June, 2011
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth...
Chamomile Yarrow Lemon Balm
From The Herb Patch
Howdy once again!
This month I decided to focus on three basic herbs that are easy to grow and are effective for the vast majority of people when used as simple teas, poultices or salves. All three of these herbs I grow myself, so I have learned first hand that they are indeed very easy to grow. The following information has been taken from the magazine The Herb Companion:
GROW A MEDICINAL HERB GARDEN
By Steven Foster
Save time and money by stocking your backyard or windowsill gardens with five basic medicinal herbs. These superstars will treat common ailments such as colds and flu inflammation, minor cuts, infections, pain, muscles spasms, anxiety, poor digestion and insomnia.
Growing medicinal herbs may seem difficult, and preparing teas or tinctures from them might appear complicated and time-consuming, but the truth is you don’t have to be a skilled gardener to grow a few basic medicinal herbs successfully or be a trained pharmacist to easily prepare them for use. In the process, you may save some money and enjoy yourself.
Five Basic Herbs
There are many easy-to-grow, easy-to-use herbs that you can harvest and prepare to treat minor illnesses. Every medicinal garden should include chamomile, yarrow, lemon balm, echinacea and peppermint.
*A note from Alice
Chamomile: Gentle Yet Powerful
Many Europeans and Americans enjoy chamomile tea, which is made from the dried or fresh flowers of the annual German or Hungarian chamomile. Roman or English chamomile, the flower of the perennial, is seldom sold in the United States
People have used chamomile tea for centuries as a gentle sleep aid (particularly for children), as well as to ease digestion, promote urination and relieve colic. They also used chamomile tea to wash wounds and sores. Today, the pharmacopoeias (official authorities) of 26 countries approve it to treat inflammation, infection, colic, muscle spasms and tension. All uses except sedative claims have been confirmed by recent research.
German chamomile is easily grown from seed. The daisy like flowers usually appear within six weeks of planting, so you often can make two plantings in a single growing season. It does best in cooler climates; in the South, it quickly bolts and shrivels under the intense summer sun. German chamomile likes a neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained sandy loam and full sun. Plants self-sow freely, so you’ll probably not need to plant it again after the first season. During the several weeks in which chamomile blooms, you can make several pickings. Spread the flowers in a basket in a warm, dark place to dry.
Making tea with flowers picked from the garden couldn’t be easier. Just pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 heaping teaspoon dried flowers, steep, covered, for 10 minutes, then strain into a cup. Sip a cup of tea three to four times a day to relieve an upset stomach or drink a cup to relax before going to bed.
Note: Those allergic to the pollen of other aster family members such as ragweed may also be allergic to chamomile.
*A note from Alice
I usually gather chamomile on our nearby roadside, but had become concerned about pesticides, etc. being sprayed on that area. Last year I noticed a few chamomile plants around our garden area and worried that they would be cut down this year. So, I prayed a little prayer about this situation. After my husband tilled one of our garden spots and left it alone for a while, I find that the Lord has given me a whole garden patch full of chamomile. The plants from last year some how reseeded themselves. This is another reason why you would want to use heirloom seeds and save them. They do sometimes reseed themselves, hybrids will not grow the same from year to year. Thank you, Lord!
Yarrow: First Aid in the Garden
Yarrow, another member of the aster family, is known to many as a perennial weed that grows wild along roadsides, meadows and dry wastelands throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Yarrow contains more than 120 other chemical components, some of which have been shown to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms and relieve pain. Others are believed to ease digestion, calm anxiety, treat baldness and relieve hypertension.
Nearly all yarrows require no care, remain pest-free and are winter-hardy in Zones 3 through 9. As a garden subject, it’s an attractive, 3-foot-tall herb whose stems and ferny leaves are covered with wooly hairs. Flat or round-topped clusters of white or pale, lilac-pink flowers bloom from June through September. Plants are easily grown from seed or propagated by dividing the roots in the spring or fall. Yarrow adapts well to many soil types but thrives in moderately rich soil in full sun. Harvest the stalks when in full bloom and hang to dry.
I use yarrow as a garden first-aid station. Whenever I cut myself while working outdoors, I wash the cut thoroughly (yarrow doesn’t inhibit the growth of bacteria), then crush some yarrow leaves or flowers in the palm of my hand, and apply them to the cut. Yarrow can also be used in a salve or poultice for minor cuts and wounds. The bleeding usually stops immediately. Infuse the summer blooms for a refreshing skin toner or a cleansing hair rinse. Dried yarrow flowers look stunning in herbal arrangements.
To make a yarrow tea, pour a cup of boiling water over 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herb and steep, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, then sip. Drink three cups per day to treat colds and early fevers. Yarrow is not considered toxic, but some people may have an allergic reaction to it.
*A note from Alice
I can attest for the fact that yarrow is easy to grow. I started some a couple years back out in the garden from seed and it grew well there until I decided to move it to an herb garden I started with lavender, thyme, rosemary, and sage. I put it in the shade near an oak tree and it is doing well. I have not had any allergic reaction to any of the herbs I have written about. And after all my reading and studying about herbs I didn’t fully realize the potential of this herb. It is also one of the ingredients in Me Me’s Superblast!
Lemon Balm: A Tasty Healer
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a favorite of bees, as its generic name attests: Melissa is Greek for “bee.” Popular among herbalist for 2,000 years, this lemon-scented perennial member of the mint family is also high in essential oil content. It is native to the Mediterranean region, western Asia, southwestern Siberia and northern Africa, but it is widely naturalized in North America .
Traditionally, lemon balm has been used to reduce fevers and treat colds by inducing sweating; calming the digestive tract; relieving spasms related to cramps and headaches; and overcoming insomnia. Recent research has confirmed lemon balm’s ability to calm anxiety, relieve spasms, and inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria. The German government allows preparations of lemon balm to be labeled as treatments for insomnia related to nervous conditions and gastrointestinal spasms. A slightly sprawling herb growing to 2 feet high, lemon balm is easy to grow from seeds sown in the spring or early fall. It is hardy in Zones 4 through 9. A fertile, moist soil is ideal. Lemon balm tolerates a wide rand of acidity, likes a cool habitat; if grown in full sun, lemon balm may wilt during hot, dry spells. Plants grown under shade tend to be larger and more succulent than those grown in direct sun. It can be invasive, so prune off the flowering tops before they go to seed.
Lemon balm is a great medicinal herb to grow yourself because it is more effective when used fresh or freshly dried. Harvest it just as the plant comes into bloom. Lemon balm is easy to dry but loses much of its scent upon drying. The fresh leaves make a refreshing tea. Pour a cup of boiling water over a small handful of fresh leaves (or 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves) and steep, covered, for 10 minutes. It is delicious either hot or iced.
*A note from Alice
I have had lemon balm growing in a “circle” patch for a few years and it is easy to grow. When picked fresh it has a delicious lemony aroma and when crushed or made into oil, it can be used to rub on the skin to repel mosquitoes. I have done this, so I know it works. It is also used when dried to rub on salmon or any fish dish (no rhyme intended).J
A note about Me Me’s Butt Salve
My granddaughter Ariel just informed me the other day that she had a mosquito and/or chiggar bite on her leg that no matter what she did, it would not stop itching. So, she got a wise idea and tried some of the salve on it. Guess what! No more itching. She said, “Guess what Me Me? I thought the other day about running an ad in the newspaper about your “Butt Salve” and how good it is for stopping itching.” I have decided after much research to add the herb comfrey to the next batch of salve. I will write more about this later.
It is not my intention to embarrass myself or anyone else over the name of this salve. So, if you decide to purchase this or already have some, feel free to stick something over the name on the label and ask the Lord why He told me to name it this!! J
CLEAN SHAVEN AND CHEMICAL-FREE
by Janice Cox
Since June is the month for Father’s Day, I thought it a good idea to write something that most men would appreciate.
Always shave in the direction of hair growth. Shaving against the growth can cause ingrown hairs and skin irritation. Before shaving, soften the beard with warm water or a hot towel. Don’t shave the same area over and over; this can be irritating and can damage new skin cell growth. Use a gentle facial scrub once a week to remove dead skin and ingrown hairs. Try mixing a teaspoon or two of cornmeal, ground nuts or oatmeal into your favorite cleanser or soap while washing your face. Rinse razor blades well after each use and replace often. Allow your razor to air dry to avoid the chance of bacteria growing.Here are a few all-natural recipes for you to make at home using botanical ingredients. They also make great gifts when wrapped up with a new razor. Enjoy!
Olive Oil Shaving Cream
The addition of olive oil to this recipe helps create a rich, moisturizing cream. For an even better (and less irritating) shave, shower beforehand to let the stream soften hairs. Stearic acid powder is found in some drugstores and pharmacies or chemical suppliers.
¼ cup stearic acid powder 1 teaspoon borax 1 cup hot water
2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons grated mild soap
ŒOn the stove top gently heat stearic acid powder and olive oil until just melted. Remove from heat and continue to stir until you have a clear liquid.
In a separate container, mix together hot water, borax and soap, and stir until the soap is completely dissolved.
ŽPour the soap solution into a blender or food processor and blend for a few seconds. Slowly pour the stearic acid and oil mixture into the soap solution and continue to blend on high until you have a smooth, creamy mixture.
Spoon into a clean container. To use : Soften your beard with warm water and then smooth the shaving cream over your face. Use a sharp, clean razor.
Aftershave helps refresh and close your pores after cleansing or shaving. Used as a final facial splash, the combination of herbs in this recipe will help tighten pores and keep your complexion clear. They are naturally antiseptic and cleansing.
Herbal Aftershave
1 cup witch hazel 1 teaspoon dried mint
1 tablespoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried yarrow 1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon dried lavender
ŒMix all ingredients. Pour into a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Place the jar in a dark cool place for 2 weeks.
At the end of 2 weeks, strain off the liquid and discard any solids; pour into a clean container. After shaving or cleaning your face, pour a small amount into your hands and put on your face.
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