What is yerba mansa?

Yerba mansa is a perennial herbaceous and it grows in the zones of 5-10. It grows to the height of 12 inches.

Yerba mansa has conical flowers with white petals that will bloom in the late spring to early summer.

Yerba mansa is a desert plant that is a native to the southwestern parts of  North America. It likes to have hot climates and it likes to grow close to a water source, which are like ponds, streams, and lakes.

This herb is very tricky to try to grow from seed. The seeds are to be sown indoors in a very warm greenhouse. Seeds require to have daytime temperatures between 60 degrees and 70 degrees. The seeds has to be kept will watered before and after sprouting. It takes between 4 to 6 weeks to germinate the seeds. The plants can be transplant outside in early summer when the temperatures are consistently warm. The plants have to be spaced 12 inches apart. Yerba mansa spreads by runners, that is similar to strawberries and they requires moderate to heavy watering.

This herb prefers to have full sun and partial shade. It prefers to have full sun and partial shade. It prefers a moist, alkaline soil that is reasonable high in organic matter.

The roots or whole plants can be harvest int eh fall of the first year, if it has been a very hot growing season with a lot of water for the plants. Harvest anytime after the plant is 2 years old. The plant can be lifted up out of the garden soil with a garden fork. The runners that are attached to the harvested plants need to be replanted in the garden. the whole plant and roots are used and they can be used either fresh or dried. Medicinal benefits of this herb are winter illness and respiratory conditions, as for lymphatic support.

What is wood betony?

Wood betony is a perennial herbaceous and t grows good in zones 5-8. it grows to the height of 12 inches. Wood betony is an European herb, and a glorious members of the mint family.

Wood betony has purple and occasionally pink or white. It blooms from midsummer on.

This herb is a woodpland plant and it prefers a moist and shady growing habitat.

The wood betony seeds has to bed stratified for several weeks before starting them indoors. This herb can be transplanted outdoors in the middle to late spring. The plants have to be spaced 10 to 12 inches apart. Each year a clump will gradually become larger but this plant is not a plant that will spread rapidly. Their water needs are moderate to high.

The wood betony prefers to have shade and partial shade. Rich garden soil is best to grow in clap soil.


The aerial prats of the wood betony are harvest anytime during the growing season. Sips or scissors are used to harvest this herb. The aerial parts of the wood betony can be used fresh or dried.

This herb can be used as a pain-relieving herb and it is also used to help with stress and disrupted sleep patterns.

What is White Sage?

White sage is a tender perennial herbaceous. It grows in zones 8-11. It grows to the height of 12 to 24 inches tall.

White sage has pale blue flowers that blooms in late summer.

What sage is native to northern Baji California and southern California. This herb prefers to be in a sunny area and it has a good tolerance for hot, dry, windy conditions.

The seeds has to be stratified for 1 week and then sow indoors. They have to be provided a warm nighttime temperatures of 70 degrees F and daytime temperatures between 80 to 90 degrees F. It takes the seeds two to three weeks to sprout. They need to be kept evenly moist, but once the seedlings are up, do not over water. The plants needs to be transplanted outdoors in late spring. They will grow in clumps, so the plants have to be space 12 inches apart.

White sage prefers to row in full sun. It also has to have well-drained soil.

The aerial parts of the white sage are harvest in late summer. It is done by using snips or scissors. The aerial parts of the white sage are used fresh or dried.

The medicinal benefits of white sage are useful for digestive tract conditions, women's health concerns, and throat and skin health. White sage is often recommended for winter illnesses and respiratory ailments.

What is Watercress?

Watercress is a perennial aquatic plant that grows good in zones 5-10. It grows to the height of 10 to 12 inches tall. Watercress is enjoyed as a salad herb. It is crisp and flavorful, and t is full or nutrients too.

Watercross has delicate white flowers in the spring and occasionally early summer. It blooms while the temperatures are still moderate.

Watercress likes to be planted in a shady spot. Watercress should never be planted at the edge of still water.

Watercross is grown from seeds being sown in early spring or before the intense heat of the summer. The seeds can be sown directly into the garden or the plants can be transplanted outdoors in early spring a week or so before the last frost is expected. Germination takes about 1 to 2 weeks. The plants should be planted in a shady part of the garden, where the sol stays moist, or it can be planted along a free-moving stream side. Watercress will spread a little but not so much that it will be in a troublesome way. Watercress plants should be spaced 12 to 15 inches apart and it will need to be watered heavily.

Watercress prefers to have full or partially dappled shape. Watercress likes to grow in a moist, rich, loamy soil.

Watercress likes to grow with angelica, lemon verbena, and gotu kola.

The aerial parts of the watercress are harvest with or without flowers and it is done with snips or scissors.

Watercross is a great salad herb. It can be mixed with lettuces, a bit of dill weed, and some edible flowers to make a very nutritious salad. The greens can be used to top a sandwich or pita pocket wrap.

What Is Violet?

Violet is a perennial herbaceous that grows in zones 2-11 and that depends on the species. It grows to the height of 4 to 8 inches tall.

Violets blooms in several different colors, which are purple, pink, white, and yellow. Violets are a great addition to any herb garden. When the violets bloom, which is in the spring and early summer, the air if full of a wonderful fragrance.

Many of the violets are woodland plants that would prefer to have a shady and moist growing environment. Some of the species, grow in a variety of habitats.

The seeds needs to be stratified for a minimum of three months, then the seeds need to be sown indoors in early spring. The seeds prefers to have dark conditions to germinate, which occurs off the on the several months. The plants can be transplanted outdoors in the middle to late spring.  These clumping plants reseeds vigorously. The violets has to be space 6 to 8 inches apart and the plants need to be water moderately to heavily.

Violets likes full sun, partial shade, and shade depending on which of the species that are being planted. Violets prefers o soil high in organic matter.



Violets like to grow with other plants, such as sweet woodruff, self-heal and skullcap.

The leaves are hand-picked at any time during the growing season for harvesting this herb. Pick the flowers in the spring, but some of the flowers need to be left on for seed production.

The leaves can be added to salads or the leaves can be used as a lettuce substitute on sandwiches. The leaves and flowers are the parts of the violet and they are used fresh or dry.

The violet flowers can be added to many different foods, which are, fruit and leafy salads to cakes, cream cheese spreads, herb butters, jellies, and herbal flower honey. The flowers can be put into beverages like limeade for a festive look. The violet flowers can be frozen in an ice-cube tray, and then put a cube into iced tea.

What is Rue?

If is a perennial herbaceous and it grows in the zones 5-9. It grows to the height of 12 to 15 inches. In the catholic Latin American cultures, rue is considered to be a scared herb. A lot of the time, rue is referred to as a herb of-grace, and it is used in religious rituals. This herb is believed to offer protection for health and well-being.

The flowers of the rue are yellow. Rue blooms during the middle to late summer.

Rue is a native to the Mediterranean regions, where it likes to grow in disturbed soil. It likes to grow in both hot and cool climates. Rue will tolerate some wet environments as well as arid ones.

The seeds needs to be stratified for 1 week before planting to encourage better germination. It takes 7 to 10 days to germinate after sowing the rue seeds indoors. This would help the seeds to germinate if the room temperature is extra warm like 70 degree  F.  The plants can be transplanted outside when spring weather is well settled. Rues grows in clumps, of the plants need to be space 10 to 12 inches apart. Rue needs to have light to moderate amounts of water. Rue like to have full sun to grow in and it does not need any special soil needs.

Rue helps in deterring pest insects in the garden. It is good to plant this herb where whiteflies, aphids, and trips and present.

The aerial parts of the rue are harvested from middle to late summer. The upper half of the plant is harvest by using snips or scissors. The aerial parts of the rue are dried. Because of the volatile oils that are contained in the leaves, some fair-skinned people may notice some skin irritation, so it would be wise to wear gloves when harvesting and processing rue.

What is Red Clover?

Red clover is a perennial a herbaceous and it grows good in zones 5-9. It grows to the height of 12 to 15 inches high.

This herb is found growing in disturbed areas, but it s especially fond of mountain meadows and banks of streams and rivers. It is also seen along mountain roadsides where the runoff gathers.

The seeds has to be stratify for several weeks for propagations and then they need to be sown directly outdoors. The germination will take 7 to 10 days. The clumping plants need to be space 12 inches apart. Red clover have to be water moderately.

Red clover likes to have full sun and partial shade to grow. It does not need any special soil needs.

When the blossoms are harvest they need to be picked very carefully by hand. This is time consuming, but it is necessary, because they need to do this to perserve their color and their nutrtional and medicinal benefits.

To dry red clover properly, it has to be picked in the early mornings while the blossoms still has dew on it. Red clover bruise easy. The flowers shold be laid on a screen ina single layer and let them dry. The flwoers will be a deep purplish red when they are fuly dried. They should be stored in a glass jar or paper bag, out of direct light and heat. Flowers are used both fresh or dried.

Flowers can be added to the cooking pot when you are cooking soups, oatmeal, stews, rice and dried beans. They are a rich source of nutrition.

The edible flowers can be cut fresh and they can be added to a green leafy salad for nutrition and beauty.

What is Southernwood?

Southernwood is a perennial herbaceous and it grows real well in zones 5-9. It will grow to the height of 2 to 3 ft.

The flowers of the southernwood are greenish white and they look like small balls that are along the top of the stem from the middle to late summer. The flowers are not real showy, so people might pass them by, without noticing them much.

Southerwood is native in both Spain and Italy, and this is where it will grow in sunny, semiarid, open areas that is in gravelly, well-drained soil.

Southernwood is best propagated vegetative by softwood tip cuttings. A liquid or powder rooting hormone needs to be used and the cuttings have to be kept moist, but not soggy.

The air circulation has to be good, and the night temperatures have to be kept around 65degrees F. Once the plants are rooted, the southernwood can be transplanted into the garden in late spring or early summer. this herb grows in a clump and they need to be spaced about 15 inches apart. It has to have light to moderate light.

Sothernwood needs to have full sun and it grows best in well-drained clay or gravelly soils.

It grows good with different plants, such as catmint, winter savory, and Mexican oregano.

The aerial parts of this herb is what is harvest, and it is done by using snips or scissors. The aerial parts are used both fresh or dried.

Southernwood is used in crafting, because the fragrance is very refreshing and unique. It is highly favored for the background of herbal wreath and swags, where the texture of the southernwood is fernlike and it is delicate and beautiful. The branches of the southernwood are arranged fresh and allowed to dry in place. Dried southerwood is nice to be combined with lavender and cloves in sachets for use in both dresser drawers and linen closets to keep clothes smelling fresh.

What Is Ginger?

Ginger is a perennial herbaceous. It grows well in zones 9 - 11. Ginger will make a nice houseplant or container herb on a patio in nontropical climates. Now, in a tropical garden, ginger should be planted as an understory plant, because it prefers to have partial to full shade. It prefers to have a rich, loamy and well-worked soil that needs to be kept evenly moist. Ginger will grow from 3 to 4 feet tall.

Ginger is a shade-loving plant, ginger grows in hot, moist, tropical regions.

Spikes are clad in waxy, yellowish, green flowers that has some purple on the tip. Ginger rarely flowers under cultivation.

Ginger are propagate by planting the rhizomes. They grow in 'sections' that can be broken apart easily, at the joints. The eyes which are called buds, look on each section, plant a rhizome with the eyes facing up toward the soil surface. The rhizomes need to be planted 1 to 2 inches below the surface of the soil, about 15 inches apart. Ginger rarely produces seeds, and when the seeds do form they are sterile. Ginger grows mainly in clump and spreads slowly by rhizomes. Ginger requires a great amount of water.

Ginger is a great container herb that grows well indoors in indirect  light. Ginger will also do good on a nicely on a protected shaded patio. It grows real good with nasturtium, turmeric, and gotu kola in a shady container garden.

Harvesting times will depend on how the ginger will be used. If the ginger is going to be used fresh, the ginger rhizomes will be harvest between 4 to 7 months of age. The older ones 7 to 9 months  which are more pungent, and less fleshy rhizomes are harvested for dried preparations.

If the fresh ginger is finely grated over rice and steamed vegetables, the food will be tasty. The dried ginger can be finely or coarsely ground in a spice grinder and then used in cookie recipes, such as gingersnaps, and oatmeal cookies.

What Is Echinacea?

Echinacea is a perennial herbaceous and it grows good in zones 3 to 9, but this depends on which species that you are working with such as, E. Angustifolia, E. pollida, and E. purpurea.

Echinacea angustifolia grows to a height of two feet tall.. E. palidia grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet tall. E. purpurea grows to  the height of 3 to 4 feet.

Echinacea has pinkish purple flowers that blooms from mid to late summer.

Echinacea is a prairie wildflowers. It likes to grow in the wide open grassy areas.

All of the echinacea species will do better from the seeds that are artificially stratified for at least three months. Or the seeds can be stratified naturally, by sowing seeds directly in the garden in the late fall or early spring, this method is reliable only in areas that have consistently cold winters.If the seeds are sown indoors, then the plants are transplanted outside in late spring. The seeds take from 2 to 6 weeks to sprout. Echinacea grows in clumps, the plants needs to be spaced 12 inches apart. The E.purpurea species has to have moderate water, where as the other two species needs light water.
All species of the echinacea requires full sun. E> angustifolia and E. pullida require poorer soil that is not overly moist. E> purpurea needs richer soil and regular watering.

The roots are harvested in the fall or spring after they reach two and one half to three years old. E. purpurea  has a tricky -to - harvest taproot. E. angustfolia and E. pallida have fibrous roots that are easier to harvest. The aerial parts, flowers, and seeds can be harvest with snips after the second growing season on. The whole plants are harvested when it is in peak flower. This can be done by using a garden fork or a needle- nose spade to dig the roots and the whole plant in.  The whole plant can be used either fresh or dried.
The medicinal benefits of the echinaces are great for colds and flu, immune system support, and respiratory and skin conditions.

There are several different home pharmacy uses, which are, infusion, traditional tincture, bath herb, syrup, lozenge, elixir, butter, foot soak, ointment, salve,, infused oil.

What Is Eucalyptus?

What Is Fennel?

Fennel is a perennial herbaceous and it grows well in zones 6 - 9> It grows 4 to 5 feet tall.

Fennel has yellow umbels that blooms from late July until frost.

Fennel is native to the Mediterranean area, and it prefers disturbed soil.

Fennel is easy grown from seed that has been stratified for at least two weeks, up to several months. Fennel can be sow directly into the garden anytime during the growing season. It will sprout when the weather stays warm constantly. Fennel can be planted indoors from transplanting outside in late spring. Fennel seeds sprout in two weeks, and have a 70 percent germination rate. The herb grows in clumps. The plants needs to be space 12 to 15 inches apart. Fennel needs low to moderate amounts of water.

Fennel likes to have full sun. It prefers well worked and drained soil with 4 to 5 percent organic matter, but it will grow in nearly all types of soil.

Fennel attracts butterflies, and hummingbirds. It likes to be planted with nasturtiums, sunflowers, and calendules.

Fennel large, deep roots are harvest in spring or fall using needle -nose spade or garden fork. The leaves can be handpick anytime during the growing season. The seeds can be harvest with snips or scissors either in the green umbel stage or when they are fully  ripened, depended on the medicinal recommendations. The green umbels may be prepared whole. The ripened seeds and rub off of the umbel stems.

If fennel are used in dishes, it will give a licorice like flavor to any dish that it is added to. The leaves are great in pasta salads. Fennel seed is a common ingredients in Italian sausage. Both leaves and seeds are delicious in home-baked breads. The bulb fennel  is used in soups and pasta dishes.

The medicinal benefits of fennel are it promotes milk production in nursing mothers. It also supports digestion, respiratory tracts, and throat health. It is very good for children.

The parts of the fennel that are used are the seeds, leaves, and roots. All of the different parts can be used fresh or dried.

What Is Feverfew?

Feverfew is a perennial herbaceous to semi-woody. It grows real good in zones 4 -9. Feverfew grows to the height of 24 inches.

Feverfew has small, white, daisy like flowers that will begin to bloom in the middle of the summer and it usually will continue to bloom through the end of the season.



It is native to the southeastern part of Europe, but it has become naturalized in many parts of the world. Feverfew is now considered only a garden plant, growing in most temperate climates.

For the best results of propagation of the feverfew, the seeds need to be stratify for at least one week before they are sow. The seeds can be sown indoors and then be transplanted in late spring, or the seeds can be sown directly outdoors in the middle of spring. Feverfew takes two weeks to sprout. It is a vigorous, self-sowing herb, so the plants need to be space 12 inches apart. It needs to be water moderately.

Feverfew likes to have full sun and partial shade. It prefers a richer loamy soil, but is tolerant of most soils.

Feverfew likes to be planted with other plants, such as, licorice, anise hyssop, and monarda. It also seems to deter incests from the garden.

Feverfew's leaves and flowering aerial parts are the parts that are harvested depending on each person preference. Snips or scissors works real good to help in the harvesting process.

Feverfew is used mainly to treat headaches, especially migraines.

The parts of the feverfew that are used are the leaves and flowering aerial parts. The leaves and the flowering aerial parts.of the feverfew are used either fresh or dried.

What Is Cilantro, Coriander?

Cilantro and coriander is an annual herbaceous. The leafy part of this herb is called cilantro and the seeds are called coriander. Both of these are known in the cooking circles, but a few people think of this herb as medicinal. There are several different places that you can get fresh cilantro, which are, farmer markets, grocery stores, and restaurants and coriander is sold as a spice. This herb grows up to the height of ten to twelve inches tall.

The bloom traits of this herb is small, delicate, white flowers that appears as the temperature warms up and the plants bolts to seed.

The seeds can be sowed untreated outdoors in early to mid-spring or they can be transplanted outdoors to mid-to-late spring. They can also be sow in late summer or very early fall for a new fresh supply of this herb, before it frosts. The plants need to be space 8 to 10 plants apart, and it has to have moderate to high amounts of water. This herb grows in clumps.

Cilantro needs full sun, particle shade and shade. They do not need any special soil needs. Growing cilantro in more shade will helps to slow the inevitable bolting that is triggered by intense full sun and very hot temperatures.

Cilantro likes to be planted with salad bur net and garlic chives. It also likes to be planted in a shady part of a food garden.

To harvest cilantro, by using snips or scissors to cut aerial parts of the plant before the plants goes to flowers. The seeds clusters need to be handpick and gently rub the golden brown seeds from the stems.

Coriander seed is good to put in home baked bread. Cilantro can be put in many different dishes, such as,, salads, Mexican dishes, sandwiches and so many more.

The medicinal benefit is good for digestive health.

The parts used are the fresh aerial parts and dried seeds.

What Is Chasteberry?

Chasteberry is a perennial woods and it grows real well in zones 6-9 . It grows to the height of 2 to 10 feet tall.

Chasteberry bloom traits are lavender- colored spikes of flowers that bloom in mid to late summer beginning in the second year. In the colder parts of its range, chasteberry may not flower or form fruit.

Chasteberry is from the Mediterrean region. Chasteberry likes hot temperatures and appreciates some humidity. If the chasteberry is planted in cooler climate it will die back in the winter and it will be quite late coming up again in the spring, but just be patient it will be worth the way.

The seeds need to be stratify for three to four weeks and then the seeds need to be scarify and soak them in warm water for 30 minutes before sowing immediately indoors. These seeds may take up to four weeks to germinate. Most of the time, germination rate is 50 to 60 percent. In late spring, transplant the chasteberry outdoors 12 to 24 inches apart. This herb grows in clumps and it requires moderate watering.

Chasteberry likes fullsun and partial shade. It likes to grow in well-drained soil.

The leaves and tender stem growth of the upper four inches along with the flowers and ripening seeds, may be harvested for medicinal purpose. Most buyers prefer only the ripened berries, without the leafy and flowering portions. Snips are used to harvest the leafy parts, that is if the berries are to be harvested, if the berries are wanted, then you will need to rub them loose from the stems, then screen them out of the leafy and flowering parts. All the parts used of the chasteberry is the leaves, flowers, and berries, either fresh or dried.

What Is Agastache?

Agastache has many species that have several things in  common, and they are really beautiful, this herb attract hummingbirds,  and sphinox moths which are pollinators, they taste real good, and they are a good digestive herb.

Agastache has a personality of perennial herbaceous that grows real well in zones 5 -9.  It will grow from 1 to 3 feet tall.

Agastache's bloom traits are spikes of real bright flowers in the different shades of orange, pink, and purple and the blooms will show midsummer through late fall.

They are sun-tolerant and they prefer open areas. They will grow nicely at lower mountain elevations. Common species are Sunset hyssop, double bubblegum mint, and Coronado mint
Propagation/ Maintenance

Most of the agastache's species are easy to grow from seed. The seeds need to be sow in late winter inside a greenhouse, or the seeds need to be direct sow in the garden in late fall for spring emergence. The germination is 40 - 75 percent depending on the species, in two to three weeks. Anastassia grows in clumps and they should be spaced 12 to 15 inches apart. They use low to moderate water for them to grow and produce.

Agastache likes full sun and they will grow good in poor soils such as gravel, clay, and sand.

Agastache likes to grow in a community with lavenders, winter savory, and southern wood.
When it is time to harvest the agastache, the upper third of the plant, especially when it is flowering , by using a pair of scissors or snips.

Culinary Use
The leaves and flowers are the parts of the plants that are used in the culinary use. The leaves and the flowers range from minty root beer and licorice mint to the taste and its smells like bubblegum. The leaves and the flowers are made into cream cheese spreads, herbal honey, or they can be sprinkled into fruit salad and put it over ice cream.

The medicinal benefits of the agastaches are they support digestion and also lower fevers. A tea made from these plants can be made into a tea for a sore throat gargle.

The parts that you can use are the aerial parts,  with flowers or without flowers, either fresh or dried.

The home pharmacy uses of the agastache are infusion, syrup, traditional tincture, elixir, honey and bath herb.

Edible flowers of this herb are used in many different ways, such as, add the colored flowers to pasta salad or fruit salad for a zippy taste, add to cream cheese spreads or herb butter, or put in a pitcher of lemonade. The flowers can be used for cake decorations.

What Is Anise Hyssop?

Anise hyssop is a perennial herbaceous c which grows in zones 6 - 10. It will attract butterflies, honeybees, and hummingbirds  which is good, because they are all excellent pollinators. When it is dusk, the anise hyssop is irresistible to the hummingbird  moth. It grows up to the height of two to three feet tall. The blooms of the anise hyssop are spikes of rich purple flowers that blooms on and off all during the summer.

Anise hyssop which is like the other members of the genus Agastache likes to grow in sunny areas. In the mountains regions, the anise hyssop prefers to grow on the lower elevations of the mountains.

Propagation/ Maintenance

The seeds of the anise hyssop can be sow outdoors in late spring or the seeds can be sow early in a greenhouse and then transplant them out in the garden after  the danger of frost has passed where you live. The germination percentage of the anise hyssop is seventy to eighty percent, which will happen in about two  weeks. The anise hyssop grows as a clump. The plants need to have light to moderate water for them to grow well.

Anise hyssop grows well in poorer clay, gravelly, or sandy soils. They like  to grow in full sun and partial shade.

Chamomile, horehound, it is festive when planted next to spilanthes.

The aerial parts of the plants are the parts that are harvested preferably when the plants are in flower, and this is done by using a pair of scissors or snips.

The culinary use of the anise hyssop is using the leaves and or flowers that makes iced tea delicious. The leaves and flowers which are finely chopped can be sprinkled over vanilla ice cream, used in cream cheese spreads, or they can be added to fruit salad.



The medicinal benefits of the anise hyssop are it supports digestion, helps lower fevers and it soothes lower respiratory tract irritation.

The parts of anise hyssop that are used are flowering aerial parts and it can be used fresh or dried.

The home pharmacy uses of the anise hyssop are infusion, cider vinegar tincture, traditional tincture, bath herb, foot soak, and honey.

What Is Astragalus Chinese?

The astragalus Chinese is a perennial herbaceous and it grows well in zones 4 - 11. In the traditional Chinese  medicine it is used as an important tonic herb. It is getting to be more popular here in the western medicine  because the ability to support the immune system.

This plants grows to be three to four feet tall. This plant has pretty, pale yellow, pea flower-shaped blooms that will be from midsummer until frost comes to the area.
Astragalus, Chinese is a native to northeastern China, it seems to prefer sun to partial shade. It likes to grow in sun to partial shade. It grows in open areas or it likes to grow along the margins of treed places, often dry sandy soils.

The propagation of this herb is the seeds has to be stratify for at least three weeks before sowing. Then they have to be scarify and soak in warm water for one hour before, the seeds are planted. The seeds need to be sow directly into the ground in early spring or they can be started indoors early and transplant them outdoors at the last frost date. The plants need to be space fifteen inches apart and the plants need to be water moderately. The astragalus grows as a single plant, but it has a tendency to sprawl a  bit as it gets older.
The astragalus likes to be planted in partial shade to full well-worked soil to grow in.

Roots of the astragalus  are harvested in the fall after the plants are two years old. The average harvesting time is between the third and fifth year of their growth,  but it can vary on where you live and how much  growth has annually. The taproots will require a needle-nose spade or a fork to dig them fully and easily.

The medicinal benefits of astragalus is its ability to offer deep immune system support.


The parts of the astragalus that is used is the roots and the roots can be used either fresh or dried.
The home pharmacy uses of the astragalus are medicinal food, syrup, elixir, decoration, traditional tincture, cider, vinegar tincture, honey and powder.

Medicinal Food Use

There is one way that the astragalus root is use for immune system support and this is done by adding a small amount [about 1/4 cup of dried cut and sifted root to the soup kettle and let it simmer over low heat, for several hours. It just becomes another ingredient in the soup and doing this
regularly will keep the immune system at its best.

How To Make Baths and Soaks From Herbs?

I think that herbal bath would be great after a long day at work. I also think that a good foot soak after a rough day is so benefical to anybody.

Herbal Bath

This is how to prepare a herbal  bath. I will put in a cup of dried herbs in the center of a washcloth. Then I will pull up the corners and secure with a rubber band, this will make a bundle. Another way is to put the herbs inside a drawstring muslin bag. Then the bundle or baggets thrown into the bath water. After the bath water is at the right temperature, then get into the water and soak for at least twenty minutes or for what ever time you have for the bath. When bath is over, discard the herbs, and launder the washcloths. Some of herbs that are real good for use in baths and what each herb does to make each bath great.

Rosemary is very good at soothing, aching muscles after gardening, running, working out and so on. Roses makes everybody feel very loving and compassionate. Lavender helps with tension in the neck or from a headache . Lemon balm is very calming and relaxing which makes it a good herb to use before going to sleep.

How To Prepare A Foot Soak

Foot soaks are done in a basin. I will boil some water and when it has boil, I will place it in the basin with several different herbs which I will talk about later on in this blog. I will let the herbs steep for ten minutes. Then I will add cool water to it to get the right temperature.. Then sock your feet until the water is cool. After that, dry your feet and you might want to massage them with an herbal infused oil or a body cream.

I would like to list some herbs that are good for a therapeutic foot soaks and how each one will help the feet. California poppy is good for pain relief.

Passion flower and lemon balm helps relieves stress.

Peppermint increases circulation. Sage, enchinacea and ginger is helpful for colds and flus. Chamomile is soothing and calming. Lavender and rose helps to promotes restful sleep. Spearmint and lemon verbena lifts the spirits. Oat straw helps relieves itchy skin.

How To Make Body Cream From Herbs?

Body cream are made out of different herbs that are infused herbal oils that has solidifying agents, that are incorporated into them over very low heat, and then they whipped air into them until it comes out creamy. I am always patient in getting them transfer from a liquid state  into a cream. This process has not to be rush, because the results  maybe a disappointment.

The key to having success in making body cream is to have a real good electric mixer, because this will help make the body cream smooth. Another reason, I need to be relax on my time because the mixture has to rest in the freezer during the whipping process, to help it cool so it will be more transition to  a creamy state. I have found that, I need to prepare my body creams in the cool of the morning or on a fall or winter day when air temperatures are not so hot.

When my cream looks like  frosting, this is when I add  some pure essential oils to the blend, to give the cream its  own healthful benefits and it also gives the cream a wonderful fragrance. To me, lavender is one of the best essential oil choice, because it is good for the skin, relieves sunburn, and soothe the pain of skin rashes.

After I make my body creams, I know that they only  last for only one to two months, so I always label them with an expiration date on each one. It is better to keep your body cream in your refrigerator, because it extends their life.

Here are some luscious body creams and what can they help anybody with, such as , chamomile which is good for baby's diaper rash, lavender is used for healing to sunburn and chapped skin, calendula soothes a pregnant mom's tummy stretch marks and lemon verbena is  real good on a person's hands that is a gardeners like I am.

I always use a quart-size saucepan and I only  use this for preparing ointments and salves. I do this because it is very hard to get all of the wax out  of the pan, and I do not want it in our dinner.

Cocoa butter and beeswax make really good and effective solidifying agents to make creams, ointments, salves, and lip balms.

 ointment at one time, because it can become too firm,, and then I do not add a lot of beeswax or cocoa butter to my salve or  ointment at one time, because it can become too firm, and then  this could mean I might have to add more oil to fix the consistency. This is more efficient to proceed slowly and conservatively when the solidifying agents are being added.

For salves, I need to add approximately one ounce of beeswax or cocoa butter per cup of oil. There are no particular measurements for solidifying pigments, everybody needs to approach this took as an art, not a science. After you have done a few batches, then it will come easier to do.

These steps below is the directions on how anybody can make body cream.

1. Over a very low heat, I melt 1/2 cup cocoa butter and 1/2 cup of coconut oil into 1 cup of herbal infused oil in my saucepan.

2. I remove the blend from heat and I pour it into a Pyrex or a stainless steel bowl. Then I place the bowl in my freezer and allow the mixture to begin cooking.

3. Every several minutes, I will remove the mixture from the freezer and whip it with my electric mixer to high speed. After the mixture  is frothy, I will stop mixing and return it to the freezer. I repeat this step as often as needed, every few minutes, until the cream begins to thicken and the cream takes on a frosting like consistency.

4. When the mixture is creamy, gently fold in one teaspoon of pure essential oil  or to the amount to every body's preference.

5.  Next, I will spoon the cream into glass containers with all the ingredients listed that is in my body cream, I put the appropriate expiration date, and suggested usage guidelines. I will then set my creams in a cool or refrigerated place, because they will last longer.

What Is Cutting Celery?

Cutting celery is a biennial herbaceous and it will grow in zones 5-9.

The cutting celery is about the leafy tops. It is a celery, with all the great flavor, but you use only the cut leaves like parsley, and not used the stalks. This is an excellent seasoning herb and it is a good plant that would be good to grow on every windowsill.

The cutting celery will bloom in the second year with cluster s of white flowers during mid-to late summer.

This herb likes moist soil and partial shade and it really prefer a stream side home and the soil needs to be moderately rich. It will grows up to twelve to fifteen inches.

They are easily grown from seed, sow in early spring outdoors or they can be started indoors for transplanting into the garden in late spring. The germination is expect to be  eighty to ninety percent, which will take about two weeks. This herb grows in a clump. They need to have moderate water and they need to space the plants twelve inches apart.

Cutting celery likes to have partial to full shade and they adapt well to various soil types but they really like a moderately rich soil.

Cutting celery is a  real good addition to food gardens, along with horseradish, sorrel, and watercress. They will grow well in a containers indoors or on the patio.  

What Is Yucca?

Yucca is a herbaceous that is a perennial and it grows in zones 5 to 10.

This herb is used in many different number of ways. The leaves are made into baskets, fabric, twine, and mats. The root is the medicinal part and the flowers are delicious.

 

The Yucca will grow to fifteen inches and taller.

Yucca  likes to grow in arid regions, but they can also grow in moist areas. They like to have wide open, sunny places and the soil needs to be well drained. They can be found common for distrurbed areas.

Their blooms are large, real, pretty, cream-colored blooms that everybody will see in late spring and through the summer.

 

The propagation of the yucca is done by the seed being stratify for three months in the freezer or for putting the seeds in moist sand in the refrigerator for two weeks. Seeds can be sow d ty will need to be supply wiextra heat for optimum gerand growth. The

germination percfor treated seed,