GROWING LOOSE-LEAF LETTUCE Introduction Why grow gorgeous greens? It's quite a simple process, and leafy greens are packed with nutrients such as Iron, Folate, Fiber, & Vitamins A & C. If you are a fan of salads, or adding green in your sautees, sandwiches, or soups, try growing your very own fresh, assorted supply! Types & Timing Try loose-leaf lettuce that is "cut & come again." Examples would be the lovely Arugula, Kale, Spinach, and a variety of lettuces. When harvesting,

Folklore Greeks and Romans crowned themselves with Peppermint at their feasts and adorned their tables with its sprays. Their cooks flavored both the sauces and the wines with its essence. History reveals that two main species of mint were used by past Greek physicians. Mint piperita was popularly cultivated and used by the Egyptians. Physical Attributes & Grow-Care The mint family is a creeping perennial. Mint prefers full sun with light shade, in moist poorly drained soil.

I've been making infusion oils since college. It's a wonderful way to learn wild foraging and natural medicine crafting. On our property in Maine, we have the gift of naturally growing cedar, birch, spruce, fir, and pine surrounding us. We also have gardens of lavender and organic garlic! I enjoy creating infused oils from all of these plants, using them topically. Garlic is the only plant that I create and use for a culinary infused oil. Possible Uses: - Culinary (please

Spring is here and the gardens are near! Do you love to plant herbs? If so, allow me to elaborate on the beautiful botanical of Basil. It is one of the easiest plants to grow, and often yields a bountiful harvest of sweet greenery! Read on to learn more about this herb- its benefits, uses, and growing tips... Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Basic Growing & Harvesting Tender annual. Almost all basil loves to bask in the heat of the full sun. Most basil types savor rich, moist soi

Feeling down, stuck, overwhelmed? Stressful times call for Aromatherapy! This is a botanical therapy that is simple, quick, and smells wonderful! Truly, the health properties of essential oils are beautiful, natural powers from the earth. Their chemical constituents can literally affect your senses, and the way your body functions. These concentrated forms of roots, herbs, fruits, flowers, resins not only hold aroma benefits but also antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral

Disclaimer: This is for your educational purposes only. You are responsible for your health. Consult with your Health Care Provider. Check with your PCP and pharmacists before starting any supplement or herbal care. THE HARD WORKING HEART Each day your heart beats between 85,000 to 115,000 times. About 5,000 gallons of blood travel 60,000 miles through blood vessels. A well-conditioned healthy heart beats about 55-75 beats per minute. HINDERERS OF THE HEART Chronic Stress, U

As with so many herbs, I value The Coneflower's (echinacea) beauty and properties. It's lovely purple-mauve petals and its deep green stalk simply shouts, "medicine" to me! Read on to learn about the health attributes of this traditional medicinal plant. Botanical Names: E.purpurea (Purple Coneflower) E.angustifolia (Black Simpson Coneflower) Healing Properties: Assists in tissue regeneration and has anti-inflammatory properties; yielding a mild, cortisone-like effect. Hel

I am not only a blogger but a blog-fan! They are so much fun! You get the opportunity to step into the mind a writer who shares their perspectives of their unique niche. This works well for me since I am not an expert in a grand mess of things: finances, business, home projects, cooking, you name it! I can always use some more teaching. Blogs allow the reader access to recipes, new ideas, DIY tips, topical links, and other countless, creative resources! In my Lovely Long

Yes, this post's focus is on the wonderful berry of the elder plant, but we are also going to hone in on its flower properties as well! Both the berries and the flowers of this plant offer benefits to our health, mainly that of bolstering our immune systems. The secret is in their rich bioflavonoids! Below you will see an image of the Elder Plant; one of my herbal insight drawings. Let's break down the basics of this beautiful botanical: Botanical Name: Sambucus Nigra Comm

Let's talk essential oils. As a Therapeutic Bodyworker, I use these powerful substances daily. I have seen the healing power in just a few drops of pure oil application. One of my favorite examples, minor as it may be, is with bites and stings. Getting stung by bees and hornets, and bit by mosquitos and horse flies is a common thing in our neck of the woods. My choice of first aid? Spikenard Lavender essential oil. It draws the sting and itch out within 30 seconds. Mirac

In Part 2 we will focus on 5 supplements to help bolster immunity, and I will list out my Onion Honey Cough Syrup recipe! Sounds funky, but I swear, it is a helpful, sweet tonic. Let's begin: ★ 5 SUGGESTED SUPPLEMENTS (Tea, capsule, powder, tincture): 1. Echinacea- Effective against blood poisons, infections, cold & flu, bacteria, and also helps to boost T cells/white blood cell counts. Extract form: https://bit.ly/2MT6H5E Tea: https://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/products/

IMMUNITY 101 When early October arrives in Maine, I begin stocking our medicinal arsenal with vitamin C, echinacea tea, elderberry extract, zinc, and vitamin D3. Working in medical centers and with my own practice clients, germs are swirling around constantly! It is my goal year round (but more so in the winter) to strengthen and fortify mine and my family's immune systems. Most of us have had annoying colds and congestion, mean respiratory infections, and the grueling flu.

I treasure botanicals. They are such wondrous medicine! This past summer I re-read two books to remind myself of the great world of herbs and refresh my mind on how to best grow, harvest, and use these green healers! Below are the books I would like to share short reviews on. Perhaps they will compel you to dive into the soil before our autumn leaves us, and winter settles into Maine for nearly 6 long months! Backyard Farming: Growing Garlic: Complete Guide to Planting, G