Hyssop

Hyssop

I have never run across Hyssop, that I can think of, before starting my research on what to grow in the herb garden this year.  This seems really surprising, given the glorious beauty of this plant, combined with the plethora of health benefits that come along with it.




Hyssop is another cleansing herb.  I'm going to have to do some research on combining these cleansing herbs - maybe this will turn into Herb Lady Detox!!

Not only it is internally cleansing, but you can make an effective, yet gentle and soothing wound cleaning wash from Hyssop.  I'll be trying that :)

In addition to its cleansing capabilities, check out what else Hyssop can do (haha - look what I can do!)

Hyssop is:
*Antiseptic
*Antiviral
*Antimicrobial
*Anti-inflammatory
*An expectorant (Bye-bye mucinex.  who needs you?  You make me feel icky and dry my face out anyway!)

and it also:
*Helps regulate blood pressure (Heck yeah ~ have you seen the list of side effects associated with most blood pressure medication?  My husband had a cough for over a year that we finally figured out was caused by his blood pressure medication... and that's probably one of the more benign side effects)
*Calms nerves and nervous tension
*Soothes arthritic pain
*Rejuvenates aging skin, reducing wrinkling and sagging (you had better believe I'll be coming out with a lotion that incorporates this!)

Our Hyssop babies are super healthy and screaming to be let out of their little pots and put into the garden. Unfortunately they will need to wait a little while if they're going to survive :)

Hyssop is another herb that is supposed to release its benefits into wine really well, so this will be a good candidate for a nice tonic wine.  I sure do hope that these tonic wines (and the infused vinegars) make a comeback.

Happy Friday to those of you who read this the same day it's posted.  If not, Happy whatever day it is to you!

Dandelion

Dandelion

Dandelion.

Dandelion?

Yup!  That weed that everyone wants to kill, kill, kill!  Believe it or not, Dandelion is one of the most beneficial herbs out there.  

A weed?  Maybe.  

But there are lots of great plants and herbs that are considered weeds.  

First and foremost:

Nutritionally, Dandelion is high in:

Vitamin A

Vitamin B

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Potassium

Zinc

Iron

Calcium

Seriously???  Dandelion is chock full of all of these?  Yes.  It really is.
So, why are you not plotting and planning how to get your hands on the first delicate Dandelion greens of the season?  I don't know - I'll play your silly game.  Why aren't you?

:-D

In addition to touting all of these great vitamins and minerals, Dandelion can also say that it:

*Purifies your blood (more later on this - I could take up a whole post just for this attribute!)

*Cleanses you liver and gallbladder (again - a huge attribute that could take up the entire blog post - more later)

*Clears your acne

*Heals eczema

*Heals warts

*Repels mosquitoes

*Treats kidney problems (gosh, there sure is a lot to go into more detail about later with Dandelion)

No wonder it's known as a powerful cleansing herb! 

Knowing all of this, I can hardly believe that we have all been conditioned to kill off this little weed that could be keeping our organs free of toxins and running more efficiently.  

This, folks, is a great example of getting back to our roots.  People have known about the many many benefits of Dandelion for CENTURIES... why are we not taught these essential tidbits anymore?  

I, for one, think it's time to bring back the tried and true remedies.  My own personal experience has shown me that natural remedies, pulled from Mother Earth's vast medicine cabinet, really do work.  

Calendula

Calendula

          ~~~Calendula~~~

It's considered a protective herb and it's anti-everything!

*Antimicrobial

*Anti-inflammatory

*Antiseptic

*Anti-fungal

*Antioxidant

*Antibacterial

Calendula also heals and protects the skin better than most anything else out there, and gentle enough even for babies :)

Since Calendula has antibacterial properties, it becomes useful in helping to speed healing for those who may have compromised or sluggish immune systems.  Calendula is also able prompt the body to boost production of collagen at wound sites, which minimizes scarring.  We will be making lotions, salves, balms and lots of other great stuff.  

According to WebMD, Calendula is also routinely used to treat pain and inflammation, and for treatment of stomach cramps and even ulcers.  WebMD confirms the information above that there are chemicals in Calendula that helps tissue to grow in wounds.

Calendula should not be taken by mouth by pregnant women.  It could possibly cause miscarriage, so this is a clear case of better safe than sorry - leave it be.  (We'll have precautions about this on any labels of Calendula products meant to be taken internally as well.)

Tomorrow: Dandelion :)

Have an excellent day!

Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle

 

Milk Thistle looks a lot like Burdock - as you can see here.   

But Milk Thistle can say something that Burdock cannot...

"I can prevent or treat a hangover"

Milk Thistle, 2015

That's a mighty big statement, Milk Thistle!

So here's the skinny on that statement, miraculously made by my tiny little Milk Thistle plants ;)

Milk Thistle contains the active ingredient Silymarin, which has the ability to alter the actual surface of the liver.  Doing so keeps toxins from entering, or, if some get through or are already present, Silymarin is able to neutralize these toxins.  The same Silymarin also enhances liver cell regeneration.

You can see where this information is leading...

Can't you?

Milk Thistle can reduce damage done to your liver; whether this damage is caused by drug or alcohol use, heavy metals and pesticides, and even hepatitis.

You can bet your boots that we'll be making products to prevent and cure your hangovers and to heal and repair your liver.  I think of all of the herbs that we're nurturing and growing I am most excited about Milk Thistle.  

In addition to basically detoxifying your liver and improving its overall function, Milk Thistle also aids digestion.  This is not to be down-played, as digestive issues are no fun to deal with and they oftentimes keep your body from properly utilizing vitamins and minerals.  

Improving digestion improves your immune system as well.  Combine a pumped up immune system with better absorption of vitamins and minerals and you're well on your way to greatly improved health overall!

I hope that you all have a most-terrific day... whatever day it is that you may be reading this ;)

Burdock

Burdock

Isn't she beautiful?
Too bad after all of the flowers wilt they become those troublesome burrs that stick on your socks and your dogs and anything else they can get their little velcro-balls to attach to!!

Burdock is classified as a cleansing herb.
It touts the following benefits:

*Blood detoxifier
*Antibacterial
*Anti-fungal
*Hair growth stimulator
*Cleanses the skin
*Clears acne

In addition, there is growing evidence (more research currently underway) that Burdock Root could possibly inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells.  More on this later, as we'll be doing an in-depth spotlight on each herb later in the season when we're making healing products with them.

Tomorrow: Bergamot

Make it a great day - and try to help those around you do the same :)   Just remember... we're all in this big weird game together!

Peppermint

Peppermint

Peppermint ~~~ yummy for my tummy for so many reasons!

*Stimulates digestion

*Reduces IBS symptoms

*Eases indigestion

*Reduces flatulence

In addition to tummy taming powers, Peppermint also:

*Prevents microbial spread

*Improves memory

*Increases mental focus

*Relieves headaches (like a champ!)

*Soothes colicky babies

*Inhibits histamine release (controlling hay fever in some!)

*Reduces pain associated with shingles 

*Inhibits herpes simplex 1

*Expectorant and decongestant

*Prevents and heals dandruff

Peppermint does everything except make me coffee in the morning!  Not only is it another super star of the herb garden, but it also tastes wonderful.  Adding Peppermint to other herbs not only improves the overall taste, but look at all that it brings to the party itself :)  

Feverfew

Feverfew

Hello, boys and girls!! "What are we going to learn about today?", you ask?  Why, let me tell you!

It's Feverfew!  Hooray!!!  

OK - maybe that's a bit too excited about Feverfew at 8:25 in the morning...  

In any case, Feverfew is still an awesome herb with some really great qualities.

Feverfew is a protective herb.  Most commonly it protects against migraine headaches.  Yup.  You heard me right.  It prevents migraines when taken regularly.  Having been a chronic migraine sufferer in my younger days, I cannot express how important a natural preventative is... I wish I had known about this back then!  

Not only does Feverfew prevent migraines; it also:

*Reduces frequency and severity of migraines should you happen to get one

*Reduces fever - hence the name :)

*Aids in digestion

and... here's the really cool attribute:

*Helps to expel worms 

"wait- did she just say..." yes... I said worms.  

Ewwww!  I know!!!!!!!  This wasn't the first herb on the list to fight parasites and it won't be the last.  Sorry to say it, but we all have so many parasites that if we talked about it out loud, we would probably just walk around barfing from being so grossed out.  So let's not talk about that anymore - k?

Not only does it help humans with unwanted guests for their host bodies, but you can also use Feverfew to control both mites and lice for your chickens (assuming you have some).  

So a definite three cheers for Feverfew - or at least one since it's so early in the day.  

~~~~Hip hip - hooray!~~~~~