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 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.

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 Are Garlic Chives ?

Garlic chives are a perennial herbaceous and they are stronger in flavor than just regular chives. If a person likes to have a mild garlic flavor, this herb is the one you will want to get, because with this one, nobody will get a full-fledged garlic taste. Garlic chives is also called Chinese chives.

Garlic chives will grow in zones of four to nine. This herb will grow from twelve to fifteen inches tall.

Garlic chives has white star- shaped lightly fragrant flowers in clusters. They will flowered anytime from late spring through early fall.

Garlic chives likes to grow in open meadow areas in temperature or subtropical climates.

As far as propagation of the garlic chives, the seeds can  be sown in spring or early summer, either directly into the garden space or indoors and they will be transplanted later on. It takes the seeds to germinate in about two weeks, and the germination is high, and it is eighty to ninety percent. Garlic chives grows in clumps and they need to be spaced at least twelve inches apart and they require moderate water. They will spread if the area where they are planted are moist, if not moist, they seem to stay where they are planted.

 

Garlic chives likes full sun to partial shade and they like to have well-drained soil.

Garlic chives are a great herb to grow on your windowsill or in a patio container. They are nice to have planted in the food gardens. Some other herbs that they like to be grown with sage, dill, and parsley.

To harvest this herb, it has to be cut with scissors or snips and the green stems or the unopened buds is what is harvest. The opened flower clusters may be harvested.

The garlic chives tastes stronger than chives,  but not as strong as garlic is. The fresh stems and unopened flower buds can be used in soups, salads, stir fries, and vegetable dishes. Garlic chives can be used either fresh or frozen.

The white starry flowers are very pretty in green salads, and in a tomato, cucumber salad, giving each salad a light garlic flavor. I used the flowers in herb butter and spread it on my corn on the cob which will give anybody a mid-summer vegetable treat.

What Is Plantain?

Plantain is a herb that has many different benefits  in growing  it yourself or having it where you can get it when you need it.

Plantain has a plant cycle of a perennial and a type of growth which is herbaceous. This herb can grow in the zones 3-9.

Plantain can be found in many different climates and it is always found in disturbed soil. It is not unusually to find plantain growing alongside a mountain hiking trail. You can also find plantain growing intermixed with the grass at a local park or maybe out in your pasture especially if you  live out in the country like I do.

Plantain has a bloom traits which are tiny white flowers that grace a stalk that will later forms tan seeds.

Plantains grows from eight to twenty inches in height.

It is easy to grow plantains from seeds and if you stratify the seeds before you plant them, this will increase your germination rate to about seventy percent. Sprouting takes one to two weeks. You can start indoors in mid-spring and have them ready to transplant out in late spring, or start directly outdoors in  early to mid-spring. Because of plantain, growing in clumps they should be spaced twelve inches apart and it should be water moderately. This herb does not require any special soil needs. Plantain has to have full sun and partial shade to grow.

When you are harvesting plantain, you will harvest the whole plant and you can do this with a garden fork or a needle-nose spade. Plantain is harvest in spring though fall. The day that  your plantain is going to be harvests, the  soil needs to be moist, but not soggy. If you only want to use the roots only, then trim off the aerial parts with a pair of snips. Leaves may be handpicked  or snipped at any point during the growing season. You can harvest the seeds by waiting into maturity and then rub them from the stalks and husks. The parts that you can use are whole plant, roots, seeds, and leaves. You can used them either fresh or dried.

Plantain has many different medicinal benefits and they are skin problem, gastrointestinal conditions, the urinary tract, and children's health. It is also good for stopping  minor bleeding and for relieving insect bites and stings.

Plantain is good to have with you if you happen to have  a problem that require some first aid. If you have a problem all you need to do is to lay a leaf directly over the effected place or skin place and secure it with first-aid tap. The leaf will soothe the irritation and promote healing of the affected tissue.