February 2008, Volume 3

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Join me on Herb-blog-ogy. This is my blog where I report on any herbal happenings I encounter in my everyday. Please help me raise herbal awareness by popping in and saying "Hi" every once in a while.

Welcome to the Herbology Thymes

Love Herbs for Love Edition

To me, nothing says "I love You" more than a gift that took some thought and some personal time. The pricetag is completely irrelevant (to me) when it comes to signs of love. This month I bring you some ideas as to how you may woo your love - the herbal way.

Gift giving does seem to be the thing to do. For that reason I have included some gift ideas that you may wish to make for your Valentine. A romantic dinner is also a very nice touch and making it yourself, with matters of the heart (and health) in mind means so much more than just a trip to the local restaurant. To inspire you there are recipes for a herbal 3 course meal for a quick way to your lovers heart.

Last but not least....

Some people like after dinner mints - I like after dinner spoiling, with that in mind I have found for you some exquisite massage oil blends you may wish to surprise your loved one with.

Have a great Valentine's,

AnkeB

What's new on the site?:

· Herbal Weightloss - A new article in the member's section addressing herbal ways to help your body shed those pesky pounds.

· Everyone can benefit from herbs - A new FREE article explaining how and why everyone can benefit from using herbs at home.

· Forum discussions have started and were the inspiration for the Weightloss article. I love hearing what you like to know and will certainly try to provide you with as much information as I can find on your chosen subject. All you have to do is pop into the forums to get the ball rolling.

. New discussions were on weightloss, preparing the body for pregnancy, using Aloe Vera, cautions about some essential oils and more.

· There are a couple of new Aloe recipes, a healing ointment for skin disorders, in the recipe section of the forum.

Herbal Gifts made with Love

If your love has trouble sleeping or relaxing, why not send them a gorgeously decorated tin (or bag) of this home made, herbal treat.

Lavender Biscuits

115g unsalted Butter

55g caster Sugar

175g self raising Flour

2 tbsp chopped fresh Lavender leaves

1 teasp Lavender flowers, removed from stem

Cream butter and sugar. Add flour and lavender leaves and knead into dough.

Roll onto a floured board, sprinkle with the flowers and press them into the dough with rolling pin. Cut into desired shapes and bake on a greased baking sheet at 230º C (preheated) for about ten minutes.

Personalised Oil Blends

Use these essential oil blends in vapourisers, baths or diluted in carrier oils for massages.

Good Mood - 5 drops geranium, 4 drops frankinsense, 2 drops orange, 2 drops jasmine

Balancing - 4 drops geranium, 3 drops neroli, 3 drops rose

Restorative - 4 drops clary sage, 3 drops rose or lavender

Uplifting - 5 drops bergamot, 5 drops clary sage

Bath Blends -

Relax & Calm - 2 drops each lavender, bergamot, cedarwood

Relax & Meditate - 6 drops frankinsence, 4 drops pathcouli, 2 drops bergamot

Pick-me-up - 3 drops rosemary and 2 drops each lemon & frankinsence

Relieve Nerves - 6 drops geranium, 4 drops basil

Sleepy time - 4 drops chamomile, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops neroli, 2 drops marjoram

To use - close windowns and doors, draw a warm bath. Once bath is filled add 10 drops essential oil and mix it around. Soak in the bath and inhale the essence filled steam.

There are so many more herbal ideas...

* Bath salts in fancy bags or jars.

* Elderflower wine, or other herbal wine (or beer).

* For the budding gardener a nice container filled with their favourite herbs.

* For the cook in your life a homemade set of herb infused oil and vinegar.

* For the herbal tea lover a personalised collection of some of the rarer herbal teas

...nicely presented with a bit of forethought about the recipient's likes and dislikes. All it takes is time and love.

A Romantic Herbal Dinner for Two

Coriander

Not a prawn cocktail

1 perfectly ripe medium Avocados

10 cooked Tiger Prawns

6 tbsp Egg Mayonaise (preferably home made)

3 tbsp freshly chopped Coriander

Fresh Lime juice

2 slices of Lime

extra Coriander leaves for garnish

Halve the avodaco. Slice into each half 5 or 6 time to make a fan.

Place on two plates. Arrange 5 prawns on each plate. Squirt each prawny avocado half with some lime juice. Mix coriander with mayonaise and put 2 or 3 tbsp on each plate. decorate with a lime slice and some whole coriander leaves.

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Prawns - zinc, iodine and protein - essential for men's fertility, and prostate health.

Avocado - mono unsaturated fats, vitamin E - good for the heart, sexual function and fertility.

Coriander - coriandrol, angelicin - said to be an aphrodisiac since the Middle Ages.

Aphrodite likes red meat

Why not use the native Myrtles that are available now for a very Australian Valentine.

rosemary

1 teasp Sesame oil

2 tbsp Olive oil

2 teasp Sesame seeds

400g Organic Beef fillet, cut into thin strips (I would use rump for more flavour but the recipe calls for the fillet, if you do use rump make sure that you extend the cooking time accordingly)

1inch piece of Ginger, grated

400g of fresh mixed Vegetables to stir fry

6 Myrtle leaves (not too small)

1 teasp finely chopped fresh Rosemary

In a wok heat both oils until smoking. Add sesame seeds - fry for 30secs. Remove seeds but keep oil. Add the meat to remaining oil, add ginger amd stir fry for 3 minutes. Add vegetables and herbs, stir fry until cooked. Remove from heat.

Serve with steamed rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and dark soy sauce.

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Beef - protein, iron, vit B's & Veges - vit A, C, E - beneficial for a good love life

Ginger - gingerol, zingiberene - improves circulation - good for male perfomance

Rosemary - volatile oils and flavinoids - also stimulates circulation

Myrtle - myrtenol, cineole - powerful tonics

Roses are pink

(make a day ahead - up to step 4)

1 pink Grapefruit, cut into segments without rind, pith or seeds

350ml pink Grapefruit juice

3 tablespoon Lemon juice

200g caster sugar

250g Rosewater

handful of Rose petals

1.Boil sugar and rosewater for 4 to 5 minutes. Cool.

2.Mix grapefruit and lemon juices then combine juices with rosewater syrup.

3.Pour into a freezer-proof dish and freeze until almost firm.

4.Break into chunks and reduce to a slush in a food processor, cover and put back in the freezer until firm.

5.Scoop two or three scoops of sorbet onto each plate, arrange with grapefruit segments and scatter rosep petals over the top.

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Grapefruit & Lemon - vit C, naringin - lowers cholesterol, improves circulation

Rose Petals - volatile oils and natural chemicals - antidepressant, anti-inflammatory & improve circulation

Recipes inspired by Michael Van Straten's "Super Herbs for health and healing"

Upcoming Events :

Qld Herb Society

Meets 1^st Tuesday of every month.

Herb Society of SA

Meets 1^st Monday of every month

The Herb Society of WA

*Parent body 4^th Monday

*Northern Districts last Saturday of the month

*Peel Districts 1^st Tuesday of the month

Vic Herb Society Meets every month except January.

After Dinner - A Herbal Interlude

Now, if dinner did the trick you should be in the mood for the cosy part of the evening. Everyone loves a massage which is why I bring you this herbal massage oil recipe to try on your loved one. Of course this also makes a great gift idea.

Basic Massage Oil Recipe
100ml your choice of carrier oil
10-15 drops of your favourite combination of essential oils.

I like Almond or Jojoba oils.
Read The Good Oil to learn more about different kinds of carrier oils.

3 Essential Oil Combinations for your Valentine

3 drops Orange - refreshing, uplifting
3 drops Cinnamon - warming
6 drops Ylang ylang – relaxing, soothing, enhances sensuality

4 drops Sandalwood – relaxing, warming, confidence building, grounding
4 drops Ylang Ylang – relaxing, soothing, enhances sensuality
4 Rose - relaxing, soothing, sensual, confidence building

5 Neroli - relaxing, dispels fears
3 Orange - refreshing uplifting
5 Rose - relaxing, soothing, sensual, confidence building

Try the above combinations to scent your home to set the scene for a special night. Just leave out the carrier oil and use a few drops in your diffuser/oil burner.

Tell us what you want to read in the Herbology Newsletter

E-mail:

anke at herbology.com.au