The History of Tussie-Mussie

Have you heard of the infamous and misunderstood tussie-mussie? Currently thought of as a nosegay, or compact bouquet of flowers and herbs, it has a colorful, if obscure, past with hilarious connotations. In light of its modern bridal and festive associations,...

READ MORE - The History of Tussie-Mussie

Growing Your Own Saffron

Saffron is an expensive spice that has a very distinct flavor and aroma. It is prized throughout the world, but often only used for special-occasion dishes because it is so expensive. Where Does Saffron Come From, Anyway?Saffron comes from the three...

READ MORE - Growing Your Own Saffron

Using Herbs for Dental Care

Because commercial toothpastes and other tooth cleaners and whiteners contain harsh abrasives, detergents, and bleaches, you can give your teeth a break by buying herbal toothpastes, or making your own. Here are some tips for quick, effective tooth...

READ MORE - Using Herbs for Dental Care

Do Poppy Seeds Contain Drugs?

The poppy is a red flower with a thick seed pods that carry the popular poppy seeds used in cooking. Although there's been a great deal of misinformation about the ability of poppy seeds to create false positives in drug testing, more modern testing...

READ MORE - Do Poppy Seeds Contain Drugs?

Make Lavender Sugar

For an unexpected and rich taste, try making your own lavender sugar. This is a unique treat that's easy to make and fun to use.Uses for Lavender SugarLavender sugar is a great alternative to vanilla sugar as a topping for candies, cakes, and other...

READ MORE - Make Lavender Sugar

Herbs for Oral Health

If you've had concerns about the use of strong mouthwashes and toothpastes, consider their safer and gentler alternatives. Herbal oral products provide antibacterial protection without the fillers and stabilizers associated with major manufacturer's...

READ MORE - Herbs for Oral Health

It's Not Too Late to Protect Your Plants from the Cold Weather

The cold weather is upon us, and if you live where there's a freeze, be kind to your plants. Check to make sure that plants that are borderline for your growing zone are well mulched and protected from the wind chill and freezing temperatures. A Calla...

READ MORE - It's Not Too Late to Protect Your Plants from the Cold Weather

Make Lavender Bath Salts

Reduce stress by bathing with lavender. Lavender aromatherapy can help you relax and regroup. Use your bath to get the aromatherapy benefits of lavender while enjoying the natural muscle relaxers in Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). Magnesium sulfate has...

READ MORE - Make Lavender Bath Salts

Homemade Ginger Beer

Ginger beer is a light, refreshing ale that you can easily make at home. Brewed with yeast, it is a unique beverage that will become a summer tradition at your house. It's great to make with the kids, and there's something magical about waiting for...

READ MORE - Homemade Ginger Beer

Free Herb Catalogs

Below is a listing of free herb catalogs; some are snail mail and some are PDF files. Happy Shopping! Click on the name to go to their request pages.Mountain Valley GrowersMountain Rose HerbsNichols Garden Nursery (PDF Download)RichtersPrairieland Herbs...

READ MORE - Free Herb Catalogs

Using Herbs for Breast Enlargement

I am asked this question frequently, and there is no easy answer. Although I do recommend herbs to relieve the symptoms of menopause, my feeling about using bulk herbs for this purpose is pretty negative. The idea of increasing breast size without surgery...

READ MORE - Using Herbs for Breast Enlargement

Four Thieves Vinegar

In my explorations of the history and uses of lavender, I came across some interesting information about Four Thieves Vinegar. I'd heard of it before, but didn't know what it meant:The Legend of Four Thieves VinegarOne version goes that in the 1630's,...

READ MORE - Four Thieves Vinegar

Make Your Own Herbs de Provence

Herbs de Provence is a robust mixture of herbs made popular in the southeastern region of France. It is often used in the preparation of grilled meats, fish and vegetable stews, and is usually added before or during cooking.Changes in Herbs de Provence...

READ MORE - Make Your Own Herbs de Provence

Hops - More than Just an Ingredient in Beer

The history of hops can be traced back to first century (A.D.) Rome, where it was used as a vegetable and decorative plant. Several hundred years later it had spread throughout Europe and was in widespread use in brewing.Healthful Benefits of HopsThe...

READ MORE - Hops - More than Just an Ingredient in Beer

Herbs and Foods that Can be Toxic To Your Pets

For many of us, our pets are members of the family, and there are unpublicized hazards that can impact their health.Household Dangers to Your PetYou may not know it, but using high heat with your non-stick pans can be toxic to your birds, that aspirin...

READ MORE - Herbs and Foods that Can be Toxic To Your Pets

Lavender in Literature (Quotes about Lavender)

Lavender has a long literary past. With a fine fragrance, medicinal and culinary value, and a history of favor at court, lavender waxes poetic in these memorable quotes and passages:Lavender and Culpeper(The Complete Herbal, 1652)Being an inhabitant...

READ MORE - Lavender in Literature (Quotes about Lavender)

The History of Lavender

If you are a lover of lavender, then its associations with luck from the early St. John's Day festivals, and its reputation as an anti-plague herb are tidbits you'll enjoy with your morning coffee.Books like "The Book of Herb Lore" by Lady Rosalind...

READ MORE - The History of Lavender

Keep Lavender Indoors

Lavender makes an attractive and useful indoor plant. When kept in a sunny window, it brings its unique fresh fragrance to your living space. A lavender plant requires little care, preferring to dry out between waterings, although it needs good air...

READ MORE - Keep Lavender Indoors

Propagating Lavender

Lavender can be propagated from cuttings, seed, or division.Propagating Lavender from CuttingsLavender is easy to grow from cuttings in spring or fall. Take young stems with a heel attached and dip them in rooting compound. Plant the stem cuttings in...

READ MORE - Propagating Lavender

Understand the Different Types of Lavender

Lavender is enormously popular, but not all lavender is created equal. Using different varieties of lavender will yield different results, and knowing the right lavender for your garden or intended use will help your project be more successful. Lavender...

READ MORE - Understand the Different Types of Lavender

Remove Mineral Deposits and Sterilize Your Plant Pots

When I can't work in the garden, most of the houseplants are dormant, and the new season's seed catalogs haven't arrived yet, I turn to cleaning.One of my regular winter chores is to remove scale and mineral deposits from my plant pots and trays. I used...

READ MORE - Remove Mineral Deposits and Sterilize Your Plant Pots

The Healthful Benefits of Cranberries

You may not be growing them in your garden, and they may technically be a fruit, but cranberries are proving to be very beneficial to your health.I didn't design this blog to discuss current medical research, but time to time some things just jump out...

READ MORE - The Healthful Benefits of Cranberries

Growing Lavender

Lavender is one of the most easily distinguished, popular, and restful of fragrances. It is attractive to both men and women, and is the main fragrance in a wide range of beauty and home products.Lavender Planting TipsLavender likes a well drained, sunny...

READ MORE - Growing Lavender

Log Under Interesting Gadgets - The Neti Pot

If you are one of the few people who hasn't heard of the neti pot (also referred to as the salt lamp or nose bidet), it is an ingenious Indian device used to irrigate nasal passages. A "do it yourself" appliance, the neti pot can give you relief from...

READ MORE - Log Under Interesting Gadgets - The Neti Pot

Can We do it All?

I just received my first seed catalog in the mail and watched a useful cable how-to on composting. My original plan for the day included writing notes about both these topics, as well as making a batch of scented bath salts. Well, I made the bath salts,...

READ MORE - Can We do it All?

Victory Vegetable Garden

During the Second World War, and during other wars before and since, people were encouraged to grow their own produce. These were "necessary" gardens that insured that there would be food on the table in uncertain times. We can learn something from...

READ MORE - Victory Vegetable Garden

Garlic as a Pest Deterrent

I have a garlic update since I blogged about keeping rue and garlic together near your roses.Japanese Beetle DeterrentI've mentioned that you can grow garlic and rue with roses to keep pests like the Japanese beetle away. In a past garlic post, I admitted...

READ MORE - Garlic as a Pest Deterrent

Propagate Aloe Vera

I get lots of requests for information on propagating Aloe Vera, so here is my take on the subject.Watch For Aloe Vera Plant PupsAs a succulent, Aloe is easy to keep and grow. It requires well-drained, loose, sandy soil that is low in nutrients. It...

READ MORE - Propagate Aloe Vera

Natural Hangover Remedies

If you're feeling a little the worse for wear after your New Year's Eve celebration, try taking some honey. Naturally high in fructose, honey will help your body metabolize any residual alcohol. Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water will help too.Other...

READ MORE - Natural Hangover Remedies