Natural Health » Herbs

Drying Herbs for Personal Use

Jennifer — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:00:37 +0000

Herbs and spice are often used to enhance a dish or type of food and add to its flavor and aroma. Some herbs and spices are also used for medicinal purposes and remedies. Some of these herbs are also stored for future use .Ways of storing and preserving these herbs are drying or freezing.

Drying herbs is probably easiest way of preserving herbs. This is done by simply exposing the leaves, flowers or seeds to warm, dry air and leaving it until the moisture in it is gone. The herbs should be dried in a well-ventilated but shady area. Drying herbs using the sun, an oven and a dehydrator is not recommended because the herbs usually lose their flavor and color.

Harvesting the Herbs for Drying
The optimum time to gather herbs for harvesting is just before the flowers first open. This stage is when the buds are just about to burst. It is best to harvest the herbs early in the morning after the dew has evaporated. This will minimize wilting when drying herbs. Avoid bruising the leaves as this will release the flavors even before they are dried.

The gathered or harvested herbs should not be exposed to the sun for a long period of time or be left unattended after harvesting. Rinse the harvested herbs in cool water and shake tem gently in order to remove excess water. It is best not to use bruised or imperfect leaves and stems for drying.

Hardy Herbs for Drying
Herbs like sage, thyme, summer savory and parsley are the easiest to use for drying herbs. They are usually tied into small posies and hug on a string to be air-dried. Drying herbs in the open air outdoors is good, but if you prefer the above mentioned herbs to have better color and flavor retention drying herbs should be done under shade and preferably indoors.

Tender Leaves
Basil, tarragon, lemon balm and mints are herbs with high moisture content and may mold easily if not dried immediately. The best method for drying herbs like these is to hang them in paper bags to dry. Put holes in the bags and suspend a small bunch of the herbs in the bag. You may close the top of the bag if you want.

Another method for drying herbs like mint, sage or bay leaf is to dry each leaf separately. Remove leaves from the stems and lay the leaves on a paper towel. The leaves must not touch each other. Cover the leaves with another towel and another layer of herbs. You may dry herbs this way up to five layers at a time. Put the towels with the herbs in a cool oven. You do not have to turn on the heat of the oven since the light is enough for drying herbs this way. The herbs will dry flat dry flat and maintain coloring.

When the herb leaves are crispy and crumple easily, they may now be packed for storage. Leaves may be whole or crumpled as you store them. You may remove husks from the seeds before placing them in airtight containers and storing in a cool, dry, dark area.

Growing And Using Basil

Jennifer — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:53:18 +0000

If you’re taking an interest in gardening, but want to start small, there’s a few options that you have. You could try a few potted flowers, but while these certainly look and smell nice, it’s not gardening with a purpose. For gardening with purpose, try growing some herbs, which have great smells like flowers do, but are also useful in helping you to cook great food in the kitchen. One herb in particular, basil, is easy to grow and is useful in a number of recipes. Let’s talk a little about how to grow, harvest, and use it.

Growing The Plant

Basil, while easy to grow, does require some considerations based on your location. In the northern climates, basil grows well, but will die outside if exposed to freezing temperatures. To prevent this, sow your plant inside in a pot, then transfer it outside in late spring or early summer once the danger of nighttime freezing is past. Be sure to plant it where it gets a lot of exposure and little shade, since it thrives in sunlight.

It’s this love of sunlight that makes basil particularly great for growing in southern climates. You should be able to plant the basil outside, and although the plant will eventually die in the winter, the seeds will survive and grow into healthy plants when spring comes. Be aware, though, that any flowering stems will lose their leaves, and thus no longer be useful for food. To prevent this from happening to all your basil, pinch off flower stems before they mature.

Harvesting

Basil is best when the leaves are fresh, and they’re at their peak of flavor if you harvest them in the morning, before the sunlight dries out the plant somewhat. Leaves quickly lose their flavor if you wait to use them, but blanching and freezing the leaves often helps to preserve flavor if you intend to store them over a long period of time. The best thing about growing this herb, though, is you can always just pick the leaves when you’re ready to cook.

Uses

Basil is a versatile herb used in many recipes, particularly in Italian and Asian cooking. Try adding fresh chopped basil to tomato sauce for a more authentic Italian flavor. Alternately, find a good recipe for pesto, which is made primarily of basil. Add flavor to your Asian stir-fry dishes with whole leaves, which add great flavor. So, give growing this plant a try and find out what a difference fresh basil can make in your cooking.

Antifungal Herbs: Faster And Safer

Jennifer — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:51:00 +0000

Forget those creams, lotions, and serums that you often buy over-the-counter on drugstores and groceries. As we all know, you may have to buy dozens of tubes of antifungal medicines before you get your desired result. By far, the fastest and most natural way to treat your skin problems and infections is through the use of antifungal herbs.

Antifungal herbs have been used as an alternative medicine since thousands of years ago to relieve itchiness and irritation which has been clinically researched and approved to be of great help.

Best Herbs For Skin

Garlic is considered to be great not just for sautéing but also considered to be a great antifungal herb because it is proven to work against various microorganisms including bacteria that resists antibiotics. This is the reason why garlic is not only used to lower blood pressure but also a good antifungal herb and antiviral. Also, among the great antifungal herbs is the gingko boliba because the flavinoids in it are potent free radical scavengers that when applied to the bacteria or fungus, they eat them automatically.

Licorice, bilberry, echinecea, and milk thistle are known to produce antioxidants that are not just good for the body but also for the skin. Also, these antifungal herbs help in boosting your immune system, making you less susceptible and stronger against infections.

You Could Buy Them

Though the common popular antifungal creams are chemically formulated, there have been stores which are now selling antifungal creams that are made from herbs. A product like Herbal-Medi-Care has an antifungal cream that is made from natural ingredients and used antifungal herbs such as garlic, echinecea, goldenseal, and pau d’arco. You could use the antifungal cream that was made from herbs for nail fungus, athlete’s foot, mouth fungus, skin fungus, scalp fungus, vaginal infections, and other types of similar infections.

This antifungal cream has been developed to help build and enhance the immune system while the body has skin irritation. It is said to be of help when the body is still in the process of treating the fungus and is guaranteed to be made with one hundred percent all natural ingredients and do not have any chemically based fungicides or like dangerous chemicals that would do more harm to the infected area.

The company behind Herbal-Medi-Care also released antifungal remedies in the form of a shampoo that is best to be used for scalp irritation. One thing is for sure, antifungal herbs are sure to be found on their every product to give a more effective and faster relief for skin irritations.

Wild Herbs: A Very Useful Flora

Jennifer — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 23:09:22 +0000

Whenever we here the term something strikes like herbs those are untamed or not usual or not useful must be termed as “Wild herbs”. But it is not true. The distinct and the distinguishable characteristic of a plant or an herb are called wildness and the same species of the plant is called wild herb. Or more specifically they can be expressed as those herbs which are free from the impact of cultivation and are totally fresh.

Location

Wild herbs can be found in many places; wherever we look we can locate any of the wild species of the herb. They can be found in forests, in meadows, in marshes, in fields, in isolated areas, along flowing streams, on the edges of towns and cities banks, ponds and bogs or swamps.

Best season for harvesting

The first monsoon times are the best times for the blossoming of wild herbs. They are at their best during this time of the season. Everything including Wild leeks from Scotland, wild garlic, wild heracleum and the first wild sweet cicely are in abundance available in the market during this period. Though wild heracleum have now been started farming but still it retains significant wild properties of the same. Nettles are at their best while others continue coming till the end of June.

A Few Things a Wild Herbs Grower Should Know

First and foremost the collector should know the location and the most trustful place to locate wild herbs. This may sound very simple but this is the basis of herb collecting.

Another technique for a smart and intellectual gatherer is to seize a graphic of the herb in his mind, this way it becomes easier to identify the herb.

After proper identification only one can gather wild herbs. This is very important in the case of medicinal herbs. It depends on the fact that the medicine is to be applied externally or internally. One should always be aware of the appearance of the herbs before setting out of the house. It is best done when the tips are given by someone very reliable. This give a very intimate knowledge of all healing plants or the wild herbs found in your locale. This information is utilized when one makes plan for growing the wild medicinal herbs.

Right to Grow

There is a very indistinguishable and confusing issue of taming the wild herbs into small public lands or gardens. In principle it is illegal to take anything from national forest without a permit but still every year thousands of pounds of wild herbs are collected on public land and sold by professional wild crafters to the public interested in the quality.

In personal opinion growing of these wild herbs in controlled conditions yield better quality of products and it should be made legal.

Common, Effective Herbs For Digestion Difficulties

Jennifer — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 22:32:16 +0000

Gas, bloating, cramps, diarrhea, nausea – not fun stuff. For many, the making of over the counter tablets and pills was a major breakthrough in lessening their digestive difficulties. But reliance on pills has its price. These medicines can often have harsh side effects on your stomach lining if taken regularly over years.

There is a much gentler, natural way of getting relief. Try these easy to find, inexpensive herbs for digestion difficulties. You can by dried herbs, fresh herbs or ready made herbal teals. The action of the hot water and the herbs for digestion make a soothing bath inside your body. They often taste quite good, too, especially if you add a little honey or brown sugar.

Peppermint

Ever wonder why fine restaurants give after dinner mints with the check? Because they know you’ve eaten too much, or that you might have eaten very rich food as a treat that your body isn’t used to. The after dinner mint helps you digest your meal. Anything peppermint flavored is a quick, tasty and effective curing or lessening of bloating, cramps, gas and nausea. Peppermint is an antispasmodic that helps all the muscles in your digestive system to relax. It also helps you to burp, which greatly relieves any internal pressure. Peppermint is one of the best and most widely available of the herbs for digestion problems.

Ginger

One of the most reliable herbs for digestion problems is ginger, which is a very funny looking root referred to as “hands”. Candied ginger is an ancient remedy for motion sickness and nausea. Even ginger snaps can help motion sickness, mild nausea and act as after dinner mints. Ginger works in cooking, teas, dried powders, essential oils or capsules.

Fennel

Usually any fennel tea is made from the seeds. Drinking fennel tea not only helps you with any digestion difficulties, but is also said to make your loose weight (by helping your body get rid of toxins and excess water). It is also available in capsules. Some people get relief from chewing fennel seeds. This is another easily available herb for digestion, as the fennel sold in the spice aisle of your supermarket is just as effective as fennel bought in health food stores.

Chamomile

Chamomile tea is versatile and a cure-all. Not only is chamomile tea (made from the heads of chamomile flowers) one of the best herbs for digestion problems, but it helps calm you down and, when cooled, makes an excellent wash for sore eyes for an antiseptic wash.

Buying Bulk Herbs: What To Look For

Jennifer — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 21:53:19 +0000

With so many people interested in the healing properties of herbs, many companies are now selling bulk herbs. It is essential, as a consumer, to make sure that the bulk herbs that are purchased are of the highest quality. Using substandard herbs, can take the benefits away from the natural healing that consumers are searching for.

What To Look For In Bulk Herbs

Many companies are now in the market of selling bulk herbs. These herbs can be located on the Internet or at a health food store; some farmers markets also will carry bulk herbs. The first important step when purchasing bulk herbs is to determine if they were organically grown. Most growers understand the importance of organically grown herbs and are producing quality organic grown herbs. Verify the company’s standards in regards to organic farming. Ask what types of fertilizer have been used and inquire about their growing techniques. If you can get references from other people as to the quality of the product, this can help in determining where to shop for bulk herbs.

When looking at the herbs that are offered, pay close attention to the quality. Does the herb smell fresh? What color are the herbs, does it look fresh? Herbs need to be stored in a dark place in order to maintain their potency, find out how these herbs have been stored. Are the herbs chopped? Most herbs need to remain whole to have the strongest effect. Chopping can be done after the purchase has been made and many stores will actually assist with this process.

After selecting the bulk herbs, it may be the best time to have them chopped and bottled. Being able to do this process immediately helps in the storing of the bulk herbs. Make sure to be prepared and know what you are going to do with the bulk herbs. Many herbs are used in the creation of teas. The herb will need to be chopped finely enough for tea, having it done at the store will definitely cut down on your own work time. Talk with the supplier about possible storage methods in case you’re not sure what your immediate needs will be. Most suppliers can offer good suggestions on keeping the herbs fresh and ready for use.

Bulk herbs are a great way to save money. There are many locations that now sell herbs in this form. Take the time to discover which companies are selling the best quality at the best price.

Clove Basil: Multipurpose Basil

Jennifer — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 21:54:22 +0000

A tall, tremendously aromatic plant that adds significance to any garden is clove basil. It is brought into the sun-drenched greenhouse during winters, but they are grown in pots and containers outside during the growing season which is from June to September.

It has lime green leaves which are up to 4 inches long, and are put up with intense spikes of tiny, pale flowers of yellow color. Clove basils are half hardy perennial shrubs with a licorice-clove flavor and can reach an impressive height of 8 feet, depending in the size of your orangery.

Uses

The burning leaves of the clove basil are used to keep away mosquitoes. Clove basil is at times used for cooking purpose as well. In many Italian dishes, it is a well know culinary herb. Tomato sauces, vinegars are some more things in which clove basils are commonly used.

You can even add the delicate flowers and leaves to any plate or salad for decoration. They can be sprinkled either chopped or whole.

Calcium, iron, vitamin C and potassium which are largely beneficial to one’s health, clove basil is full of them. Even small amounts of magnesium, manganese and Vitamin A are also present.

They are even used as a tonic to help in digestion apart from their culinary use. Clove basil oil, is even used in aromatherapy, especially for problems relating to digestion.

They have been largely used in Ayurveda, Chinese medicine and dentistry. Clove basil is said to raise hydrochloric acid in stomach. They are even said to recover peristalsis.

Clove basil helps relieve cold and flu symptoms and even relieve rheumatic and arthritic conditions. They are even useful in treating chest problems such as coughs or bronchitis. They ease stomach cramps and pain. Growth of certain bacteria is also restrained by them. They are even useful in treating insect bites. They help in relaxing the muscles and blood vessels and thereby increasing the blood circulation. Nervousness, depression, anxiety and tiredness are treated in second by it. And last but not the least; it is real handy in treating insomnia or sleeping disorders.

How to select and store?

They are available throughout the year but the true harvest period is in summer and while selecting it, we should look in for even colored leaves. Even storing them is not at all troublesome. You need to wrap the herb in moist paper towel and plastic bag and store at a low temperature for up to 4 days and gradually the herb dries off for you to store it. Although you can store clove basil, but fresh ones more aromatic and add an altogether different flavors to your dishes.

Common, Effective Herbs For Asthma

Jennifer — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 22:23:04 +0000

Asthma is a growing problem in modern times. It is estimated that asthma cases rose 57% just in 1982-1992, according to the American Lung Association. Children’s asthma is on the rise. It is thought that pollution is bringing on these unprecedented cases of asthma. Although you should always see your doctor if you think you have asthma, you should know that you have a choice when it comes to treating your asthma.

Sometimes, people can have side effects from asthma medications. Some people prefer to use herbs for asthma rather than relying on synthetic medicines. Check with your doctor if it is safe for you to take herbs for asthma. He or she will also suggest changes in your diet, which you should try to follow. If it is okay with your doctor, here are some of the most common and effective herbs for asthma you can try. Your doctor may also recommend a local herbalist for you.

Garlic

The powerful odor of garlic cloves also contains chemicals that can improve your blood circulation and decrease inflammation. Garlic can be eaten (if you so prefer), can be taken in capsules or liquids. It is one of the most effective and inexpensive herbs for asthma. Sometimes the strong odor of garlic helps you to take deeper breaths.

Licorice Root

Not the candy, but the root that flavors the candy, has been for centuries considered one of the best herbs for asthma. Licorice is also an anti-inflammatory, and can help soothe swollen breathing pathways. Some asthma patients who take cortisone medicines for their asthma also take licorice root to get rid of their medicine’s side effects. Although you can try chewing licorice root, it’s not really recommended by this writer. You can drink teas with licorice root in it, suck on lozenges made with licorice root or take licorice root capsules.

Ephedra

The Chinese have prescribed what they call ma huang, ephedra, for asthma for thousands of years. And yes, ephedra is the main ingredient in Ephedrine (“speed”), so you want to carefully follow the directions on this one, unless you want to find yourself clawing the ceiling. Ephedra is a legal herb for asthma and other medical problems, found in Chinese specialty shops, health food stores or even specialty pharmacies. Ephedra is also an effective herb for hay fever. Some professional herbalists and practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine prefer to combine ephedra with licorice or ginseng rather than just give it straight to a patient.

Diabetes And Herbs: A Look Into This Holistic Therapy

Jennifer — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:55:32 +0000

Using herbs as a source of medicine has long been touted in history. Plants can offer medicinal solutions to many of the illnesses that people suffer from including diabetes.

What Is Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious illness with many physical consequences. Some of the common symptoms of diabetes include severe thirst and hunger, weight loss, blurred vision and the need to frequently urinate especially at night. If you suspect you have diabetes seek medical attention immediately to begin treatment. The two major types of diabetes include type 1 Diabetes that is also known as juvenile diabetes. With this form of diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, which is needed in the body to process sugar. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin. With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas’s ability to produce insulin are impaired to different degrees. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with prescription medicines and helped through diet and exercise.

When looking at diabetes and herbs, it may be important to know which type of diabetes you have. The idea behind diabetes and herbs is to help the body process sugar or increase insulin levels. Whenever deciding to begin a program involving herbs, consult a physician to identify any contradictions between the herbs and current medications.

Which Herbs Should Be Used

Diabetes and herbs have a long history in natural medicine. In India there are several plants used in conjunction with diabetes and herbs. Indian Kino has long been used as a treatment for diabetes. This herb comes from the bark of a tree. When looking at diabetes and herbs, Indian Kino was found to help prevent beta-cell damage in rats. This may assist the pancreases in humans.

Bitter Melon is another diabetes and herbs treatment. With this herb, the blood sugar is actually lowered, making the body balanced and insulin production centered. It can cause severe diarrhea and stomach cramps if taken in too high of a dosage, especially in children.

A relatively easy diabetes and herbs formula is to use onion and garlic. Both are thought to have properties that will lower blood sugar. Again, this aids the body’s ability to process sugar with lower levels of insulin.

Blueberry leaves and Asian Ginseng are two more of the diabetes and herbs group. Cinnamon is thought to actually help insulin, by pumping it up so it is more powerful.

All of these diabetes and herbs combinations are considered non-toxic. It is always important to talk with a physician before beginning any holistic treatment plan that involves changing your body’s chemistry.

The Healthy Variety Of Fresh Herbs

Jennifer — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:00:39 +0000

Fresh herbs are one of the affordable luxuries of life. If you’ve never tried fresh herbs, treat yourself. They seem to wake up your taste buds and open your mouth up to a whole new level of taste that could be dulled by too much processed foods. Fresh herbs are great in salads, sauces, soups, entrées, sandwiches and your medicine cabinet.

Herbal Healing

Native American legend teaches that the Bear showed mankind the medicinal benefits of the plants and trees that were all around them. One of the theories of herbal medicine’s beginnings was that people observed the plants their animals ate when they were ill. Making medicinal teas, salves, tinctures, essential oils, compresses and powders from dried and fresh herbs were recorded in Sumerian tablets which are over 5,000 years old. Herbal healing is prominently mentioned in the Ayurveda, India’s oldest written work which is arguably much older than the Sumerian tablets, as the written Ayurveda was preceded by an oral tradition.

Modern medicines are derived from plants and herbs. The main ingredient in aspirin was found in white willow bark. The medicine digitalis, used for heart trouble, was derived from the plant foxglove. Author, pharmacist and chartered herbalist Earl Mindell estimates in Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible that as much as 80% of the world’s population rely on herbal medicine.

Advantages Of Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs have more of the “goodness” in them. If used for cooking, they really can add a lot more flavor than dried herbs. You need to use at least twice as much fresh herbs as dried in a recipe or herbal healing concoction. Fresh herbs go off very quickly, like other fresh produce, so you might want to either by very small amounts at the grocery store or grow your own in flowerpots for your personal use. Fresh herbs have a wonderful smell that can wake up all of your senses.

If you choose to harvest fresh herbs from the great outdoors, be very careful. You should absolutely know why plant it is you are picking. If in doubt, leave it alone. Don’t harvest herbs by roadsides or sidewalks, as they are usually contaminated with pesticides and toxins from car exhaust fumes. Choose quiet patches in woodlands or by rivers where you know haven’t been sprayed with pesticides. It is traditional to ask the fresh herb’s permission to harvest it before you do, and then an offering at the site, such a s breadcrumbs, milk, coins or a stick of plant food.