20 Uses for Garlic : EcoSalon Pungent and powerful, garlic has dozens of health and household uses. Chew up a raw clove of garlic and you might exhale noxious, eye-watering clouds of stink all day, but you’ll also repel mosquitoes (and vampires), increase your immunity, heal cold sores, expel parasites and maybe even get in the mood. Garlic is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, killing bacteria, fungus, viruses and mold, so it’s an important ally for natural health. Check out these 20 unusual and sometimes strange alternative uses for garlic.Acne Slice open a clove of raw, fresh garlic and apply it to breakouts as a home remedy for acne. Your skin won’t smell terribly good, but the antibacterial properties of garlic will help lessen the appearance of acne, even those deep acne cysts that can otherwise be difficult to treat. Pesticide Whiteflies, aphids, cabbage loopers and squash bugs. Cold sore treatment These unsightly lesions always seem to pop up at the most inopportune times, like the morning before a big date. Fish bait
Fig Tree Fertilizer – When And How To Fertilize A Fig Tree By Jackie Carroll One thing that makes fig trees so easy to grow is that they rarely need fertilizer. In fact, giving a fig tree fertilizer when it doesn’t need it can harm the tree. A fig tree that gets too much nitrogen produces less fruit and is more susceptible to cold weather damage. Figs are naturally slow-growing trees, and giving them fertilizer can cause growth spurts that result in splits and cracks in trunks and branches. When to Fertilize Figs The first thing you need to know is what to feed fig trees. It’s best to provide fertilizer for fig trees only when the tree shows symptoms of slow growth or pale leaves, but there are a couple of exceptions where fig trees need regular feedings. You also need to know when to fertilize figs. How to Fertilize Fig Trees If the fruit doesn’t ripen properly, you may be over fertilizing. Spread the fertilizer over the tree’s root zone, which is just beyond the reach of the canopy. Did you find this helpful? Additional Help & Information
Korean Ginseng – The Root of Immortality By James Hartley Guest Writer for Wake Up World Korean (Panax) Ginseng is one of Nature’s true Super Herbs, otherwise known as the root of immortality or Asian/Oriental Ginseng. This herb has a very positive effect in making the whole body healthy. Korean ginseng is considered an energizer, stress reducer. It is considered to be an “adaptogen”. The root must be at least six years old to be effective. Korean ginseng has been used to lower cholesterol, reduce stress, decrease stress and boost energy, treat diabetes, treat depression and sharpen the mind and memory. History Of Korean Ginseng Panax ginseng was discovered and first used around five thousand years ago in the Manchuria, China mountains. According to Chinese legend, emperor Shen Nung discovered ginseng around 2700 BC. It’s considered an “Ultimate Tonic”. The good news about the powerful herb soon spread throughout the world and ginseng was traded with other cultures. Nutritional Composition Precautions and Side Effects
Herbs For Cholesterol Top 10 Herbs For Regulating Cholesterol image to repin / shareHerbs background pic © Elena Moiseeva - Fotolia.com Please share this page: Google + StumbleUpon Reddit Undoubtedly, if there is one factor you should consider to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, it would be controlling your blood cholesterol levels. Once there is too much cholesterol in the body, the excess accumulates along the arterial walls which eventually narrows them and obstructs the flow of blood to the heart, leading to potential cardiovascular disorders. As there are herbs for almost all kinds of diseases, there are also of course herbs for reducing cholesterol. Garlic Extensive studies have been conducted on garlic for its cholesterol regulating abilities and some studies suggest it can decrease blood cholesterol by a few percentage points. [2] Other researchers found that the more frequent the intake of garlic, the greater the reduction in cholesterol levels. Turmeric Fenugreek Ginger Artichoke Alfalfa Guggul
Growing Medicinal Herbs for Plant-Based Healing - Natural Health On a freezing winter night many years ago, my wife and I saved our young daughter’s life with an onion poultice. Our struggling daughter woke in the middle of the night so congested she could barely breathe. With some quick thinking and the help of a few common ingredients we had on hand in our wooden yurt and garden, our daughter’s breathing returned to normal within an hour. Herbal Remedies for Ear Infections Our early success with growing medicinal herbs inspired me and my wife to more carefully prepare our home apothecary. Remedy. Growing Greek mullein. Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections When my wife and I first began selling medicinal plant seeds, people often asked whether we knew how to treat a urinary tract infection (UTI) with herbs. Remedy. Growing goldenrod. Growing marshmallow. Growing juniper. Herbal Remedies for Cuts and Wounds Treating cuts immediately will help avoid deeper complications, such as infection. Remedy. Growing calendula. Growing comfrey. Remedy.
The 16 Best Healthy, Edible Plants to Grow Indoors From farmers’ markets and Community Supported Agriculture, to urban farms and rooftop gardens, to produce delivery services, more and more people across the U.S. are embracing farm-fresh food. And for good reason: Locally grown produce tends to be better for the environment and for local communities than its store-bought counterparts. Growing food at home also ensures that growers know exactly where their food comes from and how it was grown (no need to worry about deceptive food labeling). Luckily, you don’t need to be a farmer (or even live near a farm) in order to reap the benefits of home-grown produce. General Growing Tips Before you get started, here are a few tips that will be handy to keep in mind no matter which of the plants from this list you choose to grow. Fruits and Veggies Photo: Alpha 1. How to Grow: It’s possible to grow an avocado tree from an avocado pit, but doing so may not yield edible fruit. 2. 3. 4. How to Harvest: Most lemons will ripen in six to nine months. 5. 6.
How To Grow Ginger Root - Planting Ginger Plant In Your Herb Garden By Heather Rhoades Ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) may seem like a mysterious herb to grow. The knobby ginger root is found in grocery stores but very rarely do you find it in your local nursery. So can you grow ginger at home? The answer is yes, you can. Not only is growing ginger plants possible, it is easy as well. How to Grow Ginger Root Planting ginger starts with finding some ginger root to plant. Advertisement Ginger plants take 10 months to mature. Next, you will need to select a place to grow your ginger plant. Plant your ginger root in the early spring, after all chances of frost have passed. Plant the ginger sections in a shallow trench. Plant one ginger plant per square foot. The leaves on the ginger plant will get to be up to 4 feet tall and are susceptible to wind damage. How to Harvest Ginger Your ginger plant will be ready for harvest in the spring, or you can let it grow through the next summer for a larger harvest.
Nutmeg Please share this page: Google + StumbleUpon Reddit Names of Nutmeg, past and present Chinese: rou dou kou / ron dau kouJapanese: hikayaMalay: pala / buah palaPinyin: Rou Dou KouIndian: jaiphal / jatipari / jatikoshaHindi: Jaayphala / Jayphala / Japhal / Jaephal / Jaiphal Spanish: nuez moscada / nuez moscada y macisGerman: die mustanuß / muskatbuamFrench: muscade / noix muscade / fleur de muscade / macis / muscade et macisEnglish: nutmeg / muscade (adapted) / mace / nutmeg and mace (complete nomenclature) Latin (esoteric): muscada (pronounced: moose-kah-duh) / nox muscada / macis (pronounced: mah-sees; alternately: mah-cheese)Latin (scientific nomenclature): Myristica fragrans / Myristica malabarica / Myristica officinalis Nutmeg - General Info Nutmeg is a popular (and formerly notorious) spice that is derived from the fruit (specifically the seeds) of the nutmeg tree - Myristica fragrans; a large evergreen tree native to the Banda Islands in Indonesia. Nutmeg - History Nutmeg - Esoteric Uses:
Preparedness - Homegrown Medicinals While I’m out working in the garden, I’m not just tending standard food crops, I’m also tending herbs and “weeds”. Some I use for culinary purposes, some for medicinal, some for both. (Don’t you love it when you can get multiple uses from one item?) With many medicinal herbs now being outlawed in Europe, and increasing odds that the US is likely to follow Europe’s lead (thank you, Big Pharma), I’ve been learning more about plants that I can grow in my own yard for medicinal purposes. You’d be surprised at how useful “weeds” can be. I dry an assortment of plants over the course of the season. Here’s a shot of the naked jars. From left to right we have chocolate mint, mullein blossoms, lemon balm, red clover blossoms, yarrow, catnip, chamomile, raspberry leaf, hyssop, and mullein leaves. The mints (chocolate mint, lemon balm, catnip) make lovely teas. Mullein is used externally for treating ear ailments, and internally for treating congestion. Chamomile is a general relaxant.
35+ Easy to Grow Medicinal Plants To Make Your Own Herbal Remedies! If you are looking for a healthier way to treat some of your health problems, while enjoying a beautiful garden, medicinal plants you can grow in your garden are an excellent alternative to taking modern medicines. Just dry your herbs and create your own natural pharmacy At A Glance: OUR TOP 5 PICKS FOR MEDICINAL PLANTS Many of the prescription drugs available today have a long list of possible bad side effects, some of which may even be worse than the medical problem you’re trying to treat. This is why many people are searching for a more natural, safer way to treat their medical problems. For centuries, people have used a wide variety of plants to treat all types of illnesses. The Herbal Apothecary: 100 Medicinal Herbs and How to Use Them Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use Below are 35 of the most popular medicinal plants and herbs that you can grow right in your own garden. Medicinal Plants You Can Grow In Your Garden Aloe Vera
How to Grow Garlic: Organic Gardening Soil preparation: Garlic will tolerate some shade but prefers full sun. While I've seen cloves sprout in gravel pits, garlic responds best in well-drained, rich, loamy soil amended with lots of organic matter. Raised beds are ideal, except in very dry regions. Planting: To grow garlic, you plant the cloves, the sections of the bulb; each clove will produce a new bulb. The largest cloves generally yield the biggest bulbs. To get the cloves off to a strong start and protect them from fungal diseases, soak them in a jar of water containing one heaping tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of liquid seaweed for a few hours before planting. Spacing: Place cloves in a hole or furrow with the flat or root end down and pointed end up, with each tip 2 inches beneath the soil. Watering: Garlic needs about an inch of water each week during spring growth. When your garlic is thoroughly dry, trim the roots, taking care not to knock off the outer skin.
Planting, Growing & Harvesting Broccoli Broccoli is a great choice for a home garden. Freshly cut broccoli heads are rich in vitamins and minerals. They’re delicious raw in salads or lightly steamed and they freeze well. If you choose a variety such as ‘DiCicco’ or ‘Waltham’ that produces plentiful side shoots, you can enjoy several cuttings from each plant in your garden. Broccoli raab and Chinese broccoli are fast-growing, cool-loving broccoli relatives that produce small, tender flowering shoots that you can eat—buds, stems, leaves, and all. Planting: Broccoli prefers full sun, but partial shade can prevent plants from bolting (going to seed) in areas with warm spells. Cool days and nights are essential once the flower heads start to form. If you’re starting your own seedlings, sow your spring crop indoors 7 to 9 weeks before the last expected frost. Protecting young broccoli plants from temperature extremes is critical for a successful crop. Cultivate around young plants to get rid of weeds and keep the soil loose.
The Top 10 Herbs for Healthy Heart, Including Heart Tonic Recipe The heart is the most important muscle in our body, so it makes sense that it functions at its best. It pumps blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions. Cardiovascular disease (also called heart disease) is a class of diseases that involve the heart, the blood vessels or both, and is the leading cause of deaths worldwide. This article will cover herbs for everyday use that support the heart. The Top 10 Herbs for Healthy Heart: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Hawthorn Berry Tonic Recipe Hawthorn is a great heart tonic, and this recipe will help you to incorporate it into your diet to maintain a healthy heart. Dried seedless hawthorn berries Apple juice Honey Ginger, grated or powdered Cinnamon Place the hawthorn berries in a pan with just enough apple juice to cover them. Herbal treatments are very versatile and effective.
13 Medicinal Plants Worth Planting Aloe Vera The aloe vera grows only under the sun with well drained dry or moist soil. Although the plant tastes like turd, it’s still edible. The sap from aloe vera is extremely useful to speed up the healing and reducing the risk of infections for : woundscutsburnseczemareducing inflammation Apart from its external use on the skin, aloe vera is also taken internally in the treatment of : ulcerative colitis (drinking aloe vera juice)chronic constipationpoor appetitedigestive problemsMarsh Mallow The plant of which marshmallows are made of. inflammations and irritations of the urinary and respiratory mucus membranescounter excess stomach acidpeptic ulcerationgastritis Externally, the root is applied to : bruisessprainsaching musclesinsect bitesskin inflammationssplinters The leaves are very edible, unlike the aloe vera. Great Burdock It requires moist soil and can grow shadeless. boilsrashesburnsbruisesherpeseczemaacneimpetigoringwormbites Pot Marigold Gotu Kola Globe Artichoke ulcersboilsabscesses