Herbal Garden

Florida Native Flowers

2007-09-24T15:24:00.000-05:00

”Mom, I’ve Never Had a Sore Throat Like This Before!”

2007-09-13T10:55:00.000-05:00

That Thursday morning, I woke up my son at six o’clock in the morning as usual. Even in the dark of the room, with only little brightness from the night light in the hall, I noticed right away how pale he was. In the next moment he clutched his throat and could barely whisper: “Mom, I’ve never had a sore throat like this before!”

Read the rest of the story at:
http://www.dariasworld.info/never_had_a_sore_throat_like_this_before.htm

2007-08-04T20:25:00.000-05:00

One of the greatest legends about angelica dates back to 1665, the year of the great plague in London.

In early spring of 1665 the number of deaths, caused by plague, was on the rise in poorer sections of London. Death rate escalated when the spring turned into one of the hottest summers ever. As the panic set in, the rich, followed by the merchants, lawyers, clergy and surgeons left the city.

By June, the gates of the city were closed and the only way to get out was to present “the certificate of health” which became much more valuable than gold.

In July, when about 1,000 deaths per week were reported, the rumors spread that cats and dog spread the disease. According to author of the “Journal of the Plague Years”, Daniel Defoe, about 40,000 dogs and 200,000 cats were killed.

However, the real carriers were fleas, which lived on rats as parasites. With all the cats and dogs in the capital gone, rats had even fewer natural enemies and the plague was spreading more and more rapidly.Doctors, nurses and inspectors, who were in constant contact with the victims of plague, were forced to wear colored staffs outdoors so they were easy to spot and to avoid.

The houses of victims of plague were sealed for forty days after the person recovered or died. In the meantime, the guard was watching the house to make sure no one got out. The imprisoned inhabitants became so desperate that they bribed the guard in order to get some food passed to them. In the worst cases the inmates broke through the wall of their home to escape or they hung the guard by lowering the noose through an attic window and over the guard’s head.

Even the letters from London were said to be treated as poisonous. On that behalf they were heated, scraped, soaked, aired and finally pressed flat to dispose of "pestilential matter".

In August of 1665, the death rate reached its peak - over 6,000 deaths per week. According to estimates, over 100,000 people perished until February of 1666, when King Charles declared that return to the city of London is safe again.

The legend says that in the middle of this true horror story, an angel visited a monk in his dreams and gave him a message that angelica could cure the Black Death (which was another name for plague due to the tell-tale black lumps on the bodies of the victims).

Some sources deny this particular healing virtue of angelica but the written historical sources are proof that angelica water became one of the ingredients in “the King’s Majesty’s Excellent Recipe for the Plague”. That was an official remedy for plague, published by the College of Physicians in London.

Angelica water, nutmeg and treacle were beaten together and then heated over the fire. Twice a day this medicine was given to those who suffered from plague.

Obviously, angelica herb had an important role in curing one of the deadliest diseases of all times and therefore deserves an ‘angelic name,’ whether an angel was involved or not, in carrying the message about angelica’s healing powers.

Longleaf Pine Tree

2007-07-10T14:12:00.000-05:00

Read more about longleaf pine tree at: http://www.dariasworld.info/photo_longleaf_pine.htm

Disadvantages of Using Tap Water for a Drinking and Cooking Supply

2007-07-05T14:50:00.000-05:00

Water is the most abundant and the most important medium on Earth as well as in the human body. Because water is universal solvent, all the other substances are found in it, dissolved to different degrees and that is why pure water can not be found in nature. Mineral content of natural waters (and waters in our bodies) varies.

Water is fundamental to all the living creatures and in human body it is the primary component of every bodily fluid and involved in almost every bodily function.

Water requirements depend on our diet, activity level and climate in which we reside.
Regardless of our personal water requirements and geographical location of our residence - how to keep water clean and safe (how to heal polluted bodies of water) for human consumption should become everybody’s concern because there is no optimum health without clean water.

Most of the tap water in U.S. comes from surface sources (rivers, streams and lakes) and the rest is from groundwater (subterranean reservoirs). Water from both sources (surface and subterranean) most likely contains many environmental pollutants: animal wastes, local fertilizers (i.e. nitrates), insecticides, industrial chemicals and wastes, air pollutants (i.e. lead and radon), toxic organic chemicals, petroleum spills.

All the city tap water is treated in local treatment plants which in many cases use an obsolete process of settling tanks, filtration through sand and gravel and adding chemicals to purify the water for human consumption.

After the treatment our “drinking” water might contain all or most of the following, most likely hazardous chemical additives: chlorine (to kill the germs), fluoride (to prevent tooth decay), calcium hydroxide or other alkaline substances (to change pH of the water and prevent pipes from corroding).

Unfortunately, all of these processes may still not clean up the water of all the environmental pollutants.

To make things worse, chlorine and other chemicals are likely to react with other organic chemicals in the water and form new substances that may act as carcinogens. Even some water pipes might contribute toxic chemicals or metals.

It doesn’t come as surprise that bottled water is one of the fastest growing businesses all around the world. Anyhow, the synthetic materials, used for manufacturing of plastic bottles are also a growing concern, so - home-filtered tap water (using solid carbon filtration) is at the moment our safest source of fresh drinking and cooking water.

Rose-Rush

2007-06-07T17:40:00.000-05:00

Read the description of this Florida native plant, about its propagation and landscape uses at: http://dariasworld.info/photo_rose_rush.htm

Yucca filamentosa - Adam's Needle

2007-06-06T15:01:00.000-05:00

Read the description of this Florida native plant, about its propagation and landscape uses at: http://dariasworld.info/photo_yucca_filamentosa.htm

Photo taken on June 5, 2007
Copyright © 2006 - 2007 Daria Perse. All rights reserved.

Florida Native Flowers

2007-04-27T04:45:00.000-05:00

April Blooms in Florida

2007-04-26T05:00:00.000-05:00

Spring in Florida

2007-04-25T05:12:00.000-05:00

Florida native plants: Blooming Prickly Pear

2007-04-24T19:39:00.000-05:00

Another Florida Native Bloom

2007-04-17T08:59:00.000-05:00

Photo taken on April 17, 2007

Prickly Pear

2007-04-09T05:11:00.000-05:00

Photo taken on April 3, 2007
Copyright © 2006 - 2007 Daria Perse. All rights reserved.

A few days ago I discovered that the cactus, growing behind our house on the edge of the woods, is Prickly-Pear, Florida's native plant, which produces edible fruits: large, fleshy seeded berries.

It first attracted my attention on April 3 when I noticed flower buds (see the photo above).

Waking up from dormancy

2007-04-08T12:29:00.000-05:00

Photo taken on April 6, 2007

More Easter Flowers - Native Florida Plants

2007-04-07T06:17:00.000-05:00

Photos taken on April 4, 2007

Easter floral - Tread-Softly (Cnidoscolus stimulosus)

2007-04-06T06:10:00.000-05:00

Photos taken on April 4, 2007

Cnidoscolus stimulosus (three photos above) with common name Tread-softly is an extremely attractive Florida native dwarf plant. Its leaves are shaped to look almost like dark green snowflakes. Petals are brilliantly white, they seem velvety soft. The softness ends with the petals, though. The whole plant is covered with long, glass-like, stinging hairs.

Propagation: by seeds.

Size: up to 12 inches tall, clumps usually wider than taller.

Care: prune old stems.

Growing conditions: well-drained to fairly moist sandy spot, full sun. Zones 8-11.

Blooming season: year round in south, spring through summer northward.

Easter Flower

2007-04-05T05:07:00.000-05:00

Photos taken on April 3, 2007

Blossom Florida Flowers

2007-04-04T06:22:00.000-05:00

Photos taken on April 2, 2007

Spring Blossoms around our Florida Home

2007-04-03T11:00:00.000-05:00

Photos taken on April 2, 2007

Angelica (Angelica archgangelica, Angelica atropurpurea)

2007-03-30T13:11:00.000-05:00

Description of Plant

Angelica is mostly considered biennial but quite often doesn’t bloom until third summer. After blooming and seeding, it dies away. When grown for its roots, the roots will grow bigger if we cut away all the flower heads when they first appear. In its second year it produces some side shoots. These do not die away with their mother plant, they live on.

Angelica grows up to 84 inches tall (more than 200 cm). This plant is ornamental and aromatic, with large white blooms and dark green leaves, divided into three parts.

In Your Garden

A single plant should be enough for personal use. Angelica prefers deep, moist and fertile soil. It will grow best in partial shade to full sun.

How to Propagate

Angelica is fairly easy to grow from seed. In fall, we plant freshly gathered seeds. Unused seeds should be kept in the freezer to preserve some germination. In spring, we transplant small seedlings or buy plants.

If you let angelica bloom, the seeds will self-sow and you will always have this herb in your garden. To make it a perennial, cut down the stems at their base and let the side shoots grow.

Uses

Parts used:

Root

Stem

Leaves

Seeds

Angelica is used in the kitchen and in herbal medicine, as well as in confectionary, perfume and wine and liqueur industry. The whole plant is aromatic but in Europe it is only grown for its root. Two year old root should be dug in September or October, sliced and dried rapidly, and stored in air-tight containers to preserve the medical qualities for several years.

Herb angelica is said to improve immunity, circulation, stimulate appetite, relax muscles, reduce blood pressure, help reduce coughs, bronchial problems, allergies, exhaustion, premenstrual symptom, menopause symptoms, rheumatism, gas, heartburn, allergies, aid in regulating menstrual cycle and more.

Warnings

Some people may be allergic to fresh angelicas because of the furocoumarin (angelicin – toxic substance) they contain (symptoms: photosensitivity, slowly healing skin rashes, nausea). During the process of drying, the toxic virtue is said to be lost.

Only use your garden angelica because in nature, this plant can easily be mistaken with some others and very poisonous (like poison water hemlock and cicuta)!

Avoid during pregnancy.

Angelica increases blood sugar and so diabetics should avoid it accordingly.