Starting a Keyhole Garden
Gardening is a passion that has resurfaced with a vengeance in recent years. Whether it’s to save money on veggies and fruits, or a purposeful garden to avoid GMOs, getting dirt under your fingernails in the garden is catching on. With so many newcomers to the gardening game, it’s no surprise that there are many…
How To Start An Indoor Herb Garden
Have you ever wondered about the bounty that nature gives us each and every year? If you’re here, I’m betting you have. We do love wildcrafting here at the Herbal Academy of New England, but we understand that maybe you need some herbs that don’t naturally grow in your backyard or down the local nature trail….
Using Flavorful Culinary Herbs
There is so much information to consider when you cook with herbs. Not only should you consider the herb’s actions, benefits and constituents, there’s also the taste and feel of the herb to consider, and how well it pairs with a given food. Now some people are naturals, and can keep all that information in…
A Deeper Look at Herbal Infusions
Water is a very commonly used solvent that extracts herbal properties in the form of herbal infusions, or tea. Most people associate teas with hot water infusions, but cold infusions are also an easy way to create teas, especially in the summer months when cooling the body is necessary. Each of the methods has benefits…
Understanding The Simplicity Of Herbs
Some herbalists use a healing art called “simpling,” referring to the use of one herb at a time rather than in formulas or in combinations. These single herbs are called “simples” and the people who use them, “simplers.” We can all benefit from learning to understand the simplicity of herbs. No matter how much I…
Meet the Mint Family (+ Mint Sun Tea Recipe!)
I walk in my gardens on a July evening, admiring the lush green that abounds in midsummer. The bee balm is chest high and near blooming, the lavender, catnip, and oregano are in full flower; the sage, rosemary, thyme, and basil are growing tender new leaves almost daily; and the peppermint and lemon balm are…
5 Simple Ways to Conserve Water for Your Garden
Much of the country, including the Southwest and northern Texas, are currently experiencing significant drought. This is not only an alarming situation, but it can be a frustration to those who enjoy long showers and like to keep their lawns a perfect shade of emerald green. But it’s also a problem for those of us…
A Summer Bitters Recipe with Dandelion, Gentian, and Licorice Root
It goes without saying that most people prefer a sweet or salty flavor over a bitter one these days, but did you know that bitter foods are foundational parts of traditional diets due to their action on digestion? It’s true! Bitter plants were incorporated into the beginning of almost all meals as a way to…
Flying and Traveling with Herbs
It’s easy to use herbs at home but what about traveling with herbs – especially plane travel when there are restrictions with space, weight, and size? How can you fly with enough herbs to address your needs and stay healthy while traveling without weighing you down? It’s easier than you think! I’ve been flying a…
Lavender-Infused Oil and Sugar Scrub Recipes
Summer has always been my favorite season. I just love the warmth of the sun, the gardens that come alive, the meadows that fill with wild flowers, birds, and butterflies, and the farmers markets that offer the best of the summer growing season. I enjoy tending my herb gardens as well as the perennial and cut flower…
