How To Make A Tea In A Tea Press Using Loose Bulk Herbs
April 6, 2012 By
Using Bulk Herbs To Make A Medicinal Tea
Making a medicinal tea from bulk herbs is easy, and once your hooked, you’ll never go back to store bought bagged teas. Bagged teas don’t have the same punch medicinally, as bulk herbs.
First, pick your herb or herbs. There are so many of them, and you can buy different herbs and make your own mix.
You will need a strainer, or a tea press. Using one tablespoon of herb is usually the norm. If it’s a blend tea, you’ll still only use that amount.
If you are using a tea press, add tea to press. Heat water to just about the boiling point. Now, the pour the water over the herb. Cover with plate to keep in essential oils, and let stand anywhere from 5 -15 minutes to allow the water to soak up the herb. The longer it steeps, the stronger it will be, of course.
If you are using a strainer, place strainer on top of mug. Add your tea to the strainer. Pour hot water over the herb. Again, cover to keep all the properties of the herb in your cup. Let tea steep in strainer. Lift the cover off the cup. Now, take the strainer out of the cup and discard spent tea. You can add this to your compost bucket.
The also sell tea balls that are used for making bulk tea. Fill the tea ball with your favorite herb, and place into warmed mug. Pour hot water over the tea ball. Allow your tea ball to rest at the bottom of the cup for about 10 minutes.
Sweeten your tea with honey, stevia, or your favorite sweetener, or drink it just like it is. Drink and enjoy.
“Stupid Is As Stupid Does”
April 5, 2012 By
You Can’t Fix Stupid No Matter How Hard I Try
I guess you could call this a rant of life.
I’m getting tired of stupid people. They seem to be everywhere. Like the UPS man who delivers one package, but doesn’t deliver the second. Oh, did I mention the second needed a signature, but he didn’t even bother to knock. Yes, we were home.
Or how about the guy that lives across the street from you who insists on plowing 3 inches of snow at 5 am. Come on, there isn’t even enough to plow, never mind doing it at that hour. Neighbor consideration has gone right out the window. That’s a whole other hub in itself.
Let’s talk about the guy at the doctors office who can’t read the sign “Please stay behind here for the person’s privacy”. I mean he was standing right next to me, like he was “with” me. I just looked at him, and asked him if he could read, because the sign says to stay behind the pole. Yeah, he looked at me funny, but I did not care. It’s not only about privacy, it’s about personal space. Yeah, a whole other hub topic again.
I can’t read a newspaper without getting upset over something stupid the town is doing. They now want to add a one million dollar addition to the Rec Department. Never mind the fact that they already have two. Luckily, I don’t live in that town. It just happens to be the next town over.
But my town has issues of it’s own. They want to sell the ambulance, and buy some piece of equipment that will not get used. The ambulance now, is not used, so why would I want to purchase a vehicle for something else it won’t get used for. Yes, in Effingham it takes 40 minutes to get an ambulance. Even though our house is one mile from the fire station, they send for the ambulance in the other town. Why you ask? Let’s say say “politics makes strange bedfellows” .
My husband’s advice “step away from the idiots”.
Thanks for “listening”.
Healing Benefits of Apricot Oil
February 8, 2012 By
Everyone knows what an apricot is. Don’t they?
The apricot (Prunus armeniaca), is a small delicious soft fruit that is yellowish to orange. They contain a pit inside of them. At the core of this pit is the kernel. This kernel is what is pressed to produce apricot kernel oil.
Apricot Kernel Oil is used in many skincare products and is also used as a carrier oil. Carrier oils are used as a base for aromatherapy massage oils.
Apricot oil is easily absorbed into the skin and is a good choice for people with dry skin. It does not leave any oily residue on the skin. It is an excellent choice of oil for all skin types. Apricot oil is gentle, and is mild enough for babies and the elderly.
Apricot kernel oil contains oleic and linoleic acid which are essential fatty acids. These are important plant chemicals for good skin health. It is also high in vitamins A and E. All of these plant compounds help to sooth and moisturize irritated skin. With daily applications of a product containing apricot oil, it will keep skin smooth and flexible. Apricot kernel oil is also used in lotions, creams, and balms, as well as in soaps.
Apricot kernel oil is cold pressed, which retains all of the nutritional value of the oil. If it does not say cold pressed on the label, it is an inferior oil. Look for oil that is a rich yellowy color, that has a mild to strong scent for the best results.
Herbal Healing
February 7, 2012 By
Alternative healing is becoming more popular every year as people look towards more natural approaches to health and living.
However, herbs were used many thousands of years before medicine, as we know it today came into existence. The properties they were used for 5000 years ago are as valid today as they were then.
Herbal medicine is of course natural to your body, and has far fewer side effects. They also have far fewer interactions with other herbs, medications and supplements then most doctors and others would have you believe.
When used properly, herbal medicine can cure and treat everything from anxiety to whooping cough.
It was once said that God gives us in nature exactly what we need to heal ourselves. It is up to us to use this knowledge wisely.
Herbs may be natural, but that does not mean they are not powerful medicine. They should be treated with care and respect the way you would any drug. Furthermore with herbs, more does not necessarily mean better. Herbs can take longer to act on an illness, but that does not mean they are not working. By taking more, it can endanger your health instead of repairing it.
Benefits of Sesame Oil For Skin Care
February 7, 2012 By
Sesame oil is obtained from the seeds of the sesamum indicum plant. It is one of the best natural oils that can be used for skin care. It nourishes the skin and has been in use for its various beneficial properties since ancient times. It is still one of the most important oils used in Ayurvedic medicine. The quantity of nutrients contained in sesame oil is what makes it so beneficial for the skin. It is also good for overall natural health.The nutrient that is most important in sesame oil is vitamin E. Vitamin E is very beneficial to the skin. Sesame oil also contains vitamin B complex and vitamin A which is wonderful for nourishing and rejuvenating skin. Sesame oil include phosphorus, copper, calcium, zinc and magnesium all of which are very beneficial to healthy skin.
Sesame oil contains potent antioxidants that can be beneficial for reversing skin aging. If used regularly, the oil will help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps you maintain youthful skin for a longer time.
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Repairs damaged skin cells.
Loaded with Antioxidants.
Natural sun block and sunscreen properties.
Easily absorbed by the skin.
Dr. Oz Divulges What Herbalists Have Known For Years
February 7, 2012 By
On the January 26 Dr. Oz show, he did a segment on natural cures for everyday problems.
One of the problems that Dr. Oz discussed was healing cold sores using lemon balm ointment. While he is correct, it is not a new treatment. He was stating what herbalists world wide have been using to treat herpes cold sores and other viral skin infections for centuries.
Lemon Balm, also known by it’s Latin name Melissa Officinalis contains eugenol and other botanical chemical compounds that fight herpes cold sores. Lemon balm ointment heals most herpes cold sores in 2-4 days. It cuts healing time in half , and when used regularly, can even stop cold sore outbreaks.
There are 3 different forms of herpes:
Herpes Simplex Virus-1: The symptoms of HSV-1 herpes simplex infection are cold sores, fever with blisters occurring on the lips, the mouth and even, near the eyes.
Herpes Simplex Virus-2: The herpes simplex HSV-2 causes genital herpes. This type of herpes is characterized by fluid released from herpes blisters and sores near the genitals.
Herpes Varicella Zoster Virus: This type of herpes virus causes shingles and chickenpox. The infection in this case causes blisters on the abdomen,buttocks, face, arms and legs.
Lemon Balm can be used to treat each of the herpes virus family.
Lemon balm is also very useful on chicken pox and shingles. As both chicken pox and shingles are of the same virus family as herpes, it can be used for naturally healing the sores. Lemon Balm used topically, on the sores of chicken pox and shingles will help them heal much quicker than on their own.
Lemon balm is also used for anxiety and stress when taken as a tea, or tincture. Never ingest the oil!
Visit www.lemonbalmointment.com or http://www.cloverleaffarmherbs.com/lemon-balm/ for more information the healing powers of lemon balm.
Heirloom Veggies
July 23, 2009 By
Tonight, I did a presentation at Green Mountain Conservation Group (www.gmcg.org) on heirloom veggies.
We specialize in organic heirloom here at Cloverleaf Farm, and I wanted to share the knowledge that I have found over the last several years of farming.
Heirloom vegetables are known as old fashioned or vintage vegetables. They are vegetables grown from seeds that have been passed down from one generation to the next.
Heirloom varieties are open pollinated, which means they are pollinated by insects or the wind, and will produce “true” the following season if seeds are saved. True means that the offspring will be the same as the parent. With hybrids, you never know what you will get the following year, if you get anything.
By planting heirloom veggies and saving the seed you will be helping to safeguard the genetic pool of our vegetables of old—and hence the food supply of our future generations.
All who attended seemed to have a good time. After the presentation we enjoyed some of my home made tomato preserves with crackers and our own apple cider.
The Miracle of Life
June 27, 2009 By
It’s exciting here at Cloverleaf Farm. For two days now, Henrietta has been hatching eggs. I have been trying to get a peek under her, but she wouldn’t hear of it.
Today, she took the older chicks out of the nest for the first time, and I got a great shot of the last chick making it’s way into this world.
Watching the miracle of life…is so beautiful, and awe inspiring.
This is Little Peep’s first look at the world outside his nesting box.
Christmas at Cloverleaf Farm
December 25, 2008 By
Christmas is much like every other day.?We still have to get up, feed and water all the animals and then we get to go on with opening gifts. Being that the kids are all older, Christmas is a much quieter day than at homes with small children. I do remember those days very well. I myself like the quiet Christmas.
After the gifts were opened I had my son try on his vest I made him. Would you believe I put the buttons on the wrong side? I couldn’t believe it.
We then ate a wonderful lunch. Everything we served, we had grown right here on the farm. It was such a delight.
Then, as is the usual ritual, we all took a nap. Even the dogs were tired out from all the festivities. You see, they too get a gift bag to open. One biscuit is placed in side the bag, and they have to open it and take it out. What a sight to see.
Christmas at Cloverleaf Farm….was wonderful.
