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Soothing herbs for eczema |
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By herbalexpert on
5/23/2007 3:00 PM
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Eczema can be caused by food or airborne allergens or by microbes. Whatever the cause, it can be so very irritating. For serious eczema you need to see a doctor, but if you get the occasional patches like I get you can try the following: Dandelion, Oats or Comfrey (though take care with this).
You need to track down the reason for your eczema – for many of us it is a particular allergy plus a stress trigger. However, once you have eczema you need to have a number of things to try to relieve the itching and pain. Try these
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Companion Planting in containers with herbs |
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By herbalexpert on
5/21/2007 8:06 AM
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Last year I tried out companion planting with herbs and vegetables for the first time and I learnt a few dos and don’ts – like nothing else grows except potatoes in a container and you can still get carrot fly ruining root crops in a container. This year I’ve tried a number of new ideas and they seem to be working, and will give me a range of fresh herbs and vegetables.
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Fruit growing in the garden |
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By herbalexpert on
5/17/2007 8:50 AM
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At this time (May) the fruit trees and bushes and plants are really coming along and giving and indication of good yields later in the year. I’ve bought some more trees, and the existing ones get more mature and able to fruit each year. There are 2 cherries, a pear and a plum tree, 2 gooseberry bushes, blackcurrant, redcurrant and white current bushes, blackberry, raspberry canes, blueberries, strawberries, a fig tree and an olive tree. Most take up very little space and would fit into a small garden if there were enough sun. Here’s the stage they’re at:
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A New Season for the Herb Garden (May) |
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By herbalexpert on
5/16/2007 8:38 AM
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At the beginning of a new season my herb garden is waking up – the new sage plants I planted last year are just coming into flower – I’ve had to prune the Rosemary hard as its straggling all over, and the herbs are in much better shape than last year when heavy rain in the winter kept them cold. It has been very warm in April even though its raining now, so I have a good crop of herbs. Here is a herb audit:
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January in the Herb Garden: Still drying herbs |
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By herbalexpert on
1/22/2007 1:18 PM
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Though the weather has been very wet the herb garden is on a sloping site, so hasn’t suffered too much. It doesn’t have much sun in the winter with the sun so low in the sky but as there has been little frost (up to last night that is) there is still a lot of life in the herb garden. The Rosemary is in early flower, and I can cut Sage, Oregano, Parsley and Bay leaves. Take care drying in the microwave.
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Refreshing Thyme Herbal Bath for after a winter walk! |
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By herbalexpert on
1/1/2007 2:14 PM
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We’ve just had a New Year’s Day walk – and got very wet and battered by hailstones before we got back ! We were so cold and legs stiff we needed a bath when we got back – especially one to soothe chapped skin and relax aching muscles. I dried a load of my herbs at the end of October – and have lots of big bags of sweet smelling herbs to use for all purposes. Here is my simple recipe for a Thyme Herbal Bath
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Making my herb Christmas Presents: Lavender Bags and Lavender/Herb pillows(1) |
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By herbalexpert on
11/18/2006 3:41 PM
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Though I’ve not finished in the garden (there is still stuff to tidy, and with only one frost I can still cut some herbs) I’m now planning to make a number of different stocking fillers and better using my fresh and dried herbs. The good thing about this choice is that it is simple enough for my four year old grand daughter to help make. They can be made of all sizes, but not only do they smell nice in your bedroom, they also make your clothes in drawer or hanging smell nice, repel insects and lift your mood.
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Dust Mite allergies – getting rid of dust mites |
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By herbalexpert on
11/7/2006 1:15 PM
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House dust mites have been recognised as a major source of allergen. Three members of my family are seriously affected. Because we have wall-to-wall carpets, soft furnishings, and central heating in our homes, the density of house dust mites in our homes has increased dramatically. Over 80% of young adults and children with asthma are hypersensitive to its allergens. I’ve been finding out some facts about this.
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October -the last of the growing herbs in the garden |
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By herbalexpert on
10/12/2006 1:15 PM
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I have clumps of marjoram which was late seeding all over the garden – this is too late to flower which means I have some nice fresh leaves which I will make infused oil with. The same for Lemon Balm. I have also a range of other herbs which I am still able to cut fresh – and will probably be able to do so for a little time yet. I am also still picking strawberries and I have a few late ripening raspberries.
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