Everlasting Gardener’s
Improving Your Herb Know-How

Publisher: Joanie Lapic         Volume No. 1         Issue No. 11        Date: November 01, 2008
 

“Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth
. . . And to . . . Everything that has the breath of life in it I give
every green plant for food.’” Gen.1: 29,30
 

If you have questions about any information in these articles or if you
need any supplies or products, please contact
Joanie Lapic, Everlasting Gardener
Phone -- 724-846-4787
e-mail -- joanie@everlastinggardener.com
Following this link to my website may also get you what you are looking for:
Everlasting Gardener Herb Specialist Joanie Lapic
 

IN THIS ISSUE

~ Herbal Highlight - Bay
~ Comment on Echinacea article
~ Please Vote
~ About Joanie, Herbs and Natural Healing
 

BAY (SWEET BAY/LAUREL)
Laurus nobilis
Bay is a tender perennial, flourishing indoors once temperatures get below freezing. It does well in high-sunlight window. Some of the leaves can get a little brown edging when Bay experiences low humidity. We use the leaves and they can be harvested any time of the year.
A little folklore: A wreath of Bay leaves adorned poets and athletes of excellence, as bay was the symbol of wisdom and glory.
Laureate means “crowned with laurels” and so came the names poet laureate and baccalaureate. Bay is associated with Aesculapius, Apollo’s son, the Greek god of medicine, and has been used against the plague for centuries.
USES
DECORATIVE - The whole plant can be trimmed as a topiary, the leaves for making wreaths.
CULINARY - Use in a little bag of herbs called “bouquet garni”, with other herbs, each appropriate for stews, soups and sauces. Add bay to marinades, stocks, potato soup, stuffing, pate, curry, game and poached fish liquid. The leaf is removed before serving, as it is leathery-stiff and has sharp edges, thus is capable of cutting the mouth or throat. Boil in milk to flavor custard or rice pudding. To flavor rice, put bay leaves in its storage container.
Bay leaves, when used in cooking foods, have a positive effect on digestion and absorption of food. Like spearmint and rosemary, Bay helps break down heavy, fatty foods.
MEDICINAL - Make a tea to help with digestion and stimulate the appetite. Use in a massage oil (in a very dilute 2% concentration) for helping sprains and rheumatic joints. Make a strong tea, strain and add to the bath to soothe aches and pains.
ALL LAURELS EXCEPT SWEET BAY ARE POISONOUS.
(some information obtained from "The Complete Book of Herbs“, by Leslie Bremness,
and from “The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants” by Andrew Chevallier)
 

ECHINACEA EXPERIENCE
Nancy G, of Florida, e-mailed Joanie with this great suggestion:
"I must add from . . . personal experience that Echinacea is also good for your complexion. After reading that, when my face breaks out, I take it orally, and I sometimes put part of a capsule in the sink with water, and rinse my face with it. It clears up in a day or two."
-- Thank you, Nancy, for sharing that helpful personal experience.
 

I implore you, because you are an important citizen of our great country, please use your right and responsibility to vote in our upcoming November 4 election.

“If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
 

A little about Joanie and her views on natural healing ---
I believe that a loving Creator gave us all plants for these purposes - as our food, our medicine and for our pleasure. They are the most fitted to us as biological, psychological and spiritual beings. It is important to be informed of their invaluable benefits. My vocation and joy is showing people what a precious gift we've been given. My focus is herbs used as therapy, contributing to the health of people and pets.
I am often called upon to speak to garden and herb clubs, and civic groups in the greater western Pennsylvania area. I also teach courses for the Act 48 (Pennsylvania Dept. of Ed.) program, helping teachers meet the PA Environmental Education Standards. As a result of my instruction to teachers, the youngsters in their classrooms are learning the value of human’s uses of herbs across earth’s cultures and throughout history.
At present I am acquiring a degree in Master Herbalist. For over 30 years I have intensely observed Herbs and have much personal and practical experience. I am honored to share with you Herbs and other Natural Health skills: Aromatherapy, Foot Reflexology and Iridology.
 

November 11, 2008  Thank A Veteran Today!