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Borage – getting ready for harvesting flowers and then seeds |
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Herbal
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By herbalexpert on
9/21/2006 11:39 AM
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I have steadily been increasing the number of Borage plants I grow – I have to admit this is because of the incredibly beautiful blue of the flowers, though of late I’ve quite liked the odd cup of Borage tea after gardening. I like to use the dried flowers in pot-pourri, also.
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Harvesting Herbs in September 06 |
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Herbal
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By herbalexpert on
9/14/2006 9:17 AM
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Its raining today so I’ve time just to note what I’ve been harvesting and which herbs are still to harvest in the garden. This includes the leaves, flowers, petals, fruits and seeds of herbs I’m going to store or to use for remedies or cooking. Among those I’ve taken from the garden in the past week are marigolds, nasturtiums, borage, marjoram, blueberries, blackberries and there are still considerable amounts of herbs yet to come.
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Herbal remedy for Dandruff |
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Herbal
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By herbalexpert on
9/1/2006 12:44 PM
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In dandruff-free hair the skin cells renew every 21 days and migrate to the surface. Dandruff means that they are being replaced in about 10 days and build up on the scalp in clumps. Oily hair and yeast infections may cause this and if its mild, there are herbal home remedies to sort it out. Severe attacks of seborrhoeic dermatitis – inflammation of the oil glands – should be takento the doctor or chemist. Herbal remedies can work either topically from the outside or the inside.
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Hyssop – useful but hard to grow |
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Herbal
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By herbalexpert on
8/30/2006 9:55 AM
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I’m trying to grow Hyssop yet again – the plant looks wonderful (mine has pinky flowers) but I’ve not yet managed to get it to live over a cold winter. I’ll make the most of it in case it goes again – I’ll dry the leaves but also will use some right now for my son’s bad cold. Not only can it be used as a home remedy it can also be used for a flavouring in cooking (though I’ve not tried it yet) and it can be used as a green dye, I believe.
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Making a Marigold Salve (1) Making Marigold oil. |
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Herbal
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By herbalexpert on
8/27/2006 11:11 AM
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I am planning to make a Marigold Salve, so I have been harvesting the Mariglod petals from the garden after the latest hot spell before the rain spoiled them – but also leaving enough flower heads to give seeds for next year. I have also got some almond oil and ordered beeswax off the internet – you’ll probably have difficulty getting it locally, but its cheaper online, anyway. I will also order some more almond oil as its much cheaper, though you have to buy quite large quantities.
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Old remedies for Colic |
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Herbal
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By herbalexpert on
8/21/2006 1:08 PM
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The spasmodic stomach pains of colic are usually associated with babies, but adults too can suffer from them. Here are some old Texan baby soothers and a number of 15th 17th and 18th century colic recipes. Some of them have been noted by Samuel Pepys but appears to have utilised a hare’s foot round his neck and took pills of turpentine every morning – but did not know which one was the effective remedy.
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Helping the itch of Eczema with herbal remedies |
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Herbal
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By herbalexpert on
8/18/2006 12:36 PM
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Eczema runs in my family, my father suffered on and off all his life, I had severe eczema as a child and have recurrent problems every now and then ,and my son has had some series attacks brought on by stress. Recently I developed an itchy patch on my shoulder – this used to be common in winter, and it was finally linked to the chocolates I go for Christmas – the only time I ate it. It could have been chocolate – I’m not so careful about not eating it nowadays, or it could have been another trigger. But I’ve been using the same soother that has always worked for me – Slippery Elm as well as taking Evening Primrose.
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Drying Herbs for Herbal Remedies |
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Herbal
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By herbalexpert on
8/16/2006 2:52 PM
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I’m using a number of different ways of drying my herbs. After a mega harvest yesterday and this morning I’ve got big piles of different herbs I’ll be using for different things. I’m going to put them into sealing polythene bags – I know glass jars may well be better for the purists, but I’ve not enough room to store a large number of glass jars, especially as my shelves are already full with the summer fruit in kilner jars. My method depends on the amount of herb I need to dry and whether I need to dry it on stalks or can strip the leaves. DON’T wash the herbs and harvest when dry.
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Preparing Herbs for preserving |
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Herbal
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By herbalexpert on
8/14/2006 1:27 PM
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Many herbs with aromatic leaves and a strong texture, such as Sage, Rosemary and Thyme dry well as they have little moisture content, those with juicier leaves such as comfrey or borage, take longer to dry. Herbs need proper preparation before preserving them, but do try not to either pick them wet or wash before drying as essential oils can be lost. I know its late in the year, but I am harvesting a great deal of marjoram and oregano to make oil, lavender, rosemary, mint, borage, thyme, dandelion root and lemon balm.
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