Bouquet to suit to day: Elderberry, yarrow, spearmint, heather, feverfew
Showing posts with label yarrow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yarrow. Show all posts
6.24.2012
Picture perfect . . .
Bouquet to suit to day: Elderberry, yarrow, spearmint, heather, feverfew
6.23.2009
Medicinal non-hybrid seeds
Information provided by Heirloom Seeds
Package includes one pack each of the following 15 herbs (all seeds are non hybrid) and the booklet, NATURAL AND HERBAL FAMILY REMEDIES by Cynthia Black
For centuries, herbs and other natural products have been used as health aids and remedies. This booklet explains how to make various creams, infusions, ointments and poultices to help relieve many common ailments. Sections on skin care, sore throats and colds, herbal teas, hair care, healing soups and soothing aches and pains.
Complete package - $20 - available at: Heirloom Seeds
ANGELICA - Dried leaves are used to make an infusion (tea) to improve energy, stimulate circulation and reduce flatulence. Has antibacterial and antifungal qualities.
SWEET BASIL - Steep leaves in water for a few minutes to make a tea to help indigestion. Make a cold-oil infusion to massage sore muscles.
CALENDULA - Flowers make a healing mouthwash for the gums. Mix a cream using calendula petals and plantain leaves for healing of cuts.
CATNIP - Make a tea to to relieve colds and fevers. Also used to treat headaches and upset stomachs. Has mild sedative qualities.
CHAMOMILE - Use in a tea as a mild sleep aid or to aid digestion. Make a cream to treat dry, rough skin.
COMMON YARROW - Infused tea fights colds and fevers. Make a cream with its flower petals to use on cuts and burns.
CORIANDER (cilantro) - Chew leaves or infuse as a tea to relieve upset stomachs. Also used as a mild sedative.
FEVERFEW - Eat three to five leaves daily to reduce migraine headaches. Infuse as a tea to relieve muscle spasms or reduce fever.
HOREHOUND - Make a tonic of chopped horehound leaves and honey to treat sore throats. A cold infusion will help relieve heartburn.
HYSSOP - Make a cream to treat bruises and burns. Infuse as tea to treat colds, flu, bronchitis and sore throats.
PURPLE CONEFLOWER (Echinacea Purpurea) - Drink a hot infusion to stimulate the immune system.
ST JOHN'S WORT - Infuse as tea to treat depression or as a mild sedative. Makes a cream to treat bruises and skin inflammation.
SUMMER SAVORY - Hot infusion is gargled to treat a sore throat. Also drink as a tea to treat diarrhea and indigestion.
THYME - Make a tea sweetened with honey to help relieve sore throats and coughs. Infusion used to relieve hangovers.
VALERIAN - Roots used to relieve nervous tension, anxiety, insomnia and pain. Roots used in a cream to treat acne or skin rashes.
The information on this page is for reference and education. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advise of a physician. We do not advocate self diagnosis or self medication. Be aware that any plant substance used externally or internally may cause an allergic reaction in some people. We will not be responsible for any problems that arise from using herbs medicinally.
6.29.2008
A new Victory Garden . . .
I have always enjoyed growing vegetables and fruits. The first garden was on Goose Lane in the mid 1960's. The owner had used organic gardening techniques which appealed to me and suggested I read Ruth Stout's book, No Work Garden Book which is still available! I figured if Ms. Stout could have a big garden at 80 I could too.
I don't remember what we planted only that I loved working in the soil, watching seeds sprout into plants and enjoyed the fruits of our labors.
This winter the house was filled with flats of seedlings. As the weather moderated the flats were moved into the greenhouse then back in the afternoon. Now the plants are all in the gardens.
The Victory Garden which gets a lot of sun and has tomatoes, cantaloupe, squash, pumpkins and companion herbs.
The Back Forty (feet) is home to potatoes, carrots, beets, peas (which are ready to pick), beans, cabbage, cauliflower and companion herbs.
The Upper Great Wall of Annisquam Garden which gets lots of sun is home to lavender, feverfew, chamomile, pennyroyal, yarrow, bergamot, beebalm and a few flowers. The lower garden has more tomatoes, companion herbs and peony.
The Old Kitchen Garden has a wonderful clump of rhubarb in the center which has yielded several pies and sauce. it is surrounded by lemon thyme, a variegated thyme, arnica, angelica, st. johnswort, clary sage, german thyme, sage, dill, hyssop, basil, horseradish, wild onion, globe thistle, valerian, greek oregano and calendula.
And below the well: celery, leeks, several kinds of lettuce and meclun greens.
I don't remember what we planted only that I loved working in the soil, watching seeds sprout into plants and enjoyed the fruits of our labors.
This winter the house was filled with flats of seedlings. As the weather moderated the flats were moved into the greenhouse then back in the afternoon. Now the plants are all in the gardens.
The Victory Garden which gets a lot of sun and has tomatoes, cantaloupe, squash, pumpkins and companion herbs.
The Back Forty (feet) is home to potatoes, carrots, beets, peas (which are ready to pick), beans, cabbage, cauliflower and companion herbs.
The Upper Great Wall of Annisquam Garden which gets lots of sun is home to lavender, feverfew, chamomile, pennyroyal, yarrow, bergamot, beebalm and a few flowers. The lower garden has more tomatoes, companion herbs and peony.
The Old Kitchen Garden has a wonderful clump of rhubarb in the center which has yielded several pies and sauce. it is surrounded by lemon thyme, a variegated thyme, arnica, angelica, st. johnswort, clary sage, german thyme, sage, dill, hyssop, basil, horseradish, wild onion, globe thistle, valerian, greek oregano and calendula.
And below the well: celery, leeks, several kinds of lettuce and meclun greens.
6.24.2008
Attracting Beneficial Insects to Your Garden
Because of the reduction in the bee population, it is more important than ever to invite bees and other insects to your garden to help with pollination and insert control. The following article, written by Mike McGoarty of freeplants.com offers many opportunities to do just that!
by Mike McGroarty
There are a variety of common plants and flowers that attract beneficial insects. Beneficial insects are not only attracted to plants which are infected with their insect prey, but they also tend to be selective about the plants on which they lay their eggs. Many beneficial insects also spend part of their lives surviving on the nectar and pollen of their favorite plants. Ideally, your garden plants will provide food, shelter and a nursery for beneficial insects. Some of these plants may already be in your garden.
Caterpillars, leafhoppers, beetles, moths and grubs are attacked by tiny parasitic wasps. Because they are so tiny themselves, parasitic wasps prefer tiny flowers when they want a drink of sweet nectar. Parasitic wasps will frequent a garden that features some yarrow, dill, parsley, Queen Ann's Lace or tansy. These umbrella-shaped flowers are very attractive to a number of beneficial insects.
Green lacewings and ladybugs will also appreciate the same umbrella-shaped flowers. They also like cosmos, prairie sunflower and even dandelions and alfalfa. Lacewings prefer to lay their eggs in shady areas that are protected from the weather. They'll be happy to find some of their favorite plants in a quiet, protected corner of the garden.
Various herbs are attractive to some beneficial insects. Adding some herbs here and there amongst your flowers or vegetables will surely lure some beneficial insects to work in your garden. Lemon balm, pennyroyal, spearmint and parsley will attract hoverflies, parasitic wasps and tachinid flies. Tachinid flies look like hairy house flies and they lay their eggs on caterpillars which can do a lot of damage in a garden. Tachinid fly larvae will destroy corn earworms, cabbage worms, armyworms, and other fly larvae.
Providing the proper plants for food and shelter is just one step toward attracting beneficial insects to your garden. The most important thing to do to encourage beneficial insects in your garden is to stop using chemical pesticides. Chemical pesticides are not selective and will kill both harmful and beneficial insects. Many organic insecticides are selective and when used properly, will not harm the beneficial insects.
by Mike McGroarty
There are a variety of common plants and flowers that attract beneficial insects. Beneficial insects are not only attracted to plants which are infected with their insect prey, but they also tend to be selective about the plants on which they lay their eggs. Many beneficial insects also spend part of their lives surviving on the nectar and pollen of their favorite plants. Ideally, your garden plants will provide food, shelter and a nursery for beneficial insects. Some of these plants may already be in your garden.
Caterpillars, leafhoppers, beetles, moths and grubs are attacked by tiny parasitic wasps. Because they are so tiny themselves, parasitic wasps prefer tiny flowers when they want a drink of sweet nectar. Parasitic wasps will frequent a garden that features some yarrow, dill, parsley, Queen Ann's Lace or tansy. These umbrella-shaped flowers are very attractive to a number of beneficial insects.
Green lacewings and ladybugs will also appreciate the same umbrella-shaped flowers. They also like cosmos, prairie sunflower and even dandelions and alfalfa. Lacewings prefer to lay their eggs in shady areas that are protected from the weather. They'll be happy to find some of their favorite plants in a quiet, protected corner of the garden.
Various herbs are attractive to some beneficial insects. Adding some herbs here and there amongst your flowers or vegetables will surely lure some beneficial insects to work in your garden. Lemon balm, pennyroyal, spearmint and parsley will attract hoverflies, parasitic wasps and tachinid flies. Tachinid flies look like hairy house flies and they lay their eggs on caterpillars which can do a lot of damage in a garden. Tachinid fly larvae will destroy corn earworms, cabbage worms, armyworms, and other fly larvae.
Providing the proper plants for food and shelter is just one step toward attracting beneficial insects to your garden. The most important thing to do to encourage beneficial insects in your garden is to stop using chemical pesticides. Chemical pesticides are not selective and will kill both harmful and beneficial insects. Many organic insecticides are selective and when used properly, will not harm the beneficial insects.
Yarrow . . .
White yarrow: Achillea millefoliumHeight: 2 Feet
Hardiness: Perennial in Zones 3-11
Flower Color: White
Characteristics: Full Sun, Water Saving,Herbaceous
Uses: Butterfly Plant, Dried Flower (dries cream-colored), Ground Cover, Ornamental, Medicinal
Link to medicinal uses: University of Maryland Medical Center
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