What herbalicious activities have you got planned for next week?

Every 3rd week of September it’s National Herbal Medicine Week in Australia. Run by the National Herbalists of Australia Association it promotes public awareness and corrects misinformation surrounding herbal medicine via many events throughout the country.  Many large and small organisations hold workshops, lectures, garden tours, morning teas and many other herbal events between the 13th and 19th of September.  Do you know what’s on in your area?

Here is a list of public events from the NHAA website:

Yesterday I posted an idea for a herbal carpet freshener on the Herbology Facebook page and it received many positive comments.  So I started thinking about the healing scents we are attracted to and why.  Sometimes it could just be that a scent smells pretty but on the other hand maybe it’s that this scent makes us feel pretty.

So today I want to have a quick look into aromatherapy.  It’s not strictly herbal medicine, although essential oils used in aromatherapy are of course made by extracting volatile oils from herbs and other healing plants. By its very name, aromatherapy is a therapy utilising scents.

Research shows that prospective buyers are more likely to part with their money if the house smells of freshly brewed coffee or baking bread.  These smells make a person feel comforted with feelings of home and hearth, therefore make them feel like this is where they might like to make their home.  Shopping giants are long wise of these research and have been piping appealing scents through their stores for years.  It’s actually funny how people will not consciously notice that even though they appreciated the fresh bread smell…the store they are in doesn’t actually sell bread a all.

Lavender (and peppermint) oils on the pulse points can often tame a wicked headache, rose and lavender in the bath makes us relax and feel luxurious.  Not only do scents influence the mood but there are also increasing reports that behaviour and health can also be positively influenced.

There are so many ways in which you can utilise essential oils and I can only give you a small indication here in this post.  If you’d like to know more, pls feel free to comment and tell me what areas you might be interested in.

If you are going to try blending your own essential oils make sure that you use good quality oils.  Pure oils are very different to ‘scented oils’ – be aware of what you buy and what you use it for.  Preferably you want a 100% essential oil which is organic.

Let’s concentrate on the different areas of the home – that pretty much applies to everyone

To give your home a welcoming atmosphere

1 teasp each of geranium essential oil, bergamot essential oil, lavender essential oil, lemon essential oil
50 drops cinnamon oil
20 drops clove oil
50 ml vodka
1 cup purified water
Mix the essential oil blend in a glass bottle.
Add 1/2 – 1 teasp of the blend to the vodka in a spray bottle, shake.
Add the water, shake well and use as room spray.

For a sleep inducing atmosphere in the bedroom

1/2 teaspoon each of chamomile essential oil, lavender essential oil
20 drops marjoram essential oil
20 drops neroli, or clary sage essential oil
Mix oils in a small glass bottle.  Leave for 4 days.
Store in a dark & cool place.
To use:
-in an oil burner
-2 or 3 drops on a cotton hanky tucked in or under pillow
-mix a few drops in water and use to wipe down bedroom furniture

For a romantic bedroom

1 teasp ylang ylang essential oil
1/2 teasp each of lime essential oil and petitgrain essential oil
20 drops sandalwood essential oil
15 drops patchouli essential oil
5 drops close essential oil
Mix oils in a small glass bottle.  Leave for 4 days.
Store in a dark & cool place.
To use:
-in an oil burner
-2 or 3 drops on a cotton hanky tucked in or under pillow
-mix a few drops in water and use to wipe down bedroom furniture

For the computer area

2 teasp lemon essential oil
1 teasp each of cypress essential oil, cedar essential oil, pine essential oil
Mix oils in a small glass bottle.  Leave for 4 days.
Store in a dark & cool place.
To use:
-in an oil burner on the desk
-mix a few drops in water and use to wipe down office furniture
-make a room spray like above

Cheerful kitchen blend

1 teasp lemon essential oil
1/2 teasp each of bergamot essential oil, grapefruit essential oil
25 drops sandalwood essential oil
30 drops of vanilla essential oil
Mix oils in a small glass bottle.  Leave for 4 days.
Store in a dark & cool place.
To use:
-in an oil burner on the desk
-mix a few drops in water and use to wipe down furniture
-make a room spray like above

These are but a few ideas on how to use essential oils in the home.
There are so many others.  You can treat stress, burn out, tension, travel sickness, jet lag, fear of flying, hyperactivity and so much more. Use essential oils to make personal massage blends, add to your beauty products  and treat your pets. It’s a very comprehensive natural therapy and worth looking into.

Note: If you decide to use essential oil blends in children’s areas be aware that children respond to a lot less oils.  Do not use oils in areas for the little ones – under 1 year old.  Between 1 and 5 years old use one quarter of the adult blend and from 5 to puberty increase gradually up to one half.

I love using essential oils but I am aware that a HUGE quantity of plant material is required for very little oil.  In that regard I discriminate between the oils I really, really want/need and what I can use the actual plant for instead.

The healing properties of garlic have been helping people for centuries.  A veritable powerhouse of active ingredients which are reported to ease an A-Z of ailments and treating  high blood pressure is one of the health issues on this list.  It has long been said that if fresh garlic is regularly included in ones daily diet, it would ease hypertension.  Seems that all the old stories weren’t too far off.

A new study out of Adelaide reports that garlic could be the perfect adjunct to treatment of high blood pressure and thus reducing the need for conventional medication. (This is a very good thing!)

Admittedly the study used a rather small sample, only 50 subjects.  However, it is really nice to see that plant extracts are still being investigated which means that there is still hope for western societies, that they may one day use natural and modern medicine to work hand in hand. Well, I am always the optimist and I will not give up doing my bit to spread the word.

Ok, off my soapbox and back to the article featured in the news this morning

Instead of using fresh garlic, the study found that a carefully aged garlic extract worked most effectively in their trials.  According to the article: “Garlic powder is not as stable and you don’t know the dose you are taking, and garlic oil doesn’t contain the active substance.  Aged garlic is prepared in a special process but you can buy it in the shops here.”Garlic is thought to have an anti-hypertensive effect because it stimulates production of certain chemical substances called nitric oxide and hydrogen sulphide, which helps relax blood vessels.”

What does that mean in practical terms?  Well, I interpret it to mean that garlic is great for you anyway for many reasons including regulating your blood pressure. But if you have a problem with high blood pressure you may now have a natural way of reducing your blood pressure medication as well.

Stay herbal
AnkeB

It’s been a crazy week. Last weekend I went to an awards night that was part of the Connect2Mums  2010 AusMumpreneur Conference, in Brisbane (Australia). I was honoured to be asked to present the award for Best Eco Friendly business which was sponsored by Herbology. The room was full of amazingly inspiring women (and a few Dads), the atmosphere supportive and abuzz with excitement.  There were a number of awards on the evening and I would like to do a shout out to show off some of the fabulous businesses run by mums.

AusMumpreneur of the Year – Antonette Golikidis Little Innoscents
Best Blog – Julie Parker Beautiful You
Handmade Mumpreneur – Stacey & Lisa Koolaman Designs
Product Innovation – Dannielle Michaels & Monique Filer b.box
Best Service Business – Merendi Leveritt Merendi Wellness
Dadpreneur of the Year – Daniel Gibney Em’s 4 kids
Best Boutique – Elizabeth Murphy La Toriana
Emerging Entrepreneur – Simone Caddell tiny tutus
Connect2Giving – Despina Parakas Backpacks 4 Aussie Kids & Dr Lucy Burns Better than Flowers

And the award for Best -Eco Friendly Business went to-

Jo Harvey Babyjo Bamboo

Please visit these talented ladies and support their businesses.

Since the awards Herbology has been suffering from a whole lot of technical hiccups which caused the whole domain to crash not once but twice. That means that you guys will not have been able to access Herbology, Herb-blog-ogy, the shop or the Herb Business Directory.  We are still not 100% sure which of the upgrades we were trying to complete caused this meltdown and as we still need to finish them it may happen again.  (Gosh, I really hope not).  So that is my excuse for having been absent for a while.

It’s already August – where has the year gone? – so it must be time for our Herb of the Month…..hmm…what will it be?

Stay herbal
AnkeB

Today I am super excited!

At the Veterans’ Affairs Nutrition & Healthy Choices Expo I ran into a Facebook friend of mine and she mentioned a herbal shop in WA.  True to her promise of sending me information about it, it arrived in my inbox this morning.  Thank you Barbara.  I popped over to the site and I AM IN  LOVE!!

How can I not have heard of this place?  The products sound superb, fantastic philosophy and work ethics , just the photos of the premises make you want to move in permanently.

Ok, so you’ll want to know what this amazing herbal haven is called right? I hope they wont mind me stealing the logo for this post.

In their own words: “Being in the Tinderbox can ignite a spark of knowing, like tuning in to a common wellspring of plant lore that is inherently part of being human. Somehow people recognise this when they smell and feel the products; it is like they could have made them themselves, so familiar are they. Indeed, plants do possess a biochemical intelligence that speaks directly to the human organism. It is this symbiosis between plants and humans that we explore and develop.

The Tinderbox range includes: a comprehensive range of herbal teas for most common ailments and simple enjoyment, gorgeous skin-care products, herbal remedies for effective and simple home treatment, home accessories, natural incense, seductive, pure plant perfumes, a delicious gourmet collection, divinely smelling massage oils for every type of use, aphrodisiac and pregnancy products as well as aromatherapy options.

These are no ordinary products, but an “experience” of healing and well-being at affordable prices.”

There are stockists all over Australia and even in mainland China & Taiwan. I already have a big list of products I want to try.

Of course I love making my own products and would love you too to try your hand at making your own herbal goodies. But realistically, not everyone has the time or the inclination to do this.  That doesnt mean they should have to miss out on herbal goodness to improve the health and well being of their families.

A great way to spark a herbal passion is to try high quality herb products from reputable sources. Once the herb bug has caught on you’ll want to know more and more and more….

That’s what Herbology is all about. Spreading the word far and wide, bring herb awareness to everyone everywhere, no matter what their lifestyle choices.

Stay herbal!
AnkeB

I recently had the pleasure of cooking a herby meal for a local reporter.  This morning I found a full page article in one of our major newspapers (The Courier Mail) featuring yours truly and this delicious lemon balm pasta dish.

It’s wonderful to see Herbology got a mention.  Spreading the word on herbal goodness, one recipe at a time

Stay herbal

AnkeB

We are delighted to be taking part in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs …

Nutrition & Healthy Choices Expo 2010
20th July 2010
10am—2pm

The Irish Club Brisbane
175 Elizabeth Street

Free Entry Event – Everyone Welcome

Special Guest Speakers, Demonstrations, Information stalls, Samples, Lucky Door Prizes, Healthy Refreshments, Entertainment by The DVA “Quartet a la carte” Songsters throughout the Day!

PRESENTATIONS &  COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS

10.15am – 10.45am
Nutrition Australia presents “Food variety and Physical Activity”

10.50am – 11am
Official Opening of Expo

11.10am – 11.30am
RSPCA presents “Choose Wisely”

11.40am – 12pm
Qld Health HACC/MASS presents “Continence Awareness”

12.10pm – 12.30pm
Pharmacy Guild presents “Home Medication Awareness”

12.50pm – 1.10pm
Mind Gardeners presents “Healthy Mind, Healthy Body”

1.20pm – 1.50pm
Nutrition Australia presents “Healthy Aging & Bone Health”

10.50am – 11.50am
Nutrition Australia presents “Healthy Easy Economical Snacks”

12.15pm – 1.15pm
Nutrition Australia presents “Healthy Food Fast”

HOW TO GET TO THE EVENT

RSL Transport

Buses will be leaving from the following RSL’s:

* Kedron Wavell RSL Sub Branch Ph 33590460
* Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch Ph 33554655
* Redlands RSL Sub Branch Ph 34881102
* Woodridge RSL Sub Branch Ph 0439816018

Please contact your relevant RSL for availability.

Public Transport
For more information contact Translink on 132230 or www.translink.gov.au

Parking
Parking available at The Myer Centre, The Wintergarden or Secure Parking in Elizabeth St

Drop off/Pick up
Limited drop off and pick up zone directly outside of the Irish Club on Elizabeth Street with access between 10am and 2pm. The Irish Club Brisbane, 175 Elizabeth St

www.dva.gov.au

You’ve picked and dried your herbal harvest now it’s time to store everything properly to make it last.

Realistically you can’t beat the classic glass jar for storing dried herbs.  It seals well, protects from damp and dust, insects stay out and you can see if anything has gone awry with the contents.  Keeping an eye on your herbs is especially important in the first couple of weeks after drying in case there is residual moisture which leads to mould.

Choosing the right jar is not rocket science.  It has to be whole, clean and dry.  Dont make it too large or too small.  Collect all manner of sizes throughout the year so you’ll have a wide choice when you need it.  Make sure there are no remaining odours from whatever occupied the jar last as this will affect your herbs. Label your jars with common name (maybe even botanical name) and date.  Store jars in a cool and dark spot.

Of course putting herbs in a jar is not the only way to store your herbs.

You can preserve your herbs in oil too.  I prefer not to use fresh herbs in oil as the moisture content promotes rancidity and then there is the whole botulism issue.  I am not sure that there has been a reported case of botulism from infused oils, but the common rule is to use plant material that is completely dried, completely submerged in the oil and which is completely removed before storing for any length of time. If you are planning on using the oil up within a week of making then you can leave the herbs in – they do look rather pretty.

If you are concerned about the loss of colour and flavour through drying, you could always use freezing as your method of preservation. Frozen herbs are useful for cooking and for use in making beauty products.

To freeze herbs

If your herbs need cleaning, wash them quickly and dry on kitchen paper. If they are organic and grown free of pollution they wont need washing. Strip leaves and petals from the stems. Lay herbs in single layers and pack them flat in a container or zip-lock bag. Make sure you remove as much air from the bag as possible. Mark your chosen container with the name and date.  When you need to remove herbs from the freezer work quickly. You’ll want to chop a piece off your herb sheet before it defrosts and goes soggy.  I also like to freeze mine in ice cube trays. This allows me little portion sizes to add to my favourite recipes without defrosting too much. You can chop them and freeze straight away or you can blend with a little water and freeze the resulting pulp. Use herbs frozen, dont defrost them first.

Here are some examples of herbs that freeze well

Storing your herbal bounty well means that you are able to access the wonderful flavours and health giving properties of herbs all year round.

Stay herbal
AnkeB

To dry your herbs you need to create the the right environment. Perfect conditions for drying include a consistently high temperature and low humidity. Sun drying is an age old practice but for herbs it can be detrimental, causing colour loss and losing all important volatile oils as well.You’ll want to dry your plant material as quickly as possible before the natural process of decay sets in, but not use excessive heat to speed up the process.

Ovens have been used but the heat tends to be too fierce and there is some anecdotal evidence that microwaves work but, personally, I believe the drying to be uneven. The use of a glass of water to maintain proper microwave conditions also defeats the purpose of keeping humidity low. A dehydrator that circulates the air and has a temperature control works very well.

Ideally you’d have a space that is dry, well aired and where the temperature is consistently between 20 – 32C/ 68 – 90F. Avoid dust and direct sunlight, this will keep your plant material clean and preserve colour.

If your plants are particularly dusty or dirty, or you used chemicals (which I know most of you dont) do wash them.  Fill a tub with cold water and dunk your plant material several times to remove any impurities. Lay out on a draining board and pat dry gently between tea towels.

Drying leaves

If the leaf is very small you may wish to dry some herbs on the stem, where as larger leaves you may wish to dry individually. Spread your leaves out on trays, frames stretched with netting or hang tied in small bunches. Leave enough for air to circulate freely.  Drying time varies depending on thickness, moisture content and humidity in the air. The rule of thumb is to dry leaves until they are crisp and crackly to the touch.  This process can take anywhere between 3 days to a week.

Drying flowers

If the blooms are quite large, remove the petals to dry. Calendula/Marigold flowers can be dried whole and the petals removed afterwards. Lavender flowers are kept on a long stem and hung tied in bunches to dry.

Like leaves, flowers can be dried on trays or netting  but if you need the buds to stay in particularly good shape for decorative purposes then you might wish to dry them upright with stems pushed thru wire trays.  Leave until flowers are papery and dry.

Drying seeds

Pick seed heads with stems attached and make sure they’re free from insect life. Tie stems into bunches then invert then into a paper bag  (do not use plastic, it attracts moisture) and tie the bag around the seed heads.  Hang up and leave to dry in a warm, airy place. Once completely dry clean off any pods or husks

Drying roots & bark

Scrub roots and bark thoroughly then chop into small pieces ready for drying.  These tougher plant materials require higher drying temperatures and can be dried in the sun.  Here the oven can be used quite successfully at a very low temperature and the door left slightly open.

Dried outside on trays or netting it is advised to cover with muslin or the like to keep dust and debris away.  The roots/bark is dried when it they snap easily.
Overall drying your own is easy. Just remember to keep it warm, dry, clean and dont let the plants touch while drying.

Happy harvesting
AnkeB

The next three posts will continue on with the gardening theme.  I hope the Herbal Garden Sprays post helped you maintain and protect your plants as best as possible. Soon it’ll be  time to harvest, dry and store your hard earned crop and that is what I am dedicating the next three posts to.

Harvesting herbs is an ongoing process.  Different plants have different requirements, some you can pick at while dormant, others like a good cutting back to produce a second crop.  In this post I will be a bit generic to give an overview of harvesting different plant materials without going into details for for every plant.

Time of day:
Choose a fine, sunny morning to do your harvesting, early enough that the heat of the sun has not yet caused the volatile oils to dissipate but late enough that there is no more moisture from dew or rain on the plant.  If the plants get too hot you will lose too much goodness and if picked wet they go mouldy before properly dried.

Leaves:
Leaves will be at their most potent before flowering as all the plants energy went into the stems. Once flowers form the energy is shared.
Pick small leafed herbs by the stem and strip them off later.  Larger leaves can be picked individually.  Only keep the best leaves to dry and store.  Dead and discoloured leaves can contribute to the making of compost.

Flowers:
Flowers should be cut either just before or shortly after opening.  They are best while their colour and scent are at their best and before their petals have dropped.  Pick flowers individually, some like lavender are picked with a long piece of stem attached whereas others just the actual ‘head’ is carefully picked off.  For some you may wish to strip the petals and for other, often smaller flowers you will want to keep them whole to dry.

Seeds:
Seeds are harvested before they are ready to fall but after they have lost their green colour. They can go from green to ripe very quickly so you have to keep a close eye on them before they start to spread.  Collect the whole ‘head’ and retrieve the individual seeds later.  If you think you are going to lose the seeds you can tie some paper or muslin around the ‘head’ before they are ripe.

Roots (rhizomes):
Roots are best harvested later in the growing year when the plant is dormant while leave growth is at a minimum. When cutting roots you may wish to leave a portion in the ground so the plant can regenerate in spring.  Some herbs, like comfrey, dont need much encouragement for regrowth and will return with even the smallest bit of root left in the ground.

Bulbs:
Bulbs like onion and garlic are dug up in late summer or early autumn.  You can usually tell that they are ready for harvest by the green parts above ground having dropped to the ground  and turned brown.

Bark:
Make sure you dont strip bark from very young trees and do not ‘ring bark’  which means stripping bark all the way around the trunk. Do not take too much bark from the same tree as this might kill it. Use sharp and clean tools and keep your cuts 1m/3ft above ground. Lastly, do not harvest from endangered or protected species.

Wild Foods:
Be sure the plant you pick is the plant you think it is.  Correct identification is vital – your life may depend on it. f you have any doubt, leave them where they are. Check the environment, there is no point picking in areas that are subjected to heavy pollution or exposed to pesticidesI.  Many wild plants are protected by law, educate yourself about the rules of wildcrafting in your local area. Do not over pick, leave some to spread for future harvest and to maintain growth in the area.

I wish you a bumper crop and will be back shortly showing you how to dry your herbal bounty

Stay herbal
AnkeB