Now is an ideal time to be scrolling through the plethora of seed, plant and gardening books arriving daily in this winter period for most of us in U.S. It’s also a great time to have a companion planting guide to figure out which plants complement each other. One wants to create a micro climate environment to aid the growth and veggie production as well as planting herbs that repel harmful insects to the companion plants. Read More…
Article on Herbfest web site introducing how herbs were introduced into the U.S. and why it was felt important to do so. From a European background of only the wealthy could afford spices the use of herbs expanded seasonings to the working class. Read More…
New post on Caraway on Herbfest web site.
Learn more about the historical uses, care of and how to use today as a culinary herb or spice.
New post on Lavender Herbs, as part of the Heritage Herb series from “Culinary Herbs” printed in 1912.
Dandelion root dissolved my gallstones. Is there an herb that will do the same with kidney stones?
Here is my response to her and below you see her answer back. Read More…
As January moves along into February, gardeners are dreaming of their vegetable gardens for this year. Our friends at North Carolina Cooperative Extension (and a special hi to our pals at Wake County Extension Master Gardeners) have a handy planning guide for what to plant when.
http://bit.ly/wcP8ah NCSUPlantingGuide
Q. what are the trade names for the herbs “Hypericum Mysorense” and “Hypericum Hookeranum”, and where can I purchase them?
A: Hi Kim
Hypericum is a large family of plants of which the most popular is the plant we call “St. John’s Wort”. That is only 1 species of the family though and the other two you ask about are different species. Here is one place that supposedly sells the oils, http://www.herbalcureandtreatments.com/
As you get more information weekly on herbal lore and legend series, or visit our HerbFest web site and inquire using search, you will find probably your best source of medicinal quality herb oils is to buy the oil, not the plants. Pharmaceutical grade oils are packed with the medicinal chemical constituents you are probably looking for.
Good luck and top of the year to you.
bobj
One of the greatest things about the internet is the news gathering applications. Was reading one of my favorite ones, Zite, and came across an article on winter herb gardening. So, if you can’t wait for HerbFest to get your herbs, try growing a herb garden in your kitchen.
If the click through doesn’t work then copy and paste below in your browser:
http://spanishchef.net/spanishchefblog/2012/01/16/13-herbs-to-grow-in-your-kitchen-with-tips-on-getting-started/
Christmas is over and the new year has begun. Just have to get through January and it won’t be long before it warms up again and things begin to blossom.
Folks who come to HerbFest often say I would love to try more herbs, but I just don’t have the room. I came across an article about using an old wood pallet as a “container garden.” Here’s How-To: Turn a Pallet Into a Vertical Garden.
If doesn’t click through then copy and paste this into url below or try clicking on it.
http://www.curbly.com/users/capreek/posts/10175-how-to-turn-a-pallet-into-a-vertical-garden.
What a great way to recycle!
following a post on Garlic from the Herbal Lore and Legend free weekly herb tips, we received the below comment from C. Moonstar which is interesting. C. Moonstar’s ancestry is that of American Indian.
Bob
Ewwwwwww…I believe that garlic as well as chicken soup has medicinal value. However, I draw the line sometimes…I believe that my friends must think it wards off evil because they even use garlic in their grits.
My maternal grandmother was a true herbalist and she planted crops year round of her wares. Each year as winter approached, my mother would help her harvest the ready herbs and cover her herbal garden plants with straw to protect them until the weather became warmer. Each year in the spring, the gypsies (honest truth Bob) came with their entourage of wagons and horses to gather their needs for the coming year.
Now how or why my mother made warm milk with garlic and butter when I was sick with a cold, I do not know. Just the thought of those days gags me. This is one recipe that I do not have nor do I want….eeeewwwwww.
Thanks for the info on garlic. I am sure that I could have also learned a lot from my grandmother. I am sad to know that her skills and knowledge were buried with her since I was only 6 months old when she passed. I am sure that despite her limited purse she had a vast wealth of knowledge. Hopefully, our paths will cross in the skyland one day.
Blessings of the season, Bob Follow @medfaxx
CMM
