The Fraser Times

Chives

Juanita fraser — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:45:37 GMT

Here is a tip on how you should dry your chives.

I learned this from trial and error. I tried to dry them like I do with the rest of my herbs and they turned brown and had no taste or smell. I decided to try and dry them in my oven. The first time I burnt them. I had the oven at 200 and I left them in there for two hours. The next time I put the oven on 100 and only left them for an hour. They had not dried out properly so I ended up throwing them out.

Now what I do is I put them in the oven that is set at 100 I leave them for three hours checking them every so often. After they have been in the oven for three hours and are still moist I turned the oven off and left it closed for the rest of the day. By night time they are dried out just right.

They smell great and the taste is much stronger.

What is lovage good for?

Juanita fraser — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:43:25 GMT

What is lovage good for?

I hear this all the time. What do you use lovage for?

Lovage can be use for just about everything. You can use the fresh leave in salad or you can use the dry as flakes. Here is a list of thing I use it for.

1. Potatoes salad

2. In stew

3. Egg salad

4. Chillies

5. Soups

I also use it as a spice. I use it in all of my dishes. The great thing about Lovage is that if you like celery. This way you can have the celery taste with out having to cut the celery.

In the summer my daughter enjoys eating the leaves with peanut butter. She like eating the lovage more then the celery. She says that the celery is to string for her. The string always get stuck between her teeth.

I find that lovage give my meat and potatoes a great flavour as well as my veggies

They is not a lot of information out there on lovage. The best way to find out about lovage is to try it yourself.

I do how every that lovage is used in very fancy restaurant. It is not know as and every day herb.

By J Fraser

The Healing Powers Of Sage

Juanita fraser — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:39:19 GMT

We grow three different types of sage. I find that the traditional garden sage tastes the best and has the strongest smell.

Sage is not just used as a spice it also has a history as being a medicine. One thing that I know it is very good to stop bleeding. I had read about how they would use sage many years ago. In the book It talked about how if you get a really bad cut take a sage leaf and put it on the cut.

I know that it can stop bleeding unless you are taking warfare. The way I found this out was by my Mom and my husband.

My Husband had cut his hand really bad while we were in the garden. I grabbed a leaf and gave it to him. He placed the sage on the cut and the bleeding stopped right away. The cut on his hand was very deep and long. When I gave my Mom a leaf to put on a small cut it did not work. Her cut was not half as deep as my husband’s and yet it would not stop bleeding.

At first I could not figure out why it did not work. I thought about it and remembered my Mom was on warfare. Warfare is used to prevent the blood from clotting. Sage works with the blood to help clot faster. If your blood can not clot then no matter how much sage you use it will not help.

By J Fraser

Plants In Myth And Magic

Juanita fraser — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:04:57 GMT

Man has always turned to plants for help, food, cloths, shelter and medicine.

Before there was science early man believed that plants were magical. Not having science there was no other way to explain the mysteries of the plant kingdom.

Early man would watch the plants die in the winter and be reborn in the spring

They watched so that they could learn. Back then you did not need a diploma to work with plants. You had to learn hands on.

Our ancestor had to learn for themselves if a plant was poisonous, or if it could heal you. I'm sure there were a lot of deaths. Today we have science and the plants are tested in labs.

I'm sure our ancestors found some plants that put them in aw. Like the sunflower that blossoms turn towards the sun, or how the evening primrose only bloom at night.

I can see why they felt that plants were magical and full of power.

Our ancestors used their imagination and believed in nymphs, and dryads, they also believed that the trees and the flowers were guardian spirits both benign and evil.

This is the way people felt 100s of years ago. Now a days they are finding out new things what plants can be used for. This is all because of science.

People every day are turning to herbs for their health. Hoping to find that wonder herb that cures all. The only thing people have to understand is what you can use herbs in, cooking .But if you are planning to use them as medicine you should always check with your doctor first. Not all herbs are good for everyone. Some people they work for, and some they don't.

They can even kill you if you do not know how to use them. Here are just a couple that you need to know how to use.

1 Garlic(it can make you sick if it is not stored right)

2 Sage ( it can become toxic if you eat to much)

If you decide to grow your own herbs always know what part you should use. Study up on the herbs of your choice before deciding to grow them. I know myself there are some herbs I refuse to grow because they can be dangerous, or I'm not sure how to use them.

By Juanita Fraser

Are You Ready?

Juanita fraser — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 04:14:11 GMT

Almost time for spring planting in doors, and thanks to my three tier Flora system, this makes herbs, flowers, and vegetables ready for transplanting. May long weekend here in British Columbia. This year I'm planting indoors in early March. The reason for this, last year I planted too early and our plants became root bound. Which can stunt the growth of the plant. Between the growing lights and the worm castings I use, I have fantastic results. Last year I planted towards the end of January, big mistake. I had to transplant in larger containers and was pressed for room. I will be growing Italian basil, Lemon basil, Oregano, and Chamomile, and some Anise. I grow these organically and this way I know what I'm getting. The seeds are ordered from Diane's Seeds, you can find her own the internet. And I have had no problems with her seeds, and I receive a free package of seeds with every order. They are all heirloom as well. Good germination rate. You will time after time see the results on our site. We will also inter plant with flowers, and use worm castings. This will save us from spraying any pesticide or fertilizers.

Why Herbs?

Juanita fraser — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:20:01 GMT

It's a wonderful thing to grow herbs, and the benefits are great. Once in awhile my wife and I go out to a fancy restaurant to eat. Some of the dishes like rosemary added to potatoes gives that out standing flavour.

Or spices added to the pasta , steak, or vegetables. Herbs is which create these great flavours. Tarragon, Garlic, Basil, Dill, Oregon, Lovage. Adding herbs also tenderise with combinations. My wife and I don't need fancy restaurants any more. Unless we need a break, because we grow everything we need in our herb garden. We can have expensive priced meals at home. For half the amount of money we would of spent.

Also herbs have health benefits here's some examples .Garlic, Remedy for colds, respiratory ailments, lowering cholesterol. Marjoram, stomach disorders as well as a diuretic. Mint, gas and ingestion. Onions, reducing gas, high blood sugar, relieving pain and inflammation. Basil, slightly antiseptic, mild nervine, fevers, emmenagogue, relieves nausea, headaches. And the list goes on. Always make sure you check with your Doctor , so you don't use something and have a bad reaction. We are not responsible for any counter reactions.

Greek Oregano

Juanita fraser — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:46:03 GMT

Oregano's power to heal has been known for a very long time. It has powerful bacteria and fungi killing properties. It is used as a anti-inflammatory. Oregano tea can be used for indigestion. The oil of oregano is used for toothache,and has a numbing affect like cloves. And used in some cosmetics. The leaves and stems are natural antiseptics because of high thymol content. In the eightteen century Greek Oregano, was used by sergeons to sanitize their tools. Greek oregano, is the strongest of all oregano's,great for adding that zest to foods.My wife takes the tincture, which helps in prove skin conditions.

note:Always check with your Physician, may affect various medicines.

By Robert Fraser

Herbs

Juanita fraser — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:10:40 GMT

Before you start to use herbs. You should study on them, There are a lot of herbs that can be very harmful as well as helpful. Sage is one of these herbs, if you eat to much Sage it can become toxic. Garlic can make you sick if you do not dry it properly. These are just a couple.

The only reason I know this is because, I have been studying on herbs for the last Five years. I do not take classes. I go to the library or, I buy books that I can learn about herbs. I never go by one book, Another thing is just because a herb might work for me does not mean it will work for others. I never say "oh this will work for you." I do not know, your body is different then mine.

I have two favourite herbs. one is Greek Oregano which is the strongest oregano in the world. They use to us it to sterilise operating tools. In a few places Greek Oregano tincture has been taken off the selves because of how strong it is. I grow my own Greek Oregano and us it to make my own tinctures. It is very strong herb, but it helps me with my Staph infection. The doctor tried to help me but nothing they gave me really worked. The medicine they gave me would close up the sore, but there would be a lump in its place. When I us the Oregano it closes up the sore and there is no lump, but if I stop using it the sore opens up again. My dad knew about my staph and told me to try the Greek Oregano Tincture. He had heard how good it was. Well that's what I did and it worked. I use it in my bath, as well as take five drops a day in my mouth. It has been keeping my staph under control. No matter what you take staph can not be cured, but it can be controlled in my case.

The only way you will find out if it works for you is to give it a try and see. Greek Oregano kills all types of bacteria and fungus. It also helps to keep head lice away. I use it on my daughter's head, because now a days there is so much head lices in schools and

other places. Every since I have added Greek Oregano to my shampoos, my daughter has not had head lice. Even if they have had an out break in the school. Before I use Greek Oregano on her head, if they had an out break at the school she would end up with them. Once someone gets head lice you have to put poison in there hair. Which can be harmful. I hate using poison. I would rather smell like a plant and make it so head lies dislikes me instead of using poison. The other herb I like is called Lovage. This herb grows like a bush. You use its leaves. The leaves taste like celery. I use it in my stews, as well as a spice on my meats. The smell it gives off, you would think you were eating celery. I have two Lovage plants in my garden. The plants are two years old, and in the summer they are about three feet tall and about two feet wide. The Lovage plant loves Canadian winters. You do not have to start out with seed every year.

So give herbs a try, I think you will surprised to find out how much herbs can help you. The only warning I have is, make sure you check into the herb first before using it. I know that there are herbs that my Mom can not take because of medical problems. So be safe when it come to herbs and the way you use them

By Juanita Fraser