Calendula
Calendula is not one of the major medicinal herbs, but it does have its place in the medicine cabinet. The petals or leaves can be used in a Tea to induce sweating, promote menstruation, increase urination, relieve stomach cramps, indigestion and stomachaches, and for relief from flu and fevers.
Externally, Calendula flowers and leaves can be made into an Ointment or powder for a variety of common skin ailments, including cuts, scrapes, abrasions, scalds, blisters, acne, rashes (including diaper rash), chicken pox outbreaks, and athlete's foot. For bee stings, rub the fresh flowers directly on the sting to relieve the pain.
A powder for external uses can be made by drying Calendula flowers, then grinding and mixing them with cornstarch or talc.
As a beauty aid, a Calendula rinse made of unsweetened tea brings out the highlights in blonde and brunette hair. Also try running bath water over a mesh bag full of Calendula flowers for a refreshing and stimulating bath that is good for the skin.
Calendula flowers or leaves can be dried and used in capsule form for situations in which it is inconvenient to make a tea for internal use.
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Helpful Hints In The Kitchen
Outdoor Grill Safety
The summer grilling season is fast approaching and it is important to keep safety in mind so that your grilling experience is a happy one. The location of your grill is very important. Make sure it is at least 10 feet from your home on a flame-safe surface such as a driveway or patio rather than grass or a wooden deck and away from where children or pets might wander. If you are cooking with charcoal on a windy day, know that sparks can fly out of the grill. It is prudent to keep a spray bottle filled with water handy to quiet any sparks or flare-ups.
It is important to keep your grill grate clean. Always scrape and then oil your grill grate (with an oil-dipped wadded paper towel held with tongs) before use to help keep food from sticking. It is important that the interior basin of your grill, whether gas or charcoal, be cleaned a few times each season to wash away built-up food matter that can ignite or lend off flavors to whatever you are cooking. Empty drip pans and ash-catchers frequently to reduce mess.
Be sure to use separate platters for raw and cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination, and always dispose of excess marinade. Save sauces until the end of cooking to prevent them from burning and to keep your basting brush from becoming contaminated by uncooked meat.
The summer grilling season is fast approaching and it is important to keep safety in mind so that your grilling experience is a happy one. The location of your grill is very important. Make sure it is at least 10 feet from your home on a flame-safe surface such as a driveway or patio rather than grass or a wooden deck and away from where children or pets might wander. If you are cooking with charcoal on a windy day, know that sparks can fly out of the grill. It is prudent to keep a spray bottle filled with water handy to quiet any sparks or flare-ups.
It is important to keep your grill grate clean. Always scrape and then oil your grill grate (with an oil-dipped wadded paper towel held with tongs) before use to help keep food from sticking. It is important that the interior basin of your grill, whether gas or charcoal, be cleaned a few times each season to wash away built-up food matter that can ignite or lend off flavors to whatever you are cooking. Empty drip pans and ash-catchers frequently to reduce mess.
Be sure to use separate platters for raw and cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination, and always dispose of excess marinade. Save sauces until the end of cooking to prevent them from burning and to keep your basting brush from becoming contaminated by uncooked meat.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Medicinal Uses For Herbs
Plantain
Plantain has a long history in herbal medicine, and many of its remarkable medicinal qualities have been confirmed by modern science. Externally, it is effective on any kind of skin disorder when the leaves are bruised and simply rubbed on the skin. Alternatively it can be made into an oil or ointment and stored for convenient external use. This is an amazing plant, folks, and it will help with a long list of skin complaints, including rashes, wounds, ulcerations, cuts, swelling, sprains, bruises, burns, eczema, cracked lips, poison ivy, mosquito bites, diaper rash, boils, hemorrhoids, and blisters. It is also effective as an agent that draws out the poison for bee stings, snake bites, and spider bites, and it effectively draws out splinters or thorns and reduces the risk of scarring with more severe cuts and scrapes. Placed in the shoes, the leaves will help prevent blisters on the feet.
If that's not enough, internally the list is even longer for this amazing "weed." Drunk as a tea made from the leaves, Plantain is effective as a general detoxifier in the body, and works remarkably well as a remedy for colds, flu, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, fevers, hypertension, rheumatism, bladder problems, gastritis, ulcers, irritable bowel, cystitis, sinusitis, coughs, kidney stones, intestinal complaints, goiter, PMS, regulating menstrual flow, hoarseness, congestion, hay fever, diarrhea, and as a blood sugar stabilizer in diabetics. The seeds can be dried and infused in water for a soothing eye lotion, as a laxative, and for intestinal worms in children. There is also some indication that taken internally, Plantain can help with smoking cessation by detoxifying the body and thereby reducing cravings.
Though I don't usually recommend pointing out herbs to children for fear that they will start sampling plants inappropriately, this is one that they should know of and that will provide instant relief from stinging insects and minor wounds and irritations that they routinely encounter in the yard. There are no side-effects whatsoever for most of us, but in certain sensitive individuals, minor dermatitis may result from external use.
Plantain has a long history in herbal medicine, and many of its remarkable medicinal qualities have been confirmed by modern science. Externally, it is effective on any kind of skin disorder when the leaves are bruised and simply rubbed on the skin. Alternatively it can be made into an oil or ointment and stored for convenient external use. This is an amazing plant, folks, and it will help with a long list of skin complaints, including rashes, wounds, ulcerations, cuts, swelling, sprains, bruises, burns, eczema, cracked lips, poison ivy, mosquito bites, diaper rash, boils, hemorrhoids, and blisters. It is also effective as an agent that draws out the poison for bee stings, snake bites, and spider bites, and it effectively draws out splinters or thorns and reduces the risk of scarring with more severe cuts and scrapes. Placed in the shoes, the leaves will help prevent blisters on the feet.
If that's not enough, internally the list is even longer for this amazing "weed." Drunk as a tea made from the leaves, Plantain is effective as a general detoxifier in the body, and works remarkably well as a remedy for colds, flu, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, fevers, hypertension, rheumatism, bladder problems, gastritis, ulcers, irritable bowel, cystitis, sinusitis, coughs, kidney stones, intestinal complaints, goiter, PMS, regulating menstrual flow, hoarseness, congestion, hay fever, diarrhea, and as a blood sugar stabilizer in diabetics. The seeds can be dried and infused in water for a soothing eye lotion, as a laxative, and for intestinal worms in children. There is also some indication that taken internally, Plantain can help with smoking cessation by detoxifying the body and thereby reducing cravings.
Though I don't usually recommend pointing out herbs to children for fear that they will start sampling plants inappropriately, this is one that they should know of and that will provide instant relief from stinging insects and minor wounds and irritations that they routinely encounter in the yard. There are no side-effects whatsoever for most of us, but in certain sensitive individuals, minor dermatitis may result from external use.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Helpful Hints In The Kitchen
Green Bean Salad
With summer approaching, green bean salad is a very popular menu item. Sometimes during or after the preparation process, the beans lose their vibrant color and crisp texture. Here is a simple hint to prevent that from happening. We recommend blanching the beans by dunking them in boiling water and then shocking them in a bowl of ice water to set their color and preserve their crisp texture. We generally place a fine-mesh strainer in a bowl filled with ice water and dump the hot vegetables into it. When the vegetables are cool, the strainer can be lifted out, leaving the ice behind.
With summer approaching, green bean salad is a very popular menu item. Sometimes during or after the preparation process, the beans lose their vibrant color and crisp texture. Here is a simple hint to prevent that from happening. We recommend blanching the beans by dunking them in boiling water and then shocking them in a bowl of ice water to set their color and preserve their crisp texture. We generally place a fine-mesh strainer in a bowl filled with ice water and dump the hot vegetables into it. When the vegetables are cool, the strainer can be lifted out, leaving the ice behind.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Medicinal Uses For Herbs
Green Tea
Green Tea: Camellia sinensis is the source of all green teas, and the differences in taste of the different types of teas are the results of different processing techniques, and differences in individual plants. Green teas are made by allowing the leaves to wither in hot air, then pan frying or placing in an oven to halt the fermentation process. Oolong teas are wilted in the sun, then bruised and allowed to partially ferment, until the leaf edges turn slightly red. Black teas are fermented in humid, cool rooms until the entire leaf is darkened. Studies suggest that the Green Teas are the most beneficial for health because the leaves are not allowed to ferment at all, preserving the antioxidant properties of the fresh leaf.
Health benefits of taking Green Teas internally include relief from digestive disorders and gastritis, treatment of infectious dysentery, relief from symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, guarding against tooth decay, boosting the immune system, preventing and combating cancers, including breast, prostate, stomach, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, and skin cancers, combating leukemia cells, decreasing risk of heart disease, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and stroke, and possibly being of benefit in blood sugar regulation in diabetics. Preliminary studies also show that the powerful antioxidant effects may have a role in preventing the ravages to the body associated with aging, therefore making it a possible anti-aging substance. It also appears that using green tea as a gargle may help prevent the onset of flu, as it appears to have some fairly powerful anti-viral properties. Other anti-viral uses very probably include fighting HIV and AIDS, and certain strains of hepatitis C and herpes simplex, though more studies need to be done relating to these problems. As an anti-bacterial, Green Tea is believed to help prevent the growth of e-coli in the intestines.
Externally, green teas can be used for cuts, scrapes, wounds, cold sores, acne, and herpes sores. The easiest way to gain these benefits is to place a used teabag on these areas for treatment (while simultaneously drinking the tea, of course!).
Green tea is in general not harmful and has few side-effects, so to reap the benefits from it, you can drink 3-10 cups per day. However, it does contain caffeine, so you may want to avoid it right before bedtime if caffeine interferes with your sleep. Also, if you are prone to being anemic, use Green teas in moderation, as they appear to reduce the body's ability to utilize iron.
Green Tea: Camellia sinensis is the source of all green teas, and the differences in taste of the different types of teas are the results of different processing techniques, and differences in individual plants. Green teas are made by allowing the leaves to wither in hot air, then pan frying or placing in an oven to halt the fermentation process. Oolong teas are wilted in the sun, then bruised and allowed to partially ferment, until the leaf edges turn slightly red. Black teas are fermented in humid, cool rooms until the entire leaf is darkened. Studies suggest that the Green Teas are the most beneficial for health because the leaves are not allowed to ferment at all, preserving the antioxidant properties of the fresh leaf.
Health benefits of taking Green Teas internally include relief from digestive disorders and gastritis, treatment of infectious dysentery, relief from symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, guarding against tooth decay, boosting the immune system, preventing and combating cancers, including breast, prostate, stomach, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, and skin cancers, combating leukemia cells, decreasing risk of heart disease, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and stroke, and possibly being of benefit in blood sugar regulation in diabetics. Preliminary studies also show that the powerful antioxidant effects may have a role in preventing the ravages to the body associated with aging, therefore making it a possible anti-aging substance. It also appears that using green tea as a gargle may help prevent the onset of flu, as it appears to have some fairly powerful anti-viral properties. Other anti-viral uses very probably include fighting HIV and AIDS, and certain strains of hepatitis C and herpes simplex, though more studies need to be done relating to these problems. As an anti-bacterial, Green Tea is believed to help prevent the growth of e-coli in the intestines.
Externally, green teas can be used for cuts, scrapes, wounds, cold sores, acne, and herpes sores. The easiest way to gain these benefits is to place a used teabag on these areas for treatment (while simultaneously drinking the tea, of course!).
Green tea is in general not harmful and has few side-effects, so to reap the benefits from it, you can drink 3-10 cups per day. However, it does contain caffeine, so you may want to avoid it right before bedtime if caffeine interferes with your sleep. Also, if you are prone to being anemic, use Green teas in moderation, as they appear to reduce the body's ability to utilize iron.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Helpful Hints In The Kitchen
Pie Crust
Have you ever rolled out a pie dough top that was uneven and too small? Here is a simple solution to this problem. I take a piece of parchment paper and trace the large lip of the pie pan with a marker. Then I measure two inches from the outside of that circle and roughly draw another circle around it, flip the parchment paper over, dust it with flour, and roll out the dough. The larger circle is a good guide for the size and shape I should aim for when rolling out the dough.
Have you ever rolled out a pie dough top that was uneven and too small? Here is a simple solution to this problem. I take a piece of parchment paper and trace the large lip of the pie pan with a marker. Then I measure two inches from the outside of that circle and roughly draw another circle around it, flip the parchment paper over, dust it with flour, and roll out the dough. The larger circle is a good guide for the size and shape I should aim for when rolling out the dough.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Medicinal Uses For Herbs
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort has recently become one of the heavyweight herbs in medicine, mostly due to it's reputed anti-depressant effects. Lesser known medicinal attributes of this plant include usefulness as an antiseptic, pain killer, and anti-viral agent.
Externally, St. John's Wort can be made into an Ointment for bruises, wounds, burns, hemorrhoids, sunburn, herpes sores, varicose veins, sciatica, and nerve pain. An Oil can be made to rub on areas affected by arthritis and rheumatism, and massaged around the spinal cord for back pain symptoms.
Internally, St. John's Wort is believed to be of benefit for symptoms of depression, anxiety, cough, digestion, bronchial problems, diarrhea, menstrual problems, fatigue, flu, gout, insomnia, irritability, and ulcers. As an anti-depressant, it may take some time when used regularly to have any noticeable effects. A Tea can be made for any of the above symptoms using the leaves or flowers, and the dosage should be 1-2 cups morning and night until the symptoms retreat. Capsules can also be made from the flowers or leaves after drying and pulverizing into a powder.
There are some drawbacks to taking St. John's Wort, so do consider these before embarking on a self-medication regimen with this herb. A study has shown that it may interfere with some of the drugs used in cases of HIV and immune suppressants used in transplant patients. If either of these categories fit your situation, please consult your doctor before taking any medications containing St. John's Wort. Side effects are also reported, including photosensitivity and a mild nauseated feeling that usually corrects itself after a few weeks of taking the medication. Lastly, in some people a rise in blood pressure after taking the herb has been reported, and there is one study that suggests that it might interfere with birth control pills, although there have been no reports of unplanned births associated with its use.
St. John's Wort has recently become one of the heavyweight herbs in medicine, mostly due to it's reputed anti-depressant effects. Lesser known medicinal attributes of this plant include usefulness as an antiseptic, pain killer, and anti-viral agent.
Externally, St. John's Wort can be made into an Ointment for bruises, wounds, burns, hemorrhoids, sunburn, herpes sores, varicose veins, sciatica, and nerve pain. An Oil can be made to rub on areas affected by arthritis and rheumatism, and massaged around the spinal cord for back pain symptoms.
Internally, St. John's Wort is believed to be of benefit for symptoms of depression, anxiety, cough, digestion, bronchial problems, diarrhea, menstrual problems, fatigue, flu, gout, insomnia, irritability, and ulcers. As an anti-depressant, it may take some time when used regularly to have any noticeable effects. A Tea can be made for any of the above symptoms using the leaves or flowers, and the dosage should be 1-2 cups morning and night until the symptoms retreat. Capsules can also be made from the flowers or leaves after drying and pulverizing into a powder.
There are some drawbacks to taking St. John's Wort, so do consider these before embarking on a self-medication regimen with this herb. A study has shown that it may interfere with some of the drugs used in cases of HIV and immune suppressants used in transplant patients. If either of these categories fit your situation, please consult your doctor before taking any medications containing St. John's Wort. Side effects are also reported, including photosensitivity and a mild nauseated feeling that usually corrects itself after a few weeks of taking the medication. Lastly, in some people a rise in blood pressure after taking the herb has been reported, and there is one study that suggests that it might interfere with birth control pills, although there have been no reports of unplanned births associated with its use.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Helpful Hints In The Kitchen
No More Sticking
Have you ever used a recipe where you had to measure shortening and the recipe also called for an egg? Simply break the egg into the measuring cup that you will use for the shortening. Swirl the egg around and then empty the measuring cup. When you pack the shortening into the measuring cup, the shortening will slide right out with no more scraping to get every last bit.
Easy Greasing
Do you ever use a recipe that calls for oil and the baking pan needs to be greased? After measuring and adding the oil to the recipe, use a sandwich bag to wipe the inside of the measuring cup. You then use the residual oil to grease the pan.
Have you ever used a recipe where you had to measure shortening and the recipe also called for an egg? Simply break the egg into the measuring cup that you will use for the shortening. Swirl the egg around and then empty the measuring cup. When you pack the shortening into the measuring cup, the shortening will slide right out with no more scraping to get every last bit.
Easy Greasing
Do you ever use a recipe that calls for oil and the baking pan needs to be greased? After measuring and adding the oil to the recipe, use a sandwich bag to wipe the inside of the measuring cup. You then use the residual oil to grease the pan.
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