CAYENNE (Capsicum frutescens) has many key actions. The one I appreciate is its ability to increase sweating. It is one of the ingredients in a macrobiotic soup recipe I dreamed up. This soup is a great expectorant.

MACRO MISO SOUP RECIPE

• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 10 or more cloves of garlic (chopped)
• 3-4 or more fresh or frozen cayenne peppers (minced)
• 1-2 carrots (cut into match sticks)
• 1/4 head nappa cabbage (shredded)
• 1/8 c seaweed (bite size)
• 1 tsp ginger (grated)
• 2-3 tsp miso

Sauté the onions and garlic without oil if you can, or use a few drops of a high quality extra virgin cold pressed olive oil or safflower oil. Add about 4 cups water and the rest of the ingredients and simmer until tender, adding more water as needed.

MY FAVORITE HERBS TO GROW

Continued in alphabetical order ...

ELDER (Sambucus nigra) grows wild in many parts of the world. To have a plant of your own, just take a cutting and stick it in the ground in a semi-sunny spot. In two or three years you will have all the elder flowers you could possibly use. They are excellent for internal and external use. The berries are rich in vitamin C and are a good medicinal too. Harvest the flowers in late spring and the berries in early autumn. Elder flowers will lighten freckles when applied externally.

EUCALYPTUS (many species) is my favorite for making wreaths, swags, and spray wall hangings. Fresh from your own tree the beneficial oils will be released as it dries on the wall and they look beautiful too. Eucalyptus globulus or E. smithii is recommended for distilling essential oil. Get a jump start by purchasing a two-year-old tree or propagate by cuttings in the summer.

FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare) is a mild expectorant that is safe for children and pregnant women. It also increases breast-milk production. It is a perennial that is treated as an annual in most gardens. In addition to its culinary uses, the seeds have a long-standing reputation as an aid to weight loss and to longevity.

FEVERFEW (Tanacetum parthenium) is a hardy perennial closely related to tansy (Tanacetum vulgare). If you suffer from migraine headaches, feverfew should be growing outside your door. The benefits of this herb go beyond migraine prevention. Decoct a handful of the fresh flowers in 2 cups of wine and drink for nervous or hysterical conditions. (Do not take feverfew if taking warfarin or other blood-thinning drugs. Do not use during pregnancy.)

GARLIC -- Plant it everywhere and use it all the time :-)

GINGER (Zingiber officinalis) is a biennial or perennial that blooms in the fall. The scent of its bloom is so delightful I wish I could pick them by the bundle. To get ginger started in your garden, just stick a piece of rhizome into fairly rich soil in a semi-shady spot where it can send out its runners undisturbed.

GINSENG (Panax ginseng) takes a little skill for the average gardener. I haven't mastered this one yet, but I won't give up. I defer to my friends Jim and Hersie Shrum on this one. They can be reached at: Ginseng Growers, 523 Hedgewood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37405.

HOREHOUND (Marrubium vulgare) is a perennial that grows wild on the Pacific coast. It likes poor soil and grows readily from seed, cuttings, or divisions. Harvest in the spring by cutting all growth three inches above the ground. Its most common use is in a syrup made with honey or sugar, useful for chest problems.

HYSSOP (Hyssopus officinalis) is a slow grower and should be started indoors from seed for best results. It needs a dry sunny location and likes calcium (crushed egg shells or oyster shells). Harvest the tops when the flowers are ready to open. As a tea, it will loosen phlegm and is an excellent sedative for asthmatic conditions. "Whoever rivals hyssop's virtues, knows too much."

JABORANDI (Pilocarpus microphyllus or P. jaborandi) I'm still looking for this plant. Do you know where I can get one or two? Seriously, I'd love to try to grow it here in Texas.

JASMINE (Jasminum odoratissimum) retains its scent when dried while the other species do not. Jasmine oil is very frequently adulterated. Beware of the botanical name when purchasing it or grow your own and distill it yourself (more on distilleries later). Jasmine 'absolute' is distilled from J. grandiflorum which is the species also used for medicinal purposes. J. grandiflorum flowers make a calming and sedative infusion, taken to relieve tension. J. sambac is the species found in commercial jasmine tea.

LAVENDER (Lavandula spp.) is another herb with a large number of species. At times it seems to be a countless number confusing the best of us. A good book for sorting through all the varieties is Lavender, Sweet Lavender. Though this herb is best known for its wonderful scent, it has some impressive medicinal properties and is well worthy of a prominent space in any garden. Lavender flower buds not only make great potpourris and sachets, they make an excellent tea good for calming the nervous system, relieving headaches, and alleviating depression. It is also good for digestive problems. Lavender is antiseptic and antibacterial making it a very desired herb to have around at anytime, but it's especially useful in a "sick room." Lavender essential oil can be applied externally as an antiseptic for acne and all types of skin irritations. This is another "must have" in my garden.

The list continues next week.

Our goal is to bring collective knowledge together to provide accurate herbal information, giving references whenever possible, for the purpose of being informed when choosing self-help and alternative approaches to health and lifestyle. At no time should this publication be considered prescription or treatment, nor should any information published herein be misinterpreted as such. The publishers can not be held responsible for the mishandling of information by its readers.

Please do not take herbal information lightly.
Remember our motto is ... When in doubt, don't!
Until next Monday I remain,

Herbally yours, Abby

Lynda "Abby" Trahan
Abby's Herb Company
P.O. Box 213
Round Top, TX 78954

lynda@abbysherbshop.com
www.abbysherbshop.com

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