Almost one fourth of pharmaceutical drugs are derived from
botanicals. Of course, this does not
mean you should stop taking prescribed drugs and start a regime of herbs. Talk to your doctor. Take the time and do the research. Be Safe!
Borage (Important
note: pregnant and nursing women are
advised not to consume borage because of health risks to them and their
children)
Borage is thought to make one brave and a Borage tea was
supposed to have been given to the Crusaders before they went off to war. According to the 1600 herbalist, John Gerard,
“A syrup made of the floures of borage
comforeth the heart, purgeth melancholy and quieteth the lunaticke person”
which is always good to know should you encounter a lunatic.
Borage is a free seeding annual with bright blue flowers. It’s not really a pretty plant – tends to be
a bit gangly. It likes full sun and just
about any type of soil. Plants can be
pinched or pruned, to encourage branching which will help keep them shorter and
make them look less weedy. Grow it in your
vegetable gardens as it attracts bees and other pollinators. And it’s a good companion plant for tomatoes
(deters hornworms and improves the flavor), squash (attracts pollinators) and
strawberries (improves the flavor and growth).
The leaves have a slight cucumber flavor and you can use the
young leaves in salads (older leaves will be covered with a prickly fuzz - ick).
Freeze the flower in an ice cube and add to water or tea for a honeyed
cucumber taste. Add color to a salad
with the flowers or use them as a garnish with a dip or open-faced sandwich.
Lemon Balm is one
of my all-time favorites. A member of
the mint family Lemon balm has a wonderful lemony flavor and scent. It’s very attractive to bees. Like other
types of mint, it likes to spread so keep that in mind when you plant it. It likes well drained soil and, according to
all the pros, full sun. However, I find
mine to be most successful when it only gets morning light. Our summer afternoon sun will fry it crispy.
Use Lemon Balm as a calming herb to reduce stress and
anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from
indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic). Drink it as a tea for
tension headache and fevers. A compress
is good for gout. And, this plant is currently being investigated along with
common sage as herbs with memory-improving properties. Plus you can plant it by the front door to
drive away evil spirits.
Add Lemon Balm to any beverage to include a lemony favor.
Fresh leaves can be chopped and added to green salads, fruits salads, marinated
vegetables, poultry stuffing, and fish marinades and sauces. It goes well with
broccoli, asparagus, lamb, fish, chicken, and shellfish (add it at the end of
the cooking process for best flavor). It
also is good for use in sweet dishes like cakes or cookies. And, although the initial growth did not survive THE GREAT
FLOOD OF 2017, it is now coming back up (yea!).
Comfrey (Important
Note: Current research recommends that
Comfrey should not be taken internally because it is toxic to the liver.)
Comfrey has been considered a medicinal plant for centuries. It is also known as Blackwort, Ass-ear, Bruisewort,
and Knitbone. While historically it was used to treat a wide variety of
ailments ranging from bronchial problems to broken bones, it’s no longer
recommended to be taken orally because of possible liver damage. You can use it as a poultice to help reduce
swelling and bruises. A mild cleansing
property makes comfrey cream a good solution for removing dirt, oils and
impurities without agitating sensitive skin.
It also can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Comfrey as a compost activator – include the leaves in your
compost heap to add nitrogen. You can make a Comfrey liquid fertilizer by
placing leaves in rainwater for 4–5 weeks to produce a ready-to-use
"comfrey tea.
It is a member of the borage family, a perennial with
somewhat hairy leaves. The flower is a
pretty blue bell, fading to pink. Comfrey prefers a cooler climate and is hardy
down to -40 degrees, not a problem for us. It likes full sun, but I plant
mine in bright shade because it’s really hot here. It does like to be watered
often and it did survive THE GREAT FLOOD OF 2017 without any problem.
It is said the leaves bring in money. Plus, you can use it to protect during travel
and against theft.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT
WORKS!
Take care
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