| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| EnchantedWoodsGirl |
Posted - Jun 02 2006 : 11:50:21 AM
I know there are lots of herb lovers out there! What is your favorite herb and what is your favorite homemade remedy?
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 09:04:00 AM
The only thing I really do is make my own chamomile tea infusions, and put crumbled fresh rosemary in the bath for sore muscles and body aches (it also smells sooo pretty!).
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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| katmom |
Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 1:10:30 PM
OK, add me to the list of Lavender lovers....
It's great for cooking, I use it in Creme Brulee and Cheese Cake. I also steep it with Pineapple Sage leaves for a summery lite tausane (herbal tea). (P. Sage is very easy to grow).
I also steep it in distilled water, strain it 2-3 times through cheese cloth, put it in a small spray bottle & use it as a freshing body spray. I also use it on my kitchen counter when wiping the counter clean. Keep unused portion in the fride up to 7 days & toss any unused after that. Lavender in EO may be a bit expensive, but it goes a long way and I truly belive in buying the best quality lavender E.O. you can afford. Not the cheap chemacaly laden knock offs.
I have a 6' wide buy 5' deep section in my garden with the most heavenly lavender bushes. But best of all, I have the most happiest & busyist bees in Moorpark. They love my lavender too!.
P.S., if you decide to grow your own lavender, please don't use pesticides or chemicals on or around it. Remember, Healty is as Healty does.
tata-4-now
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom. |
| Sarah Blue |
Posted - Apr 29 2007 : 8:54:45 PM
Miss Bee Haven, are you out there? I would love the comfrey lotion recipe too. I have a ton of it growing in my flower bed and I really need to learn how to use it. Speaking of flowers, some of my favorite herbal remedies are flower essences. Does anyone else here subscribe to them? They work on a more etheric or emotional level rather than physical, but I swear by them for myself. After caring for someone who was dying of breast cancer, the trauma, stress, and grief of it all demolished my immune system. I developed alopecia and didn't know what to do. Flower essences were part of the solution for me. One of my favorites is self-heal.
"i believe in god, only i spell it nature." - frank lloyd wright
http://www.myspace.com/svgrrrl |
| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 23 2007 : 07:16:18 AM
Kristine - I do believe that the peppermint-basil-rosemary and cold/hot combination staved off a migraine yesterday. I had to take it really easy for the first part of yesterday and just pamper myself that way, but it WORKED!!! THANK YOU!!! I get a little suspicious of my prescription migraine medicine, and I am thrilled to find an alternative.
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 17 2007 : 1:09:28 PM
I love all mint varieties and lavender. I even love the two combined in teas or bath soaks- Anything really. There are so many herbs to choose from though; it is hard to pick a favorite!
Alee
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| Phils Ann |
Posted - Apr 17 2007 : 11:08:47 AM
Miss Bee Haven, is there any chance of getting that recipe for comfrey lotion to post for us? I also have the cracks around my thumbnails...lasting for months this time.
Thanks!
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 09:28:14 AM
Awesome, Kristine! Thanks!!! I'll for sure make those changes and additions next time I get one, which will probably be in the next week or so - they seem to follow my cycle (or my stress level!) pretty closely. Ugh.
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 09:25:12 AM
Libbie,
Adding a touch of rosemary eo will boost the power of your headache (basil & peppermint) combination.
A very hot foot bath & a ice pack placed at the neck will even make it work better.
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 09:16:59 AM
I have really come to use a combination of basil and peppermint essential oils in a cool compress for headaches - I was so surprised that IT WORKS!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| Sweet Harvest Homestead |
Posted - Mar 14 2007 : 6:05:50 PM
Oh boy!
Rosemary or Lavender!
I used to buy Lavender from a great little place on Whidbey Island, Washington. It was called Sweetwater Lavender. Not sure if they are still in business. Also Purple Haze is a good place.
Lindy
www.sweetharvesthomestead.typepad.com |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Mar 14 2007 : 07:45:49 AM
Well, this winter, Comfrey is my favorite. A friend made me a Comfrey lotion that has healed my cracked and bleeding winter skin almost overnight. And there has been no more cracking since. It also worked on a male handy man friend of ours who has severe cracking/bleeding on his thumb. He recently had this problem for three weeks and I took him some of my lotion. He rubbed some on his thumb, put a rubber glove on overnight to keep it moist, and in the morning, the crack had healed over! He's done so much work on our farmhouse, that my being able to fix this one simple thing for him(the guy who can do anything and has every tool in the book) just made my day! :D
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| MustangSuzie |
Posted - Mar 14 2007 : 07:07:02 AM
I have many favorite herbs but my top herb of choice right now is stinging nettle. I have horrible seasonal/dust type allergies and get fantastik and instant relief from nettle.
My next favorite would probably be peppermint...oil and tea. I love the oil for headaches. I get nasty headaches from being tired and used to take at least 800mg of ibuprofen at least once a day if not more. I haven't taken any for the past couple of months..yea!!! I've also been managing my headaches better with more attention to proper rest and reducing stress. Native American flute music is the best for relaxing. I like to drink the tea after eating, it really seems to calm and stimulate the digestive system.
Blessings....
Sarah
"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." -From The Great Law Of The Iroquois Confederacy.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!!!!
http://mustangsuzie.wordpress.com
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| Lavender Cottage |
Posted - Mar 14 2007 : 06:03:30 AM
I can only grow rosemary in a pot here in MI. And, that's how I started my lavender plants too and then moved them to well drained sandy loam. And, I have really good luck with oragano.
I'm looking forward to learning what herbs will grow best in NC. Haven't had time to research-any help here would be appreciated. I'm thinking lavender and rosemary will love it there.
Ellen still in MI but hoping soon will be in NC! :) |
| EnchantedWoodsGirl |
Posted - Mar 13 2007 : 2:22:56 PM
I wish I could get rosemary to grow well here, but it doesn't - I have had luck with one lavender plant - I think it is hycote or something like that but I would have to look - ummm what does really well here - lemon balm, chickweed, honeysuckle, vinca vine, columbine, phlox, hollyhocks - simple herbs like basil, oregano - This past summer I started some queen ann's lace and some mullein and they did well.
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Mar 13 2007 : 2:15:06 PM
I really like my huge Rosemary plants by my back deck..they are about 4 ft tall by 4 ft wide..and I just planted it like a year and a half-2 yrs ago as a little itty bitty about 7 inch tall plant! ...but anyhow..I really like the smell of it and like adding a few crushed leaves to things like mashed potatoes and my daughter makes really yummy honey and rosemary scones.
I am just now trying to grow lavender..I have a large pot by my deck with a plant of it ..am hoping that it will get larger and I can start taking snippings from it.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
| Forrester Farm |
Posted - Mar 13 2007 : 2:07:10 PM
Kathy, That is so exciting about the Herb Quarterly! What a great idea for the violets too! I guess I never thought of them as being edible - see I just learned some more. Now that I think of it, I remember my grandma decorating food with the wild violets. I've just always used pansies.
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com |
| EnchantedWoodsGirl |
Posted - Mar 13 2007 : 1:59:33 PM
Hi Ann - I get Herb Companion and Herb Quarterly and sometimes I get Herbs for Health - I am a herbaholic hehehe - I love the idea of the borage ice cubes, I should do that with wood violets - i get scads of them in the spring and they are so pretty! I will be writing an article on Ground Ivy for Herb Quarterly - they have accepted my query and I believe it will be in their fall issue. I have till July I believe to get it written - I am very excited!
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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| Forrester Farm |
Posted - Mar 13 2007 : 12:41:32 PM
What I love about all herbs is that there is always something to learn and try. Lavender is my favorite, but I've been experimenting with many. One of my favorite things to do when we are having company in the summer is to make borage flower ice cubes. Gives a fun flair to our summer cookouts. Does anyone get the Herb Companion magazine? So many great ideas are featured in there too.
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com
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| lisamarie508 |
Posted - Mar 13 2007 : 12:28:40 PM
This year, I have to say my favorite is elderberry juice. I know it's not really an herb but boy does it keep the flu and cold bugs away! I went out and picked lots of them last fall because I had read that Native Americans used them for colds and flu. My husband WON'T drink it and my daughter(16) can't seem to remember(even after constant reminders). Guess what? I'm the only one who did not get the flu or even a sniffle this year! They both got the flu and colds and they were miserable. They thought I was nuts. Now they believe me.
Bramble, if you suffer from fibromyalgia/arthritis, I have a tip for you. Get away from the chemicals and go as organic as you can afford. Grow/raise as much of your own food as possible(that saves lots of money). Also get excess salt out of your diet. I have told this to many folks with fibromyalgia and Lupus and like me, have found serious relief without drugs. I suppose this is really a subject for a new topic. Here goes...
We come from Nature, we go back to Nature; health & happiness in between requires intimacy with Nature. |
| Lavender Cottage |
Posted - Jan 03 2007 : 11:40:48 AM
Hi Kathy and Jamie and all,
Thanks Kathy on the tips. I'm going to add Rosemary's book to my "to be read" list. There are so many wonderful herbs out there. And, spring isn't too far away!
Ellen in MI |
| EnchantedWoodsGirl |
Posted - Jan 03 2007 : 11:24:52 AM
Hi Gals - Hi Ellen - I use the dried leaves of my lemon balm for tea - I keep the dried leaves in a container out of the sun and the tea still tastes as wonderful.
The tincture I make using the fresh leaves that I let dry ever so lightly for a few days in the warm of summer. I have not made the tincture using edible glycerin - just the 80 proof Vodka (make sure to use a good brand, it makes a difference in the final product). A good book to read on herbal medicine is by Rosemary Gladstar - I believe it is called the Family Herbal but I would have to check my books. The lemon balm even helps with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Blessed be!
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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| GRITSgal |
Posted - Jan 03 2007 : 06:39:46 AM
I love lavendar and it made me feel being on the cloud nine..
I like used Basil leaves in cooking and salads .. also in panini.. my husband fell in love w/ it after I introduced to him first time.
Give
Live
Love
~jamie lee~ |
| Lavender Cottage |
Posted - Nov 21 2006 : 12:15:35 PM
Jo-I like the ice cube idea-if I can salvage any after last nights frost-I will try that. I bet they could be melted easily for tea. I dried a very small amount, but it is mixed with oregano, that might work good on chicken.
I hope it helps your friends migranes. I do find it very calming-noticably so.
The tincture sounds good. I do recall Kathy's posting. I bet it would make a great gift.
Ellen in MI
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| Hideaway Farmgirl |
Posted - Nov 21 2006 : 11:46:47 AM
Thanks, Ellen.
I have read that lemon balm tea works well for headaches. I have a friend who suffers from migraines, and so I am interested in giving her the leaves to make tea. I have used them in ice cubes for decoration, adding to lemonade or iced tea, or in some chicken dishes for a little extra seasoning. Now that I am making tinctures, I don't have to throw as much onto the compost heap!
The tincture is made from a recipe posted in FarmGirl Connection by Kathy of the Enchanted Woods ... I have made three batches myself this summer; I will have to slow down a bit or use them as stocking stuffers...hmmmm, not a bad idea.
I make Kathy's tincture recipe using 80 proof vodka; she suggests an alternative recipe using glycerin, although she says the alcohol will evaporate once you put the tincture into hot tea. At 5-10 drops per day, it should not be enough to give an alcoholic buzz.
Jo
"There are no strangers here, only friends you've yet to meet." |
| Lavender Cottage |
Posted - Nov 20 2006 : 08:50:06 AM
Hi Jo,
That is how I make it-I cut or tear up fresh leaves (from a few springs) and step them for a few minutes in boiling water.
I add the fresh leaves to salads too. What else do you season with it? I haven't tried to tincture it-how do you do that?
Enjoy the tea!
Ellen in MI |
