Medicinal Herb Post – Basil

Basil plant

Medicinal Herb post #33 written July 26, 2018

Basil – Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil)

This sun loving annual is part of the mint family (Lamiaceae), with a square stem and alternating and opposing leaves. It has over 150 different varieties of its kind like lemon, cinnamon and holy basil to name a few. I like to grow it from seed under lights and put outside as starts. I also directly seed into the ground after Mother’s Day. I have found that directly seeding into the ground produces better. But I still like the starts to give me a few early leaves to use in cooking. Don’t let the plants flower by keeping them cut back and they’ll continue to produce all season long. It’s Greek meaning refers to “kingly” or “royal herb”. Historically it was used for royalty in healing salves. We use it today as a culinary and medicinal herb.

Basil effects the digestive and nervous systems (because it’s a mint  ). It will help with stomach issues like bloating, cramps, nausea and vomiting. Basil regulates gut flora so it supports the immune system. It is on the calming spectrum of the nervines. A mild sedative that can help with headaches, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia and irritability. It also contains antibacterial properties and can help relieve itch and pain from insect bites. There are no contraindications.

A word about Holy Basil… or otherwise known as Tulsi. It grows wild throughout India and is considered a highly regarded plant in Ayurvedic medicine, second most holy herb next to the lotus flower. It’s the only basil that reseeds itself in my garden. It is used regularly for restoring vitality and renewing energy on a regular basis. It can be made into a tincture or a tea.

Try making a tea with basil, lemon balm and chamomile for headaches and even stomach aches.

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I love homemade pesto. I make enough to freeze and get us through the winter until next season. I use almonds instead of pine nuts so it’s much cheaper and I think it tastes better. Here’s my recipe… https://rootedemily.com/?p=394

Here are a few of my other favorite recipes.
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1325
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1999
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1529
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1346

What do you use basil for?

Medicinal Herb – Cayenne

Cayenne

Medicinal Herb Post #31 written July 23, 2018

Cayenne – Capsicum annuum and all other hot peppers included.

This annual is easy to grow in fertile soil and full sun. I like to start seeds indoors the first part of March, keeping them 1 inch below T8 lights on a shelf in my kitchen. Just like any solanaceous plant it does like a little protection from the really hot afternoon sun. The fruit is the medicine. It can be used fresh or dried.

Cayenne is a very versatile herb. The active ingredient, capsaicin specifically stimulates circulation throughout the body. This can do a lot of things like improve digestion (believe it or not, it’s great for ulcers because it increases mucus production in the stomach), it can stimulate the release of endorphins, increase blood flow to help relieve pain when used topically for arthritis, bursitis, muscle/joint aches and healing wounds faster. It also contains a chemical called substance P that is known to numb nerve pain.  It has an amazing amphoteric ability to do opposite things in the body. For example it can lower and raise blood pressure by increasing vascular elasticity, improving the function of the cardiovascular system. It’s a natural antibiotic, antihemorrhagic (stops bleeding internally), styptic (stops bleeding externally), anticatarrhal (which means it breaks up mucus in the respiratory system) and a good nervine stimulant.  The application of cayenne is really important to consider. For increasing elasticity within the vessels taking a capsule is fine.  But when you need it to soothe a sore throat or help the stomach to produce more mucus to heal an ulcer it must be taken in powder form or tincture form outside of a capsule otherwise it just passes through the intestines and doesn’t do what you need it to do.

When the Pioneers came across the plains to Utah, Brigham Young required each family to carry cayenne to help break up the catarrh or mucus when they got sick. It has also been used historically for shock and heart attacks. Cayenne is a must have tincture to keep in your first aid kit. Recent studies have shown that it can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Cayenne is generally safe, however it should be used with caution when handled directly. Be sure to wash hands well after touching. Small amounts of this herb goes a long way.

A great formula for kicking a cold faster is to use equal parts echinacea root powder, Oregon grape root powder, half part marshmallow root powder, half part cayenne powder. Put into capsules or mix with a little water, roll into small little balls easy enough to swallow and dry. At the first sign of a cold take 2 capsules every 2 hours until symptoms subside, then decrease to using 2 capsules 3x a day for 2 more days.

You can also make a salve with cayenne for arthritis and painful joints by heating up 2 tablespoons cayenne powder in a cup of olive oil on very low heat for about an hour. Add 1/4 cup beeswax until melted. Use wintergreen essential oil if desired and pour into jars to set up. Be careful not to touch your eyes after using. You can also add other herbs to the salve like arnica, bay leaves, chamomile and dandelion flowers.

I’d love to hear how you use cayenne! 🙂

Medicinal Herb – Parsley

 

Parsley

Medicinal Herb Post #28 written July 12, 2018

Parsley – Petroselinum crispum

Parsley is a biennial that goes to seed the second year and dies. I planted parsley one time when we first moved into our home 8 years ago and haven’t had to worry about planting again. It produces a lot of seed and will take over your garden if you let it. The flowers attract beneficial pollinators into the garden. I like to have 1st and 2nd year plants in my garden every year for different reasons, like cooking, medicine and pollinators/seed. All parts of the plant, leaves, roots and seeds are used either medicinally or for culinary purposes. It is high in chlorophyll and vitamins, A, B ,C, iron and calcium.

Parsley leaf is great for halitosis or bad breath and digestive issues like gas and bloating. It’s leaves are also a diuretic helping to flush the kidneys or other organs and tissues holding on to too much fluid in cases such as edema or congestive heart failure. It’s also great for bladder or urinary tract infections to help flush out bacteria. The root is an antilithic, an old word that means “stone” or in this case anti stone, breaking up kidney and gall bladder stones. I like to harvest the plants that are just starting their second year of growth. Yank out the ones where I don’t want them growing and chop and dry the root. Parsley should be avoided in large medicinal quantities by mothers who are nursing because it can dry up milk, unless that’s what you want, then go for it.

I just made a tincture for kidney/gall stones made with parsley root to break up stones, marshmallow root to soothe irritated tissues, lobelia as an antispasmodic to calm down constrictive smooth muscles and dandelion or parsley leaf as a diuretic to help flush everything out. This can be used acutely or as a preventative monthly or if one is less prone to stones, every 6 months.

I love adding parsley to salads, soups and especially making fresh garlic herb bread.
Cut two loaves of French or sourdough bread sandwich style. Heat 6 cloves chopped garlic, 1/4 cup chopped parsley leaf and 2 tablespoons oregano leaf, salt and pepper to taste in 1/2 cup olive oil. Be careful not to burn the garlic or herbs. Take off the heat once you start to smell the herbs. On the top of each loaf, spread softened butter. On the bottom of each loaf spoon the herb oil mixture and spread evenly. Close the loaves and wrap in foil. Heat in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Cut and serve warm.

This is one of my favorite summer dishes, most ingredients from the garden, including parsley!
https://rootedemily.com/?p=569

Medicinal Herb – Garlic and Onion

Garlic plant Onion plant

Medicinal Herb Post #27 written July 12, 2018

Garlic – Allium Sativum
Onion – Allium cepa

Harvested my garlic and onions this week. Both of these Allium plants have much in common, are easy to grow and have versatile uses. Garlic should be planted in the fall, in full sun, with each clove about 6 inches apart and 2 inches deep. Feed heavily with nitrogen every 2 weeks once the bulbs start to shoot up green leaves in the spring. Harvest in the mid summer when the tops start to die back. You can dry the tops completely and braid each bulb, storing them in the pantry or cellar. Be sure to save your best cloves for replanting.

Garlic has been used for centuries as medicine. It is a great antiseptic due to its high levels of sulfur compounds. And because of its sulfur compounds it’s great for opening sulfate pathways through the liver to help the body detox. During WW1 doctors would use it to wash wounds to prevent infection. It is also a vulnerary herb which stimulates cell division and accelerates healing. Garlic is a wonderful antimicrobial herb, meaning it is great at fighting off bacteria, viruses and fungus. It stimulates the production of white blood cells, boosting immunity and helps to lower blood pressure and high cholesterol. It won’t raise cytokines so it’s great for fighting off respiratory illness that doesn’t want to go away and is also a good expectorant by breaking up mucus. It’s a good wormer for humans and animals, just chop up roughly 1 clove and swallow with water, 3x a day for 2 weeks. Garlic is also helpful for the digestive tract when feeling bloated from eating too much or eating foods that cause inflammation. I like to eat it chopped with a teaspoon of honey and pinch of cayenne pepper for sore throats. You can make a dressing to go over salad, soup, pasta or dipping bread by infusing it in olive oil over low heat or steeping in apple cider vinegar also on low heat. Add other herbs for more flavor.

I make a garlic ear oil for ear infections with mullein flowers, St.Johns Wort flowers, calendula flowers and garlic (fresh). Steep in olive oil in the hot sun covered in a jar or on the stove top on very low heat for about an hour. Strain and place in dropper bottle. 2-3 drops go in the ear at the first onset of infection 2-3x a day and a few days after symptoms go away. Keep in the fridge for up to 12 months. Warm it under hot water before using. Make a new batch every year.

I also really love the Winter Fire Cider recipe I learned from Rosemary Gladstar, a well known herbalist. Combine 1 medium chopped onion, 1 bulb chopped garlic, 4 tablespoons chopped ginger, 4 tablespoons chopped horseradish root and 3-4 chopped cayenne peppers or 1 tsp cayenne powder (used after it is steeped). Place in jar and cover with warm apple cider vinegar. Allow to steep on the counter for 3-4 weeks. Strain and add equal amounts raw honey to herbal vinegar (add powdered cayenne pepper if using). Take 1-2 tablespoons at the first sign of illness. Repeat every 3 hours until symptoms subside and continue taking 3x a day for a day or two after. It can be taken during pregnancy.

I like to start my onions from seed indoors in the winter under lights just an inch away from the plants. They can be planted as soon as your soil can be worked. They love lots of nitrogen just like garlic. Harvest when the tops begin to die back and fall over. Onions are also used medicinally as an antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, hypotensive (decreases blood pressure) expectorant and antispasmodic. I know people that make a poultice out of chopped onions and place on the chest for deep difficult coughs. You can make a syrup with chopped onion and honey for sore throats/coughs on the stove top over very low heat for about an hour or until the onion has infused into the honey. I know people that place a slice of onion on the bottom of their feet, wrap plastic wrap to hold in place then put on socks overnight to draw out illness. I’ve never tried it, but people swear by it. Onions are really good for people that eat high transfatty foods to help clean out arteries and fatty deposits. One thing I do use chopped onions for (outside of almost every savory dish I make) is to clear up ear infections really fast. I’ll alternate it with the garlic ear oil I make. Grate the onion and squeeze a few drops of the juice into the ear 2x a day. Seriously, it works so well you may only need to do it one time.

Here is my method of making onion powder
https://rootedemily.com/?p=928

Both of these herbs should be grown in every garden in my opinion. They are safe to use with no contraindications unless they cause heart burn or for nursing mothers with infants prone to colic. What do you use garlic and onions for medicinally?

Medicinal Herb – Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm

Medicinal Herb Post #22 written June 26, 2018

Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis

This incredible herb is a part of our mint family again. It prefers moist soil and some shade. Harvest anytime for eating or just before it flowers for the highest medicinal quality. Keep cutting any of the mint family herbs and they’ll come back again for additional use. Leaves are the medicine. And it tends to be better behaved than peppermint so it doesn’t spread as fast, but will reseed easily.

Lemon balm is used to calm the nervous and digestive systems. It is good for stress related stomach pain, nausea, bloating and heartburn. It can help with menstrual pain and stress. Use with blue vervain, milky oats tops, rose, and lavender to help one find relief and comfort. It can also be useful with those who suffer from heart palpitations due to stress. Use with motherwort, hawthorn flowers and berries.

It’s a powerful brain herb as it is useful for anxiety, memory, headaches, insomnia, grief, ADHD, irritability and seasonal depression. I love using it with Holy basil, Ashwaghanda and St. John’s Wort for anxiety/depression in loved ones. Lemon balm is the best antiviral for killing the herpes simplex virus. It stops the replication of it on contact. It’s incredibly effective of shingles, chicken pox, herpes and cold sores. I would also take it internally as well.

I’m currently working on improving a salve for anything associated with herpe viral infections, using calendula, lemon balm, St. John’s Wort, and marshmallow. I’m solar infusing the herbs in a jar covered with olive oil. After 2-4 weeks I’ll strain and add 1/4 cup beeswax for every cup of infused oil I have. Then I’ll add vitamin E, lavender and Melissa blend essential oils and put into jars.

It can be used in any digestive formula like colic/gas or a calming nervous system formula. It’s also good as a cold infusion tea or chopped up in a fruit salad.

The only contraindication would be for those with low functioning thyroid because it can lower thyroid function. Bugleweed and Motherwort are two other herbs that also lower thyroid function. However, for those with an overactive thyroid it would be helpful.  It is still safe to use internally short term for those with mild hypothyroid problems if needed, but not for long periods of time.

Medicinal Herb – Peppermint and Spearmint

peppermint plant spearmint

Medicinal Herb Post #21 written on June 26, 2018

Peppermint – Mentha piperita (on the left)
AND
Spearmint – Mentha spicata (on the right)

I’m posting about both of these herbs together because they are closely related in their medicinal properties, however they do hold different qualities and are worth going over. All plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae, have square stems with alternating and opposing leaves coming off the stem. If a plant has a square stem or its leaves are opposing and alternating, but don’t posses both qualities, it’s not in the mint family. All mints usually have two jobs, first they want to do something to your nervous system and second, they want to kill something. They tend to affect the digestive system in some way as well. This group of plants is very large.

Peppermint likes to grow in moist well draining soil. It does well in full sun or part shade. It can be very invasive and should be grown in a small bed surrounded by concrete (not concrete edging)/deep barrier or in a large pot. It can serve as a nice ground cover, especially if you’re harvesting and using it often. I’ve read that it contains the most volitile oils when it has just bloomed, but I still harvest it as needed. All mints and plants that contain mucilage like comfrey and marshmallow retain more medicine when processed as a cold infusion. A cold infusion is simply pouring room temperature water over the herbs and allowing them to steep for 4 to 12 hours over night.

Peppermint is the go to herb for any digestion problem that would cause spasming, like cramping, gas, nausea and vomiting. It makes for a great catalyst herb when used with other mild herbs like Echinacea. It’s great for headaches when combined with chamomile, good foe bee stings, burns when mixed with raw honey and can help relieve toothaches. It’s a powerful antimicrobial and is stimulating to the nervous system. I like to combine it with elder and yarrow to combat the cold/flu. My new favorite herbal tea is equal parts hibiscus petals, peppermint and lemon balm. So refreshing during those hot summer days.

Spearmint is similar to peppermint as it will spread easily by root runners. It really loves water and will do well in full sun or partial shade. It is recommended to plant different kinds of mints separate from each other as they can easily ‘interbreed’ and won’t be as medicinally active. Spearmint is more mild than peppermint and is usually better for children and pregnant women. It is amphoteric, meaning it moves in the direction the body needs. It can be stimulating but also relaxing and is very helpful in nervous system blends. It’s great for digestive issues as well.

My favorite pregnancy tea is equal parts raspberry leaf, spearmint, nettles, rose petals and milky oat tops.

My favorite formula to give to my kids to combat illness is a glycerite made with equal parts yarrow, spearmint, red clover, elder flower and mullein.

For a calming remedy in children try equal parts chamomile, lemon balm and spearmint. Use as a tea or glycerite.

And finally one of my favorite dishes is a fruit salad I love to eat using either peppermint or spearmint. You can always add more of a particular fruit if you want.
1 pineapple, chopped
1 canteloupe, chopped
1 bunch of green grapes
6 peaches sliced
2 pounds quartered strawberries
2 pints blue berries
2 raspberries and blackberries if you want
Place together in a large bowl.
Mix together 1/2 cup raw honey, zest and juice of 2 limes and 1/4 cup chopped peppermint and drizzle on top. Heavenly!

Medicinal Herb – Blackberry and Raspberry

Blackberry Raspberry plant

Medicinal Herb Post #12 written on June 12, 2018

Blackberries – Rubus allegheniensis Raspberries – Rubus idaeus

Did you know there are medicinal properties to blackberry and raspberry plants? The berries are delicious, but the leaves and roots are also beneficial! In my yard I always have canes that come up in places I don’t need them to be, so I’ll wait for them to leaf out and pull them up, wash them off and dry both leaves and roots, storing them in glass jars for later use.

Let’s talk about Blackberries first. The leaf and the root are a wonderful astringent, meaning it contains tannins in it that pucker or dry up swollen inflamed tissues. The root is stronger than the leaf. It can be used as a tea, tincture or in capsules successfully for sore throats, mouth ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, and hemorrhoids. You could make a delicious blackberry syrup with the berries and root bark for sore throats and cough. Cover the berries and roots with purified water. Cook down to half volume and strain. Add equal amounts raw honey to blackberry liquid, pour into bottles and keep refrigerated.

Raspberry leaf is one of my favorite herbs! It is a really great astringent too, but it also balances hormones, helps to regulate female cycles, tones the uterus… making it a go to herb for uterine cramps and especially preparing for labor, birth and recovery in pregnant women. It is also good for lactating mothers who need a boost keeping their milk. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals. I love drinking an herbal combination of raspberry leaf, nettles, spearmint, chamomile and rose petals. Perfect for growing mom and baby or your teen daughter!

Do you use Blackberries and Raspberries medicinally? How do you use them?

Emily’s Italian Herb Seasoning

rp_Italian-Herb-Seasoning-168x300.jpg

I came across a wonderful Italian seasoning a few years ago.  When it was all gone I looked all over for it and couldn’t find it anywhere, so I decided to make my own!  This is a wonderful seasoning that I use in many of my dishes!  And the best part is, I grow all my own herbs!

Recipe

Use equal parts dried or adjust to your liking:

Sage, Thyme, Savory, Rosemary, Sweet Marjoram, Basil, Oregano.

Dry the herbs in a basket out of direct sunlight.  Once very dry, use a mortal and pestle to crush the herbs.  Place in a glass jar and enjoy!

Garlic and Basil Tomato Pasta

Garlic and Basil Tomato PastaSimple and fast!  This is a great recipe for using all those fresh tomatoes and basil from the garden!

Recipe

1 pound uncooked whole wheat pasta (I like angel hair)

4-5 pounds tomatoes, large or cherry cut in half or bite size chunks

2 tablespoons garlic, minced

1/2 cup fresh chopped basil

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Cook your noodles following the directions on the package.  In the meantime, chop the tomatoes, garlic and basil and place in large bowl with oil and butter.  Remove the noodles from the pot and strain.  Pour them while still hot over the tomato, basil mixture and let melt the butter.   Add salt and pepper to taste and the cheese.  Toss well and serve.

Companion Planting: Where to Begin?

Companion Planting Front YardCompanion Planting is so much fun!  What is it you ask?  Well, it’s been around for a really long time!  The Romans and the Native Americans used this method of gardening with great success!  Companion planting is simply planting your herbs and flowers with your vegetables.  In the picture above I have multiple flowers that attract pollinators and herbs that I use in my kitchen!  Isn’t it beautiful!  This year I added cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce and onions!  There are multiple benefits that come from this.  Because some pesky bugs don’t like certain herbs and veggies we can decrease the amount of bug problems in the garden.  The bugs also get a little confused as to where all the cabbage is with all the other plants around it, so we can decrease the loss of plants to pests.  We can also attract beneficial insects by planting beautiful flowers with our veggies increasing their yield in production.   And finally because we aren’t dealing with pests we don’t have to use so many chemicals therefore keeping our garden organic!

If you’ve decided to give companion planting a try this year there are a few things you may want to think about.  First make a plan.  Think about what veggies you are going to use.  What colors of flowers do you like?  When choosing plants think about the height and space that is required for their needs.  If planting in a container, use the taller plants in the middle.  When planting in medium to large sized beds make sure the tall plants are in the back and the smaller, low growing plants are placed in the front.  That way you will be able to see everything you’ve planted and nothing gets covered.  Choose flowers that go well together.  I really like bright orange or pink and deep purple together.  Bright colored flowers will also attract beneficial insects increasing the yield of flower blossoms and veggies.  Plant vegetables that like the shade under taller plants like lettuce and spinach.  And finally it’s really important to know which herbs, flowers and vegetables make good families and who their friends are.  Checkout this beginners list of family and friends below to get started!

The Tomato Family

Vegetables that are included in the tomato family are, Tomatoes, Peppers and Eggplant.  Greens, including Lettuce, Beets, Spinach and Chard also do well with their friends list.

Friends: Basil, Cleome, Cosmos, Parsley, Queen-Anne’s Lace, Asters and onions/garlic (with greens)

The Potato Family

Vegetables that also benefit from the list of friends below besides Potatoes are Beans and Peas.

Friends: Calendula (pot marigold), Cosmos, Basil, Tarragon, Daises, Dill, Rosemary, Sweet Annie

 

The Cabbage Family

Cabbage family crops include, Broccoli, Kale, kohlrabi, Radishes, Turnips and Cauliflower.  Other plants that go well with its friends are Lettuce and Root crops.

Friends: Asters, Calendula, Chamomile, Chrysanthemums, Cosmos, Dill, Marigolds, Zinnias, Parsley, Radishes, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme.

 

The Squash Family

Squash family crops include all Summer and Winter type squashes including Melons and Cucumbers.  Vegetables outside of the family that benefit from the same friends are, corn and pole beans.

Friends: Borage, Dill, Nasturtiums, Sunflowers

 

The Root Family

This family includes Celery and Carrots.  Greens and Onions, Leeks, Chives, Garlic also benefit from their friends too.

Friends: Caraway, Chamomile, Cleome, Cosmos, Dill, Fennel, Queen-Anne’s Lace, Poppies, Asters

 

The Perennial Family

Vegetables included in this family are Asparagus, Horseradish, Strawberries, Rhubarb and Raspberries.

Friends:  Borage, Sweet Alyssum, Chives, Swan River Daises (for strawberries), Asters, Bee Balm, Black-Eyed Susan’s, Chamomile, Creeping Thyme, Lovage, Tansy, Yarrow (for horseradish), Cosmos, Dill, Hollyhocks, and Sweet Annie (for asparagus)

 

Some other plants not listed above that attract beneficial insects include:

Catnip, Anise, Chervil, Curry Plant, Fennel, Lavender, Rue, Spearmint/Peppermint (keep contained), Tansy, Bee Balm, Goldenrod, Pincushion Flowers, Echinacea (Cone Flowers), Rock Cress, Yarrow, Bachlor’s Button, Black-Eyed Susan, Blanket Flower, Coreopsis, Morning Glory, Gazania, Dandelion, Lamb’s Quarters, Wild Mustards.

 

For more information check out my favorite companion planting book called Great Garden Companions