehoneyhasadditivessuchascornsyrup.Thebestsourcesforgoodhoneyarelocalbeekeepersorlocalfarmersmarkets.

If thatdoesn’twork foryou, tryhealth foodstoresorsupermarketswhereyoucangetorganichoney.Readthelabelstobesureyouarebuyinghoneyandnotahoney-flavoredproduct.Also,becritical.Forexample,amonofloralhoneycanbequiteniceanditis

often expensive.Monofloral is a type of honeywhere the predominant flavorandpollencomesfromonetypeofflower.Unfortunately,thiscanbefaked.OnetimeIwasexcitedtofindalavenderhoneylessexpensivethanexpectedonlytoreadthelabelanddiscoverthatinsteadofamonofloralhoney,lavenderessentialoilhadbeenadded.Needlesstosay,Ididnotbuythisdeceptiveproduct.Whenitcomestostoringhoney,itisbesttokeepitatroomtemperatureand

notinthefridgeorcoolcabinet.Also,likemanyfoods,itisbettertostorehoneyinaglass jar rather thanplastic.Unfortunately, it isbest topartcompanywiththelittleplasticsqueezebear.

Ointments,Salves,andBalmsOintments,salves,andbalmsarebasicallythesamebutdifferbytheamountofsolidifier,suchasbeeswax,usedtothickenthem.Anointmentistheleastfirmwiththeconsistencyofpudding.Theadvantageofanointmentisthatitiseasyto apply.A salve has a firmer consistency, and a balm is very firm.Unlike a

cream,thesepreparationsarenotabsorbedasmuchandformaprotectivelayerontheskin.Thesolidifierforthesepreparationscanbebeeswaxorjojoba.Theinstructions

onhowtomakethesepreparationsprovidestwosetsofingredients.Oneisformakingthemwithaninfusedoil; thesecondisformakingthemwithessentialoil.Thesepreparationswillkeepforseveralmonthstoayear.

BasicRecipesforOintments,Salves,andBalms

Ingredientsusinganinfusedoil Ingredientsusingessentialoil¼–½cupbeeswaxorjojoba ¼–½cupbeeswaxorjojoba

1cupinfusedoil 1cupcarrieroil

2teaspoonsessentialoil

Placethejojobaorbeeswaxinamasonjarinasaucepanofwaterthatisatleasthalfasdeepasthejaristall.Warmitoverlowheat,andwhenitbeginstomelt,addtheinfusedoil.Stirgentlywithaforkforabout15minutes.Ifyou aremaking itwith essential oil, add the carrier oil on its own as youwould the infusedoil.Add theessentialoilwhenyou remove the jar fromtheheatandstir.Totestthethickness,spoonalittleofthemixtureontoaplateandputitin

therefrigeratorforaminuteortwotocool.Checkthethickness.Ifyouwantitfirmer,addmoreofthesolidifyingingredient.Ifit’stoothick,addatinybitofoil.Whenyouarehappywiththeconsistencyofyourpreparation,letitcool,andthenstoreinacool,darkplace.

PoulticesApoulticeisanherbpastethatisappliedtoanaffectedarea.Itcanbeusedtoease muscle or nerve pain, insect bites, rashes, burns, and swollen glands. Apoulticedrawsimpuritiesoutofinfectedwoundsorboils.Itmustbemadefresheachtimeitisneeded.

BasicRecipeforFreshHerbPoultice½cupfreshherb,chopped

1cupboilingwaterChop and mash the herbs before adding them to the water. Stir and letsimmerfor1to2minutes.Letitcoolandthenstraintheliquidawaytomakeapaste.

BasicRecipeforDriedHerbPoultice1–2tablespoonsdriedherb,crumbledenoughwatertomoisten

Crumbleorgrind1or2tablespoonsofdriedherbs.Boilwaterandaddjustenoughtomoistentheherbstomakeapaste.

When the poultice is cool enough to handle, cover the skinwith gauze andspoonasufficientamountofthepoulticeonsoitcoverstheaffectedareawithathick¼-to½-inchlayer.Coverwithanotherpieceofgauzetokeepthepoulticeinplace,andthenputatoweloverittokeepthewarmthin.Removethepoulticewhenitbecomescool.Applyapoultice1to3timesaday,makingitfresheachtime.

PowdersandCapsulesAblender, foodprocessor, or flourmill canbeused to create anherbpowderfromdriedherbs.Storethepowderinatightlyclosedglassjaroutofsunlight.Powderscanbeused tomakeherbalbuttersandbreadsandasaseasoningforfood.Powderscanbemixed intootherpreparationsandsomecanbeused forfirstaid.Inpowderedform,herbscanbetakenincapsules,whichiseasierifyoudonot

like the tasteofaparticularherb.Valerian isonesuchplant thatmanypeopleprefer to ingest in capsules. Gelatin and vegetarian capsule cases are readilyavailableinmanyhealthfoodstoresandonline.Capsulesize“00”iscommonlyused for powdered herbs. Two capsules are considered a standard dose foradults.Onecapsuleholdsapproximately250milligrams.

Themostimportantthingwhenfillingcapsulesistohavedryhands,otherwisethecapsuleswillsticktoyourfingers.Therearetwohalvestoacapsule:oneislongerandslightlynarrower(thebottom);theotherisshorterandslightlywider(thecap)tofitoverthebottomhalf.Tofill,sprinkleasmallmoundofpowderona saucerandscoopasmuchpowderasyoucan into thebottomhalfof thecapsule.Anotherwaytofillthemistouseasmallpieceofpapertomakeatinyfunnel

soyoucanpour thepowder into thebottomhalf.Eitherway,whenyougetasmuchherbpowder into thecapsuleasyoucan,slide thehalves together.Storecapsulesinadark,airtightglasscontainerinacoolplace.

SleepPillowsIfyouwanttheadvantagesofherbalaromasatnightbutdon’twanttoleaveadiffuserrunning,asleeppillowisagoodoption.Asleeppillowisasmallpillowstuffedwithherbsthatisplacedbesideyourregularpillowatnight.Youdon’tevenneedasewingmachinetomakeoneastheycanbestitchedbyhand.Fiveinchessquareisagoodsize,butyoucanmakeonebiggerorsmallerorin

anyshape.Cottonfabriciseasytoworkwithandisavailableinmanycolorsanddesigns.Choosesomethingthatyoufindsoothing.Foldthefabricinhalfwiththe“right”sides(thesidewiththepattern,darker

design, or color) facing each other. Pin the fabric to hold it together.Using arulerandpencil,measureanddrawtheshapeofthepillow,makingitabouthalfaninchlargerthanthefinishedsizeonallsides.Thatwillbeyourcutline.Drawanotherlinehalfaninchinsidethecutlinetoserveasyoursewingline.Usingscissors,followthefirst lineyoudrewtocut thefabric.Stitcharoundallsides(assuming the pillow is a square or rectangle), leaving a two-inch opening ononeside.Turnthefabricinsideoutthroughtheopening,puttingthestitchingandunfinishededgesoffabricinside.Thebrightercolorordesignofthefabricwillbeontheoutside.Stuffthepillowwithdriedherbs,andthentucktheedgesoftheopeninginsideandstitchitclosed.Asleeppillowcanbefreshenedfromtimeto timewithacoupleofdropsof

essentialoil.Whennotinuse,storethepillowinaplasticbagorcontainersothe

herbswillcontinuetoinfusethefabricwiththeiraromaandholdthefragrance.Warmingthepillowinamicrowavebeforeusehelpsbringoutmorefragrance.

SteamInhalationsBecausesteamandantisepticingredientshelpcleartherespiratoryairways,itisagoodwaytotreatcongestedsinusesaswellaschestinfections.Facialsteamsfor the skin help to deep clean pores and add moisture. The combination ofsteam and herbs or essential oils is also a good way to cleanse the air of asickroomandtohumidifyorfreshenaroominthewinter.Therecipeformakingasteaminhalationprovidestwosetsofingredients.One

is formaking itwithherbs, and the second is formaking itwith essential oil.Becausetheessentialoilisnotgoingtobeuseddirectlyontheskin,dilutingitinacarrieroilisnotnecessary.

BasicRecipesforaSteamInhalation

Ingredientsusingherbs Ingredientsusingessentialoil

1quartwater 1quartwater

7tablespoonsdriedherbs 5–10dropsessentialoil

Addtheherbstoboilingwaterandsimmeronlowheatfor5minutes.Ifyouareusingessentialoil,addittothewaterafterremovingitfromtheheat.

For a facial steamorwhen treating respiratory problems, place a bath toweloveryourheadtocreateatentabovethesteamingwater.Keepyoureyesclosedanddon’tmoveyour face tooclose to thewater.Stayunder the tent for threeminutesoruntilthewatercools.Ifitfeelstoohot,liftthetoweltoallowcoolairintothetent.Ifyouareusing it tocleanseandhumidify theair,place thesaucepan in the

roomwhere it isneeded.When it cools, themixturecanbe reheated formoresteam.

Syrups

SyrupsSyrupsaresoothingandgoodfor treatingsore throatsaswellascoughs.Theyarealsoaneasywayto takemedicine.Adoseisusuallyoneteaspoon.Syrupscanbemadewithdriedherbs,atincture,infusion,ordecoction.Whenmakingasyrupwith dried herbs, youmay need to adjust the amount of honey to get asyrupconsistencythatyoulike.

BasicRecipeforaSyrupUsingDriedHerbs4tablespoonsdriedherbs,crumbled½cuphoney

1quartwaterPuttheherbsinasaucepanofwaterandbringittoasimmer.Keepitonlowheatuntilthevolumeisreducedtoalittlelessthanhalf.Strainouttheherbs,return the liquid to thesaucepan,andadd thehoney.Warmiton lowheat,stirringuntilthemixtureissmooth.Letitcoolalittleandthenpouritintoajar.Storeinthefridgewhereitwillkeepforseveralweeks.

BasicRecipeforaSyrupUsingaTincture2–4tablespoonstincture

1cuphoneyWarm the honey in a double boiler over low heat. Add the tincture andcontinueheatingitonlowfor10to15minutes.Letitcool,andthenbottleitandstoreinthefridgeforupto6months.

BasicRecipeforaSyrupUsinganInfusionorDecoction2⁄3cupinfusionordecoction1⁄3cuphoney

Combinetheingredientsinasaucepan.Stiroverlowheatuntilthehoneyislessviscousandthemixtureissmooth.Coolandstoreinthefridge.Itwillkeepforseveralweeks.

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U

CHAPTER15

CulinaryUsesofHerbsforGoodHealth

nlikeherbsforremediesthatareusedforanimmediateproblem,infoodthey work for long-term good health. Many of us drink herbal teas

because we like them and they are a healthy alternative to soda and otherprocesseddrinks.Herbsalsoworkwellasseasoningtoenhancetheflavorofsomanyfoods.Herearesomeeasyways toworkherbs intoyourdiet:Sprinkledried lemon

balm or lemongrass on fish or chicken.Mix some basil, cilantro, and parsleytogetherandaddittochilijustbeforeitisfinishedcooking.Heatingdriedseedsinaskilletbeforeaddingthemtoyourrecipesbringsouttheirtasteandaroma.Frozenherbscanbeaddedtosoups.Freshborageflowershaveacucumber-liketastethatgoesnicelyonsalads.Flowerqualitydegradesquickly,soifyourinsethemdoitatthelastminutebeforeservingthesalad.

BreadsThere’snothinglikethesmelloffresh-bakedbread.Herbsenhancethearomaaswell as the taste. Aswithmany recipes, it is important to experiment to findwhat suits your taste. Frozen herbs need to be thawed and drained, which isespecially important for biscuits and breadswhere extramoisturemay have adetrimentalimpactontherecipe.Herearetheamountsofherbstoaddtoyourdoughperloafordozenbiscuits

asastartingpoint.

Basic Recipe to Add to Dough 1 teaspoon strong-flavored freshherbs,choppedor2teaspoonsmild-flavoredfreshherbs,choppedor½ teaspoon dried herbs, crumbledOnce the dough ismade, simply

worktheherbsintoit.Herbscanbeaddedtoready-madedough,too.Simplywork the herbs into the dough.Herbs can be sprinkled ontocrescentrollsbeforerollingthemuporforpre-formedrollsjustmakeadepression in the topofeachonewithyour fingerand sprinkle insomeherbs.

Whenmakingbreadorbiscuitsforaparticularmeal,plantouseherbsthatgowith the main course. For example, biscuits with parsley, sage, rosemary, orthymegowellwithaturkeydinner.Don’tlimitherbstobreads.Asimplepoundcake comes to lifewith lemon balm, anise, or angelica. In fact, anything youbakecanbeenhancedwithherbs.Justfollowyourtastebuds.

Butter,Margarine,andGheeAnherbalbutter,margarine,orgheecanmakeanymealspecial.Althoughmostrecipescall forsweet,unsaltedbutter, taste is in themouthof thebeholder,sousewhatyou findmostpleasing.Margarine canbeused insteadofbutter andhastheadvantageofusuallybeingsoftrightfromthefridge.GheeisatypeofclarifiedbutterusedinIndiandishesandisbecomingmorepopularintheUnitedStates.Itiscreatedbyslowlyheatingbuttertocoaxandstrainoutthewaterandmilksolids.Gheeusuallydoesnotneedrefrigeration.

BasicRecipeforHerbalButter,Margarine,orGhee1–1½teaspoonsdriedherbs,crumbledor1tablespoonfreshherbs,choppedor½teaspoonseeds,crushed½cupbutter,margarine,orgheeIfyouareusingbutter,letitstandatroomtemperatureuntilitissoft.Useaforktocreamthebutterormargarineso it ismalleable.Addtheherbsandmixuntil theyaredispersed throughout. Spoon into a container and refrigerate until needed.Whenusingghee,sprinkletheherbsintothejarandmixwellwithabutterknife.

CookingOilsUnlikeaddingherbsduringthecookingprocess,infusinganoilgivestheherbstime toblendflavorswith theoil.Theoilalsoabsorbsvitamins,minerals,and

othernutritionalcomponentsfromtheherbs.Aninfusedcookingoilisgreatforsalads,saladdressings,sauces,marinades,andadrizzleforbread,whichiswhytheyaresopopular.Aninfusedoilmadewithdriedherbsismorestableandwilllastlonger.Inthewinter,tryacombinationofrosemaryandthyme,whichtastesgreatwhilehelpingtopreventcoldsandflu.

BasicRecipeforInfusedCookingOil¼cupdriedherbs,crumbledor¾cupfreshherbs,chopped

1cupoilPlace the herbs in a jar and pour in the oil, making sure the herbs arecompletelycovered.Let it sit for4weeks, shakingoccasionally tomix theherbs throughout the oil. Dried herbs can be left in or strained out. Freshherbsneedtobestrainedoutbecauseoftheirwatercontent,whichcanfosterbacteriagrowth.

HoneyWhile honey is a sweetener, it is far better than sugar or the vast range ofartificialsweeteners.Honeyhasantisepticandantibacterialproperties,andit isan aid to seasonal allergies. (Read the section in chapter 14 called “Things toKnowWhenBuyingHoney”).Asyouwillnotice,a seasonedhoneygenerallyhas less herbs than a medicinal one, however, listen to your taste buds andexperimenttofindwhatsuitsyou.

BasicRecipeforHerbalHoney¼cupdriedherbs,crumbledor½cupfreshherbs,chopped

1cuphoneyPour thehoney into a slightly largermason jar and set it in a saucepanofwaterthatisatleasthalfasdeepasthejaristall.Warmitoverlowheatuntilthehoneybecomesalittlelessviscous,andthenaddtheherbsorherbsack.Use a butter knife to stir loose herbs throughout the honey or to push the

herb sack down so it is covered.Continuewarming for 15 to 20minutes.Removefromtheheat,setaside,andwhenit iscoolput the lidon the jar.Storeitoutofthelightinacupboardatroomtemperatureforaweek.

Foranicecombinationofherbalhoneytoaddtoabedtimecupofchamomiletea, use two tablespoons of dried lavender flowers and one teaspoon of driedlemonbalmleavespercuphoney.

VinegarsJustasoilscanbeinfusedwithherbs,sotoocanvinegar.Alsolikeoil,vinegarabsorbsvitaminsandmineralsfromtheherbsandenhancesthenutritionalvalueof food.Herbalvinegarscanperkup salads,dressings, sauces, andmarinades.Occasionally, herbal vinegars can be used as remedies. White or red winevinegarstendtoworkbestwithmostherbs;anexceptionbeingcidervinegarfordill.Aswithmost thingsculinary, it isamatterof tastesodon’tbeshyaboutexperimenting.Animportantthingtonoteaboutvinegaristhatitreactswithmostmetals.Use

stainless steel, glass, ceramic, or porcelain saucepans and containers. Forstorage,usejarsandbottleswithcorkstoppersorplasticlids.Aregularmasonjarwithametallidcanbeusedbutplacetwopiecesofwaxpaperoverthejarbeforeputtingonthelid.

BasicRecipeforHerbalVinegar¾jarfreshherbs,choppedor¼jardriedherbs,crushedenoughvinegartocovertheherbs

Warmthevinegarslightly.Placetheherbsinajarandpourinthevinegar.Coverandstoreinacool,darkplacefor2to4weeks.Shakethejaracoupleoftimesaweek.Aswithoil,driedherbscanbeleftinbutfreshonesneedtobestrainedout.Storeawayfromheatandlight.

The use of herbs in cooking is endless and experimenting with differentcombinationsisrewardingandtasty.Cookingwithherbsisalsoagreatwaytoenjoythebountyofyourgardenallyear.

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PART3

HerbProfiles

W hile the basic details for making teas, infusions, creams, and otherpreparationsisincludedthroughoutthispartofthebook,it’sagoodidea

toreadthefulldetailsinPart2.Likewise,someinformationforharvestingandpreparingherbsforuseisincludedherewherespecificdetailspertaintocertainherbs.CompleteinstructionsonharvestingandpreparingherbsarealsoinPart2.Therecipes includedhere indicateeitherdriedor fresh ingredients,however,

unlessotherwisenoted,theseareinterchangeableanddependonwhatyouhaveavailable. Check Part 2 for standard amounts of herbs to usewhile preparingremedies. Where combinations of herbs are suggested, review the precautioninformationforeachherb.Plantdescriptionsare included in thegardening sectionof eachherbprofile.

Without going into a great deal of botany, a few terms are helpful to know.Startingwith leaves, somemay have “lobes” and othersmay be “toothed.”Alobed leaf has deeply indented edges, such as oak or maple tree leaves. Atoothedleafhasjaggededges.Manyoftheleavesdescribedhereare“simple,”meaningthataleafstemhasoneleaf.Othersarecalled“pinnate”leaves,whichmeansthataleafstemhasthreeormoreleaflets.Whereflowersareconcerned,acommonflowerclusterstructure iscalledan

“umbel”—think umbrella. In fact both words are derived from the Latinumbella, “sunshade,”which is a diminutive ofumbra,meaning “shade.” 8Anumbelhasanumberofflowerstems,nearlyequalinlength,thatspreadfromacommoncenterstalk.Theclustercanbeflat-toppedorspherical.QueenAnne’slace is an example of an umbel structure. Finally, the crown of a plant is theupperpartoftherootsystemthatextendsaboveground.

Figure3.1:Leavescanbelobed,toothed,orpinnate.Umbelflowerstructurescanbe

sphericalorflat-topped.

8.IanBrookes,ChambersConciseDictionary(Edinburgh,Scotland:ChambersHarrap,2004),1321.

Angelica(AngelicaarchangelicaL.,syn.A.officinalis)

Alsoknownas:AngelicHerb,Archangel,EuropeanAngelica,GardenAngelica,WildCelery

Thisplant’snametellsusthatitisassociatedwithangels.Theconnectioncomesfromastory thatmentioned thisherbbloomingonMay8, the feastdayofSt.MichaeltheArchangel.ItsmedievalLatinnamewasHerbaAngelica.In1665,amonkissaidtohavehadadreaminwhichhewasvisitedbyanangelwhotoldhimthattheplantcouldcuretheplague,whichwasragingatthattime.9

Angelicawasaprizedmedicinalherbforcenturiesandwasusedinarangeofremedies up through the Middle Ages and Renaissance. In the tropics, theessentialoilofangelicawasmixedwithquinineforamorepotenttreatmentofmalaria.Bythelateseventeenthcentury,angelica’swideuseasamedicinalherbdeclined, although itwas still common in home remedies in England into theearly twentieth century. In addition to medicine, this plant has been used tocreategreendyes.Todayangelica ishighlyvaluedasafragranceinmanycommercialproducts

aswellasaflavorcomponentinBenedictine,gin,andvermouth.Itisoftenusedasanornamentalplantbecauseofitsstrikingappearance.

MedicinalUsesAmenorrhea, anorexia, anxiety, appetite stimulant, arthritis, bronchitis,cardiovascular system support, chest congestion, colds, cough, expectorant,flatulence, gastritis, headache, heartburn, indigestion, irritablebowel syndrome(IBS),menstrualcramps,menstrualcycleproblems,nervous tension,psoriasis,rheumatism, skin care, stomachache or pain, stomach ulcer, stress, waterretentionPrecautionsandContraindicationsTheherb:Avoidduringpregnancy;diabeticsshouldalsoavoidangelica.Theessentialoils:Herbalprecautionsapplytobothessentialoils.Theessentialoilfromtherootcausesphotosensitivity.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Leaves, seeds, and rootsEssential oils: Seeds and roots areusedfortwoseparateoilsCulinarypurposes:Leaves,stalks,roots,andseedsGrowingandHarvesting

At five to eight feet tall, angelica is best described as statuesque. Its hollowstalksareroundandpurplishwithbranchingstems.Ithasbroad,pinnateleaveswith coarsely toothed edges. Tiny honey-scented, white or greenish flowersgrow inglobe-shapedumbels thatbloommid to late summerof the secondorthirdyear.The seeds arepale, brownish-yellowwhen ripe andup to aquarterinch long.Theyareribbedononeside.Theyellowish-grayroot is long, thick,andfleshy.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingBiennial 4 Partial

shadeLoam Moderately

moist5–8' 3'

Althoughangelicapreferspartialshade, it isnot fussyandwillgrowinsunorshade.Itcanbepropagatedbysowingfreshseedsorletithelpyouasitreadilyself-seeds.Theplantdiesbackinthewinterlikeaperennial.Infact,angelicahasbeen called a biennial-perennial as well as a short-lived perennial because itoftenlivesforthreeyears.Ifyouareplanningtousedifferentpartsofthisherb,youwillneedseveralplants.Roots can be harvested in the autumnof the first year.Collect seeds in late

summerofthesecondorthirdyear.Ontheplantsyouarenotgrowingforseed,cutoff theflowerstalks toextend theseasonforharvesting leaves.The leavescanbehungtoairdrybutdobestwhendriedonascreen.Theleavesandstalksarebestwhenharvestedinthespringofthesecondseason.Thestalkscanalsobefrozen.

HowtoUsetheHerbAngelica may taste like a treat, but it is an aid to many types of digestiveproblems.Allpartsof theplant relieve indigestionand flatulence.A teamadefromtheleavesistheeasiestpreparationfordealingwiththeseissues.

Angel for the Stomach Angelica Tea 1–2 teaspoons dried leaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbandwater.Steepfor10to15minutes,strain,anddrink.

Theteaoraninfusionofleaveshelpssoothestomachulcers.Forheartburnorstomachache,maketheteaalittlestrongerbyusing2teaspoonsofdriedleavesortake½to1teaspoonoftincture.Adecoctionoftherootsorseedscanalsobeused to treat indigestion and flatulence aswell as gastritis and irritable bowelsyndrome(IBS).Tostimulatetheappetiteandaidintreatinganorexia,take¼to½ teaspoon of root tincture three times a day.The antispasmodic and diuretic

propertiesofangelicamakeithelpfulineasingmenstrualcrampsandrelievingwaterretention.

Women’s Monthly Relief Angelica Tea 1 teaspoon angelica root,chopped½teaspooncarawayseeds,crushed½teaspooncorianderseeds,crushed

1cupboilingwaterThe root shouldbe chopped into small pieces.Combine theherbs andaddthewater.Steepfor15to20minutesandstrain.Addalittlehoneytotaste.

An infusion of angelica leaves or a decoction of the root can aid withamenorrheaorhelpstimulatealatemenstrualcycle.Drinktwoorthreecupsoftheinfusionordecoctionaday,ormakea tinctureandtakea¼teaspoonfourtimesaday.Angelica root isawarming tonic for relievingcold symptoms,plus, the root

hasexpectorantproperties thathelpclearcongestion.Drink½to1cupof rootdecoctionwhenacoldfirsthits.Forbronchitisandchestcoughs,takea¼to½teaspoonofroottincturethreetimesaday.Angelicateamadewiththeleavesoradecoctionoftherootwillalsohelpsootheacough.A quick way to freshen a room, especially after sickness, is with angelica

incense.Simplyburnafewseedsorsmallpiecesofdriedrootinametalorheat-resistantcontainer.Allpartsofangelicahaveamild,spicylicoriceflavor.Thefreshleavescanbe

used in green salads, savory soups, or stews. Dried and ground, they can beaddedtodessertsandpastries.Theleavesalsoenhancecheesedishes.Liketheleaves,thedriedroothasasimilarlicorice-liketaste,butitisalittle

earthier.Grindthedriedrootsintoapowdertouseinbreads,cakes,muffins,orcookies.The seeds can also be used in cakes.The young, green stalks can bechoppedandusedtosweetendesserts.Inthepastitwasquitepopulartocandythestalksandusethemtodecoratecakes.OneoftheclassicsfromEnglandthatmygrandmotherusedtomakeisstewedrhubarbwithangelica.Thesweettasteofangelicaoffsetsthetartnessoftherhubarb.

TraditionalRhubarbandAngelica2cupsrhubarbstalks,slicedinto½-inchpieces¼cupangelicastems,finelychopped1⁄3cupsugar2–4tablespoonswaterTosstherhubarbandangelicawiththesugaruntiltheyarecoated.Addthewaterandsimmerforabout10minutesuntiltherhubarbistender.Thiscanbeusedasapie filling,or itcanbeservedasastand-alonedessertorasatoppingforicecreamorcheesecake.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsTwooilsaremadefromangelica.Theoilfromtherootsrangesfromcolorlesstopaleyellowand turnsyellow-brownwithage. Ithasa rich,herbaceous,earthyscent.Theoilfromtheseedsiscolorlessandhasaherbaceous,earthyscentwithaspicyundertone.Massagingwith either of the angelica essential oils (diluted in a carrier oil)

eases the pain of arthritis and rheumatism and improves blood circulation.Angelica can be used on its own or blended with other essential oils. Thefollowingmassageblendcanbeusedtomakebathsaltsforasoothingsoak,too.

AngelicaWarmingReliefMassageOil5dropsangelicaseedorrootessentialoil4dropsrosemaryessentialoil3dropslemonbalmessentialoil

1ouncecarrieroilMixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

Angelica is calming and soothing, and it helps to relieve anxiety, nervoustension,headache,andstress.Useitonitsowninadiffuserormixit inequalamountswithlavenderandlemonbalm.Thecombinationofthesethreeoilsalsomakesanicemassageoil.Forskincare,angelicaiseffectivefortreatingpsoriasis.Mixonedropeachof

angelicaseedandlemonbalmessentialoilswithoneteaspoonofapricotkernelorjojobacarrieroil.Gentlydabthemixtureontheaffectedareas.Angelicaalsohelpsbrightendullcomplexions.Combinetheseedoilwithlavendertomakeacreamthatwillsoftenandsmooththeskin.

AngelicaComplexionCareCream½cupsheabutter2–3beeswaxpastilles(pellets)½cupsweetalmondcarrieroil1cupdistilledorfilteredwater1teaspoonangelicaseedessentialoil

1teaspoonlavenderessentialoilCombinethesheabutterandbeeswaxinajarandwarmoverlowheat.Whentheybegintomelt,addthecarrieroilandstirgently.Aftereverythingmelts,removefromheatandstir.Letitcoolslightly,pourintoablender,andaddthewater and essential oils.Whip to get a light, creamy consistency.Youmay need to experimentwith the amount of oils to get a consistency youlike.Transferthecreamtoajar,allowittocool,andthenstore.

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9.ClaireKowalchikandWilliamH.Hylton,eds.,Rodale’sIllustratedEncyclopediaofHerbs(Emmaus,PA:RodalePress,1998),10.

Anise(PimpinellaanisumL.,syn.Anisumofficinalis,Anisumvulgare)

Alsoknownas:Aniseed,SweetCumin

AnisehasbeencultivatedinEgyptforapproximatelyfourthousandyears.10ItscommonnamecomesfromtheLatinanisun,whichwasderivedfromtheArabnamefortheplantanysum.11BoththeGreeksandRomansusedanisetoflavorafter-dinner cakes that also served as a digestive aid followinghugebanquets.Dioscorides,Hippocrates,andPlinywroteabout thisherbandrecommendedit

forvariousailments.Anisewasahighly-prizedcommoditytotheRomans,whoactuallyusedtheseedstopaytheirtaxes.DuringtheMiddleAges,itscultivationspreadtoCentralEurope,whereanise

wasusedasa seasoning inavarietyofdishesaswell as a remedy for awiderangeofcomplaints.Asinancienttimes,itwasusedasanafter-dinnerdeserttohelpwithdigestionaswellasasimplewaytosweetenthebreath.InEngland,the use of anisewas so highly valued thatKingEdward I placed a tax on itsimportin1305tohelppayfortherepairofLondonBridge.12Despitethetax,itremainedpopular,andbythemid-sixteenthcenturyitwasbeingcultivatedintheBritishIsles.As in timespast, anise isused to flavor awidevarietyof liqueurs including

Benedictine,Chartreuse,ouzo,andofcourse,anisette.Itshouldnotbeconfusedwithstaranise(Illiciumverum).Aniseisacousintocaraway,dill,andfennel.

MedicinalUsesAppetite stimulant, asthma, bad breath, bloating, breastfeeding problems,bronchitis, chest congestion, colds, cough, expectorant, flatulence, head lice,indigestion, menopausal discomforts, menstrual cramps, menstrual cycleproblems, nasal congestion, postnatal depression, scabies, sleep aid,stomachacheorpain,stress,upsetstomachPrecautionsandContraindicationsThe herb: Avoid during pregnancy; should not be used by anyone with aconditionthatmayworsenbyexposuretoestrogen.The essential oils:Herbal precautions also apply;may cause skin irritation ordermatitisinsome;useinmoderation.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Seeds and leaves Essential oils: Seeds Culinary purposes:Seeds,leaves,andstalksGrowingandHarvesting

Only reaching about two feet tall, anise looks like a small, spindly version ofQueenAnne’slace.Itslowerleavesareroundedandcoarselytoothed;theupperleavesarefeathery.Umbelsofdelicateyellowish-whiteflowersgrowatthetopsof round,groovedstems.Theybloomthroughout thesummer.The ribbed, flatseedsaregray-brownandoval.Theseedsareapproximately1⁄8inchlong.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingAnnual Any Fullsun Sandyloam Dry 24" 12–18"

Plantanisewhereyouwantittostaybecauseitisdifficulttotransplantduetoitslong taproot. Its soil preference is often noted as “light and lean,”meaning itlikes sandy soil without compost or fertilizer. It likes a weed-free home, too.Aniseisagoodcompaniontocoriander/cilantroandcabbage,butkeepitawayfromcarrots as it has anegative effect on them.Anise repels cabbage loopersandimportedcabbagemoths.Propagatethisplantbysowingfreshseedsorletithelpyouasitreadilyreseeds.Harvest leaves before the plant blooms.They can be screen dried or frozen.

Cutofftheseedheadsandhangtheminventilatedbagstocatchtheseeds.

HowtoUsetheHerbSpicysweetandlicorice-like,anisemaybeafamiliartasteincommercialcoughsyrups and lozenges, however, this herb can do more than add flavor. A teamade with the seeds or a strong infusion of leaves can ease coughs, relievebronchitis,andactasanexpectorant.

AniseTea1–1½teaspoonsseeds,crushed

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheseedsandwater.Steepfor15to20minutesandstrain.

Drinkacupofaniseteainthemorningandoneatnighttobreakupcongestionin the chest due to bronchitis and colds. This tea also helps ease asthma. Avariationofitcanbemadewithequalamountsofaniseseedsandbayleaves.Ofcourse,youcouldmakeyourowncoughsyrup,too.Theusualdoseforsyrupisoneteaspoonasneeded.

AniseCoughSyrup1½–2tablespoonsaniseseeds,crushed2tablespoonsdriedlemonbalmleaves,crumbled½cuphoney

1quartwater

Combineherbsandwaterinasaucepanandbringtoasimmer.Keeponlowheatuntilvolumeisreducedtoalittlelessthanhalf.Strain,returntheliquidto the saucepan, and add the honey.Warm on low heat, stirring until themixture is smooth.Let it coola littleand thenpour intoa jar.Store in thefridgewhereitwillkeepforseveralweeks.

With estrogen-like properties, anise is helpful during breastfeeding ifinsufficientmilk isaproblem.Italsohelps toeasepostnataldepression.Maketheplainanise teaasnotedaboveanddrinkup to threecupsaday.Anise teaalsopromotesmenstrualflowandsoothesmenstrualcramps.Foreasingcramps,make a variation of the tea with equal amounts of anise, lemon balm, andmarjoram.Toeasehotflashesandothermenopausaldiscomforts,makeamildteawith1teaspoonofcrushedseedsin1cupofboilingwater,andsteepfortentofifteenminutes.Aniseisaneffectiveaidtosootheindigestion,preventflatulence,andreduce

bloating.Italsostimulatestheappetite.Makeaniseteawith1½to2teaspoonsofcrushedseedsinacupofboilingwater,andsteepfortentofifteenminutes.Foravariation,maketheteawithequalpartsofaniseseedsandchamomile.Forstomachache or upset stomach, combine anise with peppermint and/or lemonbalm.

SoothetheTummyAniseTea½ teaspoon anise seeds, crushed ½ teaspoon dried peppermint leaves,crumbled½teaspoondriedlemonbalmleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandaddthewater.Steepfor20minutesandstrain.Asanalternative,makeatinctureandtake½teaspoonupto3timesaday.

To get rid of bad breath, boil a teaspoon of anise seeds for a fewminutes,strain,anduseasamouthwash.Chewingonafewseedswillalsosweetenthebreath.Boththeleavesandseedsadduniqueflavor toawiderangeoffoods.Fresh,

dried,orfrozenleavesandstalkscanbeaddedtoarangeoffoods.Theycanbe

roasted or sautéed for fish, poultry, and veggie dishes or added to curries andtomato sauces.The seeds intensify the sweetnessof cakes andpastries.Addapinchofcrushedorpowderedseedstocookies,biscuits,orotherbakedgoods.Theseedsarealsousedwitheggs,fruit,andcheese,andtheyareespeciallygoodin spinach and carrot dishes.Anise can be combinedwith cinnamon in sweetdishesandwithbayforsoupsorstews.Forhelpinfallingasleep,heatacupofmilkjustbelowtheboilingpoint,and

thenpour itover1 teaspoonofcrushedaniseseeds.Let it steepuntil it isatacomfortablywarm, drinkable temperature. Strain it, add a little honey, and letyourcaresmeltaway.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsAnise seed essential oil has a spicy sweet and licorice-like scent. It is paleyellowincolor.Itprovidesanotherwaytoeasecoughs,colds,andcongestionbyusing it for a steam inhalation to help open sinus and bronchial airways. Justswish4dropsoftheoilinto1quartofsteamingwater.Asanalternative,blenditwith peppermint and use 2 drops of each.Another option is to combine thesetwoessentialoilsinadiffuserandplaceitinthesickroom.Alsoforthediffuser,mixequalpartsofanise,lavender,andlemonbalmforablendthatwillreducestressandpromoterestfulsleep.Aniseisamildantiparasiticandtheessentialoilcanbeusedtotreatheadlice

and scabies. For head lice, mix it with a carrier oil and work into the scalp.Becauseaniseneeds tobewelldiluted,usea1percentdilutionratioof3 to4dropsin1tablespoonofcarrieroil.Forscabies,anointmentworkswell.Forthisapplication, anise can be teamed up with other essential oils for addedeffectiveness and scent. Refer to APPENDIX A for additional herbs that areusedtotreatscabies.

AniseScabiesOintment¼–½cupjojobaorbeeswax½–1cupcarrieroil

1teaspoonaniseessentialoil1teaspoonlavender, lemongrass,orpeppermintessentialoilPlace the jojobaorbeeswaxinamasonjarinasaucepanofwater.Warmoverlowheatuntil

itbeginstomelt;addthecarrieroil.Stirgentlyforabout15minutes.Removefromheat,addtheessentialoils,andstir.Testthethicknessbyplacingalittleonaplateandlettingitcoolinthefridgeforaminuteortwo.Ifyouwantitfirmer,addmorejojobaorbeeswax.Ifit’stoothick,addatinybitofoil.Letitcoolandthenstoreinacool,darkplace.

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10.AndrewChevallier,TheEncyclopediaofMedicinalPlants:APracticalReferenceGuidetoOver550KeyHerbsandTheirMedicinalUses(NewYork:DolingKindersley,1996),247.

11.ChristopherCumo,EncyclopediaofCultivatedPlants:FromAcaciatoZinnia,Vol.1(SantaBarbara,CA:ABC-CLIO,2013),27.

12.MichaelCastleman,TheHealingHerbs:TheUltimateGuidetotheCurativePowerofNature’sMedicines(NewYork,BantamBooks,1995),73.

Basil(OcimumbasilicumL.)

Alsoknownas:CommonBasil,FrenchBasil,GenoveseBasil,SweetBasil

Basil’sgenusandspeciesnamescomefromancientGreekmeaning“aromatic”or“smell”and“kingly”or“royal,”respectively.13Inlatercenturies,theFrenchcalleditHerbeRoyale.Basil is thoughttohavecomefromtheplantknownasHoly Basil (Ocimum sanctum) in India and transported into Greece byAlexandertheGreat.

This herb was used for medicinal and culinary purposes by the ancientEgyptians,Greeks,andRomans.GreekphysicianDioscoridesmadenoteofitinhis writing. Roman author Virgil also mentioned it. By the early sixteenthcentury, basil was being grown in northern Europe and England. During theMiddleAges itwasusedasastrewingherb,scatteredonfloors tofreshenandcleartheair.Bythelatesixteenthcentury,theSpanishhadtransportedbasil toNorthAmerica.

MedicinalUsesAbdominalpain,anxiety,asthma,badbreath,bronchitis,chronicfatigue,colds,cough,digestivesystemsupport,earache,fainting,flatulence,flu,gingivitis,haircare,hayfever,headaches, indigestion, infection, insectbitesandstings, insectrepellent,insomnia,motionsickness,mouthulcers,muscleacheandpain,nasalcongestion, nausea, nervous system support, sinusitis, stomachache or pain,stress,wartsPrecautionsandContraindicationsThe herb: Therapeutic doses should be avoided during pregnancy and whilenursing.Theessentialoils:Avoidduringpregnancy;useinmoderation;maycauseskinsensitizationinsome.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Leaves Essential oils: Leaves and flowering tops Culinarypurposes:LeavesGrowingandHarvesting

Basil is a bushy plant that reaches one to two feet tall. Its oval leaves haveprominentveinsandadistinctivedownwardcurl.Theyareyellow-greentodarkgreenandveryfragrant.White,pink,orpurpleflowersgrowatthetopsofstemsandbloomfrommidsummertoautumn.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingAnnual Any Fullsun Loam Moist 1–2' 12–18"

Withastrong,spicyaroma,itisprobablynosurprisethatbasilisoneofthemostpopularherbsinmoderngardens.Basiliseasilygrownfromseed,whichisthemethod for propagation. While it prefers full sun, basil will tolerate partial

shade. No matter where you grow it, keep it well composted. Basil repelsasparagusbeetles,fleas,flies,andmosquitoes.Itisagoodcompaniontopeppersand tomatoes. Basil grows well in a container and makes an excellent houseplant.Giveitasunnyspotandwateritwhenthesurfaceofthesoilbeginstodry.Leaves can be harvested throughout the season once the plant reaches eight

inchesinheightandbeforetheflowersbloom.Takethetopleaves,whichwillencouragetheplanttobecomebushy.Cutoffflowerspikeswhentheyformfora longerharvestof leaves.Thewholeplantcanbecutback toencouragenewgrowth.Theleavescanbedriedonscreensbuttastebetterwhenfrozen.Blanchthem

beforefreezingbyplungingthemintoboilingwaterforafewsecondsuntiltheywilt.Removetheleavesfromtheboilingwaterandthenplungethemintoabowloficewatertostopthewilting.Thiswillhelpmaintaintheircolorandtaste.Lettheleavesdryandthenstoretheminacontainerinthefreezer.Asanalternative,blendfreshleavesintoapastewitholiveoilbeforefreezing.

HowtoUsetheHerbThere aremany typesofbasil, however, not all of themareusedmedicinally.TheinformationinthisbookpertainstoOcimumbasilicumonly.Perhapsbestknownforitsflavorinpestoandtomatosauce,basilseemstogo

with justaboutanything. Ithasaspicysweet flavorwithaslightundertoneofpepper that goes especially well with fish, poultry, cheese, eggs, vegetables,salads, and, of course, pasta. Basil blends well with garlic and thyme, and itmakesagoodinfusedcookingoilwiththemoronitsown.Alsotastyisabasilvinegarmadewithwhitevinegar.Thefollowingismysimplepestorecipe.I like to tinkerwith it fromtimeto

time,addingdifferentamountsortypesofcheeseornuts,garlic,orevenadashofcayenne.

SimplyBasilPesto4cupsfreshbasilleaves,coarselychopped

4tablespoonspinenuts½cupoliveoil

½cupParmesancheesePlacethebasilandnutsinafoodprocessororblenderandpulseuntilitbecomesachunkypaste.AddtheoliveoilandParmesaninsmallamountsandsampleasyougofortasteandtexture.

When basil leaves are fresh from the garden, who can resist cooking withthem?Infact,eatingmorebasilinlatesummerandearlyfallcanhelpfendoffcolds,coughs,andtheflu.Insteadofaddingittofood,drinkacupofbasilteaseveraltimesaweek.Basilcanalsohelpgethayfeverundercontrol.Whenillnessdoesstrike,drinkingbasilteawillhelpfightinfection.Itrelieves

bronchitis, soothes coughs, and helps calm asthma attacks. A basil steaminhalation eases nasal congestion and sinusitis. The tea also soothes mouthulcers,fightsgingivitis,andgetsridofbadbreath.Basilworkswellonitsownforthesepurposesoritcanbecombinedwithpeppermintforanaddedmedicinalandflavorboost.Onitsown,ateamadewith2teaspoonsofbasilcanbeusedtomakeawarmcompresstodecreasethediscomfortofanearache.

BasilandMintInfection-FighterTea1 teaspoondriedbasil leaves,crumbled1teaspoondriedpeppermintleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandaddthewater.Steepfor10to15minutesandstrain.

Eatingbasilprovidessupportfor thedigestivesystem,andwhenthingsgetalittle out of kilter, it can help put things right.A cup of basil tea after dinnerrelieves indigestion and flatulence. The tea also eases abdominal and stomachpain and reducesnausea. If you suffer frommotion sickness,make amild teaand take italongwithyou.Use1 teaspoonofdried leaves in1cupofboilingwater.Letitsteepfortenminutesandthenstrain.Keepitwarminathermosordrinkitcool.Basilhasmildsedativepropertiesthateaseanxiety,headaches,insomnia,and

stress. It also helps deal with chronic fatigue and is considered a tonic thatsupportsthenervoussystem.Foraddedeffectivenesswiththeseissues,combinebasilwithchamomileandlemonbalminateaorinfusion.

Soothe and Relax Me Basil Tea 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves,crumbled ½ teaspoon dried lemon balm leaves, crumbled ½teaspoondriedchamomileflowers,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandaddthewater.Steepfor10to20minutesandstrain.

Basilcomes to the rescue for treating insectbitesandstingsby relieving theswellinganditching.Itisespeciallysoothingforwaspstingsandmosquitobites.Make a poultice of fresh leaves or addwater to dried leaves tomake a paste.Applyto theaffectedareaanduseanadhesivebandagetoholdthepoultice inplace.Youcanstart treatingbitesandstingsbeforegoing indoorsbycrushingandrubbingabasilleafontotheaffectedarea.Inaddition,crushedbasilleavesrubbedontheskinworkasaninsectrepellent.Abasilpoulticecanalsobeusedto treatwarts.Hold it inplacewithanadhesivebandageuntil it cools.Repeateverydayforfivetosevendays.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsTheessentialoilmadefrombasilrangesfromcolorlesstopaleyellow.Itsscentisherbaceousandspicysweet.Basil essential oil relieves muscle aches and pains, especially after

overexertion.Itworkswellonitsown,oritcanbecombinedwithlavenderandmarjoramforanaromatictreatthatisequallysoothing.

BasilMuscleSoothingOil5dropsbasilessentialoil5dropslavenderessentialoil3dropsmarjoramessentialoil

1ouncecarrieroilMixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

Alongwithrosemary,basilcanbeusedasascalptreatmenttostimulatehairgrowth.Use1dropofeachessentialoilin1teaspoonofcarrieroil.Massageitinto the scalp at bedtime, leave it on overnight, and then shampoo in the

morning.Continueusingthepreparationuntilnewgrowthbegins.Basilessentialoilisalsoeffectivetorevivesomeonewhohasfainted.

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13.RosemaryGladstar,MedicinalHerbs:ABeginner’sGuide(NorthAdams,MA:StoreyPublishing,2012),53.

Bay(LaurusnobilisL.)

Alsoknownas:BayLaurel,BayTree,RomanLaurel,SweetBay,TrueLaurel

Thisplant’sscientificnamecomesfromtheLatinlaurus,meaning“topraise”or“tohonor,”andnobilis,“renowned.”14ItwascustomaryfortheancientGreeksandRomans topraisepeopleofaccomplishmentwithcrownsofbay laurel. Inadditiontodecoratingshrinesandotherpublicspaceswithbay,theGreeksandRomans used the leaves for culinary and medicinal purposes. Dioscorides

recommended bay to soothe the stomach, and Pliny said to use it to easerheumatism.Theleaveswerealsousedasaninsectrepellent.HildegardofBingenrecommendedbayforarangeofailments,asdidherbalist

Nicholas Culpeper several centuries later. During theMiddles Ages, bay wasused as a strewing herb for its fragrance and antiseptic properties. As amedicinal,baywasthoughttopreventtheplague.

MedicinalUsesAppetitestimulant,arthritis,asthma,athlete’sfoot,bloating,bronchitis,bruises,carpaltunnel,colds,dandruff,digestivesystemsupport,flatulence,flu,haircare,indigestion,insectbites,insectrepellent,jockitch,jointstiffness,muscleachesandpains,nasalcongestion,rashes,rheumatism,scabies,sciatica,skincare,sorethroat, sprains, tooth decay, vaginal yeast infection (vaginitis) Precautions andContraindications The herb: Do not use bay when taking pain or sedativemedications;avoidduringpregnancyandwhennursing.The essential oils: Herbal precautions also apply; may cause sensitization ordermalirritationinsome;useinmoderation.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Leaves Essential oils: Leaves and branchlets Culinarypurposes:LeavesGrowingandHarvesting

Baymaybemorefamiliarasasmallpottedtreethatisoftencutintopom-pomsorothertopiaryshapes.Itisanevergreentreethatcangrowuptofiftyfeettallbutit ismostoftenkeptprunedasashrub.Thedarkgreen,leatheryleavesareovalandsharplypointed.Theygrowonshortstems.Thesmall,greenish-yellowflowers grow in inconspicuous clusters and bloom in early spring. The ovalberriesaresmallandturnblue-blackwhentheyripen.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 8 Fullsunto

partialshade

Sandyloam Moderatelydry

2–50' Dependsonpruning

Bayisalovelytreeforagardenifyouliveintherighthardinesszones.Luckily,itgrowswellinacontainer,sothoseofusinthenorthcanenjoyit,too.Itworkswellasahouseplantbecauseitisaslowgrowerthattakesseveralyearstoreachtwo feet inheight.Let the soil drybetweenwaterings.Baycanbepropagatedwithcuttings.Itrepelsweevils.Leaves can be harvested throughout the year, just cut off individual, older

ones.Removethestemsandplacetheleavesonascreenwithsomethingontopsotheydryflat.Turnthemovereveryotherdaysotheydryevenly.Bayleavesusuallytakeaboutfifteendaystodry.

HowtoUsetheHerbBest known for its spicy aroma and subtle, earthy flavor, bay gives depth tosoups, stews, marinades, and sauces. Add a leaf to the water when cookinggrainsorbeansormakingstock.Rubchickenwithfreshleavesbeforeroastingortuckaleafintoaslitinapotatosoitbakeswiththeflavorandaromaofbay.Inaddition,acoupleofdriedleavesintheflourcanisterservetorepelanyinsectinvaders.Bay is part of the traditional herbes de Provence blend along with fennel,

rosemary,and thyme.Notonlydoesbaycoaxout theflavorof foodandotherherbs, it also supports the digestive system. Bay improves the absorption ofnutrients and aids in breaking down heavy food, especiallymeat.A teamadewith fresh bay leaves comes to the rescue to soothe indigestion, bloating, andflatulence.Italsostimulatestheappetite.Freshleavesarenotasstronginaromaorflavorasdriedones.The combination of bay’s antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and

antibacterial properties make it a good choice for a wide range of topicalapplications.Brewastrongteaforafootsoakorsitzbathtorelievetheitchingandinflammationofathlete’sfoot,jockitch,andvaginalyeastinfections.Asanalternative,useequalamountsofbayandlavender.Drinkingitasateaandusingittopicallycanhelphealfrombothinsideandout.Alternatively,infuseanoiltomakeanointment,whichmaybeeasierfortopicalapplication.

Bay and Lavender Healing Tea 1–2 teaspoons fresh bay leaves,crumbled1–2teaspoonsfreshlavenderflowers,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandaddthewater.Steepfor10to20minutesandstrain.

Bayisalsoeffectiveforhealingbruisesandrashes.Aninfusionorstrongteacanbeusedforacompresstoplaceontheaffectedarea.Apoulticeworkswell,too. For treating insect bites and scabies, combine baywith lemongrass in aninfusion,whichcanbeusedstraightormadeintoacream.Callonthewarmingandanti-inflammatoryeffectsofbaybyusinganinfused

oil for massage. This oil also works well to relieve the pain and stiffness ofrheumatism and arthritis. In addition, it eases muscle aches, sprains, sciatica,carpaltunnel,andjointstiffness.Forahealingsoakinthetub,combinebaywithrosemaryandlavenderinaninfusiontoaddtoyourbathwater.

HealingBayMuscleSoakInfusion3–4tablespoonsfreshrosemaryleaves,crumbled3–4tablespoonsfresh lavenderflowers,crumbled1tablespoonfreshbayleaves,crumbledperquartboilingwaterCombine theherbsand thenadd thewater.Steepfor30 to45minutesandstrain.

As an aromaticwith antiviral and antibacterial properties, bay is helpful forrelievingcoldandflusymptoms.Asteaminhalationwillsoothe inflammation,easenasalcongestion,andhelpcleartherespiratoryairways.Thishelpstoeaseasthmaandbronchitisaswell.Combinebaywithrosemarytomakeachestrub.The physically warming effects and the aromatic vapors of these herbs worktogethertoprovidereliefandhealing.

BayChestRubInfusionandOintment

Ingredientsfortheinfusedoil Ingredientsfortheointment1tablespoondriedbayleaves,crumbled ¼–½cupbeeswaxorjojoba1tablespoondriedrosemaryleaves,crumbled 1cupinfusedoil1cupoil

First,infuseanoilbycombiningitwiththeherbsinadoubleboiler.Onverylowheat,simmerfor45to60minutes.Removefromheatandletcool.Useastainlesssteelstrainerlinedwithcheeseclothoverabowltostrain,andthenfoldthecheeseclothovertheherbstopressoutasmuchoilaspossible.Tomake the ointment, place the jojoba or beeswax in amason jar in a

saucepanofwater.Warmoverlowheatuntilitbeginstomelt,thenaddtheinfusedoil.Stirgentlywithaforkforabout15minutes.Let itcool.Coverandstoreinacool,darkplace.

A bay infusion alsomakes a good gargle to soothe a sore throat.Used as amouthwash,ithelpsfighttoothdecay.Bayisalsousefulasatonicforthehairand scalp, especially if dandruff is a problem.Make an infusion, let it cool toroomtemperature,andstrain.Aftershampooingandrinsingyourhair,pourtheinfusion over your head, and then massage it into your scalp. Wrap a towelaroundyourheadandleavethebayrinseonforfifteentotwentyminutes.Rinsethoroughlywithwater.Bayisalsogoodfortheskin.Aninfusioncanbeusedforafacialsplashorto

makeasoothingcream.Alittlelavendercanbeaddedtotheinfusiontomakeitevenmorefragrantandhealing.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsBayessentialoilhasafresh,herbaceous,andslightlycamphoraceousscent.Itscolorisgreenish-yellow.Justasan infusioncanbeusedforasteaminhalation to relievecoldandflu

symptoms,sotoocantheessentialoil.Addfivetotendropstoaquartofboilingwater.Theessentialoilcanalsobeusedasanasalinhalerthatyoucantakewithyouwhereveryougo.Fordoublepower,usethymetomakeabreathingblend.(Be sure to read theessentialoil informationandprecautions in theprofileonthyme.) Without touching the bottle to your nose, take a couple of deepinhalations,putthecaponthebottle,andsetitaside.Repeatinhalfanhourtoanhourorasneeded.

BayColdReliefNasalInhaler2dropsbayessentialoil

2dropsthymeessentialoil

Combinetheessentialoilsinasmall,cleanbottle.

[contents]

14.RobertaWilson,Aromatherapy(NewYork:PenguinPutnam,2002),84.

Borage(BoragoofficinalisL.)

Alsoknownas:BeeBread,Bugloss,Burrage,StarFlower

Borage flowers attract bees and yield a rich honey,which is the source of itsnameBeeBread.Inadditiontomedicinalpurposes, theGreeksusedboragetoflavorwine.GreekphysicianDioscorides noted that this herb brought about asenseofwell-being.Plinycalled theplantEuphrosinumbecause itwassaid tobringhappiness.15Centurieslater,herbalistJohnGerardrecommendeditforthereliefofmelancholy.Boragewasconsideredanherbto“comforttheheart”andrelievesorrow.16

The Roman legions introduced borage into northern Europe and the BritishIsles.BothRomanandCelticwarriorsusedboragebeforebattlesbecauseitwassaidtobolstercourageandstrength.“Borageforcourage”wasabeliefheldforovera thousandyearsupto thetimeof theCrusadeswhenknightsmixedit intheirwinetoboosttheirbravery.Ofcourse,thereismuchspeculationthattheircouragemay have comemore from thewine than from borage.Nevertheless,thisplantwasalsousedmedicinallyandmedievalherbalistsprescribeditforarangeofailments.

MedicinalUsesAcne,bladderinflammation,boils,bronchitis,catarrh,chestcongestion,chronicfatigue, colds, cough, dermatitis, eczema, expectorant, fever, menopausaldiscomforts, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), psoriasis, rashes, Raynaud’sdisease,rheumatoidarthritis,skincare,stress,stretchmarks,temporomandibularjointpain(TMJ)PrecautionsandContraindicationsThe herb: Avoid during pregnancy or when nursing; those with liver diseaseshouldavoiditsuse.Thecarrieroil:Herbalprecautionsalsoapply.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Leaves and flowers Carrier oil: Seeds Culinary purposes:Leaves,flowers,andstemsGrowingandHarvesting

The hallmark of borage is its intensely blue, star-shaped flowers that grow indroopingclusters.Theybloommidtolatesummer.Thegray-green,ovalleavesare pointed and have prominent veins. The hollow, upright stems have manyleafybranches.Both the stems and leaves are coveredwith tinyhairs.Borage

growsbetweenone and three feet tall. Its sprawling branches give the plant aroundedshape.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingAnnual Any Fullsun Sandyor

chalkyloamMoist 1–3' 24"

Boragetoleratespartialshadeinsouthernregionsanditissometimesabienniallastingtwoseasons.Thisplantgrowswellinacontainerlocatedinasunnyspot.Boragecanbepropagatedbysowingfreshseedsorlettheplantdoitforyouasitreadilyself-seeds.Thisherbisacompaniontobeans,cucumbers,strawberries,andtomatoes.Itrepelstomatohornworms,andasmentioned,beesloveborage.Honeybeesareespeciallyattractedtoit.Leaves can be harvested any time, and harvest flowers when they are fully

open.Justsnipoffindividualleavesandflowersorflowerclusters.

HowtoUsetheHerbBorageisasymbolofsummer,whichisthetimetotakeadvantageofusingitasitdoesnotdryorfreezewellforlong-termstorage.Theflavorandpotencyfadesastheleavesandflowersdryout.Summer colds and illness can be frustrating because it is difficult to stay

indoorswhentheweatheriswarmandsunny.Takeadvantageofhavingborageinyourgarden. Itsmildexpectorantpropertieswillhelpclearchestcongestionandrelievebronchitisandothercoughsaswellascatarrh.DrinkthreecupsadayoftheBorageSummerCoughReliefInfusion.

BorageSummerCoughReliefInfusion6–8tablespoonsfreshleavesand/orflowers,chopped

1quartboilingwaterPourthewateroverthechoppedherb.Steepfor30to60minutes,andthenstrain.Storeinthefridge.

Foranextraboostanddifferenttaste,maketheinfusionwith6tablespoonsofborage and 2 tablespoons of peppermint. Also, an infusion using only borage

flowersmakesagoodcoughsyrup.Combine2⁄3cupofinfusionand1⁄3cupofhoney in a saucepan.Stir over lowheatuntil thehoneybecomes lessviscous.Coolandstore.Takeateaspoonseveraltimesadayorasneeded.Tobreakafever,simmerahandfulofborageleavesand/orflowersin1pintof

waterforfiveminutes.Letitcool,strain,andthendrinkhalfacupatatimeoverathreehourperiod.Borage leaves have diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties,which help to

ease bladder inflammation.Make a syrup of the leaves and take a tablespoononce aday, ormake a tincture and take a teaspoon twice a day.A tinctureofborageisagoodwaytoeasestress,too.Takeateaspoonthreetimesadayfortwo to three weeks. A tea of borage flowers and lemon balm also helps tocombatstressaswellaschronicfatigue.Additionally,thecombinationofborageandlemonbalmeasesthesymptomsofPMSandmenopausaldiscomforts.

BorageandLemonBalmTea2 teaspoons fresh borage flowers, chopped 2 teaspoons fresh lemon balmleaves,chopped

1cupboilingwaterCombine theherbsand thenadd thewater.Steepfor10 to15minutesandstrain.

Ofcourse,justasboragecarrieroilisgoodfortreatingskinproblems,sotooisthefreshplant.Makeaninfusionofleavesand/orflowersforacalmingbaththatwillnourishyourskinandhealanyirritation.Theinfusioncanalsobeusedtomakeacreamtotreatitchyskinorrashes.Useapoulticemadefromtheleavestotreatandsootheboils.Like other herbs, borage hasmany culinary uses. The flowers have a slight

cucumbertastethatgoeswellingreensalads.Floataborageflowerinaglassofwhitewineorsparklingwaterasafestivedecorationthatalsoaddsalittleflavor.Alternatively, freezeflowers inan icecube tray(one ineachsection)for icingsummerdrinks.Floatborage flowers ina fruitpunchoradda few leaves toapitcheroflemonadetoaddcolorandflavor.

Theleavescanbeusedlikespinacheitherraw,steamed,orsautéed.Thestemscanbepeeled,chopped,andusedlikecelery.Leavesand/orstemscanbeaddedto fish,poultry,orvegetabledishesorused in saladdressings.The leavesandstemsblendwellwithdill,mint,andgarlic,andontheirowntheymakeanice,lightly flavoredvinegar.Also, startyoursummermorningswithaborage treatforyourbreakfasttoast.

BreakfastBorage171tablespoonfreshleaves,chopped4ouncescreamcheeseorcottagecheese

Stir in the borage leaves until they are evenly distributed throughout thecreamcheeseorcottagecheese.Spoonitontotoastorhaveitalongside.

HowtoUsetheCarrierOilBorage oil is light yellowwith a light, sweet scent. It lasts approximately sixmonthsintherefrigerator.Borageisoftenmixedwithalighter-texturedoilsuchassweetalmond.Thisoilistheskin’sbestfriend.Itcontainsarangeofvitaminsandminerals

thathealtheskinandencouragescellregeneration.Itsoothestheinflammationand irritation of acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes.Use a drop ortwoof theoilandgentlymassage it into theaffectedareaor lightlydab iton.MassagetheoilintothefingersforreliefofRaynaud’sdiseaseoruseitonthefingers and toes for rheumatoid arthritis pain. Also, massage the jaw to easetemporomandibularjointpain(TMJ).Boragepromoteshealthyskinandisespeciallygoodfordryormatureskin.It

alsohelps reducesomestretchmarks.Lavenderessentialoil is included in theBorage and Lavender Skin Cream for additional healing power and to addfragrance.

BorageandLavenderSkinCream

Ingredientsfortheinfusion Ingredientsforthecream

2tablespoonsdriedlavenderleavesand

½cupsheabutter

leavesandflowers,crumbled 2–3beeswaxpastilles(pellets)

1cupboilingwater ¼cupborageoil

¼cupalmondorotherlightoil

1cuplavenderinfusion

First,makea lavender infusionbysteeping thedried lavender in thewaterfor40to50minutes,andthenstrain.To make the cream, combine the shea butter and beeswax in a jar and

warmover lowheat.When theybegin tomelt, add theoil andgently stir.Aftereverythingmelts,removefromheatandstir.Letitcoolslightly,pourinto a blender, and add the lavender infusion.Whip to get a light, creamyconsistency.Youmayneed tovary theamountofoils togetaconsistencyyoulike.Transferthecreamtoajar,allowtocool,andstore.

[contents]

15.AnnBonar,Herbs:ACompleteGuidetotheCultivationandUseofWildandDomesticatedHerbs(NewYork,MacMillanPublishing,1985),50.

16.EdithGreyWheelwright,MedicinalPlantsandTheirHistory(NewYork:DoverPublications,1974),148.

17.Bonar,Herbs,50.

Caraway(CarumcarviL.)

Alsoknownas:Carum,CommonCaraway,RomanCumin

According toarcheologicalevidence, theuseofcarawaydatesbackmore thanfive thousand years.18 Carawaywasmentioned in the Egyptian Ebers papyrusanditwasfoundinthetombsofthepharaohs.ItsgenusnamecomesfromtheGreek karon,meaning “annual or biennial herb.” 19Carvi, theLatin name forcaraway, was noted by Roman naturalist Pliny as being named for the CariaregioninAsiaMinor.20

TheGreeksandRomansusedcarawayformedicinalandculinarypurposes.Itwas an important herb of commerce in the ancient world. In later centuries,caraway essential oil became a valuable commodity in Central Europe,especially Romania, which developed a reputation for producing exceptionalmedicinalherbs.WhiletheywerevaluedthroughoutEuropeduringtheMiddleAges for medicinal purposes, the seeds became most popular for baking inNorthern European countries. From Tudor to Victorian times in England,carawaywastheseedinseedcake,whichwasapopularteatimetreat.

MedicinalUsesAcne, appetite stimulant, bad breath, belching, bloating, boils, breastfeedingproblems, bronchitis, bruises, catarrh, cough, digestive system support,flatulence, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), laryngitis, menstrualcramps, nausea, postnatal depression, scabies, skin care, stomachache or pain,upsetstomachPrecautionsandContraindicationsTheherb:Excessiveamountsofseedsshouldnotbeeatenduringpregnancy.Theessentialoils:Maycauseskinirritationinsome.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Seeds and leaves Essential oils: Seeds Culinary purposes:Seeds,leaves,androotsGrowingandHarvesting

Carawayhasslenderstemsthatareridgedandhollow.Its lightgreen,featheryleaves are similar to carrot leaves. Tinywhite flowers grow in umbel clustersandbloomduring the late summer.The root looks likeaparsnip.The slightlycrescent-shaped seeds are ridged and pointed at both ends. Caraway reacheseighteen to twenty-four inches tall and resembles Queen Anne’s lace. It iscloselyrelatedtoanise,dill,andfennel.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingBiennial 3 Fullsun Sandyloam Slightlydry 18–24" 6–8"

Carawayisalittlequirky.Althoughitisabiennial,itsometimesgoestoseedinthefirstyear.However,itmaycontinuegrowingthroughthesecondseasonandsetseedinthethird.Initsfirstyear,theplantmaynotevenreachtwelveinchestall.Carawayprefersfullsunbutwilltoleratepartialshadeinsouthernareas.Itisagoodcompaniontopeasbutdoesnotliketogrownearfennel.Propagatethisherbbysowingfreshseedsorletithelpyouasitreadilyreseeds.Leaves can be harvested in the first and second seasons and screen dried.

When seed heads begin to ripen, enclose them in paper bags or cut the entirestemtohangdry.Therootscanbedugupaftertheseedshavebeenharvested.

HowtoUsetheHerbCarawayismostwidelyknownforaidingdigestion.Whiletheleavesandrootshelpthedigestivesystemhandlestarchyfoods,theseedsareapowerhousewhenit comes to treating problems. For indigestion or upset stomach, munch on ateaspoonfulofseedsafewatatime,ormakeateawith2teaspoonsofcrushedseeds.Also,eating just a fewseedswillhelpget ridofbadbreath.Caraway’santispasmodic properties ease stomach pain and aid in dealing with IBS.Combine itwithpeppermintand lemonbalmfor tasty relief.Takeacoupleoftablespoonsoftheteaatintervalsuntilthepainsubsides.

CarawayTummyTroubleTea1teaspooncarawayseeds,crushed½teaspoondriedpeppermint leaves,crumbled½teaspoondried lemonbalmleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandaddthewater.Steepfor10to20minutesandstrain.

For belching, bloating, or flatulence, make a tea with just 1 teaspoon ofcrushed seeds.This tea alsoeasesnausea.To stimulate apoor appetite, takeateaspoonofcarawaytincturethreetimesaday.

Carawayisatonicforthedigestivesystemandatreatforthetastebuds.Thefact that everypartof theplant is ediblemakes it easy toadd to thediet.Thetasteoftheseedshasbeendescribedasacombinationofaniseanddill.Theyarespicywitha slightpepperyundertone.Theseedscanbemixedwithsavoryorsweet foods,andaremost famousforaddingflavor tobreadsandcakes.Theycanbeusedwholeorcrushed ineggdishes,withcheese,andawide rangeofveggiesandmeats.The leaveshaveamilder flavor,more likedill,andcanbeusedfresh insoups,stews,andfruitorvegetablesalads.Notonlydo therootslooklikeparsnips,theycanbecookedandeatenlikethem,too.Afterharvestingautumn vegetables and roots, enjoy the flavors and beauty of the season byroastingthemtogetheronachillyevening.

AutumnVeggieRootRoastwithCarawayRedpotatoes,unpeeled,cut into 1-inch pieces Carrots, peeled, cut into 1-inch piecesButternut squash, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces Caraway root,peeled, cut into 1-inch piecesOnion, peeled, quartered lengthwiseOliveoilRosemaryand/orthymeGarliccloves,peeledandchoppedApple,gratedMaplesyrup

The amounts and exactly which vegetables are amatter of personal taste.Preheattheovento400°Fahrenheit.Inalargebowl,combinethepotatoes,carrots,squash,caraway,andonion.Drizzlewitholiveoilandtossso theyarecompletelycoated.Addtherosemaryand/orthymeandtossagain.Movetheveggies toa largepanandroastfor30minutes,stirringaboutevery10minutes.Addthegarlic,stir,andreturntotheovenfor20minutes.Stirandthen sprinkle the grated apple over the vegetables and drizzlewith a littlemaplesyrup.Roastforanother10or15minutesoruntilthevegetablesarefork-tender.

Caraway is awarming and relaxing herb that relievesmenstrual cramps andincreases the flow of breast milk. It also helps to ease postnatal depression.

Beforecrushingtheseedsformakinganypreparation,toasttheminadryfryingpanjustlongenoughtobringouttheiraromaandenhancetheirflavor.

SimplyCarawayTea1–2teaspoonsseeds,crushed

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandaddthewater.Steepfor10to15minutesandstrain.

Formenstrualcramps,drinktwoorthreecupsoftheteaaday.Drinkonecupadaywhenbreastfeeding.Inaddition,theteacanbemadewithequalamountsofcarawayandfennelseeds.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsCarawayessentialoilrangesfromcolorlesstopaleyellow,toyellowish-brown.Ithasawarm,sweet-spicyscent.Asteaminhalationwithcarawayoilishelpfulfortreatingbronchitis,coughs,

laryngitis,andcatarrh.Justswish4dropsofoilinto1quartofsteamingwater.Or,youcanblend itwithbasilusing2dropsofeach. Inaddition,placea fewdropsofcarawayessentialoil inacleanbottletouseasanasalinhalertotakewithyouonthego.Without touchingthebottle toyournose, takeacoupleofdeepinhalations.Repeatinahalfhourtoanhourorasneeded.Afacialsteamwithcarawaystimulatestheskinandimprovesthecomplexion.

Usetheessentialoiltomakeatopicalointmentforskinproblemssuchasacneand boils. The ointment is effective for treating bruises and scabies also.Combineitwithlavenderforaboostineffectivenessandawonderfulfragrance.

FragrantHealingCarawayOintment¼–½cupjojobaorbeeswax½–1cupcoconutorothercarrieroil1teaspooncarawayessentialoil

1teaspoonlavenderessentialoilPlace the jojobaor beeswax in amason jar in a saucepanofwater.Warmoverlowheatuntilitbeginstomelt;addthecarrieroil.Stirgentlyforabout15 minutes. Remove from heat, add the essential oils and stir. Test thethicknessbyplacingalittleonaplateandlettingitcoolinthefridgefora

minuteortwo.Ifyouwantitfirmer,addmorejojobaorbeeswax.Ifit’stoothick,addatinybitofoil.Letitcool,andthenstoreinacool,darkplace.

[contents]

18.Kowalchik,Rodale’sIllustratedEncyclopediaofHerbs,63.19.AllenJ.Coombes,DictionaryofPlantNames(Portland,OR:TimberPress,1985),48.20.MarinaHeilmeyer,AncientHerbs(LosAngeles,CA:GettyPublications,2007),30.

Cayenne(CapsicumannuumL.)

Alsoknownas:BirdPepper,Capsicum,CayennePepper,ChiliPepper,RedChilies

ThegenusnameCapsicumcomesfromtheGreekkapto,whichmeans“tobite.”21Thisisaproposforanherbthathasrealbite.EventhoughitwascultivatedinSouthAmerica,India,andAfricaforthousandsofyears,itwasn’tuntilhistorianPeter Martyr (1457–1526) wrote an account of Christopher Columbus’s“discoveries” that cayenne caught the attention of Europeans. By the mid-

sixteenth century, it had become established in European cooking and herbalmedicine.In modern times, cayenne has been used to add extra zing to ginger ale.

Althoughcayenne is not related to the familiar blackpepper, itwas sonamedbecauseitispungentlikeblackpepper.Whileitmayseemodd,thisfierypepperis soothing and restorative. Paprika and Tabasco sauce are made from othervarietiesofcapsicumpeppers.

MedicinalUsesArthritis, bloating, cardiovascular system support, carpal tunnel, chestcongestion, chilblains, chills, cholesterol, colds, cuts and scrapes, digestivesystem support, fibromyalgia, flatulence, flu, hangover, headache, immunesystem support, joint stiffness, migraine, muscle aches and pains, nasalcongestion, nerve pain, rheumatoid arthritis, shingles, sore throat PrecautionsandContraindicationsThe herb:Use in small amounts; excessive internal usemaycauseupsetstomach;thosewithirritablebowelsyndrome(IBS)orchronicbowel inflammation should avoid the internal use of cayenne; may aggravateacidityandheartburn;mayincreasehotflashesduringmenopause.Theessentialoils:Avoidduringpregnancy.

Whenhandlingthepeppers,wearglovesandbecarefulnot to touchyoureyeswhenworkingwithcayenne.Ifyoudo,rinsewithmilk.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Peppers Essential oils: Seeds Culinary purposes: PeppersGrowingandHarvesting

Reachingtwotothreefeetinheight,cayenne’sangularbranchesgivetheplantabushyappearance.Itsbroad,darkgreenleaveshaveanellipticalshape.Growingonlongstemsindroopingpairsorclusters,thefive-petaledflowersarewhitetoyellowish-whiteandmaybetingedwithpurple.Thependulousfruits(peppers)are longand thin, andcontain small, kidney-shaped,white seeds.Thepeppersaregreen,thenturnvariousshadesofred,orange,oryellowastheyripen.Theyhaveapungentsmell.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingAnnual 7 Fullsun Any Moist 24–36" 24"

Thewordannuuminitsnameindicatesthatitisanannual,butinsouthernzonestheplantisaperennial.Becausecayenneneedsalonggrowingseason,itisoftena good plant to grow in a container in northern areas. During cooler weatherkeep it indoorsand thenmove itoutside for the summeronce the temperaturegetsabovesixtydegreesFahrenheit.Cayenneisanaidinthevegetablegardenasitrepelsmothsandweevils.Itisagoodcompaniontocucumbers,eggplants,andtomatoes. Plant peppermint near your cayenne to deter aphids. Cayenne ispropagatedbysowingfreshseeds.Pickthechilieswhentheyturnred,orange,oryellowinlatesummerorearly

fall.Asmentionedabove,it isagoodideatowearglovesashandlingthefruitcanburntheskin.Cutthestemsinsteadofpullingthepeppersoffthebranchestoavoiddamagingthefruit.Useabigsewingneedleandthickthreadtostringthechiliesthroughtheirtops,creatingachilipepperwreath.Hangitinawarmplace. When the peppers are dry, use a food processor to grind them into apowder. Like the powder, the whole, dried chilies can be stored in airtightcontainersinacool,darkplace.

HowtoUsetheHerbCayenneisawarmingherbthataidspoorcirculationbystimulatingbloodflow.High in antioxidants, cayenne is beneficial for heart and cardiovascular healthand itmayhelp lowercholesterol.Try the following recipe foraheart-healthydrink.

CayenneHeart andHeadTonic 8 ounces tomato juice (orV-8)Adrop or two of cayenne tincture (to taste) Mix thoroughly beforedrinking.

A contributing factor to headaches, especially migraine, is blood vesselcontraction in the brain.A pinch of powdered cayenne dissolved in hotwatertakenattheonsetofamigrainemaynotcompletelyeliminatetheheadache,butitwillbringsome relief.After taking this remedy, follow itwitha littlebitof

milk to cool themouth. Cayenne has become known as a head-clearing herbbecauseithelpsliftmentalfogandrelievessymptomsofhangover.Cayenne’sbest-knownhead-clearingattributeisthereliefofnasalcongestion

duetocoldsandflu.Itclearscongestioninthechest,too.TheCayenneColdandFluTeacanalsobeusedasagargleforsorethroat,ascantheabove-mentionedmigraineremedy.

CayenneColdandFluTea1pinchcayenne,powdered1teaspoonlemonjuice1teaspoonhoney

1cupboilingwaterInamug,addthecayennepowdertothelemonjuice.Pourinthewater,andthenstirinaspoonfulofhoney.Letitcooljustenoughtodrink.

CayenneishighinvitaminsAandCandsupportstheimmunesystem,whichhelps inpreventingcoldsand flu.Thinkofusing theheatof summer towarmyourwinterbyaddingcayennetoyourdietwhencoldweathersetsin.Includealittlecayenneinpesto toadda littlekickforwintermonths(seetheprofileonBasilforarecipe),ortrytheSpicyVeggieSprinkle.Anotherhealthandhealingattributeof cayenne is that it strengthens thedigestive systemand is anaid toinefficientdigestion.Boostingthemetabolism,cayennehelpsreduceflatulenceandbloating.

SpicyVeggieSprinklewithCayenne222tablespoonscoriander,powdered2teaspoonscumin,powdered¼teaspooncayenne,powderedCombineingredientsandmixwell.Sprinklealittleoverwarmvegetablesbeforeserving.

Externally this herb can be used to relieve muscle aches and pains, jointstiffness, fibromyalgia, and chills. Rub cayenne-infused oil on arthritic joints,soremuscles,or thesiteofnervepain. It isespeciallygoodfor treatingcarpaltunnelpainand rheumatoidarthritis.Becausecayenne isdiluted inoil, it doesnotburntheskin.Cayennewarmsandsoothesbydilatingsmallcapillariesandincreasing blood circulation.Use a little oil on small areas of skin and rub in

well. Additionally, cayenne-infused oil can be used to treat shingles andchilblainsbutonlyiftheyareunbroken.

CayenneRubbingOil

1teaspoonpowderedcayenne½cupoil

Startwith1teaspoonofpepperandmixwell.Testonasmallareaofskin.Ifyou don’t feel anywarming effects, increase the amount of cayenne by½teaspoonandtestagain.Itisimportanttomixandtestslowlytogettheratiothatworksbestforyou.

Therubbingoilcanbeusedtomakeacreamorointment,whichmaybeeasiertouseforsomeapplications.Inaddition,alinimentofcayenneisagoodwaytorelievemusclepainandjointstiffness.Keeppowderedcayenneonhandforfirstaid.Whileithelpsincreasetheflow

ofbloodwhentakeninternally,onanopenwoundcayennestops thebleeding.Just sprinkle a little of the powder on a cut. Yes, it will sting but only for amoment. Not only will it stop the pain but it will also disinfect the cut. Ofcourse,seekmedicalattentionifyouhavemorethanasuperficialwound.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsCayenneessentialoilisdarkredwitha strong, pungent, and spicy scent. It is not usually blended withotheressentialoils.Instead of powdered cayenne, use the essential oil to make the Cayenne

Rubbing Oil to relieve aches and pains. Start with 1 drop in 1 tablespoon ofcarrier oil. Like using the powder, test the oil on a small area of skin. If youdon’t feelanywarmingeffects, increase theamountofcayenneby1dropandtest again. This mixture can be rubbed on cold feet in the winter to enhancecirculation.When suffering from a cold, dab a little of the essential oil on atissueandwaftitunderyournosetoopenthesinuses.

[contents]

21.Coombes,DictionaryofPlantNames,47.22.KamiMcBride,TheHerbalKitchen:50Easy-to-FindHerbsandOver250RecipestoBringLastingHealthtoYourFamily(SanFrancisco:ConariPress,2010),223.

TheChamomilesGermanChamomile(MatricariarecutitaL.,syn.M.chamomilla)Alsoknownas:BlueChamomile,HungarianChamomile,Mayweed,Wild

Chamomile

RomanChamomile(ChamaemelumnobileL.,syn.Anthemisnobilis)Alsoknownas:EnglishChamomile,GardenChamomile,Maythen,Sweet

ChamomileBothplantsalsoknownas:Camomile,TrueChamomile

ChamomilehasbeenusedmedicinallyforarangeofailmentssincethetimeoftheancientEgyptians.GreekphysicianHippocrates includedchamomile inhiswritings. This herb’s name comes from the Greek chamailmelon, meaning“groundapple,”whichdescribesthescentofRomanchamomile.23FlavoredwithRoman chamomile, the name of the Spanish sherry Manzinilla means “littleapple.”24

AlthoughGermanchamomilehasbeenconsideredaweedattimes,bothherbshavemedicinalpropertiesandhavebeenusedinterchangeably.Medievalmonksdeemedchamomilethe“plants’physician”becauseofitshealthyeffectonothergardenplants.25ChamomilewasusedthroughouttheMiddleAgesasastrewingherbbecausesteppingontheflowersreleasestheirsweetfragrance.Inaddition,chamomilehasbeenusedtocreatevariousyellowdyes.

MedicinalUsesAcne,arthritis,belching,bloating,breastproblems,burns,colic,colitis,Crohn’sdisease,cutsandscrapes,dandruff,digestive systemsupport, earache,eczema,eye problems, fever, gastritis, hair care, hay fever, headache, heartburn,indigestion, inflammation, insect bites and stings, insomnia, mastitis, muscleaches and pain, nausea, nervous tension, rashes, rheumatism, rheumatoidarthritis, skin care, sleep aid, sore throat, sprains, stomachache or pain, stress,sunburn, teething pain, toothache, upset stomach Precautions andContraindicationsTheherb:Although chamomile is an antiallergenic formostpeople,thosewhohaveallergiestoplantsintheAsteraceaefamilyshouldcheckfor sensitivity before using it; avoid ingestingwhen taking prescription bloodthinners.Theessentialoils:Maycausedermatitisinsome.

PartofPlantUsedHerbal remedies, essential oils, and culinary purposes: FlowersGrowing andHarvesting

With branching stems, German chamomile stands erect and can reach two orthreefeetinheight.Romanchamomileisaspreadingherbwithstemsthatcreepalongtheground.Itisusuallylessthannineincheshigh.Bothplantshavesmall,daisy-likeflowerswithwhitepetalsandyellowcentersthatgrowattheendsofthe stems.German chamomile flowers are less fragrant than the apple-scentedRoman.Bothplantshavefeathery,downyleaves,however,Romanchamomile’sleavesareslightlymorecoarse.

Herb Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingGerman Annual Any Fullsun

topartialshade

Sandy Moderatelydry

30" 6–8"

Roman Perennial 5 Partialshade

Loam Moderatelymoist

8–9" 18"

The seeds of German chamomile can be planted in the autumn or spring.Propagate it by sowing fresh seeds or let it help you as it readily reseeds.German chamomile producesmore flowers thanRoman. Even thoughRomanchamomileiseasytogrowfromseed,theyaresotinythattheycanbedifficulttoworkwith.Whenestablishingplantsinthegarden,spacethemabouteighteeninches apart to give the stems room to creep along the ground.While it is ahardy plant, in colder zones it’s a good idea tomulch it over for the winter.PropagateRomanchamomilethroughcuttingsordivisionofroots.Asmentioned, chamomile is the “plants’ physician” helping to increase the

vitalityofotherplantsinthegarden.Itisespeciallybeneficialforbasil,dill,andpeppermint. In the vegetable garden,German chamomile improves the growthand flavor of cabbages, cucumbers, and onions. Both chamomiles attractpredatory wasps and a wide array of beneficial insects including hoverflies.Chamomilerepelsfleas.

The flowers of both chamomiles should be harvested just before they fullyopen.With German chamomile, cut the flower stems from the plant. Bundlethemlooselyandhang,orcutofftheflowersandscreendrythem.BecausethestemsofRomanchamomileareshort,itiseasiertojustpinchtheblossomsfromthe plant and screen dry. Handle flowers gently; however, any that areinadvertentlydamagedcanbeusedforthefollowingplantspray.

ChamomileProtectivePlantSpray1handfulflowers1quartcoldwater

Soaktheflowersfor2or3daysandthenstraintheliquidintoaspraybottle.Mistplantsinthegardentoprotectthemagainstfungaldiseaseandtoreviveplantsthatappeartobedistressed.Thespentchamomileflowerscangoonthecompostpile.

HowtoUsetheHerbFirstandforemost,chamomileisknownasapleasant,mildtea,whichisitsonlyculinaryuse.Amedicinal-strengthteacalmsthestomachandnervesandaidsingetting restful sleep as well as treating insomnia. In addition, it supports ahealthydigestivesystem.Chamomile’santispasmodicpropertieshelptorelieveheartburn, belching, and stomachache. Drinking the tea regularly can aid insoothingcolitis,gastritis,andCrohn’sdisease.Inaddition,chamomileteatakenbynursingmothershelpsrelievecolicintheirbabies.

Plain and Simple Chamomile Tea 2 teaspoons dried flowers,crumbled1cupboilingwaterPourthewaterovertheherb.Steepforatleast10minutesandstrain.Addalittlehoneytotaste.

Combinechamomilewithanequalamountofspearminttomakeateaforextrahelp in soothing an upset stomach or quelling nausea. For indigestion andbloating,makeateawithequalpartsofchamomileandfennelseeds.Chamomile tea is helpful during hay fever season to ease symptoms. In

addition,theteacanbeusedasagargletosootheasorethroat.Asanalternativetothetea,use2teaspoonsofchamomiletincturein1cupofwarmwater.

Makeastrongchamomiletea,letitcool,anduseittoprepareacompressforheadacherelief.Dipawashclothintheteaandthenplaceitacrosstheforeheadfrom temple to temple.Taking a spoonful of chamomilehoney can alsobringrelief.Inadditiontoheadaches,acoolchamomilecompresscanhelpbringdowna fever, reduce inflammation, and ease sprains. A warm compress helps tosoothepuffy, irritatedeyes.Tosoothesunburn,chilla jarofchamomile tea inthefridgeandgentlydabitontocoolandhealtheskin.For a relaxing soak in the bathtub,make a chamomile infusion. Fill a small

muslinorcottonpouchwithchamomileflowerswhileyouboilaquartofwater.Dropthepouchofflowersinthewater,stir,andthenputalidonthepot.Letitsteepforaboutthirtyminutes.Runyourbathwaterandthenaddthechamomileinfusion. You can remove the pouch of flowers or let it continue releasingbeneficialoilsasyousoakawayyourstressalongwithmuscleachesandpains.Addahandfulofrosepetalsforanextraaromatictreat.Whileyouareinthetub,leanbackanddipyourhead in thewaterormakeaseparate infusionforyourhair.Achamomilerinsebringsoutthehighlightsandhelpspreventdandruff.In addition to soothing the nervous system, chamomile’s anti-inflammatory

propertiesmakeitagoodremedyforskinproblems.Aninfusionofchamomilecanbegentlydabbedontheskintorelieveacneandeczema.Afterwashingyourface, gently dab it on the affected areas with a cotton ball. In addition, theinfusioncanbeusedtocleancutsandscrapes.Asanalternative,usetheinfusiontomakeacreamforskinproblemsorforfirstaid.New mothers can find relief for sore nipples and mastitis with a warm

chamomilepoulticegentlyappliedtothearea.Ahotpoulticecaneasetoothachepain and reduce swelling. It is also effective for earaches.When using a hotpoultice,makesurethatitiscomfortableandnotsohotthatitburns.Achamomileinfusionorsalveiseffectivefortreatingitchyrashesandinsect

bitesandstings.Combininglavenderandchamomileaddspowertoyoursalveandcreatesawonderfulblendofscents.Useitasfirstaidforburns,too.

Chamomile and Lavender Healing Infusion 2 tablespoons driedchamomileflowers,crumbled2tablespoonsdriedlavenderflowers,crumbled1cupavocadooroliveoil

Combinetheherbsandoilinadoubleboiler.Onverylowheat,simmerfor30 to 60 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Use a stainless steelstrainer linedwith cheesecloth over a bowl to strain. Fold the cheeseclothovertheherbstopressoutasmuchoilaspossible.

Thecalmingeffectsofchamomilearenotjustforadults.Asleepy-timesachetslippedunderachild’spilloworhungfromtheheadboardisacalmingaid.Thefragranceofthedriedflowerscanbeboostedwithadroportwoofessentialoil.Also, pop the sachet into the microwave just long enough for the warmth torelease more fragrance from the flowers. For toddlers in pain, the TeethingTroubleToniccanhelpsoothethismajorsleepdisruptor.

ChamomileTeethingTroubleTonic6dropschamomileinfusion2teaspoonsvegetableoil

Combineandmixwell.Storeinthefridgeandwhenneededtake1teaspoonofmixtureanddiluteitwith1teaspoonofcoldwater.Mixandthenapplyalittlebitwithyourfingeroracottonballtothebaby’sgums.

How toUse the Essential Oils German chamomile essential oil isinky-bluewithawarm,herbaceous,sweetscent.Romanchamomileispaleblueand turnsyellowwithage. Ithasaherbaceous, sweet,applelikescent.Famous as a calming herb, chamomile can help settle a child at bedtime,

especiallyafterabusyday.Adiffuserwitheitherchamomileessentialoilcanbeusedinplaceofasachetorsleeppillow.Insteadofusinganherbalinfusionforskinproblemsasmentionedabove,use

chamomileessentialoilorblenditwithotheroils.Thedilutedessentialoilcanbedabbedontoproblemareas,oruseittomakeaskincream.

ChamomilefortheSkinOil3dropschamomileessentialoil2dropsclaryessentialoil1drop rosemary essential oil 1 tablespoon sweet almond carrier oilMix theessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

Thecombinationofchamomilewithclaryandrosemaryalsoworkswellforamassage oil to relieve stress and soothe sore muscles. Roman chamomile isespecially good for massage to ease muscle aches and pains, arthritis,rheumatism,andrheumatoidarthritis.RefertotheprofileonYarrowforablendtoeasethepain.

[contents]

23.Wilson,Aromatherapy,80.24.Bonar,Herbs,54.25.JackStaub,75ExceptionalHerbsforYourGarden(Layton,UT:GibbsSmith,2008),48.

Clary:SeeTheSages

Coriander/Cilantro(CoriandrumsativumL.)

Alsoknownas:ChineseParsley,CorianderSeed,FreshCoriander,ItalianParsley

With their use dating to the Sumerian and Babylonian civilizations, corianderseeds are one of the oldest flavorings in theworld.Both the seeds and leaveswereusedinEgyptandaroundtheMediterraneanregionasearlyas1500BCE.26

TheseedswereimportantenoughinEgypttobeincludedintombsasfoodsetasidefortheafterlife.ThisplantwaslistedintheEberspapyrusandnotedinthewritingsofHippocrates.TheGreeksandRomansused theseeds formedicinal

andculinarypurposesandenjoyeditstastetoflavorwine.Plinymentionedthisplantforarangeofailments.TheRomansintroduceditintowesternEuropeandBritain.In Elizabethan England, sugar-coated seeds were served as an after-dinner

sweetthatdiddoubledutyhelpingdigestionandpreventinggas.Theseedswereused in remedies, mixed with spices for curries, and used to flavor liqueurs.Coriander is an ingredient, alongwith lemon balm and angelica, inCarmelitewater, a digestive aid and tonic first made in the seventeenth century byCarmelitenuns.27

MedicinalUsesAnorexia, anxiety, appetite stimulant, arthritis, bad breath, bloating,cardiovascular system support, digestive system support, fever, flatulence,gastritis,gout,headache,heartburn,indigestion,infection,jointstiffness,lymphcirculation,muscleachesandpain,nausea,nervepain,nervoussystemsupport,rheumatism, skin care, stomachache or pain, stomach ulcer, stress,temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), upset stomach Precautions andContraindications The essential oils: Avoid during pregnancy; use inmoderation.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Leaves and seeds Essential oils: SeedsCulinary purposes:Leaves,seeds,androotsGrowingandHarvesting

Coriander/cilantroisastronglyaromaticherbthatgrowseighteentotwenty-fourinches tall on slender, erect stems. The pinnate lower leaves (the familiarcilantro)areroundedandlobed.Theupperleavesarefeatheryanddelicate.Tinywhite to pale lilac ormauve flowers grow in umbel clusters and bloom frommidsummertoearlyautumn.Theball-shaped,golden-brownseedsarelessthan¼inchindiameter.Theygrowinclustersandhaveamustyodor,whichchangestowarmandspicyastheyripen.Therootlookslikealong,thincarrot.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingAnnual Any Fullsunto

partialshade

Any Dry 18–14" 8–10"

shade

Corianderisaneasy-goingplant.Whileitprefersfullsuntopartialshade,itwilldookayinamoreshadyspot.Itisslowtogerminatebutifyoudostartitfromseed,sowitdirectlyinplaceasitdoesnotdowellwhentransplanted.Propagatebysowingfreshseedsorletithelpyouasitreadilyreseeds,whichiswhyitissometimesmistaken for a perennial. Coriander is a good companion to anise,caraway,andspinach.Itisbadforfennel.Thisherbrepelsaphids,beetles,andspidermites.Itattractsbeesandotherpollinators.Youwillneedseveralplantsifyouwanttoharvestbothleavesandseeds.The

lowerleavesandstemscanbeharvestedwhentheplantisfivetosixinchestallor before the flowers bloom. Seeds are generally ready to harvest when theleaves and flowers turn brown. Dried leaves and seeds should be storedseparately.Theleavescanalsobefrozen.

HowtoUsetheHerbThetwonamesofthisherbarefordifferentpartsoftheplant.Corianderreferstotheseeds,andcilantrotothelowerleaves.Infood,boththeseedsandleavesenhance the absorption of nutrients and help prevent bloating and flatulence.Coriander seeds have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that fightinfectioninthedigestivetractandhelpsoothegastritisandstomachulcers.Also,corianderstimulatestheappetiteandcanaidindealingwithanorexia.A tea made with either the seeds or leaves eases indigestion, nausea,

stomachachesandupsets,andheartburn.Coriandercanbecombinedwithfennelseeds for a digestive tea, too. After dinner, chew a few seeds to sweeten thebreath, especially after eating garlic, or make a tea with the leaves. Drinkcorianderteaoruseitasamouthwashtosweetenthebreath.

Sweeten the Breath Coriander Tea 2–3 tablespoons fresh leaves,chopped

1cupwaterPlacetheleavesandwaterinapanandbringtoaboil.Reducetheheatandsimmerfor2to3minutes.Steepfor10minutesandstrain.

Coriander improves blood circulation, which helps cleanse the body andrelieve gout. It also promotes the circulation of lymph. A tea made with theseedscanhelpbreakafever,andawarmpoulticeofseedsrelievesthepainofrheumatism and joint stiffness. Because the leaves have antibacterial andastringentproperties,aninfusionmakesagoodfacialwashforoilyskintoclearblackheads.This herb is rich in vitamins and minerals and offers good support for the

digestive and nervous systems. While only the seeds and leaves are used inremedies,theentireplantisedible.Theseedsarelikeabackgroundspicewithanearthy, lemonytaste thatsupportsotherflavors.Thefreshleavesarealmostcitrus-like,andtherootstastesimilartotheleavesbutwithalittlenuttyflavor.Therootscanbechoppedandusedinstir-fries.Cilantro, the leaves, may be best known as a common ingredient in salsa,

however, theycanbeused inpesto insteadofbasil.Theycanbechoppedandsprinkled on cooked foods or added to soups, however, their taste fades withheatsoit isbest toaddthemjustbeforeserving.Cilantrohasacoolingeffect,whichiswhyitissooftenusedinspicyfoods.Theleavescanbesprinkledintogreen salads, but sparingly as the flavor can be overwhelming. Cilantro goeswellwithoregano,ginger,garlic,andcumin.Corianderseedsareaningredientincurrypowderandtheygoespeciallywell

withcumin.(SeetherecipeforSpicyVeggieSprinkleintheprofileoncayenne.)Corianderhoneymakesanice,warmingadditiontoalmostanyteaanditcanbeusedasaglazewhenroastingmeatsandvegetables.Thetasteoftheseedsalsogoeswellwithvegetablesorgraindishes,orcombinecorianderwithotherseedsforaspicedbutter.

CorianderSpicedButter

1teaspoonfennelseeds½teaspooncorianderseeds½teaspooncuminseeds1cupbutter,margarine,orghee

Crushormakeapowderoftheseedsandmixwell.Useaforktocreamthebutter so it is soft. Add the herbs, and then mix until they are dispersedthroughout.Spoonintoacontainerandrefrigerate.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsCorianderessentialoil ranges fromcolorless topaleyellow. Its scent is sweet,spicy,andslightlywoody.Insteadofusingapoultice to relieve stiff joints, corianderessentialoil is an

analgesicthateasesmuscleachesandpains,arthritis,andnervepain.Combiningcorianderwithrosemaryandlemongrasscreatesaneffectiveoilthatalsoreducesstress.CorianderandrosemarymakeagoodcombinationforTMJbutbesuretomixa1percentdilutionforuseontheface.

CorianderPainAwayMassageOil5dropslemongrassessentialoil4dropsrosemaryessentialoil3dropscorianderessentialoil

1ouncecarrieroilMixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

Coriander oil is effective for relaxing away stress and anxiety, and relievingheadaches.Oneofthebestwaystodealwiththeseissuesisagoodsoakinthetub. Combine coriander with lavender and chamomile tomake bath salts thatyouwillprobablywanttousefrequentlyandnotjustasaremedy.

CorianderSoothingSoakBathSalts5dropslavenderessentialoil4dropscorianderessentialoil4dropschamomileessentialoil

2cupsEpsomorseasaltsMix the essential oils together. Place the salts in a glass bowl, add theessentialoils,andmixthoroughly.Storeinajarwithatightlid.

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26.Chevallier,TheEncyclopediaofMedicinalPlants,193.27.Gladstar,MedicinalHerbs,159.

Dill(AnethumgraveolensL.)

Alsoknownas:AmericanDill,DillWeed,Dillseed,Dilly,EuropeanDill,GardenDill

Thisherb’scommonnamecomesfromtheNorsedylla,meaningto“soothe”or“lull,”anditsspeciesnamegraveolensisLatinmeaning“strongscented.”28Theleavesareoftenreferredtoasdillweed.Cultivatedfor thousandsofyears,dillhas been an important culinary and medicinal herb in many cultures. It wasmentionedasamedicinalherbintheancientEberspapyrusandotherEgyptianwriting. Greek physician Dioscorides used it so much for his patients that itbecameknownas“theherbofDioscorides.”29RomanwritersPlinyandVirgilalsomentionedit.Dillremainedacommonlyusedmedicinalandculinaryherbthroughthetime

oftheRenaissanceandbeyond.Europeansettlersdidn’twanttoleaveitbehindandbrought itwith them toNorthAmerica. InColonial times,dill seedswereknown as “meetin’ seeds” because people chewed them during long churchmeetingstostaveoffhunger.30

MedicinalUsesAmenorrhea, bad breath, breast problems, breastfeeding problems, bronchitis,chest congestion, colds, colic, cough, digestive system support, flatulence,headache, heartburn, hiccups, indigestion, menstrual cramps, nervous tension,postnatal depression, sleep aid Precautions and Contraindications The herb:Avoidinmedicinalconcentrationsduringpregnancy(dillpicklesareokay).Theessentialoils:Avoidduringpregnancy.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbalremedies:LeavesandseedsEssentialoils:Leavesandseedsareusedfortwo separate oils Culinary purposes: Leaves and seeds Growing andHarvesting

Dilllooksverysimilartoitscousinfennel.Thewaytotellthemapartisthatdillhasonestemwhereasfennelhasmultiplestems.Reachingapproximatelythreefeet tall, dill has an erect, hollow stem. The leaves are ferny, thread-like, andblue-green. Large, flat umbel clusters of yellow flowers bloom mid to latesummer. The oval seeds are flat and ribbed, and approximately 1⁄6 inch long.Dillisalsorelatedtoaniseandcaraway.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingAnnual Any Fullsun Loam Average

moisture3' 10–12"

Dillcanbegrownfromseedbutitshouldbestartedwhereyouwantittogrowas itdoesnot transplantwell.Propagate itbysowing freshseedsor let ithelpyouasitreadilyself-seeds.Itgrowswellinacontainer.Thisherbisgoodforcabbage,corn,cucumbers,lettuce,andonions.Itshould

not be planted next to carrots or tomatoes. Also avoid planting it near fennelbecause they will cross-pollinate and produce plants that are neither dill norfennelandhavenomedicinaluse.Dillrepelsimportedcabbagemoths,cabbageloopers,andtomatohornworms.Itattractsbeesandotherbeneficial insects. Inaddition,dillhelpsdeterdeerthatcanravageagarden.Tousefreshleaves,harvestsmallbunchesaftertheplantisatleastsixinches

tall.Fordrying,harvestwholestemsjustbeforetheplantblooms.Leavescanbehung todryorcut themfrom the stemsand freeze.For seeds,before the seedheadsturnbrownenclosetheminpaperbagsandcutthestalks.

HowtoUsetheHerbIn addition to itswonderful taste, dill has been popular in cooking because itsoothesthedigestivetract.Dilltea,madewith1or2teaspoonsofcrushedseeds,easesindigestion,heartburn,andflatulence.Italsohelpstocleansetheliver,andit isgoodaftermeals topreventbadbreath.Chewingona fewseedswillalsoclearthebreath.

Dill Digestive Power Infusion 1 tablespoon dried dill leaves,crumbled 1 tablespoon dill seeds, crushed 2 tablespoons driedchamomile flowers, crumbled 2 tablespoons dried peppermintleaves,crumbled

1quartboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandaddthewater.Steepfor30to60minutesandstrain.

Drinkuptothreeorfourcupsadayofthedigestiveinfusion.Asanalternativetotheinfusion,makeatincturewiththesamecombinationofherbsandtake½

teaspooneveryhourupto2teaspoons.Theantispasmodicpropertiesofdillcanrescueyoufromhiccups.However,in

apinch,ifyouhaveajarofdillpicklesinthefridge,takehalfacupoftheliquidand sip a little at a time.Dillwater is another treatment to settle thedigestivesystem.Drinkhalfacupatatime.

DillWater1–2teaspoonsdillseeds1pinchsalt

1pintwaterPlace the seeds in a jarwith the salt, add just enoughwater to cover, andsoak for 7 hours. Drain off the water. Boil 1 pint of freshwater, add theseeds,andsimmerfor10minutes.Letitcoolandthenstrain.Storedinthefridgeforupto2days.

Dillisawarmingherbthatishelpfulduringbreastfeedingifinsufficientmilkis a problem. It also aids in easing postnatal depression. Both the seeds andleaves help increase lactation, however, the seeds are more potent and areusuallyused tomakea tea.Use1or2 teaspoonsofcrushedseeds in1cupofboilingwater.Drinkuptothreecupsaday.Inadditiontoincreasingmilk,dillfunctions as a treatment for breast congestion that sometimes occurs duringnursing.Theteatakenbynursingmotherswillalsorelievecolicintheirbabies.Inaddition,dillseedtearelievesamenorrheaandeasesmenstrualcramps.Mostfamously,dillisknownforputtingatanginpickles,butitcanbeused

for somuchmore because it contains a number of vitamins andminerals thatsupport good health. Dill can liven up almost any dish and make somethingsimple taste sophisticated. It goes well in fish and poultry dishes, breads,cheeses,salads,saladdressing,andawiderangeofvegetables.

AllPurposeDillSauce1 tablespoon fresh dill leaves, finely chopped or ½ teaspoon dried leaves,crumbled 1½ teaspoons olive oil or lemon juice 1 garlic clove, minced(optional)Salt and freshlygroundpepper, to taste½cupplainyogurtThis

saucecanbemadeinanumberofwaysdependingonyourtaste.Insteadofgarlic, use a teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Throw in some finely-dicedcucumbers, thinly-sliced scallions, or chives chopped into small pieces.Instead of just yogurt as its base, use a half and half mix of yogurt andmayonnaise,oruseonlysourcream.

Dillandgarlicgowell togetherforaninfusedcookingoil.Dillalsomakesatangy oil on its own or in a vinegar using a white wine or cider vinegar.Combine dill with borage in a white wine vinegar for a nice complement tosalads. For an herb butter, margarine, or ghee combine dill with a pinch ofpeppermintorspearmint.Alsowhencombiningherbstofreezeorstore,trydillwithparsleyandmint,orwithlemonbalmandmint.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsTwooilsareproducedfromthedillplant.Theoilfromtheseedsiscolorlesstopale yellow with a fresh, warm spicy scent. The oil from the leaves is alsocolorlesstopaleyellowbutwithasweetspicyscent.Either essential oil can be used in a diffuser for help in calming nervous

tensionand forheadache relief.Dill alsopromotes restful sleep. Inaddition tousingadiffuser, try a2percentdilution ratio in carrieroil anddab it onyourwrists to enjoy the same benefits nomatter where you go. As an alternative,combinedillwithotheressentialoilsforahealingaromatictreat.

DillHeadacheandTensionDiffuserBlend3dropsdillseedorleafessentialoil2dropslavenderessentialoil

1droppeppermintessentialoilCombinetheoilsandlettheblendmatureforabout1week.

Dill seed is the stronger of the two essential oils and is useful for treatingcolds, bronchitis and other coughs, and chest congestion to get rid of excessmucous. Combine it in equal amounts with peppermint for a soothing steaminhalation.

[contents]

28.Chevallier,TheEncyclopediaofMedicinalPlants,166.29.CarolSchillerandDavidSchiller,TheAromatherapyEncyclopedia:AConciseGuidetoOver385PlantOils(LagunaBeach,CA:BasicHealthPublications,2008),105.

30.NaomiE.BalabanandJamesE.Bobick,eds.,TheHandyScienceAnswerBook,4thed.(Canton,MI:VisibleInkPress,2011),408.

Fennel(Foeniculumvulgare,syn.F.officinale)

Alsoknownas:BitterFennel,CommonFennel,WildFennel

The name fennel comes from the ancient Roman word for fragrant hay,foeniculum.31IntheMiddleAges,thenameevolvedintofanculumandthentheplantbecameknownpopularlyasfenkel.32

TheEgyptiansatefennelaftermealstohelpwithdigestion.TheRomansandGreeks enjoyed fennel for a range of medicinal and culinary uses. GreekphysiciansDioscoridesandHippocratesrecommendeditfornursingmothers.InChinaandIndia,fennelwasconsideredaremedyforsnakebites.Thisherbwaswidely used during the Middle Ages, and herbalists Culpeper and Gerardrecommended it for a rangeof ailments. In addition to culinary andmedicinalpurposes,fennelhasbeenusedtocreatebrown,green,andyellowdyes.

MedicinalUsesAmenorrhea, appetite stimulant, belching, bloating, breastfeeding problems,bruises, cellulite, constipation, cough, edema, expectorant, eye problems,flatulence, gout, heartburn, indigestion, kidney stones, lymph circulation,menopausal discomfort, menstrual cycle problems, nasal congestion, nausea,postnatal depression, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), pyorrhea, skin care, sorethroat, stomachacheorpain,water retentionPrecautions andContraindicationsTheherb:Avoidduringpregnancy;avoidifyouhaveepilepsyorotherseizuredisorder;useinmoderation;shouldnotbegiventochildrenunderagesix.Theessentialoils:Theherbalprecautionsalsoapply;maycauseskinirritationinsome.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Seeds and leaves Essential oils: Seeds of a variety calledsweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce) Culinary purposes: Leaves,bulbs,andseedsGrowingandHarvesting

Reaching four to five feet in height, fennel has a white to creamy coloredbulbousbasewithmultiplestalks.Thegreenleavesarefeatheryandthreadlike.Tinybrightyellowflowersgrowinlargeumbelclustersthatbloommidtolatesummer.Theflat,ovalseedsarelightbrownandridged.Theyareonequartertoonehalfinchlong.Fennelisacousintoanise,caraway,anddill.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 4 Fullsun Sandyor

loamModeratelydry

4–5' 12"

Fennel is a perennial that is often grown as an annual. It prefers full sun buttoleratespartialshadeinsouthernareas.Southofzone5youcansowseedsinthe autumn. Propagate this herb by sowing fresh seeds or let it help you as itreadilyreseeds.Fennelwouldnotwinapopularitycontestwithotherplants.Itneeds tobekeptaway frombushbeans, caraway, tomatoes, andkohlrabias itwill have anegative effect on them. It shouldnot benear dill, either, becausetheywillcross-pollinateandproduceplants thatareneitherdillnor fennelandhavenomedicinaluse.Corianderisharmfultofennelbecauseitpreventsseedsfromforming.Theredeemingfactorforfennelisthatitrepelsaphids,slugs,andsnails.Itattractsladybugs.Allpartsoftheplantareedibleandcanbefrozen.Leavescanbeharvestedany

time and hung or screen dried.Watch for seeds to turn from yellow-green tobrown.Theyfalleasilysoitisusuallybesttosnipofftheentireseedheadwhenitbeginstoturncolorandhangittodryinabag.Therootscanbeharvestedintheautumnorearlyspring.

HowtoUsetheHerbFennelisawarmingherbthatishelpfulduringbreastfeedingwheninsufficientmilkisaproblem.Italsohelpseasepostnataldepression.Drinkuptothreecupsofteaaday.

FennelMother’sMilkTea1–2teaspoonsseeds,crushed

1cupboilingwaterPourthewaterovertheseedsandsteepfor10to15minutes.Strainandaddalittlehoneytosweeten.

Fennel contains a substance similar to estrogen that helps regulate scanty orpainful menstrual cycles. It increases menstrual flow and is an aid foramenorrhea. This herb helps to reduce PMS symptoms, fluid retention, andmenopausaldiscomforts.Overall,ithasatoningeffectonwomen’sreproductive

systems.Alsocalming, fennel seedscanbecombinedwithchamomile flowersandcorianderseedsinequalpartsof½teaspooneachforarelaxingtea.The same mild diuretic properties that help reduce premenstrual water

retentionmake fennelhelpful in treatinggoutandkidneystones. Ingeneral, itaidsinflushingtoxinsfromthebody,whichisespeciallyhelpfulforissueswiththejoints.Fennel can be used for a wide range of digestive problems including

stomachache,constipation,nausea,belching,bloating,flatulence,heartburn,andindigestion. It also stimulates the appetite.Drinking fennel tea is a nice, easy,andcomfortingwaytodealwiththesedigestiveissues.

FennelDigestiveRescueTea1–1½teaspoonsseeds,crushed

1cupboilingwaterPourthewaterovertheseedsandsteepfor15to20minutes.Strainbeforedrinking.

As an alternative, the tea can be prepared with ½ teaspoon each of fennelseeds,driedpeppermintleaves,and/ordriedlemonbalmleaves.Forbloatingandflatulence,makeateawith½teaspoonoffennelseedsin1cupofboilingwateranddrink up to four cups a day. In addition to tummy troubles, theDigestiveRescueTeahelpseasechroniccoughs.Itcanbeusedasagargleforsorethroatsorasamouthwashforgumproblemssuchaspyorrhea.Nowadayswespendagreatdealof timestaringatcomputers,smartphones,

andawiderangeofelectronicscreens.Whetheryoujustneedabreakorifyoureyesaretiredorinflamed,fennelcansoothethem.Boilahandfulofleavesin2cups ofwater for fifteenminutes. Let it cool to lukewarm, strain, and soak awashcloth for a compress. Place it over your eyes and rest for at least tenminutes.Likemostherbs,fennelisusefulforbothhealingandkeepinghealthy.Witha

mild, aniselike flavor, fennel is easy towork into a range of dishes. Fresh ordriedleavescanbeusedinfishdishes,salads,anddressings.Whenaddingthefreshleavestocookeddishes,dosoatthelastmomentastoomuchheattendsto

destroytheirflavor.Thenexttimeyoumakeapastasauce,tryamixtureofdriedrosemary,thyme,andfennel.

Pasta Seasoning Mix with Fennel 1 tablespoon dried rosemary,crumbled 1 tablespoon dried thyme, crumbled 1 teaspoon fennelseeds, crushed Combine ingredients and mix well. Add a little toyourpastasauceandtasteasyougotogetaflavorbalancethatyoulike.

While the fennel bulb is also used in a range of dishes such as seafood,chicken, and roasted root vegetables, it is quite yummy on its own. Slice itverticallyinhalfanddrizzlewithalittleoliveoil.SprinklewithgratedParmesancheese and bread crumbs, and then bake for about thirty minutes at 400°Fahrenheit.Thismakesanicecomplementtotomato-basedpastadishes.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsTheseedsofsweetfennelproduceayellow to pale orange-brown oil. It has an herby, spicy, aniselikescent.Using this essential oil for massage helps to increase lymph circulation,

decrease cellulite, and reduce the swelling associated with edema. Fennelessentialoilalsohelpstonetheskin.Use7or8dropsin1ounceofcarrieroil,ortryasoothingblendwithlavenderandrosemary.

FennelMassageOilBlend6dropsfennelessentialoil4dropslavenderessentialoil3dropsrosemaryessentialoil

1ouncecarrieroilMixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

Fennelonitsowninacarrieroilcanbeusedtotreatbruises.Inaddition,itsantibacterialandanti-inflammatorypropertiesmakeiteffectivetouseasasteaminhalationtorelievenasalcongestionandreduceexcessmucous.Thiswillalsohelpsoothecoughs.

[contents]

31.Wilson,Aromatherapy,71.32.MargaretGrieve,AModernHerbal,Vol.I(Mineola,NY:DoverPublications,1971),293.

Garlic(AlliumsativumL.)

Alsoknownas:CommonGarlic,PoorMan’sTreacle,StinkingRose,Stinkweed

TheuseofgarlicwasrecordedapproximatelyfivethousandyearsagoinSumer(present-dayIraq).33GarlicwasalsousedbytheBabyloniansandthroughouttheMiddleEast. ItwasusedinChinaasearlyas2000BCE.34 InEgypt, itwasanimportantpartofthedietaswellasthemedicinechest.TheSpartansofancientGreecealsoincludedgarlicintheirdailydiet.MentionedbyPliny,theRomansvaluedthisplantasafoodtogivetheirsoldiersstrength.

Garlic is themain ingredient in Four ThievesVinegar, a remedy popular inFrancesincetheearlyeighteenthcentury.ThenameofthisvinegarcomesfromthestoryaboutfourcriminalswhosepunishmentwastoburyplaguevictimsinMarseilles. The fact that themen never got sickwas attributed to their eatingcrushed garlic in wine vinegar. DuringWorldWar I, garlic was used on thebattlefieldtocleaninfectedwoundsandtotreatdysentery.On a personal note, one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco is the

StinkingRosewheretheirmottoisto“seasongarlicwithfood.”

MedicinalUsesAthlete’s foot, blood pressure, blood sugar, bronchitis, cardiovascular systemsupport,cholesterol,colds,coughs,digestivesystemsupport,ear infection, flu,immunesystemsupport, infection, insectbitesandstings, jock itch, ringworm,sinusitis,sorethroats,staphinfection,sties,strepthroat,tonsillitis,vaginalyeastinfection(vaginitis),warts

PrecautionsandContraindicationsThe herb: May cause heartburn or irritate the stomach in some; avoid whennursing;garlicapplieddirectlytotheskinmaycauseburns.The essential oils: Use in small amounts and well diluted; may causesensitizationinsome.

PartofPlantUsedHerbalremedies,essentialoils,andculinarypurposes:Cloves

GrowingandHarvestingReaching one to two feet high, garlic has long, flat, pointed leaves that growfroma single stem sprouting from thebulb.Thebulbusually contains four tofifteen separate fleshy sections called cloves, which are enclosed in white,papery skin. A cluster of fibrous roots is attached to the bottom of the bulb.Separate leafless stemsproduceclustersof smallwhite topinkish flowers inaglobe-shapedumbel.Theflowersbloomfromlatespringtoearlysummer.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 4 Fullsun Loam Moderately

moist1–2' 6'

Garlic isaperennial that lastsseveralyears,however, it isgrownasanannualforharvesting.Itgrowsbestinwell-compostedsoil,anditiseasiertostartfromindividual cloves than from seeds. Plant the cloves, pointed end up,approximately twoinchesdeepin theautumnorearlyspring.Anewbulbwillform around each clove. Garlic does well when grown in a container. Toproduce bigger bulbs, cut back the flowering stalks. Garlic is propagated bysowingnewclovesorseeds.Garlicattractsbutterfliesandrepelsslugs,snails,Japanesebeetles,aphids,and

ants.Itcanalsodeterrabbits.Inthevegetablegardengarlicisagoodcompanionto peas, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce, and tomatoes. It isespeciallybeneficialnearfruittreesandroses.Harvest the bulbs by digging them outwhen the lower leaves begin to turn

brown and fall over. Thewhole bulb can be hung to drywith roots and stemattached.Theleavesofmultipleplantsareoftenbraidedtogethertomakearopeofgarlicbulbs.Dryingwill take three to fourweeks.When the outer skin becomes papery,

they’redry.Therootscanbecutoffand thestemcutan inchor twofromthebulb.Storetheminameshbaginacool,darkplaceandtheywilllastforseveral

months.For long-termstorage,peel theclovesandcut them into slices.Thesecanbedriedlikeroots,andthenstoredormadeintoapowder.Aftertheharvest,savesomeclovesatroomtemperaturetoplantyournextcrop.

HowtoUsetheHerbTheantiviralandantibacterialpropertiesofgarlicmakeitanexcellentchoicefortreating colds, flu, and sinusitis.The compounds that are excreted through thelungs and causegarlic breath actually put the healing components rightwherethey are needed for respiratory illnesses. Cooked garlic is effective but rawclovesaremorepotent. (Youmaywant tokeepanise, fennel,ordill seeds,orparsley leaves on hand for your breath.) A syrup may make the garlic morepalatablewhileitsoothesasoreorstrepthroat,tonsillitis,cough,andbronchitis.Takeateaspoonofsyrupatatimethroughouttheday.Garlicisalsoeffectiveforfightingstaphinfections.

GarlicSyrup2–3cloves,crushed4tablespoonshoney

Wrapthegarlicinapieceofmuslinorcheesecloth,crushit,andplaceinajar.Cover the garlicwith honey and let it stand for 2 to 3 hours. Stir andremovethegarlic.

Garlicinthediethelpstoboosttheimmunesystemsoeatingitthroughoutthecold and flu season is beneficial. Or, if you have powdered garlic and prefercapsules,takeonetwiceaday.Theblood-thinningeffectofeatinggarlic supports thecardiovascular system

andhelps reduce the risk of heart attack. It helps to slightly lower highbloodpressure, too. Used regularly in cooking, garlic reduces and helps maintainhealthycholesterollevelsandlowersbloodsugarlevels.Garlicisanaidtopooror sluggishdigestion, too.Eatinggarlic is also a treatment for sties and it canhelpcureaninfectionofthemiddleear.Pesto isa tastyway to includegarlic in thediet.So isoliveoil infusedwith

rosemary, thyme,andgarlic,whichisgreatforcooking.And,ofcourse,garlicbuttertotopwarmbreadservedwithpastadishes.However,roastedgarlicisthe

ultimatecomfortfood,inmyopinion.Itcanbeusedinsomanydishes,orjustslicetheclovesandeatthemonathickpieceofcrustyFrenchorItalianbread...magnifique!

RoastedGarlicSeveralgarlicbulbsOliveoil

Leave the bulbs intact for roasting. Hold a bulb on its side and slice offenoughof the topsoeachclove iscutopen.Lightlycoatashallowbakingdishormuffintinwitholiveoilandarrangethebulbsinside.Drizzlewithoilandthenspreaditaround,coatingthetopofeachclove.Sprinklewithalittleseasaltandpepper,coverwithaluminumfoil,andbakeat375°Fahrenheitfor35to45minutes.Allowtocoolenoughtohandle,andthensqueezeeachbulb from thebottom topushout the clovesoruse a small fork to extractthem.

Garlic’s infection-fighting powers extend to fungal and yeast infections. Forathlete’sfoot,crushaclove,placeitinajar,andpourinacupofoliveoil.Letitsitfortwodaysandthenstrain.Useacottonswabtoapplytheoiltotheaffectedareas.Thisoil can alsobeused to treat ringworm,warts, jock itch, and insectbitesandstings.Neverapplygarlicdirectlytotheskinasitcancauseburns.

GarlicVaginitisTreatment1teaspoongarlicjuice2tablespoonsyogurt

Use a garlic press to squeeze the juice out of several cloves andmixwellwithyogurt.Tousethevaginitistreatment,soakatamponinthemixturefor10minutes. Insert it before bed and remove it in themorning.The yogurtactsasasoothingmediumfor thegarlic juice toavoidburns.Do thiseachnightwhilesymptomslast.Thisremedymaybesmellybutitiseffective.Itisimportanttocatchayeastinfectioninitsearlystagesforhometreatment.Seeyourdoctoriftheconditionpersists.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOils

Garlicessentialoilcanrangefromcolorlesstopaleyellow.And,asyoumightexpect,itsmellslikegarlic.Ifyoudon’twanttoeatgarlicbutwouldlikeitsbenefitswhenyouhaveacold

orotherrespiratoryailment,theessentialoilcanhelpinasteaminhalation.Startwith2dropsofessentialoilinaquartofboilingwater.Ifitisnotoverwhelming,goto3drops.Inhalingthesteamwillputthegarlicwhereitisneeded—inyourlungs.Itwillalsodetoxifythebodyanddisinfecttheairintheroom.Theessentialoilcanbeusedinsteadoftheinfusedoilfortopicaltreatments,

however, itmustbewelldiluted.Donotusemore than1drop in3ouncesofcarrieroil.

[contents]

33.Bonar,Herbs,68.34.Kowalchik,Rodale’sIllustratedEncyclopediaofHerbs,215.

Hyssop(HyssopusofficinalisL.)

Alsoknownas:HedgeHyssop

Hyssop was highly regarded as a medicinal herb by the ancient Greeks andRomanswhoalsoused it fordomestic cleaning. In addition, theRomansusedtheleavesforculinarypurposes,includingawinetheycalledHyssopites.35TheplantandthewinewerementionedbyPliny.Hippocratesrecommendedhyssopfor chest problems, and Dioscorides recommended it to treat a number ofconditions.By the tenth century, hyssop had been introduced throughout Europe by

Benedictine monks who used it for making liqueurs. It is an ingredient inBenedictine,anherballiqueurthatwasdevelopedasanelixirbyaBenedictinemonk in 1510.36 The secret recipe was lost but then rediscovered in thenineteenthcentury.During theMiddleAges, hyssopwas commonly used as a strewing herb as

wellasstuffingmaterialformattresses.SmallbranchesofhyssopwereusedbyRoman Catholic priests to dip in holy water and sprinkle blessings on theircongregations. The common name “hedge hyssop” comes from its use as aclippedhedgingplantinknotgardens.

MedicinalUsesAnxiety, asthma, bloating, bronchitis, bruises, catarrh, chest congestion, coldsores, colds, cough, cuts and scrapes, dermatitis, digestive system support,eczema, expectorant, fever, flatulence, flu, herpes, indigestion, infection,inflammation, insect repellent, nasal congestion, nervous system support,nervous tension, skin care, sore throat, stress, tonsillitis Precautions andContraindicationsTheherb:Avoidduringpregnancyandwhilenursing; avoid in childrenundereighteen;useinsmalldosesforshortperiodsoftime.The essential oils: Herbal precautions also apply; should not be used byepileptics or thosewith any type of seizure disorder; avoid with high bloodpressure;maycausesensitizationinsome.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbalremedies:Leaves,stems,andflowersEssentialoils:LeavesandflowerbudsCulinarypurposes:LeavesGrowingandHarvesting

Hyssop has upright, angular stems and reaches about two feet in height. Likeothermembersofthemintfamily,thestemshaveasquareshape.Theleavesaredark green and lance-shaped. Tiny purple-blue flowers grow in whorls at theendsofthestems.Theybloomfrommidsummertoearlyautumn.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 4 Fullsunto

partialshade

Sandyorloam

Moderatelydry

2' 12"

Itisusuallyeasiesttopurchaseaplantbecausetheseedsareslowtogerminate.Hyssopprefers full sunbutwill toleratepartial shade.Thestems, flowers,andleavesarestronglyaromatic,andtheleaveshaveamintlikesmellwhencrushed.Propagatethisherbbyrootdivision,stemcuttings,orsowingfreshseedsifyouhavethepatience.Hyssopisknownasagoodbeeplant.Beekeepersoftengrowitneartheirhives

becausehyssopflowernectarenhancesthetasteofhoney.Inadditiontobees,itattracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and it repels fleas, beetles, cabbageloopers,andimportedcabbagemoths.Hyssopisagoodcompaniontocabbageandgrapes.Harvest the leavesbefore flowersappear. Ifyouareharvesting flowers, take

themwhentheyarehalfopen.Leavesandflowerscanbehungtodry.

HowtoUsetheHerbHyssopisapowerfulherbwithantiviralandantibacterialproperties,makingiteffective fora rangeof respiratoryproblemssuchascolds,bronchitis, and theflu.Asanexpectorant,ithelpsclearandcleansethelungsandfightinfection.Italsorelievesbronchialspasms.Combinehyssopwithpeppermintfortheaddedbenefitofmenthol.

HyssopandPeppermintCleansingTea1½ teaspoons dried hyssop leaves and flowers, crumbled ½ teaspoon driedpeppermintleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwater

Combinetheherbsandaddthewater.Steep10to15minutesandstrain.Addhoneytotaste.

Inadditiontothecombinationofhyssopandpepperminttomakeatea,theseherbsworkwell for a steam inhalation to help clear the nasal passages. Theyalso make a good chest rub ointment. Hyssop on its own as a facial steamcleansestheskin.Plainhyssopteahelpseaseasthmaattacks,however,theleaveshaveaminty

butslightlybitterflavor,soyoumaywanttoaddalittlehoney.Theteacanalsobeusedasagargletosoothesorethroatsincludingtonsillitis.Insteadofhoney,addalittlelemonjuice,whichwillalsohelpyourthroat.Avariationoftheteafor bronchitis uses equal amounts of anise seeds, hyssop, and thyme. Toencouragesweatingandbreakafever,makeahyssopinfusionanddrinkhalfacupeverytwohoursoverasix-hourperiod.Forcoldsandflu,drinkalittleatatimeuptotwocupsaday.Whendealingwithchroniccatarrh,makean infusionwith the leaves, stems,

andflowers.Flavoritwithhoneyor lemon,anddrinkonetothreecupsaday.When you have a cold or the flu, make an infusion of hyssop, peppermint,rosemary,andthymeforawarming,cleansingbath.Thesteamyvaporswillhelpclearcongestion.

Congestion-ClearingHyssopBathInfusion1cupdriedhyssop leaves and/or flowers, crumbled½cupdriedpeppermintleaves,crumbled¼cupdriedrosemaryleaves,crumbled¼cupdriedthymeleaves,crumbled

2quartsboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandthenaddthewater.Steepfor1to2hours,strain,andaddtobathwater.

For coughs, infuse hyssop leaves, stems, and flowers or just the flowers tomakeasyrup.Takeateaspoonofthesyrupasneeded.Hyssophelpstothinthickmucusandgetridofit.Also,hyssopcombineswellwiththymetomakeacoughsyrup.

Apoulticeoffreshchoppedleaveshelpstohealcutsandbruises.Hyssopcanbe combinedwith crushed caraway seeds for this purpose, too. In addition, ahyssoppoulticeorcompressreducestheswellingandbruisingofablackeye.Likemanyherbsinthemintfamily,hyssopaidsdigestion,especiallydigesting

fats.Combineitwithtwoofitscousins,lemonbalmandspearmint,forahealthyafter-dinnertea.

HyssopDigestiveTea1 teaspoon dried hyssop leaves and/or flowers, crumbled ½ teaspoon driedspearmintleaves,crumbled½teaspoondriedlemonbalmleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandaddthewater.Steepfor10to15minutesandstrain.

Atinctureofhyssopisanotherwaytodealwithindigestionaswellasgasandbloatingespeciallyduetonervoustension.Takeonehalftooneteaspoontwoorthree times a day. The tincture also serves as a tonic to support the nervoussystem.Forculinarypurposes,usefreshhyssopleavestoseasonpoultrydishes,soups,

andcasseroles.A littleof thisherbgoesa longwayas itsmintyflavorcanbesomewhat strong, and too much can produce a bitter taste. Experiment usingsmallamounts.Forthehome,hyssopisusefulasapestrepellent.Inthelinencloset,usefresh

ordriedleavesinasachettorepelmoths.Hyssopcanalsobeusedinyourpet’sbeddingareatodiscouragefleas.Makesureitisplacedsafelyoutofyourpet’sreach.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsThe color of hyssop essential oil ranges from clear to pale yellow to reddish-amber.Ithasarich,spicysweetscent.In addition to using a tincture as a tonic for the nervous system, hyssop

essentialoilisanaidforrelaxationtoquellanxiety,nervoustension,andstress.Useitinadiffuseralongwithlavenderandlemonbalmtosootheawaytension.Alsousethiscombinationinadiffuserorvaporizerduringcoldandfluseasonto

cleansetheairandtreatcongestion.Inaddition,refertotheprofileonthymeforaninhalerblendwithhyssop.

Hyssop Cleansing Relaxation Diffuser Blend 4 drops hyssopessentialoil4dropslemonbalmessentialoil

2dropslavenderessentialoilCombinetheoilsandlettheblendmatureforabout1week.

Theantisepticandantiviralpropertiesofhyssopareuseful in treatingherpesandcaninhibitthegrowthofsores.Italsoworksoncommoncoldsores.Mix1dropofessentialoilin1teaspoonofcarrieroilandapplywithacottonswab.Itcan also be used to relieve the inflammation of dermatitis and other forms ofeczema.

[contents]

35.DenysJ.Charles,AntioxidantPropertiesofSpices,HerbsandOtherSources(NewYork:SpringerScienceandBusinessMedia,2013),353.

36.JudythA.McLeod,InaUnicorn’sGarden:RecreatingtheMysteryandMagicofMedievalGardens(London:MurdochBooksUKLimited,2008),252.

Lavender(Lavandulaangustifolia,syn.L.officinalis)

Alsoknownas:CommonLavender,EnglishLavender,GardenLavender,TrueLavender

Lavenderhasbeenawell-knownandlovedfragrancesinceancienttimes.Ithasbeenusedasaningredientincosmeticsandperfumeryaswellasmanydomesticapplications.TheGreeksandRomansuseditfortreatingarangeofailmentsandfor cleaning their homes. As mentioned in the introduction to this book, thename lavender comes from theLatin lavare,meaning“towash.”TheRomansintroducedtheplantintoEnglandwhereithasbecomeamainstayingardens.

Throughout Europe during the Middles Ages, lavender was popular formedicinal purposes as well as a strewing herb to freshen homes, especiallysickrooms. Sachets of lavender were used to scent linens and to determoths,fleas,andotherpests.SoapmakerWilliamofYardleyknewagoodthingwhenhesawit(orsmelledit)andmanagedtogetamonopolyonEngland’slavenderduringthe1770s.This beloved garden plant was imported to North America by the Pilgrims.

When French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé rediscovered its powerfulhealingproperties,lavendercamefullcircleasanimportantmedicinalherb.

MedicinalUsesAcne, anxiety, athlete’s foot, bloating, boils, bronchitis, bruises, burns, chestcongestion, chronic fatigue, cold sores, colds, cuts and scrapes, dermatitis,eczema, flatulence, flu, head lice, headache, hemorrhoids, herpes, indigestion,inflammation, insect bites and stings, insomnia, jock itch, joint stiffness,laryngitis, menstrual cramps, migraine, muscle aches and pain, muscle strain,nail fungus, nerve pain, nervous tension, psoriasis, rheumatism, ringworm,scabies, scars, sciatica, sinusitis, skincare, sleepaid, sore throat, sprains, strepthroat,stress,sunburn,tonsillitis,vaginalyeastinfection(vaginitis)PrecautionsandContraindicationsTheherbandessentialoils:Donotusewhentakingsedativemedications.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbalremedies:LeavesandflowersEssentialoils:Leaves,flowers,andbudsCulinarypurposes:LeavesandflowersGrowingandHarvesting

Lavenderisabushy,evergreenshrubthatreachestwoorthreefeetinheightandspreadsabouttwofeetwide.Thelowerstemsofmatureplantsareusuallydenseand woody. Small purplish-lavender colored flowers grow in whorls atopleafless spikes. They bloom from midsummer to early autumn. The slightlyfuzzyleavesarenarrowandgray-greenorsilverygreen.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 5 Fullsunto

partialshade

Slightlysandyloam

Dry 2–3' 12–24"

shade

Lavender has been a garden favorite for centuries, which is understandablebecause it ishighlyaromaticandmakesworkingor sittingnearbyadelightfulpleasure. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade, and grows well incontainers.Propagatethisplantbystemcuttingsorrootdivision.Lavenderisagood companion to daylilies, dianthus, coreopsis, yarrow, and yucca. It’s nosurprisethatlavenderattractsbeesandbutterflies.Harvest flower spikes and stemswhen the flowers are almost open.Cut the

stemseveralinchesbelowtheflowersandhangthemtoairdry.Theycanalsobedriedonscreens.Thedriedflowersand leaveswill remainaromaticfora longtime.

HowtoUsetheHerbThere are several typesof lavender,whichmakes it important to purchase theright one for the purposes described here. For example, Spanish or Frenchlavender (Lavandula stoechas) is stimulating and has the opposite effect ofLavandulaangustifolia,thelavendercoveredinthisbook.As an herb, lavender is most widely known for its calming and soothing

properties.Forasleepaidandhelpdealingwithinsomnia,makeatinctureandtakeonehalf toone teaspoonwithwater anhourbeforebed to improve sleepquality.Alittlesleeppillowstuffedwithlavenderflowersalsohelpstocalmandrelax.Putthepillowinthemicrowavejustlongenoughtowarmtheflowerstoreleasemoreoftheirscent.Lavender tincture or tea has a calming effect, which helps to quell nervous

tension. The tincture is also effective in treating migraines and reducing thesymptomsof chronic fatigue.A teamadewith equal amountsof lavender andlemon balm relieves other types of headaches, especially those caused bytension. In addition, the tea can be used for awarmcompress to place on theback of the neck, or let it cool and apply a compress across the forehead andtemples,whichwillalsohelprelieveaheadache.Lavenderhoney iswonderful ina cupof chamomile tea for a relaxing treat.

Make the honey with lavender and lemon balm for added flavor, aroma, andhealing.Alittlespearmintcanbeadded,aswell.

LavenderandLemonBalmHoney½ cup fresh lavender flowers, chopped ¼ cup fresh lemon balm leaves,choppedapinchoffreshspearmintleaves,chopped

1cuphoneyPour the honey into a slightly larger mason jar and set in a saucepan ofwater.Warmoverlowheatuntilthehoneybecomesalittlelessviscous.Addtheherbsandstirwithabutterknifetodistribute.Continuewarmingfor15to20minutes,thenremovefromheat.Putthelidonwhencool.Storeoutofthelightatroomtemperatureforaweek.Reheatslightlytostrainoutherbs.

Lavender’scalmingpropertiesextendtothedigestivesystem.Drinkhalfacupof lavender tea twice a day to soothe indigestion, flatulence, and bloating.Lavendertinctureorteaalsoeasesmenstrualcramps.Thepopularityof lavendersoap isnotonlybecauseof itsscent,butbecause

thisherbisespeciallyhealingfor theskin.Aninfusionfor thebathcansootheirritatedskinandmanyotherproblemsaswellasrelievemuscleandnervepain.ThecombinationofherbsintheHealingLavenderBathInfusionalsomakesanexcellentfootsoak.Inaddition,thiscombinationofherbscanbeusedtomakeamedicinalhoneythatisespeciallysoothinginabedtimecupoftea.

HealingLavenderBathInfusion1 cup dried lavender leaves and flowers, crumbled ½ cup dried chamomileflowers,crumbled½cupdriedlemonbalmleaves,crumbled

2quartsboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandthenaddthewater.Steepfor1to2hours.Strainandaddtobathwater.

Lavenderhaspowerfulantisepticandantibacterialpropertiesthatmakeitidealforafacialsteam.Inadditiontoasteam,useaninfusionoflavenderasafacialrinsetocleanseandstimulatecirculationtotheskin,healblemishes,andsoothetheinflammationofacne.Theinfusionisalsogenerallygoodforoilyskin.Foradditionalhelp ingetting ridof acneblemishes,makeavinegarwith lavender

flowersandleaves,anddabitonthepustules.Forsunburn,useanoilinfusionormakeacreamtosootheandhealtheskin.Whiletheessentialoilisparticularlygoodfortopicalantiviralapplications,a

stronginfusionoftheherbcanbeusedtotreatvaginitis.Usetheinfusionforasitzbathor tomakeanointment.Thesitzbathorointment isalsoeffective toreducetheinflammationandpainofhemorrhoids.This herb can help you get through the cold and flu season, too. Lavender

relieves the congestion of sinusitis, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems.Oneofthebestwaysiswithasteaminhalation,whichnotonlyhelpstocleartheairwaysbut alsohelps to cleanse the air in the room.To soothe a sore throat,laryngitis, tonsillitis, or strep throat, make an infusion with equal parts oflavenderandpeppermint.Whenitcools,pouritintoaspraybottlethathasafinemister and use it as a throat spray. The same infusion can be used tomake awarmchestcompressormakeanoilinfusionforachestrubointment.

LavenderHerbandSaltGargle1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers, crumbled 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves,crumbled

½teaspoontablesalt

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbs,pourinthewater,andsteepfor10minutes.Strainintoamugwiththesalt.Heatslightlyinmicrowaveandstirtodissolvesalt.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsLavender essential oil is clear with a slight tinge of yellow. It has amellow,floral,herbaceousscentandbalsamicwoodyundertones.As mentioned, French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé rediscovered the

soothingandhealingpoweroflavenderessentialoilafterburninghishandinthelaboratory. Make an ointment to keep on hand for burns, cuts, and scrapes.Lavenderisaskinrejuvenatorthatrelievespainandhealswithoutscarring.Itisalsoeffectiveforhealingacne,boils,andbruises.

LavenderFirst-aidOintment

¼–½cupjojobaorbeeswax1cupcarrieroil

2teaspoonslavenderessentialoilPlace the jojobaor beeswax in amason jar in a saucepanofwater.Warmoverlowheatuntilitbeginstomelt;addthecarrieroil.Stirgentlyforabout15 minutes. Remove from heat, add the essential oil, and stir. Test thethicknessbyplacingalittleonaplateandlettingitcoolinthefridgeforaminuteortwo.Ifyouwantitfirmer,addmorejojobaorbeeswax.Ifit’stoothick,addatinybitofoil.Letitcoolandthenstoreinacool,darkplace.

The concentration of lavender’s antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, andantibacterialproperties in theessentialoilmakes itperfect forawide rangeoftopicalapplications.Althoughitisconsideredoneofthesafestessentialoils,itisbesttouseitdilutedwithacarrieroil.Lavenderrelievestheitchingandinflammationofathlete’sfootandjockitch.

Itisinstrumentalforotherviralinfectionssuchascoldsores,herpesoutbreaks,andnailfungus.Usetheointment tosoothetheinflammationofskindisorderssuchaspsoriasis,eczema,anddermatitis,too.Lavendercanalsobeusedtotreatinsectbitesandstings,headlice,ringworm,andscabies.Not only does lavendermake a greatmassage oil for relaxing, its analgesic

propertiesmake it especially effective to relieve rheumatic pain, sciatica, jointstiffness, muscle aches and strains, and sprains. Sweet almondmakes a goodcarrieroilforthis.Inadditiontomassage,uselavenderinthebathbymixing5dropsofessentialoilwith1cupof seaorEpsomsalts.Forawarmcompress,mix2dropsofessentialoilin1quartofhotwater.For a sleep aid, sprinkle a little essential oil onto bed linens to surround

yourselfwiththescent.Torelieveanxietyandstress,uselavenderoilonitsowninadiffuserorblenditwithrosemaryandchamomile.

DiffuseYourStressLavenderBlend6dropslavenderessentialoil3dropsrosemaryessentialoil

2dropschamomileessentialoilCombinetheoilsandlettheblendmatureforabout1week.

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LemonBalm(MelissaofficinalisL.)

Alsoknownas:BeeBalm,CommonBalm,HoneyBalm,Melissa,MintBalm,SweetBalm

ThenameMelissaisGreekandmeans“bee.”37Lemonbalmattractsandcalmsbees,whichiswhybeekeepershavegrownitneartheirhivesformorethantwothousandyears.Lemonbalmhoneyhasbeenhighlyvaluedsinceancienttimesandwasmentionedby bothPliny andDioscorides,who said it helped to healwounds.Intheeleventhcentury,ArabphysicianAvicennaalsosungitspraises.

Lemon balmwas an importantmedicinal herb in Europe during theMiddleAges and was one of several plants that became known as a cure-all. Eventhough English herbalists such asCulpeper andGerard touted its uses, lemonbalm’s popularity was not carried to the New World. It had to wait for theresurgenceofinterestinherbalremediestoberediscovered.Lemonbalmearneditsnamebecauseofitshoney-sweetlemonflavorandfragrance.

MedicinalUsesAcne, anxiety, asthma, blood pressure, bronchitis, chest congestion, colds,cough, dermatitis, digestive system support, eczema, fever, flu, headache,herpes, immune system support, indigestion, infection, inflammation, insectbitesandstings,insomnia,menstrualcramps,migraine,nervoussystemsupport,premenstrual syndrome (PMS), psoriasis, restlessness, seasonal affectivedisorder (SAD), shingles, skin care, sleep aid, stomachache or pain, stressPrecautionsandContraindicationsTheherb:Mayinteractwithsedativesandthyroidmedications.Theessentialoils:Maycauseskinirritationorsensitizationinsome.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Leaves and stemsEssential oils: Leaves, flowers, and budsCulinarypurposes:LeavesGrowingandHarvesting

Reaching one to three feet tall, lemon balm is a bushy herb with square,branching stems. Its bright green leaves are deeply veined and have toothededges. The leaves have a noticeable lemony scent especially when brushedagainst.Smallwhitetoyellowishflowersgrowinclusterswhereleavesjointhemainstems.Theybloomfrommidsummertoearlyautumn.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 4 Fullsunto

partialshade

Loamorsandyloam

Moderatelymoist

1–3' 12–24"

Lemonbalmdoeswellinpartialtofilteredshadeinsouthernzonesbutprefersfullsuninnorthernareas.Duringthefirstseason,theplantmayseemscrawny

butitwillfilloutinitssecondyear.Lemonbalmiseasytogrowincontainers.Lemonbalmcanbepropagatedbyrootdivision,stemcuttingsandlayering,andby sowing fresh seeds.While its rootswill not take over your garden, it doesreadilyself-seedandcanbecomeinvasive.Keepaneyeonit,especiallyifyouletitreseed.Lemonbalmattractsbeesandisagoodcompaniontosquashandpumpkinsbecauseitrepelssquashbugs.Boththeleavesandstemscanbeharvestedthroughoutthegrowingseason.It

canbecutbacktotwoinchesabovetheground,whichwillencourageasecondcrop.Theleaveskeeptheirscentwhendried,however,theydarkenifnotdriedquicklysoyoumaywanttoavoidhangdryingthem.Asanalternative,freezingworkswell.

HowtoUsetheHerbAnytimeyouwantanherbaltea,lemonbalmisenjoyable,butafterahecticday,itcanseemmagical. Itcalmsboth thenervousanddigestivesystems,quellinganxiety and nervous indigestion. This herb eases headaches, lowers bloodpressure,andrelievesinsomnia.Drinktheteaanhourortwobeforegoingtobedforhelpinfallingasleep.

SimplyLemonBalmTea2teaspoonsdriedleavesandstems,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterPourthewaterovertheherb,steep10to15minutes,andthenstrain.

For headaches, let the tea steep until it’s cool and then drink one cup threetimesduringtheday.Whendealingwithamigraine,uselemonbalmonitsownormaketheteawith1½teaspoonsof lemonbalmand½teaspoonofvalerian.This combinationof herbs is also effective as a sleep aid.Be sure to read theprecautionsintheprofileonValerian.The tea is an aid for stomach pains, too. To boost its effectiveness for this

purpose,use2teaspoonseachofdriedlemonbalm,chamomile,andpeppermintin1cupofwater.Brewamildteawithjust1teaspoonoflemonbalmtosootherestlessnessinchildren.

Whensufferingfromanxiety,tryhalfateaspoonoflemonbalmtinctureinonecup of water three times a day. The tea also relieves PMS symptoms andmenstrualcramps.Equallyeffectiveforheadacheandanxietyisateamadewith1teaspoonofeachoflemonbalmandchamomile.Brewaninfusionwithequalamounts of lemon balm, lavender, and chamomile for the bath to soak awaystress.Combine lemonbalmwithequalamountsofSt. John’swort ina tea torelieveseasonalaffectivedisorder(SAD).The antiviral properties of lemonbalmmake it useful in treatingherpes and

shingles. It relieves the pain and discomfort, and shortens the length andintensityofoutbreaks.BrewtheSimplyLemonBalmTeaanddrinktwoorthreecupsaday.Also,usealittleoftheteaonacottonballtoapplydirectlytosores.Anointmentmadewith jojoba and an infusionof lemonbalmapplied severaltimesadayisalsohelpful.For acne, make a vinegar of herbs to dab on pustules, which will reduce

inflammation,counterinfection,andfightbacteria.Alsousethiscombinationofherbs(withoutvinegar)forafacialsteamtohelpwithacneortouseasageneralskincleanser.

Lemon Balm Herbal Acne Vinegar 3 teaspoons dried rosemaryleaves,crumbled2teaspoonsdriedlemonbalmleaves,crumbled2teaspoons dried lavender flowers, crumbled 2 teaspoons driedchamomileflowers,crumbled¼–½cupvinegarPlacetheherbsinajar andpour in enoughvinegar to cover them.Steep for at least 2weeksandstrain.

Theantiviralcomponentsinlemonbalmmakeitidealtoeasethesymptomsofcolds and flu.Combine itwith equal amountsofpeppermint for a tea to calmcoughs,easeasthmaattacks,andrelievecongestionduetobronchitis.Alsousethese twoherbs forasteaminhalation tohelpclear theairways.On itsown,alemonbalmteapromotessweatingtoreducefever.Because the antioxidants in lemon balm help support and strengthen the

immune system, use amedicinal honey throughout the cold and flu season tohelpyoustayhealthy.

StayHealthyLemonBalmHoney4 tablespoonsdried lemonbalmleaves,crumbled3tablespoonsdriedchamomileflowers,crumbled1tablespoondriedlavenderflowers,crumbled

1cuphoneyPour the honey into a slightly larger jar and set it in a saucepan ofwater.Warmover lowheatuntil thehoneybecomesa little lessviscous.Add theherbsandstirwithabutterknifetodistribute.Continuewarmingfor15to20minutes, thenremovefromheat.Put the lidonwhencool.Storeoutof thelightatroomtemperatureforaweek.Reheatslightlytostrainherbsorleavethemin.

Lemonbalm is adelightful culinaryherb.Sprinklea few leaves in saladsorusethemtoflavorfishorpoultrydishes.Freezesomechoppedleavesinicecubetrays to add todrinks.Alsowhencombiningherbs to freezeor store together,combineitwithdillormint.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsLemon balm essential oil ranges from pale yellow to full yellow in color.Asexpected,itsscentislemonybutalsofreshandherbaceous.Just as lemon balm tea can be used for herpes and shingles, so too can the

essentialoil.Mix1dropofessentialoilin1teaspoonofcarrieroilandapplytoaffectedareas.Thiscanalsobeusedtorelievetheswellinganditchingofinsectbitesandstings.Forextrapower,blendlemonbalmwithlavenderandSt.John’swortandkeepsomeonhandforfirstaid.

LemonBalmSoothingSkinReliefOil6dropslemonbalmessentialoil

5dropslavenderessentialoil2dropsSt.John’swortessentialoil

1ounceapricotkernelcarrieroilMixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

Tocalmtheinflammationanditchingofeczema,psoriasis,ordermatitismixlemonbalmwithborageasthecarrieroiltosoothetheskin.Alternatively,mixthe essential oilwith sea or Epson salts for a healing soak in the tub. Lemonbalmisalsoeffectiveinadiffuserorwithacarrieroilforacalmingmassagetoreduceanxiety,headache,andbloodpressure.

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37.MichaelCastleman,TheNewHealingHerbs:TheClassicGuidetoNature’sBestMedicines(Emmaus,PA:RodalePress,2001),305.

Lemongrass(Cymbopogoncitratus)

Alsoknownas:CitronellaGrass,MadagascarLemongrass,WestIndianLemongrass

Lemongrasshasbeencultivatedforcenturiesasaculinaryandmedicinalherb.IthasalonghistoryofuseinIndiafortreatingfeverandinfectiousdiseases.Itwasalso used to freshen the home.As its species name implies, it has a citruslikescent,whichmaybefamiliartomanyofuswhogrewupusingIvory®soap.Itisan important flavoring ingredient in many Asian cuisines, especially Thai.LemongrassisalsoacomponentinmanyAyurvedicremedies.

MedicinalUsesAcne, arthritis, athlete’s foot, digestive system support, fever, flatulence,gastroenteritis, head lice, headache, indigestion, insect bites and stings, insectrepellent, jock itch, laryngitis,mental fatigue,muscleacheorpain,nervepain,nervous exhaustion, rheumatism, ringworm, scabies, skin care, sore throat,sprains, stomachache or pain, stress, vaginal yeast infection (vaginitis)PrecautionsandContraindicationsTheessentialoils:Maycauseskinirritation;do not use around the eyes; do not use on babies or children; avoid duringpregnancy;maycausedermalirritationorsensitizationinsome.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbalremediesandessentialoils:LeavesCulinarypurposes:StemsGrowingandHarvesting

Lemongrass is a tropical aromatic grass with a pungent, lemony fragrance. Itgrows in large, dense clumps that can reach up to five feet tall and four feetwide.Lemongrasshas long,narrowleafblades.Thebaseof the leafstemsarewhiteandenlarged,similartoleeks.Inconspicuous,greenishflowersgrowatopbranchingstalks,however,lemongrassrarelycomesintobloom.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 9 Fullsun Sandyloam Moist 3–5' 2–4'

Ifyouareinthewarmerzones,lemongrasscanbestartedbyseed.Forcontainergrowingincoolerzones,startseedsinsix-inchpots.Tooverwinterindoors,giveitawarm,sunnylocation.Thisplantismosteasilypropagatedbyrootdivision.

Lemongrass repels ants, flies, and mosquitoes. It is a good companion tolavender,mints,andsage.Theleavesandstemscanbeharvestedaftertheplantistwelveinchestall.To

harvest just the leaves, cut them above the bulbous part of the stem. Whenharvestingthebottomofthestems,whichlooklikefatscallions,pulloffdriedleavesuntilyougettothewhitecenter.Soaktheminwaterbecause,likeleeks,grittydirtcangetdowninbetweentheleaflayers.Bothleavesandstemscanbedriedorfrozenforstorage.

HowtoUsetheHerbLemongrass sharesmany insect-repelling compoundswith its cousin citronella(Cymbopogon nardus) and has been used to repel fleas, ticks, and lice.Whileoutside,justcrushaleafandrubitonyourskin.Inadvanceofanouting,makeacreamthatyoucanapplyathomeortakewithyou.Thecreamorabathinfusioncanbeusedastreatmentforringworm.Inaddition,abathinfusionhelpsgetridof scabies and head lice. Lemongrass can be combinedwith bay for soothinginsectbitesandstings.Aninfusioncanbedabbedonaffectedareasorusedtomakeacream.

Take the Sting Out of Bites Lemongrass Infusion 3 tablespoonsdried lemongrass leaves, crumbled 1 tablespoon dried lavenderflowers,crumbled1teaspoondriedchamomileflowers,crumbled1teaspoondriedpeppermintleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombine theherbsand thenadd thewater.Steepfor30 to60minutesandstrain.

The fungicidal properties of lemongrass make it an effective treatment forathlete’sfoot,vaginitis,andjockitch.TheLemongrassandLavenderTeahelpsdealwiththeseissuesinternallyandtopicallywhileitalsoprovidesstressrelief.Drinkonetofourcupsofteaaday.

LemongrassandLavenderTea2teaspoonsdriedlemongrassleaves,crumbled2teaspoonsdriedlavenderflowers,crumbled

2cupsboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandaddthewater.Steepfor10to20minutesandstrain.

Theteaorastrongerinfusioncanbeusedforacompresstoplaceonaffectedareas,oritcanbeusedforafootsoakorsitzbath.Freshlemongrasscanbeusedtomake a poultice, too. In addition, the poultice or a bathwith a lemongrassinfusioniseffectiveineasingarthritispain.Lemongrasshasstrongantisepticpropertiesthatmakeitidealfortreatingsore

throats and laryngitis.Brew a teawith 2 teaspoons of lemongrass in 1 cup ofwateranduseitasagargleormouthwash.Theteacanalsobeusedtoreduceafever.Thesamepropertiesthatmakeitgoodtotreatsorethroatsalsomakeitanideal

astringentfortoningtheskinandtreatingacne.Usetheteaatroomtemperature,orinthesummerchillitinthefridgebeforesplashingitonyourface.Like many herbs, lemongrass supports a healthy digestive tract and can be

used to relieve digestive problems such as stomach pain, indigestion,gastroenteritis,andflatulence.Makeateawith1or2teaspoonsofdriedleavesin1cupofboilingwater.Steepfortentofifteenminutes.Drinkacuponceortwiceaday.Ifyoupreferatinctureinsteadoftea,take½to1teaspoononceortwiceaday.ThebulbousbottomofthelemongrassstemisusedinAsiancookingandisa

common ingredient inThai food.Try it inavegetablestir-fryoranydish thatcanbeenhancedwithalemonytastewithoutthesournessoflemon.Becauseitcombineswellwithgarlicandchilipeppers,lemongrassenhancestheflavorofsalsa.

Salsa with a Lemony Lemongrass Twist 2 stalks lemongrass, cutintoafewlargepieces6mediumtomatoes,diced1chilipepper(ormoreifyoulikeithot),diced1onion,diced1garlicclove,pressed2tablespoonscilantro,chopped

1tablespoonoliveoil

Place the tomatoes inablenderor foodprocessorandgive ita fewpulses.Add the onion, chili pepper, garlic, and olive oil, and pulse again a fewtimes. Pour themixture into a bowl, add the cilantro and lemongrass, andmixwell.Letitsitinthefridgeforanhourortwo.Removethelemongrass,stir,andserve.

Amedicinalhoneymadewithlemongrassleaveswilladdanicelemonyflavortoteaasitaidsthedigestivesystem.Also,freezechoppedleavesintoicecubetraystoflavorsummerdrinks.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsThecoloroflemongrassessentialoilcanbeyellow,amber,orreddish-brown.Ithasafresh,grassycitrusscentwithearthyundertones.Lemongrasshelps ease arthritic joint pain, rheumatism,generalmusclepain,

nerve pain, and sprains. Combine it with lavender and rosemary to boost itseffects.

Lemongrass Pain Reliever Massage Blend 5 drops lemongrassessentialoil4dropslavenderessentialoil3dropsrosemaryessentialoil

1ouncecarrieroilMixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.Coconutworkswellasacarrieroil.

Uselemongrassonitsownorblenditwithlavenderandchamomiletorelieveheadaches,mentalfatigue,nervousexhaustion,andstress.Thismixworksnicelyin a diffuser, too. For headaches, dilute the blend to 1 percent tomassage thetemples. Do this by doubling the amount of carrier oil or by using half theamountofessentialoils.Lemongrass,lavender,andpeppermintmakeaneffectiveinsectrepellentblend

thatcanbeusedforanointmentoracream.Thiscombinationofoilscanalsobeusedtoscenttheairandkeepinsectsoutofthehouseorawayfromapatioareawhiledining.Cutfoot-longstripsofcottonribbons,dipthemintheessentialoilblend(thereisnoneedtouseacarrieroilforthis),andthenhangtheminopen

windowsor aroundyourpatio.Use red,white, andblue ribbons forFourthofJuly celebrations or any colors that suit the occasion. If ribbons aren’t yourthing,usetheblendinadiffuserorvaporizer.

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Marjoram(OriganummajoranaL.,syn.Majoranahortensis)

Alsoknownas:JoyoftheMountain,KnottedMarjoram,SweetMarjoram

Marjoramsharesthecommonname,JoyoftheMountain,withitsclosecousinoregano (Origanum vulgare). The name marjoram can be confusing becauseoregano has the common name of Wild Marjoram. In addition, Thymusmastichina,atypeofthyme,isalsocalledWildMarjoram.38

Considered a sweeterversionoforegano,marjoramwasusedby the ancientGreeks to treat rheumatismandby theRomans for indigestion.Water scentedwithmarjoramwasusedforbathingandforlaundry.DuringtheMiddleAgesitwasmorepopularthanthymeinBritain,perhapsbecausebothJohnGerardandNicholasCulpepersangitspraisesintheirherbals.Marjoramwasusedasageneralstrewingherbandforfumigatingsickrooms.

InElizabethanEngland,marjoram,rosemary,andsageweremixedwithwinetotreat blackened teeth. Not wanting to leave it behind, early European settlersbroughtitwiththemandintroducedtheplantintoNorthAmerica.Marjoramhasbeenusedtocreatevariousgreendyes.

MedicinalUsesAnxiety, appetite stimulant, arthritis, asthma,bronchitis, bruises, carpal tunnel,catarrh,chestcongestion,chilblains,chronicfatigue,colds,constipation,cough,digestive system support, flatulence, flu, hay fever, headache, heartburn,indigestion, insomnia, joint stiffness, menstrual cramps, menstrual cycleproblems,migraine,motionsickness,muscleacheorpain,musclestrain,nasalcongestion, nausea, nervous system support, premenstrual syndrome (PMS),rheumatism, sciatica, sinusitis, sore throat, sprains, temporomandibular jointpain(TMJ),upsetstomachPrecautionsandContraindicationsTheherb:Donotusemedicinallyduringpregnancy.The essential oils: Avoid during pregnancy; use in moderation; may causedrowsiness.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbalremedies:LeavesandflowersEssentialoils:Leaves,flowers,andbudsCulinarypurposes:LeavesGrowingandHarvesting

Marjoramgrowsabout twelveinchestallandhasthehallmarksquarestemsofthemintfamily.Thestemsareangularwithnumerousbranches,givingtheplant

a bushy appearance. The small, oval leaves are gray-green and slightly fuzzy.The green buds look like knots until they open into spherical clusters of tinywhiteorpinkflowers.Theybloomfromlatesummertoearlyautumn.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 9 Fullsun Sandy Moderately

dry12" 6–8"

Because the seeds are slow to germinate and the seedlings are so tiny, it isgenerally easier to purchase plants. While it prefers full sun, marjoram cantoleratepartialshade.Marjoramisatenderperennialthatisfrequentlygrownasanannual incoolerzones,however, inwarmclimates it ispossible toget twoharvests in a season. It doeswell as a houseplant.Althoughmarjoram can bepropagatedbysowingfreshseeds,rootdivisionorstemcuttingsareeasier.Therootscanbecomeaggressiveifnotdividedregularlyeveryfewyears.Marjoramisagoodcompaniontoasparagus,beets,cucumbers,lettuce,onions,

peas, potatoes, squash, corn, tomatoes, sage, and zucchini. It improves thegrowthandflavorofmostplantsgrowingnearby.Marjoramrepelsants.The leaves can be harvested anytime after the plant is seven or eight inches

tall.Theywillretainflavor,color,andpotencywhendried.Theplantcanbecutbacktothefirstsetofleavestoencouragenewgrowth.

HowtoUsetheHerbWewill seewhy the famousEnglishherbalists touted themeritsof thisplant.Like most members of the mint family, marjoram is an aid for easing andtreating digestive issues. Not only does it improve digestion, marjoram alsostimulatestheappetite,relievesindigestionandheartburn,andsoothesanupsetstomach.Inaddition,itreducesflatulenceandalleviatesconstipation.Useateaor infusionofmarjoramtosettle thestomachandcounteractnauseaormotionsickness.Drinkuptothreecupsofmarjoramteaadaywhiletreatingaparticularproblem.

Marjoram Digestive Rescue Tea 1–2 teaspoons dried flowers andleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterPourthewaterovertheherbs.Steepfor10to15minutesandstrain.

Asanalternativetothedigestivetea,useonehalftooneteaspoonoftincturethreetimesaday.Marjoramcanbecombinedwithaniseandlemonbalmforateathatsettlesupsetstomach.Insteadofafullcup,drinkalittleatatime.

Settle the Tummy Marjoram Tea 2 teaspoons dried marjoramflowers and leaves, crumbled ½ teaspoon anise seeds, crushed ½teaspoondriedlemonbalmleaves,crumbled

2cupsboilingwaterPourthewaterovertheherbs.Steepfor10to15minutesandstrain.

Theantibacterialandantiviralpropertiesofmarjorammakeitagoodherbtouse during cold and flu season. It soothes catarrh and disinfects the inflamedmucousmembranes.Atea,infusion,ortincturecanbeusedtoeaserespiratoryproblemsrelatedtoasthma,bronchitis,hayfever,colds,andsinusitis.Theteaishelpfultocalmaticklycoughandcanbeusedasagargletosootheasorethroat.Alsotryateausingmarjoram,thyme,andlavenderinequalamountstodrinkortomakeawarmcompressforthechest.Asteaminhalationusingequalamountsof marjoram and peppermint is another good way to treat congestion andrespiratoryproblems.Marjoramcanbeworkedintothedietasitgoeswellwithotherherbssuchas

thyme, basil, and parsley for pasta dishes. It can be sprinkled on meats andpoultryforroasting,andusedtoflavorsoupsandstews.Marjoramisagentle,calmingherbthatcanbeusedasasedativeandtonicfor

thenerves.Drinktwoorthreecupsofmarjoramteathroughoutthedaytoeaseanxiety,orhaveacupaboutanhourbeforebedifinsomniaisaproblem.Asanalternative, a tincture can be taken for anxiety and insomnia as well as toalleviate a tension headache or migraine. Marjoram can also reduce somesymptomsofchronicfatiguesuchasmuscleacheandheadache.

Relax and Relieve Tension Marjoram Tea 1 teaspoon driedmarjoram flowers and leaves, crumbled ½ teaspoon driedchamomile flowers, crumbled ½ teaspoon dried lavender flowers,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterPourthewaterovertheherbs.Steepfor10to15minutesandstrain.

TheRelaxandRelieveTensionTeacanhelpyoufallasleepaswellaseaseaheadache.Increasetheamountofherbstobrewaninfusionforarelaxingsoakinthetubthatwillalsoreducemuscleachesandpains.The antispasmodic properties of marjoram make it helpful in relieving

menstrualcrampsandforstimulatingmenstrualflow.ItalsoeasesthesymptomsofPMS.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsThecolorofmarjoramessentialoil rangesfrompaleyellowtoamber. Ithasaspicyherbaceousscentwithaslightlywoodyundertone.Aninfusionoftheherboressentialoilcanbeusedforaneffectivemassageoil

to easemuscle aches, pains, and strains.Thiswarmingherb aids in increasingjoint flexibility to relieve arthritis and rheumatism. Marjoram’s anti-inflammatory properties also help relieve carpal tunnel pain, sciatica, andtemporomandibular joint pain (TMJ). Use half the amount of essential oil aslisted for theMuscleWarmingMassage recipe when applying to the face torelieveTMJ,asfacialskinismoresensitive.

MarjoramMuscleWarmingMassageOil7dropsmarjoramessentialoil3dropsrosemaryessentialoil2dropslemongrassessentialoil

1ouncecarrieroilMixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

Marjoram can be used to treat sprains and strains or to soothe tired or stiffmusclesaftersportsoranykindofoverexertion.Makeawarmcompresswith2drops of chamomile and 1 drop of marjoram in 1 quart of water. Of course,soakinginthetubisanotherwaytorelaxoverworkedmusclesortojustwarmuponawinter’snight.

WarmingWinterBathwithMarjoram5dropsrosemaryessentialoil4dropsmarjoramessentialoil3dropslavenderessentialoil

1ouncecarrieroilor2cupsEpsomorseasalts

For bath oil, combine the essential oils, then add to the carrier oil.Whenmakingbath salts,mix theessentialoils together.Place the salts inaglassbowl,add theessentialoils,andmix thoroughly.Store ina jarwitha tightlid.

Marjoramessentialoiliseffectivewithapricotkernelorjojobacarrieroilstotreatchilblainsandbruises.Also,theessentialoilcanbeusedinadiffuserorasasteaminhalationtoeaserespiratoryproblemsrelatedtoasthma,bronchitis,andcolds.

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38.JeanneRose,375EssentialOilsandHydrosols(Berkeley,CA:Frog,Ltd.,1999),150.

TheMintsPeppermint(Menthaxpiperita)Alsoknownas:BalmMint,BrandyMintSpearmint(Mentha

spicataL.,syn.M.viridis)Alsoknownas:GreenMint,LambMint,OurLady’s

Mint,SageofBethlehem

Peppermint is a naturally-occurring hybrid between spearmint andwatermint(Mentha aquatica). Its species name comes from the Latin piper, “pepper,”becausethetasteofthisherbhasahintofpepper.Whilespearmintisconsideredtheoldestspeciesofmint,pepperminthasbeenaroundforquitealongtime,too.Dried peppermint leaves have been found in Egyptian burials dating to 1000BCE.

The Greeks and Romans valued both mints for help with digestive issues.Spearmint leaves were sprinkled in bath water for restorative soaks by theGreeks. Both mints were introduced into England by the Romans. By theeighteenth century, peppermint and spearmintwerewidely used formedicinalandculinarypurposesthroughoutEuropeandNorthAmerica.Spearmint is themost commonly grown culinarymint. It ismilder and less

pungent thanpeppermint.Spearmint is sweet,whereaspepperminthas a sharpflavor.Inaddition,itissecondonlytopeppermintasahealingmint.Peppermintissoeffectiveformanyapplicationsbecauseitcontainsmenthol;spearmintdoesnot.

MedicinalUsesPeppermint: Acne, asthma, bad breath, belching, bronchitis, burns, chestcongestion, chilblains, colds, cough, dermatitis, diarrhea, digestive systemsupport, expectorant, flatulence, flu, gallstones, gingivitis, gout, headache,heartburn, indigestion, infection, inflammation, insect bites and stings, insectrepellent, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), motion sickness, muscle ache orpain, muscle strains, nasal congestion, nausea, nerve pain, nervous systemsupport,rashes,scabies,skincare,sleepaid,sorethroat,sprains,stomachacheor pain, stomach ulcer, sunburn, tonsillitis, tooth decay, upset stomachSpearmint:Acne,anxiety,appetitestimulant,badbreath,belching,burns,chestcongestion, colds, cough, digestive system support, flatulence, gallstones,gingivitis,heartburn,hyperactivity, indigestion,motionsickness,muscleacheorpain,nasalcongestion,nausea,nervepain,nervoussystemsupport,scabies,skin care, sleep aid, sore throat, tooth decay, upset stomach Precautions andContraindicationsThepeppermintherb:Avoidwithhighbloodpressure;donotusewhenpregnantornursing;notcompatiblewithhomeopathictreatments;useinmoderation;donotgivetochildrenunderfive;avoidwithhiatalherniaoracutegallstones.Thepeppermintessentialoils:Avoidwithhighbloodpressure;maycauseskinirritationinsome;shouldnotbeusedonchildrenundertwelve.The spearmint essential oils: May cause dermatitis in some; may causesensitivity,especiallyinchildren.

PartsofPlantsUsedHerbalremediesforbothmints:Mainlyleaves,sometimestheflowersEssentialoils for both mints: Leaves, flowers, and buds Culinary purposes for bothmints:LeavesGrowingandHarvesting

Both mints have the distinctive feature of square stems. Peppermint reachestwelvetothirty-sixinchesinheight.Itsdarkgreenleavesaredeeplyveinedandtoothed.Tinypurple, pink, orwhite flowers grow inwhorls at the tops of thestems.Itbloomsfrommidsummertoearlyautumn.Spearmint has tight whorls of pink or lilac-colored flowers atop spikes of

brightgreenleaves.Likepeppermint,itsleavesaredeeplyveinedandtoothed.Itreaches twelve to eighteen inches tall and blooms from late summer to earlyautumn.

Herb Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPeppermint Perennial 5 Fullsun

topartialshade

Loamorslightclay

Moist 12–36" 12–24"

Spearmint Perennial 4 Partialshade

Loam Moist 12–18" 12–24"

Mintsareamainstayofmanygardens,perhapsbecausetheyarehardyandeasyto grow in average soil. However, you have to keep an eye on these plantsbecause,withcreeping roots,mintscanbeextremely invasive.Mintsaregoodcandidatesforcontainersortheycanbekeptincheckwithbarrierssunkintothegroundaroundtheirroots. Inaddition,keepdifferent typesofmint indifferentbeds or containers because they hybridize easily. The resulting herbswill nottasteasgoodastheirparentplantsorbemedicinallypotent.Both mints repel white cabbage moths, aphids, flea beetles, and ants.

Peppermintalso repelsbees.Theybothattracthoverfliesandpredatorywasps,andaregoodcompanionstocabbagesandtomatoes.Inaddition,peppermintisagoodcompaniontocayenneandchamomile.Neithermintisagoodcompaniontoparsley.Rodentsdon’tlikemintsandcanberepelledbystrewinganareawith

freshleaves.Peppermintandspearmintcanbepropagatedbyrootdivision,stemcuttings,orlayering.Leavescanbeharvestedwhenplantsreachsixtoeightinchestall.Theplants

canbecutbacktoencourageasecondcrop.Theleavesofbothmintsdrywell,however, peppermint holds its fragrance and flavor better than spearmint.Removetheleavesfromthestemsandscreendry.Bothmintsalsofreezewell.

HowtoUsetheHerbMostmembersofthemintfamilyofherbsarewellknownforquellingarangeofdigestiveissues.Peppermintandspearmintcanbeconsideredkingandqueenof themints.Even though it ismilder, spearmint is asgoodaspeppermint formanydigestive issues.Because peppermint tea can be too strong for children,spearmintisabetterchoice.Both mints are anesthetic stomach soothers, relieving upset stomach,

flatulence,heartburn,belching,andindigestion.Becausetheyeasenausea,theyare effective for motion sickness. In addition, they are both helpful in thetreatmentofgallstones.Ateamadewitheithermintisaneffectivemouthwashforbadbreathasitpreventsgingivitisandtoothdecay.Spearmintcanbeusedtostimulatetheappetite,andasateaitmakesagoodrinsetoclearthemouthwhensickoragargle forsore throat. Italsoworkswell inother teas to flavorherbsthatarelesstasty.Bothmintsaidinkeepingthedigestivetracthealthy.Addingalittlehoneytomintteafortastewillalsohelpsootheindigestion.

DigestiveMintTea2teaspoonsdriedpeppermint,crumbledor3teaspoonsdriedspearmint,crumbledor1½teaspoonsofeither,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterWhenmaking tea, let thewatercomedownfrom theboilingpoint.This isespeciallyimportantwhenusingspearmintbecauseitismoreheatsensitive.Steepfor10minutesandstrain.

Asanalternative to thedigestive tea,mixeithermint inequalamountswithchamomile flowers anddill leaves. Formild nausea, just addmint leaves to aglassofwaterorlemonade.Peppermint relieves stomach pain and diarrhea and reduces inflammation of

stomach ulcers and gout. It also balances intestinal flora and relieves IBS.Insteadof a teaor infusion, a tincture canbeused for digestiveproblems andcapsulesforIBS.Bothmintssoothethenerves,andeitheronewithchamomileworksasasleep

aid.Spearmintcanbeusedinequalamountswithchamomilebutifyoumakeitwithpeppermint,uselessofitthanchamomile.Amildspearmintteawithlemonbalmcanhelpcalmachild’sanxietyorhyperactivity,whileastrongpeppermintteaisgoodforanadult’safter-lunchperk-upinplaceofcoffee.DrinkoneortwocupsadayoftheCalmingSpearmintInfusionforadayortwotoeaseanxiety.

CalmingSpearmintInfusion3tablespoonsdriedspearmintleaves,crumbled2tablespoonsdriedchamomileflowers,crumbled1tablespoondriedlemonbalmleaves,crumbled

1quartofwaterCombine theherbsand thenadd thewater.Steepfor30 to60minutesandstrain.

Thementholcontentofpeppermintmakesitidealfortreatingcolds,flu,nasalandchest congestion, coughs, sore throat, and tonsillitis.Also, thenutrients inpeppermint are helpful during sickness.This herb is very effective as a steaminhalationthatclearsthesinusesandhelpssootheasthmaandbronchitis.Theteaalsoworksasanexpectorant.

SootheandHealPeppermintTea1teaspoondriedpeppermint,crumbled½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled ½ teaspoon dried thyme, crumbledCombinetheherbsandthenaddthewater.Steep10to15minutesandstrain.Addalittlehoneytotaste.

Brewaninfusionofthesamethreeherbs—peppermint,rosemary,andthyme—tomakeachest rub foradditional relief.Althoughmilder, spearmintcanbeusedtotreatcolds,coughs,chestandnasalcongestion,andsorethroat.Themints are great for the complexion, too. Peppermint fights the bacterial

infectionof acne and stimulates circulation for agoodcomplexion. In its ownright,spearmintisanastringentthathealscomplexionblemishesandisabetterchoiceforthoseofuswithsensitiveskin.

MintyFaceWash1cupfreshpeppermint,choppedor1cupfreshspearmintleaves,chopped

1quartcoolwaterAllowtheleavestosoakforaboutanhour,strain.

Thefacewashisespeciallyniceonahotsummerday.Aspearmintwashhelpshealchappedhandsinthewinteroranytimeofyear.Anointmentmadewithapeppermintinfusionrelievestheitchingofdermatitisandsunburn.Brew an infusion with either mint for a bath to kill scabies mites. As an

alternative, combine eithermintwith lavender or thyme in any percentage forthispurpose.Useaquartofastronginfusioninthetub.Inthesummer,hangafewbunchesofeitherminttocoolandfreshenaroom.

Thisisalsoagoodwaytofreshenasickroom.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsThe peppermint essential oil is clear to pale yellow or greenishwith a strongminty,camphoraceousscent.Thespearmintoil iscleartopaleyellow,toolivewithaspicy,herbaceous,mintyscent.Itislesspungentthanpeppermint.An ointment made with peppermint essential oil can be used as an insect

repellent that also soothes the swelling and itching of bites. It can be used torelieve skin irritation, rashes, and chilblains, too.Also, for easing and healingminorburnsadd1or2dropsofeithermintto2tablespoonsofhoney.

SkinSoothingPeppermintOintment¼–½cupjojobaorbeeswax½–1cupapricotkerneloil

1teaspoonpeppermintessentialoilPlace the jojobaor beeswax in amason jar in a saucepanofwater.Warmoverlowheatuntilitbeginstomelt;addthecarrieroil.Stirgentlyforabout15 minutes. Remove from heat, add the essential oil and stir. Test thethicknessbyplacingalittleonaplateandlettingitcoolinthefridgeforaminuteortwo.Ifyouwantitfirmer,addmorejojobaorbeeswax.Ifit’stoothick,addatinybitofoil.Letitcoolandthenstoreinacool,darkplace.

Both mints ease muscle and nerve pain. Peppermint can be used to reduceinflammationandswellingofsprainsandstrains.SeetheprofileforRosemaryfortheRosemaryWarmingMassageOilrecipethatincludespeppermint.Foraheadache,mixadropofpeppermintwithateaspoonofcarrieroilanduseittomassagethetemples.Toboosttheeffect,addadropoflavender.

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Parsley(Petroselinumcrispum)

Alsoknownas:CommonParsley,GardenParsley

Peppermint:SeeTheMints

Rosemary(RosmarinusofficinalisL.)

Alsoknownas:CompassPlant,Incensier,Rosmarine,SeaDew

Often found growing on the sea cliffs of southern France, rosemary has beendescribedashavingthesmelloftheoceanwithahintofpine.Thisisthesourceof its genus nameRosmarinus, whichmeans “dew of the sea.” 40Made withbrandy and rosemary as its base, Hungary Water, also known as Queen ofHungaryWater,wascreatedin1370forQueenElizabethofHungary.Whileitservedasaperfumeandabeautytreatment,italsocuredherrheumatism.

During the Middle Ages, rosemary blossoms were sugared and eaten as apreventivemeasureagainst theplague.Atother times, thisherbwasburned inhospitals to fumigate rooms and clear airborne infections. It was also animportant strewingherb thatkepthomes smelling fresh.RosemarywasoneoftheingredientsintheclassicsixteenthcenturyEau-de-Cologne,whichwasusedfor headaches and as a nerve tonic. Throughout the centuries beforerefrigeration, it was an important food preservative, especially for meats. Inaddition,rosemaryhasbeenusedtocreatevariousgreendyes.

MedicinalUsesAcne, arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, bad breath, bronchitis, burns,cardiovascular system support, chest congestion, colds, cuts and scrapes,dandruff,eczema, fainting, flatulence, flu,haircare,headache, immunesystemsupport,indigestion,infection,inflammation,lymphcirculation,mentalfatigue,migraine,mouthulcers,muscle acheorpain,muscle strains, nasal congestion,nervous exhaustion, nervous system support, psoriasis, rheumatism, sinusitis,sore throat, sprains, stomachacheorpain, stress, temporomandibular jointpain(TMJ),varicoseveinsPrecautionsandContraindicationsThe herb: Avoid therapeutic doses during pregnancy; avoid with high bloodpressure;toomuchmayirritatethestomach.Theessentialoils:Avoidduringpregnancy;avoidwithepilepsyorotherseizuredisorders;avoidwithhighbloodpressure;mayirritatesensitiveskin.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbalremedies:LeavesandflowersEssentialoils:Leaves,flowers,andbudsCulinarypurposes:LeavesGrowingandHarvesting

Rosemaryisashrubby,evergreenthatgrowsthreetosixfeettall.Maturestemsare woody and brown. Rosemary has short, stiff, needlelike leaves similar tosprucetrees.Theleavesaredarkgreenontopandpaleorwhiteunderneath.Paleblue flowers grow in clusters of two or three along the leaf branches. Theybloomfromlatewintertoearlyspringandsometimesintermittentlythroughouttheyear.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height Spacing

Perennial 8 Fullsun Sandy Dry 3–6' 24–36"

Becausetheseedsaredifficult togerminate, it isusuallyrecommendedtostartwithaplant.Rosemarygrowsslowlyinitsfirstyear.Also,itdoesnottransplantwell,soifyouliveinazonewhereitcanbegrownoutside,plantitinalocationwhere itwill stay. It can be propagated by root division and stem cuttings orlayering.Rosemaryisacompaniontosage,beans,andcabbage.Itrepelssnails,slugs,beanbeetles,andcabbageflies.Itattractsbees.For those of us who cannot plant it outside, rosemary can be grown in a

container. It needs a good sunny window and does not like dry, overheatedroomsinthewinter.Mistingtheleaveshelpsas longastheroomhasgoodaircirculationbecauseitcandeveloppowderymildewifitistoohumid.Up to four-inch lengths can be harvested from the branches but never take

morethan20percentoftheplantbecauseitdoesnotspringbackafteraseverecutting as other herbs do. Sprigs freeze well and have a stronger flavor andaromathanfresh.Theycanalsobescreendriedorhung.

HowtoUsetheHerbMost famously, rosemaryhasbeenconsidereda tonic for thebrain, improvingmemory and concentration. Considered a warming herb, it promotes thecirculationof blood to thehead and the intakeof oxygen at the cellular level,whichimprovesbrainfunction.Rosemaryhelpstonormalizelowbloodpressureandcontributestoaheart-healthydiet.Thisherbalsoimproveslymphandbloodcirculation.Becauseofincreasedbloodflow,itaidsinrelievingheadachesandmigraines.

Get theBloodGoingRosemaryTea1–2 teaspoonsdried rosemaryleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterPourthewaterovertheleaves.Steepfor10to15minutesandstrain.

Asanalternative,useequalamountsof rosemaryandpeppermint in theGetthe Blood Going Rosemary Tea for an invigorating lift. Tea made with justrosemarycanbeusedforacompress torelieveheadaches, too.Foramigraine

makean infusionand take two to three tablespoonsevery threehours.The teaand infusion also serve as a tonic for the nerves, and helps copewithmentalfatigue and nervous exhaustion. Additionally, half a teaspoon of rosemarytinctureonceadayisatonicforstress.As a pungent aromatic, rosemary clears nasal and chest congestion due to

colds,theflu,orsinusitis.Itsantibacterialandantiviralpropertiesfightinfectionwhileprovidingsupport for the immunesystem.Usedasasteaminhalation, itwill soothe inflammation. Rosemary is also an aid for asthma and bronchitis.The leaves, or both flowers and leaves, can be used for these purposes. ThephysicallywarmingeffectandthearomaticvaporsoftheherbsintheRosemaryChestRubInfusionandOintmentworktogethertoprovidereliefandhealing.

RosemaryChestRubInfusionandOintment

Ingredientsfortheinfusion Ingredientsfortheointment2teaspoonsdriedrosemaryleaves,crumbled ¼–½cupbeeswaxorjojoba1teaspoondriedsageleaves,crumbled 1cupinfusedoil1teaspoondriedthymeleaves,crumbled

1cupoil

First,makeaninfusionbycombiningtheherbsandoilinadoubleboiler.Onverylowheat,simmerfor30to60minutes.Removefromheatandletcool.Use a stainless steel strainer linedwith cheesecloth over a bowl to strain.Foldthecheeseclothovertheherbstopressoutasmuchoilaspossible.Tomake the ointment, place the jojoba or beeswax in amason jar in a

saucepan of water. Warm over low heat until it begins to melt; add theinfusedoil.Stirgentlywithaforkforabout15minutes.Let itcool.Coverandstoreinacool,darkplace.

Theantisepticpropertiesof rosemarymake it agoodgargle to soothea sorethroatandtoeasemouthulcers.Italsoreducesinflammationandhelpsfirmthegumswhile it fights bad breath. Use 2 teaspoons of dried leaves in 1 cup of

water,andsteepforthirtyminutes.Drinkhalfacupandusetheotherhalfasamouthwashandgargle.Asapowerfulfungicide,rosemaryis idealfortreatingathlete’sfoot.Makea

hotoilinfusiontorubontheskinortouseasafootsoak.Arosemaryinfusionsoothestheitchingandinflammationofeczemaandpsoriasis,too.Italsohealsburns and cuts, and because it fights bacteria, rosemary helps clear acne.Combine rosemary with lavender and thyme to make an infusion to dab onaffectedareas,orusetheinfusiontomakeahealingcream.

SkinHealingRosemaryInfusion2teaspoonsdriedrosemaryleaves,crumbled 1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers, crumbled 1 teaspoondriedthymeleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombine theherbsand thenadd thewater.Steepfor30 to45minutesandstrain.

An infusion of rosemarymassaged into the scalp promotes hair growth andgetsridofdandruff.Also,steepafreshsprigortwoinacupofboilingwaterforaboutfifteenminutes.Whenitcoolsuseitasarinseforbrownhairtobringoutthehighlights.Not only does rosemary go well with a wide range of food, it also aids

digestionbyenhancingfoodabsorption.However,whenthingsgoawry,brewacupofrosemaryteaortaketwoouncesofaninfusiontorelieveindigestion,gas,orstomachpain.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsRosemary essential oil ranges from colorless to pale yellow. Its fresh,herbaceousscenthasawoodyundertone.Whilestudents inancientGreeceworea sprigof rosemary in thehair toaid

theirmemoryandlearning,wecanusetheessentialoilinadiffusertoimproveconcentration.Using it thiswaywill alsohelpwhen recovering fromstressorchronicillness.Inaddition,ithelpstoalleviateheadaches.

Thesteaminhalationmentionedabovecanbemadeusingessentialoil,eitherrosemaryaloneorwithsageandthyme.Justswish4dropsofessentialoilinto1quartofsteamingwater.Ifyouareusingablend,use2dropsofrosemaryand1eachofsageandthyme.Thewarmingeffectsofrosemaryworkwelltorelievethepainandstiffnessof

rheumatismbroughtonbycoldweather.Massagingwithrosemaryalsorelievesthe pain and swelling of arthritis,muscle pain or strain, and ligament sprains.Combining rosemary with peppermint and chamomile creates an effectivemassageoilthatalsoreducesstress.

RosemaryWarmingMassageOil6dropsrosemaryessentialoil4dropschamomileessentialoil3dropspeppermintessentialoil

1ouncecarrieroilMixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

For leg cramps, use 4 drops of rosemary and 2 drops of chamomile in 1tablespoon of carrier oil tomassage away the pain. This will also reduce theappearanceofvaricoseveinsandbrokencapillaries.Totreattemporomandibularjointpain(TMJ),use1dropofrosemaryessentialoilin1teaspoonofcarrieroil.A drop or two of essential oil on a tissue or a handful of crushed sprigs areeffectiveinrevivingsomeonewhohasfainted.

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40.Wilson,Aromatherapy,113.

TheSagesClary(SalviasclareaL.)

Alsoknownas:ClarySage,ClaryWort,ClearEye,MuscatelSage,SeeBright

Sage(SalviaofficinalisL.)Alsoknownas:CommonSage,DalmatianSage,EuropeanSage,GardenSage,

TrueSage

The genus name,Salvia, comes from the Latin salvare,meaning “to cure” or“makehealthy.”41Clary’sspeciesnamecomesfromtheLatinclarus,meaning“clear.” 42Forcenturies,clarywasused to treateyeproblems,whichearned itthe name Clear Eye. In Germany, it was occasionally substituted for hops tobrewcertainbeersandales.Clarywasalsousedinmuscatelwine.

Consideredmoreformedicinalthanculinarypurposes,sagehasalonghistoryof use by the ancientEgyptians,Greeks, andRomans. Itwas used throughoutEurope and from the sixteenth century onward it was an important herb inBritish apothecaries. Among other things, sage was considered good for thebrainandnervoussystem.TradewithAsiabroughtsagetopopularuseinChina,andintheseventeenthcenturyitwasintroducedintoNorthAmerica.Bothclaryandsagehavebeenusedtocreatevariousgreenandyellowdyes.

MedicinalUsesClary: Acne, amenorrhea, asthma, boils, cough, dandruff, eczema, flatulence,haircare,headache,indigestion,laryngitis,menopausaldiscomforts,menstrualcramps, migraine, muscle aches and pains, nervous tension, premenstrualsyndrome(PMS),psoriasis,skincare,sorethroat,stomachacheorpain,stress,tonsillitis Sage: Acne, amenorrhea, arthritis, asthma, bad breath, boils,breastfeedingweaning,carpaltunnel,colds,cough,cutsandscrapes,dandruff,diarrhea, digestive system support, eczema, flatulence, flu, gingivitis,headache, indigestion, inflammation, insect bites and stings, laryngitis,menopausal discomforts, menstrual cramps, mouth ulcers, muscle aches andpains, psoriasis, rheumatism, skin care, sore throat, stomachache or pain,tonsillitis,vaginalyeastinfection(vaginitis)PrecautionsandContraindicationsTheclaryherbandessentialoils:Avoidduringpregnancyandwhilenursing;avoidwhentakingsedativesorbarbiturates.The sage herb and essential oils: Should not be used on a daily basis; use inmoderation;avoidduringpregnancyandwhilenursing;avoidwithepilepsyorotherseizuredisorders; itshouldnotbeusedmorethanthreeweeksinarowwithoutatleastoneweekbreak;avoidwithhighbloodpressureordiabetes.

PartsofPlantsUsedClaryherbalremediesandessentialoils:LeavesandfloweringtopsSageherbalremediesandessentialoils:LeavesClaryandsageculinarypurposes:LeavesGrowingandHarvesting

Claryhasbroad,oblong leaves thatare toothedandwrinkled.Theyaredownyunderneath.Whorlsofsmallwhiteandlilacorpinkflowersgrowonleafyspikes

andbloomearlytomidsummer.Reachingtwoorthreefeettall,claryhassquare,downystemsthatrangefromlightgreentobrown.Sagegrowsonetothreefeettallandhassquare,woodybasestemscoveredin

down.Thisplanttendstogetbushyandsprawl.Itsoblongleavesarelightgray-green, wrinkled, and puckered. Leafy stalks bear whorls of small blue-purpleflowersthatbloomearlytomidsummer.

Herb Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingClary Biennial 4 Fullsun Slightly

sandyloam

Moderatelymoist

2–3' 9–12"

Sage Perennial 4 Fullsuntopartialshade

Sandyloam

Moderatelymoist

1–3' 24"

Whileclaryprefersmoderatemoisture,itcanalsogrowindryconditions.Withthe right moisture and composting, it will flourish. The flower stalks tend tobend over when they get heavy. Clary attracts bees and sometimeshummingbirds.Itcanbepropagatedbysowingfreshseedsorletithelpyouasitreadilyself-sows.Theleavescanbeharvestedasneededforfreshuseorwholestalkswithflowerscanbehungorscreendried.Sagedoesbestinfullsunbutwill toleratelightshade.Itneedsgoodspacing

becauseittendstosprawl.Italsodoeswellindoorsaslongasitgetsplentyofsun. Sage can be propagated by stem cuttings or layering, root division, andsowingfreshseeds.Whilesageisagoodcompaniontobeans,cabbage,carrots,strawberries, tomatoes, marjoram, and rosemary, it has a negative effect ononions.Thisherbrepelscabbageloopers,carrotrustflies,andimportedcabbagemoths.Itattractsbeesandbutterflies.Sageleavescanbeharvestedasneededforfreshusethroughouttheseason.Spreadtheleavesonascreenorhangthestemsinverysmallbundlestoairdry.Inlargebundles,theleavesdryslowlyandtendtogetamustyodor.

HowtoUsetheHerbs

Don’twaituntilThanksgivingtogetthesageoutofthecupboardbecausecoldandfluseasonstartsinOctoberandthisherbcanhelp.Sageaidsinpreventingcoldsbysimplyusingitinfood,butifillnessstrikes,sageteaeasescoldandflusymptoms. The tea is a nice winter drink that can be boosted with a specialwinterhoney.

SageWinterHoney2 tablespoons dried sage, crumbled 2 tablespoons dried thyme, crumbled 2tablespoonsdriedrosemary,crumbled1tablespoongarlic,chopped

1cuphoneyPour the honey into a slightly larger jar and set it in a saucepan ofwater.Warmover lowheatuntil thehoneybecomesa little lessviscous.Add theherbsandgarlicandstirwithabutterknifetodistribute.Continuewarmingfor15to20minutes,thenremovefromheat.Putthelidonwhencool.Storeoutofthelightatroomtemperatureforaweek.Reheatslightlytostrainoutherbsorleavethemin.

Sage tea without honey makes a good mouthwash for bad breath, mouthulcers,andgingivitis.Alternatively,powderedsagecanbegentlyrubbedonthegumstoeaseandhealsoresandinflammation.Oftenconsideredlessimportantthansage,claryissignificantinitsownright

asahealingherb.Ateamadewithclaryorsagehelpseaseasthmaandcoughs.Bothof theseherbshaveantiseptic andastringentproperties,makingeitherofthem a good choice for treating and soothing sore throats, laryngitis, andtonsillitis.Makeastrongteawiththeleavesforagargle.Whileitishot,add½teaspoonofcidervinegaror1teaspoonofsaltto½cupoftea.Garglewhenitiscoolenoughbutstillwarm.Like many herbs, sage and clary soothe indigestion and stomach pain, and

reduceflatulence.Makeacupofteaortakeateaspoonoftincture.Inaddition,sage isanaid fordigestingmeatand for treatingmilddiarrhea.When treatingdiarrhea,drinkuptothreecupsadaybutnotformorethanthreedays.

SageDiarrheaTreatment1–1½teaspoonsdriedsage,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterBring thewater toaboilandadd the leaves.Simmer for15 to20minutesandstrain.

When it comes to PMS, clary tea is an uplifting aid to reduce discomfort.Actually, both clary and sage have estrogenlike components that act as mildhormonal stimulants to promotemenstruation and treat amenorrhea. A cup ofeitherteaeasesmenstrualcramps.Aninfusioncanbeanaidduringmenopause,especiallyforquellinghotflashes.Fornightsweats,drinkacupoftheinfusionbefore going to bed. Additionally, sage can be used to treat vaginal yeastinfections. Use a two-fold approach by drinking sage tea and using it as anastringentdouche.Thedryingpropertiesthatmakesagegoodforrelievinghotflashesandnight

sweats, also make it effective to reduce breast milk after weaning. Drink thePost-WeaningSageTeathreetimesadaywhenyouarenolongernursing.

Post-WeaningSageTea½teaspoondriedsage,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterPourthewaterovertheherb,steepfor10to15minutes,andstrain.

Both clary and sage have astringent qualities that make them valuable fortreatingskinproblemsincludingacne,eczema,psoriasis,andboils.Aninfusionof leavesusedfora facial steamiscleansingfor theskinandabighelpwhendealingwithacne.Aninfusioncanbeusedwhenitiscoolforanantisepticskinwash. It also helps to treat dandruff.Massage the infusion into the scalp aftershampooing,thenrinseout.Claryisespeciallyeffectiveforoilyskinandhair.Sagerelievesinsectbitesandstings.Whenyougetbitten,justgrabaleafand

rubitonthespot.Ormakeanointmentearlyinthesummersoit’sreadytouse.Keepitonhandforfirst-aidtreatmentofcutsandscrapes,too.Forculinarypurposes,clarycanbeusedinterchangeablywithsage.Itstasteis

verysimilar,however,useitsparinglyastoomuchcantastebitter.Thewarm,pungent flavor of these herbs can perk up so many dishes: omelets, breads,

sauces,marinades, anymeat or poultry, and awide range of veggies. Even agrilledcheesesandwichcanbejazzedupwitha lightsprinklingofsage.Also,the combination that has come to be known as the Scarborough Fair herbs(parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme) goes well on pasta, salads, eggs, andgrains.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsClaryessentialoiliscolorlesstopaleyellow-green. It has a sweet, nutty, herbaceous scent. Sage rangesfrom colorless to pale yellow. Its scent is spicywarm, herbaceous,andslightlycamphoraceous.Whilebothoftheseessentialoilscanbeusedfortreatingheadaches,claryis

thebetter choicebecause it is socalming. Ithelps relievenervous tensionandstress,whichcanbe theunderlyingcauseofaheadache.Claryalsohelpseasemigraines. Mix it with lavender and lemon balm for an extra-soothingcombination.Use theblend inadiffuserordilute it toa1percent ratiowithacarrieroilanddabitonyourwristsorrubyourtempleswithit.

ClaryHeadacheReliefDiffuserBlend6dropsclaryessentialoil3dropslavenderessentialoil

2dropslemonbalmessentialoilCombinetheoilsandlettheblendmatureforabout1week.

Both clary and sage are effective for relieving muscle aches and pains.However, sage is especiallygood for treating arthritis, rheumatism, and carpaltunnelpain.

SageMuscleRubOil6dropssageessentialoil4dropsrosemaryessentialoil2dropscorianderessentialoil

1ouncecarrieroilMixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

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41.Wilson,Aromatherapy,130.42.Ibid.,61.

St.John’sWort(HypericumperforatumL.)

Alsoknownas:Goatweed,RosinRose,SweetAmber

Althoughconsideredaweedbysome,St.John’sworthasalonghistoryinfolkmedicine. Itwaspopularwith theancientGreeksandRomans forhealingandgoodhealth.Hippocrates,Pliny,andDioscoridesmentioneditintheirwritings.TheGreeksusedittotreatsciaticaandotherissuesofthenervoussystem.FromRoman times through the Crusades, it was used for treating wounds. In theMiddleAges, itwas used for a range of ailments.Gerard and other herbalists

highly recommended this herb. In addition, St. John’s wort has been used tocreatevariousredandyellowdyes.NamedbecauseitbloomsaroundthetimeofSt.John’sfeastday,June24,its

use actually dates to earlier Pagan summer solstice celebrations. The word“wort” comes from the Old Englishwyrt, meaning “plant” or “herb.” 43 ThenameRosin Rose comes from a characteristic of the flowers and buds,whichoozearedliquidthatlookslikerosinwhentheyaresqueezedorbruised.

MedicinalUsesAnxiety, arthritis, bruises, burns, chicken pox, childbirth, cold sores, cuts andscrapes, dermatitis, eczema, hair care, herpes, infection, inflammation, insectbites and stings, menopausal discomforts, muscle strains, nervous systemsupport,nervoustension,premenstrualsyndrome(PMS),psoriasis,rheumatism,scabies, scars, sciatica, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), shingles, skin care,sleep aid, sprains, stress, sunburn, varicose veins Precautions andContraindicationsTheherb:Donot take internallyduringpregnancy;consultyourdoctorbeforeusingwhentakingmedications.Theinfusedoils:Maycausephotosensitivity.Theessentialoils:Maycausephotosensitivity;maycausedermatitisinsome.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Leaves, flowers, and budsEssential oils: Flowers and budsCulinarypurposes:NoneGrowingandHarvesting

St. John’swort isashrubbyplant that reaches two to three feet inheight.Theround,erectstemshavetwolengthwiseridges.Thepalegreenleavesareoblong.Brightyellow,star-shapedflowersgrowinclustersattheendsofbranches.Theybloomfrommidtolatesummerandhavealight,lemonlikescent.Youmayfindseveral varieties of St. John’s wort plants at garden centers, but Hypericumperforatumistheonethatisusedmedicinally.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 3 Fullsunto

partialshade

Slightlysandyloam

Moderatelydry

2–3' 16–18"

shade

St.John’swort isnotafussyplant.Althoughitprefersaslightlysandysoil, itdoeswell in average soil. It is easygoingabout light, too, preferring full sun,however,itdoesfineinpartialshade.St.John’swortcanbepropagatedbyrootdivision or by sowing fresh seeds. However, it readily self-sows, which isconvenientbutyouwillneed tokeepaneyeon it as ithasa tendency to takeoverthegarden.Harvestleavesbeforeorwhentheflowersbloom.Usetheleavesfreshtomake

anoilordrythemtostoreforotheruses.Harvestthebudsjustbeforeopeningorwhen they are slightly opened. To tell if they are ready, give one a gentlesqueeze. A reddish-purple liquid will ooze out when it’s ready to harvest.Otherwise,giveitanotherday.

HowtoUsetheHerbSt. John’s wort became famous when it was reported as a breakthroughtreatment for depression. This was followed by reports stating that it did notwork,andthenmoresayingthatitdid.Withalltheconfusiontheseconflictingreportsgenerated,themanyotherbenefitsofthisplantwereoverlooked.Onthetopic of depression, discuss it with your doctor before using St. John’s wortbecauseitcaninteractwithmedications.St. John’swort is effective for dealingwith anxiety, nervous tension, stress,

andseasonalaffectivedisorder(SAD).Itisnotaninstantcureandusuallytakestwotothreeweeksforitseffecttobecomeapparent.Thisherbisrestorativeforthenervoussystem.Takeonehalftooneteaspoonoftincturetwiceadayforathree-weekperiod,stopforoneweek,andthenrepeatifnecessary.

LiftMeUpSt.John’sWortTincture6tablespoonsdriedSt.John’swort leaves, crumbled 3 tablespoons dried lemon balm leaves,crumbled3tablespoonsdriedspearmint leaves,crumbled1pint80to100proofalcoholPlacetheherbsinajar,pourinthealcoholtocovertheplantmaterial,close,andshakefor1to2minutes.Setasidefor2to4weeks,shakingthejarevery

otherday.Strainouttheherbsandstoreinadarkglassbottleinacool,darkplace.

The sameherbs used in theLiftMeUpSt. John’sWortTincture alsoworkwelltogetherasateatoeasePMSandmenopausaldiscomforts.Onitsown,St.John’swort teaimprovesthequalityofsleepandit isespeciallysoothingwithchamomile.

St.John’sWortReadyforBedTea1teaspoondriedSt.John’swortleaves,crumbled1teaspoondriedchamomileflowers,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandaddthewater.Steepfor10to15minutesandstrain.Addalittlehoneytotaste.Drinkthetea30minutesto1hourbeforebed.

Theantiviral andastringentpropertiesofSt. John’swortprovide relief fromcoldsores,herpes,chickenpox,andshingles.Drinkacupof teaonceadayortake half a teaspoon of tincture in a cup of water two to three times a day.Topically, an infusionofSt. John’swort reduces the inflammationof eczema,dermatitis, and psoriasis. Also, use the infused oil or tincture to dab on areasaffectedbyscabies.Ifyouareoutside,crushaflowerandrubitonaninsectbiteorstingtorelieve

theitchingandinflammation.Inaddition,aninfusedoilmadefromtheflowerssoothesburnsandbruises.Itrelievespainandpromotestissuerepair,andinthecaseofburnsitreducesscarring.

St.John’sWortSoothingRedOil¾cupfreshflowers, leaves,andbuds,coarselychopped

1pintoilPlacetheherbsinaclearglassjarandslowlypourintheoil.Gentlyswirlthecontentstomix.Placethejarwhereitwillstayatroomtemperaturefor2to3weeks.Theoilwillturnarich,deepredcolor.Strainandbottle.

Usetheinfusedoilalongwitholiveoilandbeeswaxtomakeasalve.Duringchildbirth, the salve is a soothing anti-inflammatory for the perineum. In

addition,itwillhelphealanytearsandnervedamage.Keepthesalveonhandinthemedicinecabinetasitmakesasoothingfirst-aid

dressing forcutsandscrapes.TheastringentandantibacterialpropertiesofSt.John’sworthelpsfightinfection.Theoilorasimpleinfusionsoothesandhealssunburn, too. In addition, a teamade from the flowers and leavesworks as agood astringent for oily hair and scalp, and it can be used as a facial toner toimprovethecomplexion.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsSt.John’swortessentialoilrangesfrompaleyellowtoslightlygreenincolor.Ithasasoft,herbal,balsamicscent.Liketheinfusedherb,theessentialoilcanbeusedtopicallytorelievethepain

anddiscomfortofcoldsores,eczema,dermatitis,andpsoriasis.Additionally,itcanbeusedtotreatinsectbites.Use1dropofessentialoilin1teaspoonofcarrieroil.Borageorapricotkernelasthecarrieroilwillalsohelptosootheandhealtheskin.To ease the joint and muscle pain of arthritis and rheumatism as well as

sciatica, mix 4 to 5 drops of essential oil in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil formassage. This is also effective for gently massaging sprains and strains. Inaddition,thearomatherapythatgoeswiththeuseofthisoilwillhelptoreducestress.

St.John’sWortSciaticaSoak10dropsSt.John’swortessentialoil

2cupsseaorEpsomsaltsPlacethesaltsinaglassbowl,addtheessentialoil,andmixwell.Storeinajarwithatightlid.

Awarmcompressusing2dropsofessentialoilin1quartofhotwaterworkswell,too,forjointandmusclepain.Toeasethediscomfortofvaricoseveinsandaid circulation, do a fomentation of alternating warm and cool compresses.Gentlymassaging the legswill help relieve the inflammation and swelling ofvaricoseveins.

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43.PhilipDurkin,TheOxfordGuidetoEtymology(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,2009),xxxviii.

Spearmint:SeeTheMints

Thyme(ThymusvulgarisL.)

Alsoknownas:CommonThyme,EnglishThyme,SweetThyme,WhiteThyme

Thyme is one of the classic herbs inMediterranean cuisine that dates back toancienttimes.Itwasusedtobothflavorfoodandpreventitfromspoiling.TheGreeks and Romans not only used this herb in cooking but also as a healingantiseptic.Thymewasan ingredient ina rangeof remediesand itwasused tofumigatehomestoavertinfectiousdiseases.SourcesdifferonwhetherornotitwastheRomanswhotookitovertheAlpsintotherestofEuropeandBritain.At

anyrate,itdidnottakelongforthisherbtobecomeauniversalstapleingardensandmedicinechests.French emperor Charlemagne had thyme planted in all his gardens, and the

German abbess Hildegard of Bingen extolled its use for skin problems. Inadditiontohealingremedies,thymewasusedasastrewingherbtofreshenanddisinfect rooms. During World War I it was used as an antiseptic on thebattlefield.

MedicinalUsesAcne, appetite stimulant, arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, bad breath, bloating,boils,chestcongestion,colds,cough,cutsandscrapes,digestivesystemsupport,earache, eczema, expectorant, flatulence, flu, gingivitis, hangover, hay fever,headache, immune system support, indigestion, infection, inflammation,menopausaldiscomforts,menstrualcramps,migraine,muscleacheorpain,nasalcongestion,premenstrualsyndrome(PMS),psoriasis,scabies,sciatica,sinusitis,skin care, sore throat, sties, stomachache or pain, tonsillitis Precautions andContraindicationsThe herb: Avoid therapeutic doses during pregnancy; avoidwithhighbloodpressure.Theessentialoils:Herbalprecautionsalsoapply;useinmoderation;maycauseskinirritationorsensitizationinsome.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbalremedies:LeavesandflowersEssentialoils:Leaves,flowers,andbudsCulinarypurposes:LeavesGrowingandHarvesting

Reaching six to twelve inches tall, thyme is a branching, shrubby herb withwoodybasestems.Thestalkless,lance-shapedleavesaregray-greenontopandlighterunderneath.Thesmallpinktolilacorbluish-purpleflowersgrowinlittleclustersattheendsofthestems.Theybloominmidsummer.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 5 Fullsunto

partialshade

Sandyloam Moderatelydry

6–12" 10–12"

Thyme doeswell in sandy to average soil andmakes a good edging plant. Itgrowsquitehappilyinacontainerbyitselforwithotherherbs.Propagateitbyroot division and stem cuttings or layering. Thyme is a good companion foreggplants,tomatoes,andpotatoes.Itrepelscabbagewormsandwhiteflies,anditattractsbees.Additionally,thymecanbeusedtomakeaninsectsprayforyourplants.Placeahandfuloffreshleavesinalargecontainerandpourin1quartofboilingwater.Letitinfuseforaday,strain,andsprayoninfestedplants.Small amountsof thymecanbeharvested throughout thegrowing seasonor

theentireplantcanbecutdowntotwoinchesbeforeitblooms.Don’tworry,itwillgrowbackandgiveyouasecondcrop.Thisherbfreezeswelloritcanbehungorscreendried.

HowtoUsetheHerbIhavetoadmitthatthisdelightfulherbismyfavoriteforculinaryandmedicinalpurposes.ThymeisoneoftheScarboroughFairherbs(parsley,sage,rosemary,and thyme) that gowell together in somany foods.Thyme is also one of theherbs in the bouquets garnis and herbes de Provence classic culinarycombinations.Alongwith oregano and basil, thyme completes a great trio forpastadishesaswellasanherbbutter. Ifyou love rootvegetables, thymeaddsflavor and aids in digesting the starches.Also, infuse thymewith rosemary inoliveoilforcooking.Inadditiontogreattaste,thisherbfightsinfectionandprovidessupportforthe

immunesystem.Classicallycombinedwith rosemary forculinarypurposes,aninfused oilmadewith these twoherbs for cooking during thewinter can helppreventcoldsandflu.Useequalamountsofrosemaryandthymeinoliveoil.Thyme aids sluggish digestion, fights gastric and intestinal infections, and

stimulates the appetite. It soothes indigestion and relieves stomach pain. Amedicinalhoneywiththymecanbeusedinafter-mealteastoaiddigestionandreduce gas or bloating. A simple tea made with thyme works nicely. Forvariation,use1teaspoonofthymeand1teaspoonofRomanchamomile,lemonbalm,orpeppermint.

ThymetoSettleTea1–2teaspoonsdriedthyme,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterPourthewaterovertheherb.Steepfor10minutesandstrain.

Atinctureof thymecanalsoeasedigestivecomplaints.Takeonehalf tooneteaspoonuptothreetimesaday.Theantispasmodicpropertiesofthymethataiddigestiveproblemsalsomakeitusefultoeasemenstrualcramps.Thefollowingtea helps to reduce the discomforts of PMS, too. Because thyme contains anumber of minerals including iron, it is beneficial at the end of a menstrualperiodaswellasduringmenopause.

Soothing Thyme Tea for Women 1 teaspoon dried lemon balmleaves, crumbled ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crumbled ½teaspoondriedmarjoramleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandpourthewateroverthem.Steepfor10to20minutesandstrain.

Thymeisusefulforarangeofrespiratoryproblemsincludingchestcolds,wetcoughs,hayfever, sinusitis, sore throat,and tonsillitis. Itswarminganddryingproperties aid in clearing congestion. For a respiratory tea, combine equalamountsof thymeandsage.Thymemedicinalhoneycansoothethethroatandhelpexpelmucus.Brewateawithjustthymetouseasamouthwashandgargle,which will fight throat infection as well as gingivitis and bad breath. Thymesoothes inflamed mucous membranes and brings relief from asthma attacks.Makeateawithequalamountsofmarjoramandlavendertodrinkortouseforawarm compress for the chest. Not only does this herb fight infection, it alsoprovidessupportfortheimmunesystem.Likemanyherbs,thymeeasesheadachesaswellasmigraines.Makeamildtea

with 1 teaspoon of thyme and 1 cup ofwater. The tea can also be used for acompressonthetemplesornecktorelieveatensionheadache.Makeastrongerinfusiontorelieveahangoverheadache.Thyme’santibacterialandantifungalpropertiesmakeitusefulintreatingboils

andsties.Brewastrongteaandcarefullydabitonwithacottonswab.Addthe

tea toafootsoak torelieveathlete’sfoot. Itcanalsobeused tomakeawarmcompress to decrease discomfort and fight infection of an earache. A thymetincturewill disinfect and help heal cuts.Also, try an infusion for the bath tohealirritatedorroughskin.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsThere are a number of thyme essential oils. The one discussed here is calledThymusvulgarisCTlinalool.Thisessentialoilrangesfromcleartopaleyellow.Ithasaherbaceousandslightlysweetscent.Itisimportanttoknowalittleaboutthymeessentialoils.Thefirstdistillation

of thymeproducesanoil called“red” thyme.This isbecause thecolorcanbereddish,reddish-brown,orreddish-orange.Distillingtheplantmaterialasecondtimeresultsinwhitethymeoil,whichisclearorpaleyellow.Also,thechemicalconstituentsofthymevarywidelyaccordingtowhereitisgrown,whichiswhyyouwillfindmanytypesofthymeoils.Theyaredesignatedwith“CT”meaningchemotype. Thyme has about six or seven chemotypes, each with differenttherapeutic properties. I suggest using Thymus vulgaris CT linalool, which isknowntobemoregentle.Designatedasoneofthe“white”thymeoils,itisoftenusedforpeoplewhoaresensitivetothestrongertypes.During flu season, use the essential oil in a diffuser to disinfect a sickroom.

Usedasaninhalant,thymecansoothetheinflammationandeasethediscomfortofsinusinfections.Placeafewdropsoftheessentialoilinacleanbottletouseas a nasal inhaler, or increase the potency by mixing it with hyssop andpeppermint. Without touching the bottle to your nose, take a couple of deepinhalations. Repeat in a half hour to an hour. The combination of these threeherbs,orjustthymeonitsown,workswellasasteaminhalation,too.

CleartheCongestionThymeInhaler2dropsthymeessentialoil2dropshyssopessentialoil

1droppeppermintessentialoilCombinetheoilsinasmallbottlewithatightlid.

Thymehelps to reduce the inflammation and irritation of acne, eczema, andpsoriasis.Mix itwithacarrieroil touseon theskinorcombine itwith lemonbalmtomakeasalve.

HealingThymeSalve½cupjojobaorbeeswax

1cupsweetalmondcarrieroil½cupboragecarrieroil1teaspoonlemonbalmessentialoil

1teaspoonthymeessentialoilPlace the jojobaor beeswax in amason jar in a saucepanofwater.Warmoverlowheatuntilitbeginstomelt;addthecarrieroil.Stirgentlyforabout15 minutes. Remove from heat, add the essential oils and stir. Test thethicknessbyplacingalittleonaplateandlettingitcoolinthefridgeforaminuteortwo.Ifyouwantitfirmer,addmorejojobaorbeeswax.Ifit’stoothick,addatinybitofoil.Letitcoolandthenstoreinacool,darkplace.

This herb’s anti-inflammatory properties alsoworkwell in amassage oil toreduce the muscle and joint pain of arthritis and the discomfort of sciatica.Additionally,tryitasabathsoakwithseaorEpsomsalts.Thymecanalsobeusedtorelievescabies.Applyitonitsowninacarrieroil

ormixequalamountsofthymeandlavenderanddabitontheaffectedareas.

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Valerian(ValerianaofficinalisL.)

Alsoknownas:CatValerian,CommonorGardenValerian,GardenHeliotrope,Vandalroot

Despitetheplant’sodor,whichpromptedGreekherbalistDioscoridestonameitPhu,valerianwasavaluedmedicinalintheancientworld.Ithasbeenusedforcenturies inTraditionalChinesemedicineforanumberofailments.Valerian’scommonname is thought to have come from theLatinvaleremeaning “to bewell.”During theMiddleAges itwas known asAll-heal andBlessedHerb.44

ThenameVandalrootcomesfromtheSwedishvändelrot,areferencetoitsusebyTeutonic tribes known as theVandals.45Although the names seem similar,valiumdoesnotcomefromvalerian.EarlyEuropean settlersbroughtvalerian toNorthAmerica.Catsand rodents

areattractedtothisherb,anditisbelievedthatthePiedPiperofHamelinusedvaleriantoluretheratsawayfromthecity.Catsactuallylovevalerianasmuchascatnip.

MedicinalUsesAbdominal pain, anxiety, arthritis, blood pressure, cardiovascular systemsupport, headache, hiccups, hives, indigestion, inflammation, insomnia,menstrualcramps,migraine,muscleacheorpain,musclestrain,nervoussystemsupport,nervoustension,restlessness,rheumatism,rheumatoidarthritis,sciatica,sleep aid, stomachache or pain, stress, temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ)PrecautionsandContraindicationsTheherb:Avoidwhilepregnantornursing;avoid if you have liver problems; use in moderation; large doses can causedizziness, headache, stupor, and vomiting; avoid using for prolonged periods(usefor twoto threeweeksata timethentakeabreakofat leastaweek);forsomeitmaystimulateratherthanrelax.The essential oils: Herbal precautions also apply; may cause sensitization insome.

PartofPlantUsedHerbalremedies:RootsEssentialoils:RootsCulinarypurposes:NoneGrowingandHarvesting

Reachingthreetofivefeettall,valerianisoftenregardedasanornamentalplant.Itserect stemsare round,hollow,andslightlygrooved.Thepinnate leavesaredarkgreenandtoothed.Thesmall,five-petaledflowersarewhitewithatingeofpink, however, they can bemore pink or even lavender. The flowers grow indenseclustersandbloomfromlatespringthroughearlytomidsummer.Thepalebrown, clustered root is an upright rhizome with fibrous roots extendingoutward.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 4 Partial

shadetofullsun

Loam Moist 3–5' 36"

Valerian is easy to grow and doeswell in a variety of soils, however, a goodloamisbest.Itpreferspartialshadebuttoleratesfullsun.Ifyoudonotwantalotofitinyourgarden,removetheflowersbeforetheygotoseedasitreadilyself-sows.Propagatethisherbbyrootdivisionorbylettingitself-seed.Ifyouletit reseed, keep an eye on it as it can take over the garden. Valerian attractsbutterfliesandbees,anditisconsideredagoodcompaniontomostvegetables.The roots can be harvested in the autumn of the first year or the following

spring before new shoots come up. They can be dried in an oven set at 120°Fahrenheituntiltheyarebrittle.

HowtoUsetheHerbMostwidelyknownasasleepaidandboonfordealingwithinsomnia,valerianhas been called “nature’s tranquilizer.” 46 In fact,many over-the-counter sleepaidscontainvalerian.Additionally,peoplewhoaretryingtoreduceandtaperofftheiruseofcommercial sleepingpillshave foundvalerianhelpful.Checkwithyourdoctorbeforeusingthisherbifyoutakesleepingpillsasitcanincreasethesedativeeffectofthem.Althoughtheodorhasbeensaidtoresemblethesmellofdirtysocks,valerian

is an excellent sleep aid, and those who brave its bitter taste swear by it. Adecoction is the form of preparation generally made with roots, however, amaceration(soakingincoldwaterinsteadofboiling)worksbetterwithvalerian.Tomake themaceration, chop1ounceof fresh root into small pieces, pour 1pintofcoldwaterovertheroot,andletitsoakfor8to10hours.Strainit,anddrinkacupanhourortwobeforebed.Italsohelpstorelieverestlessness.Othereffectivemethodsfortakingvalerianisinpowderedformbycapsuleor

asatincture.Astandarddoseforvalerianbycapsuleis500to900mg,however,try a smaller dose of half these amounts, first. If you are using a tincture, thestandarddose is1 to2 teaspoonsand like thecapsule, takea smallerdose thefirst timeyou try it.Whetheryouareusingacapsuleor tincture, take itabouttwohoursbeforebed.Valeriancombineswellwithchamomile,lavender,orSt.John’swortasasleepaid.

ValerianBedtimeTincture1cupdriedvalerianroot,chopped¼cupdriedlavenderflowers,crumbled1pint80to100proofalcohol

Chopthevalerianrootintosmallpieces.Placetheherbsinajar,pourinthealcoholtocovertheplantmaterial,close,andshakefor1to2minutes.Setasidefor2to4weeks,shakingthejareveryotherday.Strainouttheherbsandstoreindarkglassbottlesinacool,darkplace.

Valerian aids heart health by lowering blood pressure and increasing bloodflow to the heart. Check with your doctor before using it for this purpose,especiallyifyouaretakinganymedicationforyourheartorbloodpressure.The antispasmodic properties of valerian relieve menstrual and stomach

cramps, abdominal pain, and nervous indigestion. It eases anxiety-producedhives,andingeneral,fortifiesthenervoussystem.Inaddition,valeriancaneasehiccups.

Valerian Ease the Tension Tea 1 teaspoon fresh valerian root,chopped2cupsboilingwater1½teaspoonsfreshlemonbalmleaves,choppedSimmerthevalerianrootfor20minutes.Placethelemonbalmleavesinajarandthenpourinthewater

andvalerianroot.Steepfor20minutes,strain,anddrinkwhenitiscool.

Drink two cups of tea a day or make a tincture and take one half to oneteaspoonofit twiceadayforaweek.Tohelprelievenervoustension,makeacupof the teaandadd½ teaspoonofpeppermint.The teaoramacerationarealsohelpfulinprovidingrelieffromheadaches,especiallymigraine.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsThe color of valerian essential oil ranges fromolive to brown. It has awarm,woody, andbalsamic scent.This oil can be used to ease strainedmuscles andrelaxmusclespasms.Italsorelievesthejointpainandinflammationofarthritis,rheumatism,andrheumatoidarthritis.See theprofileonYarrowforablend toease pain. Alternatively, try the Bedtime/Relax Time Massage Oil to reduceswellingandinflammationassociatedwiththeseconditionsaswellasforstressreliefandgeneralrelaxation.

Bedtime/Relax Time Valerian Massage Oil 5 drops lavenderessentialoil1droplemonbalmessentialoil1dropvalerianessentialoil1tablespooncarrieroil

Mixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

Amassagewithvalerianessentialoilreleasesthetightnessanddiscomfortinfacialmusclesthatcanoccurwithtemporomandibularjointpain(TMJ).Becauseitispotent,useonly1dropofvalerianessentialoilin1ounceofcarrieroilforuseontheface.Valerianisinstrumentalforrelievingthediscomfortofsciaticaeitherasabath

soakorasawarmcompress.Mix5dropsofvalerianessentialoilwith2cupsofcoarseseaorEpsomsalts.Foracompress,mix2dropsofessentialoilin1quartofhotwater.Givethemixtureagoodswish,dipinawashcloth,andthenplaceitonthesorearea.

ValerianCalmingBedtimeBathBlend4dropschamomileessentialoil

3dropsclaryessentialoil2dropsvalerianessentialoil2dropslavenderessentialoil1ouncecarrieroil

Mixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

Whetheryouneedheadacherelieforjustwanttorelax,theValerianHeadacheDiffuserBlendissuretoreducestressandpromoteagoodnight’ssleep.

ValerianHeadacheDiffuserBlend10dropslavenderessentialoil8dropschamomileessentialoil1dropvalerianessentialoil

Combinetheoilsandlettheblendmatureforabout1week.

[contents]

44.Chevallier,TheEncyclopediaofMedicinalPlants,146.45.ArthurO.TuckerandThomasDebaggio,TheEncyclopediaofHerbs:AComprehensiveReferencetoHerbsofFlavorandFragrance(Portland,OR:TimberPress,2009),498.

46.SusanCurtisandLouiseGreen,HomeHerbal:TheUltimateGuidetoCooking,Brewing,andBlendingYourOwnHerbs(NewYork:DorlingKindersley,2011),126.

Yarrow(AchilleamillefoliumL.)

Alsoknownas:BloodWort,CommonYarrow,Milfoil,Nosebleed,ThousandLeaf

TotheGreeks,yarrowwasanimportantmedicinalherbthatwasnamedinhonorof the hero Achilles whowas said to have used it to heal the wounds of hisfellowsoldiersatTroy.AlthoughtheRomansalsousedittostanchbleedingonthe battlefield and called itHerbaMilitaris, they used yarrowmore often forcommon things such as nosebleeds.47 Whether or not it was used during thelegendarybattleofTroy,yarrowwasastapleinbattlefieldmedicalkitsfromthetimeoftheCrusadesupthroughtheCivilWar.Yarrowhasalsobeenknownforitsvarietyofothermedicinaluses.Boththe

ancientGreeksandRenaissanceBritonssungitspraisesforhealinganditcametobeknownasCure-All.48 Itwasextolled for the treatmentof rheumatism. InAmerica,theShakersusedyarrowinarangeofremediesthattheysoldthroughtheir herb business. This plant has been a powerhouse for creating a range ofdyesincludinggolds,grays,greens,yellows,andblack.

MedicinalUsesAcne, amenorrhea, boils, bruises, colds, cuts and scrapes, digestive systemsupport, eczema, fever, flu, hair care, hemorrhoids, indigestion, infection,inflammation,insectrepellent,menorrhagia,menstrualcramps,menstrualcycleproblems, nosebleed, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, scars, skin care, sorethroat, sprains, stomachache or pain, varicose veins Precautions andContraindicationsTheherb:Avoidduringpregnancyandwhilebreastfeeding;maycauseallergicreaction in those sensitive to ragweed and related plants; large doses mayinduceheadache;useinmoderation;donotusewhentakingmedicationsthatslowbloodclotting.Theessentialoils:Herbalprecautionsalsoapply.

PartsofPlantUsedHerbal remedies: Leaves and flowers Essential oils: Entire plant Culinarypurposes:LeavesGrowingandHarvesting

Yarrow is a slender, upright plant that grows one to three feet tall with abranching,smooth,greenstem.Itspinnateleavesarefernyandcoveredwithsoft

hairs.Itssmallwhitetopinkishflowersgrowinwideumbelclustersandbloomfrommidsummertoautumn.Theplanthasapleasant,sweetsmell.

Type Zone Light Soil Moisture Height SpacingPerennial 2 Fullsunto

partialshade

Any Moist 1–3' 18"

Yarrowprefersfullsunbutwillgrowinpartialshade.Easilygrownfromseed,yarrowishappy inalmostanysoilanddoeswell incontainers. It readilyself-seedsbutcanalsobepropagatedbyrootdivision.Yarrowincreasesessentialoilproduction in other plants growing nearby, making it especially good foraromaticherbs. Itattractsa rangeofgoodbugs including ladybugs,hoverflies,andpredatorywasps.Yarrow’sbloomingperiodcanbeextendedby removingflowersbeforetheysetseed.Stemswithleavesandflowerscanbehungtodry.Yarrowisgoodforthecompostpilebecauseithelpstospeeddecomposition.

HowtoUsetheHerbAshistoryattests,yarrowhealswounds.Inadditiontocoagulatingtheblood,ithas anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that keepwounds fromgettinginfected.However,alwaysbesuretocleanthecutfirst.Ayarrowtinctureworksjustaswellas iodineand ithelps to relieveanyassociatedpain.Apoulticeoffresh leaves will stanch the bleeding of a wound or a nosebleed. Also, driedflowersandleavescanbegroundtogethertomakeafirst-aidpowderthatcanbesprinkled on an open wound. A little powder inside the nostril can slow anosebleed.Combiningyarrowwithpeppermint in tea isaneffective treatment torelieve

cold and flu symptoms.This tea also helps soothe a sore throat.Additionally,yarrowstimulatesbloodflowtothesurfaceoftheskinpromotingsweatingandreducingfever.Forafever,drinkhalfacupeverythirtyminutes tobringonasweat.

FeverReducingYarrowTea1 teaspoon dried yarrow flowers and leaves, crumbled 1 teaspoon driedpeppermintleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandpourthewateroverthem.Steepfor10to20minutesandstrain.Eventhoughpeppermintreducesthebitternessofyarrow,alittlehoneyalsohelps.

Oddasitmayseem,whileyarrowcanreduceheavymenstrualbleedingitcanalso stimulate a late period and help with amenorrhea. In addition, itsantispasmodicpropertiesrelievemenstrualcramps.

YarrowMenstrualAidTea1½ teaspoons dried yarrow flowers and leaves, crumbled ½ teaspoon driedlemonbalmleaves,crumbled

1cupboilingwaterCombinetheherbsandpourthewateroverthem.Steep10to15minutesandstrain.Addhoney to taste.Whenmaking this tea foramenorrhea,usesageinsteadoflemonbalm.

Yarrow’s antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are also helpful fortreatingbruises and sprains.Apply a poultice of leaves to a sprain to stop theswelling.Alternatively,aclothmoistenedwithayarrowtincturecanbeapplied.Ayarrowpoultice isalsogoodfordrawingpusoutofboilsor infectedcuts.

Anothermethodforthisistouseayarrowinfusionasasoakiftheboilorcutisonapartofthebody(hand,arm,foot)thatiseasilyimmersedinapanofwater.The infusion should be aswarm as possible but not so hot that it burns or isuncomfortable.The astringent qualities of this plant make it an effective salve for treating

hemorrhoids.Applyitseveraltimesaday.Insteadofasalve,aninfusioncanbeusedinasitzbath.Thesalvecantreatbruises,too.Ayarrowlinimenthelpstoeasevaricoseveins.Compressesmadewithayarrowinfusionusedonthelegsespeciallyduringpregnancyreducesswellinganddiscomfort.Althoughyarrowdoesnothaveawideculinaryuse,pickafewyoungleaves

to add to a green salad. The bitters in yarrow leaves make it a tonic for thedigestivesystem.Itfightsinflammationandinfectionsofthestomachliningand

the intestines. Yarrow’s antispasmodic properties relieve stomachaches. Toavoid the bitter taste of yarrow, brew the tea with other herbs, such aspeppermintasintheFeverReducingYarrowTeaortrythefollowinginfusion.

SoothetheBellyYarrowInfusion3tablespoonsdriedyarrowflowers,crumbled2tablespoonsdriedchamomileflowers,crumbled1tablespoondriedangelicaroot,chopped

1quartwaterPlacetheangelicarootinthewaterandsimmerfor15to20minutes.Placetheyarrowandchamomileinalargejarorpitcherandcarefullypourinthewaterandangelicaroot.Letitsteepfor30to60minutes,andthenstrain.

Asanalternativetothetea,makeayarrowtincture.Forindigestiontakeonequartertoahalfteaspoonofitthreetimesaday.Forhelpwithdigestivesysteminfections,makeaninfusionwithequalpartsyarrowandpeppermint.Drinktwocupsaday.Yarrowalsohelpsremovetoxinsfromthebodyandpurifytheblood.Theastringentpropertiesof thisherbmake itgoodforskincare.Yarrowtea

canbeusedasafacialrinsethatsoothestheinflammationofacne.Combineitwithchamomileforafacialsteamthatiseffectiveforuncloggingandcleaningthe pores. A yarrow infusion makes a good cleanser for oily skin and aconditioner foroilyhair.Whilegardeningordoinganythingoutside,an insectrepellentisalwayshelpful.Beforegoingoutside,sprayYarrowInsectRepellentInfusiononexposedskinandrubitin.

YarrowInsectRepellentInfusion¼cupyarrowdriedflowers,crumbled¼cuplavenderdriedleaves,crumbled

2cupsboilingwaterCombine theherbsandpour inwater.Steepfor30 to60minutesand thenstrainintoaspraybottle.

HowtoUsetheEssentialOilsYarrowessential oil has a sweet, herbaceous scent. Its color ranges fromdarkbluetogreenish.

Like a yarrow infusion, the essential oilworkswell for skin care, especiallyacneandeczema.Apricotkernelandjojobacarrieroilsaregoodchoicesforthisapplication.Thismixcanalsohelpreducescars.YarrowblendswellwithRomanchamomileandvaleriantocreateamassage

oilforrheumatism,rheumatoidarthritis,andvaricoseveins,whichwillalsohelpcirculationingeneral.

EasethePainYarrowMassageOil3dropsyarrowessentialoil2dropsRomanchamomileessentialoil2dropsvalerianessentialoil

1tablespooncarrieroilMixtheessentialoilstogetherandthencombinewiththecarrieroil.

[contents]

47.JohnAndrewEastman,TheBookofFieldandRoadside:Open-countryWeeds,Trees,andWildflowersofEasternNorthAmerica(Mechanicsburg,PA:StackpoleBooks,2003),320.

48.Gladstar,MedicinalHerbs,214.

CONCLUSION

Whilestillconsideredanalternativemedicine,wehaveseenthatforthousandsof years herbal remedieswere the onlymedicine available. The use of herbalremedies has weathered an up-and-down relationship with the medicalestablishmentaswellasthedevastationofwitchhunts.Herbsandessentialoilsmayhavetakenabackseattochemicalsinthemanufactureofmanydrugsbutthat,too,ischangingasmorepeopleseekanaturalapproachtohealing.Thatnaturalapproachextendstoourgardens.Chemicalsusedonourplantsor

in the soil ultimately endup insideof us.Composting andgoingorganicmayrequire a little more work, and it does not produce uniform, picture-perfectplants.However, by going organicwe are guaranteeing thatwewill have thebestpossibleherbstoputinourfoodandourremedieswithoutcausingharmtotheenvironment.Also,whilegardenstakework,itisworkthatputsusoutdoorsinthefreshairanditprovidesgoodexercise.Whether it is an outdoor garden or containers on a porch or windowsill,

tendingtoplantsmakesusmoreawareofnature’scycles,whichishealingandbringsbalancetoourlives.Gardeningprovidestheperfectopportunitytoslowdownandbe in themoment.Watching theherbswenurturegrowandmature,and harvesting what we have grown fosters a meaningful satisfaction. Whilegardening connects us with the natural world, it also puts us in touch withourselvesonafundamentalsoullevel.Gardeningteachesuspatience.Ittakestimetogrowthings.Also,wemaynot

havesuccesswitheveryplantwewanttogrow.Rosemaryisonethatstilleludesme, but someday I will have a healthy plant that I can shepherd through thewinter.Justascookingaspecialmealforthoseweloveissatisfyingandrewarding,so

tooisworkingwithherbsandmakingremediesforourselvesandourfamilies.Gardeningandworkingwithherbstakesusoutsideofourselves.Itharkensbacktothewisefolkwhocaredfortheirvillageneighbors,anditcreatesaconnection

throughtimethatbindsustotheearthandtoeachother.Ifinditamazingthatsomethingassimpleasanherbcanbesopowerfulinsomanyways.

[contents]

APPENDIXAAbdominalPainbasil

valerian

Acne

borage

caraway

chamomile

clary

lavender

lemonbalm

lemongrass

peppermint

rosemary

sage

spearmint

thyme

yarrow

Amenorrhea

angelica

clary

dill

fennel

parsley

sage

yarrow

Anemia

parsley

Anorexia

angelica

coriander

Anxiety

angelica

basil

coriander

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalm

marjoram

spearmintSt.John’swortvalerian

AppetiteStimulantangelica

anise

bay

caraway

coriander

fennel

marjoram

parsley

spearmint

thyme

Arthritis

angelica

bay

cayenne

chamomile

coriander

lemongrass

marjoram

parsley

rosemary

sageSt.John’swortthyme

valerian

Asthma

anise

basil

bay

clary

hyssop

lemonbalm

marjoram

peppermint

rosemary

sage

thyme

Athlete’sFootbay

garlic

lavender

lemongrass

rosemary

thyme

BadBreath

anise

basil

caraway

coriander

dill

parsley

peppermint

rosemary

sage

spearmint

thyme

Belching

caraway

chamomile

fennel

peppermint

spearmint

BladderInfection/Inflammationborage

parsley

Bloating

anise

bay

caraway

cayenne

chamomile

coriander

fennel

hyssop

lavender

thyme

BloodPressuregarlic

lemonbalm

valerian

BloodSugar

garlic

Boils

borage

caraway

clary

lavender

sage

thyme

yarrow

BreastProblemschamomile

dill

BreastfeedingProblemsanise

caraway

dill

fennel

BreastfeedingWeaningparsley

sage

Bronchitis

angelica

anise

basil

bay

borage

caraway

dill

garlic

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalm

marjoram

peppermint

rosemary

Bruises

bay

caraway

fennel

hyssop

lavender

marjoram

parsleySt.John’swortyarrow

Burns

chamomile

lavender

peppermint

rosemary

spearmintSt.John’swortCardiovascularSystemSupportangelica

cayenne

coriander

garlic

rosemary

valerian

CarpalTunnelbay

cayenne

marjoram

sage

Catarrh

borage

caraway

hyssop

marjoram

Cellulite

fennel

ChestCongestionangelica

anise

borage

cayenne

dill

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalm

marjoram

peppermint

rosemary

spearmint

thyme

ChickenPoxSt.John’swortChilblains

cayenne

marjoram

peppermint

ChildbirthSt.John’swortChills

cayenne

Cholesterol

cayenne

garlic

ChronicFatiguebasil

borage

lavender

marjoram

ColdSores

hyssop

lavenderSt.John’swortColds

angelica

anise

basil

bay

borage

cayenne

dill

garlic

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalm

marjoram

peppermint

rosemary

sage

spearmint

thyme

yarrow

Colic

chamomile

dill

Colitis

chamomile

Constipationfennel

marjoram

Cough

angelica

anise

basil

borage

caraway

clary

dill

fennel

garlic

hyssop

lemonbalm

marjoram

peppermint

sage

spearmint

thyme

Crohn’sDiseasechamomile

CutsandScrapescayenne

chamomile

hyssop

lavender

rosemary

sageSt.John’swortthyme

yarrow

Dandruff

bay

chamomile

clary

parsley

rosemary

sage

Dermatitis

borage

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalm

peppermintSt.John’swortDiarrhea

peppermint

sage

DigestiveSystemSupportbasil

bay

caraway

cayenne

chamomile

coriander

dill

garlic

hyssop

lemonbalm

lemongrass

marjoram

parsley

peppermint

sage

spearmint

thyme

yarrow

EarInfectiongarlic

Earache

basil

chamomile

thyme

Eczema

borage

chamomile

clary

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalm

rosemary

sageSt.John’swortthyme

yarrow

Edema

fennel

Expectorantsangelica

anise

borage

fennel

hyssop

peppermint

thyme

EyeProblemschamomile

fennel

parsley

Fainting

basil

rosemary

Fever

borage

chamomile

coriander

hyssop

lemonbalm

lemongrass

yarrow

Fibromyalgiacayenne

Flatulence

angelica

anise

basil

bay

caraway

cayenne

clary

coriander

dill

fennel

hyssop

lavender

lemongrass

marjoram

parsley

peppermint

rosemary

sage

spearmint

thyme

Flu

basil

bay

cayenne

garlic

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalm

marjoram

peppermint

rosemary

sage

thyme

yarrow

Gallstones

peppermint

spearmint

Gastritis

angelica

chamomile

coriander

Gastroenteritislemongrass

Gingivitis

basil

peppermint

sage

spearmint

thyme

Gout

coriander

fennel

parsley

peppermint

HairCare

basil

bay

chamomile

clary

parsley

rosemarySt.John’swortyarrow

Hangover

cayenne

thyme

HayFever

basil

chamomile

marjoram

parsley

thyme

HeadLice

anise

lavender

lemongrass

Headache

angelica

basil

cayenne

chamomile

clary

coriander

dill

lavender

lemonbalm

lemongrass

marjoram

peppermint

rosemary

sage

thyme

valerian

Heartburn

angelica

chamomile

coriander

dill

fennel

marjoram

peppermint

spearmint

Hemorrhoids

lavender

yarrow

Herpes

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalmSt.John’swortHiccups

dill

valerian

Hives

valerian

Hyperactivityspearmint

ImmuneSystemSupportcayenne

garlic

lemonbalm

rosemary

thyme

Indigestion

angelica

anise

basil

bay

caraway

chamomile

clary

coriander

dill

fennel

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalm

lemongrass

marjoram

parsley

peppermint

rosemary

sage

spearmint

thyme

valerian

yarrow

Infection

basil

coriander

garlic

hyssop

lemonbalm

peppermint

rosemarySt.John’swortthyme

yarrow

Inflammationchamomile

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalm

parsley

peppermint

rosemary

sageSt.John’swortthyme

valerian

yarrow

InsectBitesandStingsbasil

bay

chamomile

garlic

lavender

lemonbalm

lemongrass

parsley

peppermint

sageSt.John’swortInsectRepellentbasil

bay

hyssop

lemongrass

peppermint

yarrow

Insomnia

basil

chamomile

lavender

lemonbalm

marjoram

valerian

IrritableBowelSyndrome(IBS)angelica

caraway

peppermint

JockItch

bay

garlic

lavender

lemongrass

JointStiffnessbay

cayenne

coriander

lavender

marjoram

KidneyStonesfennel

parsley

Laryngitis

caraway

clary

lavender

lemongrass

sage

LymphCirculationcoriander

fennel

rosemary

Mastitis

chamomile

parsley

MenopausalDiscomfortsanise

borage

clary

fennel

sageSt.John’swortthyme

Menorrhagia

yarrow

MenstrualCrampsangelica

anise

caraway

clary

dill

lavender

lemonbalm

marjoram

parsley

sage

thyme

valerian

yarrow

MenstrualCycleProblemsangelica

anise

fennel

marjoram

parsley

yarrow

MentalFatiguelemongrass

rosemary

Migraine

cayenne

clary

lavender

lemonbalm

marjoram

rosemary

thyme

valerian

MotionSicknessbasil

marjoram

peppermint

spearmint

MouthUlcersbasil

rosemary

sage

MuscleAcheorPainbasil

bay

cayenne

chamomile

clary

coriander

lavender

lemongrass

marjoram

peppermint

rosemary

sage

spearmint

thyme

valerian

MuscleStrainlavender

marjoram

peppermint

rosemarySt.John’swortvalerian

NailFungus

lavender

NasalCongestionanise

basil

bay

cayenne

fennel

hyssop

marjoram

peppermint

rosemary

spearmint

thyme

Nausea

basil

caraway

chamomile

coriander

fennel

marjoram

peppermint

spearmint

NervePain

cayenne

coriander

lavender

lemongrass

peppermint

spearmint

NervousExhaustionlemongrass

rosemary

NervousSystemSupportbasil

coriander

hyssop

lemonbalm

marjoram

peppermint

rosemary

spearmintSt.John’swortvalerian

NervousTensionangelica

chamomile

clary

dill

hyssop

lavenderSt.John’swortvalerian

Nosebleed

yarrow

PostnatalDepressionanise

caraway

dill

fennel

PremenstrualSyndrome(PMS)borage

clary

fennel

lemonbalm

marjoram

parsleySt.John’swortthyme

Psoriasis

angelica

borage

clary

lavender

lemonbalm

rosemary

sageSt.John’swortthyme

Pyorrhea

fennel

Rashes

bay

borage

chamomile

peppermint

Raynaud’sDiseaseborage

Restlessnesslemonbalm

valerian

Rheumatism

angelica

bay

chamomile

coriander

lavender

lemongrass

marjoram

parsley

rosemary

sageSt.John’swortvalerian

yarrow

RheumatoidArthritisborage

cayenne

chamomile

valerian

yarrow

Ringworm

garlic

lavender

lemongrass

Scabies

anise

bay

caraway

lavender

lemongrass

peppermint

spearmintSt.John’swortthyme

Scars

lavenderSt.John’swortyarrow

Sciatica

bay

lavender

marjoram

parsleySt.John’swortthyme

valerian

SeasonalAffectiveDisorder(SAD)lemonbalmSt.John’swortShingles

cayenne

lemonbalmSt.John’swortSinusitis

basil

garlic

lavender

marjoram

rosemary

thyme

SkinCare

angelica

bay

borage

caraway

chamomile

clary

coriander

fennel

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalm

lemongrass

peppermint

sage

spearmintSt.John’swortthyme

yarrow

SleepAid

anise

chamomile

dill

lavender

lemonbalm

peppermint

spearmintSt.John’swortvalerian

SoreThroat

bay

cayenne

chamomile

clary

fennel

garlic

hyssop

lavender

lemongrass

marjoram

peppermint

rosemary

sage

spearmint

thyme

yarrow

Sprains

bay

chamomile

lavender

lemongrass

marjoram

peppermint

rosemarySt.John’swortyarrow

StaphInfectiongarlic

Sties

garlic

thyme

StomachUlcerangelica

coriander

peppermint

StomachacheorPainangelica

anise

basil

caraway

chamomile

clary

coriander

fennel

lemonbalm

lemongrass

peppermint

rosemary

sage

thyme

valerian

yarrow

StrepThroatgarlic

lavender

Stress

angelica

anise

basil

borage

chamomile

clary

coriander

hyssop

lavender

lemonbalm

lemongrass

rosemarySt.John’swortvalerian

StretchMarksborage

Sunburn

chamomile

lavender

peppermintSt.John’swortTeethingPainchamomile

TemporomandibularJointPain(TMJ)borage

coriander

marjoram

rosemary

valerian

Tonsillitis

clary

garlic

hyssop

lavender

peppermint

sage

thyme

ToothDecay

bay

peppermint

spearmint

Toothache

chamomile

UpsetStomachanise

caraway

chamomile

coriander

marjoram

peppermint

spearmint

Vaginitis/VaginalYeastInfectionbay

garlic

lavender

lemongrass

sage

VaricoseVeinsrosemarySt.John’swortyarrow

Warts

basil

garlic

WaterRetentionangelica

fennel

[contents]

APPENDIXB

MeasurementEquivalentsThefollowingtableswillhelpyoufindtheeasiestwaytomeasureingredients.PleasenoteintheMeasurementEquivalentstablethat16ounces

equalsapoundinweightandapintinvolume.

MeasurementEquivalents1tablespoon=3teaspoons1⁄16cup=1tablespoon1⁄8cup=2tablespoons

1⁄6cup=2tablespoons+2teaspoons1⁄4cup=4tablespoons

1⁄3cup=5tablespoons+1teaspoon3⁄8cup=6tablespoons1⁄2cup=8tablespoons

2⁄3cup=10tablespoons+2teaspoons3⁄4cup=12tablespoons

1cup=16tablespoonsor48teaspoons1ounce=2tablespoons4ounces=1⁄2cup8ounces=1cup

1pint=2cupsor16ounces1quart=2pintsor4cupsor32ounces

1gallon=4quarts1pound=16ounces1⁄2pound=8ounces1⁄4pound=4ounces

EssentialOilMeasurementConversionChart

EssentialOilMeasurementConversionChart20–24drops =1ml =1⁄4teaspoon 40–48drops =2ml =1⁄2teaspoon

100drops

=5ml =1teaspoon =1⁄6oz

200drops

=10ml =2teaspoons =1⁄3oz

300drops

=15ml =1tablespoon =1⁄2oz

600drops

=30ml =2tablespoons =1ounce

CarriertoEssentialOilDilutionRatios

CarrierOil 5ml 10ml 15ml 30ml RatioEssentialOil 1–2drops 2–3drops 3–5drops 6–10drops 1%EssentialOil 2–3drops 4–7drops 6–10drops 12–20drops 2%EssentialOil 3–5drops 6–10drops 9–16drops 18–32drops 3%EssentialOil 4–7drops 8–14drops 12–20drops 24–40drops 4%

[contents]

GLOSSARY

Acute:Aconditionordiseasewitharapidonsetthatlastsashortperiodoftime.Amenorrhea:Theabsenceofmenstruation,oroneormoremissedmenstrualperiods.Annual:Aplantthatcompletesitslifecycleinoneyearorgrowingseason.Anorexia(anorexianervosa):Aneatingdisorderinwhichapersoniswithoutanappetiteforfoodandlosesmoreweightthanisconsideredhealthy.Antiseptic:Asubstancethatdestroysinfection-causingbacteria.Antiviral:Asubstancethatinhibitsthegrowthofavirus.Aromatherapy:Thetherapeuticuseofessentialoilsthroughscent.Aromatics:Plantsthatproducehighamountsofessentialoilandhavestrongfragrances.Arthritis:Theinflammationofoneormorejointsaccompaniedbypainandstiffness.Asthma:Achroniclungdiseasethatinflamesandnarrowstherespiratoryairways.Astringent:Asubstancethatdriesandcontractsorganictissue.Ayurvedicmedicine:AsystemofhealingandhealthmaintenancethatoriginatedinIndiamorethanthreethousandyearsago.Balm:Apreparationwithaveryfirmconsistencythatformsaprotectivelayerontheskin.Biennial:Aplantthatcompletesitslifecycleintwoorsometimesthreeyearsorgrowingseasons.Bouquetsgarnis:Aclassicculinarycombinationofbay,parsley,andthyme.Bulb:Thefleshy,undergroundpartofaplantthatstoresnutrients.Carrieroil:Afattyplantextractionusedforcookingandtodiluteessentialoils.Itisalsocalledabaseorafixedoil.

Catarrh:Theinflammationofmucousmembranesalongwithanexcessivebuildupofmucusinthenoseorthroat.Chilblains:Thepainfulinflammationofsmallbloodvesselsintheskinwhenexposedtocoldandhighhumidity.Chinesemedicine:AlsocalledTraditionalChinesemedicine(TCM),itisasystemofhealingandhealththatoriginatedinChinaseveralthousandyearsago.Manyoftheremediesarebasedonherbs.Chronic:Apersistentconditionordiseasethatislong-term.Coldpressed:Amechanicalmethodforobtainingoilfromplantmaterialbypressingit.Thisisalsocalledexpressionandexpellerpressed.Colitis:Theinflammationofthecolon.Companionplanting:Thepracticeofcombiningmutuallybeneficialplantswithinagarden.Cream:Ahealingandsoothingpreparationthatismostlyabsorbedintotheskin.Crohn’sdisease:Achronicinflammatorydiseaseoftheintestines.Crown:Theupper,abovegroundpartofarootsystemofaperennialplant.Cultivar:Avarietyofplantthatisdevelopedandcultivatedbyhumansinsteadofbynaturalselectioninthewild.Cutting:Apieceofstem,root,orleafusedtopropagateaplant.Decoction:Anextractionofmedicinalsubstancesmadebyboilingdownthetougherormorefibrouspartsofplantssuchasroots,bark,andseeds.Dermatitis:Ageneraltermthatdescribestheinflammationoftheskinwhenitbecomesred,swollen,andsore.Diuretic:Asubstancethatincreasesthequantityandflowofurine.Distillation:Amethodforextractingessentialoilfromplantmaterialthatusessteamorhotwatertoseparatethewater-solubleandnon-water-solublepartsofplants.Eczema:Aninflammatoryconditionthatcausesareasoftheskintobecomered,rough,anditchy.Edema:Apainlessswellingcausedbyfluidretentionundertheskin.Essentialoil:Theconcentrated,non-water-solubleextractionfromplantsobtainedbydistillationorcoldpressing.Itisalsocalledavolatileoilbecauseit

evaporatesquickly.Expectorant:Asubstancethatloosensphlegmandhelpstocleartherespiratoryairways.Fibromyalgia:Adisorderwithwidespreadmusculoskeletalpain,fatigue,sleep,memory,andmoodissues.Finesherbes:Aclassicculinarycombinationofchervil,chives,parsley,andtarragon.Floweressence:Aninfusionofflowersinwater,whichisthenmixedwithbrandy.Itshouldnotbeconfusedwithatinctureoressentialoil.Fungalinfection:Acommoninfectionoftheskincausedbyafungusthatincludesathlete’sfoot,jockitch,ringworm,andyeastinfections.Gastritis:Aconditioninwhichtheliningofthestomachisinflamedandirritated.Gastroenteritis:Aconditioninwhichtheliningofthestomachandintestinesareinflamedandirritated.Gingivitis:Theinflammationofgumtissue.Gout:Atypeofarthritisthatoccurswhenuricacidbuildsupandcausesjointinflammation.Hardeningoff:Theprocessofconditioningaplantfromaprotectedenvironmenttoanoutsidelocation.Hardinesszone:Ageographicalareadefinedbyitsaverageminimumtemperaturethatisusedtodeterminewhichplantscanbegrownthere.Itissometimessimplycalledazone.Hemorrhoids:Aconditioncausedbydilatedrectalveins.Theyarealsoknownaspiles.HerbesdeProvence:Aclassicculinarycombinationofbay,fennel,rosemary,andthyme.Humus:Aformoforganicmatterthathasbeenbrokendowntoitsmostbasiclevel.Hydrosol:Traditionallycalledfloralwaters(i.e.,rosewater),ahydrosolcontainsthewater-solublemoleculesofaromaticplants.Itisalsocalledahydroflorateandhydrolat.

Infusion:Anextractionofmedicinalsubstancesmadebysteepingtheaerialpartsofplantsinhotwater,orhotorcoldoil.Irritablebowelsyndrome(IBS):Adisorderthataffectsthelargeintestine.Knotgarden:Atypeofformalgardenthatislaidoutinanintricate,interlacingdesign.Liniment:Anextractionofmedicinalsubstancesfromplantsmadebysteepingtheminalcoholorwitchhazel.Itisforexternaluseandshouldnotbeconfusedwithatincture.Lipophilic:Asubstancethatisnotwatersoluble.Itreadilycombineswithordissolvesinlipidsorfats.Essentialoilsarelipophilic.Loam:Soilthathasabalanceofsand,silt,andclay.Lobed:Thedescriptionofaleafwithdeeplyindentededges,suchasoakormapletreeleaves.Maceration:Anextractionofmedicinalsubstancesfromplantsmadebysteepingthemincoldwater.Mastitis:Aninfectionofbreasttissueaccompaniedbypain,swelling,andredness.Menorrhagia:Amenstrualperiodwithabnormallyheavyorprolongedbleeding.Ointment:Apreparationwithaslightlyfirmconsistencythatformsaprotectivelayerontheskin.Perennial:Aplantthatlivesforanumberofyears.Thepartsabovegroundoftendiebackintheautumnandcomeupagaininthespring.Photosensitivity:Heightenedsensitivitytosunlight.Pinnate:Thedescriptionofaleafthathasthreeormoreleafletsonacommonstem.Poultice:Athick,moistpasteofplantmaterialthatisappliedtoanaffectedareaofthebody.Premenstrualsyndrome(PMS):Atermthatreferstoawidevarietyofsymptomsthatmayincludemoodswings,tenderbreasts,foodcravings,fatigue,irritability,anddepression.Psoriasis:Askinconditionthatcausesitchyorsorepatchesofthick,redskinaccompaniedbysilveryscales.

Pyorrhea:Theinflammationofthesocketsoftheteeth.Itisalsoknownasperiodontitis.Raisedbed:Atypeofgardenabovethesurfaceofthegroundthatiscontainedwithinaframe.Raynaud’sdisease:Adisorderofthesmallbloodvessels,usuallyinthefingersandtoes,thatcausestheseareastofeelnumbandcoolinresponsetocoldtemperaturesorstress.Rheumatism:Aconditioncharacterizedbystiffnessandpaininmusclesorfibroustissue,andswellingandpaininthejoints.Rheumatoidarthritis:Atypeofautoimmunearthritisthatcausespain,stiffness,swelling,andlimitedmotioninmanyjoints.Rhizome:Anundergroundstemthatstoresnutrientsforaplant.Itisusuallyconsideredasatypeofroot.Ringworm:Atypeofskininfectioncausedbyafungus.Salve:Apreparationwithasemi-firmconsistencythatformsaprotectivelayerontheskin.Scabies:AcontagiousandveryitchyskininfectioncausedbytheSarcoptesscabieimite.Sciatica:Painornumbnessthatrunsfromthelowerbackdowntheleg(s)alongthesciaticnervepathway.Seasonalaffectivedisorder(SAD):Atypeofdepressionthatoccursduringthesameseasoneachyear.Itmostoftenoccursinwinter.Simples:Preparationsthatrequireonlyoneherbratherthanacombinationofplants.Sinusitis:Theinflammationofthesinuses.Sitzbath:Amethodofbathinginwhichapersonsitsinshallowwateruptothehips.Itisalsoknownasahipbath.Spike:Along,flower-bearingstemwithoutbranches.Sprain:Astretchand/ortearofaligament.Staphinfection:AninfectioncausedbytheStaphylococcusbacteria.Strain:Astretchand/ortearofamuscle.Strepthroat:Asorethroataccompaniedbyfeverthatiscausedbythe

Streptococcusbacteria.Sty:Aninflamedoilglandontheedgeoftheeyelid.Suntea:Amethodofmakingteabyplacingherbsincoldwaterandthensettingthecontainerinthesuntobrew.Itisalsoknownasasolarinfusion.Taproot:Thelarge,mainpartofaroot.Temporomandibularjointpain(TMJ):Apainthatoccursinornearthejawjoint,whichiscausedbyarangeofproblems.Tincture:Anextractionofmedicinalsubstancesfromplantsmadebysteepingtheminalcohol,vinegar,orcider.Tisane:Amildinfusionoftencalledatea.Technically,teaismadeonlyfromtheCamelliasinensisplant.Tonic:Anherbalmixturethatstrengthensandsupportsaspecificsystemortheentirebody.Toothed:Thedescriptionofaleafwithjaggededges.Umbel:Thedescriptionofacommonflowerclusterstructurewithmultiplestemsradiatingfromacentralstem.Althoughitcanberoundlikeaglobe,itmostoftenhasthebasicshapeofanumbrella.Vaginitis:Amedicaltermusedtodescribevariousconditionsthatcauseinfectionorinflammationofthevagina.Itisfrequentlycausedbyafungalinfectionandcalledavaginalyeastinfection.Varicoseveins:Thenamegiventoenlarged,twistedbloodvesselsthatappearblueandbulgingthroughtheskin.Volatileoil:Anothernameforessentialoil.Watersoluble:Asubstancethatcanbedissolvedinwater.Yeastinfection:Atypeoffungalinfectioncausedbytheovergrowthofyeast.

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