Many common herbs for culinary purposes, aromatherapy and medicinal purposes can easily be grown indoors year round. The convenience of having fresh herbs available, as needed and on demand, right in their own home is a wonderful thing. Some herbs fare better than others in indoor environments . Basil, for instance is rather difficult to … Read more
Many herbaceous plants with strong aromatic essential oils are known to repel the smaller flies such as gnats, some varieties of lavender repels mosquitoes, some varieties of mint repels ants and Basil may repel flies. There are a gazillion varieties of basil, it’s a fragrant herbaceous plant that is grown by multiple cultures Internationally. In … Read more
There are over 50 varieties of Basil as well as some plants that are not true basil but are grown as such due to similar characteristics. Some varieties have a hint of citrus, while others have a cinnamon or a licorice-anise flavor. Some have purple leaves but most are green. Basil is used by many … Read more
The word Chive comes from the French word ‘cive’ which originated during the Roman era from the Latin word ‘cepa’ meaning onion. There are several primary varieties of Chives, the most common being ‘common’ or onion chives followed by garlic chives. 1. Common Chives aka Onion Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) Common chives taste similar to their … Read more
Chives are highly beneficial to other plants in your vegetable garden. Their aesthetically appealing flowers attract pollinating insects while the sulfur based oils that flow through the plant act as a repellant to many harmful insects. When planted near carrot and related root crops it has been proven to result in larger and longer carrot … Read more
Health Benefits of Oregano Oregano is a common seasoning / herb. It has been used in the culinary arts for Centuries, but it also has multiple medicinal uses that modern science has been verifying. Its not something big pharmaceutical conglomerates want to become public knowledge but Oregano actually works better as an antibiotic than many … Read more
Habek Mint aka Bible Mint hales from the Middle East it is believed by some to be the mint plant referred to in several Biblical passages Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42. Perennial in suitable zones USDA zones 5 to 11. In zones 3 to 6 it is best grown as an annual or potted and … Read more
Egyptian Mint has the trademark menthol / mint flavor in a more subtle concentration coupled with a fruity secondary flavor somewhat like Apple Mint. The plant is fairly robust with an upright growth habit that is open allowing for a healthy airflow. The long pointed leaves are relatively large in comparison to most other varieties … Read more
Medicinal Properties of Echinacea Echinacea Purpurea or American Cone Flower is used to make a tasty herbal tea with medicinal qualities. The Echinacea roots, leaves, and flowers can all be used in the the blend. The roots compounds differ significantly from the rest of the plant. Volatile oils and aromatic compounds are concentrated in the … Read more
Dandelion tea can be made from the leaves, the blossoms or the roots. All variations have their own unique flavors, attributes and variations. Dandelion Leaf Tea Select young, tender leaves for the tastiest dandelion tea. Once you’ve harvested your dandelion greens, thoroughly wash them . If you’re not using them right away store them in … Read more