Herbal Advice http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Blog/tabid/835/BlogId/28/Default.aspx en-US nancy@ellp.org.uk Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:39:14 GMT Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:39:14 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blog RSS Generator Version 3.1.20.17153 The rain and cold has cut a swathe through my herb garden – the 10 year old large clump of chives is dead, as are two out of three of sage plants and one of my two rosemary bushes, though the origano has survived it looks unhappy. I have therefore been planting a new set of herbs ……. http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Blog/tabid/835/EntryID/1269/Default.aspx http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=835&EntryID=1269 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:47:00 GMT http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=1269 I made this recipe before Christmas for presents, and it turned out very well – however, be warned, this amount makes only three bars. Its made from soap base, oatmeal and calendula (lavender if you wish) as well as some almond oil and Vitamin E (if you wish). Its quite easy to make, though getting it out of the mould took a little fiddling. Recipe follows. http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Blog/tabid/835/EntryID/1231/Default.aspx http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=835&EntryID=1231 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:01:00 GMT http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=1231 I collected petals from my pink English roses over the summer and put them in oil in the sun and I’ve just made some Rose Petal Lip Balm which will go down nicely as Christmas presents and will be useful as the weather gets colder. You use it on your lips when going out in cold weather or if your lips get cracked or dry. Made with Almond Oil, beeswax, honey and a couple of other ingredients it is quite easy to make. Here is the recipe. http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Blog/tabid/835/EntryID/1192/Default.aspx http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=835&EntryID=1192 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:21:00 GMT http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=1192 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. http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Blog/tabid/835/EntryID/1175/Default.aspx http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=835&EntryID=1175 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:22:00 GMT http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=1175 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. http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Blog/tabid/835/EntryID/1167/Default.aspx http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=835&EntryID=1167 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:02:00 GMT http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=1167 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. http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Blog/tabid/835/EntryID/1130/Default.aspx http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=835&EntryID=1130 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:16:00 GMT http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=1130 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 http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Blog/tabid/835/EntryID/1113/Default.aspx http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=835&EntryID=1113 Wed, 23 May 2007 15:00:00 GMT http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=1113 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. http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Blog/tabid/835/EntryID/1109/Default.aspx http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=835&EntryID=1109 Mon, 21 May 2007 08:06:00 GMT http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=1109 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: http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Blog/tabid/835/EntryID/1107/Default.aspx http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=835&EntryID=1107 Thu, 17 May 2007 08:50:00 GMT http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=1107 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: http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Blog/tabid/835/EntryID/1105/Default.aspx http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=835&EntryID=1105 Wed, 16 May 2007 08:38:00 GMT http://www.herbal-choice.co.uk/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=1105