Vanilla, Nector Of The Gods

When you think of Vanilla, what first comes to mind? Mom's kitchen? Home Sweet Home? Holiday baking? Candles? Chocolate and romance? Usually it is the taste and smell factors that are most familiar to us.

Being taste and smell are important components when it comes to love and romance, it is no wonder the sweet, alluring aroma of vanilla is so captivating. We're in love with the idea of love, something we all seek and treasure. Vanilla's sweet, welcoming odor just seems to draw people to it.

According to Valerie Ann Worwood in "The Fragrant Heavens", aroma evokes emotions, as well as memory, and often the two are connected. Emotions run deep, to the very core of our being. Time means nothing to aroma, therefore deep seated emotions are reached immediately when we smell something that triggers a certain memory.

Fragrance molecules are the essential oils from plants, from which we are interdependent and without them life would stop. Worwood states, "plants are the interface between cosmic energies and the earth, upon which we depend." We can capture the aura with photography but have yet to fully understand just what is that energy. Essential oils contain this mystery we call life and their powerful inexplicable energies cannot be fully explained.

Science can study the chemical make-up of plants and record which ones have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic properties. But understanding their spiritual relationship to us has always been a cause for debate.

The perfume industry thrives on our desires, need for love, captivation for lust and vanilla plays an important role in all of which that entails. Something about the vanilla scent combines sexy, erotic, sweet and innocence all at the same time. You can have a floral bouquet type perfume, or an oriental exotic type perfume, or a relaxing blend, and even a modern, take on the world type scent. Vanilla fits into any of those blends.

Indigenous people are believed to have been the first to have grown vanilla. The Totonaca people of the Gulf coast were probably the first people. The Mexican Revolution nearly destroyed the natural vanilla production in Mexico which led to the beginning of the production of synthetic vanilla. Coumarin was used to disguise the artificial taste which tasted exactly like vanilla. Coumarin is extracted from the Tonka bean. The problem was that Dicumarol, a derivative of Coumarin, is used as a blood thinner, therefore with such safety considerations, it was eventually banned by the FDA.

Today, real vanilla extract is made by cutting the vanilla beans into small pieces and soaking them in hot 65-70% alcohol. There are extracts which are cheaper, called imitation vanilla. It is chemically produced to mimic vanilla with added sugars for better flavor.
Believe it or not, some vanilla labeled as natural actually comes from the castor sacs of beavers. I suppose that is natural enough, but certainly not true vanilla.

Real vanilla is described as "Nector Of The Gods". True vanilla is very expensive and the reason being is that of all the agricultural crops grown, vanilla is the most labor-intensive. The vanilla plant (Vanilla planifolia) will thrive only in tropical areas around the equator.
It is a perennial herbaceous vine to a height of fifteen feet. Being a vine, it needs the support of trees of poles and takes up to three years to flower.
The large white flowers have a deep narrow trumpet that over a three month period develop into long green pods. 
These pods remain on the vine for another nine months before they can be harvested.
Then they need to go through a drying process of curing that turns them into the fragrant brown pods we're familiar with.

In addition to its high demand in the food industry, vanilla has a lot of health benefits to offer. It acts on the central nervous system and is known to help with sexual desire and function. The sweet fragrance in vanilla is from what is called Heliotropin, and this is largely responsible for soothing emotional tension and anxiety. Such a release when anxious will definitely help with one's confidence and sex drive.

Having a euphoric effect on the brain, vanilla invigorates and uplifts the spirit while having a calming effect of the entire nervous system. 

Vanilla can even help with weight loss by reducing a person's sweet tooth.

Vanilla is rich in both anti-bacterial properties and antioxidants. Using a vanilla infused oil or lotion topically on the skin can be very useful to help deal with pimples and combat skin aging from free radical damage. 

Below you'll find ways to incorporate the enticing vanilla bean as part of your personal care products. Vanilla beans are infused into either 100 proof vodka or a carrier oil such as jojoba or almond oil. The result is incredible smelling vanilla oil or vanilla tincture to become body massage oil, bath oil, face or body sugar scrubs, body lotion, lip balms, even a hair conditioner. Just click on the caption underneath the picture to take you into the shop for more information or to purchase:

Vanilla Massage, Body or Bath oil

Vanilla Jojoba Hair Conditioning Oil

Vanilla Sage Deodorant Spray

Vanilla Face or Body Sugar Scrub

Vanilla Jojoba oil Solid Lotion Body Butter Bars

Vanilla Lavender Hand or Body Moisturizer

Vanilla Lip Balm

Calendula, a Plant with a Sunny Disposition

Cheery Calendula is a definite favorite, not only because it is so useful, but because it was one of my first introductions to the world of herbal plants.

Calendula gazes up at the sun in such a warm-hearted manner. For centuries, this plant appeared in every rural garden as the go to remedy for the family and animals alike.

The many names given to Calendula reveal its history and purpose. "Rampant Flower" is evident with the how easy the plant can reseed and spread. Calendula blooms constantly from June to frost. Her name derives from the Latin calendae, meaning "the first day of the month" because she grows in so many months, hence the word calendis.

Calendula was also used at burial grounds as a symbol for salvation after death. It was said that her inexhaustible botanical energy is a sign of eternal life.

Several plants in the Compositae family are called "bride of the sun", including Daisy, Chamomile, Dandelion, Chicory, and our Calendula. This is because they each turn towards and follow the light of the sun, opening and closing their flowers as the day progresses. Old folk belief is that if the flower heads close up after 7 a.m. it is going to rain the next day. The sun was a sacred symbol of life and deliverance, therefore certain days of the year were celebrated as solar holidays. Flowers that bloomed at these times and resembled the sun's shape were considered sacred. The Daisy during the vernal equinox, St. John's Wort at the summer solstice, and Chicory and Calendula at the autumnal equinox. A plant of women and a plant of love, the English name "Marigold" represents the Christian Mary or the Germanic Freya. A plant that puts forth continual blossoms represents the undying love in one person for another, a love that never dies.

The two most thought of herbs for wound care in the Daisy family are Calendula and Arnica (Arnica montana). They look similar but are different in that Calendula has an orderly fashion to its petals, whereas Arnica looks disheveled. Calendula's scent is faint, while Arnica is aromatic. Calendula is only grown in cultivated gardens, while Arnica is a wildflower.

Calendula is a remedy for all wounds, especially for those that are inflamed and healing poorly. It is an anti-inflammatory and helps prevent the formation of scar tissue. Stimulating to the body's lymphatic system, Calendula can also be applied to swollen lymph nodes.

Calendula oil is  renowned old wives' remedy against breast cancer.

According to herbalist, Maria Treben, varicose veins can be treated with the application of a salve made from Calendula. Such treatments need to be consistent and patience is needed but over time such blood vessel problems may be helped with daily applications.

Calendula is a wonderful ally in treating your pet for not only wounds but to help clear up problems with eczema and hot spots. The challenge with using any salve on an animal is keeping it there long enough to do its job before being licked clean. This herbal balm contains nothing that would harm your pet if ingested.

Calendula is very easy to grow. It is an annual plant and if starting for the first time, plant seeds about 1/2 inch deep, six inches apart after the danger of frost when temperatures average 60 degrees. Here in zone six planting time is in April. After that first year, if you let some of the flowers go to seed you won't have to plant again. The seeds drop, work their way into the ground and easily germinate in the spring. If you do want to save the seed, just pull the seed heads from the plant, spread on a plate for a few days so any moisture evaporates, then store in a ziploc bag or jar; just so they're kept in a dry, dark place.

Throughout the growing season, the flowers are picked regularly in order that the plant's energy keeps them blooming and not go to seed as quickly.

Some of the flowers are infused in organic virgin cold pressed olive oil. After being given about 6 weeks to sit in a warm, sunny location, the flowers are strained, and the oil is put in mason jars and kept in the refrigerator until ready to be used for salves. Pictured here are Plantain, Calendula and St. Johnswort, all wonderful healing oils.

Flowers are also put up in jars containing apple cider vinegar. 

Herbal vinegars make wonderful hair rinses and facial toners.

Extra flowers are dried for later use. They can be air dried by spreading out on a tray until dry or they can be dried using a dehydrator. Once dry, they are stored in gallon size ziploc bags and kept in a dark, dry place till needed.

This sunny, appealing child and pet safe flower appears in many personal care and medicinal products. Below are wonderful ways to utilize this friendly plant. 

Click on the caption under each picture to go into my shop for more information or to purchase:

Calendula & Comfrey Healing balm, no added essential oils

Calendula & Comfrey Healing Balm, wound care

Sore nipple balm, Radiation balm, Wound care

Pregnant Belly Balm, stretch marks, itchy skin

Calendula, Chamomile, Nettle Hair Rinse for light hair, conditions, lightens

Calendula, Chamomile, Nettles Face Toner, Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, balances skin pH

Mint and its Multitude of Uses

Peppermint is just one of many types of mint in the Mentha family. Though very common in the world of herbs mint is certainly not a lowly plant.

Known as the herb of hospitality, mint has long been used everywhere from the kitchen to the sickroom. Peppermint and spearmint are the most common types of mint, but there are several varieties that can be found at your local nursery in the herb section. A good way to identify whether a plant is in the mint family is to feel the stem. If it is squared rather than round it is in the mint family. Mints are low to no maintenance perennial plants. They are so hardy, they'll be happy to take over your entire garden. The roots spread by way of runners, so If you don't want it to continue to creep along, it is best to plant it in buried containers.

Peppermint has a powerful, menthol aroma that refreshes, energizes and improves mental clarity just by inhaling the steam from a cup of hot tea. Have a supply of mint tea on hand as well as a bottle of the essential oil. So many ailments can be eased with this one plant. Nausea can be relieved, cramping belly aches can be settled, pounding headaches can fade away, congestion can open up, aching, tired feet can perk up, heat flashes can be cooled, overexerted, sore muscles can relax, even kill germs in the air.

You probably already have minty products in your home cabinets, such as toothpaste, candles, mint candy, air sprays, soap, cough medicines, even cigarettes. However, it is unlikely that those scents are the real thing, most likely they were manufactured in a lab and what you are smelling is the synthetic version. Unless the scent is from the pure, therapeutic plant essential oils, don't expect to get the health benefits you wanted.

Just a few notes so you understand the difference between peppermint in herb form versus the essential oil. Essential oils are very concentrated and should always be diluted before applying to the skin, used with caution while pregnant, and should not be used with very young children.

Herbal peppermint in tea form is wonderful for pregnant women to help with nausea, but the essential oil may be too strong for the baby. It is okay to apply a few drops onto a tissue and breathe it in but don't apply the spray directly onto your skin.

Peppermint herbal tea is great for children's belly aches, nausea or headaches but in essential oil form it may be too strong for children under the age of eight. Please check with physician

People with high blood pressure, please check with your physician before using this product.

The use of aromatherapy can be wonderful when used safely. Adding just a few drops to a simmer pot releases the plant essences into the air which kill germs and help little ones breathe and sleep better. An old favorite I've used often when my children were small is the combination of:

3 drops lavender, 3 drops eucalyptus and 2 drops peppermint. There is no need to add more than a 10 drop total when using a diffuser, atomizer or simmer pot. The rule with essential oils is less is more. 

Below are wonderful products utilizing either the herbal infusion in olive oil or peppermint essential oil:

COOLING PEPPERMINT BODY SPRAY

 This versatile spray can be used for a multitude of purposes. Liberally spray yourself from head to toe as a way of cooling off should the discomfort be coming from the temperature outside, overexertion from a workout, or in getting through another heat flash.

Spray your counter tops or windowsills to deter the pathways of ants entering your home.

Spray areas you suspect mice are scurrying at night. Rodents detest the strong odor of mint.

Spray a tissue and inhale when feeling a pang of nausea in a moving vehicle.

Spray your fingertips and rub your temples to help relieve a throbbing headache.

Spray a tissue and inhale to open congested sinus passages.

 PEPPERMINT BATH SALTS

Salt baths are so common that we often forget the fact that "the simpler the better". A soak in warm salt water has long been used for achy joints, muscles, and tired feet, as well as a periodic detoxification. The addition of essential oils add their own therapeutic value as well as the pleasure of the aroma.

The addition of peppermint turns a warm bath into a helpful remedy for relieving clogged sinuses, sore muscles, throbbing headaches, as well as mental and physical fatigue. After a day's work in the heat or hours on your feet, a peppermint bath or foot soak will help bring a bounce back in your step. Realize,however, that being peppermint is stimulating, it will perk you up rather than help you relax for a night's sleep.

PEPPERMINT FOOT SOAK 

We demand a lot from our tired feet, therefore proper care and pampering should not be overlooked. This foot soak salt blend is wonderful to rejuvenate not only your feet but also your mood after a long day. Great to use as a preventative to fungal problems or as a natural treatment if you already are bothered by itchy feet.

SINUS AND CHEST VAPOR BALM

Congestion, seasonal allergies, cold and flu symptoms, sinus headaches all contribute to breathing discomfort. Home herbal remedies can make breathing a little easier.

If you look at commercial vapor balms,you'll notice they probably contain ingredients such as thymol, menthol, and eucalyptol. These are components of the essential oils: thyme, mint, and eucalyptus. This vapor balm can be applied onto the chest, back or feet. Should you want to increase its warming action lay a warm piece of flannel over the area.

An option to help open clogged sinuses is to apply just a bit under the nose.

HURTING TUMMY MASSAGE OIL

Children's Hurting Tummy Oil is a combination of peppermint-infused olive oil and an essential oil blend of chamomile, lemongrass and fennel. These herbs have a wonderful reputation for the relief of cramping and nausea. Belly massages are wonderful to relax and calm down colicky babies. Painful tightening of the stomach and intestinal muscles, gas and nausea can result from various sources: improper eating habits, emotional stress, or a moving vehicle.

If you have access to fresh mint, try cutting and making your own herbal tea, wonderful cold or hot. Cut enough stems to fill a large soup pot. Be sure the plants you are cutting were not sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. Mint shouldn't need either one but just know for sure before using the plants. Cover the pot and bring to a boil, cock the lid so it doesn't overflow. Let the tea simmer about 5 to 10 minutes, depending how strong you like your tea. You don't want to simmer it too long or you'll lose the important essential oils in the steam. Strain out the plant material and add sugar to taste. For sweet tea, 1 cup sugar to a gallon of tea is tasty. Enjoy a cup of hot tea right away and let the rest cool and store in the refrigerator for ice tea. This is wonderfully refreshing on a hot day.

Enjoy!

Chamomile, It all Started with Peter Rabbit

My introduction into the world of herbs all started with the famous children's book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. Most mother's can relate with how to handle mischievous children who don't listen and then come whimpering to Mom when hurting or upset. Mama rabbit simply put her little bunny to bed with a cup of chamomile tea and let him reflect on his lesson learned after such an adventurous day.

Be it frazzled nerves or an upset tummy, chamomile tea was the best remedy to calm both conditions at the same time. Better yet, chamomile tea lulled little Peter Rabbit into the la la land of sleep.

Much of chamomile's medicinal effects are targeted toward the digestive tract and nervous system. It's rich history around the world has it regarded as a drug in many areas, with the respect going far beyond being just another plant brushed aside with the emergence of western medicine.

As said by herbalist Kathi Keville, "It looks like a tiny daisy, smells like apples and has a sweet, almost fruity taste. But chamomile is no dainty herb. It's a virtual powerhouse of healing."

The word itself comes from two Greek words, khamai, which means "on the ground", and melon, which means "apple".

 The two two main types of chamomile we see are German (Matricaria recutita) and Roman (Chamaemelum nobile). 

The active constituents of chamomile include anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and anti-anxiety properties within the essential oils of the plant. By soothing the gastrointestinal tract, chamomile relieves painful spasms and the pressure from gas build-up. Skin conditions are calmed down with the topical application of chamomile salves and even just by laying wet, used tea bags on the irritated area. Compounds called flavonoids present in chamomile promote both an anti-inflammatory and an anti-anxiety effect when they bind with certain receptor sites in the brain.

Chamomile tea can be a godsend for parents pacing the floor with a colicky baby. The build-up of intestinal gas is very painful. Just a teaspoon of cooled chamomile tea given every ten minutes can relieve a baby's misery amazingly fast. Catnip is another wonderful herb safe for babies.

Combine a hot water bottle placed over the lower abdomen and sipping chamomile tea every 15 minutes for a sure relief from those dreaded 

 PMS menstrual cramps. Add cramp bark, grated ginger, scullcap, and wild yam to the tea for an even better blend.

Be it a child or an adult, everyone has occasional trouble falling asleep. A cup of chamomile tea with a spoonful of honey can become a nightly ritual to look forward to in readiness for bed. The nerve relaxing properties of this herb are wonderful for settling down overtired children and the cluttered minds of over stressed adults.

Long-term stress can be one factor in the development of ulcers. Chamomile contains azulene, which is believed to promote healing in the mucus layer of the stomach. Azulene in chamomile essential oil is what turns the oil a bright blue.

For muscle pain in general, a great combination of essential oils is:

chamomile, clary sage and marjoram. Use just three drops of each of these essential oils added to one ounce of a carrier oil such as olive oil. Use a bit of this mixture to massage the areas of muscle pain.

Skin rashes of all types can be eased with the topical use of chamomile. Added to baths, creams or salves, the anti-inflammatory effects can calm down such skin flares. Besides the anti-inflammatory benefits, chamomile is also antibacterial and antifungal. Among the microbes that chamomile inhibits are the ones responsible for staph and Candida infections. This is very good to know for people dealing with itchy conditions such as eczema where scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections.

It may not be completely understood as to why, but chamomile tea can lessen the symptoms during allergy season. It is thought that chamomile stimulates the release of the body's natural cortisone. Cortisone inhibits the release of histamine, which is the chemical responsible for the runny nose, itchy eyes and hives. For better results, mix chamomile with yarrow for hay fever and mullein for asthma. There is debate as to whether a ragweed allergy automatically means a person is allergic to chamomile.

A great eyewash for sore eyes is made by seeping two teaspoons of chamomile in one-half cup of boiling water. Let this strong infusion cool and then strain through a coffee filter. Use an eye cup or an eye dropper to flush the eyes. A nice warm compress laid over the eyes would feel wonderful as well. You can even use the spent tea bags from the cup of tea you just drank and lay over your eyes.

In beauty care, chamomile is wonderful as part of facial toners and hair rinses. Chamomile's anti-inflammatory action helps calm down inflamed skin therefore very useful for breakouts.

Long used by people with blonde hair as a hair rinse to bring out those natural highlights.

If you want to grow your own chamomile it is fairly easy. Chamomile is an annual which once it is planted and gets established, it will pop up on its own every year. The flowers are the parts collected and if you harvest on a regular basis during the growing season the flowers will continue before finally going to seed. 

Below are several products utilizing this amazing herb:

Click on the link below the pictures to take you into the shop

Coconut Herbal Balm, Wounds, Dry Skin

Rich Foot Balm for Blisters, Calluses, Skin Cracks

Shea Butter Herbal Balm for Dry Skin, Healing

Herbal Salve for Eczema, Skin conditions

Hurting Tummy Oil

Children's Settle Down Massage Oil

Tension Headache Massage Oil

Mensus Misery Massage Oil

Sleep and Dream Mist Linen Spray

Chamomile, Nettles, Calendula Facial Toner

Raw Honey Facial Mask

Vinegar Rinse for Light Hair

Butterflies and the Nettle Patch

 The reduction in butterfly sightings has been disturbing. Pesticides, herbicides, loss of their natural habitat, air and water pollution all contribute to the survival threats against these flying flowers.

Rather than feel helpless and hopeless amidst the vast problems with environmental issues, we can turn what land we have into habitat havens.                                                                                           

When you plan your flowerbeds and landscaping, try to be aware of not only how pretty are your flowers, bushes and trees, but in how environmentally beneficial they will be. Try to plant native species for your area to supply both caterpillar food sources as well as the nectar plants for the adult caterpillars. For a successful butterfly garden you have to remember to provide food sources for both the caterpillars as well as the adults. Though the butterfly bush can be a butterfly magnet, these plants are not natives, and are now discouraged for butterfly garden plantings because they can become invasive.

Stinging nettles can be a valuable food source for not only our butterflies and moths but for us as well. Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica), a herbaceous perennial found almost worldwide is an undervalued and misunderstood plant. Many of us discovered this plant the hard way and probably cursed its very existence. Brushing up against stinging nettles results in a sting you won't soon forget. The leaves and stems are covered with brittle, hollow, silky hairs that contain three chemicals, a histimine that irritates skin, acetylcholine which causes the burning feeling and serotonin. But once one learns the plant's value and proper ways of handling it, it can become a medicinal and vegetable dish favorite. 

Nettles prefer rich, somewhat moist soil in part shade to full sun. They can be found in garden beds as well as part of the understory beneath deciduous trees like maples. They are perennials which means they die back in autumn and return in the spring. They spread through their rhizomatous roots, therefore depending where they are located you may have to keep their spread under control with either your weed trimmer or lawn mower. You don't want them growing where there is the constant risk of people brushing against their stings.

Early in the spring, when the plants are young and tender, wear gloves and cut the plants for a very nutritious boost to your diet. Nettles cannot be eaten raw, but are delicious when cooked like spinach or made into a tea. Wonderful boost for a weakened immune system, the chronically ill, and those who feel tired all the time.

 By the time summer rolls around, the nettle plants are going into flower and become too tough to be enjoyable. Some people cut them back so they regrow new tender stalks, but if not interested in that, let them alone and they'll be a welcome, important food source for the large number of caterpillars on their way to becoming our beautiful butterflies.

Lepidoptera or, in other words, butterflies and moths, is one of the most popular insect orders.
The name Lepidoptera, derived from the Greek words "lepido" for scale and "ptera" for wings, refers to the flattened hairs (scales) that cover the body and wings of most adults.

The order Lepidoptera is divided into groups. One of these groups is the group we call butterflies and all the other groups are called moths. There are over 100,000 moth species. To tell the difference between butterflies and moths, just remember a few basic facts:
Most all adult butterflies fly during the daytime and the majority of moths are only out at night (that is a generalization being there are some types of moths out during the day).
Butterflies fly much more gracefully than moths. This is because moths have a structure called the frenulum, that hooks the forewing to the hindwing. The result of that is the flight pattern is stiff and jerky. Butterflies don't have the frenulum, therefore fly with more graceful movements.
Another difference is with the antennas. Think of golf clubs to remember the look of butterfly antennas. There is a long shaft with a little club on the end. Moth antennas are either fuzzy filaments tapering to a point or have crossbars, like little TV antennas.

There are six families of butterflies found in the United States.
Each family has characteristics to help you recognize their name.
Swallowtails
These butterflies are large, have tails and are not the color orange. An exception to that rule are the parnassians who don't have tails.Very familiar is the Tiger Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail and Spicebush.

Whites and Yellows
Almost all members of this family are either white or yellow with black markings. Always on the move, they don't hang out on the same nectar source for very long. Perhaps you are familiar with the pesky white cabbageworm fluttering around your garden vegetables.
Gossamer-wings
These are small, delicate butterflies with fluted hind wings. Blues, coppers and hairstreaks are in this family.

Metalmarks
Similar to the gossamer-wings, these New World butterflies aren't very common and can be recognized by their green eyes.

Brushfoots
This family contains many of our best-known butterflies, such as the Monarchs, Mourning Cloaks, Viceroys, Fritillaries, Buckeyes, Crescents, Coma, Peacocks, Snout, Satyrs, Admirals, Emperors, Tortoiseshells and Painted Ladies. Characteristic is their front legs are reduced in size. This is due the front pair of legs ( which are much smaller than the other two pairs and so not used for walking ) being covered in tufts of hair like scales. Most color combinations are brownish, orange and black.

Skippers
Seen are likely to be a spread-wing skipper or a grass-skipper. The antennal club is hooked at the tip.  The Silverspotted skipper, a spread-wing, is a common species. The Checkered skipper is also common. These species are often difficult to tell apart.

On a side note, people often confuse swallowtail caterpillars and monarch caterpillars. First clue is that monarch caterpillars will be found on milkweed and swallowtail caterpillars are found on plants like not only nettles but fennel and dill. Here is a good post about their differences.


 Butterflies of the nettle patch are usually members of the Brushfoot family (Nymphalidae). The caterpillars depend on nettles for their growth in order to transform into the beautiful creatures we certainly don't want to see disappear. Below are a few you may see in your nettle patch.

Tortoiseshell

Hoary Comma

Red Admiral

Fritillary

Monarch

Buckeye

White Peacock

Viceroy