By Bruce Burnett , CH
Find instructions for make these lifelike remedies :
“ Let solid food be your medicine and medicine be your food , ” were the news of Hippocrates , the “ Father of Medicine , ” in 400 B.C. What was rightful 2,400 years ago is even truer today with the typical American dieting being high in swear out foods that foul our bodies with syndicalist - sound rogues nominate “ free radicals . ”
Although fruits and vegetable have been traditionally regard as the serious dietary root of costless - radical scrap antioxidants , a late report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry revealed that many mutual kitchen herb have higher antioxidant bodily process than fruit and vegetables .
A straightaway enlistment of your pantry and garden will help you get started on the track to undecomposed taste , nutrition and well - being .
ThymePun - provoking thyme is one of the most pop and commonly used culinary herb .
It grows well in most climate and choose a light-colored , sandy , well - drain soil in full sun . It ’s one of the easiest herb to grow in containers , but it ’s quite susceptible to root decomposition and fungous disease if mature in territory that ’s too moist or backbreaking .
Thyme requires no fertilizer and grows well with lavender and salvia . This herb will attract bees to your garden , but it will force back shekels worms .
pass around thyme by semen , cutting , rootage division or layering . Its fine root system of rules makes it more hard to transplant than most herbs . It should be go well in advance of any risk of freezing ; a level of guts applied on the soil will help protect the delicate roots from frost .
coarse thyme ( Thymus Vulgaris ) is the most - prefer species for use in the kitchen and in of the essence - oil product .
Common thyme includes both English — or German or winter thyme — and the narrower - riff French thyme . The latter is the sweeter of the two and sure enough opt in French cuisine . Both are perennials , but French thyme is less robust than the English assortment and may necessitate some wintertime trade protection .
Today , thyme ’s well - document antiseptic and tonic timbre make it the ideal resistant - system of rules booster . It ’s particularly effective for chest transmission such as bronchitis , whooping cough and pleurisy .
Thyme may be read as a tea in a rude coughing sirup set up at your local wellness - food for thought store . The all-important oil of thyme , however , must not be taken internally as it can put down intestinal flora and cause digestive and nutrient absorption problem .
Some herbalists recommend a handful of dried thyme — in a porous bag or cheesecloth — lend to bath water system to relieve back spasms .
SageSage is a audacious ( to zone 4 ) perennial that should be watered ofttimes until it ’s well established ; it can then be watered infrequently .
The seed does n’t salt away well and although it shoot quick , it takes about two years for the bush to turn to the productive degree . Therefore , it ’s better to propagate sage from cuttings .
Medicinally , salvia is an antiseptic and acerbic , and is recommended as a mouthwash for pestilence sores , sore chewing gum and painful throat . The astringency of the herbaceous plant make it beneficial in cases of balmy diarrhoea . salvia is a digestive keynote and stimulating .
In his account book , The Green Pharmacy , James A. Duke , PhD , claim he has identified six anti - incitive chemical compound in sage and advocate its use in cases of carpal burrow syndrome . He also extols the herbaceous plant for treating Alzheimer ’s disease ( British research worker have confirmed that salvia inhibits the enzyme that check down acetylcholine , thus preserve the compound that seems to help prevent and treat Alzheimer ’s ) , asthma , bad breath , baldness , body odor , gingivitis , tonsillitis , wrinkles and yeast infections .
Sage has an affinity for other muscular Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary , winter sweet and thyme . The combination produces a rich flavor in racy , winter soup and stews . Also , impudent salvia contains delicately flavor oils , which are a pleasure in contrast to the pungent taste of dried sage that has languished in the kitchen cabinet too long .
Sage contains potent antioxidants that retard spoilage , plump for the herbaceous plant ’s traditional utilisation as a sausage balloon preservative .
CalendulaThe sunny face of calendula , or pot marigold , is a class - round delight in our herbaceous plant bed , specially in the dusk , when other plants are succumbing to decline light and temperature . This very hardy , beautiful and useful herbaceous plant will uphold to blossom until the first frost .
One appeal Greek legend concerning calendula tells the story of four wood nymphs who fell in love with Apollo , the god of the Lord’s Day .
The nymph became so jealous of each other that they began neglecting their duty to Apollo ’s sister , the goddess Diana . She deform them into four dull - white-hot marigold . This upset Apollo and he foresee by transmit down his most magnificent golden rays to distort them .
Calendula prefers a rich loam and full Dominicus , but will turn in most soils and fond shade . A self - seeding annual , it can become quite invasive if grow in idealistic conditions .
Medicinally , calendula has prove itself as an efficient skin conditioner for cuts , scrapes , wounds and burn . It ’s beneficial for diaper rash and for soothe soreness colligate with knocker - eating .
Calendula petals add up to a salad not only enliven it with colour , but also contribute nutrients . The herb is a just source of lutein , a potent antioxidant . It ’s peculiarly effective in combating age - related macular retrogression , the precede causa of irreversible sightlessness in the United States .
Calendula also have a delightful tea , especially when combined with lemon balm . One caveat : If you ’re allergic to ragweed , you might also oppose to pot marigold .
BayThe death of a bay tree was historically regarded as a portent of malefic or pending disaster .
In Richard II , Shakespeare wrote : “ ‘ Tis thought the king is all in ; we will not stay/ The alcove trees in our country are all wither’d . ”
In the garden , the bay tree is a tender repeated and extended freezing temperatures will kill it . Although the bay will grow to 60 feet in its aboriginal Mediterranean habitat , in a temperate or coolheaded climate it ’s well grow in a flock so it can be moved to a protected area during the coldest months .
Bay laurel is used medicinally mainly to handle upper digestive tract disorders , get a exchangeable effect as spearmint — cooling and soothing . It ’s also used to ease muscular aches and nisus .
Bay leaves are an good insect repellent ; they can be placed in closets and drawers , as well as in flour cannister to deter weevil .
The taste of Laurus nobilis is tangy and slightly peppery . It enhances the flavor of just about everything , but especially soups , swither and Lycopersicon esculentum - base stunner . tummy roasts and shellfish should almost never be service without bay laurel . It even improve the taste of custard sauces if the Milk River is scalded with one or two leaves .
RosemaryRosemary is a perennial in geographical zone 6 to 8 , but even fledged plants will not come through a terrible icing . If one is forecast , mulch your plants to a great extent . To avoid mildew , imbed your Rosmarinus officinalis where it will enjoy in force air circulation . With decent light , rosemary can be produce indoors and can easily be tame as a topiary .
The name come from the Latin Ros maris or “ dew of the sea . ” It was later called “ Rose of Mary ” or “ rosemary ” in honor of the Virgin Mary because it supposedly was the bush that shelter the Holy Family on their escape to Egypt .
Rosemary traditionally symbolizes memory and in Shakespeare ’s Hamlet , Ophelia rallying cry , “ There ’s rosemary , that ’s for anamnesis , pray you bang remember . ” Rosemary is also entwined into brides ’ head wreaths to help distich remember their nuptials vow .
Medicinally , studies show that rosemary improves circulation , peculiarly to the head , help to salve headache and improve concentration and memory .
It also help oneself combat bacterial and fungal infections , and makes a good antiseptic gargle for sore throats , glue trouble and canker sore . As with all herbs , do not use medicinally when significant except under the direction of a medico .
In the kitchen , rosemary is superb with lamb , pork barrel and fowl . It also turn plain , old spuds into a gourmet cup of tea .
concord to the American Dietetic Association , liberal radical in your body are like rust on your car ; the same oxidation damages cellular telephone and contributes to aging . Antioxidants reduce oxidation ( by neutralizing the free radicals ) , aid increase resistant mathematical function and minify the risk of contagion and disease . So , grow those herbs for good gustatory sensation and estimable health !
