NATURES WONDERS: January 2014

Thursday, January 16, 2014

RELAXING SAGE AND LAVANDER BATH SALTS

Making bath salts is easy. In fact, this relaxing beauty product is as simple as mixing all of the ingredients together and packaging them in a decorative jar. The Epsom salts and dried lavender buds were available in the bulk section.
These are the ingredients you will need to make these simple salts:

• 1 cup Epsom salts
• 1/2 cup dead sea salt OR sea salt (I used leftover coarse sea salt from my latest baking experiment.)
• 2 tablespoons moisturizing oil (sunflower or castor oil)
• 10 drops sage (Salvia officinalis) OR clary sage (Salvia sclarea) essential oil
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) flowers
• Decorative jar with a tight-fitting lid.

1. Add all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and mix your newly formed bath salts with a spoon, in a plastic resealable bag or with your hands. I like to mix with my hands—just make sure that the salts, oils and buds are evenly distributed.

2. Allow your bath salts to dry before placing them in your jar to avoid wet clumps. I let the mixture dry while I made my label.

3. To personalize this mixture, make a fun and decorative label educating your friend or family member about the botanical benefits present in their brand new bath salts.

Sage essential oil, a cheerful, warming herb known to soothe the body:
Dried lavender, a widely known stress reliever

Here’s what I would recommend writing on your handmade label:
"RELAXING BATH SALTS: Transform a regular soak into a relaxing experience. Simply add 2 spoonfuls of these salts to your bath to enjoy moisturizing sunflower oil, warming sage essential oil and stress-relieving lavender buds.

Other Aromatherapy Combinations: 6 Bath Salt Creations
+ Lavender essential oil with dried chamomile flowers
+ Ginger essential oil with dried thyme flowers
+ Peppermint essential oil with dried rosemary flowers
+ Citrus essential oil with dried calendula flowers
+ Sandalwood essential oil with dried rose flowers
+ Eucalyptus essential oil with dried peppermint flowers

ENERGIZING TUB TEA

Take a break in a warm, energizing aromatherapy bath, and feel rejuvenated for the rest of the day.

By Janice Cox
December/January 2012

Nothing is easier to make than an uplifting bath out of your favorite herbal blends: dried peppermint leaves, lavender flowers, rosemary leaves and bay leaves.

Relieve stress, boost spirits and get relaxed with these aromatherapy crafts. A tub tea blend also makes a wonderful gift for your friends placed in a pretty jar and tied up with a big bow. MAKES 2 OUNCES

• 1 tablespoon dried peppermint leaves
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary leaves
• 1 teaspoon crushed bay leaves

1. Mix together the dried herbs and place in a clean container.

2. To use: Fill a large tea ball or muslin tea bag with herbal mixture. You can also tie up the herbs in a square of cotton fabric or cheese cloth. Hang under the bath spout as you fill your tub. Gently squeeze the tea mixture and allow to float in the tub. Relax in the fragrant tub tea for 15 to 20 minutes. Discard or compost your herbs after bathing.

Janice Cox is the co-author of EcoBeauty (Ten Speed Press, 2009).
Click here for the main article, Body & Soul: Boost Your Energy with Botanicals.

UPLIFTING CITRUS MASSAGE OIL

The citrus scent of this energizing massage oil will wake you right up.

By Janice Cox
December/January 2012

Essential oils in citrus peels can lift energy by sending signals to your brain through the olfactory nerves in your nose.

Use any combination of citrus in this massage oil recipe: grapefruit, tangerine, lemon or lime. Whatever you have on hand, the fresh, clean scent of the citrus zest is a known energizer. MAKES 4 OUNCES

• 1/2 cup assorted citrus zest (the colored part of the peel)
• 1/2 cup light oil, such as sunflower, canola or light sesame

1. Place the zest in a glass or ceramic bowl. Pour the oil over and gently heat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm. Cool completely to allow the essential oils from the zest to be released, about 30 minutes. Remove the zest and pour into a clean container.

2. To use: Use as a homemade massage oil or as a natural moisturizer on clean skin.

Janice Cox is the co-author of EcoBeauty (Ten Speed Press, 2009).
Click here for the main article, Body & Soul: Boost Your Energy with Botanicals.

STIMULATING SCALP TONER

Clean and invigorate your scalp with this refreshing scalp toner.

By Janice Cox
December/January 2012

Mint is naturally astringent and refreshing.

This scalp toner will keep your scalp healthy and clean and will also give you a cool, tingly sensation that is stimulating and energizing after shampooing. It contains fresh mint and parsley, both of which are naturally astringent and refreshing. MAKES 8 OUNCES

• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup witch hazel

1. Place the mint and parsley in a glass container and pour the boiling water over them. Allow the mixture to steep and cool completely. Strain out all solids and pour into a clean container. Add the witch hazel and stir or shake gently to combine the mixture.

2. To use: Pour a small amount of the toner onto a clean cotton ball and rub over your scalp or massage lightly into your scalp after shampooing.

Janice Cox is the co-author of EcoBeauty (Ten Speed Press, 2009).
Click here for the main article, Body & Soul: Boost Your Energy with Botanicals.

INVIGORATING FOOT RUB

By Janice Cox
December/January 2012

inShare

Treat yourself to this refreshing foot rub

This foot rub is a nice way to treat yourself after a long day on your feet. Vinegar and camphor are both mildly astringent and cooling and will stimulate and energize your tired feet. MAKES 2 OUNCES

• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
• 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon camphor oil

1. Mix together all ingredients and stir well. Pour into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid.

2. To use: Massage a small amount of the foot rub oil into your feet. Put your feet up and relax for at least 15 minutes.

Janice Cox is the co-author of EcoBeauty (Ten Speed Press, 2009).

ENERGIZING SEA SALT SKIN POLISH

If you really want to boost your energy, increase your circulation. Scrubbing your body with this refreshing exfoliating skin polish not only will get your skin glowing, it will energize your whole body. Follow up with a cold-water rinse and you will feel like you just went for a dip in the ocean—better than a cup of coffee. MAKES 2 OUNCES

• 3 to 5 drops bergamot, eucalyptus, geranium, rosemary, peppermint or lemon essential oil, optional for aromatherapy
• 1⁄4 cup coarse sea salt or kosher salt
• 1 loofah sponge

1. Add essential oil to salt, if desired. To use: In the bath or shower, pat the sea salt onto damp skin and gently run the loofah over your skin in a circular pattern. Pay particular attention to classic rough skin spots such as elbows, knees and heels, and avoid your face and other sensitive areas.

2. Rinse well with warm water followed by a cool-water rinse, and pat your skin dry. Moisturize well with a rich body oil or lotion.

Janice Cox is the co-author of EcoBeauty (Ten Speed Press, 2009).
Click here for the main article, Body & Soul: Boost Your Energy with Botanicals.

ENERGY ELIXIR RECIPE

This energy elixir recipe, which is infused with energy-boosting herbs and a little brandy, has a handily long shelf life.

By Holly Bellebuono
January/February 2014

Take up to 2 tablespoons of this energy elixir daily. Stored in the refrigerator, it can last up to six months.

This delicious energy elixir recipe, preserved with brandy, is an energizing tonic with a handily long shelf life. Find out more information on naturally boosting energy in "Natural Energy Boosters."

• 1 tablespoon dried licorice
• 1 tablespoon dried astragalus
• 2 tablespoons dried damiana
• 2 tablespoons dried gotu kola
• 1 tablespoon dried black cherry
• 1 tablespoon dried elderberries
• 4 cups boiling water
• 1/2 cup sugar, honey or vegetable glycerin
• 1/2 cup brandy

1. Combine all herbs in a pot and pour boiling water over them. Steep, loosely covered, for 1 hour, or until liquid is reduced by half.

2. Strain and pour liquid into a 1-quart jar. Let cool, then add sweetener and brandy.

3. To use: Take up to 2 tablespoons per day for energy. Stored in the refrigerator, this elixir’s shelf life is about six months. Makes 1 quart.

Note: Herbal remedies can interact with medications, so talk to your doctor. Do not use this syrup if you’re pregnant or nursing.

Excerpted from The Essential Herbal for Natural Health, by Holly Bellebuono, © 2012 by Holly Bellebuono. Illustrations © 2012 by Geninne Zlatkis. Reprinted by arrangement with Roost Books, an imprint of Shambhala Publications Inc., Boston, MA.

GREEN GLOW RECIPE

No, it won’t make you glow green, but it will give your skin and hair a marvelously healthy new look

• 1 head romaine lettuce
• 5 leaves of kale
• 2 pears, cored
• 1 lemon peeled, cut into quarters

1. Process the lettuce through your electric juicer according to the manufacturer’s directions.

2. Add the kale, followed by the pears and lemon.

3. Stir or shake the juice thoroughly to combine ingredients and serve.

Makes 1 1/2 cups.
Per Serving: Calories: 328; Fat: 2.8g; Protein: 11g; Sodium: 83mg; Carbohydrates: 78g; Sugar: 37g

ACNE BLASTER JUICE RECIPE

Whether you’re troubled by long-term acne problems or annoying little monthly breakouts, this one will help clear your skin fast!

• 2 medium carrots, trimmed
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 cup spinach

1. Process the carrots through your electric juicer according to the manufacturer’s directions.

2. Add the cucumber, followed by the spinach.

3. Stir or shake the juice thoroughly to combine and serve alone or over ice.

Yields 1 cup.
Per Serving: Calories: 102; Fat: 0.7g; Protein: 4g; Sodium: 113mg; Carbohydrates: 23g; Sugar: 10g

CUCUMBER TONIC RECIPE FOR A CLEAR COMPLEXION

Cucumbers are known to help the skin from becoming overly dry. Cucumbers contain silica, which helps improve the complexion.

• 1/2 large cucumber, peeled
• 1 celery stalk, leaves intact
• 2 sprigs fresh baby dill, for garnish

1. Process the cucumber through your electric juicer according to the manufacturer’s directions.

2. Add the celery.

3. Mix the juice thoroughly to combine and add fresh sprigs of dill to the top of the drink for garnish.

Makes 1 1/4 cup.
Per Serving: Calories: 13; Fat: 0g; Protein: 0.5g; Sodium: 33mg; Carbohydrates: 2.7g; Sugar: 1.4g

PINEAPLE JUICE RECIPE FOR SILKY SKIN

You can purchase this book from the Mother Earth Living store: The Everything Giant Book of Juicing.

Pineapple has long been known for its benefits to the skin. Add the silica-rich cucumber, and you’ve got an unbeatable combination.

• 1 cup peeled pineapple chunks
• 1 mango, pitted
• 1 cucumber
• 1/2 lemon, rind intact, thinly sliced
1. Process the pineapple through an electric juicer according to the manufacturer’s directions.
2. Add the mango and the cucumber.
3. Add the lemon.
4. Stir or shake the juice well to combine ingredients and enjoy! Makes 1 cup.

Per Serving: Calories: 270; Fat: 1g; Protein: 4g; Sodium: 12mg; Carbohydrates: 70g; Sugar: 52g

Pineapple Benefits for Skin
Pineapple contains enzymes that improve skin’s elasticity. It also improves skin hydration, and speeds up the process that removes damaged and dead cells. In addition, the enzymes in pineapples fight freeradical damage and can reduce age spots and fine lines.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

PARSLEY

In ancient Rome and Greece, parsley sprigs were braided into garlands and wreaths to give to partygoers with the belief that the parsley would allow them to better hold their liquor. Throughout Europe, parsley was associated with marriage, birth and death and was therefore a part of many marriage ceremonies, birth rituals and funerals for centuries. In Germany, folk healers would tell women to wash their faces with parsley water or tea for clearer skin. Parsley tea could also be used as a hair rinse to make dark hair shinier and smoother. Powdered parsley seeds were brewed in lard and then applied to the scalp in order to stave off head lice. In Cambridgeshire, a salve of pounded parsley and hen’s fat was marketed to heal chapped hands. Women were often instructed to eat parsley regularly, for it helps to lessen body odors and sweetens breath.

Today, parsley is recognized for its rich nutritional benefits and its diverse functions. The leaves contain large quantities of vitamins A, B and C, calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorous and potassium, and because of this, it is used to help stimulate the appetite and the digestive system, making it an ideal dietary supplement for anemics or people recovering from long illnesses. Parsley roots and seeds are consumed to cleanse the blood, kidneys and bladder and to expel excess water from the body. When taken with other herbs, parsley can even help relieve rheumatism and gout. Parsley can be applied to insect bites and stings to ease the pain, and it can also be used to treat light burns, milk knots and swelling. A tea made from the herb is still given to nursing mothers to wean her child and stop the flow of milk.
So the next time you find parsley on the side of your plate, remember that it’s so much more than just a garnish to brush off and discard. You may not need it to ward off rabies or treat appendicitis, but you can at least use it to freshen your breath.
Read More: Essential Herbal Wisdom: A Complete Exploration of 50 Remarkable Herbs by Nancy Arrowsmith

BLACK COHOSH

Easy to identify thanks to its tall stalks and soft clusters of pearl-shaped buds and white flowers, black cohosh is a beautiful wildflower named for its black, gnarled root. Native to North America, it can be cultivated as an ornamental but has become better known for relieving symptoms associated with women’s health.
For more than 40 years, black cohosh root has been widely prescribed in Europe (and is approved in Germany) for premenstrual cramps, premenstrual discomfort, painful menstruation and menopausal symptoms. Herbal practitioners often recommend it for hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, mood swings and anxiety. It may also be an effective alternative for women who cannot (or prefer not to) take hormone replacement therapy. The naturally occurring compounds in this herb exhibit a broad range of activities, one of which may include estrogenic activity (although evidence is contradictory).

How to use: Take this herb in capsule, tincture or extract form. You can also drink it as a tea (brew 2 teaspoons chopped black cohosh root in 2 cups water for 10 minutes). Until further studies are conducted, some doctors only recommend short-term use of this herb, as well as avoiding the herb if you have a liver disorder or discontinuing use if you develop symptoms of liver trouble (e.g., jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain).

TAMANU OIL

You may be familiar with tamanu oil as a popular ingredient in a variety of topical beauty products, but did you know that it’s more than just a cosmetic treat for your skin? Tamanu oil may also help promote the formation of new skin tissue.
Extracted from the tamanu nut, exotic tamanu oil has long been treasured in the tropical islands of the South Pacific. While research on the health effects of tamanu oil is fairly limited, some evidence suggests that it contains compounds rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, and may offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Some proponents also claim tamanu oil can help skin regenerate, making it a wonderful aid in speeding the wound-healing process. Use it to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars, and to heal burns, bites, stings, sores, scrapes, acne and blisters. “Tamanu oil is an indispensable skin herb,” Kilham says. “In addition to using it on my own skin, I’ve used it on a couple hundred people. It’s one of the greatest healing agents of all time.” Tamanu oil may also relieve pains caused by skin-related diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.
How to use: Use lotions, serums, moisturizers, creams and facial oils that list tamanu oil as an ingredient, or buy 100 percent tamanu oil at health-food stores. (They also sell diluted versions.) Gently massage it into the affected skin for a minute or two. As safety information is limited, avoid using tamanu oil if you’re pregnant or nursing.

CHAGA

Relatively unknown in the West, chaga is one of the strangest-looking fungi you will ever see. Hard, woody and found on birch and other trees, it looks like a hardened, crusty formation of burned charcoal. Despite its unseemly appearance, it possesses profound healing properties.
Found throughout northern parts of Europe, Asia and North America, chaga draws nutrients from the tree on which it grows. It is rich in antioxidant phenols, and in studies with mice has exhibited anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects. One of the most surprising benefits of chaga is the relief of psoriasis, a disease notoriously difficult to treat. In a 1973 Russian study, chaga was given to 50 people suffering from psoriasis and everyone saw improvement. “Nothing really works for psoriasis,” Kilham says. “But everyone in this study had their psoriasis resolved. There’s never been an effect like that for psoriasis.” Chaga extract may also have anti-cancer effects, according to some laboratory studies. One 2008 study observed that chaga extract inhibited liver cancer cell growth, suggesting that this fungus may provide a new therapeutic option for treating liver cancer.
How to use: Although chaga is an edible fungus, it tastes bitter and is not enjoyable to eat. Try drinking it as a tea or taking it in supplement or powdered form. Little is known about the safety of using chaga supplements or tea, and there is some concern about taking chaga in combination with blood-thinning drugs or diabetes medications.

SCHISANDRA BERRIES

Harvested from a deciduous climbing vine native to northern China and parts of Russia, the schisandra berry is more than just another trendy berry you could add to morning smoothies—schisandra may have abundant healing properties.
Schisandra’s woody vines produce bright red berries that hang in grapelike bunches. Although it is not well-known in the West, in Traditional Chinese Medicine schisandra is considered a fundamental herb and a harmonizing tonic—it has been used for centuries to treat liver, lung, kidney and heart disease. Herbalists primarily recognize it as an adaptogen, meaning it helps increase resistance to the damaging effects of disease and stress. It is used to increase energy, endurance, stamina and sex drive; normalize blood sugar and blood pressure; treat liver disease; enhance aspects of cognitive function; and improve longevity. “Schisandra is one of the greatest herbs in the world,” Kilham says. “It’s easy to cultivate, abundant, cheap and extensively studied.”
How to use: Flavorful schisandra can be eaten dried, ground into a powder or cooked. Its common Chinese name wu wei zi means “five-flavored berry,” as this spectacular berry is sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent. You can also take it as a tincture or drink it as a tea (brew 2 teaspoons of the dried fruit in 1 cup water for 10 minutes). Avoid taking schisandra while pregnant or nursing, if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcers, epilepsy or high brain (intracranial) pressure. Also avoid it if you’re taking warfarin or drugs that are changed and broken down by the liver.

SCELETIUM

This succulent herb from South Africa was once used as a bartering currency, according to written records that date back to the 1600s. Since then it has made its way to North America and has been embraced for its reported antidepressant properties, including its ability to help elevate mood and promote relaxation and a sense of well being.
Sceletium contains alkaloids that interact with receptors in the brain, affecting the release of dopamine (a compound that affects pleasure) and serotonin (a compound that affects mood). “After you take it, you will feel its effects in about half an hour, and it feels great,” says Chris Kilham, a researcher and author also known as the “Medicine Hunter.” The herb produces an increased sense of clarity and an enhanced capacity for ideas and mental focus, he says. Sceletium may also be useful in decreasing anxiety, stress and tension.
The alkaloids in sceletium act much like the pharmaceutical antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), according to a study reported in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. However, sceletium does not appear to cause the same side effects as pharmaceuticals, which can include gastrointestinal disorders, loss of sex drive and insomnia. Some have reported mild headaches using sceletium. “Sceletium hasn’t quite caught on yet, but I’m confident it will,” Kilham says.
How to use: While this plant was traditionally fermented and chewed, you can use it more easily in capsule or tablet form. Use caution: Not much is known about this herb and its side effects, as it is still being researched.

LEMON LIP BALM

Yields 1 cup
Lemon is a luscious, summery fragrance, and many of our beloved herbs offer that scent: lemon balm, lemon verbena, lemongrass, and wood sorrel (Oxalis) leaves and seedpods. Pick your favorites to infuse in the oil for this lip balm.
1 cup fresh lemon balm (or herb of your choice), chopped
1 cup vegetable oil (such as canola)
1/4 cup beeswax
2 to 5 drops lemon essential oil or high-quality culinary lemon extract
Follow the instructions in chapter 4: Medicine-Making Methods for making an herbal salve. Once the wax has melted, pour the mixture into small lip balm tubes or into 1/4-ounce tins. Because these small containers absorb heat easily, do not keep them in pants pockets or in a hot car.

DANDELION-ELDER FLOWER BLEMISH LIGHTENER

Dandelion–Elder Flower Blemish Lightener
Yields 2 cups
Adapted from old wives’ recipes, this classic blemish lightener uses buttermilk. Many old recipes call for tansy flowers, but I find elder flower to be just as lovely.
1 cup fresh elder flowers
1 cup fresh dandelion flowers
2 cups fresh buttermilk
Combine all the ingredients in a glass jar. Steep overnight in the refrigerator (refrigeration is important!). Strain and reserve the liquid. Using a cotton ball, apply the lotion to your face in upward movements. Once your face is covered, lie down and rest for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
Store this lotion in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

ROSE PETAL FACIAL TONER

Yields 2 cups
This is a simple and delightful astringent for the face.
1 cup packed fresh rose petals
1 cup distilled witch hazel
1 cup distilled water
Rose water or vegetable glycerin (optional)
Combine all the ingredients in a 1-pint glass jar. Steep overnight or up to two weeks. Strain and reserve the liquid. If desired, dilute it with additional distilled water or rose water, or whisk in a few drops of vegetable glycerin. Apply this toner with a cotton ball, using upward strokes.

RED CLOVER WHIPPED LOTION

Yields 2 to 3 cups
Make a tiny batch of this lotion at a time, perhaps for special occasions when you want your face to glow. It’s extremely rich and, depending on how much water you add, can be dense or light as a cloud.
1 cup fresh red clover blossoms
1 cup cocoa butter
1 to 2 cups distilled water or rose water
1 to 2 teaspoons jojoba or sweet almond oil (optional)
Place the herbs and cocoa butter in a bowl. Without heating, use a spoon to mix the blossoms into the cocoa butter. Cover and store in a dark cabinet or pantry. Steep for two weeks.
In the top of a double boiler, gently heat the cocoa butter just until you can strain out the blossoms. Discard them and pour the melted cocoa butter into a deep soup pot (this is to reduce splattering). Using a wire whisk or an electric hand mixer, slowly add the distilled water by the tablespoonful, whisking constantly, until you have the desired consistency. Add the oil if desired, and whisk together. Scrape the lotion into a small container. This lotion lasts several weeks when refrigerated.

LAVENDER FACIAL WASH

Herbs and flower preparations have been used for centuries for both men’s and women’s facial care. Since Maria Prophetissa discovered distillation techniques and created what we call the “bain-marie,” chemists and boutiques have sold flower waters and essential oils for beauty applications.
These lovely waters were favorites with ladies throughout the Middle Ages and have never lost their popularity.
With facial care, we generally consider two applications: drying (toning) and moisturizing. Determine your skin type and use whichever remedy will achieve the effect you need. Scent them as desired (lavender is a traditional and lovely facial scent), and enjoy.

Yields approximately 1 cup

This is a simple-to-make facial astringent that soothes, tightens, and tones the skin. Follow it with Red Clover Whipped Lotion (the recipe follows) for a rich moisturizer.
1/2 cup fresh lavender flowers
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup distilled witch hazel
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
2 to 3 drops lavender essential oil
Combine the dry ingredients and the witch hazel in a 1-pint glass jar; steep overnight or up to two weeks. Strain and reserve the liquid; add the glycerin and essential oil. Using a cotton ball, dab the facial wash over your face using upward motions. (After straining the liquid out, try gently scrubbing your face with the flowers and oats instead of throwing them out; they will remove dirt and grime from the crevasses of your skin and exfoliate. Follow with the facial wash. Delightful!)

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

ROSEMARY GARLIC JELLY

Rosemary Garlic Jelly
Makes 4 to 8 ounce jars
• Water
• 1 1/4 cups dry white wine (I use Pinot Grigio)
• 1/4 cup minced garlic (I use a whole head, maybe more)
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 3 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon butter or margarine
• 1 pouch CERTO Fruit Pectin

1. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Boil jars in water for 10 minutes. Let stand in hot water until ready to use.

2. Mix wine, garlic, vinegar and rosemary in 3 or 4 quart saucepot. Stir in sugar. Add butter or margarine to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil, reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. (This helps suspend the rosemary and garlic in the mixture.) Bring mixture to full rolling boil that can't be stirred down. Take saucepot off the burner and add package of Certo quickly. Return to boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. If there is foam and there should not be much, it should disappear when stirred before placing in jars. If there is a lot of foam, skim it with a spoon.

3. Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars in pot or canner and make sure that water covers jars by 1 to 2 inches. Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process the jars for 5 minutes. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

4. Use it over a block of cream cheese with crackers or put a teaspoon or two on a piece of boneless, skinless chicken or pork in the last 15 minutes of baking.

This is a great addition to your upcoming Halloween party. I have one more jelly recipe with rosemary in it, but I am tinkering with it. The cold weather is coming so I will be out harvesting the pineapple sage and rose geranium leaves next week for the additional jelly recipes I am making this year. More jelly recipes to share! Please stay tuned!

Read more: http://www.motherearthliving.com/food-matters/herbal-harvest-rosemary-garlic-jelly-recipe.aspx#ixzz2pB821Ry1

ANTIBACTERIAL HERBS

Turmeric: Turmeric’s essential oils contain a wealth of antibiotic molecules, making this antibacterial food useful for treating topical cuts and wounds. Turmeric is also often taken in Ayurvedic medicine to prevent and treat colds and other internal infections. Cooking can destroy the fragile antibacterial molecules in turmeric, so to retain its health benefits, try these recipes.

Oregano: Essential oils in oregano lend this herb antibacterial powers that have been shown to inhibit even salmonella and E. coli bacteria. Oregano oil is also useful at boosting immunity and preventing and treating common colds. Because oregano’s antibacterial powers are found in its oil, an oregano oil supplement is better for health than dried oregano leaves.

Peppermint: Peppermint is commonly used in toothpaste, mouthwash and other oral hygeiene products—and for good reason, too. Peppermint oil has antibacterial powers that help to kill bad breath-causing bacteria in the mouth. A 2006 study found that peppermint oil was effective against 22 different strains of bacteria.

Basil: Thanks to its volatile oils, this flavorful antibacterial herb can inhibit bacteria growth. Studies have shown that basil can restrict the growth of E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus bacteria, as well as inhibit growth in strains of bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics.
Images (top to bottom): Photo By David Goehring/Courtesy Flickr; Photo By Till Westermayer/Courtesy Flickr

Read more: http://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-health/antibacterial-foods-and-herbs.aspx#ixzz2pB4vSs00

ANTIBACTERIAL FOODS

Garlic: Garlic’s antibacterial properties make it useful for treating and preventing colds, athlete’s foot and other infectious problems. Scientists attribute garlic’s powers to a sulfur compound called allicin, which it releases when cut or crushed. Because cooking changes and deteriorates this compound, eating raw garlic is the best way to derive the healing qualities from this antibacterial food.

Honey: Honey has long been used as an antibacterial salve, useful for treating cuts and wounds. Researchers at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam recently discovered that bees add a protein to honey from their immune systems that gives honey its antibacterial quality. Honey also produces an enzyme that in turn produces hydrogen peroxide, which prohibits the growth of bacteria.

Cranberries: Cranberries are well-known for their ability to help prevent and treat bladder infections, in part because of their antibacterial properties. Cranberries prevent bacteria from latching onto the walls of the bladder and urinary tract by altering bacteria such as E. coli—responsible for illnesses such as kidney infections and the flu—to prevent them from forming the biofilm necessary for an infection to develop.

Read more: http://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-health/antibacterial-foods-and-herbs.aspx#ixzz2pB4BdMvh

NUT AND SEED BREAD

1½ cups rolled oats

1 cup sunflower seeds
½ cup flax seeds
½ cup chopped hazelnuts
¼ cup psyllium seed husks
2 Tablespoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon sea salt
1½ cups water
3 Tablespoons coconut or olive oil
1 Tablespoon honey
Savory Additions:
½ teaspoon each rosemary, dried garlic, and caraway seeds
Sweet Additions:
¼ cup currants or raisins
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Coconut sugar for garnish

Note that this recipe needs to rest for a few hours or overnight before being baked.

Line a 9×5 inch bread pan with parchment paper (unless you have an awesome non-stick or silicone pan). Set aside.
In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients.
In a measuring cup, whisk together water, oil, and honey (whisk in savory or sweet additions if using). Add to dry ingredients and stir thoroughly to combine; mixture will be a little bit soggy. Pour into bread pan and smooth top. Cover, and let rest overnight at room temperature.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Bake bread for 20 minutes. Carefully flip bread directly onto oven rack and bake for another 40-45 minutes, until very browned on outside, and sounds hollow when tapped. Let cool completely before slicing or freezing.
Serve with spreads, jams or butter. Enjoy!