Herbal Living

Humans and the European red deer have had a long relationship—sometimes mutually beneficial, sometimes stormy. For now, it looks as if the 2,000-year saga has a happy ending for both. And humans may get a potent medicine out of the deal. In New Zealand in the early 1970s, the deer population explosion threatened to become […]

Dandruff is a condition of the scalp where the skin becomes very dry and flaky. This hair rinse will help deep-cleanse your scalp and rid it of any dead skin cells. The vinegar in the rinse can be drying to hair. Avoid drying out your hair in the process of treating your scalp by following […]

  Makes 3 to 4 dozen Fortunately, certain intrepid herbs can be snipped all year round, even under the snow. Thyme is one of those. • 1/2 cup butter • 1/4 cup sugar • 1 1/3 cups flour • 2 tablespoons freshly snipped lemon thyme 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. Beat the […]

Genus: Marrubium vulgare Pronunciation: (muh-ROO-bee-uhm vuhl-gare) Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) • Hardy perennial • Grows to 18 inches Horehound. The name likely calls to mind a big glass jar of vaguely molasses-flavored penny candy at the general store, or perhaps a package of old-fashioned dark-brown cough drops. It may not, however, summon up a picture of the source of […]

It’s a dark night in autumn. Days are becoming shorter and colder. Harvest time is ending, and pantries are being stocked with fruits and nuts for winter. Inside, beside a warm fire, an old uncle tells ghost stories. Firelight gleams on a bowl of red apples, ready for fortune telling and games. Spiced cider flows, […]

Gardening guru Eliot Coleman asserts that “the basic cold frame is the most dependable, least exploited aid for the four-season harvest.” I couldn’t agree more, whether you’re stretching the season for spinach, growing biennial flowers and herbs, or using a cold frame (also known as a winter frame) as a holding place for divisions taken […]

Save your favorite herbs by bringing them indoors for winter care, and enjoy fresh flavor throughout the season.   Autumn. The harvest of herbs is winding down, and the frenzy of trying to stay ahead of the weeds has abated. It’s easy at this time of year to kick back, relax and forget about gardening […]

‘Awa—Kava-kava (Piper methysticum) This plant grows in moist, shady places in the tropics and has been under cultivation for so long that it can no longer reproduce itself in the wild. Today kava-kava—or simply kava—is consumed as a beverage in Fiji and Tonga, but in Hawaii it’s used primarily as a ceremonial drink or for […]

This Warrior’s Spirit blend promotes courage and protection as well as physical and emotional support. • 12 drops lavender oil • 6 drops carrot seed oil • 3 drops black pepper oil • 3 drops angelica oil • 3 drops myrrh oil • 2 drops sage oil Click here for the main article, Make Fragrant Essential […]

What do you know about basil? It’s a popular herb well loved for pesto, pasta sauce, Thai curries and a multitude of other delectable recipes. Nutritionally, basil is a good source of vitamin A and contributes flavanoids and antioxidants to the diet. There are over 30 distinct and intensely aromatic varieties, even if chocolate basil isn’t […]