Showing posts with label Herbs. Show all posts
Six Unusual Herbs to Sow in Your Garden
These six herbs are a good investment for flavour – whatever the weather throws at us .
Less-familiar herbs: from left to right, the distinctive seeds of sweet cicely and orange thyme Photo: Alamy
By Mark Diacono
I am an almost
tediously optimistic grower – I’ve planted orchards of pecans and
almonds, for heaven’s sake – but this long winter has tested my
positivity. Last March, for a week and a half, I dug the veg plot in
shorts while the sun burnt the back of my legs; a year and a fortnight
later and I’m shivering.
After 2012, I
feel that the weather owes us something, yet here we are: the light says
spring, while the temperature says winter. There was a moment this
week, though, when the wind dropped for a few delicious minutes, and I
wondered whether we should look back on this sluggish slide out of
winter with a little more gratitude.
Those days last
March that warmed the soil and coaxed blossom and leaves (as well as my
legs) out too early, reverted to winter all too soon, hitting
seedlings, nipping blossom and chilling the soil once more. It was this
reversal of the seasons that cost many of us fruit and wiped out those
spring sowings that had got ahead of themselves in the sun.
We gardeners
want an orderly procession of the seasons: crucially for spring to
follow winter without going back for a few weeks to collect the baton
properly. This spring may be starting late, but with every day that
passes the chances diminish of a repeat of that well-worn trick: warmth
arriving then reverting to serious cold.
So this cold
start may not be ideal, but it is a reminder to trust ourselves, rather
than the imaginary world of the seed packet or books. Let the air and
the soil tell us when to sow and when to plant. For most of us, this is
the start of spring this year. Aside from a few missed opportunities
such as tomatoes and chillies, pretty much all vegetables can still be
started off from seed, so why not get those seed catalogues out, get
online or down to the garden centre and get sowing.
This cold has
nudged me to shift even more of the garden over to perennials.
Established plants listen to the weather – they emerge when conditions
allow, and even if they get the odd shock, as they did last year,
they’ll recover to be productive again. Perennials also tend to be less
vulnerable than annuals to pests and diseases. And if you combine
perennial resilience with great flavours then at least one part of your
garden has a great chance of being deliciously productive whatever the
seasons throw at it. So here are a few of my favourite yet lesser-known
transforming flavours, all but one perennial, and all of which can be
planted out or sown now.
Sweet cicely
The fern-like
leaves of sweet cicely appear early in spring, giving frosty fingers
something to harvest. Flowers like mini elderflower heads quickly follow
and then beautiful long-ribbed seeds. All parts are deliciously, gently
aniseed. Don’t let this put you off if you aren’t immediately keen as
sweet cicely has two other fine qualities: it reduces the acidity of
other ingredients, giving the appearance of sweetening, which means that
when adding sweet cicely to rhubarb, gooseberries and cooking apples
you can use less sugar than usual. It also catalyses other herbs when
used in combination, bringing them out of themselves while remaining in
the background itself.
Sweet cicely
loves partial shade and will happily grow under trees, and in damp,
though not waterlogged, spots. Sow in autumn (the seed needs winter cold
to germinate) or grow from pots now. Sweet cicely is not one to grow
permanently in pots as it has a long root that likes to burrow down. It
is a prolific self-seeder, which is either a delightful bonus or a
nuisance depending on your situation and disposition – if the latter,
just pick off the large seeds as they form: they are superb chopped into
home-made fudge or crumble topping.
Lemon verbena
This may be my
desert island herb. Its leaves smell and taste like lemons, only better,
with a sherberty fizz to it. As with bay, the leaves are usually not
eaten (though it is safe to do so) but are used in such a way that the
flavour is imparted. It makes a fabulous syrup (see box) that brightens
up summer cocktails and ice cream, and is particularly good infused in
milk for puddings. Lemon verbena is perennial but hates winter cold so
grow it in a pot, keeping it under cover through the cold months and in a
sunny spot for the rest of the year.
Perilla
I have no idea
why perilla (aka shiso) remains comparatively unknown as it is
fabulously flavoured – imagine the earthy but bright child of mint and
cumin parents. It looks wonderful too, with soft crinkled leaves, in
deep purple and vivid green varieties. It is widely used in Japanese and
Chinese cooking – I use the leaves and flowers mostly in soups, in
partnership with aubergines and in salads. The leaves are also
particularly good tempura battered and deep fried, but the plant is
endlessly adaptable. Cook very briefly, if at all, adding it late or raw
to get the best of its flavour. Perilla is a sun-loving annual that
self-seeds if allowed – sow it now undercover, and/or from late spring
onwards outside. Pinch out the growing tips if you want the plant to
bush out, or let it grow high and flower.
Anise hyssop
Anise hyssop
has a minty aniseed flavour that’s both fresh and sweet. I use it most
in cocktails and Pimm’s, though it is equally fabulous with shellfish.
The leaves are
best finely shredded: try it with strawberries, where it brings out
their sweetness and aroma perfectly. It also happens to be particularly
beautiful, growing a couple of feet tall, with purple flowers that will
keep the bees happy through summer and into autumn.
Hardy and
perennial, anise hyssop can be grown from seed with undercover heat or
you can start with pot plants. It dies back in the cold, re-emerging in
spring. It can self seed if allowed to; snip off the flowers (also good
in cocktails and fruit salads) before they turn to seed if you’d rather
they didn’t.
Orange thyme
More often than
not, fruit-flavoured herbs smell perfectly enticing but disappoint in
flavour. Orange thyme (as well as lemon thyme) is fabulous, giving a
warm citrus flavour to accompany the wholesomeness of the thyme.
It is easiest
to start with plants or cuttings. Like common thyme, it likes the sun, a
well-drained position, and will produce all year round (albeit slowly
in winter). Excellent with duck, lamb and superb when used to infuse its
flavour in desserts such as crème brûlée.
Winter savory
This
under-appreciated evergreen herb has a gentle menthol freshness to go
with its mint, pepper and thyme flavour. More strongly flavoured than
summer savory, it works particularly well in hearty, winter meat and
bean recipes. Sow into compost but leave the seeds uncovered as they
need light to germinate. Once they are established, harden the seedlings
off before planting them out. You can also start with plants for a
quicker return, and/or take cuttings right now. Winter savory enjoys a
sunny, well-drained spot but doesn’t like to dry out.
Herbs for the Heart
Posted by Unknown in Herbs, Medicinal Benefits on Monday, 13 May 2013
- broom - strengthens and normalizes the heart and also rids the body of any build-up of water that is due to insufficient heart strength. Care has to be taken though with this herb as it can increase blood pressure.
- bugleweed - whilst this herb increases the strength of the heart beat it also decreases its rate and is valuable as a relaxant as well.
- figwort - is known for its treatment of skin problems but it also strengthens the heart's contractions.
- hawthorn berries - are one of the most valuable remedies for the circulatory system. They strengthen the force of the contraction of the heart muscle while also dilating the vessels of the coronary circulation. They can be used in most circulatory problems as they will relax or stimulate the heart according to its need and normalize heart function.
- lily of the valley - can be used where the strength of the heart is insufficient, as in angina, or in the treatment of an aging heart. This is particularly the case when there are fatty deposits in the blood vessels.
- motherwort - is a relaxing herb and for the circulatory system it will strengthen and normalize the heart function.
- night blooming cereus - can be use similarly to lily of the valley and is particularly useful where there is any change in the rhythm of the heart beat.
Food Cures You Can Grow at Home
organicgardening.com
Why burn a
quarter-tank of gas running out to the drugstore for Pepto when you can
pluck some relief from your windowsill herb garden?
Besides adding
another dimension to your cooking, freshly harvested herbs can soothe
dozens of common health problems, and it’s possible to grow a selection
of home remedies in a couple of pots placed in a sunny spot.
Look for
seedlings of these plants and herbs at any garden store, or if you’re
really ambitious, buy a packet of seeds and try sprouting your own.
Aloe Vera
Grow it: Plant in pots placed in full sunshine. Water well.
Use it: Break
open the thick leaves and apply the gel that seeps out to your skin to
soothe sunburn. “It’s 96 percent water and 4 percent active ingredients,
including amino
acids and enzymes that nourish damaged skin,” says pharmacist Margo
Marrone, founder of The Organic Pharmacy in the United Kingdom.
Basil
Grow it:
This sweet, fragrant annual is ideal for growing in pots. Pull off the
white flowers as soon as they appear to keep it from going to seed and
your herbs from tasting bitter.
Use it: Rub crushed leaves on your temples to relieve headaches. Pour boiling water over basil leaves for a pain-relieving footbath.
Lavender
Grow it: This sun-loving plant needs good drainage. Use a small pot filled with gravel and a light soil.
Use it: It
has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Crush a handful of the
heads and add to a bowl of boiling water to use as a steam bath for
your face. You can also dab the oil from the flowers on blemishes, says Marrone.
Lemon Balm
Grow it: Pot it, or it will colonize your garden.
Use it:
Use for healing and preventing cold sores. Also, rub leaves directly
onto skin as a natural insect repellent or to soothe bites.
Mint
Grow it: Use a sunken pot, because it grows vigorously.
Use it:
Ideal for treating the collywobbles, which you might know as butterflies
in the stomach. Sip tea made with fresh peppermint leaves to soothe
stomach cramps, nausea,
and flatulence. For a natural decongestant, place a fistful of mint
leaves in a shallow bowl and cover with boiling water. Lean over it,
drape a towel over your head, and breathe the steam.
Parsley
Grow it: Thrives in a pot in the sun as long as the soil is kept moist. Feed with organic fertilizer.
Use it: Immune-system booster. Eat one tablespoon of chopped flatleaf or curly parsley daily. Chewing parsley neutralizes mouth odors.
Sage
Grow it: Needs full sun and a dry sandy soil. Sage means “to be in good health.”
Use it: Gargle with a broth made from a quarter-cup of leaves (and cooled) to relieve sore throat.
Thyme
Grow it: Plant in dry, light soil. Needs sun.
Use it: A
powerful antioxidant as well as an antiseptic. Drink a tea made from
lemon thyme to treat colds before bed. Warning: Don’t use thyme when
pregnant.
Basic Herb Garden Design Tips
By Tim Adam
Ezine Article
Basic herb
garden design tips are very much available today over the internet or
magazines about gardening. Many homeowners desired that their garden
will be filled with functional and fragrant herbs however they do not
know exactly how to plant garden herbs so here are some tips for
designing herb gardens.
These tips can
help you in getting the best results possible from your herb plants. You
can be able to grow healthier herbs very easily in just a short time.
Furthermore, your garden will look spectacular too.
When starting a
basic herb garden design, you must first find the best spot for growing
your herbs. The best area should be able to get full sunlight for at
least 6 - 8 hours a day. Your soil must be dark and rich as well as
filled with so many nutrients. Once these are all set, you can now start
designing and planting and eventually using your herbs. In due time,
you can have a wonderful garden in your own home that you can use all
year round.
Most of the
basic herb garden design is positioned in a geometric shape. If you love
a formal garden look, you may want to use box woods for edging your
garden beds. For a much more country look, you may use an old wheel of a
wagon to plant your herbs, instead. If you are planning to use your
favorite herbs more, you should buy 3 - 5 plants of them. However, if
you are just purchasing an herb because of its looks or smells, then you
may want to buy only 1 - 3 plants.
One of the most
essential tips in basic herb garden design is to place and plant your
herbs by groups of 3, 5, 7, or more. Not for any other reason or what,
most of the designs for basic herb gardening looks best in odd numbered
groups. This is what you will notice in most homes with spectacular
gardens. Groupings are in odd numbers and they look the best.
As a matter of
fact, just knowing the number of plants that you may use in each group
will not really help you in basic herb garden design especially if you
do not really know where you will place your plants. As you notice in
your environment, plants usually do not grow in such tidy rows but
instead in a curve where some of the plants are jutting forward and the
others are just hanging back. Designing your herb garden can be
difficult but it definitely entails a lot of fun.
You can start a
patio herb garden for your fresh herbs if you do not have any place to
plant in your garden as a starter for your basic herb garden design. It
will just give you the same satisfaction when you know that your herbs
for your cooking are fresh, organically grown, and pesticide free just
like what the garden herbs can give you. Another is by designing a
windowsill herb garden for fresh herbs all year round. The same
satisfaction is what you can get.
Actually, most
herbs are really easy to maintain plus you do not need daily watering if
your soil is soak thoroughly by watering them deeply. They also do not
need fertilizer however, a little of mixed compost in the soil will help
them grow much healthier. They only need weeding regularly because
weeds can get the nutrients in the soil instead of your herbs. So, have
you already decided on your first basic herb garden design now?
Tim is an
experienced herb gardener and loves to grow herbs. To learn more about
basic herb garden design
[http://www.herbgardeningplace.com/basic-herb-garden-design] as well as
other great herb gardening, planting, growing and using techniques check
out his dedicated herb growing and care website
[http://www.herbgardeningplace.com/]
China Seeks to Unlock Secrets of Herbs, Roots
(Reuters)
- Chinese legends have long extolled the benefits of the Tian Shan Xue
Lian, a rare white flower found in snowcapped mountains that is revered
as a panacea, an elixir so powerful it can supposedly bring the dead
back to life.
In
the quest for better and newer drugs, scientists in China are
re-examining traditional Chinese medicines TCM.L -- roots and herbs that
have been used for thousands of years -- to find and reproduce the
active ingredients so they may be made into drugs that can be easily
manufactured and consumed.
But
unlike many Chinese drugmakers who already sell TCMs in powders and
capsules, scientists are going a step further by putting these
experimental medicines through rigorous clinical tests so that they may
find wider acceptance globally.
"This
flower has been used for thousands of years in Xinjiang, Tibet and
India to treat a range of illnesses...For the Chinese, it was used for
'disorderly heartbeat,'" said Li Guirong, a cardiology professor at the
University of Hong Kong.
"I
have worked eight years on this. Our aim is to return an irregular
heart rhythm to normalcy...with a drug that has fewer side effects," he
said.
As
Beijing shifts its growth engine to cleaner hi-tech industries,
committing $1.7 trillion over the next five years to nurture them,
Chinese scientists are enjoying unprecedented government support and
access to funding to design better drugs and diagnostic tools for
chronic illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.
Backed
by government funding, Li and colleagues at the Shanghai Institute of
Materia Medica began studying eight years ago the Tian Shan Xue Lian, or
Herba Saussureae Involucratae, which thrives 3,000 metres above sea
level in the Tibetan highlands.
They
extracted its key ingredient, acacetin, created its synthetic twin and
found success in experiments on dogs with atrial fibrillation.
They
are now refining the compound and hope to begin human trials in three
years with China National Pharmaceutical Group Corp , parent of the
country's largest Hong Kong-listed drug distributor Sinopharm Group Co
Ltd (1099.HK).
"We
received a patent for it (acacetin) and hope to make it into a drug
together with Sinopharm. We hope to market it in China and
internationally eventually," Li said.
While
TCM has been used for thousands of years, it is far less understood and
accepted outside of China. By subjecting TCM-derived compounds to
clinical trials, experts hope to prove their efficacy and sell them into
foreign markets.
FLUSH WITH CASH
Coinciding
with China's push to upgrade its domestic drug sector, Western
drugmakers are muscling into China to maintain margins amid a patent
cliff and fall in earnings in Western markets.
In
the last two months alone, Merck & Co Inc (MRK.N), Pfizer Inc
(PFE.N) and Astrazeneca Plc (AZN.L), have announced ambitious research
plans with Chinese companies to design new drugs for Chinese patients
and also announced plans to expand their distribution grids.
The
reason is simple: China's prescription drug market, set to be the
world's second largest by 2020, is estimated to be worth more than $110
billion by 2015, from $50 billion in 2010, according to various industry
researchers.
While
much attention is paid to what Western drugmakers are doing in China,
insiders say significant resources are quietly being directed to TCM
research and the best TCM drugs will eventually figure among the world's
prescription medicines.
In
the last two years, the government has allotted 6.7 billion yuan to
support biotechnology companies and the search for new drugs.
Apart
from Sinopharm, which aims to compete globally with quality and
well-accepted drugs, other notable TCM producers are Yunnan Baiyao Group
Co Ltd (000538.SZ), which makes an anti-bleeding powder, Zhangzhou
Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (600436.SS) and Jiangsu Hengruli
Medicine Co Ltd (600276.SS), all keen to put more resources into R&D
over the next five years.
Beijing
Tongrentang Co Ltd (600085.SS) will focus on developing products using
rare raw materials that have strong medicinal qualities, while China
Shineway Pharmaceutical Group Ltd (2877.HK) will give priority to
state-protected and patented Chinese medicines.
This
reverse approach -- working backwards with proven TCMs to find the
active compound -- has been encouraged by China's best-known medical
export, the anti-malaria drug artemisinin.
Artemisinin
is derived from the sweet wormwood shrub, which has been used for
thousands of years to treat malaria. A project by the Chinese army in
the 1960s managed to isolate the active compound and it has since become
the world's best line of defence against the disease.
"We
will see a rebalancing away from what was an exclusive focus on Western
chemical drugs to include more traditional Chinese medicines," said
Jason Mann, pharmaceuticals and healthcare analyst with Barclays Capital
in Hong Kong.
"The
Chinese government is supporting TCM. It is a key heritage; something
to be proud of. Five thousand years of history can't all be wrong. And
it is just pragmatic. These are difficult, expensive diseases. Whatever
approach you can take to keep patients healthy and out of hospital will
be good."
Herbs for The Winter Windowsill
(Reminder News)
Now that the growing season is over, do you still find yourself ready
to dash out to the garden for some chives, basil or a sprig of thyme,
only to lament their loss to the cold weather? Why not start a small
collection of culinary herbs indoors, where their flavor and fragrance
will delight you through the upcoming winter months?
Growing
herbs indoors is not difficult, as long as their few cultural
requirements are met. The two most important factors for the successful
growth of herbs indoors are light and moisture. The majority of popular
culinary herbs require at least six hours of direct sun each day. A
southerly-facing window is best, although a southwest or western
exposure will do. Another alternative is to grow them under artificial
light. A fluorescent fixture with one cool white bulb and one warm white
bulb kept on for at least 12 hours a day will suffice.
Specially-formulated, full-spectrum lights have come down in price and
would actually be a better choice. Plants placed on window sills should
be given a quarter turn daily, so they won’t lean to the light. If it
gets really cold at night, move tender plants such as basil away from
the windowsill.
Proper
watering often makes the difference between life and death for herb
plants. In general, the majority of herbs like to be kept on the dry
side, but as many potential herb growers have found out the hard way,
allowing the potting mixture to totally dry out will be the demise of
their plants. Likewise, excessively wet soils promote root-rotting
diseases. All pots should have drainage holes. Water when the soil about
a half inch below the surface feels dry to the touch and continue
watering until the excess water begins to run out the bottom drainage
hole. Then let the pot drain thoroughly before putting it back on its
saucer.
I
have had excellent results growing herbs with a mix of a quarter each
potting soil, clean, coarse sand, peat moss, and either vermiculite or
perlite. I add about one tablespoon of ground limestone for each gallon
of potting mix and one-quarter cup of Osmocote Plus Trace Elements, as I
get lazy about fertilizing. If you prefer, plants can be fertilized
once a month with a half-strength liquid fertilizer. Fish emulsion or
liquid kelp works good for organic growers. Clay pots are favored, as
they are more porous than plastic ones.
Basil,
summer savory and parsley can be started from seed if you prefer. The
first two herbs germinate quite readily, but parsley seeds are rather
stubborn, requiring about three weeks before sprouting. Regular sweet
basil tends to become a rather leggy houseplant. Instead, opt for the
compact, globe-shaped bush basil. Unlike most herbs, basil wants a warm
location.
Oregano
is a member of the mint family and can even be grown in hanging
baskets. It prefers to be kept at about 60 degrees F and growth will
slow drastically if temperatures fall below 50 degrees F. Avoid
overwatering oregano and note that it is prone to root rots.
Rosemary
is an exceptional complement to meat dishes, potatoes and breads.
Although it does prefer to be kept on the dry side, if the soil dries
out completely – even for a short period of time – your plant will die.
Both white and blue flowering varieties are available. Rosemary can also
be trained as a standard or wreath.
More
than 400 thyme varieties are recognized. The ones I found most suited
to indoor culture are varieties of Thymus vulgaris. Lemon-scented and
caraway thyme also make good houseplants.
Bay
is a slow grower, preferring an almost neutral soil. Harvest the older
leaves as needed and always be on the lookout for scale insects.
By Dawn Pettinelli - UConn Home & Garden Education CenterPerk up your menu by adding a few herb plants to your home. If you have questions about growing herbs or other gardening quandaries, call, toll-free, 877-486-6271, visit www.ladybug.uconn.edu, or contact your local Cooperative Extension Center.
Know the Different Kinds of Ginseng
Posted by Unknown in Ginseng, Health Issues, Herbs, Medicinal on Sunday, 9 September 2012
The Chinese called it the “Essence of Man” or “Elixir of Life”; the American Indians treasured it and millions have sworn that it restores youth, vigor, and sexual powers. This magical plant, or rather, magical root, is none other than ginseng.
Ginseng occupies an important place in oriental herbal medicine. In fact, it was so important that it was considered a "panacea" or cure-all. Even gingseng’s assigned botanical name Panax ginseng, literally means "all healing."
Centuries of Chinese healers have used ginseng to fight wide ranging ills such as general weakness, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction. Some of the earliest recorded uses of the herb are by Emperor Shen Nung, who began his reign in 2800 BC and is considered the patron saint of Chinese herbal medicine.
Ginseng has been touted for its adaptogenic qualities. Adaptogens help normalize body functions during stress and stimulate the responsiveness of the immune system. They also increase strength and vitality. The medicinal effects of ginseng are attributed to saponins called ginsenosides found in the root of the plant. The older the root, the more ginsenosides it has. Roots should be six years old or older for optimal effectiveness.
 |
| Ginseng Plant |
The only true ginsengs are the plants in the Panax genus within the Araliaceae family. The most common types are::
Asian ginseng. This is a warm stimulating tonic also called Oriental, Chinese or Korean ginseng. This is the kind of ginseng found in Ginsomin, a product of Mega Philippines (Tel. 8378550 ti 51 and 837-2947) that is made from six-year- old dried Korean Panax ginseng roots and contains 16 different ginsenosides, 11 vitamins and 9 essential minerals for optimum effectiveness. The high-quality ginsent extract in Ginsomin promotes both physical and mental health and helps relieve fatigue and stress.
American ginseng. This grows wild in North America and was used by Native Americans to treat indigestion, sore eyes, fever and bronchitis. American ginseng is a cooling, sedating tonic that has a calming effect.
Siberian ginseng. This belongs to the Araliaceae family but is not a true ginseng of the Panax genus. Often sold as a cheaper alternative to the more expensive Panax ginseng but is less effective at increasing vitality and feelings of well being.
