Everlasting Gardener’s
Improving Your Herb Know-How

Publisher: Joanie Lapic      Volume Number 1      Issue Number 9      Date: September, 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
 

IN THIS ISSUE:
 
~ September and October Classes
~ Lavender Research Surprise
~ Herbal Highlight - STEVIA
~ DRAWING - Herbs for Your Windowsill
~ “Flowers”
 

Surprise! Lavender Research
 
 Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the essence of serenity and cleanliness. The name “Lavender” itself is derived from the Latin “lavare” meaning “to wash”. Its healing qualities are contained in the flowers’ oil glands. It has a highly revered past and is one of the most-used herbs in the present day. It offers intoxicating fragrance, lovely flowers, therapeutic aroma, valuable garden plant, handy in craft-making and a culinary delight.
 Lavender was a favorite in the baths of the Romans and Greeks because of its fresh, clean scent. Its ability to repel insects and bad odors made it a favored strewing herb, giving long-lasting scent. Lavender has a tradition of medicinal uses. The English herbalist, Gerard, told his patients to take it for …“light migram or swimming of the braine”.
 The essential oil of Lavender offers healing attributes, such as stress and headache relief, alleviate dizziness, fainting and bad breath, antiseptic, mild sedative and pain killer. Lavender’s essential oil relieves insect bites and stings and quickly and thoroughly heals burns. It is therapeutic for throat infections, skin sores, inflammation, rheumatic aches, anxiety, insomnia, muscular aches, fluid retention and cellulite.
 An article in the “Journal of the national Cancer Institute” reports that a botanical chemical in lavender oil - perillyl alcohol - is being studied as a cancer treatment. Experiments are being done to discover lavender’s curative properties in breast, prostate and ovarian cancer. In animal experiments at the University of Wisconsin, this plant substance showed strong activity against breast cancer.
To find more information on how to grow and use Lavender, please visit: Here
 

FLOWERS
 
For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
For blue of stream and blue of sky;
For pleasant shade of branches high;
For fragrant air and cooling breeze;
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
          - Ralph Waldo Emerson
 

Do you have a Lavender story you would like to have published? Please contact Joanie

Joanie’s Courses at the Heritage School at the Succop Conservancy will resume in January, 2009.
Please check this site for information to be posted soon:

http://www.heritagefolkschool.org/course-schedules.asp
 

September, October and November Classes

HOW TO SIGN UP for CLASSES and EVENTS
at Everlasting Gardener
Please follow each Class’s specific instructions on deadlines and deposit amounts you need to become registered for each Class. “Events” registrations may be different from “Classes“ registrations.
To make your reservation for classes, your deposit of half the class fee must be in Joanie's mailbox on the specified date before the class starts.
And you must receive CONFIRMATION from Joanie before the class starts, so be sure to give your contact information.
You can sign up for classes, or see a list of past and future classes by visiting her website
 

HERBAL HARVESTS

At Everlasting Gardener
Sept. 6   10 am to 2 pm,   Lunch at Noon
How to Harvest, Preserve and 'Put Up' Herbs for the Winter.
Includes LOTS of ideas on cooking with herbs and many RECIPES.
You'll take home after we pick or make together:
~ herbs of your choice for drying and/or freezing
~ an herbal vinegar
~ a little tub of Pesto
~ a jar of herbal jelly (perhaps pineapple sage or rose geranium)
Lunch will be: salad with herb flowers, Pesto and fresh-baked bread,
and whole grain crackers with our herb jelly. Iced/hot chocolate mint tea.
Price is $23.00 per person.
Attend with a friend and each get a $2.00 discount.
Joanie needs your registration deposit of $11.50 in her mailbox by Sept. 4.
(Or, if you and your friend(s) are attending together, your deposit of $10.50)
See you then!
 

Have you tried a new herb today?

Act 48 Continuing Professional Education Courses
 
Joanie is offering classes (at her Everlasting Gardener, 888 Tulip Drive, New Brighton, PA 15066, address) for educators, for their Act 48 credits.
Each of Joanie’s courses gives ONE Credit.
 
The following course is offered through the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit:

HERBAL COOKING AND WORLD CULTURES
September 13 and 20, 2008, 8:30 - 4:00 pm
 
AROMATHERAPY: PLANT ESSENCES OF THE WORLD
Sat., Nov. 8, 2008    8:30 am - 4:00 pm    and
 Tues. Nov. 11 and Thurs., Nov. 13   5:30 - 8:45 pm (both evenings)

Please follow this link for registration and other details:
http://www.bviu.org/4638%5F91916121149/site/default.asp
(All of the courses are listed in alphabetical order.)
All questions or concerns should be directed to Cristine Wagner at
(724) 774-7800 ext. 3010 or via email at clw@bviu.org
 

Act 48 Continuing Professional Education Courses

Joanie is offering classes (at her Everlasting Gardener, 888 Tulip Drive, New Brighton, PA 15066, address) for educators, for their Act 48 credits.
Each of Joanie’s courses gives ONE Credit.

The following courses are offered through Midwestern Intermediate Unit
 
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION THROUGH GARDENING
October 4 and 11, 2008    8:30 am - 4:00 pm
 
 

NATURE’S MEDICINE
October 18 and 25, 2008    8:30 am - 4:00 pm
 

To obtain registration forms and info, please contact:
MIU IV Continuing Education Department
724-458-6700 x 209, for Gail Myers, Program Secretary
gail_myers@miu4.k12.pa.us 
OR   x 238, for Lorinda Hess, Program Director
lorinda_hess@miu4.k12.pa.us
 

Herbal Highlight -  STEVIA
 
Stevia rebaudiania
 
 The leaves of this herb are used by those who want a sweet taste without the calories. Stevia is an all-natural, non-toxic sugar substitute. It contains the nutrients calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, protein, rutin, sodium, vitamins A and C, and zinc. It is native to Central and South America, where it has been used as a sweetener for over 400 years. The natives call it “Sweet Leaf”. It is more than 100 times sweeter than sugar. One teaspoon of powdered Stevia contains the sweetening power of about 2 cups of sugar - and yields only 8 calories.
 Japan has been using Stevia in a multitude of food items for decades. It is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, as people discover the toxic effects of artificial sweeteners and become victims of blood sugar disorders. Though much safer than NutraSweet, the FDA classified Stevia as unsafe in 1991, without any explanation. On the other hand, since NutraSweet’s approval by the FDA, there are numerous reports that it has caused headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting. Some people have even attributed brain tumors and stomach cancer to the toxic “sweetener”.
 Yet, Stevia has not ever had one adverse report to date, and is still not approved as a sweetener, only as a dietary supplement. That means that Stevia may be imported and sold legally, and used as a sweetener, but food companies cannot advertise it to that effect. So, it’s going to take people such as myself to spread the word about this wonderful herb that our Creator has provided for us.
 Stevia is an herbal food and contains properties which are useful for the body besides that of being a sweetener. It does not feed dental bacteria like sugar does, thus studies suggest it may actually suppress the growth of tooth cavities. For those suffering from diabetes and hypoglycemia, studies show a correlation between Stevia and the regulation of blood sugar levels.
 Primary uses are for: diabetes, hypoglycemia, food cravings, obesity and tobacco cravings. Secondary benefits include fighting cavities, addictions, hypertension and hypoglycemia.
 The part of the plant that is used is the leaf. Here in western Pennsylvania, the Stevia garden plant is just beginning to reach its full stature of 2 to 3 feet tall. It must be harvested before frost: the whole above-ground part is cut off, the stems bundled together and hung up to dry. This will ensure a plenteous supply of sweetener all winter. Or the plant can be cut back, leaving some stems and leaves, transplanted into a pot with rich potting soil, and grown in a sunny, warm window for the winter.
 The leaves can be used fresh as well as dried and can be added to herbs when making tea. Stevia is stable at high temperatures, in cooking and baking, in cakes and cookies, etc.
 Stevia plants are available from Joanie Lapic’s Everlasting Gardener:

Some of the above information was obtained from “Today’s Herbal Health” by Louise Tenney, M.H., and from an article in “The Herb Quarterly”, Spring, 1997
 

WHY I USE NATURE’S SUNSHINE HERBS

There were times in my life when I needed the convenience of herbs in supplement form. That’s because, in this form, they are quickly available. I kept searching for a company which offered reasonably priced, reliable, excellent, quality herbal supplements.

For many years I tried different brands, and some of them were pretty good. Then, at a time in my life when I needed it most, I was introduced to a product called Nutri-Calm, by Nature’s Sunshine. Many folks I’ve met have heard me tell how this product (and lots of prayer) saved me from an actual, very scary nervous breakdown.

Nature’s Sunshine’s Nutri-Calm is a blend of
1.) herbs that nourish and calm the nervous system, and
2.) vitamins needed for dealing with stress.

In time, by using herb and nutrition therapy, and holistic healing methods, but mainly the use of Nutri-Calm, I overcame debilitating stress symptoms and restored my serenity.

This chapter in my life gave me confidence in Nature's Sunshine products.
Soon, I made the decision to carry them in my Everlasting Gardener office.
Since then, I have been privileged to use their herbs and nutrients to help bring healing to many people. I am proud and pleased to be able to offer herb and nutrition supplements that really work.
 

HEALTH ANALYZER

( this links to the Health Analyzer page on the MYNSP site.)

See for yourself what your health strengths and weaknesses are.

This analyzer is an important step to help you find out your personal health needs.

It identifies specifically where you should concentrate your time and effort, without wasting your money.

It helps you focus on your body system(s) that needs the most nutrition.

Like the singers in a chorus, the nine body systems need to work in harmony. The nine body systems are: nervous, structural, immune, respiratory, digestive, intestinal, circulatory, urinary and glandular.
When one body system suffers ill health, other systems are affected. Total health requires that all body systems work harmoniously.

As long as you answer the questions as accurately and honestly as possible, YOU HAVE TAKEN YOUR FIRST STEP TO BETTER HEALTH.

Step 1 - Complete your Analysis
Answering the following questions will help to determine your health profile.
When you are done, click "view results" to calculate your results. Then you are able to choose the products to help strengthen your weakest body systems.

Most of Nature’s Sunshine's products are matched to each of the nine body systems. This allows you to easily select the products that will help you achieve your personal health goals.

Just remember, when you decide to order supplements to improve your
health, you have the option to order at the Member Price.
Look for the words "Sign-Up" - and that's your opportunity.
You get your Nature's Sunshine products at the Member Price when you
sign-up with a $40.00, or more, order.
That same $40.00 product order gives you a free membership for a year.

Of course you may feel more comfortable just trying the products at Retail Cost at first, without signing up and becoming a member.
If you have any question at all, please do not hesitate to contact me:

Joanie Lapic, HERB SPECIALIST
Everlasting Gardener
phone: 724.846.4787
e-mail:  joanie@everlastinggardener.com
visit:  http://www.everlastinggardener.net
blog: http://improving-your-herb-know-how-joanie.blogspot.com/

DISCLAIMER
Please note: Joanie does not diagnose a person with a specific disease and then prescribe products for that specific disease.
If a customer with a specific ailment requests assistance selecting dietary supplements, she will refer him/her only to a product that may nutritionally support or aid a system or organ of his/her body.
She will not attempt to treat the disease.
In addition, she will counsel customers with self-diagnosed diseases to seek a licensed medical practitioner.
She will not indicate to a client that he/she should discontinue the services or medications of a doctor if that person is considering natural alternative remedies.
The person alone should make the decision with the advice of his/her medical practitioner.
 

DRAWING - Herbs for Your Windowsill     
 
WIN a  collection of 4 delightful herb plants of your choosing.
You can grow them on your sunny windowsill or under lights this winter. 
Their many uses in fragrance, cooking, teas, and everyday therapy are sure to brighten your winter months.
Please follow this link to sign up for the drawing:
 
September Drawing
 
Sign-ups for this drawing will end on September 30 at 11:59 pm.
The drawing will take place on October 1, the winner will be notified and published by October 5 th..
 

Joanie Lapic, HERB SPECIALIST
Certified ~
~ Herbalist
~ Aromatherapist
~ Iridologist
~ Foot Reflexologist
Everlasting Gardener
888 Tulip Dr., New Brighton, PA 15066
phone:  724.846.4787
e-mail:  joanie@everlastinggardener.com
visit:  http://www.everlastinggardener.net
To find out about Nature's Sunshine, visit my website.
blog:  http://improving-your-herb-know-how-joanie.blogspot.com/

Please visit my website to learn more about Herb Plants, Aromatherapy, Iridology, Reflexology, my Classes, and favorite herb: Lavender.

"The Lord has brought medicines into existence from the earth,
and the sensible man will not despise them."
Eccl 38:4 (Jerusalem Bible)