Brazilian Mint Tea
Brazilian Mint Tea as a Painkiller: Growing and Using
The more you read about herbs, the more fascinating they become. The medicinal properties of various herbs have been known for a long time. In fact one of the major uses for herbs is as part of a medicinal garden. The medicinal properties of ginger, the green tea herb Camellia sinensis and the valerian herb (To name just a few) are well known. Likewise tisanes and teas made from herbs have countless benefits. Well recently gardeners have some great news. They can add an extra herb to their long list: Brazilian Mint Tea also known as Hortela.
Traditional medicine in Brazil has known for years about the benefits of drinking Brazilian Mint Tea, however it has taken those outside Brazil a while to catch on. Healers in the areas where it grows have prescribed the drink for everything pain related for centuries and it is a common drink given to people with influenza.
The pain killing properties were recently reported in the journal Acta Horticulturae. According to a test performed by Newcastle University the pain relief was not significantly different from painkillers. This is amazing news for herbal medicine specialists who now have proof of its effectiveness.
The taste of Brazilian Mint Tea is the only thing that potentially stands in its way, as despite being related to mint lacks its delicate flavor and instead has a slightly unpleasant taste somewhat similar to rosemary (Which belongs to the same family).
Growing Brazilian Mint Tea
Growing Brazilian Mint Tea is similar to growing any of the garden mints. It also has a similar tendency to try and take over the entire garden! This is also a good thing, because as a result the plant has evolved to grow in the kind of poor quality soils that would kill another species. To protect the rest of the garden from rampaging mint, many gardeners grow these herbs in pots or inside. It is great for gardeners in smaller places as it requires little sunshine. The only drawback being that it requires relatively hot temperatures, so make sure it is not too cold.
Once some growth has established itself, it is time to prevent the herb from directing its resources into flowering. This can most effectively be done by snipping off the buds whenever you see them. A large amount of buds is a sign that your plant is ready to be harvested. As a plant that likes the dark, the best time to harvest it is in the early morning as a lot of its flavorful oils cannot survive in the suns rays. It can be harvested and dried out by hanging it upside down in a cool, dry place. Once dried, it can then be crumbled and water added to make Brazilian Mint Tea. To really get the full extent of the effects, it is recommended that the Brazilian Mint Tea is left for 30 minutes before it is consumed! That may sound excessive, but it is the surest way to get the maximum medicinal benefits from it.
Sphragnum Moss and Peat Moss
Sphragum moss/ Peat Moss- Using These Mosses to Maximize Your Garden
For those that are wondering what the difference between peat moss and Sphragum moss is, the answer is that Sphragum is the genus. The different species of Sphragum moss are called peat mosses. Currently there are numerous species of these plants and each country has their own individual uses. For gardeners on a budget they can be gathered wild, however this is not recommended as they may harbor Sporotrichosis fungi which can cause skin upsets or even lung problems! For this reason a trip to the garden center seems more appealing!
These plants are fantastic aids to most gardens, but are particularly useful in gardens that have sandy soil. As the green tea herb Camellia sinensis grows best in sandy soils, most gardeners know it best as an aid to growing this herb. The other use is for plants that need a lot of moisture to grow such as the carnivorous plants.
Sphragnum moss has the huge advantage of storing vast amounts of water. Some species are known to be made up of one part organic material and 20 parts water! Therefore soils that get very little water benefit a lot from the use of this plant.
In addition peat moss can be especially useful as it increases the Cation Exchange Capacity of the soil (The capacity of the soil to exchange ions such as magnesium). This is useful as it increases the ability for the soil to conserve certain nutrients. This allows your plant to grow more efficiently. On top of that it releases a lot of hydrogen which makes the soil more acidic. This can be useful as there are many plants that grow well in acidic soils. It is also one of the reasons why peat moss is not recommended for all gardens as it can make the soil too acidic for some species causing them to have poor growth.
When dried it also has the ability to act as insulation during cold spells, most gardeners are unlikely to use it for this purpose unless they live in a very cold part of the world.
The species Sphragum cristatum and S. subnitens are often used for hanging baskets and for small gardens such as potted herb gardens and windowsill herb gardens. These kinds of peat moss are especially useful at enhancing the ability of the plants to retain water.
The number of different species of peat moss is vast. Usually individual countries have different species and most of them have distinct colors. They all have similar uses, however the temperatures in which they grow best can vary considerably. Some Sphragnum moss grow in warm and tropical environments such as New Caledonia (S. novo-calodoniae), Latin America and Asia (S. girgensohnii). On the other side numerous species have been recorded in places such as Arctic areas as far north as Norway!
One of the most common for gardeners to encounter is Sphragnum affine, which grows in many different places and has a wide range of uses. This is often one of the most commercial kinds of peat moss and is often farmed specifically for use in gardens.
Growing the Green Tea Herb Camellia sinensis
Growing the Green Tea- Tips on How to Grow, Harvest and Enjoy
‘Green tea’ is the popular name for the oxidized product of the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Amazingly it is one of many drinks that come from this plant. Amazingly white tea, oolong and black tea all come from this plant too. Therefore it is commonly known as the ‘tea plant!’
Whenever people tell you that they are skeptical about the benefits of growing medicinal garden herbs, I always use green tea as an example of what herbs can do for health. The list of diseases that it has been proven to help fight is massive. So massive in fact there are still trials under way to see if there may be any more benefits.
So far there is scientific evidence for the green tea herb helping fight cardiovascular disease, cancer (Breast and prostrate), kidney stones, bad cognition, heart disease, cholesterol and high blood pressure. On top of that preliminary tests are showing that it looks good for helping the fight against Parkinson’s disease and possibly even Multiple Sclerosis! This is mostly thanks for the healthy polyphenols found in tea. With a list like that, it is hardly surprising that it remains one of the most popular kinds of tea out there.
In addition to these numerous health benefits it has a great color and smell. Therefore it makes a great addition to an ornamental or aromatic herb garden.
Growing the Green tea Herb
Camellia sinensis comes from the heart of hot Asia, so it is no surprise that it loves the heat (For those who understand zones, it is a zone 8 plant). What is more surprising is that it loves high elevations and most commercial crops are grown in these areas. If you are looking to sell this herb, that may cause problems, however if you only want to make some for personal use, this is not such a big worry. In fact it has been grown in places as mild as Cornwall in the United Kingdom! So for those that have a good greenhouse this plant can be grown as part of a tea herb garden. Make sure that it is kept inside over cold winters, as its growth can be badly damaged if it gets too cold.
On top of the heat requirements, it requires your soil to be acidic and a little sandy. Most people use soil specifically for growing Camellia sinensis, as it can be a nuisance to grow the green tea herb in other soils. Many gardeners use peat moss to help their plant grow as this moss helps sandy soils to retain water and nutrients.
Harvesting the Green Tea Herb
After about 3 years of growth (No, that is not a misprint), you will want to start harvesting your crop. If your goal is to get the best parts for green tea, you will want to target the young buds and leaves (Careful to trim off the stems), which are usually at the top of the plant. Once you have harvested them, transfer the leaves to an oven and use a low temperature (200-250 degrees F/ 80 degrees C) to dry the green tea herb leaves. Once completely dry, they can then be crushed and stored.
By allowing them to dry out slowly in the sun or more quickly, you will get different flavors (Or sometimes different drinks as the main difference between oolong, black and green teas is their respective drying times). Also these flavors go fantastically well with most flower or soft flavorings, so have fun combining them and coming up with unique tastes.
Medicinal Garlic
Medicinal Garlic- How to Grow and Use Your Own Medicinal Garlic
Medicinal garlic has been used for thousands of years now. We now know that the ancient Egyptians were using it for their medicine. The role of this herb in those days seems to have been as something of a cure-all. As time went on the number of uses for the cloves has generally gotten smaller, however recently there is a return to interest in using medicinal garlic.
Additionally over time the number of varieties has increased. What started out as a one plant from central Asia has mutated into many different varieties. Rocambole for example, retains similar properties to its Asian ancestor, growing best in countries that have long wet and warm springs and hot, dry summers. The artichoke on the other hand has become the ultimate cosmopolitan, growing well anywhere it is farmed.
Growing Medicinal Garlic
The cultivation of this wonderful herb is actually surprisingly easy, the only requirement is that the temperature is mild or warm (Although it is possible to grow it in colder climates). The plants grow fine even when planted close together, so a patch can be a great way to efficiently use the space in your garden. For those who like growing herbs in pots, medicinal garlic grows fantastically well inside as part of a home herb garden.
Unlike most herbs for growing which do best planted in early spring, your bulbs should be planted in the fall (Autumn) as it needs a little time to grow its roots before the chilling winter. You will want to also give it a little protection over the winter by removing the clove’s ’skin’ (Which has a risk of having parasites in it). Many gardeners then use alcohol or baking soda to wash the cloves to protect them from fungi. Of course, this should be done quickly as over-exposure to alcohol is dangerous to the plant. I recommend no more than 3 minutes in the wash.
Over the winter the medicinal garlic seems to enter a kind of dormancy, so there is little that the gardener needs to do. When the weather starts to heat up, the herb grows. This is a time to be careful if you have a really hot spring as this is one plant that is amazingly prone to bolting. This is also a good time to fertilize your plant to ensure the best growth. You will want to water occasionally, then stop watering a week or two before you harvest it, so it is easier to store.
Many gardeners transport the bulb to a cool, dry place during the summer months. This is done to reduce the chance of garlic bolting and to ensure that the cloves grow as big as possible to be replanted the following season. When the fall arrives, the plant can be carefully divided into cloves and each of these cloves can grow into a fully fledged medicinal garlic plant.
Medicinal Garlic Benefits
Medicinal garlic has a whole range of great benefits and now that interest is back in this herb, more are discovered all the time. Basically it can be used to help in treating most things as it has well established anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. The problem is that how many of these benefits can be passed to humans when they eat it is something of a mystery. Herbal medicine has long been using medicinal garlic for treating the thrush fungi, parasitic worms and the cryptosporidium bacteria.
Medicinal garlic looks very promising for people with blood pressure problems. This is great news for heart disease sufferers, as numerous studies have shown that garlic is a huge help to people with this condition. There is some warning against people on warfarin taking garlic, so they should be careful.
Its use as a treatment for the common cold has been known for centuries and recently research has been pointing towards it being useful in this regard. Definitely one to try with young children. If nothing else it gets them eating more of this wonderful herb.
Herb Uses
Herb Uses: Everything from Alternative Medicine to Ornamental Herbs
When I ask most people about herb uses, I usually receive one simple answer: you eat them! Whilst it is definitely true that one of the major roles of herbs will always be as culinary herbs, there are many more uses than that.
In fact some gardeners grow herbs with no intention of ever eating them. These herbs are often called ‘ornamental herbs’ and are often important part of herb garden designs. A great tactic is to grow herbs that are both ornamental and culinary. That way you maximize the number of uses for the herb. Ornamental herbs are usually divided by color and size (Make sure that bigger herbs don’t obscure the prettier, smaller herbs). A great tip is to design your garden using photos (These can be easily found on the internet). Simply move the photos around to get an idea of how the garden will look.
If you are really interested in having an aesthetically-pleasing garden, you may also consider selecting your herbs as aromatic herbs. Obviously some species have stronger smells than others, so gardeners often divide them by type (Italian garden herbs for example all compliment each other) or select a couple of weaker smelling herbs and a stronger one. A great tip is to look for combinations that are popular combinations for making scents and perfumes: that should give you a good idea of what scents work best together.
Another one of the many herb uses is tea herb gardening. These herbs are often renamed ’tisanes’ to distinguish them from the plants that make up the caffeine-rich brew most of us wake up to. A quick trip to the health food store nearest you will soon tell you which herbs make up the best cups of tea. Despite what many people believe, not all herbs are suitable for making tea/ tisanes. Try to make a drink out of a herb such as the valerian herb and you will quickly see what I mean!
Whilst herbs such as valerian are not so popular as tisanes (Or even culinary herbs for that matter!), they are great for growing in a medicinal garden. The uses for herbs such as these is huge. Whilst it can be difficult to determine what herb treats what ailment, there is likely a herb that can help no matter what your condition is. Just remember that herbs alone are only one part of a big picture and to truly maximize the benefits you need to make sure to live as healthily as possible.
Of course one the key herb uses will always be for eating. There is plenty of advice on this site and my e-books about growing flavorful herbs. Gardeners will also have to decide where to grow their herbs as the windowsill herb garden is getting more and more popular and gardeners are finding many herbs that grow well as indoor herbs. The key thing is to look at the herbs that you use the most regularly and grow those. Likewise many of these herbs also have medicinal and tisane uses, so even if you grow a lot there will always be a use for the extras.
The number of herb uses are vast. Therefore all gardeners can easily find a herb for them, even if their space and conditions are limited. When you start to plan your garden, a bit of thought to your herb uses can really help you maximize the potential of your garden.
Valerian Herb
Growing The Valerian Herb- Tincture, Supplement and Health
The Valerian herb goes under a variety of names. Its most common name is ‘garden valerian’ (This name is used to distinguish it from another species called ‘red valerian’, that has very different properties). It is also known as ‘garden heliotrope’ and appropriately as ‘all-heal.’
Most people grow the valerian herb as part of a medicinal garden. It is one of the most well-known plants and its use has been documented over 2000 years ago. These ancient Greeks used it for pretty much the same reasons we use it now, as a relaxant and to treat insomnia.
The big turn-off for gardeners is that the mature plant has a bit of a strange smell. It is probably for this reason that it doesn’t enjoy popularity with gardeners. If you have an aromatic garden, you may want to pass on this herb or grow it next to a stronger-smelling herb such as mint. Oddly both cats and rats love the smell of this herb, so strategic placement or it can help keep these animals closer or further away from home depending on your preference! The flowers are the only good smelling part, so they can be harvested and used as a perfume.
The big problem with it is that it is pretty useless as a culinary herb. This is due to the unusual smell and its strange flavor. Therefore its major use is as part of a medicinal garden.
Growing Valerian
The valerian herb is great for most gardens. It is a pretty hardy perennial that can grow in many different soils. It has a habit of getting killed by weeds, so correct weeding is essential. It also tends to take up a lot of room, so make sure that you give it lots of space (At least a foot apart) so that it doesn’t get overcrowded.
Propagating is usually done by the runner. As it is so resilient, it can usually be planted in early spring and it will survive a frost or two. Once some growth has been established, you can start trimming off some sections for medicinal use. At the end of the season it will self-sow itself. However it is prone to harm its own growth by overcrowding itself, so be sure to remove any excessive growth.
The intended use of your plant will dictate how you maintain it. If you intend to use your valerian herb as a medicinal herb, then you will want to trim off any flowers as soon as they grow. This is because the root of the plant has most of the medicinal benefits and trimming the flowers prevent the plant wasting valuable resources growing flowers. On the other hand, if you are growing it for ornamental reasons, you will obviously want to let the attractive flowers grow.
Valerian Effects
The Valerian herb is a great supplement for treating sleep disorders. Its use as a treatment for insomnia and similar sleep disruptions has been known since the days of Hippocrates 2500 years ago! Because of its sedative effects it is often recommended for people who are suffering from depression, as it relaxes them. It has also been used as a muscle relaxant for a long time. By far its best use is as a relaxant for people to try who are coming off stronger medication.
There are a couple of ways to take this herb. The most common is by valerian tincture, this can be bought at most pharmacies. Recently many people have been using it as a tisane. To get the best benefit, valerian tisane should be prepared with lukewarm water instead of boiling hot water, as many of the oils that give the herb its medicinal benefits are lost when it is exposed to too hot temperatures.
