Written by Stacy Karen, Contributing Writer

Essential oils make home remedies quick and easy to prepare. With a select few on hand you will be able to create all manner of healing products and all-natural cleaning supplies.

When it comes to using essential oils with infants and babies, it can be daunting (and should be approached with caution). I have often wondered how much to use, or if certain oils were safe for young ones. After all, essential oils are extremely concentrated and powerful substances.

The following are some simple guidelines and recipes that I hope will be helpful to you.

Which Essential Oils are Safe for Babies?

In The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Valerie Ann Worwood recommends the following essential oils:

For infants, zero to two months of age:

Chamomile, Roman and German
Lavender
Yarrow
Dill

For babies, two to six months of age:

The above, plus Mandarin and Neroli.

For babies, six to twelve months of age:

The above plus Calendula, Grapefruit, and Tea Tree.

(A few others are also recommended for these ages, but none that I have used myself.)

What to look for in an Essential Oil

It is important to get the best quality oil possible. Make sure it is 100% pure essential oil and not a massage or perfume oil.

Many bottles of essential oil display the words: therapeutic grade. However, since there are no official standards for essential oils, buying one that states it is therapeutic grade does not a guarantee that the oil is actually good quality.

Knowing the source is the best way to ensure that the oil you buy is high quality.

Do a little research whenever possible.  It is usually safer to buy organic essential oils since there are some official standards for using that term (although it's still not a guarantee).

One company I have been very impressed with is Young Living. They readily share information about their sources and methods.

Cautions

It is very important to use caution when beginning to use essential oils with a baby. Essential oils are very strong, so be sure to use a light hand; only one or two drops need to be mixed with water for diffusing or oil for massage.

A few points to remember:

• Do not place undiluted essential oil close to baby's face.
• Never used undiluted essential oil directly on baby’s skin (it can burn and cause irritation).
• Never use undiluted essential oil in a diffuser (the scent will be too strong).
• Never ingest an essential oil.

When in doubt, don't. It's better to be safe than sorry. Test remedies containing essential oils on a small area of skin to see if any reaction may occur.

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How to Use Essential Oils with Babies

Two of the easiest and most effective ways to use essential oils with babies are:

1. Diffuse essential oil in a diffuser or oil burner so it disperses through the air and is inhaled.
2. Mix essential oil with a carrier oil to create a massage/body oil for baby which will penetrate the skin.

The general guidelines are as follows:

To Diffuse Essential Oils for Baby

Add one drop of essential oil to two teaspoons of water and add to diffuser.

To Make a Massage Oil for Baby

Add one or two drops of essential oil to two tablespoons of sweet almond oil and blend. Use this mixture to give baby a relaxing massage.

Once baby is over two months old, essential oils may be increased to three to five drops per two tablespoons of oil.

A few other helpful remedies:

Bedtime Massage Oil - Using the method above, blend one drop of lavender or chamomile essential oil with two tablespoons of carrier oil.

Diaper Rash - Add one drop German Chamomile essential oil and one drop Lavender essential oil to a pint of warm water. Store in a clean jar. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and use to wipe baby's bottom.

Homemade Calendula Salve with lavender oil is also excellent for treating diaper rash.

Herbal Baby Powder is also useful in keeping babies bottom dry while bringing the healing power of herbs to the affected area.

Colic - Diffuse one drop lavender and two drops peppermint in an oil burner filled with water.

Severe Colic - Add one drop of dill essential oil to one tablespoon of sweet almond oil. Stir to blend. Use this massage oil to rub baby's tummy gently. Also rub oil on baby's back with circular motions. (This recipe was found in The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy).

To Soothe and Calm - Add a drop of lavender or chamomile essential oil to a cotton ball and place inside your shirt. Hold baby and rock next to you. They will smell the scent as they are comforted by your warm body.

Safe Surface Cleaner - Add eight drops of mandarin essential oil and one cup of water to a spray bottle. Use this mixture to wipe down surfaces in baby's room.

Further reading:

Using Essential Oils with Babies and Children

Essential Oil Care for Babies and Children

Natural, Homemade Baby Care

Have you used essential oils with any of your babies? If so, what are your favorite remedies?

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

• Basic Necessities for a New Baby
• Homemade teething cookies for baby
• Herbs for the Fussy Baby
• A Year of Herbs: Pregnancy and the Use of Essential Oils, Part 2

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Written by Kate Tietje, Contributing Writer

It's winter time (already!  I'm still in denial!) and we're in the thick of the "sick season."  In fact, we've just gotten over our first round of "major" colds.  That's no fun.

We choose not to use any form of over-the-counter or other pharmaceutical products in our home -- at least not without an excellent reason (and we haven't found one in the last three years).  Certainly we don't for the run-of-the-mill winter blahs, like colds, flu, stomach viruses, and so on.

That doesn't mean we suffer, though!  We've developed some pretty effective herbal remedies that we turn to when we're in need of a little boost.  Today I'm going to share our top choices with you!

Colds and Coughs

Nobody likes colds or coughs -- runny noses, sneezing, itchy throats.  Luckily, there are some good home remedies for them!  We also make sure to take our fermented cod liver oil regularly to boost our immunity.

Ginger Tea -- Combine 1 tbsp. dried ginger root and 2 cups water. Boil for 5 - 10 minutes.  Strain.  Add fresh-squeezed lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon) and raw honey to taste.

Sore Throat Tea -- Boil 1 c. water and pour over 1 tbsp. elderberries and 1/2 tbsp. rosehips.  Steep 10 minutes.  Strain.  You can drink it like this (with some raw honey added to taste), or you can mix 1/2 tsp. each slippery elm powder and fenugreek powder with a small amount of cold water, then add this to the tea and heat and stir until thickened.  Add honey and serve.  (I do this if I don't have any cold syrup around.)

Cough/Cold Syrup -- This seems to knock out colds in a day or less, if taken at the onset of symptoms.  If taken later it seems to take a couple days but still not too long!

Homemade "Vapo-Rub" -- We use this on feet at night and it actually makes for really good sleep, and helps to banish night time coughs.

Humidifier -- Set up a humidifier and add 4 - 5 drops each rosemary, eucalyptus and tea tree (if desired) essential oils.  Allow this to diffuse in the person's room while they are sleeping.

Stomach Viruses

Yuck, right?  We aim to get over these as quickly as possible!  It's important that after a person vomits, do not give anything by mouth for at least 30 minutes in order to let the stomach settle.  Pushing liquids quickly will result in more vomiting and is not necessary in the short term to prevent dehydration.  (If vomiting continues for several hours despite stomach rest, call a doctor.  Don't worry about an hour or two though.)  Once the person has gone through stomach rest, you can introduce these.  OR, if vomiting is persistent, wait at least 5 minutes and then try one of these SLOWLY.  (We've unfortunately been in that position once or twice.)

Anti-Nausea Tea -- This is best used for adults.  Brew double-strength black tea and add a tablespoon of raw honey.  Something about the combination of caffeine, tannins in tea, and the honey seem to slow or stop vomiting.  You can also choose to mix in a capsule of activated charcoal (opened and the powder poured in).

Activated Charcoal -- If the person can swallow pills, take 1 - 2 at the first sign of nausea.  This usually prevents vomiting.  You can mix it into tea, too.

Children's Anti-Nausea Tea -- Boil 1 c. water.  Steep 1 tsp. lemon balm and 1 tsp. peppermint for 5 min.  Strain and add raw honey to taste.

Anti-Nausea Syrup -- We often mix this into tea, but it can be taken on a spoon, too.

Anti-Virus -- I really don't know what to call this one, but it seems to really work, especially when someone is having trouble keeping anything down.  Mix 1/4 c. coconut oil (melted) with 1 clove fresh crushed garlic and 4 - 5 drops oregano essential oil.  Apply this mixture (warm, but not too hot) to the feet and put socks on.  Sleep.  All three ingredients are potent anti-virals and can boost the body's ability to fight off whatever is wrong!

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Headaches

Headaches are common -- and in the last couple months, my husband's experienced a lot of them.  Hence, we've found a number of remedies.  These even work for migraines in some cases.  I recommend seeing a chiropractor and/or a naturopathic doctor for recurrent headaches.

Compress with oils -- Get a wash cloth damp with hot or cold water (depending on the person's preference) and put 2 - 3 drops clove or peppermint essential oil on it.  Wintergreen is another option (but not safe in children/pregnancy, and neither is clove).

*Stephanie's note: I've experienced many headaches this pregnancy, and my midwife/naturopath has recommend the use of rosemary essential oil in a compress or carrier oil (rubbed on the temples) as a safe pregnancy alternative, as well as taking extra magnesium, either by tablet or through an epsom salt bath.**

Headache salve -- Use this to massage affected areas, especially temples and neck.  It's also good for any other sore muscles.

Arnica -- Take 1 pellet of homeopathic arnica under the tongue every 10 - 15 min. until the headache subsides (good for tension headaches, but my husband tells me they work on his bad/migraine headaches too).

Heat -- Use a heating pad, or a rice-filled sock.  Heat in the microwave if you still have one (I don't and this is the only use that I miss having it for!), or in the oven at 350 for 10 minutes until hot.  Place on your neck or head or more sore area.

Water -- Sometimes headaches are caused by dehydration.  Drink extra water or make homemade electrolyte drink (like Gatorade without the junk) to help.

Epsom salt bath -- This can relax tense muscles and also give you extra magnesium if you need it.  Add 1 - 2 cups to a very hot bath.  If you can't/don't want to take a hot bath, run a small amount of hot water, dissolve the salts, then add cooler water until the bath is your desired temperature.

Lavender Oil -- Use lavender oil for massage, or place a drop on your pillow before you sleep.

These are our go-to remedies for illnesses!  I hope you find something in there that can help you. :)  And as always, I'm not a doctor or other medical professional and when in doubt, contact someone who is.  These are home remedies that have worked well for us, that I'm passing along for informational purposes only.

What are your favorite herbal or natural remedies?

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Written by Courtney, Contributing Writer

The foods we consume and the lifestyle we live form the foundation of our health. The nutrients in the foods we eat are the building blocks for all of the biological activity within the various systems of our bodies. Disease occurs when our bodies lack the nutrients necessary to perform these functions properly.

This can be due to a poor diet, an inactive lifestyle, harmful chemicals we inhale or absorb through our skin, or undue stress from a reliance on our own strength to get through the day to day instead of finding our strength in the Lord.

There are a multitude of vitamins and supplements to help support our hurried lifestyles and sometimes less-than-ideal  food choices. Walk into any grocery or discount store and you can become overwhelmed with the supplements available to you.

Are Supplements Necessary?

Over the years, I've wrestled with the idea of using vitamins and minerals to supplement my family's diet. I have mixed feelings about supplements.

Ideally, I believe we should obtain vitamins and minerals through the diet, just like we do the macronutrients protein, fats, carbohydrates. When we select nutrient-dense nourishing foods, the nutrients obtained from them are in their natural state in the proper ratios and are easily absorbed and utilized most effectively within the body. Supplements can contain imbalanced ratios or poor quality nutirents that pass through the body without being absorbed and used. This is certainly the case with synthetically-formulated supermarket vitamins.

Now, on the other hand, we can't deny the fact that the soil we tend today is inferior to that which our ancestors once enjoyed. Our current agricultural system has stripped the soil of the majority of nutrients necessary for strong, healthy plant growth. As a result, plants cannot withstand disease and pests and thus need to be doused with strong chemical fertilizers to grow in the first place and pesticides to stay alive.

Our conventional fruits, vegetables, and grains are anything but thriving. Because the health of the soil is critical for plant health, today's grains and produce contain a fraction of the nutrients they once did. Organic produce is healthier, but no doubt still affected by conventional farming methods.

For this reason, it may be wise to include supplements in our diet. Which ones and how much are tricky questions, though, and should be based on a variety of factors, taking into consideration things like the availability of local seasonal foods as well as past and current health history.

With the exception of cod liver oil, my family doesn't take vitamins or other supplements on a regular basis. We will sometimes take muilti-vitamins and occasionally specific vitamins or minerals to treat a specific illness or when a deficiency is suspected. I typically take a multi-vitamin throughout most of my pregnancies and during most of the first year or so while breastfeeding,  just for that peace of mind. I will sometimes keep a supply of chidlren's multivitamins on hand for stretches of reduced appetites or to boost little immune systems during periods when illness abounds during the winter months. Honestly, though, my biggest concern during those winter months is a lack of vitman D, which we do get through the cod liver oil.

I understand the dangers and pitfalls of vitamin supplements, namely the tendency to eat more carelessly while on them and the incredible spectrum of quality among the different types and brands out there. I'm careful to not rely on them, but instead to use them wisely and sparingly only as needed. We seek to meet the majority of our nutritional needs through food. Thoughtfully selecting nutritious foods and preparing nourishing meals is a priority and something I take much joy in as a mother.

A Homemade Herbal Mixture to Supplement a Healthy Diet

I've learned that herbs can be an excellent way to support a healthy diet and over time, I've come to rely on herbal preparations where I once counted on vitamin pills. Many whole food-based vitamins do contain concentrated foods and herbs to supply vital nutrients, and this is ideal when selecting a good vitamin source.

I'm not saying all vitamins are bad or that you should stop taking them. We still take vitamins from time to time, especially to treat illnesses since we don't rely on conventional medicine. But for the most part, I like to use herbal powder mixes in place of the packaged vitamin for a number of reasons.

1. Nutrients straight from whole foods/herbs are more bioavailable, meaning they are best absorbed because they are in their natural form along with the proper ratio of complimentary vitamins and minerals that aid in their absorption.
2. Concentrated herbal powders contain more than just vitamins and minerals. Phytochemicals in the forms of cartenoids and flavonoids, for instance, are present in dried herbs, but not all vitamin supplements contain them. Phytochemicals are beneficial for a number reasons, probably the most important being their antioxidant properties.
3. Herbal powders don't contain any sweeteners or additives.
4. I can alter my herbal powder mixes to meet specific needs during different ages or stages. (For example, during my first trimester of this pregnancy, I included ginger root powder in my herbal mixture to help improve digestion and alleviate fatigue and nausea. I've also included eleuthero root in the past to boost energy and help combat stress and lemon peel for extra vitamin C.)
5. Herbal powder preparations are less expensive than vitamins, and when I throw together my own herbs instead of purchasing prepared herbal powders, the savings are even greater.

Wheatgrass: Wheatgrass is the highlight of this powder mix. It is a very concentrated source of a multitude of nutrients, including beneficial enzymes that make it so easily digestible. It contains all essential amino acids, making it a complete protein, and is particularly known for it's high chlorophyll and mineral content. It is rich in B vitamins and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. There are  entire books just on wheatgrass and its benefits. Some say it nourishes and revitalizes practically every cell and every system within the body. I'm sure some of its claims are exaggerated, but I'm convinced it's good stuff! I like to grow my own because it's so easy and grows so quickly, but when I do, we juice it and consume it that way. For this herbal mix, I purchase wheatgrass powder from my local food co-op. I'm sure it would be simple to grow and dehydrate your own, though!

Barley Grass: A complete protein (contains all essential amino acids), barley grass also contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals, noted for its high amount of calcium and iron in particular.

Oat Straw: A good source of protein, B vitamins, vitamin A, and several minerals including calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and iron. Oat Straw is great for a number of things, but is best known for its positive effect on the nervous system and its ability to stabilize blood sugar.

Alfalfa: Alfalfa has always been one of my favorite herbal supplements! It is a rich source of  minerals due to it's deep roots that soak up trace minerals from far beneath the soil. It is a good source of vitamins, particularly vitamin A, C, E, and K. It contains a great amount of chlorophyll and is another complete protein.

Spiriluna: A blue-green algae containing large amounts of chlorophyll (green) and phycocyanin (blue), spiriluna's benefits are numerous. It is another excellent and complete source of protein and a good source of several essential fatty acids, it also contains a great amount of vitamins and minerals.

Kelp: Kelp is a great source of minerals. I especially appreciate kelp powder for its high amount of iodine. We use real salt, sourced from the sea and unrefined. Real salt contains iodine but not in significant amounts. Iodine is critical for many body functions, particularly metabolism and thyroid function. It is best sourced from sea food, but but for a diet lower in seafood, kelp is an excellent supplement.

Fennel Seed Powder: Fennel seeds are a good source of minerals, particularly rich in iron, and contain vitamins A, C, E, and some B vitamins, as well as other antioxidants.

Stinging Nettle: Well-known for a variety of functions within the body. It is espeically rich in iron and contains plenty of vitamin C for iron absorption. It is also high in vitamin K.

Dandelion: Where do I even begin? Dandelion is rich in B vitamins, vitamins A, C, and E and is a good source of the minerals potassium, iron, and zinc. It is a mild cleansing and detoxifying herb, but not so much so that it can't be used safely during pregnancy and in young children. Stephanie describes the benefits of dandelions and shares her own experience harvesting and drying her own dandelions here.

Rose Hips: Probably one of the best sources of vitamin C, rose hips is also desired for it's rich source of carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lycopene and luetin, and other antioxidants. This makes rose hips great for boosting the immune system and protecting cells from oxidative damage.

Tumeric: This is an overall fantastic herb, not to mention a tasty culinary spice! A good-quality tumeric found in a bulk herb or health food store supports many systems within the body. It is a fantastic antioxidant, contains a number of vitamins and minerals, and is also notable for how well it supports healthy metabolism.

Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast contains a decent amount of fiber and protein as well as some trace minerals, namely zinc and selenium, but it is best known for its high amount of B vitamins.

 

This recipe is not perfect, but it is my attempt at ensuring my family receives an abundant supply of nutrients from natural sources.I have altered this powder mix as I discovered new herbal sources of specific nutrients to meet specific needs. As you can see, this current recipe contains an abundance of B vitamins. I sought to add more sources of B vitamins early in my current pregnancy to be sure I was getting an adequate supply and to try to help with severe exhaustion. I also wanted to ensure an adequate supply of naturally-sourced and highly absorbable iron, so that is not lacking here, either.

The Perfect Addition to Your Daily Smoothie or Fresh Juice

How do we take this herbal concoction?

My family loves smoothies! We make up a family-sized batch nearly every morning. My ten year-old daughter has taken over the task of preparing our morning smoothies because she finds so much satisfaction in creating various combinations of this nutritious treat. We sometimes call her our "Smoothie Girl" in because of her love of this task.

We simply add what we call our "super power powder" with whatever we decide to throw into the blender that day. We rarely follow recipes for smoothies. It really just depends on what we have on hand and what sounds good at the time. A typical smoothies contains about half veggies and half fruit along with either water or yogurt. We sometimes dress up our smoothies with freshly-ground flax seeds, chia seeds, coconut oil, fish oil, raw eggs, fresh parsley (or other herbs), or anything else that sounds nutritious and delicious.

Kale and spinach are our favorite go-to greens, probably the base of most of our smoothies. Other favorite smoothie veggies are beets, carrots, celery, tomatoes, garlic, cucumbers, and chard. Our favorite fruits for smoothies are bananas and berries, particularly blueberries and raspberries. Other fruits we often add are mangoes, pineapples, avocados, peaches, and pears. We try to use either seasonal or frozen fruit.

Over time, we've learned to gauge how much to add without measuring, so I'm not a great source of smoothie recipe amounts, even though we've tried just about everything! We make enough for my older children and I to have about 8 ounces each, while the younger ones (5 and under) get about 4-6 ounces each.

We add about 1/4 -1/3 cup of the herbal mixture to our smoothie batch, which ends up being about one tablespoon each for the older children and myself and about 1/2 tablespoon or so for the little ones. Some days we use more or less or leave it out altogether, depending on the type of smoothie we're making. Also, it's not something we take daily, just most of the time.

Interestingly, my youngest children devour their smoothies faster and seem to enjoy them even more than the older ones do. I think it's because they were accustomed to drinking such a variety of fresh flavor combinations at a much earlier age. Smoothies are a great way to serve fresh fruits and vegetables in a very digestible form to babies and toddlers! Serving them early in the morning gets them off to a great start and ensures they fill up on plenty of essential nutrient-dense foods, which is very important in the early years when their little appetites wax and wane.

I do want to remind you that I am not an expert in nutrition. I'm simply a mom who wants to provide the best foundation of health for my family. I believe the food and herbs God created are the best way to nourish my family, and I am delighted to share with you some of the creative ways I've learned to do so! I'd love to hear your input as I know my herbal powder recipe is far from perfect. I'm always learning new ways to keep my family well-nourished and healthy.

Do you find value in either packaged supplements or concentrated powdered herbs like what I shared here? Do you have suggestions for improving the herbal powder recipe I mentioned above?

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Written by Courtney, Contributing Writer

Seeing our children suffer from a cough is no fun at all. However, coughs have their place in healing and should usually not be suppressed. If we prevent a cough from doing its part in recovery, we can set our child up for a much more serious illness. What starts out as a simple cold could quickly turn into bronchitis or pnemonia if mucous is allowed to settle in the chest.

At times, a cough can interfere with recovery when it causes severe irritation and prevents our child from getting adequate rest. We can ease our child's discomfort while still allowing a cough to do its job.

Soothing herbs and honey protect the throat from dryness and irritation, but don't "turn off" the brain's response to cough like some cough remedies do. Propping a child slightly helps to prevent the infection from settling in the lungs. Steam, poultices, and chest rub salves help to break up the chest congestion and make our child feel better fast.

Natural Remedies to Relieve a Cough

Eucalyptus and other essential oils can be very effective in relieving a cough. The oils help to increase oxygen flow and break up chest congestion. Some have antibacterial and/or antiviral properties as well! We can include these essential oils in stream treatments (diffused in vaporizors or humidifiers or in towel steam treatments) or in chest rubs, applied topically with a carrier oil or salve.

For years, I simply added essential oils to olive oil, similar to this recipe, and rubbed it on the chest for relief, but I've come to prefer a salve over the oil. It's not as greasy or messy and it's much less likely to spill.

Making a chest rub salve is simple. It's also safer (and cheaper) than the store-bought brands, like Vic's, which are made from a petroleum base and contain questionable preservatives and other ingredients.

How to Make a Chest Rub Salve

To make a chest rub salve, you will need a pan to melt the ingredients and a container to store the finished product in. I prefer metal tins, either 2 ounces or 4 ounces for this type of salve. Used moisturizer containers work well, too.

The size of your container will determine how much salve you make, so I will list the ingredient amounts in parts instead of a pre-determined amount. Over the years, I have found this to be much easier than trying to adjust a recipe to fit the container I store it in.

Ingredients: 

• 2 parts coconut oil
• 1 part beeswax
• eucalyptus essential oil (about 10 drops per ounce)
• white camphor essential oil (about 5 drops per ounce)

Simply melt the oil and beeswax in a pan and then add the essential oils. Pour into your metal tin(s) or other container. And that's it!

The salve will harden within 10-15 minutes. If you find it is too soft, like the consistency of an ointment, you can scoop it back into the pan, remelt it and add more beeswax. If it is too hard, remelt and add more oil. I've also remelted to add more essential oil when I wasn't satisfied with the strength of the oils.

This is a basic chest rub salve recipe that can be altered or added to to suit your individual needs or preferences. Essential oils of hyssop, rosemary, peppermint, thyme are a few examples of other oils that help relieve chest congestion. (Some essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy, so check the safety of any oils you plan to add if pregnant.)

We also use this salve to help relieve nasal congestion. When applied right under the nose, it helps to clear the airway instantly!

What are your favorite home remedies for relieving the discomfort of a cough?

Disclaimer: The writers at KOTH are not certified medical professionals of any kind and are not qualified to give you medical advice. Our goal is to help to educate and inspire you to take responsibility for your own family's health and make informed choices of your own, not to consult you on medical treatment. 

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As 2011 comes to an end, we’re sharing helpful lists to help you save money, stay healthy, get organized, creatively repurpose, frugally gift-give, intentionally celebrate and more in our “11 Things for 2011” series throughout these holiday months.

Written by Stacy K, Contributing Writer

The holidays are a wonderful time to enjoy herbs and spices. There are so many opportunities to use them in baking and cooking as well as medicinally.

Today we are going to look at eleven herbs and spices and how they can be used during this busy time of year:

1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the champion spice of the holidays. It seems to be everywhere: in baked goods, applesauce, warm drinks and even ornaments!

Besides these popular uses, cinnamon is helpful in alleviating indigestion and nausea. To make cinnamon tea, simmer three or four cinnamon sticks in two cups of water. Sweeten with honey, if desired.

A few quick cinnamon links you might enjoy:

• How to Make Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
• Nutritious Applesauce Cake
• Cranberry, Apple and Walnut Cake

2. Cloves

The little spiky, hard cloves that come out of our spice jars are actually dried buds of the clove plant. The sharp end of the clove bud is excellent for studding the outside of a ham.

Clove-studded oranges are also easy and can be included in a pot of mulled cider or used decoratively.

Chewing on a clove will take care of bad breath, too!

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3. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is another favorite holiday spice often used in cakes and pies. Nutmeg is is also a great digestive aid. To settle the stomach, add a small pinch of nutmeg to a cup of ginger tea. (Only use nutmeg in small doses. It can be toxic if taken in large amounts).

A glass of warm milk sprinkled with ground nutmeg is a relaxing bedtime drink. We use this when our kids are restless, to help them settle down and go to sleep. A nutmeg-milk night cap is perfect for when holiday excitement is keeping everyone awake.

Tip: One whole nutmeg is equal to 2 to 3 teaspoons of ground nutmeg.

4. Ginger

Ginger adds warmth and interest to a variety of foods. It is also has many wonderful medicinal uses such as: increasing circulation, reducing inflammation, and relieving congestion, nausea, gas and chills.

To make ginger tea: steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of fresh grated ginger root or ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger in 1 cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes.

Ginger is very spicy and hard to drink as a straight tea (at least for me). I’d much prefer to get my ginger via any of the following:

• Chewy ginger snaps
• Soaked flour ginger bread
• Blender gingerbread pancakes
• Grain-free orange gingerbread cake

5. Rosemary

Rosemary is a delicious culinary herb that is often used in roasts, soups and stews. It contains many wonderful health benefits such as rejuvenating the hair and skin, reducing headaches, and acting as a mild diuretic.

Rosemary is excellent with roasted chicken or glazed ham.

Did you know you can add shine to your hair by rinsing with an infusion of rosemary? It's easy (and it works).

A small, potted rosemary bush makes a lovely little Christmas tree or fragrant centerpiece.

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6. Sage

Highly prized for thousands of years, Sage contains many healing properties. It is an excellent anti-inflammatory and helpful in reducing irritations of the stomach and intestines. Sage is also thought to be a great memory booster and is one of the most effective treatments for a sore throat.

Some delicious ways to use sage:

• Turkey Sausage - my family loves this and eats it often. I make it is bulk and freeze it.
• Sage Rubbed Roast Turkey
• Medicinal Honey for a sore throat

7. Mint

Growing up in Australia, we often ate minted peas with our roast dinners. While I never cared much for the flavors or mint and peas combined, I have since learned just how beneficial mint can be.

Peppermint is especially helpful during the holidays since it stimulates digestion and relieves heartburn. An after dinner mint, made with real peppermint extract, is a good way to finish a meal. Alternately, a cup of freshly brewed mint tea will get the digestive juices going.

Peppermint also alleviates headaches (which can become frequent during the holidays if we are not careful). Rub a drop of peppermint essential oil onto the temples to help sooth an aching head.

8. Astragalus

Since the holiday season takes place during the winter months and we often find ourselves in confined spaces with lots of people, it is wise to build the immune system by taking astragalus regularly.

Astragalus can be taken as a tea, tincture or in a capsule. The dried root can also be chopped and included in soups and stews.

I heartily encourage you to add this herb to your families repertoire (if it is not there already). Studies are proving that astragalus reduces the frequency and duration of cold and flu.

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9. Echinacea

With all the activity of the holidays, it is likely we will get a cold at some point. To lesson symptoms and speed recovery, start taking echinacea as soon as you feel ill, but not before (it has been shown that echinacea is not overly effective as a preventative, but is best used to treat acute illness).

Now is an excellent time to make your own echinacea tincture. It is very easy, but does have to sit for a few weeks.  Starting a batch now will ensure you have some ready during the holiday season.

10. Lavender

I'm including lavender in this list because of it's ability to reduce stress. It is also a lovely addition to gifts of homemade body care.

To reduce stress, drop one or two drops of lavender essential oil on a tissue and inhale when needed. To infuse your home with a lavender fragrance, add three to five drops of lavender essential oil to a small amount of water in an oil diffuser.

Simple gifts made with lavender:

• Simple Lavender Salve
• Bath Bags
• Relaxing and Therapeutic Bath Salts
• Lavender Sachets

11. Chamomile

Chamomile is well-known for its calming properties. The holiday season is the perfect time to put chamomile to work. When the days get long and you feel tired or stressed, sitting down with a cup of chamomile tea before bed will help you relax and unwind.

To help the entire family settle down, spray this homemade calming room spray throughout the house or diffuse a few drops of chamomile essential oil in an oil burner.

Chamomile is also frequently included in homemade body care. Gifts made with chamomile are perfect for those who need a little relaxation and pampering.

A few simple homemade gifts with chamomile:

• Lavender-Chamomile Sugar Scrub
• Creamy Chamomile Bubble Bath
• Homemade Oatmeal, Chamomile and Rosemary Soap

God has created such wonderful herbs for us to enjoy. He not only made them flavorful, but also medicinal. The above eleven herbs are just a small selection of what He has abundantly blessed us with.

What are your favorite herbs and spices? How do you use them during the holidays?

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I'm a big believer in using herbs to naturally and gently treat many health concerns, as well as to nourish the body with additional nutrients.

The easiest form of herbs for most amateurs is usually dry herbs, made into simple teas, poultices, baths and that sort of thing. However, the most effective form of herbs is usually a tincture, which is a powerful liquid extract made from either a single herb or a combinations of herbs. Tinctures are absorbed better and faster, and tend to provide superior results.

Although it is possible to learn to make your own tinctures, it is a somewhat complicated process and I personally choose to purchase mine from reputable herbal companies instead. This month I was delighted to be asked to conduct a review of herbal tinctures from TriLight Health, who have been specializing in high-quality liquid herbal products for over 20 years.

What makes TriLight Health unique is that they offer a wide array of products that are safe for pregnancy, breastfeeding and children. Since this represents such a large portion of my readership, I and the other reviewers chose to focus on products that would appeal to moms in those seasons of life!

My Own Reviews

I tried several products, one as part of the review, and then others that I simply wanted for our family.

Original Herbal Minerals

My review product. I have found it hard to be diligent with my pregnancy tea this 4th time around, as I am so much busier than I have ever been before. Having an herbal mineral supplement offers the same benefits in a convenient package. My midwife had wanted me on some minerals specifically for the pregnancy-related headaches I was frequently experiencing, as well as to possibly alleviate some muscle and joint soreness. I do think that it's helping, as both issues have decreased over the past month.

Tri-Iron

Intrigued by doing the review, I opted to try this instead of the Floradix Liquid Iron that I usually take. I feel great using this liquid iron, and feel that it works at least equally as well. My midwife (who is also a naturopathic doctor) looked at both the mineral and iron formulas and was happy with me taking both of them (they are also approved by Shonda Parker, a well know and respected midwife). I like that I can take a smaller amount than the Floradix, because it is more concentrated, and I personally like the flavor better. I've chosen to continue with both the Tri-Iron and the Herbal Minerals for the remainder of this pregnancy.

N R G

An herbal energy booster, but one that is actually pregnancy/nursing safe! My midwife agreed that it was safe, provided it wasn't being overused, so I only use it on days when I'm really dragging and need a boost. It doesn't give you that "I've-just-had-3-shots-of-espresso" kind of energy jolt, but in my experience, a general feeling of well-being, slightly increased energy, and more mental alertness.

Snooze-EZ

Although I haven't had as many issues with sleep this pregnancy as with my last, I've still had the odd night where I felt I needed something gentle to help me sleep well. What I love about using a herbal sleep supplement, as opposed to something like melatonin, is that they both work to help me get to sleep, but the melatonin often causes me to wake up somewhere between 2-4 am. With the Snooze-EZ, I haven't experienced that. It doesn't make me as dramatically sleepy as melatonin, but it has really helped me on some nights when I was struggling to sleep.

NR Glow

I actually went for this because the write-up mentioned that it has been helpful for some children with eczema, which has been a particularly stubborn struggle for our youngest daughter. However, I confess to probably not using it faithfully enough to see any real results, and she also had a temporary allergic flare-up during the time she has been taking it, because I accidentally bought a probiotic that I thought was dairy-free and turned out to have dairy in it (oops). NR Glow is really meant more for boosting children's immunity, and I give it to all of my children on occasion now that the weather is cooler, and they all take it straight off the spoon and without issue, so I guess it must taste good!

From Alaina, a mom of 2 who is currently pregnant with her 3rd...

Original Herbal Minerals

The product that I tried from Trilight is called Liquid Light Original Herbal Minerals. The product is pregancy safe and I am using it during my pregnancy. I have been using this product hoping that the extra vitamins and minerals that naturally occur in the herbs will help benefit my body and my baby while I am pregnant. I think that the product is a good one for me as a pregnant woman in particular because it is often difficult to eat as well as I want to during pregnancy. Therefore its nice to have a product as an extra boost of some vitamins and minerals.

I have found however that the product tastes quite sweet (although it contains no sugar or sweeteners which is a good thing) and so for me that was the only downside (Stephanie's note: The sweetness is because it is a glycerin-based tincture). However for some people this might be a plus. I do not normally eat sugar or sweeteners so perhaps it tastes extra sweet to me for that reason. The product recommends two ways of taking it- in water or straight. Taking it in water was therefore essential for my taste buds instead of the option of taking it straight. This solved most of the "too sweet" taste and allowed me to be able to take the product.

I think that I would consider purchasing this product because of the extra insurance it provides during pregnancy of the needed vitamins and minerals. Also, the other lines of products that Trilight offers look to be quite good l and I would consider looking into some of their other remedies as well.

From Stacy, of A Delightful Home and also one of the amazing writers here at Keeper of the Home...

Snooze-EZ

Snooze-EZ can be taken for insomnia, general sleep issues, and also short-term periods of anxiety or restlessness. It contains Scullcap, German Chamomile, Passion Flower, Valerian, Oatstraw and Linden Flower. It is to be taken about 30 minutes before bedtime.

We found the taste of this tincture to be a little unpleasant, but certainly bearable. I used it undiluted and gave it to my daughter in a little water.

I personally found Snooze-EZ to work well. In fact, one evening after laying in bed with an anxious, racing mind, I got up and took some Snooze-EZ and was asleep within a few minutes. My only concern is that the recommended dosage is 1/2 a teaspoon to 150 lbs, so I have to do a little math to figure out the correct dosage for myself and my child.

From Kate, of Modern Alternative Mama and another one of our fabulous writers...

N R G

I tried the N R G formula to increase energy. I have a 2-month-old baby who is, of course, still waking up a couple times a night -- and a toddler and preschooler who are very active. Extra rest isn't easy to come by! I hoped that this product would help my energy levels so that I could keep up with my older children and my responsibilities.

The product was sweet and very easy to take. It was a little strong, and I occasionally needed some water after, but it tasted good. My children were always begging for some too, although I didn't give it to them. The dose on the bottle was 1 tsp., twice a day, but noted that "heating may occur" and you might need to cut back. For this reason I decided to just take a tsp. in the mornings, and not repeat in the evening. The last thing I needed was extra energy at bedtime.

For a few days I felt it was helping, because I did have more energy. I stopped taking it for a couple days then started again, but didn't notice any difference. I can't honestly say if it helped. I realized too late that energy wasn't my real issue. I was mildly deficient in certain minerals that were causing minor problems for me (which I'll blog about in the next few weeks), and that wasn't helped by this formula. It may have been helped by a different formula, and I wish I'd tried the liquid light minerals instead. Oh well.

At this time, it's not a product I would buy, but that's largely because I think it is not something that *I* currently need. I strongly believe in herbal medicine, however, and like Trilight products, and would consider purchasing the formula that I think would benefit me more.

From Beth, of Stewardship Not Convenience, and yes, she writes here, too...

B-Dry

I chose to try Trilight's B-Dry bedwetting formula. I have struggled to find a good solution for my son who is a very heavy sleeper and a bed wetter. I was pleasantly surprised by their quick shipping and good service. I received my order in just a couple of days.

After using B-Dry for a few weeks now, we have noticed a decrease in my son's bedwetting. He still does it but not as much. In fact, my son reminds me to give him his B-Dry if I forget because he feels like it is helping him.

My only complaint is that my son finds the flavor of the syrup to be too spicy because it tastes like concentrated chai. But after we figured to dilute it with some water, he has been happily taking it. Overall, I have been happy with the product we tried and we will keep using it since we are seeing it work.

From Renee, a good real-life friend of mine, with 4 young children...

B-Dry

When Stephanie asked me to review an item from Trilight, I was thrilled! Almost immediately I decided that I would like to try the B-Dry formula for our 7 year old. After struggling with bed wetting since she was potty trained, I needed some extra help. We had tried conventional doctors, rounds of antibiotics, homeopathic tablets, other natural remedies, praying together about it, and all the normal suggestions of 'no water before bedtime' or 'wake them up before bed'. Nothing had worked and I was eager to try this remedy.

Trilight was very generous, giving us a large bottle to use. We faithfully used the B-Dry formula for over a month. The formula is in a sweet glycerin base that was easy for our daughter to swallow. Rarely missing a dose we waited a week, then two praying it would start working. But I am so sad to say that after 4 weeks it has not changed a thing. The daily bedwetting has not waned a bit. The website suggests using the product for up to 3 months until desired results are achieved, so we are contemplating whether or not to continue using this formula. We were thankful for the chance to try the product, and are still hoping for good results as we finish the bottle.

I have $100 worth of TriLight Health herbal products to give away!

Here's how to get entered (remember to leave a separate comment for each entry):

1. Visit the TriLight Health website and tell me which which product(s) you would choose if you won.

2. Subscribe to Keeper of the Home by RSS feed or by email (and be entered to win our monthly email subscriber-only giveaways!).

3. "Like" TriLight Health on Facebook.

4. Share about this giveaway through your blog or favorite social media (find us on Facebook and Twitter here).

**Note that TriLight Health is not actually able to sell in Canada at this point. For the sake of this one-time giveaway, Canadians are welcome to enter and win, but unless you had friends/family in the US, you wouldn't actually be able to purchase from them otherwise.**

Giveaway has now ended. Winners to be announced shortly!

Disclosure: This post was generously sponsored by TriLight Health. Each reviewer received one bottle of their choice of liquid herbal product. Each review is the genuine opinion of that particular mama, and none of the reviews were influenced by anyone else.

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Written by Meg Dickey, Contributing Writer

Our Valley finally began it's annual cooling trend last week. After several months of nearly 100 degree heat, we were able to enjoy a rainstorm, complete with chilly temperatures and a delightful nip in the air.

Along with those blissful breezes come the sniffles and sneezes... when we start to feel like we're running down, I like to put a pot of this luscious soup on to simmer.  It does a wonderful job of soothing sore throats, boosting immunity, and calming that strange feeling of general malaise.

When most people think of boosting their immunity naturally, they think of elderberry, ginger, garlic, or even honey.  However, mushrooms are wonderful immune boosters!  They are anti-viral, antioxidant, and have some research supporting them as a cancer preventative.

When I first learned about mushrooms having health benefits, I took one look at those sad packages of white button mushrooms and laughed.  They didn't seem like they'd be good for much of anything - let alone keeping me healthy! And that's true.  Those white button mushrooms really aren't great for boosting immunity.  Just like many of the foods we eat, the more processed and packaged they are, the less likely they'll be good for us!

Shiitake Mushrooms

One of the best edible medicinal mushrooms is shiitake.  Eating shiitake mushrooms regularly may effectively strengthen your immune system. Shiitake mushrooms contain a powerful compound called lentinan, which enables your immune system to fight diseases and infections more efficiently. In fact, shiitake mushrooms are believed to be more effective than many prescription drugs. Shiitake mushrooms can help you battle more common infections like influenza to more serious health ailments like HIV.

Using homemade chicken stock in your soups is a great way to guarantee powerful nutrition for your body.   I like to use my Immune Boosting Stock when I'm making this soup.  It's a great way to combine healing herbs with the soothing elements of stock.  

Sage and thyme are two of my favorite herbs to add to soups during this cool season.  Thyme enhances the ability of the lungs to strengthen and fight off inflammation, while sage is a powerful diuretic and expectorant, helping to clear nasal and chest congestion quickly.

Mushroom Soup with Herbs

3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced or sliced
1 1/2 pounds wild or domestic mushrooms, preferably shiitake or porcini, although crimini can be used, sliced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour, or brown rice flour
5 cups chicken stock
1 cup sour cream, optional
2 tablespoons chopped sage
1 tablespoon chopped thyme
1 teaspoon paprika
salt & pepper to taste

Heat oil or butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the onion, garlic, and mushrooms, stirring occasionally for 7 minutes, or until very soft.  Add the red wine vinegar and cook for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with flour and continue cooking, stirring constantly for 3 minutes.  Gradually add the stock and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until the soup thickens slightly.  Add the optional sour cream, sage, thyme, and paprika.  Cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes or until heated through.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

NOTE: If you cannot find shiitake or porcini mushrooms to use in this recipe, brown crimini mushrooms can be substituted, as well as combining some shiitake and crimini.  Please make an effort to buy organic mushrooms, or even better, locally grown.  Conventional mushrooms are frequently treated with fungicides (ironic, I know).

Do you use mushrooms for their immune boosting properties?  What are other ways you increase your resistance to illness during this cooling season?

Top image from 101 Cookbooks

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

• Making Healthy Smoothies With Your Fresh Summer Greens (at Simple Organic)
• Gardening with Herbs 101: Preserving Your Herbs
• Naturally boosting your family’s immunity
• Gardening with Herbs 101: Harvesting Your Herbs

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Written by Meg Dickey, Contributing Writer

Last time we talked about how to harvest your herbs - now that you've harvested them, what are you going to do with them?

Here are my favorite ways to preserve herbs for out-of-season use:

Freezing

This method best preserves flavor.  Rinse the herbs and chop coarsely.  Place about 1-2 teaspoons in each compartment in an ice cube tray.  Cover with chicken stock, olive oil, or plain water and freeze.   Transfer frozen cubes to Ziplock bags for longer storage.  You can also spread herbs on a cookie sheet loosely and let freeze, transferring to Ziplock bags.  Thawed herbs work wonderfully for cooking!

Air Drying

Remove dead or damaged foliage.  Rinse only if necessary and let dry on a towel or spin in a salad spinner to remove all moisture.  Make small bunches, securing the stems with twine or twist ties and hang in a warm, dry shaded place, allowing for good air circulation.  Or, spread herbs on old window screens elevated from the ground.  Stir often to ensure even drying.  When leaves are crumbly dry, separate from the stems without crushing.  Store in glass (or plastic) containers in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, moisture, and heat.

Drying with Heat

This is the quickest option for drying, especially for those who live in high humidity areas.  It does tend to lessen the flavor and color of herbs, however, so keep that in mind.  A food dehydrator is always a great option, even more so if you can turn the heat down very low, to retain better flavor and color.  An oven will also work, although I generally only use this for roots, since it goes so quickly with the higher temperatures.  Spread the herbs on a cookie sheet, and use the lowest possibly setting, even the heat from a pilot light will work well.

My other favorite methods for preserving herbs involve a little more - but I think they're the BEST way to save many herbs for tasty uses!

Herbal Vinegars

This is the first way I actually learned to preserve herbs! Fill a tall jar about halfway with freshly cut herbs.  Cover completely with vinegar.  Let sit in a sunny windowsill for 3-4 weeks.  Strain out herbs, and rebottle in a pretty bottle if you'd like.  Will keep indefinitely in a cool cupboard. [This is one of my most popular herbal vinegars... great for this time of year!]

You can use any kind of vinegar you'd like, although I highly recommend you avoid white vinegar, even the organic kind, if you're planning to ingest it.  I use white vinegar for my cleaning, so I'll often infuse a gallon or so with herbs to help scent or disinfect an area (rosemary, pine, and lavender are a few of my favorites).

Use your culinary instinct when it comes to choosing which herbs and vinegars to use - tarragon is wonderful in white wine or raw apple cider vinegar.  Rosemary can withstand the robust flavor of basalmic or red wine vinegars.  I love to use chamomile in champagne vinegar - so light and tasty!  These can provide you with awesome flavors to use in dressings, condiments, and even as medicines.

Herbal Honey

I adore flavored honey.  It's nearly an obsession.  And as soon as I realized the herbal honey I made at home tasted better, was cheaper, and I could choose what flavors I wanted,  I was hooked. :-)  You can add fresh herbs directly to honey, but I recommend using dried herbs, just to prevent any chance of mildew or unwanted fermentation (I had a rather enlightening experience with fresh ginger honey! Nothing like a "pop" when you open the jar!).

Add about 1/4 cup of dried herbs to 1 cup of slightly warmed honey (you can do this by warming in the oven, on a sunny windowsill, or on the stovetop, as I did in the video).  Stir to combine.  Let sit in a warm area for 2 weeks.  You can strain out the herbs, or leave them - whichever you'd prefer.

Use anywhere you'd use honey - our family loved apple cinnamon rolls last winter drizzled with some of the cinnamon honey I had made.  Delicious! You can also use herbal honey as a medicine, which was something else our family tried last year.  I added garlic and sage directly to the honey, and let sit for 2 weeks. We had a wonderful, healing medicine that soothed throats and calmed coughs for our kids - and it wasn't a hassle to have them take it!

Herbal Salts & Sugars

This is a great way to preserve highly scented herbs such as lavender or lemon balm.  Slip a few fresh sprigs into a jar of salt or sugar, and let sit covered tightly for several weeks.  I use the herbal salts (usually with eucalyptus leaves or chamomile) for bathtimes... it makes a lovely relaxing experience.

Herbal sugars are wonderful for baking - I enjoy using the lavender sugar when I'm making cakes or cupcakes.  I also used the lemongrass sugar when I was making frosting for a cake.  It turned out to have a delicate lemon taste, which everyone loved.  I'm definitely going to be doing that again this year!

There are some of my ideas for preserving your herbs - what are YOURS?

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By Meg Dickey, contributing writer

Behold the flowers that deck the field,
The gentle breeze perfuming
And tender herbs their fragrance yield
Are health and life diffusing.
~Harvard Shaker Community Herb Catalog, 1843~

For some of us, the tantalizing breezes of summer are already wafting over our gardens.  As the days warm and the herbs in our gardens increase in size and production, there's not better time to indulge in a pitcher of iced herbal tea, or herb flavored water kefir.

There are some standard herbs that make wonderful tea - mint, lemon balm, lemon verbena - but don't limit yourself! One of my new favorite summer blends is a combination of lemon basil, basil, lemon rind, and stevia leaf. It makes a nearly perfect effervescent lemonade when cultured with my water kefir grains!

Try these other tea herbs to boost your summer flavors!

• lavender, rose petals, borage blossoms: wonderful floral taste, and you can add rosehips for a little sweetness!
• anise hyssop: delicate taste of licorice & mint (another one of my favorites for water kefir!)
• chocolate mint: this is divine when you're craving something sweet!
• hibiscus & chrysanthemum: our drink of choice on blistering hot days.  Chrysanthemum promotes sweating, which cools our body down.  Hibiscus adds a refreshing tart taste that perks us right up.
• lemongrass, lemon balm, lemon verbena, lemon thyme, lemon basil, lemon geranium: summer tastes like lemon to me! Any of these herbs, separately or combined - are wonderfully refreshing.  I like to float lemon slices in the top of the pitcher whenever I've made a lemony-herb infusion. Very pretty!

To brew an herbal infusion:

Harvest leaves and flowers and rinse.  Put a few handfuls into a pitcher (I usually use a half gallon mason jar) and fill with cold water.  Refrigerate overnight.  Strain, pouring over ice, and garnish with fresh leaves and flowers.

You can sweeten to taste, but I usually choose to throw a little stevia leaf in with the herbs if I think it will need it.  Always try it without sweetness first - I've sweetened many an infusion with stevia, licorice, or cinnamon, helping to avoid adding any more sugar to our diet.

Next time, I'll be talking about using herbs to stay cool naturally in summer!

What are some of your favorite herbal infusion combinations?

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Written by Meg Dickey, Contributing Writer

This month at Keeper of the Home, we're discussing Gardening 101, and we're continuing this week with the second part of Gardening with Herbs 101.  Let's jump right in to my favorite part of gardening: what to grow!

First, consider your needs:

What herbs do you love the smell of?  What tastes do you enjoy adding to your food?  What tea are you always splurging on?  What kinds of medicine does your family use during the year?  Do you want a garden your children can enjoy too? Are you in need of a quiet place to spend an early morning?

The answers to these questions will give you a great start to what herbs you might enjoy in your garden. Stephanie gave some great tips on how to plant a garden that works for where you live last week, so keep those guidelines in mind as we choose our herbs.

Theme Gardens

I adore theme gardening.  It's not for everyone - I have several friends who find the idea of organizing such a thing daunting, and would rather have a beautiful hodge-podge of plants scattered throughout the yard. The idea behind theme gardening is to group plants together according to their uses.  There are many ways of choosing which ones fit your needs best.  Here are some ideas to get you started:

Kitchen Garden

This is the most basic of herb gardens, and can easily be purchased as a kit from a local store.  You do not need much space to provide a surprising amount of fresh herbs for your kitchen.

A Kitchen Garden in a Pot

Our first kitchen garden was a windowsill garden.  It contained rosemary, lavender, sage, and thyme - perfect for a quick herbs de provence blend for soup, or to season a homemade dressing.  Other excellent herbs to add are tarragon, dill, marjoram, basil, oregano and chives.  I am also planning to add a bay tree at some point in time, since I use bay to flavor so many things!

I think one of the best ways to plan a kitchen garden is to make sure it's close by. If you have to walk out back, around the corner of the garage, and 6 feet past the swingset to pick your herbs for dinner, it's far more likely you'll just reach for a bottle out of the cupboard, or worse, simply forget about the plants sitting back there and pick some up from the store.  You can have different pots of herbs on your back steps, on your front porch, or even hanging from the porch ceiling, but you should be able to get to them easily.

Medicinal Herb Garden

This has to be the biggest money saver for our family, hands down.  After spending so much money on herbal teas, medicinal tinctures, and various other remedies, we finally clued in and spent our money to build a medicinal herb garden.

A whimsical medicinal herb garden

I sat down one evening and poured through my herb books, checking to see what herbs were used most often in our home, and what was practical to grow in our area.  I also chose those plants which were better utilized fresh, as well as noting what herbs were the most costly to purchase outright.  Because we mix and sell herbal blends and tinctures, we wanted to make certain we had quality plants to start with.  Growing our own was a great way to get that security, as well as cut down our overhead costs.

Our medicinal garden contains lavender, catnip, poppy, feverfew, chamomile, valerian, lemon balm, spearmint, peppermint, St. John's wort, nettle, plantain and calendula.  I will also be attempting to add lemon myrtle tree and an elder tree (for berries and flowers) at some point in time.  Other excellent options would be tulsi (Holy Basil), arnica, or angelica.

Children's Herb Garden

I don't know about anyone else's children, but mine LOVE dirt.  If I am out in the garden, they all want to be out there too, helping to dig holes, pour water, and watch things grow!  We started giving our boys garden chores last year, and they thrived with them.  This year, we're taking a little different tack, and allowing them to choose their own plants, as well as maintaining them.

Our boys working in the berry gardens

Our boys specifically requested "teepees" for their gardens this year, so we've planted climbing sunflowers to cover their hideaways [in addition to the pole beans].  Other great ones to let the little ones try out are pineapple sage, lemon balm, or any of the scented geraniums, which come in scents like lime, apricot, orange, and strawberry.

Children also get a kick out of smelling the plants in the mint family, especially peppermint, spearmint and chocolate mint.  Our boys also like to "heal themselves" with plants, so we try to make sure there is at least one aloe plant where they can find it. :-)

There are so many other options for theme gardening - potpourri herbs, medieval, butterfly, shakespearean, pizza or Peter Rabbit (two great children's options).  Here are some great resources to consider:

• Your Backyard Herb Garden, by Miranda Smith
• Themes for Herb Gardens, by Kim Fletcher
• Roots, Shoots, Bucket & Boots, by Sharon Lovejoy
• Sunflower Houses, by Sharon Lovejoy

Are you excited to start your herb gardens yet?  I know I am!  What herbs are you considering for your gardens this year?

Other Related Posts You May Enjoy

• Gardening with Herbs 101: What To Grow
• A Tale of Two Gardens part one and part two
• How to Plan Your Garden part one and part two
• Organization in the Garden: Evaluating What You Have and What You Need
• Getting Organized in the Garden: Seed Starting and Planting Schedule
• Naturally Controlling Pests in the Organic Garden
• 5 Steps to Being a Lazy Gardener
• Gardening in Less-than-Ideal Spaces
• 7 Gardening Lessons from a Novice Gardener
• Selecting Seeds for Garden Success
• How to Plant a Garden that Works for Where You Live
• 7 Reasons to Square Foot Garden
• Plan & Plant Now for Sustainability, Freedom, and a Backyard Revolution

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