Rosemary, a potent herbal remedy [updated]

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a pretty little bush from the Mediterranean. There's also a prostrate form (Rosmarinus lavandulaceus). Both types can be used in the same ways. Rosemary is quite tender, and has a tendency to keel over without warning, so it's best to have a couple of plants, although you can go the gardener's route of taking cuttings regularly - I guess it depends on how many friends you are likely to be able to pass any extras on to! Because it is from the Med, it

Read more ...

Garlic - Sovereign remedy and general tonic [updated]

Garlic, Allium sativum, is extensively used all around the world as an ingredient in cooking, although when I was a child in the UK, many people wouldn't touch the stuff. I don't know if this had anything to do with Britain's love-hate relationship with France, where it sometimes seems to non-garlic fans that the locals bathe in it, but it certainly seems to be more accepted now that Britain is part of the EC. Talking of France, health experts have long been baffled by the health of the

Read more ...

Oregano - beneficial and popular multi-purpose herb [updated]

Oregano, Origanum vulgare, is also known as Greek oregano (as opposed to Cretan oregano, which is another name for pot marjoram), wild marjoram, winter marjoram, wintersweet and mountain mint. It is not closely related to mint. The oreganos and marjorams are quite closely related, which explains the almost interchangeable names. You can also use any of them as a substitute for any of the others in cooking (and for thyme) - though not necessarily as a remedy. Sow indoors Feb-April ½cm (¼")

Read more ...

Oregano - beneficial and popular multi-purpose herb [updated]

Oregano, Origanum vulgare, is also known as Greek oregano (as opposed to Cretan oregano, which is another name for pot marjoram), wild marjoram, winter marjoram, wintersweet and mountain mint. It is not closely related to mint. The oreganos and marjorams are quite closely related, which explains the almost interchangeable names. You can also use any of them as a substitute for any of the others in cooking (and for thyme) - though not necessarily as a remedy. Sow indoors Feb-April ½cm (¼")

Read more ...

Sweet Marjoram for gastritis and stiffness [updated]

Sweet marjoram (often called just marjoram) is also known as knotted marjoram. The correct latin name is Origanum majorana, but it is sometimes labeled Majorana hortensis or Origanum majoranoides. It is a half-hardy perennial. It's closely related to oregano and pot marjoram. Marjoram will grow in any well-drained alkaline to neutral soil in full sun or semi-shade, and can reach a height of 60cm (2') and a spread of 45cm (18"). It's generally grown from seed sown under cover in early Spring

Read more ...

Pot marjoram is great for coughs and indigestion [updated]

Pot marjoram, Origanum onites, is also known as rhigani and Cretan oregano. It is closely related to the true oregano and sweet marjoram. Pot marjoram is a hardy perennial which will grow almost anywhere except in full shade or where it can be blasted by winds from the sea. It reaches a height and spread of about 60cm (2'). Sow under cover in early Spring, prick out into individual pots and grow on. Plant out in early Summer into well drained soil. Can also be propagated by division. Cut

Read more ...

If you take vitamin B12, you NEED to read this

Wow! 2 posts in one day!

But I had to pass this on ASAP, it's that important. Vitamin B12 Warning

Why we should all be drinking green tea every day

I'm about to update my post about the health benefits of tea, Camellia sinensis. The reason is this article I just read which shows that it is effective in the treatment and prevention of many auto-immune and chronic conditions. But I thought I would let you know about it right away, as it affects many of us in one way or another.

Green tea is made from leaves of the tea plant which haven't been fermented, just dried, so you can grow your own tea and use that. Of course, if you're making the recommended 2-4 cups a day, you'll probably not have space to grow enough, but green tea is readily available in most bigger food stores, health shops and similar outlets.

Bay leaves for indigestion, gas and colic [updated]

Bay leaves are a well known herb in the kitchen, and bay trees are often grown in pots as ornamentals. The bay tree, Laurus nobilis, is an evergreen tree which reaches a height of 35 feet (12m) plus, if not restricted in this way. Grow in a 40-45cm (15-18") tub to restrict height. Trim to shape 2 or 3 times during Summer. However, growing it in a pot does mean that it will need frequent watering during the warmer months, even up to twice a day! You can pick leaves as you need them, and take

Read more ...

Conventional Medicine kills people

Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy may have a bad rep with some conventional doctors, but it's a fact that they kill way less people than conventional medicine.

Here's a video (not mine) that explains why you should avoid conventional medicine as much as possible - use it when you have to and not before. New Leading Cause of Death

Sweet Basil - Delicious tonic, cold remedy, and more [updated]

Giving some indication as to why Italian food is supposed to be so good for you (though garlic also deserves some credit, I'm sure), basil - also known as sweet basil and St Joseph's wort - Ocimum basilicum, is a great tonic herb, raising the spirits and helping to alleviate exhaustion. So now you have an excuse, if one were needed, for piling on the pesto sauce (which also contains olive oil and pine nuts, both useful additions to a healthy diet). It is related to holy basil but not to wild

Read more ...

What I've been doing the last few weeks

While I've been away from the site, I've been working hard on getting the new paper magazine looking its best, and as accurate as I can make it. Each issue is priced at $4.95, or there's a downloadable version for $2. You might not have spotted the ad for one of the issues in the sidebar already. Or you might have wondered what the magazine was like. So I thought I'd just give you a few tasters here, and then you can decide whether or not it's for you. There are 6 issues so far (issues 5

Read more ...

Selling your home with aromatherapy

Scent diffusers are great for ambience. The type pictured here, the reed diffuser is one of the easiest to use. See my article about aromatherapy diffusers for more information about them.

An article about how to sell your home suggests using aromatherapy as one of your tools. This sounds like a great idea, as smell often evokes emotions of one sort or another, but the selection of scent has to be careful, and it's important not to overdo it.

Remember that just because the scent of lavender makes you feel at home, doesn't mean this works for someone, who may be reminded of an old people's home or something just as unappealing.

Perhaps the best scents to sell your home are not available in bottles. The smell of fresh baked bread or freshly brewed coffee has been found by research to be quite successful for home sellers. Coffee is easy enough. Invest in a supply of half baked bread if you prefer that option.

Herbal Products

Here's a list of herbal products I've found which relate to the herbs I've covered so

Read more ...