Herbal Healing for Your Pets
Cats and dogs have been cohabitating with humans for millennia, but never before have they been as influenced by our living habits and faults as they are today.
Like humans, pets face environmental toxins, chronic antibiotic overuse, and exposure to commercial convenience foods and other chemical products on a daily basis. As a result, more and more pets develop complex imbalances which affect their immune systems, triggering stomach ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, high cholesterol, thyroid and heart disorders. In short, our pets’ ailments are beginning to mirror our own!
For those of you who prefer the natural approach, it may come as a pleasant surprise to know that herbs work extremely well on pets. They are safe and gentle, and the dosage is usually the same as for humans, depending on your pet’s weight. Herbs can be administered to pets in tea form or sprinkled over their food. When tinctures are indicated, you should dilute them with water, as tinctures are made with alcohol which can irritate your pet’s mouth and stomach.
Here are some wonderful herbal solutions that will help you keep your pet healthy naturally!
Allergies
Pets experience allergies too! To help bolster your pet’s defenses, add dried nettle leaves to their food daily. Not only does nettle provide a plethora of vitamins and minerals, its anti-histamine properties will help fight potential allergens without the side effects of regular medications.
Arthritis
Arthritis is as painful to dogs and cats as it is to people. Adding a little flax seed, sunflower seed or olive oil to your pet’s food coupled with some yucca, kelp and devils’s claw can help them run up those stairs again with ease and without pain, usually within a couple of days.
Bad Breath
To fight bad breath, add fresh or dried parsley to your pet’s food, or place a few drops of parsley tea in their water. Parsley freshens the breath, deodorizes the body and helps to improve kidney function.
Bite Wounds, Cuts and Sores
First, be sure to clean the wound well with Hydrogen Peroxide, and then follow up with a chamomile tea wash. Sprinkle some goldenseal powder on the affected area to prevent infections. Goldenseal kills bacteria on contact. Just add some cayenne if your pet licks off the goldenseal. Comfrey salve is also a great way to speed up the healing of wounds.
Flea Problems
Make this wonderful non-toxic flea collar for your pet; it provides excellent protection against fleas. All you need to do is purchase a soft material or thick candle wick and dip it into the following blended solution:
½ tsp denatured alcohol
1 drop cedarwood essential oil
1 drop lavender essential oil
1 drop citronella essential oil
1 drop thyme essential oil
Let the collar dry before putting it around your pet’s neck. This natural flea collar should be effective for about one month. Also try adding a little garlic powder to your dog’s food. They love it and fleas hate it! (Don’t worry, garlic does not contain the same concentration of thiosulphate as onions do, thus does not present the same toxicity issues when used in small doses.)
Hot Spots/Itching
Several pet owners have confirmed that spraying cooled green tea on hot spots, followed with calendula oil, has worked very well. Apple cider vinegar in some water has also shown to work in preventing and treating hot spots. Additionally, apple cider vinegar helps maintain a shiny coat, and repels fleas, ticks and other insects because these do not like the acidic environment.
Burdock, red clover, calendula and rosemary are all excellent herbs to treat a variety of skin problems, as they cleanse both the blood and lymphatic system.
Liver Concerns
Pets live in the same toxic world as humans do, and they too experience liver problems. As in humans, Milk Thistle is the best herb to help detoxify and rebuild the liver.
Paw Pad Moisturizer
Moisturize your four-legged companion’s paw pads with natural emulsifiers like almond oil, olive oil or comfrey salve.
Dog Treat Recipe
Here is a recipe for healthy dog treats you can prepare yourself. Your pets will thank you! Feel free to experiment with your own ingredients too.
½ cup smooth peanut butter, almond butter or cashew butter
2 teaspoons olive oil or grapeseed oil
¾ cup water
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
5 tsp of your chosen herbs, such as yucca for joint problems, parsley for body odor, milk thistle for skin and liver concerns, etc.
2 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
Preheat your oven to 350F. Mix the peanut/almond butter and oil. Add water, Worcestershire and herbs. Slowly add flour to form dough. Roll the dough to ¼ inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out individual treats. Bake for 20 minutes. This recipe makes 2 to 3 dozen biscuits depending on the size of the cookie cutter.
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Make Your Own Herbal Holiday Gifts!
Get into the holiday spirit this season by making your own gifts for your loved ones using herbs and other natural materials. These are gifts everyone will enjoy and request over and over again. Package your potions in beautiful bottles found in antique stores or recycled jars from your home. For an added personal touch, label them in your own handwriting with the ingredient list and instructions for use.
Salt Scrub
Salt scrubs use to be called “Salt Glows” because they make your skin so soft and beautiful. Use salt scrubs on your hands, feet, elbows, and any area of the body where the skin appears thick and rough.
Ingredients
Grape seed Oil
Vitamin E Oil (optional)
Fine Sea Salt
Grapefruit essential oil
Fill ¾ of a jar with sea salt. Add grape seed oil until it just covers the salt. Add a few drops of vitamin E oil (if desired) and grapefruit essential oil. Stir mixture thoroughly, making sure the salt is fully covered with the oil.
Lip Balm
Lip balms are easy and fun to make. The following recipe is great for chapped lips. You can leave it unscented or you can add other essential oils, such as spearmint, vanilla, etc. to your liking.
Ingredients
2 oz coconut oil
1½ oz almond oil
½ oz castor oil
½ to 1 oz beeswax
20 drops tangerine essential oil
Add the oils to a crock pot, slowly warming them. Add beeswax. After the beeswax has melted, add the tangerine essential oil. Fill small jars or lip balm tubes and let cool. You can also use one to two ounce sample jam jars.
Herbal Vinegars and Herbal Oils
It’s easy to make herbal vinegars and oils. They make pretty and useful gifts and can be added to a gift basket with other foods or cooking utensils.
Cranberry Sage Herbal Vinegar
Get a pretty clear glass bottle (well cleaned) and place in it a few fresh cranberries and a few fresh sage leaves. Cover with warm rice wine vinegar. Decorate with festive ribbons.
Rosemary Apple Cider Vinegar
In a well-cleaned pretty bottle place a fresh sprig of rosemary and cover with apple cider vinegar. Decorate the bottle as desired.
Herbal Oils
Herbal oils also make beautiful gifts and can be used in stir-fry cooking or in salads. Place fresh or dried parsley, sage and thyme into a pretty clear bottle and cover with sunflower seed oil. Decorate the bottle as desired.
Aromatic Mustard
This pungent mustard powder is enhanced with the added flavors of herbs and spices.
Ingredients
Mustard Powder
Sea Salt
Thyme
Tarragon
Apple Pie Spice Mix
Other Herbs & Spices as Desired
Directions
In a bowl, add one cup mustard powder and one tbsp sea salt, one tsp dried thyme, one tsp dried tarragon, and one tsp apple pie spice mix (you may use other herbs and spices). Mix well. Spoon this mix into small clean, dry jars and seal. Decorate the jar and place the following instructions on the label:
To serve: Combine mustard powder with an equal amount of cold water 10 minutes before needed.
Herbal Rice
For the vegetarian or gourmet cook in your life, make up some delicious and nutritious herbal rice blends.
Ingredients
Rice (any kind)
Herbs of Choice
Directions
To two cups of any kind of rice add approximately 1 tbsp of herbs or herb mix, such as herbes de provence, curry, garam masala, Mexican spice mix, etc. Place each rice mix in a clear jar. Decorate and add a label with ingredient list and instructions.
Herbal Sugar and Herbal Sea Salt
Any kind of sugar or salt can be upgraded into something more delicious and exciting. For example you can add a vanilla bean to sugar, or lemon peel, cinnamon stick, fragrant rose petals from your garden, etc. You can also simply add a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender, tangerine or bergamot (make sure the essential oils are food grade). The same can be done with salt. Spoon the end product into a pretty jar with decorative label.
Peppers Peppers Everywhere
Do you know the difference between a chili pepper, black pepper and paprika? If we’ve got you stumped, read on for a fascinating look at one of the world’s favorite ‘fruits’, from the fiery-hot to the not-so-hot varieties.
Green, Black & White Pepper
Green, black and white peppercorns are actually fruits from the tropical vine piper nigrum, a different species entirely from the that of bell peppers, cayenne pepper, chili peppers and paprika, which are all members of the capsicum genus. Pepper, the ‘king of the spices’, gets its ‘hot’ flavor from a resin called chavicine which is found inside the peppercorns. The spiciest of this group is the black peppercorn, which is picked when unripe and then dried. When unripe berries are freeze-dried or submerged in brine, the result is the kinder, gentler green peppercorn, with its fruity olive-like flavor. When the same berry is left to ripen on the vine before harvesting and its outer skin removed, the milder white peppercorn is created.
Pink Peppercorns
Pink peppercorns are berries from a South American tree, schinus terebinthifolius. Pink peppercorns add mild pungency and spectacular color to food. They can also be added to teas, such as chai, to add some spice.
Szechuan Pepper
Szechuan peppers grow in the Szechuan region of China on what once grew naturally as a large tree, but is now cultivated as a shrub. Szechuan pepper is also known as Chinese pepper, fagara, or anise pepper. This aromatic dried berry has a hot woody flavor and is one of the ingredients of Chinese Five Spice powder, commonly used in Asian fish dishes. Dry-roasting it before use heightens the flavor. Medicinally, Szechuan peppers stimulate the spleen and stomach to assist digestion.
Cubeb Pepper
Cubeb pepper comes from the plant piper cubeba and is related to black pepper. Compared to black pepper, cubeb is a lot more fiery and aromatic, and is used mostly in Indonesian cooking. Cubeb is also very popular in Egypt and other countries in the Middle East. Medicinally, cubeb berries have been known to relieve coughs, sinusitis, and throat infections, as well as upset stomach, indigestion and urinary tract infections.
Grains of Paradise
Grains of paradise, or aframomum melegueta, have been used historically in place of pepper when the price of pepper became too high. Grains of paradise can certainly be used in any dish which calls for black pepper. Medicinally, grains of paradise are known to have aphrodisiac properties.
Chili Pepper
Chili peppers come to us from a plant genus known as capsicum. They can be as small as a pea or as large as an eggplant, and exhibit hues of cream, yellow, orange and green. Their pungency ranges from sweet to flaming hot. All peppers from the capsicum genus contain capsaicin. Their ‘heat’ is determined by the amount of capsaicin they contain and is measured in HU (Heat Units) on a scale that ranges from 0 HU – 200,000+ HU. Ghost pepper is the hottest chili pepper; it so extremely hot that it usually comes with a warning!
Chipotle
When fresh jalapenos (of the capsicum genus) are smoke-dried, the resulting withered peppers with a unique smoky-hot flavor are called chipotle.
Paprika
Paprika, also a capsicum pepper, is the mildest of peppers. Today, the best paprika comes from Hungary. Paprika adds a beautiful color to dishes, plus a mild flavor and a whole lot of vitamin C.
Here’s a delicious paprika recipe you’ll love:
Körözött
Körözött is a delicious Hungarian dish that can be used as a dip for vegetables, fruits, and chips, or as a spread on bread and crackers.
Combine the ingredients below with a fork or food processor:
1 tsp mustard
¼ green onions or chives, snipped
1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
¼ tsp caraway ground (optional)
2 8 oz packages softened cream cheese, cottage or goat cheese
Enough paprika to taste and create a rich color
Place a slice of anchovy on top if desired.
Dessert Recipes With Zero-Calorie SlimSweet
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to incorporate zero-calorie SlimSweet into your Holiday recipes as much as we’ve enjoyed showing you.
In this installment you’ll find more sweet desserts that will make great additions to your holiday buffet, or can be enjoyed anytime you need a sweet pick-me-up.
If you’d like a free sample of SlimSweet, join our email community today by clicking here. Or, if you’d like to order a bottle for the special price of $3.58 (plus free shipping!) click here.
Mouthwatering Fudge
Ingredients:
5 Tbsp. SlimSweet
1/2 c butter
1/2 c whole milk
1 pinch of salt
4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c walnuts, chopped
Directions:
Butter an 8 x 8 inch pan. Combine SlimSweet, butter, whole milk, salt and chocolate in a medium saucepan. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until all ingredients melt and come to a boil. (Do not scrape down the sides of the pan.) Lower heat, insert a candy thermometer, and let mixture boil slowly without stirring for about 10 minutes or until a soft ball forms when a bit is dropped in a cup of cold water (about 238 degrees F on the candy thermometer).
Remove pan from heat and cool. (Important note: the mixture should be very cool, almost near body temperature, before agitating the mixture. Failure to do so may result in a ‘grainy’ texture.) Add vanilla. Beat steadily until fudge loses its gloss. Add nuts. Pour into pan. Let cool for 20 minutes and cut into squares. Store fudge in an airtight container or wrap in foil. Makes 24
SlimSweet Brownies
Ingredients:
1/2 c butter, softened
2 eggs
1 1-oz square unsweetened chocolate
2 tsp chocolate extract
2 Tbsp. water
2 Tbsp. soy flour
1/2 c coarsely chopped walnuts
1 1/2 tsp SlimSweet
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cream the butter with an electric hand mixer. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Melt chocolate with extract and water in top portion of double boiler. Add melted chocolate, soy flour, chopped walnuts, and SlimSweet to butter. Mix well. Add more SlimSweet if needed. Grease 1-1/2 quart flat baking pan. Pour batter into pan. Bake until top is dry, and edges have started to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 15 – 20 minutes.
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients:
1/4 c chocolate chips (optional)
1/4 c raisins
5 oz. apple juice
1/3 c raw cashews or walnuts (coarsely ground)
1/4 c soy flour
1/2 c butter or margarine (softened)
1 Tbsp. SlimSweet
1/2 tsp maple flavoring
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 1/2 c rolled oats
1 c whole wheat pastry flour
1 Tbsp. baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c milk
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a cookie sheet. Place the raisins and apple juice in small pan and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Grind cashews or walnuts in a blender until coarse. In a mixing bowl, cream the cashew or walnut meal and soy flour into the softened butter (or margarine). Stir in the SlimSweet, maple flavoring, vanilla and slightly beaten egg. Cream 1/3 of the stewed raisins and all of the juice in a blender. Set the rest of the raisins aside. Stir the creamed raisins into the butter mixture. add the milk and oats. Sift together the wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir the flour into the other ingredients. Add the chocolate chips, if desired, and the rest of the raisins. Don’t over mix. Place in teaspoon-size balls onto greased cookie sheet and flatten with the palm of your hand. Bake 13-15 minutes. Yields approx. 18 cookies
Note: For reduced fat cookies, substitute the 1/2 cup of butter for 1/3 cup butter, and 1/4 cup apple butter. If you don’t want to add the nuts, increase the flour by 1/4 cup.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients:
1/2 c chunky peanut butter (sugar free)
3/4 c heavy cream
1 egg yolk
1/4 c chopped macadamia nuts (chopped fine)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp SlimSweet
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well mixed. Chill ingredients for 10 minutes. Roll teaspoon-size balls of dough and place on cookie sheet with a teaspoon. Bake 10-12 minutes or until slightly brown. Makes 16
Holiday Recipes Part II
Here are some more delicious and nutritious holiday recipes using SlimSweet, a zero-calorie sugar alternative made from Lo Han, a naturally-sweet fruit that has been used in China for hundreds of years as a natural sweetener and medicinal plant.
Hot Cocoa
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. SlimSweet (adjust to taste)
1/4 c cocoa powder
1 pinch salt
1/3 c hot water
4 c milk
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions:
In medium saucepan, mix SlimSweet, cocoa and salt; stir in water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Add milk; stir until well blended. Cook, stirring often, until hot. DO NOT BOIL. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Beat with whisk until foamy. Makes 4 servings.
Single Serving: In microwave-safe mug, combine 1 heaping tsp. cocoa powder, 1/4 tsp. SlimSweet (adjust to taste), 2-3 drops of vanilla extract, and a dash of salt. Add 2 tsp. cold milk; stir until smooth. Fill cup with milk. Microwave on high for 1 – 1 1/2 minutes or until hot. Stir to blend; serve.
Homemade Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
1/2 c whipping cream
1/2 tsp. SlimSweet
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions:
Beat ingredients together on high until soft peaks form.
Gourmet Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients:
5 sweet potatoes
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 c butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp. SlimSweet
1 tsp. heavy cream
1/2 c butter, softened
3 tsp. all-purpose flour
3/4 c packed light brown sugar
1/2 c chopped pecans
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake sweet potatoes 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until they begin to soften. Cool slightly, peel, and mash.
In a large bowl, mix the mashed sweet potatoes, salt, 1/4 c butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, SlimSweet and heavy cream. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 c butter, flour, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Mix with a pastry blender or your fingers to the consistency of course meal. Sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until topping is crisp and lightly browned.
Almond Pound Cake
Ingredients:
1 c unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. SlimSweet
5 whole eggs
2 c almond flour, ground
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cream the butter and SlimSweet together. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each one is added. Mix almond flour with baking powder; add to egg mixture a little at a time. Add extracts. Pour into 9-inch greased cake pan. Bake for 50-55 minutes.
Variations: Add cocoa and eliminate lemon extract for chocolate pound cake. Add banana extract instead of lemon extract and add some chopped nuts for banana nut cake.
Stay tuned for Part III and more delicious SlimSweet recipes!
(Click here to try SlimSweet now! As a HomeCure Blog subscriber, use code FREESHIP to get free shipping on your order too!)
Holiday Recipes With SlimSweet, a Naturally-Sweet Alternative to Sugar
We all know about the potential dangers of artificial sweeteners, which have been linked to everything from cancer, headaches and depression to neurological damage and – ironically enough – weight gain. Although artificial is obviously not the way to go, there are also dangers associated with ingesting high levels of refined sugar.
But never fear – there are many healthier options that not only taste great, but are also lower on the glycemic index, good news for those who have blood sugar concerns. You have probably heard of some of these alternatives, such as Stevia, Agave Nectar and Xylitol, but there is also a less-known option that not only tastes amazing but is also zero calories…
Made from a natural fruit called Lo-Han, SlimSweet is a zero-calorie, totally delicious and nutritious way to sweeten up your life. You can use SlimSweet instead of sugar in your coffee or tea, on cereal, in cakes and pies, on top of fruit, or anywhere you would normally use sugar – you can let your imagination run wild! Click here if you’d like to give it a try, it’s only $3.58 through Sunday of this week, and our blog subscribers will also get free shipping by entering code FREESHIP in your shopping cart.
With the approaching holiday season in mind, here are some delicious recipes you can make with SlimSweet.
SlimSweet Eggnog
Ingredients:
1c. milk
3 Tbsp. heavy cream
1 egg
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. SlimSweet
1 1/2 to 2 ounces brandy or rum (optional)
cinnamon stick
Directions:
Shake together milk, cream, egg, allspice, SlimSweet and brandy and rum with cracked ice and strain. Sprinkle grated cinnamon on surface. Serve immediately. Serves one.
Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients:
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. SlimSweet
1/2 tsp. each of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c salad oil
1/2 c water
1 c pureed pumpkin
1/2 c nuts (pecans work great!)
1 2/3 c flour
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together. Bake in loaf pan for 1 to 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a rack before enjoying.
Candied Yams
Ingredients:
4 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced or cubed
1/2 c water
1 c butter
2 Tbsp. SlimSweet
Directions:
In a large pot over medium heat, place potatoes in water. Top with butter and SlimSweet, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, without stirring, until mixture is thick and syrupy, about 40 minutes. Mixture will thicken slightly as it cools. Remove from heat and serve warm.
Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. SlimSweet
1 c orange juice
1 (12 oz) package fresh cranberries
Directions:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the SlimSweet in the orange juice. Stir in the cranberries, and cook until they start to pop (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat, and transfer to a bowl. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.
Great Pumpkin Dessert
Ingredients:
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. SlimSweet
4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 (18.5 ounce) package yellow cake mix
3/4 c butter, melted
1 1/2 c chopped walnuts
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, SlimSweet and spice. Mix well, and pour into the pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over the top, then drizzle with melted butter. Top with walnuts. Bake for 1 hour or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
Stay tuned for Part II, coming your way later this week!
Herbs as Houseplants
Herbs make wonderful houseplants; not only are they beautiful and decorative, herbs also add fragrance and flavor to your home. Running your hands through a rosemary plant or slightly brushing by a lemon-scented thyme can invigorate you, as well as bring a room to life.
There is an herb for every taste and décor. Some are small and cute, and others are statelier, such as the bay leaf. Select the herb plants you find attractive, but that are not too demanding. Plant them in attractive containers to enhance their natural beauty. Use your imagination and creativity.
Most potted herbs do very well indoors, and what’s more, they can easily be moved outside onto the patio, or you can sink them into your flower bed during the warmer months, bringing them back inside when it gets colder.
The Best Herbs To Grow Indoors
Most herbs need sunlight to grow and produce well, so choose an east or south-facing window. Temperature, air circulation, soil, fertilizer, and water are also important to consider, and it helps to review those needs before you head out to the nursery or garden center to pick out your herbal companion. Below are some growing tips for some of our favorites.
Basil
Basil needs full sun and well-drained soil. Water whenever the surface begins to feel dry. Harvest by snipping the growing tips frequently to keep the plants bushy and prevent flowering. Don’t let the temperature drop below 50 ° F. Basil plants are productive for 3 – 6 months.
Bay
Keep bay plants in full or partial sun. Bay is slow growing and will take years to reach 2 feet in a pot. Allow the soil to dry out between watering. Bay prefers daytime temperatures around 60° F and nighttime temperatures around 50 ° F, but can take temperatures in the 40s. Allow your bay plant plenty of room for good air circulation. Harvest by cutting off individual older leaves as needed, or to dry.
Chives
Chives thrive in full sun. Chive plants prefer daytime temperatures in the 70s and night temperatures in the 60s, but can tolerate temperatures as low as the 40s. Chives will live several years in pots. Harvest by cutting off individual leaf blades to within 1 inch above the soil surface.
Dill
Dill needs full sunlight and can be productive indoors for two to four months. The dill plant may need staking, as it can reach 3 feet in height. Water whenever the soil surface begins to dry. Dill prefers temperatures in the 50s and 60s.
Ginger
Get ginger root from your grocery store and plant a fragment of rhizome in a roomy, shallow pot. Ginger enjoys high temperatures, high humidity and moist soil. Harvest whenever the rhizome begins to outgrow its pot.
Marjoram
Marjoram is a perennial and will grow one foot tall in full sunlight, and be productive for one to two years. After that the plant becomes woody. The heavenly fragrance is pervasive – use sparingly in cooking. Marjoram prefers temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Marjoram plants need good drainage and can even be kept on the dry side.
Mints
Mints are productive for six months or more in pots. Trim individual stems often and use in cooking or to make an uplifting tea. A great variety of mints can be grouped together for a showy display. If you would like to preserve each mint’s original flavor do not let them bloom because they’ll cross-pollinate, and then all your mints will taste the same!
Oregano
Keep oregano on the dry side and temperatures in the 70s during the daytime and the 60s during nighttime. Cut it back often to contain its tendency to spread. When oregano becomes woody, replace it.
Parsley
Give parsley cool temperatures and full sun. The fine flavor of flat-leaf (Italian) parsley is stronger than that of curly parsley, but both make beautiful house plants. Harvest parsley by cutting the outer leaves, leaving the central rosette to produce new growth.
Rosemary
Never let your rosemary plant dry out completely, or it will die. Rosemary needs good drainage, and if the needle-like evergreen leaves turn brown, it means you’re over watering. Prune or pinch back rosemary regularly to keep it bushy.
Sage
Sage needs full sun and must have good drainage; it does not like “wet feet”. Choose from a great variety of sage plants. No matter what kind you get, they all make beautiful and fragrant pot plants. Pick fresh leaves for cooking, or let the leaves dry out and use them as incense.
Using Herbs Topically for Good Health
When you think about medicinal herbs, teas, capsules, and tinctures may be the first thing that comes to mind; all nicely formulated and conveniently packaged to ingest for various ailments. If this is the case, it may surprise you to learn that many herbs can be used topically as well.
Not only is this a great way to treat the surface of your skin for conditions like rashes, diaper rash, burns, scrapes, wounds, injuries, and bug bites, but it is also a fantastic alternative way to enjoy the internal benefits of herbal medicine.
Herbs can be made into vapor balms and applied to your chest to help with congestion when you have a cold or cough. They can also be applied to different areas of your skin to penetrate slowly and deeply into your body and organs, similar to a “patch”. This type of delivery is convenient when herbs have a bitter taste or if swallowing them might be difficult, as in the case of children, the elderly, or pets. Herbs may be applied to the underarms for quick action, or to the back of your hands for slower action.
Next time something ails you, give one of these popular topical herbal remedies a try:
Aloe Vera
Whether it’s straight from your garden or the gel from the store, aloe vera is the best relief for many skin problems. Aloe vera promotes the removal of dead skin and stimulates the normal growth of living cells. It softens, moisturizes and balances the pH of your skin. When used for burns like radiation burns, thermal burns, or sunburns, it is known to reduce the chance of infection and scarring, helps to stop the pain and speeds up the healing process.
Arnica
Arnica oil or gel reduces bruising and swelling from injuries. Many plastic surgeons are now prescribing arnica gel to apply after surgery to prevent bruising and to promote healing. Arnica also works well for muscle pain including arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain and whiplash. Caution: Do not use on broken skin!
Lavender
Lavender essential oil applied on stings or bites from mosquitoes, spiders, scorpions, poisonous fish, and all other known and unknown poisonous critters works very well because it neutralizes poisons while taking the itch and/or pain away. It is calming too. As soon as you notice you have been stung or bitten, apply lavender essential oil directly to the site of the sting. You can re-apply every minute or so, or you can simply place a few drops on a clean cotton ball and leave it on the affected area. For bee and wasp stings, make sure to remove the stinger first before applying lavender essential oil.
Clay
Although clay is not an herb, it is a good earth medicine. Made into clay packs and used topically, clay is very beneficial for sprains, strains, and swellings caused by injury. Clay packs may also be used for water retention in the feet and legs. If you can’t get a splinter out with tweezers try a clay poultice. Mix clay with enough water to make a thick paste. Spread onto the affected area and leave it on for several hours or overnight.
Clove Essential Oil
Dentists recommend clove oil for a toothache, as it numbs the pain for a while. Rub clove essential oil on your gums as needed until the dentist can see you. Since it has a numbing effect, clove oil can also be applied to other painful areas (except for open wounds), but must be diluted with vegetable oil or cream.
Onion Pack
Here is an old, time-tested remedy for sore throats, coughs, respiratory congestion, or even an earache: Cut an onion into small pieces. Place into a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Fry for about 1 – 2 minutes, just enough to heat up the onion. Place onto a towel or paper towel and make a pouch, so that the onions cannot slip out. Apply to the affected area, securing with a towel or bandage, and leave it on for several hours or overnight. The onions will turn black as they work to absorb toxins. CAUTION: Before applying the onion pack to the affected area, make sure it is not too hot, or it will burn your skin. This is especially true for children, as they are more sensitive.
A Cup A Day – The Benefits of Drinking Tea
One of the world’s oldest beverages, tea is the second most commonly consumed liquid on earth besides water. Maybe one of the reasons is the myriad of health benefits associated with drinking tea. If you are not drinking tea yet, you’re missing out on a convenient, potent and delicious health beverage; here are some healthy tea facts that might surprise you:
1.) Tea has less caffeine than coffee. A cup of tea contains approximately 30 mg of caffeine, versus 135 mg in a cup of coffee.
2.) Tea adds to your necessary daily fluid intake, unlike coffee and other beverages which may have a diuretic effect.
3.) Tea has no calories, unless you add milk or a sweetener.
4.) Tea increases your metabolic rate.
5.) Tea contains potent antioxidant properties.
6.) Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
7.) Tea builds strong bones.
8.) Tea contains fluoride and tannins for healthy teeth and gums.
9.) Tea boosts your immune system.
10.) Tea possesses cancer-fighting properties.
Black, Green, White, Oolong and Red Teas
It’s hard to believe, but Black, Green, White and Oolong teas (the four true teas) come from the same plant, known as Camellia sinensis, grown in many parts of the World. The major differences between them are the amount of processing each goes through. Black teas are processed the most and White teas the least. This results in the Black teas having a stronger and bolder taste, while the Green and White teas are much lighter tasting. In addition, Green, Black and Oolong teas come from the upper leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, while White tea is derived only from the tips of the leaves.
Red teas usually refer to Honeybush or Rooibos teas made from a blend of different plants. Research has shown that Red teas are the healthiest of all the available teas. They have more antioxidant properties than Green teas.
Honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia) is a shrub native to South Africa. This deliciously sweet tea is smooth tasting, lacking the typical bite found in most Green and Black teas, because it contains virtually no tannins and is caffeine free.
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is another plant from South Africa. Rooibos only grows commercially in one small corner of the world – South Africa’s Cederberg district. The soil conditions, rainfall and sunshine of the district can’t be duplicated anywhere else on earth. In order to protect the future of the industry, environmental controls in the area are stringent. Growers take great care to ensure that the fragile Cederberg ecosystem isn’t tempered with or altered. People from this part of the World drink Rooibos tea purely for enjoyment, but also to help relieve insomnia, irritability, headaches, nervous tension, hypertension, skin problems, and stomach cramping and colic in infants. This tea contains no oxalic acid, making it a good beverage for people prone to kidney stones.
Herbal Teas
When you drink a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea you are actually not consuming tea. You are drinking a “tisane” or an “infusion”. Tisane is French for ‘herbal infusion’ and is simply an infusion of dried herbs or fruits. Tisanes and herbal infusions are not true teas since the Camellia plant is not used. However, they are generally referred to as teas since the preparation, enjoyment, and health benefits are similar. Many herbal teas are consumed for medicinal reasons and are naturally caffeine free.
What’s In A Tea Bag?
Almost all teas in tea-bags are blends and usually of a lower quality than loose teas. Tea blending may occur in one tea-planting area (e.g. Assam) or the blends may be a combination of teas from diverse tea plantations. The aim of blending is to give the consumer a stable taste over the years and a cheaper price. For only the best quality and taste, we recommend using loose tea, whether brewing a cup of herbal tea or true Camellia sinensis.
How To Brew A Perfect Cup Of Tea
For one cup of hot tea: Measure 1 teaspoon of dried tea of your choice and place into a container. Bring 1 cup of water to a rolling boil and pour over the tea and steep to desired strength. Strain and enjoy.
For a cup of iced tea: Follow the above instructions and chill with ice.
The Power of Antioxidant Herbs
Anti-oxidants are very popular these days because of their health-enhancing and anti-aging benefits. But what exactly are anti-oxidants and why are they so important?
Anti-Oxidants: Your Body’s Free Radical ‘Bouncers”
Anti-oxidants are chemicals produced by the body to keep free radicals in check. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that have at least one unpaired electron, which makes them unstable and highly reactive. Anti-oxidants eliminate free radicals by circulating throughout your body and neutralizing any unpaired electrons they encounter, rendering them inactive.
Unfortunately, if your body is unable to produce enough anti-oxidants to meet the high demands caused by too much stress, pollution, poor dietary choices, and the electromagnetic fields that bombard us every day, free radicals continue to multiply, speeding up the aging process, and opening the door to many illnesses.
Where Do Free Radicals Come From and Why are They Dangerous?
Free radicals are formed as part of your body’s normal metabolic process and perform a number of important activities that promote health and well-being. They fight bacteria, help keep inflammation in check, and help regulate normal activity of the blood vessels and organs by maintaining smooth muscle tone. However, daily stress and other irritants can generate an overabundance of free radicals. Because of their unstable nature, too many free radicals damage tissue cells and may speed up the progression of cancer, heart disease and various age-related conditions.
Anti-Oxidant Herbs: Nature’s Medicine Cabinet
To keep free radicals in check you must eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. For added support, add one or more of the following herbs to your daily diet to enhance your body’s inherent ability to produce anti-oxidants, increase the uptake of tissue oxygen and scavenge free radicals:
Acai has become popular because of its high anti-oxidant content. In addition, many people have noticed significant weight loss by taking just a couple of acai berry capsules a day.
Acerola is high in vitamin C, which is a powerful free radical scavenger with anti-oxidant effects. Acerola is used in cosmetics to fight cellular aging, not just for its high vitamin content, but also for its mineral salts, which have shown to aid in the re-mineralization of tired and stressed skin. The mucilage and proteins in Acerola also have skin-hydrating properties and promote capillary conditioning.
Cayenne Pepper is known to improve both digestion and circulation. Rich in flavonoids, these hot fruits also possess anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity.
Hawthorn is the best heart tonic and provides a strong concentration of anti-oxidants to fight free radicals. Hawthorn leaf, flower and berries nourish, strengthen, and tone the heart muscle and its blood vessels.
Milk Thistle is another powerful anti-oxidant. It helps fight the damaging effects of free radicals, stimulates basic liver function, protects the liver against damaging chemicals, and rebuilds liver cells that have been damaged.
Mullein is a respiratory herb with anti-oxidant properties. This abundant and valuable herb is known to inc
rease the uptake of tissue oxygen while scavenging free radicals. Additionally, mullein increases the absorption and assimilation of dietary nutrients. This combination increases life force vitality, hence contributes to anti-aging.
Rhodiola is known to increase physical endurance, enhance immune function, and possess anti-oxidant properties.
Rosemary is a powerful anti-oxidant herb, with great memory-enhancing and heart-strengthening properties. This beautiful garden herb stimulates blood circulation, tones the blood vessels, is invigorating, and increases awareness.
Turmeric is very popular these days and prescribed by many doctors for its valuable anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This beautiful golden/orange herb is a traditional Indian cooking spice that stimulates and improves digestion and also purifies the blood. It is believed to act as a natural antibiotic, and at the same time improve intestinal flora. Good for all inflammatory conditions, turmeric is a metabolism regulator, assists in protein digestion, and has been known to work amazingly well for arthritis.
Honeybush is a delicious sweet tea with many health benefits. Honeybush is caffeine free and rich in anti-oxidants, helps to support immune function, maintains fat and cholesterol levels within normal ranges, as well as working as an anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic.
Rooibos contains more anti-oxidant properties than green tea. These anti-aging properties have been shown to slow down human aging processes, as well as boost the immune system.
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