Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), also known as great or common mullein, is a biennial member of the figwort family that is original to Eurasia, Africa and now naturalized in the Americas. All parts of the plant are used in traditional healing systems, although most people are familiar with using only the leaves and flowers. Historically, mullein is used to address gastrointestinal complaints, skin disorders and respiratory conditions. Mullein is easily recognizable by its tall stalks of large, fuzzy leaves that grow out from a rosette on the ground in its second year. In most climates, the plant produces small yellow flowers from June through August, but flowering may extend well into fall in wa
Although peppermint (Mentha x. Piperita) is a popular culinary herb, most people don’t realize that it’s a natural hybrid of water mint (M. aquatica) and spearmint (M. spicata), making it a relatively new member of the mint family of plants. As its common name implies, the herb has a flavor and aroma profile that includes the bright freshness of mint as well as a peppery note. Peppermint has a long history of medical use due to the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antioxidant and vasoconstrictor actions of its volatile oils. The primary constituent of the herb is menthol, which is found in the leaf at a concentration of up to 78 percent. Taken internally, peppermint oil is except
Keep this blend on hand to add zesty flavor to spreads, dips, breads, salad dressings, casseroles, pasta and grilled or roasted meats and vegetables. This recipe makes a large batch, but you can adjust the ingredient proportions accordingly to suit your needs. Ingredients 1 cup dried basil 1 cup dried oregano ½ cup dried dill weed ½ cup dried French tarragon ½ cup dried marjoram ½ cup dried minced onion 1/4 cup dried minced garlic 2 teaspoons ground mustard 2 teaspoons sea salt 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Directions Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, stirring to mix. Transfer seasoning blend to a large mason jar or other container with an airtight lid. Sto
Communicating with the unspoken language of flowers is known as floriography, an art that has been practiced for thousands of years throughout the globe. The practice reached its peak in Europe during the Victorian era, when messages deemed inappropriate to speak aloud were communicated by wearing or giving talking flower bouquets known as nosegays. There is also a long history of flower symbolism in art and literature. Although many artists and authors utilized the language of flowers in their works, William Shakespeare may be the most prolific among authors to encrypt symbolic meanings in his plays. One of the best known examples is the reference made by Ophelia to her brother Laertes and
Brioche is a sweet yeast bread with a rich taste and a tender crumb. The flavors of orange and coriander in these little gems will brighten your morning! Ingredients 2 cups bread four 2 teaspoons fast-acting dried yeast ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon superfine sugar 2 teaspoons ground coriander seeds Zest of one orange 2 tablespoons hot water 2 eggs beaten ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted 1 small egg, beaten (for egg wash) Directions Lightly grease two brioche pans (or a 12-cup muffin pan). Sift together the flour, yeast, salt, sugar, ground coriander and orange zest in a large bowl. Make a well in the center; pour in the hot water, eggs and melted butter. Beat until a soft dough forms. Turn out
This is an old-fashioned beauty treatment with benefits that modern science can back up. Milk contains lactic acid, one of the alpha hydroxy acids that help to reduce the signs of aging. Chamomile contains antioxidant compounds that soothes skin, especially in those prone to rosacea and eczema. Ingredients ¼ cup whole milk ¼ cup heavy cream 2 heaping tablespoons dried chamomile flowers Directions Place all ingredients in the top of a double boiler. Gently heat the milk mixture to a simmer. Continue to simmer the mixture, stirring often, for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not allow the mixture to boil or it will curdle. Remove from heat; cover and let steep for 2 hours. Strain; discard the chamomile an
Dill vinegar is exceptionally good to use in salad dressings or to use as a marinade for grilled or roasted meats and vegetables. Tip: A tablespoon or two brightens the flavors of chicken or turkey vegetable soup. How to Make Dill Vinegar Place 2 tablespoons whole dill seed in a mason jar. Add enough white wine or champagne vinegar to fill the jar within 1 inch of the top. Place a square of cheesecloth or wax paper on the top of the jar before securing the lid (this prevents the vinegar from reacting with the metal lid). Place the jar in a cool, dark place for 3 to 4 weeks. Strain off seeds and store reserved vinegar in a clean glass bottle. Get organic dill seed to make this ….
This colorful blend features our favorite summer flowers and looks as beautiful as it smells. Display the mixture in decorative bowls or baskets, or use to fill dream pillows and linen and closet sachets. Ingredients 1 cup dried chamomile flowers 1 cup dried lavender flowers 1 cup dried rose petals ½ cup dried calendula flowers ¼ cup dried lemon verbena ¼ cup dried hops flowers 2 ounces powdered orrisroot ½ ounce shredded angelica root 25 drops palmarosa essential oil 15 drops lavender essential oil Directions Place all of the dried herbal material in a large bowl. Add the essential oils, drop by drop, over all. Using a folding motion, mix with a wooden spoon to incorporate all of the ingred
This simple but flavorful sauce is a traditional dressing for steak au poivre, or peppercorn steak. However, the sauce is also nice with chicken or salmon. For added color, use a rainbow combination of white, red, green and black peppercorns. Ingredients 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots 1/4 cup cognac or other brandy 1 cup beef broth or stock 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon freshly cracked peppercorns 1/4 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley Directions Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the shallots and sauté until transparent, about 2 minutes. Add the brandy; cook until reduced. Add the beef broth (or stock) and bring to the boil. Continue to cook over high
Sweet citrusy tangerine and spicy basil come together in this rich cream based on sweet almond and coconut oil. It’s so simple to make and oh-so-soothing on the skin. Ingredients 1 ½ tablespoons sweet almond oil 1 ½ tablespoons coconut oil 1 tablespoon grated beeswax (or use pastilles) 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin 15 drops tangerine essential oil 8 drops basil essential oil Directions Combine the sweet almond oil and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler. Slowly heat until the coconut oil is completely melted. Stir in beeswax and melt. Add the glycerin a few drops at a time, while stirring. Remove from heat. Stir in essential oils. Transfer cream into tins or jars. Cool completely be
These easy-to-make, little lavender-scented soaps are perfect to set out in a decorative dish when you’re expecting overnight guests. They make great gifts too! The alkanet root powder in this recipe is optional. Use it if you want to have a purple tint to your soaps Ingredients 1 ½ cups melt and pour glycerin soap base 1 teaspoon alkanet root powder (optional) 1 teaspoon whole lavender buds 25 drops lavender essential oil Directions Gently heat the soap base in the top of a double boiler until completely melted. Stir in the alkanet root powder, if using. Remove from heat. Stir in the lavender buds and essential oil. Pour into soap molds and set aside to completely cool and harden. Get the i
The combined cleaning powers of citric acid, washing soda and powdered lemon peel will leave dishes and glassware sparkling clean. Make up a batch of these tablets for yourself and another for an eco-conscious friend. Ingredients 1 cup washing soda * 6 tablespoons powdered citric acid 6 tablespoons Epson salts 2 tablespoons pure soap, finely grated 2 tablespoons powdered lemon peel 15 drops lemon essential oil (25% off July 2015) Directions Fill a small spray bottle with water; set aside. Combine the washing soda, citric acid, Epson salts, grated soap and powdered lemon peel in a bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon or whisk to mix. Add the essential oil and stir again to combine. Spritz the mixtu
In the U.S., more than 175 species of ‘skeeters take to the sky each night in search of a blood meal, while ticks the size of a poppy seed assault their victims from the ground up. You’re on the menu because you emit carbon dioxide and other chemical signals – just like a “Diner’s Open” neon sign. Armed with certain essential oils, however, it’s possible to win this game of chemical warfare against these blood-sucking critters. Botanical essential oils are produced via steam distillation and capture the health-giving properties of the raw plant material. Because they are highly concentrated, most essential oils are diluted with a carrier oil, such as sweet almond or jojoba, before they are a
Did a crispy visage look back at you from the bathroom mirror this morning? Too much fun in the sun means oxidative stress for the skin, resulting in uneven skin tone, fine lines and other signs of aging. The powdered herbs in this facial treatment can help to turn back the clock and reverse the damage. Ingredients ½ tablespoon powdered aloe leaf ½ tablespoon powdered lavender flower 2 teaspoons powdered chamomile flower ½ cup strong chamomile tea, cooled 2 drops lavender essential oil Directions Combine the powdered herbs in a small bowl. Slowly add the cooled tea while stirring. Stir in the essential oil. Set the bowl aside and let the mixture rest for a few minutes. Apply to clean skin, u
Bug bites, itchy rashes, sunburn… ah, the joys of summer! We all suffer from these minor skin irritations from time-to-time, no matter how careful we are to avoid them. Fortunately, fast relief is only a cup of black tea away. In contrast to herbal tea, true tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, a shrubby plant in the evergreen family that is native to China. While there are more than 1,500 cultivars of this plant, most black teas are produced from the Chinese variety or from Camellia sinensis subsp. assamica, a subspecies grown in the Assam region of Northern India. Another variety sometimes used to make black tea is the ancient pu’erh plant from the Chinese province of Yunnan.
