Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Herbs for Hot, Dry Areas
Many well-known herbs do well in hot and dry areas so if you are wanting to xeriscape with herbs you will have quite a few to choose from. These herbs also are available in other varieties in addition to the common types. Generally if a plant has grayish leaves it is drought tolerant. Check the label to be sure it will survive in your climate. Remember to water regularly until established.
Sage - Other varieties include Purple Sage (purple colored leaves), Tricolor Sage (green, white, and purple varigated leaves), and Golden Sage (yellow varigated leaves).
Oregano - varieties include dwarf, white flowered, purple flowered, and varigated. If you will be using the leaves rub and smell before purchasing - oregano can vary quite a bit in scent and flavor.
Thyme - varieties include Silver Thyme (leaves have white edges), Lemon Thyme (lemon flavor and scent - some have green leaves, some yellow varigated), Oregano Thyme (oregano scent, larger leaves), and many other flavors and scents some shrubby, some low growing. Wooly thyme is non culinary thyme which makes a great ground cover and releases a nice fragrance when walked on.
Lavender - various types of purple or lavender flowered, pink flowered, and white flowered, gray leaves or green leaves. Some lavenders are hardier than other so as with other plants check the label or other information to see if it will survive in your climate.
Some other herbs that may do well: Artemesias including wormwood, Agastaches, Echinacea - available in white, yellow, and reds in addition to lavender colors. Aloe Vera ( In many climates will not survive the winter outdoors. Mine turns pale if planted in full sun), Goji berry (Wolfberry), Dianthus, hot peppers, Winter Savory, Santolina, yarrows, yucca, santolina, Russian Sage,
Sage - Other varieties include Purple Sage (purple colored leaves), Tricolor Sage (green, white, and purple varigated leaves), and Golden Sage (yellow varigated leaves).
Oregano - varieties include dwarf, white flowered, purple flowered, and varigated. If you will be using the leaves rub and smell before purchasing - oregano can vary quite a bit in scent and flavor.
Thyme - varieties include Silver Thyme (leaves have white edges), Lemon Thyme (lemon flavor and scent - some have green leaves, some yellow varigated), Oregano Thyme (oregano scent, larger leaves), and many other flavors and scents some shrubby, some low growing. Wooly thyme is non culinary thyme which makes a great ground cover and releases a nice fragrance when walked on.
Lavender - various types of purple or lavender flowered, pink flowered, and white flowered, gray leaves or green leaves. Some lavenders are hardier than other so as with other plants check the label or other information to see if it will survive in your climate.
Some other herbs that may do well: Artemesias including wormwood, Agastaches, Echinacea - available in white, yellow, and reds in addition to lavender colors. Aloe Vera ( In many climates will not survive the winter outdoors. Mine turns pale if planted in full sun), Goji berry (Wolfberry), Dianthus, hot peppers, Winter Savory, Santolina, yarrows, yucca, santolina, Russian Sage,
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Arugula
Arugula Eruca vesicaria sativa also known as rocket, roquette, ruchetta, or rucula can be classified as an herb or a green. Arugula is a peppery, tangy flavored leafy plant that can be used raw or cooked. Arugula has an unusual flavor and scent which is not appreciated by all. I love arugula whether in a salad or scrambled eggs. It can also be used in place of basil in pesto, used in sandwiches, or in soups. The flowers are edible, have a similar but milder flavor, and are used as garnishes.
Arugula is easy to grow from seed in cool weather. Plant before your last average frost date or in a shadier part of your garden. You can also plant a few weeks before frost in the fall for a late harvest. Arugula may reseed if allowed to flower.
Arugula grows wild in the Mediterranean.
Arugula recipes.
Arugula is easy to grow from seed in cool weather. Plant before your last average frost date or in a shadier part of your garden. You can also plant a few weeks before frost in the fall for a late harvest. Arugula may reseed if allowed to flower.
Arugula grows wild in the Mediterranean.
Arugula recipes.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Gardening - from Utah Boomers Magazine interview
My interview with Utah Boomers Magazine. How Does Your Garden Grow?
Monday, April 25, 2011
Invasive Herbs
Some herbs can be invasive which means that once you plant them you may never get rid of them. That does not mean you should not plant them just be aware. If planted in a contained area such as a large pot you may not need to be concerned. I grow my mints in 16" diameter pots.
Raspberries seem to be able to get through almost anything so I am experimenting: heavy duty landscape fabric on the ground, Square Foot Garden box on top (2' x 10'), another layer of landscape fabric inside and up the sides of the box (stapled to the sides), and filled with Square Foot Garden mix. The raspberries are planted down the center with fence posts outside the box and wire strung for support.
Some of the invasive ones - common name followed by botanical name:
Comfrey Symphytum
Horseradish Armoracia rusticana
Mint Mentha
Raspberry and Blackberry Rubus
Sunchoke or Jerusalem Artichoke Helianthus tuberosus
Raspberries seem to be able to get through almost anything so I am experimenting: heavy duty landscape fabric on the ground, Square Foot Garden box on top (2' x 10'), another layer of landscape fabric inside and up the sides of the box (stapled to the sides), and filled with Square Foot Garden mix. The raspberries are planted down the center with fence posts outside the box and wire strung for support.
Some of the invasive ones - common name followed by botanical name:
Comfrey Symphytum
Horseradish Armoracia rusticana
Mint Mentha
Raspberry and Blackberry Rubus
Sunchoke or Jerusalem Artichoke Helianthus tuberosus
Friday, April 8, 2011
Parsley
Curled Parsley
Parsley is more than that green stuff that decorates your plate at restaurants. Parsley is high in minerals and vitamins and adds color and flavor to many dishes. Pesto, tabbouleh, and parsley potatoes are just a few of the dishes where parsley is used.
Parsley is the first green thing in my garden every spring.
Parsley is a biennial. The first year it grows leaves, the second year seeds and then it dies.
Although Curled Parsley is the one most people are familiar with Italian of Flat Leaf parsley are considered the most desirable for cooking. Hamburg Parsley is grown for its root. I grow Curled and Flat but have not yet tried Hamburg.
Parsley can be grown in full sun or part shade so if you felt that you had too much shade for growing herbs parsley may be one that would grow well for you. Like some of its relatives including dill, fennel, and cilantro, parsley is known for not transplanting well. I start mine in compressed peat pellets or my Aerogarden and have not hand any problems with transplanting but the root is disturbed less that way so that could be the reason. My curly parsley is planted in one of my asparagus beds where I let it reseed itself. The Italian parsley is planted in another 2 x 4 Square Foot Garden bed where I let it reseed. This gives me a continual supply of parsley without the need to replant every year. In fact I have only needed to replant when I move.
Parsley recipes
More Parsley recipes
Parsley is more than that green stuff that decorates your plate at restaurants. Parsley is high in minerals and vitamins and adds color and flavor to many dishes. Pesto, tabbouleh, and parsley potatoes are just a few of the dishes where parsley is used.
Parsley is the first green thing in my garden every spring.
Parsley is a biennial. The first year it grows leaves, the second year seeds and then it dies.
Although Curled Parsley is the one most people are familiar with Italian of Flat Leaf parsley are considered the most desirable for cooking. Hamburg Parsley is grown for its root. I grow Curled and Flat but have not yet tried Hamburg.
Parsley can be grown in full sun or part shade so if you felt that you had too much shade for growing herbs parsley may be one that would grow well for you. Like some of its relatives including dill, fennel, and cilantro, parsley is known for not transplanting well. I start mine in compressed peat pellets or my Aerogarden and have not hand any problems with transplanting but the root is disturbed less that way so that could be the reason. My curly parsley is planted in one of my asparagus beds where I let it reseed itself. The Italian parsley is planted in another 2 x 4 Square Foot Garden bed where I let it reseed. This gives me a continual supply of parsley without the need to replant every year. In fact I have only needed to replant when I move.
Parsley recipes
More Parsley recipes
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
My Herbal First Aid Kit
Things that I like to have in my herbal first aid kit:
Activated charcoal capsules – neutralize poisons, bites
Aloe gel – burns, sunburn, radiation burns
Arnica cream – bruises, sore muscles – don't use on broken skin
Arnica homeopathic – bruises sore muscles – when you can't use the cream
Bentonite clay – bites, diarrhea, colon cleansing, skin mask, itching, infections, detoxifier
Burts Bees Res-Q – healing, anti-inflammatory
Catnip – bring down fever, colic, stomach ache
Cayenne – warming, stop bleeding, heart attack, frostbite, hypothermia, shock, trauma
Chamomile – headache, stomach ache, spasms, morning sickness, calming, anti-histamine
Echinacea – viral and bacterial infections, snake bite, spider bite, immune system booster
Fennel seed – stomach ache, colic
Garlic oil caps – viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, ear ache, parasites, repel mosquitos, mosquito bites
Ginger – nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness
Nutribiotic – liquid and tablets – parasites, infections, wounds, disinfectant, sore throats, boosts immune system
Peppermint – stomach ache, sinuses
Raw honey – sore throat, burns, healing
Rescue Remedy – cream, spray, and/or drops – calming, trauma
Respiration – herb blend for strengthening the lungs
Salt – sore throat gargle
Sunbreeze oil - sore muscles, headache, sinuses
Essential oils (Therapeutic grade) including:
Tea tree – antiseptic, antifungal
Lavender – calming, burns, skin irritations, soothing, cuts
Peppermint – digestion, fatigue, respiration
Rosemary – muscle soreness
Thieves – anti bacterial
I am not trained as an herbalist. It is recommended that you check with an herbalist or with reputable books or websites before using herbs medicinally.
What herbs and herbal formulas do you have in your first aid kit?
Activated charcoal capsules – neutralize poisons, bites
Aloe gel – burns, sunburn, radiation burns
Arnica cream – bruises, sore muscles – don't use on broken skin
Arnica homeopathic – bruises sore muscles – when you can't use the cream
Bentonite clay – bites, diarrhea, colon cleansing, skin mask, itching, infections, detoxifier
Burts Bees Res-Q – healing, anti-inflammatory
Catnip – bring down fever, colic, stomach ache
Cayenne – warming, stop bleeding, heart attack, frostbite, hypothermia, shock, trauma
Chamomile – headache, stomach ache, spasms, morning sickness, calming, anti-histamine
Echinacea – viral and bacterial infections, snake bite, spider bite, immune system booster
Fennel seed – stomach ache, colic
Garlic oil caps – viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, ear ache, parasites, repel mosquitos, mosquito bites
Ginger – nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness
Nutribiotic – liquid and tablets – parasites, infections, wounds, disinfectant, sore throats, boosts immune system
Peppermint – stomach ache, sinuses
Raw honey – sore throat, burns, healing
Rescue Remedy – cream, spray, and/or drops – calming, trauma
Respiration – herb blend for strengthening the lungs
Salt – sore throat gargle
Sunbreeze oil - sore muscles, headache, sinuses
Essential oils (Therapeutic grade) including:
Tea tree – antiseptic, antifungal
Lavender – calming, burns, skin irritations, soothing, cuts
Peppermint – digestion, fatigue, respiration
Rosemary – muscle soreness
Thieves – anti bacterial
I am not trained as an herbalist. It is recommended that you check with an herbalist or with reputable books or websites before using herbs medicinally.
What herbs and herbal formulas do you have in your first aid kit?
Monday, March 21, 2011
Emergency Kit
The events around the world are a good reminder that we should have an emergency kit in case we need to evacuate whether due to earthquake, storms, or a house fire or gas leak. In fact having a kit in our cars, at work, and at school is a good idea in addition to a kit at home. Even if you don't feel that you have the money to get things for a kit you should be able to find a minimum of items around your house that would at least make a temporary kit. It is better to have something than nothing. Your kit should be able to help you survive for a minimum of three days. If you can just begin with a one day kit that is at least something.
My first kits were assembled before I had children. Over the years I changed and expanded them. At first I used 5 gallon plastic buckets. You can buy orange ones at Home Depot for less than $4. Sometimes you can get them from a bakery for free or low cost. If you have backpacks or duffle bags you could use them. Garbage bags or a clean garbage can with a lid would work also. Ideally your items would be in something that could be carried. I later switched over to backpacks which I store in totes. If I am able to leave in the car I can just throw the totes in the back.
Store your container in a location that would be easy to access and not prone to damage. Check your kits at least yearly in case needs have changed or items are no longer usable. I had diapers in my 6 year old daughters kit - I had no idea it had been that long since I checked it.
The main items you would need are for survival so water is the most important thing. You can buy bottled water but do not use the one gallon jugs like milk and spring water come in. The plastic breaks down and they will leak or the water will evaporate. One gallon per person per day is the recommended minimum. Do not reuse bottles which contained anything toxic - including bleach.
Food items which can be prepared without cooking and preferably without additional water and are lightweight are ideal. It may be difficult to find foods which fit all three at least at first. Canned tuna, peanut butter, and jerky will all provide protein. If using canned foods don't forget to pack a can opener.
Items for shelter and warmth may be critical depending on your climate and the time of year.
A change of clothes, first aid kit, some change, toilet paper, garbage bags, a few candles (tea lights are great), matches, phone numbers, copies of birth certificates, paper and pencil, and a whistle would all be great additions. Garbage bags can be used for shelter, garbage, or a poncho.
More ideas of what to add.
Keep your cell phone charged and gas in your car.
Having an out of state contact for your family is a good idea. In case of emergency it may be easier to call out of state than within state. If all of your family members know who to call you can find out from that contact where everyone is and if they are ok.
Water and food storage information
You may also want to put together an herbal first aid kit:
Herb Companion magazine herbs for a first aid kit
HealthWyze.org create a natural first aid kit
ehow first aid kit herbal remedies
www.1001herbs.com first aid
My first kits were assembled before I had children. Over the years I changed and expanded them. At first I used 5 gallon plastic buckets. You can buy orange ones at Home Depot for less than $4. Sometimes you can get them from a bakery for free or low cost. If you have backpacks or duffle bags you could use them. Garbage bags or a clean garbage can with a lid would work also. Ideally your items would be in something that could be carried. I later switched over to backpacks which I store in totes. If I am able to leave in the car I can just throw the totes in the back.
Store your container in a location that would be easy to access and not prone to damage. Check your kits at least yearly in case needs have changed or items are no longer usable. I had diapers in my 6 year old daughters kit - I had no idea it had been that long since I checked it.
The main items you would need are for survival so water is the most important thing. You can buy bottled water but do not use the one gallon jugs like milk and spring water come in. The plastic breaks down and they will leak or the water will evaporate. One gallon per person per day is the recommended minimum. Do not reuse bottles which contained anything toxic - including bleach.
Food items which can be prepared without cooking and preferably without additional water and are lightweight are ideal. It may be difficult to find foods which fit all three at least at first. Canned tuna, peanut butter, and jerky will all provide protein. If using canned foods don't forget to pack a can opener.
Items for shelter and warmth may be critical depending on your climate and the time of year.
A change of clothes, first aid kit, some change, toilet paper, garbage bags, a few candles (tea lights are great), matches, phone numbers, copies of birth certificates, paper and pencil, and a whistle would all be great additions. Garbage bags can be used for shelter, garbage, or a poncho.
More ideas of what to add.
Keep your cell phone charged and gas in your car.
Having an out of state contact for your family is a good idea. In case of emergency it may be easier to call out of state than within state. If all of your family members know who to call you can find out from that contact where everyone is and if they are ok.
Water and food storage information
You may also want to put together an herbal first aid kit:
Herb Companion magazine herbs for a first aid kit
HealthWyze.org create a natural first aid kit
ehow first aid kit herbal remedies
www.1001herbs.com first aid
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Lemon Verbena
Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla) is considered to be the lemon herb with the best lemon scent and flavor. Lemon Verbena is hardy to zone 8 so I grow mine in a pot and place it outdoors for the summer. Before bringing it back indoors I prune and spray with insecticidal soap to prevent insects from hitchhiking indoors. The prunings can be frozen or dried for later use.
Lemon Verbena can be purchased as a plant and is fairly easy to propagate. Just cut an end of a growing stem, strip off all leaves except the top two pair or so, and stick in vermiculite, a compressed peat disk which has been hydrated, or in your Aerogarden.
Lemon Verbena can be used to flavor herb tea, fish, chicken, sauces, salads, soups, jellies or any recipe that calls for lemon flavor. The leaves can also be used in potpourri.
Lemon Verbena Sorbet
Lemon Verbena in slushies
Lemon Verbena can be used to flavor herb tea, fish, chicken, sauces, salads, soups, jellies or any recipe that calls for lemon flavor. The leaves can also be used in potpourri.
Lemon Verbena Sorbet
Lemon Verbena in slushies
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Hardiness Zones
Do you know what hardiness zone you are in? Do you know what hardiness zones mean? Your hardiness zone and the hardiness zone of the plants you want to grow are important information to know before planning and planting. For more information see another blog of mine Eat Your Landscape - Hardiness Zones.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
French Tarragon
French Tarragon in early spring
French Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) seems to be one of the least familiar of the culinary herbs that are commonly found in dried and fresh forms in grocery stores.
French Tarragon is easily grown in many climates and has a wonderful anise flavor similar in some ways to basil but unlike basil will come back year after year.
French Tarragon is easily grown in many climates and has a wonderful anise flavor similar in some ways to basil but unlike basil will come back year after year.
French Tarragon rarely sets seed so it is best to purchase a plant. When you see tarragon seed packets they are not French Tarragon and will not have the wonderful flavor and aroma of French Tarragon.
Since French Tarragon is related to sagebrush it can have a wild look to it. Plant French Tarragon in sun in well drained soil either in the ground or in a pot. French Tarragon can get quite large (2' x 2' or more) but since you will be trimming it regularly for use the growth can be easily controlled.
French Tarragon goes well with poultry, fish, meats, salads, and salad dressings, and is often used to make herbal vinegars and oils. Tarragon is an ingredient in fines herbes and Béarnaise sauce.
French Tarragon is also helpful for digestion and do to its numbing effect when chewed has been used for toothache.
Since it does not hold its flavor well when dried it is best to use French Tarragon fresh or freeze for later use. Pesto can be made with a many herbs other than basil – including French Tarragon. Just replace the basil with French Tarragon. Pesto can be made ahead and frozen for later use although some recommend adding the garlic just before use.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Gardening Classes
I will be teaching gardening classes again beginning Tuesday, January 11. So, if you are in the Northern Utah area check out the schedule on my website to see if there are classes that may be of interest to you. I also teach for groups so if you have a group and a topic you would like taught just let me know.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Herb Garden Planning
Now is a great time to plan which herbs you would like to grow. Making a list now will reduce the chance of you purchasing something you have not prepared a place for and the chance of buying something you won't be able to care for or find a spot to grow.
What herbs do you use now in cooking, for crafts, or for other purposes? I would recommend starting with a few you are already somewhat familiar with even if you have only used them dried. Chives, parsley, mint (if grown in a container), sage, lavender, tarragon, thyme, and oregano are some that are usually easy to find and grow.
Once you have a list check to see if they will grow in your area by researching the herbs and finding what climate zone you are in.
Even if you can't grow an herb outside in your area you may still be able to grow it indoors. I grow several herbs in pots that would not survive the winter in my yard. I can still enjoy them and have some houseplants to eat over the winter.
What herbs do you use now in cooking, for crafts, or for other purposes? I would recommend starting with a few you are already somewhat familiar with even if you have only used them dried. Chives, parsley, mint (if grown in a container), sage, lavender, tarragon, thyme, and oregano are some that are usually easy to find and grow.
Once you have a list check to see if they will grow in your area by researching the herbs and finding what climate zone you are in.
Even if you can't grow an herb outside in your area you may still be able to grow it indoors. I grow several herbs in pots that would not survive the winter in my yard. I can still enjoy them and have some houseplants to eat over the winter.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wreaths, Swags, and Pomanders
 |
| Wreath |
 |
| Swag |
 |
| Pomanders - lemon, orange, pear |
I have made pomanders from oranges, tangerines, small lemons, small pears, and small apples. Stick whole cloves into the fruit. For fruit with tougher skins you may need to poke a hole with a needle or nail before placing the cloves. Either cover the entire fruit or leave areas for ribbon for hanging as I did in the ones pictured. After adding the cloves roll the fruit in a mixture of ground spices - cinnamon, cloves, and/or nutmeg. Leave in a dish of the spices turning regularly until dry. Add the ribbon if desired after fruit has dried.
Pomanders can also be made from a clay of applesauce and ground spices. Mix throughly and form into balls or cut out with cookie cutters. Set in ground spices turning a few times per day until dry. I wrapped mine with sheer fabric and hung them from the tree. They did not last as long as the fruit pomanders I made but were still fun to make.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Gifts for Herb Lovers, Gardeners, Cooks, Crafters
Herb related gifts are a great choice for crafters, cooks, gardeners, and anyone who loves herbs or wants to learn more about or try using herbs.
For some garden and herb related ideas including books, DVDs, dried herbs, herb posters and more check here.
Do you know someone who loves essential oils and/or natural personal care products?
Therapeutic grade essential oils are best for crafts, aromatherapy, culinary use, and health improvement.
You can order directly from the above sites for delivery to your family or friends.
For some garden and herb related ideas including books, DVDs, dried herbs, herb posters and more check here.
Do you know someone who loves essential oils and/or natural personal care products?
Therapeutic grade essential oils are best for crafts, aromatherapy, culinary use, and health improvement.
You can order directly from the above sites for delivery to your family or friends.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Herbs for Christmas/Chocolate Dipped ???
There are so many ways to use herbs during the holidays: ornaments, pomanders, potpourri, wreaths, and of course in food and drinks.
Ideas and directions for some of these - Squidoo
Some foods you can enhance with herbs are cheese balls, hot cider, butter, cookies, breads, soups, dips, and chocolate.
Ever dipped chocolates?
What about chocolate dipped dried fruit or garlic? Chocolate dipped peppers?
I found two more recipes for chocolate dipped hot peppers - 1& 2
I am interested in trying all of them except maybe the habaneros.
If anyone tries any of these please comment on this post.
Ideas and directions for some of these - Squidoo
Some foods you can enhance with herbs are cheese balls, hot cider, butter, cookies, breads, soups, dips, and chocolate.
Ever dipped chocolates?
What about chocolate dipped dried fruit or garlic? Chocolate dipped peppers?
I found two more recipes for chocolate dipped hot peppers - 1& 2
I am interested in trying all of them except maybe the habaneros.
If anyone tries any of these please comment on this post.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thanksgiving Recipes Using Herbs
The Herb Companion Magazine has several Thanksgiving recipes including Cornbread Sage Dressing and Whole Roasted Salmon with Fennel & Rosemary.
Check them out here.
Check them out here.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Salad From My Garden in November
Today, 5 November, I harvested vegetables and herbs from my garden for a salad. That is pretty remarkable in my zone 6 garden.
My salad contained home grown kale, beet greens, chard, lovage, green onions, miner's lettuce, dandelion leaves, and most amazing - currant tomatoes.
This is the first year I have grown currant tomatoes. The flavor was fine though not spectacular. Due to their small size you have to pick many for them to be usable so I had not planned to grow them again. The weather has been cool enough that larger tomatoes struggle to ripen. The currants have continued to ripen though more slowly. I lost some squash to a freeze a couple weeks ago but everything else - including peppers and tomatoes - are still alive.
The cool season plants are doing great. It will be interesting to see how long I will be able to harvest this year. Maybe I will contribute a homegrown green salad to Thanksgiving dinner at my brother's house.
My salad contained home grown kale, beet greens, chard, lovage, green onions, miner's lettuce, dandelion leaves, and most amazing - currant tomatoes.
This is the first year I have grown currant tomatoes. The flavor was fine though not spectacular. Due to their small size you have to pick many for them to be usable so I had not planned to grow them again. The weather has been cool enough that larger tomatoes struggle to ripen. The currants have continued to ripen though more slowly. I lost some squash to a freeze a couple weeks ago but everything else - including peppers and tomatoes - are still alive.
The cool season plants are doing great. It will be interesting to see how long I will be able to harvest this year. Maybe I will contribute a homegrown green salad to Thanksgiving dinner at my brother's house.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Chamomile - guest post by Kiva Rose
Today we are excited to have a guest herbal columnist on our site today. Kiva Rose is a well-known herbal blogger, and co-founder of the Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference.
Kiva is finally coming out with her secrets of how she learns so much about plants without using books. Her plant monographs, like the one below, are famous for their deep exploration into herbs that you will not find in other places.
Do you REALLY know chamomile? I doubt it. Enjoy the article…
Earth Apple: The Bittersweet Medicine of Chamomile
By Kiva Rose
I am excited to finally be able to go deeper into explaining herbal energetics in my upcoming course, Herb Energetics
Let’s begin with an herb we all know and love, chamomile.
However, do you REALLY know Chamomile?
Chamomile means “earth apple” which is easy to understand when we accidentally trample the flowers and underfoot and suddenly smell the welcome fragrance of apples rising from the earth. In the same way, Spanish speaking peoples often use the name Manzanilla, literally meaning “little apple”.
Even for those largely unfamiliar with herbs, the distinctive sweet scent of Chamomile is often both familiar and comforting. This plant is many people’s first and perhaps only introduction to herbalism, often from a cup of honey-sweetened and belly-calming tea from their grandmother.
Many children enjoy eating the buds or just opened flowers, savoring the sweet aromatic taste of the plant, and rarely seeming to mind the slightly bitter aftertaste. Some patches of Chamomile, depending on phase of flowering and availability of moisture, are much more bitter than others but the fragrant sweetness persists even in the most bitter batches.
Far from irrelevant, these signature sensory characteristics of Chamomile that make the plant memorable in our minds are also the primary keys to understanding how to work with Matricaria as a medicine.
As with almost any herb, the taste and scent of Matricaria tells us a great deal about its properties, allowing us to use our senses to listen to the plant and understand its essence as a medicine. That blissfully apple-like scent that children so love to breathe in from the flowers tends to bring relaxed smiles to their faces and anyone who’s ever drank a cup of the tea can testify to the relaxing, tension alleviating effects of the plant.
That aromatic component, stemming from the plant’s high volatile oil content, is predictably nervine, meaning that it has a discernible effect on the nervous system. In this case, a specific relaxing, calming effect. Additionally, that same volatile oil content is responsible for Chamomile’s actions as a carminative, relieving digestive stagnation in the form of gas, gut cramping and mild constipation. A traditional remedy by several North American indigenous tribes for the uterine cramps of girls just beginning their menstrual cycles, Chamomile is a mild relaxant for the smooth muscles of the gut, uterus, bladder and respiratory tract with a specific affinity for the gut.
Matricaria is not just aromatic, even in the sweetest Chamomile flowers we find a notably bitter aftertaste. Rather than ruining the flavor of an otherwise tasty herb, that bitter element enhances and expands the medicinal properties of the plant. The bitter flavor tells us that it has a distinct effect on the digestive system, even beyond the aromatic/carminative qualities.
The bitterness increases the secretion of digestive juices and enzymes in the gut, thereby improving digestion wherever there is a lack of secretions, which is a common cause of heartburn and many cases of general gut discomfort. This combined with its obvious nervine properties; Matricaria excels at treating what is commonly known as a “nervous stomach”, which generally implies digestive upset concurrent with anxiety and nervous tension.
Volatile oils and bitter principles together make for a powerful ability to reduce inflammation and promote healing, especially in the gut. I rarely create a formula for those with leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome or even Crohn’s disease that doesn’t contain some proportion of Chamomile. Even as a simple, this pleasant tasting plant can very effectively reduce gut inflammation, pain and cramping while promoting healing of the mucosa and improving overall digestion. And of course, reducing any anxiety that may be aggravating or triggering the gut issues in the first place.
Just as it soothes and heals internally, Matricaria is also a first-rate external application for almost any case of inflammation, irritation, swelling and even potential infection. It finds its way into many of my compress formulas for eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and other common inflammatory skin conditions.
Steams, baths and infused oil are other effective ways of utilizing the calming, decongestive and healing properties of the herb. It’s also the first plant I think of in addressing the discomfort, irritability, insomnia, belly upset and fever of teething in small children.
Chamomile is one of my favorite remedies for all sorts of eye inflammations and infections. It can be used as a warm compress or saline eyewash to reduce inflammation, possible infection and pain in the treatment of styes, conjunctivitis, pink eye and similar maladies.
It teams up especially well with any Rosa spp. petals where there is a great deal of redness, irritation and swelling in the eye and the surrounding area. Just be sure to strain all those tiny (and potentially irritating) bits of Chamomile flower before using as an eyewash.
Chamomile has a well-deserved reputation as an archetypal remedy for children (or as Matthew Wood says “children of any age”), especially where there is fussiness, restlessness, frequent digestive upset and a tendency to react strongly to any irritant or discomfort. If one were to read the first dozen monograph on Matricaria they came across, the word “soothing” would be likely to show up in nearly every one. While now a somewhat clichéd representation of this common herb, it is nonetheless very accurate.
There’s a tendency by some of us to be less interested in the classic gentle herbs whose effects seem obvious, mild and less than profound. And yet, Chamomile has retained it’s popularity and reputation over the years for a very a specific reason. It works. It’s an effective, widely applicable, safe medicine well-loved by countless generations of mothers, herbalists and more recently, even medical doctors. This small but fragrant apple of the earth remains an invaluable medicine for all of us. Through both sweet and the bitter tastes, Chamomile provides us with a simple yet essential remedy.
Considerations: People with sensitivities to plants in the Aster family may have similar problems with Matricaria. Also note that Pineapple Weed (M. discoidea) often has a stronger bitter component and overall action than the common garden grown M. recutita.
The low down…
Common Name: Chamomile, Manzanilla, Pineapple Weed
Botanical Name: Matricaria recutita (as well as M. discoidea)
Botanical Family: Asteraceae
Taste: Aromatic, sweet, bitter
Vital Actions: relaxant nervine, relaxant diaphoretic, aromatic bitter/carminative, vulnerary,
Specific Indications: Irritability, tension, heat, hypersensitivity to pain
Energetics: sl. Cool, dry
So, exactly how does Kiva learn about plants by using her senses?
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