Hello Herb Lovers,

Herbology e-Shop Poll

I have been approached by a number of people who are interested in a Herbology e-shop. If such a beast was to be created I would need to know what Herbology members and readers want to see in an online shop of this nature. So I added a new poll to the Herbology site. Please visit and let me know what kind of things you would like to see in a Herbology shop.

Herbology e-Shop Poll

Stay Herbal!

Hello Herb Lovers,

Last weekend was the annual Herb Awareness Weekend hosted by the Qld Herb Society. I visited on the Sunday and the turn out was great! Compared to the previous year there certainly seemed to be an increase in numbers of visitors, even thought it appeared that there were less stalls this time. Maybe it helped that the weather was brilliant.

Inside the Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens building there was a hive of activity and the smells that assaulted my nostrils on the way in told me exactly why I was there. I spied my favourite stall , the TuzzieMuzzie stall and quickly checked out which herbal arrangements I would buy on the way out. Then I wandered amongst the stalls to see what I could find for you, dear readers, that might be of interest.

Naturally there were organic herb nurseries displaying their wares (Hello to Best Little Herb House, Mudbrick Cottage Herb Farm, Edible Landscapes at the Northey Street City Farm ). There were also a few stalls displaying natural skin care products and the one that stood out among the crowd and which I spent some time chatting to was botanic Skincare. I was using their Ankle Biters Personal Insect Repellant long before I started to make my own.

I also spent a long time chatting to the ladies at the Tri Nature stall - but that will be a separate post.

Overall I had a fine morning out I did not have the time to attend the talks that were held while I was there (Jean Goodwin - Animal Care, Jade Woodhouse - Suburban Worm Farming, Valeria - Something Curry and Jade Woodhouse - Herbs to improve your soil) but I saw that they were quite popular with visitors.

I did however pop in to the Sage Cafe (a stand run by volunteers from the Herb Society) to have a bite to eat but I must say I was rather disappointed. There is so very much you can do with herbs to really make them a feature and make then stand out. If you want to raise awareness of how herbs can be used in a trillion beautiful, flavour and health enhancing ways then why oh why bring out the same boring, uninspiring fare? I was not interested in mundane cakes everyone knows about. Nor the sandwiches that had an edible flowers squished onto them to (presumably) emphasise the herbal goodness. Yes there were savoury muffins that I assume had herbs in them, but please - members of the herb society - why not take a look at some of the recipe books you had for sale on the table by the entrance and see what fabulously tasty and exciting foods you could have presented. *sigh* I know….I am ranting again….but I love herbs…and I love herbs….and most of all I love combining the two. It just hurts to see such great potential being wasted.

Oh, and speaking of the Qld Herb Society. I know I whined about their website but it appears something is happening on that front. The front page has changed somewhat and an ad for the above mentioned weekend had been added….so now I am waiting with great anticipation to see what changes (as promised on the site) will take place very soon.

Stay Herbal!

Hello Herb Lovers,

Yep, another month has crept up on us and that means it’s time for another newsletter.

The Herbology Thymes - Mothers in May Edition

Subscribe for your free monthly copy to keep up with news, events and great recipes. Last month the focus was on herbal remedies to boost your immune system for the colder months. This month there are herbal Mother’s Day ideas, a look at some ancient autumn traditions and of course great herbal food recipes that make use of traditional harvest foods.

Stay Herbal!

Markets & Herb Awareness Weekend

For everyone who wants to know more about growing and using herbs - this is the weekend for you!
- Discover a large variety of unusual and water wise herbs and plants for sale.
- Enjoy free demonstrations and talks.
- Browse a wide variety of stalls with herb related goods, products and food.
- Relax and revive at Cafe Sage for delicious,
herb inspired food and beverages.
- Come along for a chance to meet our patron and renowned garden adviser, Colin Campbell.

Please note: No EFTPOS or Credit Card facilities available.

When: 3 - 4 May 2008 calendar of dates
9am to 4pm

Where: Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
Mt Coot-tha Road Toowong

How Much: $4.00 Adults $3.00 Concession
Contact: Debbie, Queensland Herb Society
email: qldherbsociety@ourbrisbane.com
phone: 07 5426 8299

I was going to launch the very first Herbology stall at this herbal event but as it turns out a very dear friend has chosen that weekend to be married.  Guess there is always next year

There is no point in giving you QLD Herb Society’s URL as the website has been promising to come soon for at least the past 18 months where I have been eagerly waiting for it to appear. *grumble grumble* I really must go to one of their meetings and ask them what the deal is. How hard is it to have a very basic information site? They dont need to change content often just have something there to make people welcome for goodness sake. Ok Ok, I know…ranting and raving again……

Stay Herbal!

Hello Herb Lovers,

Do large multinationals, who use a multitude of chemicals in their products, really think that by adding a herbal compound and marketing that fact heavily, will make people fall over themselves to buy the product because it is suddenly healthy?

Last night I was watching TV and in one of the ad breaks saw an advertisement for a new antiperspirant/deodorant by Rexona. In it a 2-dimensional paper woman while searching for clothes tears her armpits - that’s never happened to me I have to admit but according to the ad it is something women can expect to happen. As a way to fix this painful looking problem Rexona has added Calendula to one of its products. They claim that it “…. helps skin restore itself from damage caused by underarm shaving.”

Brilliant! Calendula (also known as Marigold) is a skin hero. Cream made from Calendula is infinitely versatile. Use it to treat any skin problem involving inflammation or dry skin, dry eczema, sore or split nipples from breastfeeding, and minor burns including sunburn. A compress soaked in Calendula infusion is great for slow healing wounds and varicose veins, or you can gargle it to ease mouth ulcers.

As to Rexona’s claim above…yes, Calendula would help heal shaving damage, but what about the aluminium salts making into the broken skin first?

Now what I pondered last night - and Light of my Life was unable to shed further light on - is this:

Does a small amount of a good ingredient, negate some of the bad ingredients and thus is some good better than none?

OR

Is a small amount of a good ingredient totally overrun by the bad ingredients thus making the addition of said good ingredient totally redundant?

I use natural, preferably herbal products wherever I can. Reading the labels on products has long become a habit when I shop. The terminology used, the abundance of number combinations, some really bad some not so bad for you but are you going to learn them all out by heart? I do wish more people would take the time to educate themselves in what they are putting on and in their bodies, but the manufactures and labeling laws do not make it easy for the consumer.

Personally, I found the ad last night totally laughable. The people who will respond positively to it are those that have no idea what Calendula is so why use it as a marketing tool? Maybe it just sounds good, maybe they hope that people will recognise the name from the plants they put in their flower beds…or maybe it is on a par with the “flexi bouncy technology” for a shampoo ad not too long ago and people actively want to believe something that is utter nonsense invented by a creative marketing department.

Well that’s my herbal rant for the day, have a great weekend …..

Stay Herbal!

Gardening Australia is coming to Brisbane.

I have had a look at the exhibitors and there are several herb related businesses, societies and lots of clever organic products that I am going to have a look at.

Yes, herb lovers, yours truly will venture out and have a look see. If I dont see you there, check back here for a summary of my visit.

Update: Unfortunately I was unable to go <insert mini tantrum here> - If any readers went, tell me all about it

Gardening Australia Expo

Date: Friday-Sunday, April 18-20, 2008
Event Time: Open daily 9.30-4.30pm
Location: Brisbane Exhibition Centre, South Bank

Cost: Adults: $15 Pensioner/Seniors Card holders: $13
Family (2A+2C): $34 Children 5-16yrs: $6 Children under 5: FREE
Children must be accompanied by an adult. All prices include GST.

Tickets available for cash at the door or online at http://www.abcgardeningexpo.com.au

Groups: Pre-sold tickets are available for groups of 10+ people @ $12 each. Call: 02 9452 7575
Information: Visit http://www.abcgardeningexpo.com.au or call 02 9452 7575.

Hello Herb Lovers,

Black Cohosh has been used for centuries to reduce menopausal symptoms and to bring on a slow labour in the late stages of pregnancy. Preparations of this herb are commonly sold in European pharmacies to relieve hot flashes.

Traditionally warnings for this herb have included cautions that it will bring on early contractions so should not be used early in pregnancy and only in very small doses later and adverse effects on blood pressure.

More recently, black cohosh has been linked to reports of liver damage. In May 2007 the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) updated its labelling rules for products containing black cohosh. Preparations containing this herb must be labelled with a cautionary advice of possible risk of liver damage.

The TGA’s expert advisory found that “…..Black cohosh is still suitable for use in complementary medicines, but recommended that the current warning statement on the medicine label be revised to better inform consumers about the risk and also to provide sufficient information to assist in the early detection of liver damage and, if detected, to seek medical attention.”

Yesterday I can across this article in The Medical Journal of Australia – “Liver failure associated with the use of black cohosh for menopausal symptoms”. By the sound of it the authors of this article are reporting on the same Australian cases of liver failure that had already been investigated by the TGA, but it does provide more information on the individual (9^th) case.

It is an interesting read…..particularly the “….Two safety reviews have found black cohosh extract to be well tolerated and adverse events to be rare when it is taken for up to 6 months. However, the seven case reports of hepatotoxicity potentially associated with black cohosh use in the past decade raise concern. Currently, there is no known biologically plausible mechanism to explain this hepatotoxicity, which is likely to be multifactorial.” I find their statement of“The most likely cause of our patient’s liver failure was her use of black cohosh,…” to be quite a leap although they do point out that she did not take the preparation according to instructions and exceeded the recommended duration of treatment by taking black cohosh for 3 years instead of the recommended 2 months.

I am no expert and I am certainly no scientist. The occurrence of liver damage in women who take black cohosh is very scary stuff. The TGA has this to say “… At the time of the review, there were 47 cases of liver reactions worldwide, including 9 Australian cases. In Australia, four patients were hospitalised, including two who required liver transplantation. Although some reports are confounded by multiple ingredients, by more than one medication or by other medical conditions, there is sufficient evidence of a causal association between Black cohosh and serious hepatitis. Considering the widespread use of black cohosh, the incidence of liver reaction appears to be very low. “

Here is my personal recommendation to all my readers who may be thinking of using black cohosh:

Black Cohosh has been used effectively for centuries – but that doesn’t mean that it may not also have some side effects. Before you take this herb, check with a professional herbalist, and if you have any liver problems (or have a family history of liver problems) I would find an alternative herb to treat my menopausal symptoms with.

Stay Herbal!

While grocery shopping at the supermarket, Spawn (teenage son) asked for some rosehip tea - good boy - and since I was out of dried rosehips at home I agreed to some teabags. I always like having a look at what the conventional shops stock and this time was pleasantly surprised by the selection available.

Sure there are the usual odd creations by Twinnings, and some long standing European favourites, but one brand I had not seen on these tea shelves before was Healtheries.

I was impressed to see herbal combinations such as Be Wise Tea - Gingko Tea with Tangy Lemon - which utilises lemongrass, gingko biloba, cinnamon and fennel to help you concentrate and think clearly.

When your mind runs overtime you may like to try Be Sleepy Tea - Passionflower & Chamomile Tea with Lemon Balm (yum) - which combines the calming powers of passion flower, chamomile, lemon balm, and lime flowers (linden) to gently soothe your mind and enables a pleasant night’s sleep.

I also picked up Be Well Tea - Echinacea Tea with Lemon & Vitamin C. This is very relevant for this time of the year (remember we are trying to PREVENT all the nasty winter bugs) as the echinacea, lemon, rosehip and added vitamin C in this tea will help boost your immune system.

There is no added sugar or artificial sweeteners involved, instead Healtherie uses Stevia which is a natural sugar alternative

Dont be afraid to try new things.

There are quite a few different herb combinations available in the “Be something Tea” range - apart from the ones I mentioned above there are: Be Clean, Be Spicy, Be Charged, Be Happy and Be Soothed.

These products are packed in New Zealand (we like that), the ingredients are blended in Germany (they know their stuff over there but we like to support things a bit more local) and the blend is made up of local and imported ingredients (is that local for us Australian consumers? for New Zealand packers or for the German blenders?).

Oh and I would like to point out that I have not been hired or paid by anyone to write this review.

Stay Herbal!

Hello Herb Lovers,

On TV recently, the month of May was announced as being the month of colds, flu and various other viral nasties. Well, if that is the case then I have decided that April is the month to use our herbal knowledge to PREVENT all those bugs taking hold in the first place.

Herbology Thymes - Protect Your Health with Herbs Edition IS OUT NOW!

This month we talk about stress and how it can sap your immune system. Herbology answers your questions of how you can use herbs to boost your immune system. As usual I love using food as my favourite delivery system, so there are yummy recipes for you under Food as Medicine as well. Let’s keep those bugs at bay!

Every month the Herbology newsletter delivers informative articles, entertaining recipes, news and event information in a way that is relevant to contemporary life. It’s free too! You can subscribe from the sidebar on the right, easy!

Stay Herbal!

The weather has been perfect for planting. With all those lovely showers the water restrictions were no bother at all

After all that time preparing the soil, then waiting for my “Gardening with the Goddess” book and then extended herb buying trips it was finally time to put my little darlings in the ground.

Dont forget the mulch! In this pic I had just started to mulch (top of photo).

It still looks a bit barren but now I can get into the fun stuff of decorating the space to resemble the sacred space I wish it to become. Light of my Life is working hard at refurbishing a garden bench with heavy cast iron ends we managed to find on ebay. It’ll take awhile, but somewhere down the track I’ll post pictures of the finished product.

That’s it folks…..I’m tired

Stay Herbal!