On the herbfest web site is a chart you can copy and use to help make your garden better this year.   Several plants in close proximity to each other actually are beneficial for their health.   Contra there are some plants you do not want close to each other.   Click above to get your information and start planning now for Spring to return.

http://www.herbfest.net/growing-herbs/gardening-with-herbs/331-growing-herbs-circa-1900

Learn more about the historical uses, care of and how to use today as a culinary herb or spice.

Here is my response to her and below you see her answer back.

Thank you for signing up for the herbal lore/legend series.  The answer to your question is to type in search on our website the word: kidney, and you will get several articles on using herbs for kidney issues.  There is at least one article  specific to kidney stones.

We also have a herbfest blog that we use to share information with our “herbanites” who are interested in herbs and a high degree of interest specific to medicinal uses of herbs.   It would be wonderful if you would share your story about using dandelion root for gallstones.  Your experiences would be nice to share as we have many people who follow the blog and are interested in your experiences.  You don’t have to use your real name nor give an email address either so you will not get personal emails.   The blog is more a discussion group for all to learn from.

You can click to access the blog and type in your experiences.

Top of the year to you and look forward to hearing from you.   Enjoy the weekly tips you will be receiving.

Herbanite Bob

Answer from our Herbanite:

Thanks, Bob! Wonderful site. I didn’t see where I could post about my experience with gallstones and dandelions, though. It was an accidental treatment that made it possible for me to avoid the doctor recommended Nexium and surgery AND heartburn for over six years (nine months of which involved a pregnancy). Likely, there may be other attributing reasons for the no heartburn but I am certain I had gallstones and that I have not had another attack in seven years.

I say “accidental” because I was using the dandelion root as part of a routine early pregnancy detox regiment. I had two severe gallstone attacks just two weeks apart, even though attacks before were at least six weeks apart and I was forty pounds heavier. During the second attack I read the dandelion label. It advised no one take with gallstones take dandelion.

I’m convinced all the pain of those two attacks was the stones being dissolved. I give a strong warning to anyone I tell about my experience, but knowing the final outcome–I would do it again.

Thanks for everything. I DO look forward to your weekly tips! -D

http://bit.ly/wcP8ah NCSUPlantingGuide

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

Follow @medfaxx

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/

Follow @medfaxx

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!

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