Herbal Gifts for Mom Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Can you think of anyone more deserving of pampering? Let all the mothers and moms-to-be in your circle know how special they are when you present one or more of these sweetly-scented gifts made with natural ingredients. Almond, Orange & Coconut Moisturizer 2 teaspoons beeswax pastilles 4 tablespoons sweet almond oil 2 tablespoons coconut oil 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin 2 tablespoons neroli (orange blossom) hydrosol 6 drops sweet orange oil Combine the beeswax, almond oil and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler. Heat the oils until completely melted and combined with stirring. Warm the hydrosol in the microwave for 20-30
Herbal Pet Care Warm weather is here at last! Unfortunately, although spring rain and sunshine brings joyful flowers, the greening elements also bring fleas and ticks. A quick look at the ingredient list of most conventional flea and tick products should give you pause. But with a few natural ingredients, you can banish dangerous pesticides and pesky pests at the same time. There is no question that most conventional flea and tick products contain chemicals that can harm pets and people, not to mention accumulate in soil and water upon disposal. Flea collars, for example, commonly contain tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), which has been linked to an increased risk of neurological disorders in childr
Herbs for Shade Does your garden get more shade than sunshine? Don’t let it stop you from growing some of your favorite culinary and medicinal herbs. Here are 18 common botanicals that thrive in the shade. Most herbs prefer full sun and even some shade-tolerant plants enjoy a few hours of morning sun, but as you can see from the list below there are a good number of herbs that don’t mind hanging out in the shade. This list will help you plan for your shade garden or for those hard-to-fill spaces around foundations or walkways and borders that get shade from nearby trees or outbuildings. It also serves as a guide for apartment dwellers and others who garden via deck or patio containers and wi
Winter is finally over and the earth is renewing herself. So is your body. In fact, since passing out treats to tricksters, you’ve made an entirely new layer of skin – three times. But harsh wind, cold temperatures and arid indoor air may have left your skin feeling lifeless. Here’s 5 natural spa treatments to help you face the world again. Sweet Orange & Honey Cleanser Washing your face has never been sweeter. Note that this is a single use recipe because yogurt is perishable, but you could make larger batches by combining and storing the other ingredients in a jar and then mix with yogurt in the appropriate ratio just before use. 1 tablespoon organic orange peel powder 1 tablespoon raw loc
Scientific Name: Stellaria media Family: Caryophyllaceae Other Names: Cluck Weed, Hen’s Guts, Adder’s Mouth, Tongue Grass, Winter Weed Parts Used: flowers, stems and leaves Constituents: triterpene saponins, mucilage, phytosterols, flavonoids (apigenin and rutin), coumarins, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, zinc Chickweed is a perennial herb in the carnation family that is also known as starweed in reference to its small, star-like, white flowers. Its botanical name translates from Latin to mean “star” and “in the middle of.” As the herb’s common name implies, chickweed is a favorite foraging food for chickens. Although chickweed is perennial, it behaves like an annual in tha
Herbs do more than simply enhance our food; they nourish our bodies and sustain our spirits. In fact, if you learn to listen to the plants, you will discover a wealth of healing wisdom waiting to be tapped in your own back yard. Whether you have acres of land, a small deck or a humble patio, there are several herbs with wonderful healing properties that are blessedly easy to grow in the ground or in containers. The following is by no means a complete list of herbs suitable for a healing garden, but it does represent some of the most reliable and easy-to-use plants for the home herbalist. Bonus: Bees love these plants! And we all want to save the bees! Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) Prepar
Restless leg syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a neurological disorder characterized by an overwhelming urge to move the legs, usually in response to muscle twitching or a pins and needles sensation. Some people report experiencing “creeping” impressions, as though an insect is crawling on their skin. Symptoms tend to occur more often at night when the person is at rest, making sleep difficult. It should be noted that RLS can also affect muscle in the arms. Conventional treatment typically consists of dopamine agonists (agents that “turn on” dopamine receptors), but these drugs sometimes increase the severity and frequency of symptoms they are given to treat, as well as
Elder Blossom & Green Tea Lotion This soothing formula soothes dry, damaged skin and promotes new cell turnover. 1/4 cup sweet almond oil 2 tablespoons jojoba oil 2 tablespoons dried elder flowers 1 tablespoon green tea leaves 1 teaspoon grated beeswax Gently warm the oils in the top of a double boiler. Add the elder and chamomile flowers; heat for 2 minutes. Cover and let rest undisturbed for 48 hours, stirring a few times a day. Strain and discard herbs; reserving and returning the oil to the same pan. Add beeswax and heat until melted, stirring to blend. Pour into a clean jar. Let cool completely, then cap and label. Use within 6 months. Get the organic ingredients to make this ...
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), also known as blow ball, Irish daisy, monk's head, priest's crown and lion’s tooth, is a member of the Asteraceae family, which makes the herb related to daisy, sunflower and aster. The herb gets its name from the French phrase dent de lion, which means “tooth of the lion” and is a reference to its deeply lobed leaves. Another French nickname, pissenlit, which translates to “wet the bed,” alludes to the historical use of dandelion as a diuretic. Although some people consider dandelion a nuisance weed, the plant is one of the most amazing botanicals to work with and benefit from. Aside from the obvious rewards of dandelion flower wine and jelly, the leaves an
How to Use Arrowroot Powder Arrowroot (Maranta arundinaceae) is a South American plant harvested for its tuberous root, which contains a high degree of starch. Its name comes from the use of the herb by the by the Arawak people to draw out toxins inflicted by poison arrows. Also known as Obedience Plant, arrowroot is a traditional remedy for diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders. At one time, the dried and powered root was used in papermaking. Today, arrowroot powder (also called arrowroot starch) is most commonly used as a thickener for pie fillings, jellies, puddings, sauces, stews and other foods just like cornstarch, but has the benefit of thickening foods at lower temperatures.
Ginger & Turmeric Tea This zesty, eye-opening herbal tea packs flavor and a healthy dose of antioxidants, too. Ginger alone contains at least 50 antioxidant compounds, including 6-gingerol, which helps to lower the risk of chronic inflammatory disorders by blocking the production of nitric oxide. Gingerols also inhibit the activity of interleukin-8 and other cytokines that promote inflammation. Turmeric, the spice that provides bright golden color to curries, contains a polyphenol called curcumin, which also provides potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Applied topically to arthritic joints and other areas affected by inflammation, curcumin interrupts a pain-signaling chemical
Naturally Dyed Eggs Coloring eggs this weekend? Reach into your herb cupboard, spice cabinet and veggie bin for sources of beautiful, natural dyes. For an extra special touch, give your dyes eggs patterns designed by nature (see photo). There are two easy ways to do this. You can attach a leaf or flower to the egg with a bit of melted wax from a small candle (like a birthday cake candle) before placing in the dye bath. Or, you can position a flower, a sprig of fresh thyme, rosemary or parsley, etc., on the egg and then wrap it with old (but clean) pantyhose and tie off at the end, and then place the egg in the dye bath. Keep in mind that coloring eggs this way is a project that takes time an
