What Is Your Favorite Herb,What do You Use It For?

[Hee Haw]

Hi everyone,I am new to the forum.
I am interested in herbs and need to learn more about their favorite uses.
I thought it would be interesting to here what your favorite herbs are and what you use them in, or for. Thanks everyone. :o









Out of Gods Holy Word:
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me and I will answer thee and show the great and mighty things which thou knowest not.

[Cliff Timmons]

Hawthorn Berries.
They got me off of bloodpressure medicine.

[Brook]

Welcome, Hee Haw,

Are you talking about medicinal herbs or culinary herbs?

Favorite is a hard concept. I'm a practicing herbalist, and picking my favorite would be next to impossible. If I had to pick just one to grow and use, however, it would be calendula, arguably the most useful medicinal herb around.

Cliff: In case you don't already know it, the hawthorn berries, in addition to regulating blood pressure, are strengthening all your heart functions. Taking them was a good move on your part.

[brighthopefarm]

Hi Hee Haw,
I'm new to the forum, too. I also am interested in herbs and their uses. I'm looking for easy recipes for culinary herbs, and info on how to use the medicinal herbs. I grow several but don't know what to do with most of them. My favorite culinary herb is rosemary. I use it on meat and love the smell. I have several pots of it sitting around in different areas just so I can rub the leaves and smell the aroma.
It's raining this morning so I don't have to water the gardens today. Hooray!
Have a good day.

[Cliff Timmons]

Welcome, Hee Haw,

Are you talking about medicinal herbs or culinary herbs?

Favorite is a hard concept. I'm a practicing herbalist, and picking my favorite would be next to impossible. If I had to pick just one to grow and use, however, it would be calendula, arguably the most useful medicinal herb around.

Cliff: In case you don't already know it, the hawthorn berries, in addition to regulating blood pressure, are strengthening all your heart functions. Taking them was a good move on your part.

I know. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. <grin>

I'm just tickled to death.
My wife is convinced I'm a deadman.

[windsng225]

Cliff and Brook: What are "hawthorn Berries"? Where do I find them? I have a heart condition and also (for a long time) high blood pressure. And, how many do you have to eat to make a difference, a gallon? Really tired of taking all these pills and if this would help even one problem, please let me know where I can find some.
Thanks,
joyce

[GreenCap]

I take hawthorn berries but I get them from the vitamin shop. I would love to grow them. I think my favorite herb would be goldenseal. I use it for everything, if I feel a cold coming on, or any infections. You are not suppose to take it for long periods of time though.

[Brook]

Joyce: Hawthorn berries are the fruit of the Hawthorn tree. You can either grow your own or buy them. Any health food store can order them in. Or they're available from herbal suppliers on-line.

I do not prescribe long-distance, particular for something as serious as a heart condition. Don't know of a reputable herbalist who does.

Would you trust a doctor who, without knowing your medical history, would prescribe drugs long distance? Why, then, would you expect an herbalist to do that?

You might search around (check the health food stores and the like) for a responsible herbal care provider in your area.

[onmyknees]

just happen to have a really nice hawthorn tree that just finished blooming and is loaded with berries for anyone who knows how to use them and wants them no spray or chemical here

[flowerpower]

I have 2 of the white flowering Hawthorn. Mine have huge thorns, so I don't think they want me picking their berries. We leave them for the birds. Turkey love it.

My favorite herb to grow is plain old sage. I love the smell of it. I use the best leaves for cooking. The rest I use as incense. Medicinally, I probably use Echinacea the most. I am prone to Bronchitis. I take 1 Ech. and 1 Vit C 3 times a day the minute I feel sick. Works great.

[denbro]

favorite herb--hmmmmm. that's a hard one!! it must change everyday or almost.
right now i guess i would have to say chocolate mint(i know, i know, it's a hybrid) is my favorite culinary herb. i grow mine in a coupla containers. i won't dare to put it into the ground anywhere. it's just so nice to go for a walk outside and steal a few leave here and there to chew on. and it also make great teas and it also good in lemonades and ice teas.
as for medicinal i would have to say mint again. freshen your breathe and aids digestion. plus it's so darn easy to grow
i don't grow it, don't know if i could, but i like ginger too. and then you mix ginger and mint together and yummm!!!

[donsgal]

Hi everyone,I am new to the forum.
I am interested in herbs and need to learn more about their favorite uses.
I thought it would be interesting to here what your favorite herbs are and what you use them in, or for. Thanks everyone. :o

Catnip.

It makes my kitties happy happy happy

donsgal

[flowerpower]

I ended up with 3 big pots of free catnip. Since my friend has 5 cats, I brought it to her house. One of the kitties was rolling in it the second it was out of the car. lol He destroyed every one.

[windsng225]

Donsgal & Flower, I used to have two cats both inside cats. One was a grey persian mix with enormous yellow eyes, the other was a hymilian they called it blue tip, but she was beigh with black tips and the most beautiful lightest blue eyes I ever saw. They both were so different, but got along so well. The persian (Maude) was a loving cat and would not let me touch her except to pet her for five minutes, but would sleep in my bed every night and follow me around. She was so bad, I would have to take her to the groomer every 6 months to get her shaved and shampoo'd. My hymilian (don't know if that's spelled right or not) her name was Fifi, she was a gem, she would let me do anything to her, she did not care. I could bathe her brush her and she would just stay there.
Any way, I had a balcony outside of my apartment and grew a little of everything. They both would follow me out there in the morning and watch me drink my coffee. I grew two pots of "Catnip", they would go over to the catnip and eat it off the bush. It was like they were on valium or something. They would lye down and just roll, purring like they were in extacy! I would dry the leaves and store it away. Put some in a sock, dryed, and watch wat happend. It's so funny, they just get hi on the stuff. I found it was a good thing when a storm was coming (they get crazy, bouncing off walls) it simply calmed them down.
Sorry for all the details and going on and on, but they were so funny!
Have fun,
joyce

[Cliff Timmons]

A shot of brandy in their Friskies will do about the same thing. <grin>

[windsng225]

That's really funny! LOL Thanks for the laugh.
joyce

[windsng225]

Sorry Brook, I had no intentions of insulting you in any way. I didn't even know you were an herbalist (by the way that is good to know). I would not expect anyone to prescribe anything over the internet, and if they did would only thake that advice with a grain of salt. I would do my own research on the subject before ingesting anythin.
I am really sorry if you took that the wrong way.
I was picking up on what Cliff said about the berries and hypertension, and picked up on the heart information from you. And by the way I just reread the information about that on Cliff's note and you did say that you were a herbalist (sorry read right past that one). So I am apoligizing for the goof up.
I used to be into herbs about 20 years ago and have quite a liabrary on herbs, but have moved so much in the last 10 years that they are packed away and will need to find them before I take anything. But I do thank you for your advice and it is well taken.
Joyce

[Brook]

No offence was taken, Joyce. Sorry you read my post that way.

I was just sharing information, is all, about an issue I'm very sensitive too. Far too many who are into herbs, particularly some of the New Agers, have an erroneous view of phytomedicine. They don't realize (or choose to ignore) that there often are contra-indications (Hey! It's natural, so it has to be good for you, right?). And I've seen far to many of that type, on too many lists, blythly prescribe without knowing the person's medical history.

In one case, one of those clowns vehemently pushed wormwood as the cure for something or other. Wormwood has a list of contraindications as long as your arm, and should _never_ be taken without a care giver in addendance. The particular person being prescribed to (I happen to know her medical history well) would have died had she taken than long-distance advice. Fortunately, she checked with me first.

This is not the same as using herbs for everyday first-aid and health & comfort applications. I have a line of products I offer for those ills. But even there contraindications may apply, and I'm sure to point them out to customers. For instance, I have a tea used used very successfully to treat colds, flu and other bronchial infections. Generally it is safe to use. But it does contain ephedra, and anyone who suffers high blood pressure should use it with caution. To not warn people about that potential would, in my opinion, be nothing short of criminal.

[TastyofHasty]

Just found this thread ... Joyce, I'm growing something called Chinese Edible Hawthorn which is supposed to be something the Chinese buy and sell in marketplaces ... candied, seems like I recall. So they can't be too hard on you ... Planted three of them ... two are definitely still alive ... don't know about the third ... drought & heat gets 'em in August/September. If you're interested, here's a link to where they sell them (type in "hawthorn"):
http://www.burntridgenursery.com/search/searchprods.asp

One of the reasons I'm interested in them is they're supposed to be good for your heart ... like mayhaw, which I don't think will grow here.

[Cliff Timmons]

That's it.
I'm gonna have to kidnap Brook and keep her hid until I have a question. <grin>

That stuff just fasanates me.
The only thing more interesting would be gathering or wildcrafting.

Thanks for the info!!

[windsng225]

TOH, thanks for the link and the information. I checked it out and looks good gave me some ideas. Someone from this thread, sorry, I forget, sent me some hawthorne seeds to grow from their yard.
Once they have produced I think I will try the jelly or maybe make some candy from them. I know I like the candied ginger and lemon/orange peel so how bad can the hawthorne be. And it's a double wammy, it's really good for you.
Thanks again,
joyce

[TastyofHasty]

Hey, Cliff, well -- get on out there & start gathering, then! ... um ... gotta go google "wildcrafting" ... :confused:

* * * * *

oh! it's the Ayla thing all over agin! :D Yep!!

[Cliff Timmons]

Hey, Cliff, well -- get on out there & start gathering, then! ... um ... gotta go google "wildcrafting" ... :confused:

* * * * *

oh! it's the Ayla thing all over agin! :D Yep!!

Wildcrafting is the gathering and using plants for food and or medicinal purposes. Same thing. <grin>

[TastyofHasty]

I was googling around last night about crataegus pinnatifida ... (the sort of hawthorn they sell at Burnt Ridge) ... & one of the links mentioned there's another hawthorn that might be even better for the heart. Hawthorns are s'posed to be one of the most populous trees around here I read somewhere ... (my head is full of little notes to itself without references clearly written beside! but they're useful anyhoo) (maybe in Trees of Arkansas).

If your hawthorn berries grow into trees, please let us know ... I cut off some little thin sticks off my biggest "Chinese Edible Hawthorn" & buried 'em a few weeks ago ... hoping to have some "fun with cuttings" in the spring.

And then for our members in northern Louisiana ... there's MAYHAW ... another crataegus with edible berries ... seems like it's one of its lesser-known properties that it's good for blood pressure.

BTW ... Brook was a guy IMHO! He disappeared ... don't know why ... wish he'd pop back! But problem with consulting "herbalist" is same as problem with consulting a doctor ... $$$$$$$$, and time, and "where exactly did your credentials come from??" With the internet making all sorts of info available, most of it correct, we individuals are the most interested people there are in our own personal health issues. "Caregivers" just can't have the time, energy, or real CARE to give to EVERYBODY as well as we can give it to ourselves. All too often ... Caregivers get BURNT OUT. Whereas we as individuals are capable of researching and studying and experimenting and we STILL have THE RIGHT TO DO IT.

[dirtundernails]

Joyce, it was from my yard that your seeds came. Hope they grow. They might need a cold treatment first.

dun

[Cliff Timmons]

Great.
Poor ole Brook was insulted, kidnapped, and emasculated all in one thread.

Sorry buddy. <yikes>

[windsng225]

DUN, sorry, my mind is like a seive, getting old! I know it's written on the envelope, but was too lazy to go downstairs to look for it. I wanted to take a guess and say DUN but was afraid I would be wrong. Going to start them next week, but will put them in the fridge till then. Thanks for reminding me.
joyce

[flowerpower]

I have 2 small Hawthorns. I believe they are Washington Hawthorn. I will check to see if the birds left any berries.

[dirtundernails]

I think mine are cockspur.

[windsng225]

DUN, yes it is, I checked, Cockspur. I wonder what the difference is between the two?
joyce

[dirtundernails]

The thorns are different, with the one God put in my yard being a mild thorn IMO. Different berry shape, color, ripening, and length of time on the tree. Ours is a reddish orange apple- lookin' berry that tastes a little like apple. They fall off as soon as they are ripe, where I read that Washington will "persist through the winter".

[Lillian Osborne]

My favorite herb is Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum).

I have yet to 'do' anything with this herb except admire it. Leaves, flower spikes, fragrance, and stature.

Anise Hyssop is a native herb of surpassing beauty, and is highly favored by butterflies and beneficial insects. Perhaps the most attractive herb in my garden to the Bumblebees when in bloom, I would grow this plant if that were absolutely the only thing to recommend doing so.

It is easy from seed, and if started early will bloom in mid to late summer the first season you plant it. Our friends at Baker Creek offer seed of an exceptional strain.

[Lillian Osborne]

Hi Hee Haw,
I'm new to the forum, too. I also am interested in herbs and their uses. I'm looking for easy recipes for culinary herbs, and info on how to use the medicinal herbs. I grow several but don't know what to do with most of them. My favorite culinary herb is rosemary. I use it on meat and love the smell. I have several pots of it sitting around in different areas just so I can rub the leaves and smell the aroma.
It's raining this morning so I don't have to water the gardens today. Hooray!
Have a good day.

Hello to both you newcomers,

I am only recently a member here as well.

For someone newly interested in herbs and their uses, Rosmary Gladstar has published a number of books and booklets. She does not talk over a person's head, and that is always a plus when you begin learning about any subject.

She offers suggestions for ways to incorporate herbs into every aspect of daily living; culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal. In teaching how to make herbal combinations, she prefers the 'simplers' method of using a basic measure as a "part", and measuring the herbs by "parts". Easy, efficient, effective, and understandable. Indeed,'simple'.

If you are interested in herbs for Aromatherapy, a good book for beginners is
'The Aromatherapy Companion'. Written by Victoria H. Edwards, it is published by Storey Books. www.storey.com

Few things are more uplifting to the spirits than working with the various fragrances and textures of herbs. May your new interest become a lifelong joy.

[Lillian Osborne]

On contraindications...

Tho not an herb, Melatonin is prescribed by many professionals and amateurs alike for those having problems sleeping

It was prescribed to me by my ex-physician, who is aware I have an untreated thyroid imbalance. The label lists untreated thyroid problems as
one of those "talk to your doctor before taking this product" scenarios.

Now, how many people even know they have a thyroid problem?

[GreenZone]

I'm glad to see Anise Hyssop mentioned--it's a great favorite of mine. Grows easy, looks nice, self-sows but not agressively so. Bees adore it, at least in my garden

If you like herbal teas, try blending this one in. It adds, well, complexity without being overpowering. One summer my son, then about 6 years old, experimented with blending teas, and we really enjoyed the ones with Anise hyssop the most. Other things we had in the garden that I'm sure he must've used were pennyroyal (not too safe, they say) and chamomile, the true kind (Roman chamomile).

Just my two cents. I'm really not an herbal tea dude, much.

Randel

[Joan]

Because I always think food first I will say basil first because you can use it so many ways, 2nd cilantro because I love black bean soups and salads.

[Lillian Osborne]

I'm glad to see Anise Hyssop mentioned--it's a great favorite of mine. Grows easy, looks nice, self-sows but not agressively so. Bees adore it, at least in my garden

If you like herbal teas, try blending this one in. It adds, well, complexity without being overpowering. One summer my son, then about 6 years old, experimented with blending teas, and we really enjoyed the ones with Anise hyssop the most. Other things we had in the garden that I'm sure he must've used were pennyroyal (not too safe, they say) and chamomile, the true kind (Roman chamomile).

Just my two cents. I'm really not an herbal tea dude, much.

Randel

If a youngster likes Anise Hyssop in tea, that is a pretty good recommendation, so I will deposit your two cents. Herbal tea guy or not, I appreciate your response.

When you hear an herb may be unsafe to use, it may be an excellent idea to see exactly who is giving out the information.

While it is true that not all herbs are safe for consumption under all circumstances, it is seldom true that any herb is unsafe under any circumstance.

For the most part, culinary herbs are the safest route for interested beginners to go. If the interest expands, so will the desire to know how to use herbs safely, and there is a large body of work out there to further their education.
We just have to pay attention to the quality of our teachers, and their chosen field of herbal expertise.

[Joan]

Has anyone heard of black cohosh being unsafe?

[finnteara]

Basil and Rosemary, followed by Oregano and Sage. Thyme to go and catch a catnip.

[HerbalBetty]

Hi All, I'm brand new to the forum. Herbs are my passion. I'm an herbalist and grow more than 250 herbs. Picking a favorite herb is difficult. I love calendula, tarragon, thyme, sage, arnica, etc.

[Lillian Osborne]

Hi All, I'm brand new to the forum. Herbs are my passion. I'm an herbalist and grow more than 250 herbs. Picking a favorite herb is difficult. I love calendula, tarragon, thyme, sage, arnica, etc.

Herbal Betty
Are we gonna love you!

Can you answer Joan's query as to the safety of black cohosh for us?

[HerbalBetty]

Hi Lillian,

Well, anything can be dangerous, even water. Drink too much and you can flush out electrolytes. There was a woman on a radio show recently who was participating in a contest of who could drink the most water (to win concert tickets). Hours after the contest, she died. You hear about this every now and again with college kids too, they think of it as a safe hazing activity.

With regards to black cohosh, it depends on what form you are taking and why. So many people say, well, if you are going through menopause, take black cohosh. Black cohosh can help with uterine cramping. In fact, black cohosh can help with many sorts of muscle cramping. But, it won't do much for hot flashes. Too much black cohosh can cause some headaches and dizziness. It also depends on what form you are taking - tincture, capsule, tea?

[windsng225]

HB, the contest was for I believe the WE or WEE box (it's like the X box for kids, you play games on it) and secondly, they weren't allowed to pee, they had to drink as much as they could and I believe the woman drank 2 gallons of water and was complaining about a headache. The station is being suid because from what I understand a friend of a nurse called the station and told them about the dangers of this and the only reply was "It's OK, they signed release statements" and let it continue.
Anything in excess is always a problem let alone a danger. Look at fat america, too much fat food and sweets. My sister-in-law got orange skin because of eating too many carrots. She went on weight watchers diet and the carrots were a freebe so she ate 2 bags a day and within 2 weeks her skin turned orange. So be careful everyone, ya never know.
I used to use red clover honey, and ice water (not mixed together) to combat hot flashes. I would cook, bake and use the clover honey in my tea, when I felt a hot flash coming on I drank the ice water (had to be iced water) it worked every time. I went through 15 years of hot flashes, and drank a lot of iced water, believe me! LOL
joyce

[zebraman]

Hey Guys;You obviously don't watch "Southpark"! It's Wii.-

[strong eagle]

I'd have to admit my favorite culinary herb would be sweet Marjorum. Grows well in anything but wet soil, easy to take cuttings to root, but I dig it up to place in the greenhouse over the winter[ where I can harvest it to root or use in cooking] Strong

[HerbalBetty]

That's it, the Wii box. But, she was offered concert tickets if she quit early. She should have.

[zebraman]

Hey;You Guys miss the obvious,anytime something like this happens-It frees up another parking space!-

[windsng225]

I am sure she was so close to winning the wii box for her kids, that the tickets weren't worth it. Would you give up when it was that close? I certianly wouldn't. Besides, it was something she most probably could not afford to buy herself for the kids.
joyce

[HerbalBetty]

windsng, you are quite right. I was making an observation with that hindsight is 20/20 thing.

[windsng225]

Zebraman, that is a horrible thing to say! Shame on you.
joyce

[werecat]

Garlic! definately garlic. :^) both for flavoring and for medicinal. :^)

[DittonyJ]

My sister-in-law got orange skin because of eating too many carrots. She went on weight watchers diet and the carrots were a freebe so she ate 2 bags a day and within 2 weeks her skin turned orange. So be careful everyone, ya never know.

My mom did this when I was a little girl in the late 60's. I had never heard of anyone else getting carotine poisoning!

[DittonyJ]

My favorite herb is Pineapple Sage. I use it in fruit salad, make ice tea with it and it is beautiful in the garden.

[kitchensqueen]

Thyme for me. I use it everything-- roasts, stews, sauces, casseroles. So delicious...

[louanne]

I love all the good smelly herbs...oh yeah....but I use th sweet basil the most I guess....
I make home made noodles....and I like to dehydrate the usual over sbundance of cherry tomatoes, chop them and the sweet basil fresh and stir them in with the noodle dough.... yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy

[zebraman]

Hey Louanne;I have been making home made noodles since the early 80's and the Best recipe that I use is
2-2 1/4 cups Flour
11 egg yolks
1-2 Tblsp. water depending,

I use a lot of different toppings and sauces but one of my favorite is "Carbona" from northern Italy.
After cooking pasta Al-Dente reserve a little of the water that the noodles were cooked in
In a small bowl beat 6 egg yolks,1/2 cup of freshly grated Grasso or Grano Padana cheese (Trader Joe's)
At the same time you want to brown 10-12 strips of Pancetta,remove Pancetta but reserve the drippings,chop the pancetta and return to pan w/drippings.
Quickly mix the egg/cheese mixture in with the noodles w/a few Tblsp of liguid from noodles.Heat Pancetta and drippings to bubbling hot and pour over noodles.The sizzling pancetta drippings sear the raw egg/cheese mixture to the noodles.Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.-

[louanne]

YEE HAAA..another noodle buddy.....I love it...
welccome to the " I lost my noodles group!"