Lobelia - Pretty Useful

Lobelia is a pretty annual or with some varieties a biennial herb that grows to a height of one metre. Lobelia is also known as the Indian tobacco. It has a hairy stem that branches out at the top. The colour is usually green with a hint of violet. The leaves are pale green or yellowish with a sharp taste and a slightly unpleasant smell. The flowers are coloured pale violet-blue on the outside and a pale yellow colour inside.

Lobelia is basically an expectorant, so it is commonly to use in cough syrups. It is also called asthma weed. It is prominent in remedies for treating asthma and bronchial disorders. The herb can be used externally in the form of a hot compress for sprains or swelling ailments.

Going back in time, it has a history of being used as herbal remedy for respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and coughs for centuries. As with many herbs the Native Americans Indians used to use countless herbs before commercialism took over. The Lobelia herb was smoked and was found very effective as a treatment for asthma.

American doctors in the 19th century used lobelia to bring on vomiting, this was to remove toxins from the body. The nickname 'puke weed' came form this. Lobelia helps clear mucus from the respiratory system with some herbalists now incorporating lobelia to treat asthma.

A substance similar to nicotine is found in lobelia and it effects on the body just like nicotine. The central nerve system is stimulated from this. The substance, which is called ‘lobeline’ was previously used as a nicotine substitute in anti-smoking products and deterrents. This faded out as after a time, it was reported as an in affective method of reducing or stopping smoking in the latter part of the 20th century.

Lobelia is a potentially toxic herb, but safe to use in very small doses. In combination with other herbs that treat the respiratory system is considered safe.

Finally, it is not recommended that you try to make you own herbal remedies from this herb, but take advice from professional herbalist to protect you from the potential toxins that this herb can present. That does not preclude you from growing lobelia as an ornamental plant, as it is a very pretty herbal species that will enhance any garden.

Bergomat - The Native American Herb

The bergamot herb plant is native to America but is now very popular worldwide due to a number of uses in food, scent and alternative medicine. It is also know as Oswego Tea or Bee Balm.

Bergamot is related to the aromatic mint family and it well know for the leave to give citrus or lemon flavour and smell. It can grow to over 1 metre high with a variety of flowers that bloom with colours ranging from a light pink to dark scarlet. Both the leaves and flowers have many uses.

With a savoury and fruity flavour mingled with a fine aroma it proves to be very effective as a stimulant aiding and improving digestion. Bergamot has proven a good remedy in the curing of skin infections.

Internal use of bergamot is used to relieve symptoms of colds, chest or throat problems and also for digestive complaints. Native American Indians made a type of herb tea from bergamot leaves for these particular ailments. The bergamot herb you may be interested to know is not the source used to flavour Earl Grey tea. This comes from the bergamot orange, a different plant that is a Mediterranean citrus fruit.

The bergamot leaves are used externally and found extensively in commercially produced fruit drinks. The very pretty petals are often used for food decorations, namely salads. Both the bergamot leaves and petals are put into baths and is said to revitalise the body.

Aromatherapy and use of essential oil is another side to the Bergamot. Essential oils are used in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety or nervous tension. It also aids the urinary and respiratory systems.

Skin problems, especially those that are linked to stress, typically eczema, psoriasis and acne benefit from bergamot treatment. It is also effective for varicose veins, wounds and seborrhoea.

The properties of bergamot are beneficial to many ailments and compounds and potions have the following properties:

• anti-depressant
• antiseptic
• carminative
• deodorant
• digestive
• expectorant
• insecticide
• sedative
• tonic

The natural source of the antiseptic Thymol mentioned above is the main active ingredient in modern commercial mouthwash formulas.

Finally, the bergamot herb plant can be grown successfully throughout Europe and Asia. It is great as an ornamental plant and grows best in full sun and will enjoy any soil that moist and well drained.

Herb Pillows and Cushions - A Good Idea

Somehow these have gone out of fashion recently, many people not so long ago used them. As well as the aromatherapy they were a very pretty piece of furnishing with fancy designs knitted or crochet work on the material. There are many herb mixtures used to fill pillows such as geranium, rosemary, lavender, rose and lemon balm. The main reason for these pillows and cushions aside from their decorative attraction is their sweet aroma claims by thousands to relieve their insomnia.

There are many herb pillow that you can buy and I have given just one here, but you can make your own by just placing some fragrant herbs in a sachet within the leaves of an ordinary pillow. It has just the same effect at a fraction of the cost with dried herbs that have been grown in your own garden.

You may want to visit a few websites including this one given, not to buy, but just get some ideas of the types of mixes you can make up at home yourself.

Can I remind readers that I am not an affiliate to any firm, company or third party website on this post.

Herb Cushions and Pillows from Silvermoon Herbal Cushions to help you Relax & Sleep Aromo-Pillows with Aromatherapy Oils, to help promote deep and refreshing sleep. from Silvermoon. With oils and herbs of Lavender, Geranium, Petitgrain and Rose. Aromo-pillows have a gorgeous soothing smell! place on your bed, or under the pillow (except for very young children) for maximum effect. otherwise place anywhere in the bedroom. Makes a lovely and caring gift. Small Herbal cushion With a pink background and colourful cats owls & boats very unusual! Approx cushion size is:- 7.5 inches square. Pillow is infused with Aromatherapy oils of Lavender, Geranium, Ylang-Ylang and Rose With Lavender buds and Rose buds. A lovely gift for anyone who has difficulty relaxing! Small Herbal cushion With a gold background gold highlights with beautiful red & gold Angels Approx cushion size is:- 7.5 inches square. toning back of cushion as shown. clipped from www.madeinmoray.co.uk

The Hibiscus - Beautiful and More Than Useful

There are well over 200 species of the herb hibiscus plant, which is native to warm, temperate, subtropical and tropical climates throughout the world. The herb comes is both annual and perennial herbaceous plants as well has some varieties forming woody shrubs and small trees.

The leaves range from a simple ovate to lance like quite often with a toothed margin. The flowers are impressive, big and confident with five or more trumpet-shaped petals. The colours range from pure white to pink, red, purple, yellow measuring 4 cm to 15 cm wide. The fruits are dry five capsule pods containing several seeds in each set. These are released as the capsule splits open at maturity.

The uses of hibiscus are quite amazing. As well as garden show attractions the flowers are also a main ingredient in many herbal teas.

Having so many varieties each different strain has different uses from paper making to an eating vegetable and from making herbal teas to jam making. The versatility of this herb is quite astounding.

In Mexico, there is a drink called Jamaican water it has a tanginess and mild flavour and when sugar is added it tastes like cranberry juice. People on diets of that have kidney problems often take this without the sugar as a natural diuretic. Simply place dehydrated hibiscus flowers into some boiling water let it cool and then serve with ice. In Egypt a similar tea is made from the petals called karkade.

The bark of the hibiscus has fibres renown for its toughness. The stripped bark is put in the sea to rot to break the fibres down. In Polynesia these fibres are then used for making grass skirts and wigs.

The white hibiscus has medicinal properties used in Indian traditional medicine. The roots make various remedies believed to cure various illnesses.

In southern India the Red hibiscus is used for hair care purposes, the flower and leaves extracts are put into the hair to combat hair-fall and dandruff on the scalp. The oils from the herb are also used to protect hair. This involves soaking the leaves and flowers in water then grinding it into a thick paste and applied as a natural shampoo.

Travelling onto the Philippines where the hibiscus is processed and used as bubble gum by children. The flowers and leaves are crushed until the sticky. Then hollow papaya stalks are dipped into the sticky hibiscus and blown up using the straws as bubble blowers.

Moving back to Mexico, dried hibiscus is eaten in fact quite delicacy there as the herb is quite edible.

Now to Hawaii and probably the most famous uses of the hibiscus flower, which is traditionally worn by Hawaiian women. Tucked behind the ear of a Hawaiian maiden shows that she looking for marriage, now you know.

Growing hibiscus flowers need to be done in warm temperatures, namely from 15 C to 30 C degrees. The roots mustn't be over watered and plenty of drainage is needed, only water the plant if it looks dry. Plant feed is needed to ensure a good flowering alongside an insect and pest free environment. A little tricky to grow, but well worth it with the beauty you get as a result.