One of the most visually interesting plants in my garden is lungwort, Pulmonaria officinalis, in the borage family, Boraginaceae; the flowers are both red and blue and the dark green leaves have white spots, making it an easy plant to recognize. It is low-growing and has spread as a pretty ground cover. Lungwort is native […]

It can be hard to maintain an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle when it comes to pest control. Luckily, you can find a variety of plants that naturally deter unwanted guests. Plus, some double as household herbs and flowers. Read on to discover eight ways to stay pest-free all year long. 1. Citronella In the early 1900s, the […]

Going on a road trip is an exciting experience that enriches the soul and helps expand our horizons. That being said, it’s often accompanied by various nuisances, from digestion problems and sleep disturbances to daunting car issues. In this article, we’re listing travel and herbal basics you should cross off from your travel checklist. Have […]

What’s Chamomile and Where to Find It From the family Asteraceae, there are several plants which look like daisies, of which chamomile is commonly used. A traditional medicinal herb, chamomile is found mostly in places that are well-drained and have enough sun. Location wise, it has been seen abundantly within the west sides of Asia […]

My last post (Houseleek, Jupiter’s Beard, Sempervivum tectorum Part 1) described the characteristics of the houseleek, Sempervivum tectorum. This post talks of its healing history and folklore.  The Ideal Houseplant of the Ancients Sempervivum means “live forever.” The species epithet of the common houseleek, tectorum, means “of roofs.” Its odd common name, houseleek, also means “of […]

One of the most widely-planted succulents is the houseleek Sempervivum tectorum (Crassulaceae, stonecrop family). Grown since Roman times, it has many common names. You might know it as hens-and-chicks, bullocks eye, Jupiter’s beard, Thor’s beard, syngreen, sengren, liveforever, or something else. The name hens-and-chicks or hens-and-chickens (a name also applied to other plants which make little replicates […]

Red berries are especially colorful this time of year and these three; Highbush Cranberry, Rose Hips and Sumac Berries are more than a glowing red face.  Each of these are important as good winter foods, good winter medicines and can be part of your landscape. High Bush Cranberry High Bush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus) is a […]

A lot of people take their respiratory health for granted. Sometimes, it’s normal considering that we’re constantly surrounded by car gases, cigarette smoke and other harmful things that can cause our respiratory health to deteriorate with time. Therefore, quitting smoking, staying away from toxic air quality (if possible), and eating and drinking healthily are all […]

It’s not uncommon to see a lack of focus and concentration in children which may be caused simply by attention deficit disorder or ADHD. Research shows that ADHD affects around 4-5% of school-aged kids and if your child is one of them, it’s important to consult your doctor on available treatment that might include both […]

This is the time of year that people with maple trees (genus Acer, maple family Aceraceae) are the envy of their neighbors. Maples, especially American and Japanese maples, turn bright red in the fall. The Many Maple Offerings But, maples have more to offer than that. If the maples are sugar maples (Acer saccharum), of […]