Basil
There was a time when Basil was actually a very unpopular herb. Many of the ancient civilizations outright detested this now widely acclaimed herb. Many different cultures through history have had at best a love-hate relationship with basil who’s name translates to “be fragrant”. However, many cultures, like the Romans and those in the Americas, enjoyed it and Hindus even plant the herb in their home to signify happiness. On the other hand, there were the Greeks that detested the plant and many groups in Persia and India also do not prefer it. One of the cultures that has been the most fond of basil has been the Italians, and even now you will be hard pressed to find Italian dishes that do not feature basil.
Basil and tomato sauces are somewhat of a worldwide phenomenon and continue to be popular today. Basil is one of the easier herbs to grow as it will thrive in any temperature above 50 degrees where it can enjoy full sunlight. There are many popular uses of both the fresh and the dried form of this herb. Many people do not realize that Basil will continue to add more and more flavor to a dish the longer it simmers. This is one of the influencing factors behind why pasta sauces simmer for a long time; the cooks want the most flavor from the basil. A frequent complement of basil in pasta sauces is the herb oregano. However, basil has many more uses than just pasta sauces and is also frequently paired with different vegetables, meats, fish, and soups.
Basil plants are a tremendous addition to any herb garden because flies cannot stand the presence of basil, so if you plant lots of basil you will have a garden free from annoying flies! Throughout history, basil has been considered to be an herb of royalty in many cultures, and also has strong associations with love. In earlier times, basil was used as in indicator how or when men would propose marriage to their maidens. The man brought a bunch of basil when he proposed; if the woman received the gift of basil, then she had agreed to be faithful to the man and love him.
Basil is closely related to the mint family which indicated that there are many good medicinal concoctions that can be crafted from basil, much like mint. Many people are aware of the benefits that mint can have for the digestive system and its gas fighting properties. Basil also has good medicinal uses and can help with stomach cramps, constipation, vomiting, anxiety, and even headaches. The best way to use basil in this manner is to turn it into a hot tea that can be drunk. There are also many people that believe a cup of basil tea can help you achieve a good night of rest. If you do not like tea or the taste of basil, you can purchase basil capsules at herbal stores that you can swallow.
To this day, basil is one of the most frequently used and well loved herbs that can be used both around the house and in culinary applications. If you are using very fresh basil, tear the leaves from the stem and then cut or mince the leaves with a knife. There are many great complements to the flavor of basil; some of the most common are olive oil and garlic as well as the aforementioned tomato sauces.
Happy Herb Gardening!
Benefits of Chamomile
The herb chamomile has been used throughout time to cure many problems like insomnia, an upset stomach, diarrhea, and gas. You can also put it on your skin to treat lesions. The flowering tops of the chamomile plant are the parts that are used in tea and various other herbal treatments that involve Chamomile.
After the Chamomile tops are stewed and drained, the liquid turns a dark yellow shade and can be sweetened according to taste. It tastes quite unique, and numerous ladies in the past would always make sure they kept some baby bottles in the refrigerator just in case their baby might need it because it had gas problems. Before it was easy to buy gas relief medication over the counter, it always seemed like it alleviated the symptoms of gas in babies even though there is no scientific proof that it works.
Before you could buy Midol or Pamprin, some women also used it to help treat menstrual cramps. Because chamomile also treats anxiety, you might want to sip on some throughout the day if you feel stressed out or if your muscles are tight; chamomile can relieve both of these problems with ease if you drink it in your tea.
Chamomile makes an oil that becomes a distinctive blush shade when it’s extracted, and it has unique anti-inflammatory agents so it’s known to be an effective treatment for skin infections, inflamed skin and eczema. This is how chamomile is used as a topical remedy as opposed to using the flowers or tea produced from them. Keep in mind that chamomile has been in existence for quite some time prior to the availability of over the counter and prescription treatments. For quite some time, people had to use herbal treatments that were passed down from their ancestors and were probably still passed down even once other alternatives became popular to use.
In many cases, when young kids had eczema, diaper rashes or bug bites, a parent would put chamomile and oatmeal in a stocking and then put it in a bath with the kids to soak. It proved quite useful in eliminating the itch and curing the diaper rash. Additionally, chamomile was used in conjunction with various herbs to treat different things; for instance, if someone became nauseous, a blend of peppermint, fennel seeds, shredded licorice and Chamomile would treat that in a short amount of time. Since chamomile is considered a ragweed, avoid using it if you know you happen to be allergic to ragweed.
A few people enjoy drinking chamomile tea even if they don’t feel sick; they just like the aroma and taste of it. Although pregnant and nursing women are told to avoid herbal supplements, they can still make use of chamomile. It’s totally safe for anybody to drink whenever they feel like it. It’s been recognized to aid teething babies as well. Finally, chamomile has been used to condition hair and to be quite soothing if it is put on the scalp. You can add some light natural highlights to your hair if you blend it with a bit of lemon and some sunlight.
Happy Herb Gardening!
