Are colds and flus finding their way into your house?
It seems that when the little ones start back to school they invariably bring home the latest virus or bacteria that is floating around. It marks the beginning of the cold and flu season.

Well, it doesn’t have to be so. There are a number of ways to ward off these pesky attacks.
I’d like to mention one way to help in the upper respiratory area. Oftentimes come the fall we battle coughs, colds, sinus infections, etc.

The blend that we make called: You Might Think It’s Funny But It’s Snot! is a wonderful blend of herbs designed to support healthy respiratory function and aid in decreasing upper respiratory symptoms. It is made with Vegetable Glycerine, Elder Berry, Mullein Leaf, Hyssop Herb, Thyme Leaf, Anise Seed, and Ginger Root.

Although it is not recommended for children under age 1, it can be used by anyone else of any age both as a preventative measure and to help in acute attacks.

Why do we use these ingredients?

Elderberry has a medicine chest worth of uses.The berries from the elder contain a considerable amount of vitamins A, B and C. The juice from the berries is an old fashioned cure for colds, and is also said to relieve asthma and bronchitis.

Mullein Leaf is a good respiratory remedy. Also for toning the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, reducing inflammation whilst stimulating fluid production and thus facilitating expectoration. It is considered a specific in bronchitis where there is a hard cough with soreness. Its anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties indicate its use in inflammation of the trachea and associated conditions.

Ginger relieves chest and nasal congestion and scratchy throat.

Thyme is used as a medicine for treating symptoms of bronchitis, whooping cough, and catarrh (mucous) of the upper respiratory tract.

The Anise seed is used as an expectorant, to loosen phlegm and ease the discomforts of bronchitis, asthma and cough. It will also boost your immune system.

We use the hyssop for it’s effectiveness in counteracting colds, flu, bronchitis, and upper respiratory catarrh. It contains the bitter component, marrubiin which has expectorant properties. It helps fevers as it promotes sweating and is useful for throat infections.

So, if you are looking for something that will help you through this season of stuffy heads and coughs, we have put together a great tincture that will help you do that. Give it a try and let us know how it helped.

It’s the time of year to put our herbs to rest for the winter. A few are still hanging in there and that’s great. We are cutting them and bringing them in to dry and make herbal vinegars,etc.
Some, like basil, rosemary, sage, parsley, we leave some in the garden and pot some to bring in for fresh herbs during the winter.
To do that we dig the herbs up and pot them and then leave them outside for a few days so that they don’t get too shocked coming inside. Once the herbs have had time to adjust then we will bring them in and enjoy them all winter.
Those that are being left behind we are covering with a mulch of hay. This will protect them for the winter and also allow those amazing creatures – earthworms to a good environment to do their work.
The winter crops are growing nicely and we sure will look forward to enjoying them during the winter months.
Herbs really take good care of us if we take good care of them. Enjoy!

Ask the average American to define herbs and he or she will tell you that herbs are green leaves that have some medicinal properties. Some may even add that herbs like Thyme and Sage are used for cooking. This is how most people define herbs; which is quite good knowledge considering that most folks are ambivalent about the actual use of herbs in their own lives.

A herb (the word rhymes with ‘curb’) is a plant that is grown for medicinal or culinary value.

Typically, the green leafy part of the herb is used, occasionally roots also are put to use. A culinary herb is non-woody and soft. Used for their aromatic flavor and texture, culinary herbs include bay leaf, basil, chervil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon and thyme.

The world of medicinal herbs is even more diverse and surprising. Even the most innocuous looking leaf blade may possess a treasure trove of medicinal properties. A medicinal herb is generally a shrub or other woody plant used for therapeutic purposes. Herbalism or Phytotherapy is the practice of folk or traditional medicine that aims to cure “dis-eases” in the body using plants and the active constituents found within them.

This resurgence of interest in herbs was brought about by various systems of holistic healing. Now, more than ever before, people are beginning to realize that good health does not refer to an absence of disease. Rather, it is a balance of physical, mental, emotional and social wellness. Herbal health care is becoming increasingly popular because herbs provide natural stimulants that activate the body’s own defense mechanisms.

When orthodox medicine took over the reins of mainstream health care, herbs and their medicinal values got relegated to the background. One reason could be the problem of availability. Another more important reason is that unlike a pill or a tonic, herbs usually take more time to bring about an effect.

Due to our sedentary lifestyle, processed foods and industrial advances, we have managed to discover a large number of chronic illnesses that were virtually unknown in the past. Medicines used to treat these diseases have side effects. In time, these medicines also become ineffective as the human body develops a resistance to the medicine. After battling it out for many years, practitioners of conventional medicine are finally willing to admit that herbal extracts are an effective source of healing.

Herbal medicines provide a healing system that is in tune with nature. The medicines are characterized by simplicity, depth and effectiveness. They are cost effective too. Absence of side effects also greatly enhances their allure.

Some interesting uses of herbs are:

- Chamomile tea sipped slowly throughout the day helps decrease acidity and soothes the digestive system

- Alfalfa is a highly nutritious herb as it is a natural source of vitamins and minerals.

- Valerian root can be used to treat insomnia.

- Two fresh garlic cloves taken at night increases ones resistance to flu and colds.

- Feverfew is a herb that if taken consistently, effectively reduces the frequency of migraines.

Herbs, like any drug, bring about a physiological change in the body. If taken continuously for prolonged periods, they may affect the body’s natural ability to heal. The aim of herbs is to bring the body back into ‘balance’ so that there is no longer any need for medicine. Herbal medicines may not be the best, pure or only form of medicine. Indeed, it should be used as a complementary medicine that helps doctors achieve the most important goal of all – that of total cure in the easiest, most effective and shortest route.