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, […]

‘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 […]

Herbal remedies have been used since the ancient of times, healing all sort of ailments. In today’s modern world, herbs represent the healthy alternatives to medication, sometimes doing wonders for our health. Did you know that chamomile has amazing calming effects? And that lavender can be more than useful when feeling anxious? In this article, […]

Ancient cultures have relied on the healing power of herbs for the entire duration of their existence. Even though we live in the modern world and have access to a wide range of medication, herbs have maintained the same potent properties and they can help us deal with various health problems. In this article, we […]

Cooking with Herbs and Essential Oils: Cooking with herbs and essential oils can bring your cooking to a whole new level. Herbs can do more than just give you a flavor boost they can be used as powerful tools for prevention and healing when it comes to establishing and maintaining good health.  Many of the […]

Life Cycle Ginseng is a long-lived perennial that grows in USDA zones 3 to 8. Plant Description Ginseng is a member of the Araliaceae family and grows in the deciduous forests in the mountains of the eastern United States and Canada. In the United States its range extends from northern Vermont to Georgia and as […]

Life Cycle Lavender is a woody perennial that is hardy to USDA zones 4 to 9. Plant Description Native to the mountainous zones of the Mediterranean, lavender is an extremely popular member of the Lamiaceae family. It is a short, bushy shrub that has rough woody branches and grows two to three feet tall. The […]

Projects: Prepare Fresh Herbs for a Floral Wedding Arrangement Herbal Flower Girl Wreath Nosegay Bouquet Herbal Wedding Punch Bowl Wedding Tablecloth Bouquet Fresh herbs have been essential to the language of love for centuries, used profusely in adorning bridal couples as well as bridal chambers. Ancient Athenians wove mint and marigolds, which they believed to be […]

• Yarrow (Achillea hybrids). The plant tops produce mostly yellow, tan and gold colors. It is a tough and hardy perennial in the garden and flowers from early summer to late fall. • Marigolds (Tagetes spp. and hybrids). The flowers and leaves will produce a variety of colors, depending on the mordant, from bright yellow and gold to […]

Cleavers (galium aparine).  The name (Galium) is derived from gala which is Greek for ‘milk’ (cleavers was used to curdle milk for cheese) and the species name ‘aparine‘ comes from the Greek word apara meaning ‘to seize’.   Also known as Bedstraw because it was used to stuff mattresses. Cleavers is a persistent, sticky plant that […]