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Where are Red and white currant recipes when you need them ? |
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By herbalexpert on
9/14/2007 2:22 PM
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I’ve had a bumper crop of soft fruit this summer – including plums, gooseberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, blackberries (both wild and growing wild in the garden) and have suitably frozen and bottled for the last two months. There will be lots of fruit pies and summer berry puddings but I have been at a loss of what to do with a bumper crop of redcurrants and white currants. I made some jars of redcurrant jelly and here is a super recipes for using it in cooking I adapted from one I found on the net – Pork medallions with redcurrant sauce.
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Getting ready for making Herbal Remedies |
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By herbalexpert on
8/22/2007 11:02 AM
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This time (August) is just about the right time to start preparation to make the herbal remedies and household goods made from herbs that I may either use myself or give as gifts at Christmas. This year I am making more Marigold ointment, some Rose petal lip balm and some Gardeners’ soap. I will also be making some tincture of lavender and some kitchen items (herbal vinegars and oils), but will decide later about these. Here is where I’ve got to in initial preparation.
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Cleaning your mouth and teeth with herbal remedies |
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By herbalexpert on
6/22/2007 10:16 AM
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Here are a couple of recipes for herbal remedies for cleaning your mouth and teeth without harsh abrasives – a Mint mouthwash with either sherry or vodka as a base – but sorry you don’t drink it! A tooth powder using dried sage and a couple of other ideas. Its a good time to make it witrh fresh herbs though they will need drying first.
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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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