So much going on lately!

We finally got a good portion of our plants in the ground.  We've still got quite a bit that we need to deal with, but we're getting there. 

I've recently realized that chewing a bit of ginger is wonderful for sore throats, so I think I'll make some ginger honey throat syrup in a bit.  I've been trying to figure out the best way to get the ginger out of the honey after it's done, but maybe I can just leave it in there.

Our roses have begun to bloom, which is awesome because I can harvest about half of them for rose honey, and leave the other half for rose hips later on.

We've got honeysuckle getting ready to bloom soon as well, and lilacs that are flowered now, which kind of makes me wonder if either of these plants are herbs, so I'll be looking at that later on.

Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia

Requires a very well drained soil and a sunny position.  Can be propagated via seed or heel cutting in February or March.  Gather flowers and flower heads before flowers open, June to August.  Fasten bunches with rubber bands and hang to dry in a warm, airy place out of the sun.  When dry, rub the pips off the stems over an old sheet and store in tins or glass jars.  Lavender is used to calm nerves, as a mild sedative, and is also useful for tension headaches, insomnia, depression and PMS.  It has antiseptic and antibacterial qualities, making it a great gargle for throat infections and bad breath.  A strong infusion added to bath weather helps to sooth irritations and relaxes muscles.

Basil - Ocimum basilicum

Basil needs moist, well drained, medium rich soil and full sun.  Propagated from seed in late May.  For best results, sow indoors in two week intervals, starting in mid March.  Harvest herb at the start of flowering mid-late June.  Pinch off just above the third set of leaves.  Small bunches of basil can be hung to dry in a warm, airy place.  Store in a tightly sealed glass jar away from heat and light.  Basil can be used as an antidepressant, and an antiseptic.  Can also be used to sooth nerves.  Fresh leaves relieve itching (as a poultice).

German Chamomile - Matricaria chamomilla

Full sun and average sun.  Plants reseed easily.  Seeds can be sown late February indoors, transfer to the garden once they hit about 2 inches.  Harvest flower heads from May to August.  Spend a few minutes each day picking the ripe ones and dry them at room temperature on newspapers.  Put them in the freezer for 2-3 days to prevent insect damage and then store in a glass jar.  Can be used as a tea, poultice, bath, gargle, steam, salve or an oil.  Use for cramps, stomach aches, sore throats, sinus infections, bleeding gums and gynecological disorders.

Lemon Verbena - Aloysia triphylla

Needs lots of sun and rich, well drained, moist soil.  Needs help surviving cold winters.  When harvesting, clip plant back to 2/3 the original size, preferably just before flowering.  To dry, hang bunches of stems, place the leaves on trays, or use a dehydrator.  Make a decoction of leaves for cols, sinus congestion, fevers, nervousness, insomnia, dyspepsia, cramps, or as an antibacterial.

Catnip - Nepeta cataria

Grows best in rich moist soil.  Full sun or partial shade is great.  Can be propagated by division (in spring), cuttings (in summer), and can be sown in soil at or above 60F. Leaves and flowering stems can be harvested and used for teas.  When flower heads are opened, grasp a handful of stems and cut them back almost to the ground.  Hang them in bunches of 6-8 stems.  when the leaves are brittle, strip them from the stems, rub them between your palms and seal tightly in glass jars.  Catnip is sedative to humans and their nervous systems.  It helps calm digestive upsets, dispels gas, helps relieve fevers, insomnia, diarrhea and the restlessness of teething children.  Herb can be used as a tincture, infusion, or tea.

Calendula – Calendula officinalis

Plants grow best with moderately rich soil, ample moisture and full sun.  Sow seeds indoors, February to March, out doors March to June.  Calendula reseed's freely.  When harvesting, do so in the heat of the day and harvest flower heads, leaving the stems.  Use for skin problems.  Therapeutic for burns, scalds, sun burns, bruises, wounds and slow healing sores.  Brings down swellings, and can be used for athletes foot and conjunctivitis.  Internally, it is a menstrual regulator and relieves cramps.

Chives - Allium schoenoprasum

Grows best in full sun to partial shades with moist rich soil.  Propagate by division.  Harvest by cutting about 2 inches from the ground.  Best used fresh, but can be frozen. 

Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis

Does best in rich moist soil and partial shade.  Plants reseed very freely, and can become weedy.  They will die down in winter, but will pop back up in very early spring.  When harvesting, cut near the base before blossoms form.  Handle gently.  Hang stems to dry in small bunches in a very warm, airy place.  Strip the leaves and store them in air tight containers, preferably glass or metal.  Use as a sedative, an insect repellent, antiviral or antibacterial.

Borage - Borago officinalis

Prefers lots of sun and moisture.  Reseed's freely.  Harvest leaves and flowers.  Does not store well, should be used fresh.  Is used as a cooling anti-inflammatory, a diuretic, and a mild anti-depressant.

Anise Hyssop - Agastache foeniculum

Anise Hyssop should be grown in full sun and rich moist soil.  It is Hardy to about 15 degrees Fahrenheit.  It reseed's rather freely, but does not become weedy.  It can also be propagated by division and softwood cuttings in spring.  To harvest, cut stems at the base of the plant and hang in bunches of 6 stems, fastened with a rubber and.  After 3 weeks, strip leaves from stems and store in glass jars with tight lids.  Use as an infusion for coughs, colds and indigestion.

Oregano - Origanum vulgare

Requires well drained soil and a sunny location, but adapts well to most any soil.  Can be propagated by seed, but cuttings or division is preferable.  Harvest from July to September.  When flower buds begin to form, cut plants back to the ground, fasten cut branches with rubber bands and hang to air dry.  Strip leaves from stems and store in tightly sealed jars.  Use as an antiviral, antiseptic, expectorant, to fix upper respiratory tract problems (as a tea or inhalant), to reduce muscle spasms, to ease digestive upsets, stomach aches, cramps.  Use as a poultice or lineament to reduce swellings and rheumatic joints.  Or, add to bath to reduce muscle aches and fight skin infection.

Sage – Salvia officinalis

Sage is very draught tolerant and likes very wells drained soil and lots of sun.  Most sages propagate best by cuttings or layering.  Cut back to 5 inches high in march and then fertilize and new growth will pop up at the base.  Gather leaves before flowering and dry away from other herbs.  Harvest a second time, 4-6 weeks later.  When leaves are brittle, rub them to a powder before usage.  Sage is astringent, antiseptic, and antibacterial, which make the infusions great as gargles or mouthwashes for sore throats, mouth ulcers, gum disease, laryngitis and tonsillitis.  Sage can be taken internally as a tonic or infusion to aid digestion and for menopausal problems and applied externally as compresses to heal wounds.  Sage tea can prevent night sweats and takes effect 2 hours after it is drunk.  It also decreases production of saliva and breath milk. 

Thyme – Thymus

Thyme can cope with almost any soil, as long as it is well drained with good air circulation.  Partial to full sun is best.  Propagate by layering in spring or cuttings in summer.  Plant is ready to be harvested during flowering, usually May to October.  T. vulgaris and T. serpyllum can both be propagated by seed.  As plants begin to form flower buds, cut buds back two inches from the soil.  Hang in bundles or spread on screens until it is brittle.  Hold the bundles over a sheet of newspaper and rub off the leaves, then store them in glass jars.  It is valued as an antiseptic, antispasmodic and expectorant.  Helps to get rid of internal parasites.  Thyme infusions are excellent for acne, scabies and wounds.  Diluted 1:10 with olive oil, it’s great for head lice.  Can be used for coughs, sinus colds, catarrhs, sore throats, laryngitis, infected gums, relaxing muscles, easing cramps, and breaking down gas.

Decoction

For Hard plant materials, such as barks and roots.  Place Herbs and water in an enamel, stainless steel or glass pan.  Bring the water slowly to a simmer and continue to simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes.  allow to cool, then strain and drink.

Infusions

When making an infusion, use 1 ounce of dried herb or 3 ounces fresh herb for every two cups of water.  Pour boiling water over the herbs, cover and allow to steep.  For thin and delicate herbs, such as chamomile, 10 minutes should be sufficient, thinker or denser herbs, such as sage, may need 30 minutes, or longer.  Strain and drink. 

Infused Oil

Gather clean fresh herb and allow it to wilt for one to three days.  Without washing it, chop the fresh herb in a food processor or mash it with a mortar and pestle, then warm it in just enough oil to cover and simmer lightly for 3 hours.  Stir occasionally and make sure not to let the mixture boil.  Squeeze the mixture through a jelly bag into a glass jar.  Allow it to stand for one week while water and impurities settle, then decant into over sterilized amber glass bottles or jars and store in the fridge.

Maceration or Cold Infusion

This is recommended for volatile herbs.  Pour warm or cold water (as specified) over the 3 ounces of fresh herb, or 1 ounce of dried herb and allow to stand for several hours, or overnight.  Strain and drink.

Compress

Prepare liquid by infusion or decoction.  Dip a cotton cloth in the liquid and place on the affected area.

Poultice

Chop fresh herb coarsely and process in a blender or food processor with a bit of boiling water.  Place the mashed herb directly on the skin or sandwich it between two pieces of gauze. Cover with plastic wrap or wax paper, then put a hot water bottle over it to provide moist heat.  Leave it on for 20 minutes to an hour.

Syrups and Robs

For a syrup, make an infusion of the chosen herb, then add 1 cup sugar or 1/2 cup honey.  Proportions must be correct to prevent fermentation.

To create a rob, simmer or boil a syrup until it is thick.

Salve

To make an herbal salve, warm an herbal oil with beeswax, cocoa butter, or other thickening agent.  Pour into containers and cool to harden.  Essential oils and vitamin E can be added.

Tincture

Fill a sterilized canning jar with fresh coarsely chopped herb, then pour in enough 100 proof vodka to cover.  Screw on lid and allow to steep for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally.  Strain the mixture through a fine cloth, squeezing the liquid out of the herb.  Proportions must be correct for the tincture to extract effectively.