New Year's Blessings

HAPPY NEW YEAR!


I pray that 2012 is filled with bountiful blessings for you and yours!




We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. 
 ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Read more...

End of the Year Inventory

Tomorrow I will finish up my End of the Year Inventory and continue working on my annual Herb Order.  At the beginning of the year I like to order a supply of dried herbs and supplies to restock the still room herb pantry.  I have some staple herbs that I always like to have on hand, such as:

Peppermint
Spearmint
Lemon Verbena
Rosemary
Thyme
Elderberries
Yarrow
Echinacea
Calendula
Lavender
Ginger
Arnica
Comfrey
Nettle
(this list is rather off the top of my head and in no particular order)
 
These are herbs that I use often and want to always have at my disposal.  I do grow many of these in the garden, but like Calendula oddly enough, some hate my Texas climate and refuse to cooperate and produce an adequate supply.
And sometimes dried is better than fresh, and it's certainly more convenient to open the pantry rather than trudge out to the herb garden when you need something such as a cup of peppermint/ginger tea in the middle of the night!

Other non-herb items in the still room pantry are:
press-n-seal tea bags
beeswax
honey
apple cider vinegar
cheese cloth
olive oil
sunflower oil
grapeseed oil
sweet almond oil
rosewater
glycerin
etc.

And of course a variety of jars, tins, and other containers for storing my herbal concoctions.  And labels.  Labels are very important items.  You won't remember what that salve in the little tins that are tucked away in the back of the drawer contain ... trust me, I know.  Label and date.  Always.

So, what's on your herbal to do list as this year ends?  
How about your goals and plans for 2012?
My first goal is to reorganize and faithfully add new material to my Still Room Book.
My second is to share more of that information here.
And maybe, just maybe, I'll come up with some pretty printables for you to use in your own still room book.
And then there is planting the herb garden ...

But right now I'm going to make myself another cup of tea and peruse the still room shelves, list in hand!

Herbal Blessings,
Catherine

Read more...

Lovely Printable Calendar

Alice Cantrell is offering a lovely, free, printable calendar featuring herbs on her site.  A Small Collection of Useful Herbs is beautifully illustrated by her daughter and filled with those things we herbie folks love- herbs!  Do visit her blog- a number of things and check out the other lovely things she has for sale in her etsy shoppe as well.
She is very talented and very generous too!

Blessings,
Catherine

Read more...

Best Recipes of 2011 Giveaway

You will want to visit Mountain Rose Herbs to enter their Best Recipes of 2011 Giveaway.  I love Mountain Rose Herbs- always quality products, always great prices, always green :) .

Read more...

Sweet Orange Lavender Mist

I made this simple fragrance mist to add a bit of aromatherapy to my day and also to refresh my skin which is feeling the effects of the dry air due from our heating system.  

Sweet Orange essential oil is said to be "brightening".   I know that I enjoy the scent and find it useful for other householding tasks such as removing sticky junk left behind by labels. 

Lavender is soothing to skin and soul, and I use it daily for one thing or another- easing a headache, relieving stress, scenting the laundry, soothing an insect bite or other skin irritation.  A first-aid kit in a bottle- that's a good description of Lavender essential oil.  

Sweet Orange Lavender Mist

36 drops Lavender Essential Oil

30 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil

4 oz. distilled water

Add the essential oils to a  4 oz. glass spray bottle, add distilled water, and mist away.  This is just an approximation- it's tricky to count those little drops of oil as they come out of that bottle!  

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season.  I'm dreaming up plans for the coming year here at Still Room Herbs ... lots of ideas floating around in my head right now!  

Blessings,

Catherine

Read more...

Merry Christmas

Sending 
Christmas Blessings
from my home to your heart!


I pray your holiday is filled with love and laughter.

Read more...

Oh dear ...

I thought I'd just make a few tweaks to my blog ... and well, there you have it!
Tomorrow- I'll fix this ugly mess tomorrow ;) .  (sigh) ...

Read more...

Herbal Holidays

The holiday season is in full force at my house. We go from Thanksgiving right into the Christmas season around here. Herbs play a part in all of our holidays, just as they do in daily life. Spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, bay … all associated with Christmas whether in delicious baked goods, pomanders to scent and decorate the house, or fashioned into ornaments for the tree or gift giving, herbs are definitely front and center in our holidays and I hope will be in yours too.
read more at The Renegade Farmer

Please tell me which herbs are your favorites at this time of year!

Blessings,

Catherine ... off to bake an Espresso Gingerbread Cake! 

Read more...

Honey Lemon Marmalade

Just stopping in to share something sweet from my Recipe Pile (yes, it really is a pile rather than a file these days!). 

I was searching for simple gifts for Christmas and this recipe looks perfect. 

It will be lovely in half-pint jars decorated with dried lemon slices and a sprig of lavender.

I may dress it up a bit for the holiday by using lavender infused sugar and infusing the honey with lemon balm or lemon verbena.  But, even plain, this is sure to be tasty on biscuits or scones ... which reminds me, I have a recipe somewhere in that pile for Lemon Verbena Sweet Biscuits ... I'll share that one with you when I find it!

 

Honey Lemon Marmalade

 

Makes 6 pints

8 cups chopped lemons (14 lemons)
2 cups honey
4 cups cane sugar
1 1/2 cups water
2 packets liquid pectin (6 ounces)

Sterilize your jars.

Combine lemons, honey, sugar and water together in non-reactive pot. Bring to a boil, reduce temperature and let simmer for 30 minutes.

Add pectin to the fruit and let it gently boil for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and fill jars. Apply lids and rings and process in a water bath for ten minutes. Let the marmalade sit overnight, to give the pectin time to fully activate.

Read more...

Scents of the Season (and a recipe)

I love this time of year.  Cool breezes, warm sweaters, a cup of hot tea or spiced cider; and I especially love the warm, spicy fragrances of autumn- apple pie with cinnamon and just a touch of cardamom, pumpkin bread, gingerbread muffins,  chicken stuffed with sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and garlic baking in the oven (or the crockpot) ... so many delicious herby smells coming from the kitchen to delight the senses. 

If baking isn’t your thing, warming up the senses with a spicy autumn fragrance can be as simple as simmering a couple of cinnamon sticks, a few cloves, and the peel from an orange in a pan of water on the stovetop.  It will create a welcoming scent to warm the hearts of all who enter your home.  For a treat that tastes as good as it smells, simmer those same items in apple cider. 

And since it is apple season, here is a very simple recipe that will make breakfast extra tasty:

Simple Apple Syrup

1 cup apple juice (I prefer organic, not from concentrate)

2 cups sugar (I use organic cane juice crystals)

Dash of cinnamon (to taste)

Mix all ingredients together in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes.  Do not stir (I don’t know why- that’s just what my recipe card says!) 

Remove from heat and cool 15 minutes before serving. 

This is great with waffles or pancakes.

I’ll be sharing more of my favorite fall recipes in the coming days.  Please tell me your favorite scent of the season or share a recipe you like to make this time of year!

November Blessings

Read more...

Hello!

Sorry to be MIA for such a long stretch.
Life has been busy- the good kind of busy, but too busy for comfort in many ways.
My family moved a couple of weeks ago, that's a stress in itself; though we are very happy in our new home.
The move was due to a new job for my husband, and that was a huge relief and answer to prayer.
These days I'm unpacking boxes and trying to get life back to a workable routine, all the while thinking about what herbs to plant in my herb boxes out back and the new herbal recipes I plan to make soon.

Our move has also meant no home internet for a while; and I don't know about you, but using a computer other than mine isn't fun (even if it is my husband's).  It's just not the same as sitting down at "my desk" and sipping a cup of herb tea while I type out a post ... things should be up and running properly soon, and I've got lots of ideas for the fall months.

I'll be sharing some favorite herb recipes and a few gift ideas in the coming weeks (just as soon as the internet thing is resolved). 
Until then, I wish you beautiful days filled with the glory of autumn!

Read more...

The Wonders of Water

Water is the most healing of all remedies and the best of all cosmetics. ~Arab proverb

 I  have to agree, water is indeed a wonderful remedy and cosmetic.
Around our home, a bath is the first order of business when someone isn't feeling well.

A lovely warm bath filled with lavender-scented water is soothing to both body and senses.

Bubble baths are fun, too. Unscented bubble bath dressed up with rose, lavender, and bergamot essential oils is fabulous.

Or how about a nice sea-salt soak for tired muscles? I often toss in a few pieces of dried seaweed to create my own little ocean.

For colds or sniffles, a steamy bath with a few drops of Rosemary, Eucalyptus, and Peppermint essential oils is very helpful. You can also just fill a large bowl with boiling water and put a drop or two of each oil in it; then lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam.

Water, plain or with a bit of lemon juice, is my drink of choice. I drink many cups of water a day... and a few cups of herb tea, of course!

Water, a blessing often overlooked.

Read more...

The Herbal Pantry

The photo above shows what is serving as my still room and herbal pantry at present.   Though I dream of a 'real' still room some day, I am a firm believer in making the best of what you have at the moment, rather than waiting for the someday that may never come.  These items, tucked into a corner of the kitchen, serve my purposes well for now-

a rather funky scavenged shelf that needs a back on it

a great old hutch that we got for a very good price at a benefit sale

the little spice rack turned essential oil cabinet that my husband gave me many Christmases ago (Yes, we do celebrate Christmas ... just for those who might be told otherwise ... oh, and if you don't have a clue why I put that little tidbit in there, just ignore it ;) ... you know we herb people often get the strangest labels attached to us).

the very used, much loved oak dining table that my aunt gave me years ago (You can just see the corner of it in the photo, right next to the salvaged windows that I have great, artsy-crafty plans for.). 

The open shelves house jars of dried herbs.  I tried tucking them inside the hutch but it was a pain to get them out, so back on the shelves they went.  The shelf is in a very low-light area, so I don't worry about the light harming the herbs; though I am considering making a curtain for the front of the shelf.  On the top of the shelf you will see a basket with an assortment of tea bags, ingredients for bath and body products, and so forth.  There are also pickled peppers and okra on the shelf for now (we have no real food pantry, either in this house). 

The hutch is home to tea pots, a variety of teas (the tea chest and cabinet were also Christmas gifts from my husband), assorted herbal oil infusions and tinctures are tucked away inside the doors, along with empty jars and other storage containers, seeds, and various herb related items.  Of course, there is often a child-created art project that needs some attention from Mom left on the hutch for me, as in the case of the perler bead creations needing to be ironed. 

The essential oil cabinet is without a doubt the most used item in my herbal pantry.  It is opened daily for various things, such as scenting the bathwater (nothing like a rose geranium and lavender bath), making an herbal steam to clear up stuffy noses or a headache, freshening the air or adding a bit of extra cleaning power to the laundry or mop bucket, soothing an insect bite, or making something lovely like a perfumed lotion or oil.  Essential oils are most definitely an essential in my herbal pantry. 

Here are 8 that I wouldn't be without:

Lavender

Rose Geranium

Lemon

Bergamot

Peppermint

Rosemary

Tea Tree

Eucalyptus

I'll delve into what I use these for in a later post. 

If you use essential oils, please share with us which are the most essential to you. 

And I'd love to peek into your herbal pantry or still room if you have one, please share a photo or post about your own space for herbal creativity with us, too! 

Blessings,

Catherine  

Read more...

Hot Weather Herbs

Beautiful Blue Borage

Sadly, the borage that was blooming so beautifully in the photo is not a hot weather lover.  My container grown borage died from heat exhaustion a few weeks ago. Even with frequent watering and pampering- it. just. died.  Oh well, to be expected I suppose.  I'll replant later when the weather is more suitable for it.  For now, I'll just enjoy the photo and dream of pretty borage flower ice cubes to cool off a glass of herb tea (and make a mental note not to forget to make some this fall).

There are herbs that seem to thrive, or at least survive, even the brutal heat of a Texas summer. 

Below are 6 herbs that are doing well in my back yard, despite the drought and triple digit temperatures for days on end this summer-

Basil- Basil seems to love the heat.  The biggest challenge is keeping it from blooming and going to seed, daily pruning helps and provides me with tasty leaves for pesto, pasta sauce, or pest control (rub a basil leaf on your skin to repel insects).

Bay- My bay stick (the poor thing may never reach tree status) has grown more this summer than it has in the 3 years I've had it ... strange but true. 

Marjoram- The marjoram is doing well, soaking up the sun, flavoring grilled veggies and chicken.

Rosemary- Holding its own and being snipped almost daily for pasta sauce and such.

Lavender- It actually bloomed this year and seems to enjoy the dry heat (humidity and heat it doesn't like).

Thyme- Growing in a semi-shady spot, it seems quite content.

If you are looking for herbs that can take the heat, these may be just what you are looking for.

Please note: All of the herbs mentioned above are container grown and are receiving daily, sometimes twice daily, watering.  They can take heat, but nothing can survive without water, and lots of it these days!  Around here, the grass is dead, the trees and bushes get just enough water just to keep them alive until it rains, but the herb containers get a drink every morning!  It takes much less water to keep a few potted herbs (and the herbalist) happy than it does to keep a lawn green (and then I'd just have to mow it, and that wouldn't make me happy either). 

Which herbs thrive during the summer where you live?

   



Read more...

Herbal Helpers for Summer





Lavender Lemonade

I'm posting at The Renegade Farmer today.  Stop by to read about my Herbal Treats to Help Beat the Summer Heat. While you're there, don't miss Five Herbs for Safe Summer Skin, a great post by Briscoe White of The Grower's Exchange.

 I'll be posting more recipes and tips for the summer next week ... please share your own with me! 

Read more...

Summertime Herbal Teas and Treats

  With a forecast of 108 (yes, really), I'll be focusing on keeping everyone cool and hydrated today.
It is time for icy cold herbal treats, I do believe.

This Lavender Lemon Quencher sounds refreshing. 

Lavender Lemonade is a favorite in our family, too.  I think I'll brew up a batch and then freeze it in ice pop molds for an afternoon snack. 

My iced herb tea of choice is simply to go out early in the morning and pluck a few sprigs of whatever herbs catch my eye- usually lemon balm, lemon verbena, ginger mint, spearmint, and a bit of lavender or rose geranium.  Those go into a pitcher of water and sit on my sunny kitchen windowsill to infuse until lunchtime.
If I've thought ahead, I will have some pretty herbal ice cubes made with borage blossoms or mint and lemon balm leaves to make my iced tea even more delightful. 
Sweetened with a bit of honey or agave nectar, this is the perfect summer day drink for me. 

How about you? 
What summery herbal treats do you brew up this time of year?
What is your favorite iced tea herb?
Please share, I'm always grateful for a new herbal treat to try! 

Read more...

Summer Days

Happy July! 

Sorry things have been so quiet in the stillroom lately, but summer beckons me outdoors to enjoy the beauty of the garden and nature.  Herbs are growing by leaps and bounds, flowers are in bloom, and the bees, birds, and other small creatures are keeping me entertained with their daily visits to the garden and bird bath.  I have enjoyed spending lots of time just "being".  No agenda, no plan, no work ... just sitting quietly and enjoying whatever the day might bring.  It has been a blessing. 

But, July is now upon us and the heat will soon keep me indoors except for the early morning hours before the sun becomes unbearable.  Texas heat can be brutal, and I am an admitted wimp when it comes to scorching sun!  I've been dreaming up some herbal creations over the last few days, and starting next week I plan to share some of those with you.  Cool weather treats is at the forefront of my mind these days! 

Have a great weekend, stay cool, enjoy the blessings of summer!

p.s. Did you know sunflower petals make a pretty yellow to gold colored dye?  Another of my plans for the summer- creating plant dyes.  :)



Read more...

Herbal Tip of the Day

If your mint is growing by leaps and bounds (or even just a little bit), snip a few stems and put them in a little jar of water on a sunny windowsill. 
Check them daily and give them fresh water every couple of days and in no time you will have rooted cuttings to pot up or plant elsewhere. 
Pot them and let them continue to live on the windowsill, or slowly acclimate them to outdoor life by putting them out in a shady spot for a few hours at a time over a week or so. 
In my area mint needs a shady spot to thrive, so I just place it wherever its going to live for the warm weather and let it be. 

Ginger mint that started as a small division from a friend. 

What is your favorite mint?  I like them all, but the Ginger mint is a new to me favorite.  If I could grow "just one" (as sad as that would be) I would choose spearmint, though.





Read more...

Quietly Waiting for Tea Time

Wordless Wednesday

Read more...

Hello There!

I've not abandoned the stillroom ... I've been as busy as this little bee lately!

I'll be back soon to share some great herbal treats for the lazy days of summer.

Read more...

Herbal Words of Wisdom

Teeming in the countryside, the world over, are medicinal herbs and edible plants; it shows disbelief in the power of God to pass them by.  ~ Common Herbs for Natural Health, Juliette de Bairacli Levy

Read more...

Arnica for Aches and Pains

Arnica is a great pain-reliever for when you have an aching back from working too long bent over in the herb garden!

To banish an aching back or soothe a bruise, I make a very simple arnica oil by infusing dried arnica flowers in olive or grapeseed oil.
 
I use the simplest method I know:
place a cup of dried arnica flowers in a pint jar
cover with olive oil
stir well
add more oil to cover the herb by at least an inch (the flowers will soak up some of the oil so keep adding as needed)
cover
set the jar in a sunny window
shake daily for 2 weeks
strain and use!

Notes:  Arnica should not be used on broken skin or wounds nor taken internally.  External use on unbroken skin only! 
Also, I like to add a few drops of lavender and/or rosemary essential oil to make the oil smell nicer and for the added relaxing benefits these oils provide. 

Read more...

Delightful Dandelion

Dandelion- a plant that is a delight to the herbalist but the dread of those in pursuit of a weed-free lawn.  

Dandelion is  famous for those perky yellow flowers, the source of the famed Dandelion wine.

Did you know that dandelion has a host of other benefits as well?

Here are just a few that come to mind:

great tonic herb containing calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamin A & C
digestive bitter
stimulates the liver
diuretic
ground dried roots can be used as a coffee substitute

A few dandelion leaves in the salad bowl or soup pot makes a healthy and tasty addition to your diet. 

So, instead of complaining of weeds in the yard, we should be thankful to have dandelion growing in such abundance! 

Please use caution when harvesting dandelion in places where chemical pesticides and such  may have been used.  For safety's sake it may be best to sow your own seeds, even if the neighbors do think you are crazy! 

(dandelion flowers are tasty too!)

Dandelion tea anyone? 

Herbal Blessings,

Catherine

 For more posts featuring the Letter D, visit Jenny Matlock today!

Read more...

Eyebright Infusion for Bright Eyes

I’ve been spending way too much time sitting in front of a computer screen this week and my eyes are telling the tale all too well. It is time for me to brew up a batch of Eyebright infusion to give my eyes some rest and refreshment. This is as simple as brewing a cup of  herb tea, but I will post the directions for you anyway.

Eyebright Infusion to Brighten Tired Eyes

2 tablespoons Eyebright herb, dried
1 1/2 cups water

Place herb in a glass or ceramic container (a canning jar works for me).
Bring water to a boil and pour over herb.
Steep 15 minutes.
Strain into a clean container.
Refrigerate until nice and cold.
Dip a clean cloth into the infusion and place over closed eyes. This is a great time to take a short power nap!

To make my Bright Eyes treatment even better, I think I will use Chamomile tea bags instead of a cloth. My eyes feel better just thinking about it!

Be certain to store any leftover infusion in the refrigerator.

A repost from The Renegade Farmer today ... because I am in need of this helpful herb remedy, and thought some of you might be as well. 

Read more...

Nettle & Honey Allergy Relief

Allergy season is upon us. 
I have a simple herbal tonic that I make every year to help prevent and alleviate the misery of sneezing, itchy eyes, and so forth that plagues members of my family.

First I make a nettle infused vinegar and then mix that with local honey to make
Nettle Vinegar & Honey Allergy Tonic.


You will need the following:
apple cider vinegar (I use Bragg’s, but any good quality acv will do)
dried nettles (You can use them fresh, which some say work best if they are available. I don’t have that option, and dried has always worked well for me.)
local honey (honey produced in your area will contain small amounts of pollen to the flowers growing near you … probably the ones making you sneeze!)
a clean canning jar with a lid ( I use a wide-mouth quart size, but you could start with a pint. Also, I use a plastic lid for vinegars … if you don’t have plastic lids, then put a piece of plastic wrap between the jar and the metal lid.)

To make nettle vinegar:
add about 1 cup of nettle to your jar, I just toss in a handful or so (less if using a pint jar)
add enough vinegar to cover nettle by 2-3 inches (you will need to add more as the nettle soaks it up), stir and wait until the nettle settles, adding more vinegar if necessary
Cover the jar with a lid and set it in a sunny spot for 2 weeks or more. Shake jar a few times a day.
Once your nettle vinegar has infused, strain it through a coffee filter or piece of cheesecloth into a clean jar and it is ready to use.

If you don’t have weeks to wait for the vinegar to infuse, you can make it more quickly by heating the vinegar/nettle mixture over a very, very low heat for a few hours. Do not boil or even simmer, just heat it enough to be quite warm, a double boiler is a good way to do this, or if your crockpot doesn’t get too hot (mine does even on low), use that. Let cool before straining.

You can use the vinegar as is, or make it even more effective by adding local honey.

Add an equal amount of local honey to the nettle vinegar, stir well, cover, and you have Nettle Vinegar and Honey Allergy Tonic! 

It is a simple herbal remedy that gives great results for my family.

I take a tablespoon or so two or three times a day mixed in a small amount of water. 

A simpler route is to make a quart of nettle tea and sip on that throughout the day; but the honey and acv are very helpful for allergies, and do improve the flavor quite a bit. Nettle tea is not the most palatable of herbal infusions in my opinion. 

Nettle vinegar can also be used in salad dressings and most anywhere you would use apple cider vinegar.  It makes a lovely hair rinse when diluted with water, too.  More reasons to make up a large batch while you're at it!

Note: As always with any herbal information, this is for your educational benefit only, etc., etc. ... Please consult your physician regarding any serious health matters.


How do you treat allergies? Please share your own herbal remedies!

Blessings,
Catherine

Read more...

Remember Mom

with a gift of rosemary this Mother's Day, more on Rosemary for Remembrance at The Renegade Farmer! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Read more...

Catnip Tea Anyone?

(photo source: Wikipedia)

Catnip, Nepeta cataria, the beloved herb of felines, also makes a soothing, if not particularly tasty, tea for humans.  Adding lemon balm and honey will make it more palatable. 

Catnip is said to be calming, as well as helpful in lowering fevers, relieving the pain of teething and toothache, and a restorative digestive aid for issues such as indigestion, diarrhea, and colic. 

From Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss- "If every mother had catnip herb on the shelf, it would save her many a sleepless night and her child much suffering." 

Catnip is easy to grow if you can get it established before a cat discovers and destroys it.  This advice from days past does seem to work-

If you set it, the cats will eat it.

If you sow it, the cats won't know it. 

I'm sowing catnip seeds today, and we'll just see how long it takes the cats to discover it.  Hopefully, I'll be able to harvest enough for a pot of tea, and perhaps a catnip mouse or two, before they pounce on it!  (I do have dried catnip in the herb pantry, just in case the cats beat me to it!)

Catnip tea anyone? 

Read more...

First Aid from the Herb Garden

Two great herbs to grow for minor first-aid applications are-

yarrow
and
mullein.

Yarrow is excellent for stopping bleeding and healing cuts, and mullein makes a handy bandage if your children are prone to use all your band-aids on a weekly basis, as mine are.  (Note to self: hide a box of band-aids somewhere they won't find it!)

Today I cut my finger while washing my new "mini-chopper".   This may be the first and last time I use this time saver, as the time spent treating my wound was more than I would have spent chopping onions and celery the old-fashioned way!  Anyway, it wasn't such a bad cut, just an inconvenient one that needed the bleeding stopped and a bandage; and thankfully I had exactly what I needed growing right outside my back door. 

Whenever I need an herb with styptic action, yarrow is my herb of choice.  Almost like magic, yarrow will stop bleeding of minor cuts and wounds and help the wound to heal.  I have a small potted yarrow growing in my backyard, though it grows wild in most areas quite happily.  When camping or hiking I keep an eye out for yarrow just in case someone should need it.  I dry yarrow also to keep on hand for when running out to the herb patch isn't convenient. 

Mullein makes a soft, absorbent bandage, which is only one of its varied uses.  It also grows wild and weedy in my area, though here at home it grows in containers. 

And finally, to hold my bandage in place, I picked a lavender stem and used it to tie the mullein leaf in place; the soothing scent was an added bonus. 

Herbal first-aid to the rescue!

* Please note:  If you have serious wounds, please, please seek medical care!  Herbs are wonderful helpers for many situations, but anything serious should be handled by a professional. 

Read more...

May Day Herbal Fun!

Sunday is May Day, the halfway marker between spring and summer.  My children are counting down the days until summer, anticipating swimming weather mostly!  May Day is a holiday filled with lore and legend as well as fun. 
I like to celebrate by planting an herb or three on this day, and sometimes make up a few May baskets or small gifts such as this herb jar for friends and family. 

Herb jars are fun, frugal if you have a few herbs growing nearby, and are always received with joy. 

To make one for a friend, or even for yourself-
 find a suitable jar such as a pint size canning jar
and
 a bit if wire.
Twist the wire into a handle and secure it around the neck of the jar.
Fill the jar with water,
then go out to the garden and snip a few of your favorite herbs and flowers and add them to the jar. 

You can embellish this herbal gift further by tying on a bow or pretty gift tag.  A small packet of seeds or a lavender sachet make a nice addition as well. 

If you choose herbs that root easily in water such as mint, basil or rosemary, add a little tag giving instructions for potting up the herb plants once they have rooted.  This can be a gift that keeps on giving! 

What are your May Day traditions?

Herbal Blessings,
Catherine

Read more...

Creating Herb Infused Oils

Herb Infused Oils

Creating your own herb infused oils is easy to do and only takes a few items.

You will need herbs, a good quality oil like olive or almond, and a jar or other covered container (preferably glass).

There are many herbs that can be used to create herbal oils for skincare, healing wounds, soothing bumps and bruises, and so forth. 
Calendula makes an excellent oil for the skin, and is what is pictured above. 
I also make Comfrey oil and Arnica oil for easing bumps, bruises, and muscle aches and pains. 

If you are just getting started making herbal oils, dried herbs are less tricky to work with and what I use most often.

I make my herbal oils using  what is known as the simpler’s method, which is really quite simple!

Place the desired amount of herb into a jar. (Use a jar that will be filled almost to the top when the oil is added, too much air space can sometimes cause a problem with spoilage.) 

My jar of preference is a wide-mouth pint canning jar with a plastic lid. 

Cover the herbs completely with oil adding enough to cover by about an inch or so.

Cover your jar with a lid.

Place it in a sunny spot to infuse for 2 weeks.  I like to sit mine on the kitchen windowsill so I can enjoy watching the process.

Shake your jar several times a day to stir things up a bit and help the herbs infuse.

After 2 weeks, strain the oil through a piece of cheesecloth or muslin fabric into a clean container.

If you want an extra strong infusion, add more herbs and let it sit for another 2 weeks and then strain again.

Now you have a beautiful herbal oil to use!

If you’d like a nice fragrance, you can add a few drops of an essential oil to the jar. 
I like to use lavender essential oil when making skin care products. 
It smells wonderful and is good for the skin, as well.

I hope this will encourage you to create herbal oils for your own use.

Blessings,
Catherine

Read more...

Easter Wishes

May the Joy of Easter fill your heart and home with good things this weekend! 

Today I'm baking Hot Cross Buns (just as soon as I locate the recipe in my Recipe Pile) and planting seeds.  We have a family tradition of planting something- a tree, flowers, seeds, on Easter weekend to celebrate the gift of Life.  I'm planting seeds for hyssop this year. 
What are your Easter traditions?  Whatever they are, I pray you have a blessed holiday! 



(Beautiful Easter graphic can be found at Vintage Catnip)

Read more...

Seed Sowing

"Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders." ~ Henry David Thoreau

There is a sense of wonder in a seed, isn’t there?  What an infinite variety of beautiful and useful plants begin with just a tiny seed.

I love to plant seeds.  It is such an act of hope, putting that little storehouse into the soil, then watering, waiting, and watching for signs of life.

Spring is the time many of us are sowing seeds in the garden and waiting impatiently for those first sprigs of green. 

Many herbs grow easily from seed, such as- basil, borage, chives, cilantro and dill.  In fact, most of these grow so well from seed they will quite freely self-sow all over your garden if you aren't careful!  Though that is more blessing than curse in my eyes.  An out of place seedling can be moved to a better home or potted up and given to a friend if it can't be left where it is growing.  Part of the fun of gardening is the element of surprise that nature always seems to possess. 


What herbs do you grow from seed? 

Read more...

Lemony Herbs

Lemon-scented herbs are at the top of my list of Lovely Things to Grow.  Not only do they smell heavenly, they are very useful in a wide variety of ways. In everything from a simple cup of tea to scenting household cleaners, lemon-scented herbs are a great choice.
 Read more here

Read more...

Wild Weedy Herbs at The Renegade Farmer

Please drop by The Renegade Farmer to learn about one of my favorite wild weedy herbs this week!

We've been a bit under the weather, but more herbal posts are coming soon.

Blessings,

Catherine

Read more...

Elderberry Syrup

'Tis the Season

It seems it is that time of year again ... cold and flu season, yuck!  And as frequently happens, we spent yesterday visiting with friends who had a little one who was feeling "less than stellar".  Felt good enough after some Tylenol to play games on the Wii with my girls, and breathe on them of course ... but today was sent home from school with flu-like symptoms.  So, tonight I'm simmering elderberries on the stovetop to make my first batch of Elderberry Syrup for the year.  We'll be taking a spoonful a couple of times a day in hopes of keeping illness away! 

Elderberry Syrup is super simple to make, all you need are 3 ingredients:


Elderberries-1 cup fresh, or 1/2 cup dried (I used dried one)

Water- 3 cups

Raw Honey- 1 cup

Place elderberries and water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook slowly for 30-45 minutes. Strain warm juice into a quart jar. Pour in honey and stir well. Done!

Store the Elderberry Syrup in the refrigerator where it should stay fresh for 2-3 months.

Take a tablespoonful daily as a tonic to keep the sickies away.

When a cold or flu does sneak up on us, we take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.


* I'm not a doctor, please use your own common sense when using herbs or other home remedies, etc., etc.!!!


You can be sure there will be lots of ginger, garlic and other "good for the immune system" foods served up around here this week as well. 

What do you do to help keep sickness at bay this time of year?  Please share your tips!

Read more...