Teaching Talia

Information from here.

Name of Herb and Medicinal Uses

Angelica – This herb boasts antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Dry the leaves to make an herbal tea used to increase energy, reduce flatulence, and stimulate blood circulation.

Sweet Basil—Steep the basil leaves in water to make an herbal tea that is used as an herbal remedy for indigestion. As a cold oil, it is used to massage sore muscles. Basil is used in a variety of recipes.//

Calendula –The flowers are pretty and useful. Steep flowers in water to make a mouthwash good for the gums. Creams are made from calendula petals and plantain leaves to heal cuts and wounds.

Catnip—Renowned for its mild sedative properties (for cats and humans.) The herb tea is taken as a natural cold remedy, fever reducer, and herbal remedy for headache and upset stomach.

Chamomile –Has sedative properties and steeped in water to make an herb tea, is used as a sleep inducer. It’s popular in crèmes to treat rough, dry skin.

Common Yarrow—The herbal tea is taken as a natural cold remedy, for flu and to reduce fever. As a natural cold remedy, yarrow is often used in combination with elderflower and peppermint. Make the flower petals into a cream to treat cuts.

Coriander—Has sedative properties. The herbal tea is used as a sleep or calming aid.

Feverfew—Chewing up to 5 leaves per day is suggested for home remedy for headache (migraine). As an herbal tea, it is taken to reduce fevers or prevent muscle spasms.

Horehound—Mixed with honey as a sore throat remedy.

Hyssop—As an herbal tea, its used as a natural cold remedy and home remedy for sore throat.

Peppermint–Crushed leaves put in boiling water are used as an air freshener and an inhalant to loosen phlegm. It’s also a flavoring.

Echinacea Purpurea (Purple Coneflower)—These are beautiful in flower beds and attract butterflies. When steeped in water, it is used as an immune system stimulant.

St. John’s Wort—Has sedative properties. Often prescribed as herbal remedy for depression.

Thyme—As an herbal tea with honey, it is used as a sore throat remedy and for scratchy coughs. It is used in a variety of food recipes.

Valerian—The Valerian root has sedative properties and is used to treat anxiety. Made into a crème, it becomes a home remedy for acne and skin rashes.

How to plant a medicinal herb garden

If you choose to plant herb seed, start them indoors in small pots with a fluorescent light on them or in a location to get sunlight. Put a very thin layer of soil over the herb seed; they don’t need to be deep. Sow approximately six weeks before the last frost in your zone. Water sparingly and carefully to avoid dislodging the tiny herb seed. Two weeks prior to the last scheduled frost, begin hardening your transplants off by gradually exposing them to the outdoors a few hours at a time each day. Wait to plant until after the last frost for your region. You can grow your plants directly in the outdoor herb garden, in a raised bed (best in my opinion), or transplant them into larger pots for a container garden.

For transplants purchased at the garden center, tilt the pots gently to remove the herb plant with as little disturbance to the roots as possible and plant them after the last frost for your area. Water thoroughly after planting. Cloudy days or at dusk are better times to transplant instead of the heat of the day to reduce plant shock. The most effective herbal remedy begins with a healthy, thriving medicinal herb garden.

Information from here.

Homemade Pesticide For Snails and Slugs
Diatomaceous earth is a powder-like dust made of tiny marine organisms called diatoms. It is effective on soft-bodied insects as well as snails and slugs. Just spread it on top of the soil and it works by cutting and irritating these soft organisms yet is harmless to other organisms. You can also put out shallow dishes of beer to trap snails and slugs.

To Keep Bugs Away From Houseplants
This is the safest natural pesticide for any home gardener and is effective on a variety of bugs and insects. Mix 3 tablespoons of liquid detergent into a gallon of water. Use in a sprayer bottle for houseplants.

Another Bugs Away From Houseplants Mix
To keep bugs away from houseplants, mix 1 clove garlic, 1 small hot pepper and 1 quart water in a blender. Pour into a spray bottle and apply to plants. Putting hot sauce on a cotton ball in a house plant pot will also repel pests.

Cabbage worms and Spider Mites Mix
For garden pests like cabbage worms and spider mites, mix 2 tablespoons of salt in 1 gallon of water and use in a sprayer bottle.

To Control Garden Pests
Gather together a collection of dead bugs, crush them up and mix with water. Strain the mix until it will come out of a spray bottle. Only use this mix outside.

Spearmint Hot Pepper Horseradish Spray
This is effective on many different kinds of outside bugs and insects and should be an outside spray.

1/4 cup of hot red peppers

1/2 gallon water

1/4 cup of fresh spearmint

1/4 cup horseradish, both root and leaves

1 tablespoons of liquid detergent

1/4 cup green onion tops

Mix the spearmint leaves, horseradish, onion tops and peppers together with enough water to cover everything. Then strain the solution. Add a half-gallon of water and the detergent. You can use this to spray almost any plant safely. Store the mixture for a few days in a cool place.

Natural Pesticide for Aphids and Whiteflies
Mix a few drops of dishwashing detergent with water and spray on plants leaves. This is extremely effective in controlling many soft-bodied insects such as aphids and whiteflies.

Homemade Pesticide For Roses
In your blender make a solution of leaves from a tomato plant 4 pints of water and a tablespoon of cornstarch. Strain the mix and spray on roses as a natural pesticide. Keep any unused spray refrigerated.

Natural pesticides can work well for any home gardener and are much safer for you and your family. After you try a few of these recipes you’ll understand that they really work. If you want to control pests naturally instead of chemically, homemade pesticides may be the ideal choice.