text:
Healthy Home
Food & Recipes
Health & Wellness
Contact Us
Contact Us
Sign In
Healthy Home
Food & Recipes
Health & Wellness
Mexican Herb Garden
Product Review: HerbKits.com
HerbKits.com has an array of products for the newly-competitive indoor herb garden lifestyle. Read my review of how these kits "stack up".
Photo-Blog: Dutch Gardens Flowers
I've had little opportunity to actually test live plants in my tenure with The Herb Companion. So, when DutchGardens.com sent me some of their beautiful tulip and hyacinth varieties, I was excited and impressed! See some results in this photo-blog!
Guerilla Gardening: Planting Herbs in Downtown Kansas City
The Guerilla Gardener plants marigolds, basil, tomatoes and other herbs and plants in downtown Kansas City.
Guerilla Gardening: Operation Grand Tomato
The Guerilla Gardener finds that his downtown Kansas City guerilla garden has been vandalized. Find out his next plan of action to keep fresh herbs and vegetables growing in downtown Kansas City.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Spring Growth Update
Mexican mint marigold, green pepper basil and lemon eucalyptus are just a few of the herbs in Cynthia's herb garden showing new signs of growth this spring.
In the News: Dallas Woman Promotes Herb Benefits Through the Years
At 92, Lane Furneaux has been working for more than 30 years to educate the people of Dallas on the culinary and health benefits of herbs.
DIY: Create a Plant Herbarium
Plant herbariums collect herbal memories all summer long.
Cute Find: Herbie Ornaments
Looking for a last minute Christmas gift? Look no further! This adorable gift from the garden is inexpensive, easy to make and enriched with sentiment, courtesy of our good friends at Botanical Interests.
Herbal Roots Zine Giveaway: Meet Kristine Brown
Get to know Traditional Community Herbalist Kristine Brown and enter to win a subscription to Herbal Roots Zine, a great resource for teaching kids about herbs!
Herbal Travels: Visiting a Puerto Rican Herbolaria
On a recent trip to Puerto Rico, guest blogger Marguerite Dunne made sure she found a wise woman, a root woman and a healer with whom she could discuss the ethnobotany of the area.
Green Kitchen: Growing a Windowsill Herb Garden
Natural Home editorial intern, Kristin Standley, begins an indoor herb garden on her windowsill for fresh herbs year-round.
Financial Crisis, Bailout, $700 Billion: How to Chillax
September ... long month, no? The election frenzy is roiling; the DOW keeps tanking as the $700 billion bailout plan goes to vote in Washington; banks are scared to lend each other money, causing over-leveraged companies to hit a brick wall; the President is on TV telling us that, indeed, there are problems afoot.
Gardening Rookie: Books and Magazines for Gardeners
The weather outside may be frightful, but it's a delightful time to curl up with a stack of gardening books and begin planning next season's harvest.
Herbal Travels: Spring Blooms in Botanical Gardens
Take a walk around a blooming botanical garden this spring and explore new flower themes, events, workshops and recipes.
For Your Garden: Three Common Garden Mistakes
Watch out for these three common technique mistakes in your garden this spring.
Getting Acquainted
K.C. Compton's introductory blog on What Works ...
Easy Herbs to Grow Outdoors
Stop paying high prices for poor-quality herbs at the grocery store. Grow your own instead!
Enjoy the Health Benefits of Cilantro All Year Long
Say cheers to the health benefits of cilantro.
Eco-Decor Delights: Hova Design's FabricPot
Hova Design's FabricPots makes indoor gardening easier.
Check out the Master Gardener Plant Sale for Locally Grown Plants and Herbs
Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Monroe County is hosting the Master Gardener Plant Sale in May. Find out why you won't want to miss it.
Grow a Balcony Herb Garden in the City
Grow a balcony herb garden to reap the many benefits of herbs while living in the city.
Herbs & Children: Introducing Herbs to your Kids
Learn some simple tricks to introduce your children to herb gardening
Guerilla Gardening: Growing Vegetables in Downtown Kansas City
The Guerilla Gardener scopes out the site for a guerilla garden in downtown Kansas City.
5 Herb Container Garden Favorites
The Herbalista's container garden is planted and almost ready for harvesting. Check out her five favorite herbs to grow in an herb container garden.
Garden Planning Tips for Beginners
Consider these garden planning tips for beginners before jumping in to gardening.
Herbal Travels: The Chelsea Physic Garden of London
The Lemon Verbena Lady shares her travels to the historic Chelsea Physic Garden, an apothecary herb garden in the heart of London.
The Herbal Artist: 3 Flowers for Skin Care
Pamper yourself with herbal skin care tips. These three flowers lend themselves to fragrant homemade skin-care products that work great, are easy to make and are cost effective.
Garden Inspiration: 3 Beautiful Community Gardens
Join the Lemon Verbena Lady as she visits some community gardens in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia to get you ready for this year's gardening season.
Place a Time Lapse Camera in your Garden
Perhaps the more fitting expression would be, a watched seed never sprouts. But with this clever time lapse camera from Brinno, a great product for this spring, you can see your garden grow from day one until the first snow!
Herbal Travels: The Herb Gardens of Fulham Palace
During her recent visit to England, our Lemon Verbena Lady explored the historic gardens on the grounds of London's Fulham Palace.
Herbal Travels: Chicago Botanic Garden
I wish you could experience the English Walled Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. Blooming wisteria drapes over rows of trellised classical columns and flowering fruit trees shimmer in the breeze.
Herbal Travels: Brooklyn Botanic Gardens
When the Lemon Verbena Lady visited the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens during her NYC vacation she quickly learned that timing is everything when it comes to herbal travels.
Herbal Travels: Herbal Peruvian Clinic & Botanical Garden
The Lemon Verbena Lady makes a visit to an herbal Peruvian clinic & botanical garden in the foothills of the Andes Mountains.
Guerilla Gardening: Operation Slippery Slope Part Two
The Guerilla Gardener continues Operation Slippery Slope in downtown Kansas City.
Guerilla Gardening: Operation Slippery Slope Part Three
The Guerilla Gardener continues his mission with Operation Slippery Slope in Kansas City, Missouri.
Visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens in 2013
The Lemon Verbena Lady has a chance to revisit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in 2013, getting a chance to finally see the newly renovated Herb Garden.
Winter Project: How to Make a Plant Terrarium
Grow herbs indoors over the winter months with this simple gardening idea.
Guerilla Gardening: Operation Slippery Slope
The Guerilla Gardener clues us in to his next guerilla gardening experiment, lovingly dubbed, "Operation Slippery Slope."
Open a Can of Worms
Starting a worm composting system from your kitchen scraps is easy – and what better time to discover the disturbing art, than the Halloween season? Read what you can do with 8,000 red wigglers …
Growing Herbs in Texas: Early Spring Planting
Although the weather is still chilly, early spring planting has already begun in Texas.
Herbal Travels: Visiting Gardens During My Herbal Vacation
Sit back with your favorite herbal beverage and join the Lemon Verbena Lady as she travels from Canada to Europe and back to the United States visiting gardens and checking items off her herbal bucket list.
Your Fungus Gnats Are Showing!
Little gnatty flies smothering your prized houseplants? Learn what they are and how to eradicate them, once and for all.
Small-Space Garden Projects
Although most of us would love a lush landscape or garden, in reality, few of us have the time, space or other resources available to maintain one. Whether you're short on space or short on time, these small space garden
Garden Inspiration: Plant a Spiral Garden
Try this fun garden-layout idea for your medicinal herbs this spring.
Freezing, Drying, Storing, Preserving and Bringing In your Herbs
The Herb Channeler gets in gear to preserve the herbal harvest for the fall and winter months. Get ideas to freeze, dry and preserve your herbs as well as bring them indoors.
Bringing the Herb Garden Indoors
Enjoy an herb garden no matter where you live or the time of the year by starting your own indoor garden system. With these starter tools it is simpler than ever.
Hello Cleveland!
Blogging about beginner gardening.
Elemental Herbology Starter Kits for Clean Skin in 2013
Choosing the ideal products for your skin type can get complicated. Take the guesswork out of your beauty routine and get a head start on clean skin in 2013 with Elemental Herbology's NEW Starter Kits.
Good to Grow
Jessica talks about growing herbs on her townhouse balcony. With rising food prices, growing your own is a great way to save.
Growing Tarragon in your Garden
Tarragon is one of the most mislabled herbs. This spring, go armed to the nursery with a few tidbits to ensure you're getting the plant you want.
Love of Gardening Started in the Cradle
Marci O'Brien writes about sharing her love of gardening with her daughter.
Weekend Getaway: Northwest Herb Fest
Erin McIntosh spent a weekend in July filled with community herbalism in the Oregon countryside.
Herbal Travels: Well-Sweep Herb Farm
The Lemon Verbena Lady finds herb garden design inspiration in Port Murray, New Jersey.
Gardening Is for Everyone! Learning to Garden with Disabilities
Gardening is for everyone, even those with disabilities who think they are unable to. The problem to overcome is how to adapt and make adjustments so hyou can grow your own organic vegetables and herbs.
Herbie Road Trip: Herb Fest in Beaumont, Texas
My herbie radar goes into overdrive during this time of year and I'm on the prowl for celebrations of all things herbal. How fortunate to know about the Herb Fest in Beaumont, Texas—my old stompin' grounds.
What is Herbes de Provence?
One blogger shares her investigation of an elusive culinary herbal blend.
Weekend Getaway: Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference
Erin McIntosh enjoyed a weekend exploring Western holistic medicine at the Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference located at the Ghost Ranch in Abiquiú, New Mexico.
Weed & Water Wednesday: 10 Green Gifts for Gardeners--All Under $50
Check out this roundup of 10 favorite sustainable gifts for the gardeners on your list--all under $50!
Herbs & Children: Collecting and Drying Herbs for the Herbal Harvest
Cutting and drying herbs can be a great way for kids to learn about them.
Herbal Travels: Miami Beach Botanical Garden
The Lemon Verbena Lady finds a lovely vegetable and herb garden at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden in South Beach, Florida.
Herbal Travels: Loire Valley, France
The Lemon Verbena Lady describes her 20th wedding anniversary trip to the Loire Valley in France and shares her search for unusual herbs.
The Herbal Artist: Every Herbalist Should Have a Backyard Beehive
Herbalists can benefit greatly from tending a backyard beehive in their garden. Learn why every herbalist should consider keeping bees and how to go about it.
The Herbal Artist: 3 Annual Herbs for Stress Relief
Reduce stress with these three fabulous annuals. These herbs for stress relief are easy to grow and can help treat other health ailments.
76th Annual Educational Conference of the Herb Society of America
A highlighted tour of the 76th annual meeting and Educational Conference of the Herb Society of America.
Angelica Sinensis: The Science Behind Dong Quai
Do you understand how herbs work? We profile dong quai (Angelica sinensis), a medicinal Chinese herb with high vitamin and mineral content along with many beneficial phytochemicals.
FAQ: Growing Chinese Lantern Plants (Physalis alkekengi)
The Chinese lantern plant (Physalis alkekengi), also known as the winter cherry, enjoys a library of culinary and medicinal benefits. Here are the answers to some of the questions you have asked about growing this incredible species.
Discovering Chinese Lantern Plants (Physalis alkekengi)
The chinese lantern plant (Physalis alkekengi) is mostly grown for decorative purposes, but it also has a history of medicinal treatments.
The Herbs from Mother Earth
A few herbal lessons from The Urban Herbalist.
5 Best Apps for Modern Gardeners
These five apps for modern gardeners are designed to help you get the best out of your cultivated garden.
Cute Find: Herb Cupcake
This herb cupcake is calorie-free and so darn cute!
Cute Find: Handmade Herb Markers
We found this cute garden decor idea and insist you take a look!
3 Tips for Small-Space Gardening
If you're hoping to grow some of your own food but are short on space, use these three tips for small-space gardening success in containers, on your patio, balcony or roof.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Seeding for Fall
Try these Texan tips for planting herbs in the fall.
Herb Garden Planner: Design Your Ideal Garden
Learn about the new Garden Planner we used to design our own office community garden.
A Gathering of People Who Love Plants
Herb Society of America meets in Boston June 26-28 to celebrate its 75th Anniversary. Keynote speaker Holly Shimizu urges members to advocate for plants.
Herbal Travels: The Fenton House Garden in England
Take a trip across the pond with the Lemon Verbena Lady to discover a 300-year-old garden.
Company-Sponsored Organic Vegetable Gardens Promote Healthy Eating
Minneapolis public relations firm Haberman & Associates wants everyone to enjoy a company-sponsored organic vegetable garden like theirs.
Potted Herb Plants: The Easy Gift that Keeps on Giving
Personalize your gift giving with a unique herb garden gift. While this time of year conjures images of poinsettias that fade and collect dust long before the holiday festivities are done, a customized herb kit is a meaningful gift that will provide fresh herbs and provide naturally lush décor for many months afterward.
Cookbook Review: The Happy Herbivore by Lindsay Nixon
Freelance writer and editor Kim Wallace interviews fellow foodie Lindsay Nixon, author of "The Happy Herbivore" cookbook.
Growing Golden Lime Thyme in your Garden
A new thyme variety at a local farmers' market inspired one blogger's interest in learning about this versatile herb.
Growing Bay Laurel (2009 Herb of the Year)
Sweet Bay is surprisingly easy to grow and offeres wonderfully spicy flavors to your kitchen.
Thymus Vulgaris: You'll Be Growing Thyme in No Time!
You'll be happy with thyme (Thymus vulgaris) in your flower or herb garden border. It's an easy-to-grow herb to use for cooking and herbal remedies.
Getting to the Root of the Burdock Plant
The burdock plant has long been that pesky plant that attaches velcro-like pickers to your clothing, but it also has an abundance of health benefits.
The Herbal Artist: When and How to Harvest Herbs from Garden
Gather herbs for crafting herbal remedies with our expert help. We share basic guidelines for determining the appropriate time of year to harvest each part of a plant and teach you how to harvest herbs from gardens.
What is a Localvore?
Eating local doesn't have to be limiting or expensive. Learn how to eat local using tips from the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
The New Gardener's Hollow Leg Junior
The new Gardener's Hollow Leg Junior, a smaller version of the original Gardener's Hollow Leg, makes picking dinner from the garden easy.
Gardening Rookie: Starting Containers
Don't have the space (or the nerve) to tackle a full-scale garden? Never fear! This gardening rookie finds that a container garden can yield a harvest to rival any in-ground plot.
Growing Tips for Herbs: Why is My Sage Dying?
Keep your sage alive. Check out our growing tips for dying herbs.
Anthriscus Cerefolium: Growing Chervil for Fines Herbes
Grow chervil with tarragon, chives and parsley for fresh fines herbes this gardening season.
Watch Out Midwest! Is Atrazine Contaminating Your Drinking Water?
Atrazine, a common herbicide that can cause birth defects, washes off crops and lawns and makes its way to our drinking water supply. Atrazine levels in our water supply are highest between the months of April and July, especially in the Midwest.
Herb Conference in Tennessee: Day One
This year, The Herb Society of America's 2010 Educational Conference & Annual Meeting of Members is being held in beautiful Nashville, Tennessee.
Herb Conference in Tennessee: The Centennial Art Center
During day two at The Herb Society of America's 2010 Educational Conference & Annual Meeting of Members we stopped for breakfast at the Centennial herb garden.
Coriandrum Sativum: Growing Cilantro and Coriander
Check out these tips for growing cilantro, an aromatic herb that is often used in Mexican cooking, from our newest guest blogger.
How to Press Flowers: Make a Plant Press
Learn how to press flowers and construct a plant press to preserve your favorite herbs for study, display, or crafts.
The Path to Herbalism
The art of healing our bodies with herbs is a new fascination in Erin McIntosh's life. Learn more about her journey on the path to herbalism.
Gardening with a Black Thumb: Indoor Rock Gardens
Rock gardens are one way to brighten your house without having to actually grow things.
Get Kids Gardening with Vertical Garden Kits
Mighty Fine Gardens' vertical garden kits provide families with a way to teach their children the value of outdoor time and of making healthy choices with food.
Gardening Rookie: Maintaining Container Gardens
Once you plant your container garden, the recipe to a happy garden involves water, sunlight, nutrients, pest control—and passion, of course.
10 Herbs for your Kitchen Garden
These are the herbs that I simply have trouble envisioning any kitchen garden living without.
Waiting to Plant a Spring Garden
Desperately waiting for the arrival of spring? Have patience! Using container herbs will help keep your spirits up during this long winter.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Weedy Crops
With fall rain comes weedy crops. Learn more about Texas rain and it what it's doing to Herb Companion reader, Cynthia Meredith's, garden.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Soapwort Plant
Soapwort is growing well for Cynthia Meredith, our guest blogger from Texas.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Fall Gardening and Minutina
One herb gardener decides to fill one of her garden beds with spinach, nasturtiums and minutina.
Growing Big Herbs: Angelica, Borage and Tansy
Ten years ago the Lemon Verbena looked for big herbs that would take up space but still add a punch to the herb garden. Here are the results, ten years later.
Addicted to the Herb Garden Planner
The Lemon Verbena Lady is not a video game player, but she says designing your garden just got a lot more enjoyable with the Herb Garden Planner.
Herb Festivals: A True Community Event
Ponca City, Oklahoma, gathering draws more than 20,000 visitors.
Designing Your Garden with Herb Vignettes
When you are overwhelmed by the big picture or aggressive herbs take over, focus on smaller herbal vignettes.
Balanced and Blemish-Free with Elemental Herbology
Keep sebum production in check, purify complexion, calm irritation and provide hydration with natural skincare products from Elemental Herbology.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Rainy Update
Well, much to my delight, we had rain this week! Two inches fell yesterday and it's raining lightly now as I write. I couldn't be more pleased. Read more.
Growing Tips for Herbs: Why Is My Thyme Dying?
Our "Herb 911" series is back! With new herbs to cover, get ready to have your questions about dying herbs answered.
Growing Tips for Herbs: Why is My Rosemary Dying?
Keep your rosemary thriving with our helpful growing tips.
Growing Tips for Herbs: Why Is My Basil Dying?
Keep your basil thriving with our helpful growing tips.
Growing Tips for Herbs: Why is My Mint Dying?
Keep your mint alive. Check out our growing tips for dying herbs.
Growing Tips for Herbs: Why is My Lavender Dying?
Keep your lavender thriving with our helpful growing tips.
Garden Inspiration: Pinterest Finds
Don't let winter get you down! Look ahead to warmer months and find some garden inspiration with these beautiful garden images.
Container Gardening Ideas: Parisian Pocket Gardens
Create growing space for a small space garden with pocket gardens for posts, chairs, walls and doors.
Garden Giveaway: Growing Cutting Leaf Celery
Once you have this herb in your garden, you will never be without cutting leaf celery. It's a perfect container plant to grow close by the kitchen door.
5 Tips for Indoor Gardens
Check out these weekly tips for growing healthy, beautiful plants indoors.
Foeniculum Vulgare: Try Your Hand at Fennel
Fennel is the perfect herb for the gourmet cook who loves to grow special ingredients. It requires some attention to blanching, mounding soil around the growing basal bulb to keep it white and tender, but is well worth the extra effort.
Tough Times? Grow Your Own Food!
As more Americans tighten their belts to save a penny or two, many are finding they can save money by growing food-producing gardens.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Replant Herb Beds This Fall
Fall is the best time to replant herbs if you're in an area with moderate winter temperatures. Our guest blogger in Texas shares which herbs she planted this fall, including her newest addition Moujean tea (Nashia inaguensis), a lovely, fragrant shrubby herb.
Grow Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Herbs Indoors
Fresh fruits and veggies can still be grown during the winter; just grow them indoors.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Rain Provides Relief
After a drought wreaked havoc on her garden, a little rain perks this gardener and her plants right up.
Gardening Rookie: Tomato Trouble
One rookie gardener battles seasonal temperature fluctuations and too much rain in the quest to grow the perfect tomato—and realizes she isn't alone.
Green Garden Gear: M Brace and Gardener's Hollow Leg
Check out these eco-friendly garden products that were designed by Northern California gardeners.
Women's Resource Center To Host Spring Garden Festival
This spring garden festival will provide herb enthusists with a wide variety of annuals, perennials, and more, all grown from local farms and greenhouses.
Green Your Life: Adventures in Container Gardening
If you can't build your dream garden just yet, container gardening is a great alternative. Check out these tips for homemade fertilizer and soil retention, and learn how to repurpose common plastic containers into handy individual gardens.
Homemade (or Not) Father's Day Gifts
Celebrate the father figures in your life with these ideas for herbal gifts.
The Herb Channeler's Adventures with Jekka McVicar
The Lemon Verbena Lady spends time with Jekka McVicar, the "Queen of Herbs," and shows her the sights of Pittsburgh with herb gardens, both public and private, a retail experience and a delicious lunch cooked with fresh herbs and ingredients.
Meatless Monday! 3 Favorite Sites for Veggie Recipes
Looking for inspiration for meat-free meals? Try these three of my favorite sources of vegetarian meal recipes.
Garden Giveaway: Grow Chives From Seed
Chives are a cool-season, cold-tolerant perennial that love full sun and well-drained soil. Get your chance to grow chives from seed in your garden by entering our special garden giveaway. Ends March 7, 2012!
Herbal Educational Services to Host Two Conferences in 2012
Learn more about two conferences that could open your mind to the world of herbal medicine.
Transformation Tuesday: An Abandoned Detroit Lot Becomes a Thriving Community Garden
A Detroit neighborhood garden demonstrates how citizens can work together to reclaim rundown sections of their cities and benefit their entire community.
I read it in Oprah!
An article in Oprah says it's the fresh herbs that make the difference.
The Herbal Artist: Hibiscus Tea Recipe For Your Health
Hibiscus tea may lower blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension, according to some studies. Make this delicious hibiscus tea recipe to better your health.
How To: Baking with Lavender
There are many different ways to bake with lavender. Try my suggestions for lavender-infused baked goods, beverages and spice mixes, such as the classic combination of Herbes de Provence.
How To: Quick Pickling
Try even more of our favorite, flavorful herb pickling recipes. They only take minutes to make.
Encouraging Volunteer Plants in the Herb Garden
Herbs will reseed all over the garden as volunteer plants if you let them.
Garden Giveaway: Grow Chervil, the Sweet Spring Herb
Grow chervil this spring for a mild gourmet flavor.
Growing Luffa Cylindrica: It's More Than Just a Sponge
Until this year our newest guest blogger thought loofahs were a sea sponge. Wrong! While visiting California she came across The Luffa Farm in Nipomo, California. Discover what's so great about growing a luffa gourd!
Homemade Halloween
Got Hosta, Day Lilies or maybe some old records you're not using? Recycle them in these fun, easy-to-make decorations, perfect for a Horrific Halloween!
It's absolutely ESSENTIAL you read this blog ...
Essential Oils really are properly named! But do you know all the ways to use them? 19 tips and tricks you can use for an essentially wonderful life.
Enjoy Fresh Summer Herbs All Year Long
As summer dwindles down to a close, you may be left standing in your garden or kitchen thinking "Now what?" Preserve herbs with our expert tips: dry, freeze, pickle and pack them to continue enjoying your favorite herbs well into the winter.
Rumex Acetosa: Growing Sour Sorrel
Add sorrel to your kitchen garden to grow a super healthy green for salads, soups and side dishes.
Growing a Lemon Tree at Home
This month, Scarlet Faith shares why growing a lemon tree from a saved seed of a bought lemon is a great winter project.
Our 7 Favorite Garden Products
Check out our favorite garden products to help you enjoy gardening this spring.
When Aphids Attack
"Help! My plant is under insect attack - what are they, what will they do to my other plants and how can I attack back?" Find out here!
Capture Summer's Bounty with Herb Pesto
This pesto goes beyond traditional basil by adding several summer herbs lending complexity and delight to the summer palette.
Herbs and Herbalists
It's a constant battle: medicine versus herbs. This is how Marguerite got interested in herbs.
Summertime Skin: Shine from the Inside Out
Riding the body of toxins is the key to maintaing a healthy complexion. These herbs work from the inside to rid your skin of pimples, wrinkles and rashes.
Herb Farms A-Z: Finding Farms that Sell Herbs, Part 2
The Lemon Verbena Lady finds even more great herb farms to buy herbs for your herb garden in this second installment of Herb Farms A-Z. Take an adventure to an herb farm near you. It will lift your herbal spirits!
Herb Farms A-Z: Finding Farms that Sell Herbs, Part 1
The Lemon Verbena Lady searches for herb farms across the United States that can be visited to buy herbs for spring herb gardens. Most of these herb farms are destinations you can enjoy with your family.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Growing Lavender in Texas
With festivals such as the Blanco Lavender Festival, the Texas lavender industry is a constantly growing industry. Learn how to find a lavender that grows best in your Texas home.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Gardening in the Beautiful, Fall Weather
The beautiful weather in Texas allows guest blogger Cynthia Meredith to prepare for winter.
Growing Herbs in Texas: The Importance of Pruning and Mulch
It is still very hot here in my part of Texas. Day after day the temperature reaches 100 degrees or above with no rain. I was in town this morning and two people stopped me to ask how to keep their plants alive in this weather. Here is my advice.
Discover Fall Flowers In Season
Finding herbal blooms as the growing season comes to an end in the mid-Atlantic region.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Growing Purslane
It's October and purslane is growing abundantly in Texas gardens. Learn more about this herb and discover a Cucumber-Purslane Yogurt Salad.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Color in the Texas Garden
These plants are less stressed and have begun to bloom now that the weather has finally cooled down.
Recreating a Garden Tradition: KU Garden
A few jayhawks planted a medicinal garden at the University of Kansas.
What To Plant Now: Summer Herbs and Vegetables
It's not too late to start or expand your garden this summer! Plant sun-loving herbs, vegetables and flowers for a strong harvest and bright blooms.
Green City Garden Girl: What Manure is Best for my Garden?
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull explains the different types of manure available for your green garden.
Grow an Indoor Winter Garden: The Best Greens and Herbs
Grow leafy greens and herbs indoors this winter for year-round fresh, inexpensive and organic food.
Herbal Travels: Go to a Local Herb Festival in 2011
Visit an herb festival this season for fun new herbal inspirations.
Make Strawberry and Lavender Soup
Try this rich fruit soup with strawberry and lavender lavender from The Garden Bistro in Eureka Springs, Arkansas for a sweet special occasion.
Herbal Pests: The Four-Lined Plant Bug
The four-lined plant bug is a regional pest that plagues plants belonging to the mint family and other of your herbal favorites.
The Garden Buzz: Adding Bog Sage to the Wish List
During her afternoon walk, one blogger stumples upon a breathtaking plant with an ugly name that catches her eye with its unique beauty.
Herb Catalogs: Ready, Set, and Plant Those Herbs, Part 1
Lemon Verbena Lady is anxious to get planting new herbs in her herb garden. She explores the wonderful world of herb plant catalogs both in print and online in three installments because there is just so much herbal information to pass along!
3 Favorite Healthful Skin-Care Products
Some of my favorite, effective natural skin care products include a powerfully healing skin cream, a dark-circle-erasing eye cream and a luxurious facial oil.
Herb Seed Catalogs Mark the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
As the paper garden catalog is slowly sinking in the west, the Lemon Verbena Lady is searching out herb seed catalogs and websites offering the best seed catalogs and herb seeds of every kind. This is the first installment of several catalog and website postings.
Tending to the Fall Garden: Is it too late for fall chores?
The Lemon Verbena Lady gets you organized for fall clean up and ready for spring planting. There are lots of herbal seed and plant catalog choices as well.
Natural Product Review: Elemental Herbology's Delicate Cleanser
Use this gentle facial cleanser from Elemental Herbology in the evening to keep your complexion free of dirt and grime.
The Herb Shop Owners Who Inspired Me to Start My Blog
In the summer of 2008, one guest blogger started reading Rosemary's Sampler, an herb blog by two of her two favorite sisters from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and was inspired to start writing her own blog: Lemon Verbena Lady's Herb Garden.
Building Fairy Gardens For Kids
One guest blogger loves building fairy houses for kids and with kids. She never ceases to be amazed at their instinct for this activity. They see things in nature to use and create with that we could never imagine. Check out some fairy garden ideas from the brightest children.
Get a Good Night's Sleep with Herbs
Herbal tincture brings deep sleep -- and shuts down the internal early-morning conversation.
Winterizing Soil Essential for Active Root Growth
David Salman encourages gardeners to fertilize in fall when root growth is most active and winter fertilizing imperative.
Garden Gear
Get ready for planting and picking with fun, useful garden gear.
Late Summer Brings Jalapeno Pepper Bounty
All too soon the winter months will be here, which is more reason to explore ways to preserve this vibrant and medicinal food to have on hand all year long.
I Love Spring Anywhere: Our Best Garden Tips
Get our best garden tips from the April/May issue of Mother Earth Living.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Fall Planting Update
Our guest blogger from Texas, Cynthia Meredith, cleans out her herb beds to make way for thyme, chamomile, lovage and other herb plants.
Healthy Living Goals for 2011: Simple Steps
Editorial assistant Susan Melgren shares her healthy living goals for the next year.
Garden Ideas: Grow Herbs for Natural Dyes
Herbs can produce a wide variety of natural dyes, and some from useful plants you may already grow!
Gardening with Disabilities: Designing a Garden for Accessibility
Getting into the garden for people with disabilities may require careful and creative planning and design to accomodate each person's unique physical needs. Providing safe access is important for physical well-being and enjoying gardening.
How to Find the Right Location to Plant Your Garden
Before you can plant a bountiful spring and summer garden consider these six basics for choosing the best garden location in your yard.
Celebrating the 2012 Herb of the Year: 5 Favorite Roses
The Lemon Verbena Lady has been enjoying the 2012 Herb of the Year, the rose, in her garden. In this post, she shares her five favorite roses and instructions for how to make a delectable Rose Petal Jam.
Adventures at the 100th RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Part 2
The Lemon Verbena Lady shares more about her experience at the 100th RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a popular flower show in the United Kingdom. Here she discusses which of the Chelsea Flower Show gardens were her favorites.
Photo-Blog: Missouri Botanical Garden
Family vacations to natural botanical gardens offer just as much all-ages fun without the hassle of crowds or pollution common at most amusement parks. Visit one of the oldest and largest botanical institutions in the United States: The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. See photos here!
3 Great Pregnancy Skin Products
These three pregnancy skin care products will help prevent stretch marks and keep your baby belly soft and smooth.
In The News: Practical Evidence of Ancient Herbal Medicine
The discovery of medicinal pills onboard an ancient Italian merchant ship lends credence to the historic practice of herbal medicine.
Have You Heard Of This Herb: Zallouh
Delve into the research behind another unusual herb from across the globe: zallouh. This gnarled root from Syria may boost libido and treat erectile dysfunction.
Make New Friends with The Herb Society of America
Find out how to make new friends like blogger Jessy Rushing has done through involvement with her local chapter of The Herb Society of America.
Wabi-Sabi Wednesday: 7 Inspired Gardens
In a wabi-sabi garden, plants are chosen because they belong in that climate, and they're allowed to strut their stuff if they're considerate of the plants around them. Both plants and guests are encouraged to meander and explore.
Herbal Travels: Visiting the Château de Villandry and Admiring Kitchen Gardens
Fond memories of an anniversary trip to France and the beautiful Chateau de Villandry inspires the Lemon Verbena Lady to advocate kitchen gardens. Not only do they attract beautiful insects but they also spice up your summer meals.
Organic Gardening: From Seed to Table in Your Backyard
Organic gardening connects us with the earth and produces good-for-you food.
Gifts for Gardeners: 5 Ideas for the Apartment Gardener
Stumped on what to give your friend or family member with an apartment garden? Try one of these ideas for gifts for gardeners.
Pinterest Inspiration: Apartment Gardening Ideas
Get inspired with these fun and unique apartment gardening ideas.
Organic Gardening: Tips for Transplanting and Choosing Fertilizers
Dig into the season with our favorite organic gardening tips and tricks to grow your own bounty.
Celebrate National Hot Tea Month
Delight in these delicious tea recipes in celebration of National Hot Tea Month.
Car Wreck Calls for the Best Herbs for Pain
Herbs such as arnica, capsaicin and ginger relieve KC's aching muscles after a painful car crash.
Back to Eden Again: The Value of Herbal Healing Today
Despite criticism by some of the scientific community, this classic 1939 materia medica is still one of the best herbal reference books in Western herbology.
The Nyah-Nyah Factor
Herbs do work -- when you take them.
Herbs in Horto: Take a Moonlit Stroll Through the "City in a Garden"
Lurie Garden is a popular tourist attraction in Chicago during the day, but a secret escape at night.
Gardening Rookie: A Hot Pepper Harvest
When jalapenos take over, what's a rookie gardener to do? Dry 'em, freeze 'em, smoke 'em, and more.
How To Discover Fairies in a Garden
Meet Lydia, a fairy scientist set out to discover the secret world of fairies.
Gardening with a Black Thumb: How to Make a Zen Garden
Cost-effective and easy to assemble, zen gardens bring an earthy, grounding energy to a home. Learn how to make a zen garden with these instructions from guest blogger Eileen Troemel.
Planting Herbs in Pots: A Garden Anyone Can Grow
Planting herbs in pots is a great way to jump into gardening, and you'll be able to use your harvest every day.
8 Tips for Easy Gardening
For those of us interested in living a sustainable and simple lifestyle, gardening is a great way to enjoy the benefits of healthy, fresh food and avoid the impacts of industrial agriculture. Get tips that will make gardening easy.
What is Boswellia Serrata?
The resin taken from the bark of this tropical tree can help relieve inflammation, stiffness and joint pain.
Save Money: Recycled Creations for your Garden
Go green this winter to prepare for your spring garden. You can easily create a beautiful garden by reusing normal household items.
Green Victory! An Organic Food Garden at the White House
The Obamas plant an organic vegetable garden on the South Lawn of the White House.
Fairy Gardening: Making Mud Pies and More
Discover delightful garden projects for kids. The author of the Fairy House Handbook shows you how to make fabulous fairy creations out of mud.
Herbal Travels: New York Botanical Garden
The Lemon Verbena Lady visits New York City and discovers the New York Botanical Garden.
Cute Find: Wooden Fairy Doors
We found another cute garden decor idea. Check it out!
Celebrating the 2012 Herb of the Year: Make Rose Hip Tea
Discover your next project in the herb garden, starting with rose hips and ending with an invigorating herbal tea.
Celebrating the 2012 Herb of the Year: Make Rose Vinegar
When I saw Susan Belsinger's book about roses on the International Herb Association website, I was thrilled. She was kind enough to allow me to share this Rose Vinegar recipe from her "The Roses in Your Vinegar" article.
Garden Inspiration: The Chelsea Flower Show
Bring the designs and ideas of talented gardeners around the world into your own growing space.
Grow Your Own Food: Organic Gardening Stays Popular
Natural Home editorial intern Amanda Thompson talks about the benefits her family has seen from keeping a small organic food garden.
5 Ways to Make Gardening with Kids Enjoyable
Gardening with kids doesn't have to be stressful. Here are five simple steps to make gardening with kids more enjoyable.
Gardening with Disabilities: Garden in Raised Beds for Less Stress
Raising the garden height through raised garden beds to meet a person's physical needs allows for a stress- and strain-free gardening experience.
Green Your Life: Green Product Review: The Woolly Wally Pocket
Turn a boring wall into a vertical garden with The Woolly Wally Pocket. Made of 100% recycled plastic bottles, this hanging planter is the answer for anyone looking for a unique and eco-friendly planter for container gardening.
Herb Festivals: Seventh Annual Rockport Herb Festival
With spring on the way, herb festivals are coming up on the calendar. Are you planning to attend one this spring?
Business of Herbs
Annual meeting of International Herb Association offers information and support to herb professionals, IHA helps promote herbs and herb businesses.
A Reader's Request: The Herbs of Shakespeare, Act One
A reader's request leads Lemon Verbena Lady into exploring the works of William Shakespeare for some of the herbal flowers and herbs of Elizabethan England. There is so much that there had to be a second act.
The Natural Gardener: Bio Green Lawn Care
Guest blogger Jenn Leonard shares her experience with natural lawn nutrition service, Bio Green.
Converting the Herbal Skeptics
I'd love to see "modern" medicine get hip to herbs before they get patented and turned into expensive medicine.
Every Herb Has a Story: Fenugreek Uses
Did you know that fenugreek was once used in embalming mummies? Explore the history and benefits of fenugreek around the world.
Herb Society of America's Spring Symposium to Feature Herb of the Year
The Herb Society of America will honor the rose this year at its annual spring symposium.
Chasing away colds and flu
Herbal immune boosters really work.
Have You Heard of This Herb: Szechuan Buttons
Delve into the research behind another unusual herb from across the globe. Szechuan buttons are electric-packed flower buds that have numbing properties, giving them the aptly named moniker, the "toothache plant".
Herbal Travels: The Cloisters
A visit to The Cloisters medieval museum and gardens in New York City reminds the Lemon Verbena Lady just how close gardens an art are related.
Nepeta Cataria: Make Homemade Catnip Toys
Entertain your feline friends with a homemade catnip toy.
Gardening Ideas: Planning Your Garden 101
The stirrings of spring may make you want to buy every plant or seed in sight, but a little planning can help you create a garden you'll truly enjoy.
Pet-Friendly Lawns and Gardens
Popular fertilizers and mulches can be dangerous to our furry family members. Editorial intern Amanda Thompson discusses ways to make sure your lawn and garden are pet-friendly.
The Newest Addition to the Garden: Raised Beds
Guest blogger and novice gardener Shelley Moore gets creative when the raised beds she orders for her garden are too deep.
How to Build a Container Water Garden
Container water gardens are easy to design and maintain, making them a perfect low-cost accessory to your outdoor living spaces. Learn how to make a container water garden!
Changing Whole Cityscapes into Gardens, Just a Few Steps from Everyone's Kitchen
My Mobilegro invention is much more than the next new innovative home gardening product to hit the market.
A Hard-Working Family Wins Our Ultimate Garden Giveaway
Kriste Misiak and her family won our Ultimate Garden Giveaway, receiving farm equipment and tools for all of their farming needs.
Green City Garden Girl: Garden of (Un)Eaten
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull details her lack of motivation to jump-start her garden this spring, as well as a few things to help with inspiration!
Setting Intentions: Starting Our Garden
Guest blogger Elise Roth Edwards and her family plan for spring gardening and growing food.
5 Ways to Stay Active in the Garden This Winter
Just because it's freezing outside doesn't mean you can't enjoy your garden. Complete these simply activities and projects to be active in the garden this winter.
How to Start a Compost Bin
Have you ever wondered about the difficulties of starting a compost bin? Check out our recommendations and suggestions for composting as well as its benefits for your garden.
Overwintering Scented Geraniums
Here are some tips to help you bring the attractive aroma and classic beauty of scented geraniums indoors.
Grow Your Own Garlic
Garlic does best if planted in the late fall and early winter. If you can find a sunny spot with a foot of soil, you can plant garlic.
Product Review: Prepara Power Plant Mini
Lucky are we, that now we have several soiless options for growing herbs indoors, and many of them are very effective. The Power Plant Mini, from Prepara, in my opinion, is not among them. Read my review of this hydroponic product ...
Recommendations for a Lazy Gardener?
In the wake of some health concerns, the Samurai Sage seeks simple, low maintenance gardening ideas that result in pretty, good-smelling plants.
Gardening with Disabilities: Gardening for the Memory Impaired
People with Alzheimer's and other dementias can benefit in many ways from gardening and being in the garden.
Imagine All the Produce: The Beginning of Dakota Farms
Guest blogger and novice gardener Shelley Moore documents the beginnings of her family's organic food garden.
Guidelines for Guerrilla Gardening
Guerilla gardening can be a useful way to save space around the homestead while connecting with your community. Follow these guidelines to be a respectful guerilla gardener.
Mountain Rose Herbs's Rootstalk Festival Helps Endangered Wolves
Because of one company's generosity, a pack of endangered wolves in Oregon may have a chance at survival.
Essential Folk Wisdom: Parsley
Parsley has been used in medicine, cosmetics and rituals throughout history.
Herbal Arsenal: Ginger for Nausea, Menstrual Cramps and Digestion
Ginger is a natural remedy for many stomach ailments: nausea, menstrual cramps, indigestion and more. Ginger also eases tired muscles and may help lower cholestrol.
Green Gardening: Grow a Salsa Garden
Natural Home editorial intern Samantha Schwartz makes plans to grow her own tomatoes, onions, peppers and cilantro.
The Pennsylvania Heartland Herb Society Announces its 30th Herbal Symposium
The symposium will feature a special guest lecturer, informational herbal workshops and a special garden tour.
Gardening with a Black Thumb: Lettuce and Herb Container Gardening
Guest blogger Eileen Troemel shares her first attempt at container gardening.
5 Fun Winter Activities to Get Kids Excited About the Garden
Get your children excited about helping with the garden this year with these five fun activities.
Designing Your Container Garden: Container Basics
Explore your choices in small-space garden design with tips about types of containers.
DeLoach Vineyards: Biodynamic Farming and Horn Silica Prep 501
Natural Home assistant editor Kim Wallace introduces a green gardening series on Biodynamic farming based on her trip to DeLoach Vineyards in Sonoma, California. She details the meaning of Biodynamic farming and a field preparation called horn silica 501.
Every Herb Has A Story: Ashwagandha Uses
Our newest blogger discusses the role of adaptogenic herbs as they help the body deal with the effects of stress.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Preparing the Herb Garden for Snow
Cynthia, our guest blogger from Texas, winterizes her herb garden in preparation for the first winter snow.
Borago Officinalis Adds Blue to Your Garden
The borage plant (Borago officinalis) is a tall herb with hairy foliage, blue starshaped flowers and many useful properties. Whether you use it for healthy, tasty greens, a medicinal herb or a companion plant for your strawberries and tomatoes, you'll be happy you planted borage.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Frozen Garden Care
The unexpected, freezing temperatures in southern Texas haven't kept our guest blogger Cynthia down. Here are some of her cold weather, garden care tips.
Product Review: EasyBloom
For some, the cold winter months may bring many 'a' merry moment. But for the sympathetic gardener, the humbugs start as the plants begin die. Bring your garden indoors this fall with help from your own personal gardening expert – the EasyBloom.
The Healing Kitchen DVD: Remedies from Nature's Pharmacy
Bring Andrea Candee's Healing Kitchen workshop to you and take charge of your wellness naturally.
Herbal Giveaway: Poppy Swap's Herbal Marketplace
The Herb Companion is partnering with Poppy Swap, a new online herbal marketplace, to bring you a free herbal product of your choice.
Growing Pains: Dealing with Overgrown Plants
Guest blogger Jennifer Flaten discovers the pains of dealing with overgrown plants.
Donate Excess Produce to Food Pantries
Practice zero-waste gardening by donating your garden's excess produce to local food pantries or other community organizations.
The World Is Just Awesome
I confess: It's Friday, the sun is shining, it feels like summer, and the Little Discovery Channel Promo That Could is pretty much playing on a loop on my desktop.
Herb Catalogs: Ready, Set, and Plant Those Herbs, Part 2
The Lemon Verbena Lady continues her search for more great herb catalogs and herb farms to visit either in person or online.
Self-Reliant Gardening Tips for Spring
This spring become more self-reliant by planting herbs in pots, building raised garden beds, creating a worm composting bin and making your own fence paint. These gardening tips for spring will have you anticipating sunny days.
Christmas in Pittsburgh and Herb Ideas for the Holidays
The Lemon Verbena Lady talks about some of her favorite sights in Pittsburgh during Christmas, as well as some of her favorite herbs, books and crafts for the holidays.
Embracing Invasive Plants in a Modern World
Plants originally considered harmful to the environment may actually restore the Earth's ecosystems and possess powerful healing properties. Learn more.
In The News: Some Herbal Supplements Can Be Dangerous
Certain herbal supplements can cause severe heart and liver damage.
Reader Poll: Which Culinary Garden Would You Be Interested in Growing?
Cast your vote for which culinary garden you'd be most interested in learning how to grow.
Every Herb Has a Story: Herbs for Inflammation
When your muscles are aching and your bones aren't moving, spice up your life by adding a little more spice to your meals with these herbs for inflammation. It may just be what Mother Nature ordered.
Every Herb Has a Story: Passionflower Benefits
Does stress or anxiety keep you jittery during the day and awake all night? Check out the benefits of passionflower for a calming rest.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Protecting Herbs in the Winter
Protect your herb garden from freezing temperatures with Cynthia's winter gardening advice for Texas gardeners.
Lasagna Gardening for the Herb Gardener
Check out these few easy steps you need to know to start this innovative, non-traditional method to grow organic herbs at home.
How to Care for Air Plants
Air plants are perfect low-maintenance option for the home or garden. Learn how to care for air plants with these growing, watering and lighting tips.
The Garden is In! Filling, Planting and Learning on Dakota Farms
Guest blogger and novice gardener Shelley Moore plants her vegetable seedlings.
Portulaca Oleracea: Growing Garden Purslane
Eating purslane greens provides a rich source of essential omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation, boost heart health and lower triglycerides that cause stroke, heart attack, fatty liver and pancreatitis. Green your health with purslane!
10 Tips for a Tiny Balcony
Think your balcony's too tiny to provide food and fun? Check out Apartment Therapy's great tips for making the most of your outdoor space.
Miss Kale: One Girl's Bumpy Journey to Becoming an Urban Farmer
Guest blogger Kathleen Gasperini documents her journey to becoming a successful urban farmer in Los Angeles.
7 Tips for Everyday Outdoor Gardening, Part 3
In the final installment of my series "7 Tips for Everyday Outdoor Gardening", I help you explore some simple yet effective tips to grow and propagate healthy plants, scare away pests and learn which common plants may be hazardous to your health.
Attack of the Killer Tea-Bag
Tea has a whole library of health benefits. But did you realize it can be essential in a clean home? Read about the battle of tea v. dirt and your best plan of attack.
Make Your Own Compost Bin
Making your own compost bin is simple. Compost bins are great for disposing kitchen scraps to make fresh, rich compost for your garden.
Protect Plants from Frost with Frost Protek Plant Covers
Instead of makeshift sheet and blanket plant covers that can harm plants,experts suggest some easy new alternatives to protect plants from frost.
iGarden: The Essential Gardening Tunes
Listen to these tunes to get you through tilling or motivate you to grow tomatoes.
In Memoriam: Thomas DeBaggio (1942 to 2011)
On February 21, 2011, herb grower and author Thomas DeBaggio died in his sleep. Learn more about this important herbalist.
Basil: Herbal Lore and Legends
Do you know your herbal history? Learn about the folklore and legends that surround a popular herb.
Herbal Beers: Cheers to Fresh Flavor
Beer brewed with herbs is a tasty alternative to traditional malts and hops.
How to Get Rid of Hiccups with Herbs
Don't hold your breath - stop hiccups the herbal way.
Weekend Project: Turn Empty Eggshells Into An Indoor Herb Garden
Combine two of this hopeful season's symbols—herbs and eggs—in this simple project that celebrates spring.
Pinterest Inspiration: 5 Fall Garden Ideas
Get your garden in shape this fall, and have some fun in it, with these fun and innovative fall garden ideas we've collected on our Pinterest page.
Gardening with Disabilities: Gardening for the Visually Impaired
Incorporating bright and vivid colors, a variety of textures and scents as well as soothing sounds make gardening for the visually impaired possible,rewarding, relaxing and safe.
Passionate Platter Teaches Kids About Cooking With Herbs
Kids learn about herbs and cooking through a Louisiana woman's "kitchen garden marketplace," Passionate Platter.
Eggling: How To Grow Thyme in an Egg
Eggling makes growing herbs easy, even if you don't have a green thumb.
Save Money, Cut Costs – with Herbs?
Herbs might not be the first thing that come to mind when you start considering ways to save money, but they actually can be a great help in cutting costs while boosting health, flavor and the general deliciousness of life.
Grow White Sage: A Sacred Herb for Health
Used for everything from curing headaches, sores and snakebites to attaining mystical foresight and thwarting bad spirits, white sage is an extremely culturally valuable herb.
Feel-Good Friday: More Cures in Your Cupboard
Jessica expounds on the concept of "Cures in Your Cupboard" from the September/October 2011 issue with a few additional natural remedies for anxiety, general wellness, headache and menstruation/menopause.
Make Medicinal Vinegar Extracts
Medicinal vinegars are potent and easy to make at home. A strong alternative for children or those with alcohol sensitivities, this is a wonderful option for making and using herbal medicines.
A Practical Guide to Making Herbal Tinctures
Learn to craft herbal medicine at home or in the wild using the folk method. This informative and useful guide provides helpful tips and step-by-step instructions for making tinctures the traditional way.
Herbal Syrup: Fight Off Colds with an Herbal Arsenal
Herbal syrups are a wonderful vehicle for immune-boosting, antiviral and antibiotic herbs for use any time of year. Use this simple method to make a powerful tool in the fight against biological baddies.
Memory Boosters: These Herbs Won't Let You Forget
Stop forgetting and take these herbs to improve your memory retention.
Merry Christmas from the Herb Companion!
Take a peek inside our office and watch our efforts in decorating. This year's theme?—Feliz Navidad!
Which Herb Are You Most Excited About Growing This Year?
Readers share which herbs they can't wait to plant come springtime.
Remembering Madalene Hill
Madalene Hill left a lasting impression on many people in her life, including The Herb Companion. Such an influential and inspirational figure in the herb community, K.C. Compton reflects on Madalene's influence.
Herb Society Cookbooks: Herbal Cookery
The latest Herb Society cookbook is by the St. Louis Herb Society. Learn more about it.
The History of Tea
As winter approaches a cup of Camellia sinensis can revive your soul. Learn more about the history and comfort of this simple beverage.
Local Herb Societies and a Summertime Chili
No need to go it alone. Local herb societies are like old friends, and recipes and techniques abound.
Go No-Poo: 3 Herbal Hair Rinses
More and more people are giving up conventional shampoo and conditioner in lieu of homemade hair rinses. For shiny, beautiful hair, use gentle cleansers free of chemicals on your hair. Try one of these three herbal hair rinses: Rose-Chamomile, Cacao-Rosemary and Nettle-Lavender.
Post Office Announces New Herb Stamps
The United States Postal Service is set to issue 29-cent Herbs postcard stamps in five designs. Check them out here.
Crafts for Valentine's Day and the Language of Flowers
Give homemade gifts for the ones you love with these herbal crafts for Valentine's Day, including tussie-mussies and potpourri.
Creamy Herb Dip Recipe
Use up your herb harvest to whip together this creamy herb dip recipe in under five minutes and serve it as a dip or use it as a spread for your favorite wraps.
Gearing Up For Spring Gardening
It's never too early to start thinking about planting your garden for the spring. I know I am already thinking about spring and warm weather. Spring officially starts Sunday, March 20th and it's important to know when it is the right time to purchase your flowers and begin the planting process.
Gardening With a Black Thumb: Landscaping Tips
Guest blogger Eileen Troemel offers landscaping tips for those with a black thumb looking to start a new garden bed, plant a live fence or grow outdoors.
Cleaning Up
Spring landscape clean-up means more compost riches.
Build a Rain Garden
Gardening can make a difference! Across the country, people are building rain gardens to filter contaminants and ease overburdened stormwater systems. Here's how to build a rain garden in 10 easy steps.
Starting Small
I never could have imagined a few months ago, before I started working for The Herb Companion, that I would be contemplating planting my own herb garden.
5 Dirt Cheap Ideas for Home Vegetable Garden Savings
Enjoy the benefits of gardening with these cheap ideas that will help you save money and produce more of your family's food.
Gardening With Disabilities: Jump-Start Seedlings Indoors
Starting seeds indoors is economical, fun, and easy to do for most anyone. Gardening under lights can be as simple or complex, inexpensive or expensive as you desire. Starts can then be planted outdoors in easily accessed containers or raised beds.
Worm's Way Launches New Website
The set launch of Worm's Way Group's new website promises improved usability, more speed and exclusive web-based promotions.
Gardening with Children in the Summertime
What is more fun than digging in the dirt? Or better yet, playing in the mud? Our guest blogger Marguerite Dunne muses about gardening with children and how wonderful it is to introduce them to this fun and beneficial pastime. (There's always something to do in the garden!)
Handling Nettle Without the Sting
Whether you want it for tea or some other project, handling stinging nettle during harvesting does not have to be painful.
Gardening with a Black Thumb: Container Gardening Prep and Cat Grass
Guest blogger Eileen Troemel fulfills her desire to garden while respecting her black thumb by planting some cat grass for the family cat to destroy.
Basil Discovery
One editor discovers mountain basil at her local Farmer's Market.
Kitchen Vegetable Gardening for Beginners
This spring, I am dreaming of delicious, beefy summer tomatoes. So I planted some; they're taking over my kitchen as we speak. I love fresh, homegrown tomatoes. And I just can't find delicious tomatoes in stores; even the local, organic market. Not to mention, I'm sick of paying for them! In fact, I'm tired of buying
Grow Mushrooms for Better Garden Soil
Grow mushrooms to help improve garden soil.
DIY Composting for the Savvy Home Gardener
Keeping your own compost heap is a great way to benefit your garden while saving money. Learn more about DIY composting with guest blogger Rebecca Lynn Crockett.
CSA Enhances Sustainable Lifestyle in Midcoast Maine Ecovillage
A local community supported agriculture farm in Midcoast Maine offers a sustainable lifestyle for members of the Belfast Ecovillage.
But It's the Pelvic (Stool) Thrust ...
If you find your back hurting while gardening, or if it's just too hard on the knees to bend down for weeding, there's a product you need to try out: The Wearable Gardening Stool.
Top 8 Gardening Products for Fall: Pt.1
It's time for fall gardening, indoor gardening and spring preparation. In preparation, do you know which products to choose and which to lose? Check out my picks for the best autumn gardening products! Part I.
Top 8 Gardening Products For Fall: Pt. 2
Finally, the Top Four Autumn Gardening Products are revealed! See my top picks of the best items for a fun fall of indoor gardening. Part II.
BIODOME! (sans Pauly Shore)
If you're not tech-savvy, gifts kids'll like are hard to come by. If you don't want to waste your money on some electrical gadget that'll likely be outdated the day after you buy it, check out these fun, garden terrariums. They even come in different themes!
Editor's Choice: 5 Great Green Gardens
In Arizona, an intrepid desert gardener harvests rainwater to grow his own food. A Missouri garden writer feeds his soil to feed himself. In Texas, a garden wall encourages community. These are a few of my favorite gardens.
Boost Your Energy With A Ginger Cordial
Here's a sneak peek from the upcoming June 2008 issue of Herbs for Health.
What is the difference between an herb and a spice?
Guest blogger Desiree Bell, explains the difference between herbs and spices once and for all.
What IS an 'Herbal Lifestyle' Anyway?
As we try to find ways to describe what our magazine is about, the term "herbal lifestyle" often comes up. What does that even mean? Also, check out my two herbal recipes.
Waiting for Spring
April can be such a frustrating month for an outdoors-woman in Colorado.
In The News: Donate to Herbs for Japan
In light of the recent natural disasters in Japan, two woman are asking herbalist to ban together to help protect a few lives and donate herbal supplies for an organization called Herb for Japan.
Scrub-A-Dub-Dub, Herbs in a Tub
Sick of the winter cold already? So are we. So here is one way Herb Companion staffers are surviving this winter: herbal baths.
Eight Ways to Jump Start Your Holidays.
Looking for eight ways to jump start your holidays? Try these tips and treats from The Herb Companion.
Try Slowing Down: Tips for Living Healthy
Start living healthy with our tips for getting well and staying well.
Herbal Rinses for Natural Hair Care
Our standard shampooing practices often leave hair dull and damaged. Benefit from our botanical allies to achieve balance for scalp and hair by using natural herbal rinses.
Many (Many) Uses for Beeswax
Make herbal salves and lip balms, condition leather, polish metal and create stunning works of art with beeswax.
Herbs That Help Depression and Anger
Here are some herbal remedies that have specific healing properties for dealing with overcoming sorrow, anger and depression.
Herbal Canning: Gardener's Pickling Spice
Try this wonderfully herby and spicy recipe for pickling all of your garden favorites!
Cool Summer Refreshments: Rooibos Red Tea
This smooth, caffeine-free herbal tisane is rich in antioxidants and a fresh addition to summer meals.
Natural Lip Balm: Addicted to Lip Balm: Earth Sisters Herbals
Natural Home assistant editor Kim Wallace reviews natural lip balm made from Earth Sisters Herbals. The natural lip balm is made from beeswax, shea butter, avocado oil, vitamin e and soy oil.
The Herbal Harvest: 3 Lemon Verbena Recipes
The Lemon Verbena Lady goes back to her tried-and-true favorite, lemon verbena, and makes sure to stay prepared for the upcoming fall and winter season. She offers ways to preserve that wonderful lemony flavor so that you can savor it all fall and winter long.
Natural Alternatives: Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment
After being diagnosed with dry eye syndrome, KC is determined to find safe, natural, herbal relief.
Herbs for Bad Breath
Use herbs as a homemade remedy for annoying bad breath.
Melissa Oficinalis: Growing and Using Lemon Balm
This easy-to-grow herb has a wide array of medicinal uses and is a favorite for summer salads and teas.
4 Medicinal Herb Preparations You Should Know
Learn four ways you can enjoy herbs in your daily life.
Spring Cleansing: Sassafras Uses
Now that it's spring, it's time for me to do an internal spring cleansing. My favorite springtime tonic is an herb I fell in love with as a child: sassafras.
Herbal Sun Soother: Aloe Vera
The Hawaiian summer sun is relentless and can leave you with achy sunburns. Fortunately aloe vera naturally soothes burns and leaves your skin feeling soft.
Understanding Supplements: NPA Challenges Wall Street Journal
It's difficult to understand supplements when reputable sources just can't seem to get it right. The NPA recently challenged the Wall Street Journal about an article they published concerning dietary supplements. Read more.
The Herbal Artist: Make Your Own Medicinal Oils
Although there are many workshops and classes available that will teach you how to "make your own" medicines and crafts, it's sometimes just as easy as snipping herbs and heading into the kitchen. This article is a quick how-to look on making medicinal oils.
Every Herb Has a Story: Treat Respiratory Health Problems with Echinacea
Scientific research now supports many of the traditional applications of this plant, including treating respiratory health problems and healing wounds.
Gardening with Disabilities: Horticultural Therapy
The therapeutics of gardening and gardens have been known since ancient times. Health care professionals acknowledge this and have been putting it to practice for two-hundred years in this country. Horticultural therapy is good for the whole person.
Easy Salad Boxes: Growing Lettuce
Growing lettuce and other salad greens is easy when you plant in salad boxes.
Hydroponics in the Office, Post 2
The office hydroponics system has taken off and is producing food quite rapidly, prompting an investigation into the pros and cons of hydroponic vegetable growing versus conventional gardening.
Hydroponics in the Office, Post 1
In the first of this series, we test out a hydroponics growing kit by planting lettuce and herbs indoors under the lights of a Worm's Way hydroponics system.
The Benefits of Neem Oil for the Garden
Not only is neem oil beneficial as a bio-pesticide, but it can actually enrich garden soil. Discover the benefits of neem oil for your garden!
Reader Gardening Advice: Growing Thyme
One reader from California asked us about growing thyme. Check out our suggestions for how to get her thyme to flourish in containers and in walkways.
Maximize your Apple Harvest with Sweet and Savory Herbs
It wouldn't be fall without apple pie, cobblers, dumplings, baked apples and my favorite—apple crisp. But don't limit yourself to apple desserts. Create savory apple dishes with the help of these delicious herbs.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Beat the Heat by Pruning Herbs
Pruning your mints, lemon balm and oregano will help them grow back more lush than ever.
Herbs & Children: Make Your Own Baby Food With Herbs
Herbs can be used to add flavor to a child's food from a very early age, and can often assist with health worries.
Raise a Toast: The 17th Annual Screen Actor's Guild Awards
Celebrate your favorite actors, movies and television programs at home with great food, flavorful herbs and complimentary wines.
Discovering the Purslane Plant, Part 2
Uncover even more information about the vitamin-rich weed purslane, including useful recommendations from renowned herbalists all over the world.
A Twist On Tea: Make a Cucumber and Cilantro Drink
Learn how to make this cool summer drink, which puts an untraditional twist on iced tea.
Meatless Monday Recipe: Mediterranean Macaroni
A comforting herb-baked macaroni makes for a simple meal on a short winter night.
Know Your Herb: Blue Cohosh
Learn more about blue cohosh's medicinal uses.
The Herb Society of America Hosts An Open House
The Herb Society of America hosted an open house to celebrate its newly constructed headquarters in Kirkland, Ohio. Check out the photos.
How to Make Herb-Infused Honey
Learn how to make your own delicious herb-infused honey with this recipe, adapted from "The Backyard Beekeeper's Honey Handbook."
Herbs and Heart Health: 13 Herbal Remedies Not to Take With Heart Medication
Herbal remedies often work as well as traditional medications, but when it comes to your heart, don't combine the two. If you're taking heart medication, avoid these 13 herbal remedies.
Take Control of Aphids with Ladybugs
Ladybugs are a simple, cheap and effective means of destroying an aphid infestation that just won't go away.
The Truffle Shuffle: Easy Mint Recipes
Got some mint? Try some of these easy-to-make recipes for smooth, rich, dark chocolate mint truffles and candied mint leaves. You'll never wonder what to do with mint again.
NRG Ergonomic Digging Tools: Fun and Practical
Mixing ergonomic structure with a functional, innovative design makes the Radius NRG line my favorite gardening tool set on the market. And not to sound too much like a salesman (I don't work on commission) they are now available from The Herb Companion.
Our First Official Garden Harvest: Adding Spinach to the Dinner Table!
Guest blogger and novice gardener Shelley Moore harvests her first round of fresh spinach from the garden to bring to the dinner table.
Weekend Project: Garden Bench Made from an Old Tire Inner Tube
Get your garden ready for spring by making this sturdy, comfortable outdoor bench from recycled-plastic lumber and an old truck tire inner tube.
7 Tips for Everyday Outdoor Gardening, Part 2
Someone in your family always says, "Work smarter, not harder," and that's true. Here are seven smarter - not harder - tips from the second part of my outdoor gardening's easy-do's- and don'ts.
Rosemary and Gardenias: Everything You Always Wanted to Know
Ever had trouble growing rosemary outdoors, or getting it to survive past winter? Want to learn everything you need to know about growing gardenias? Find answers to the toughest questions and watch your plants return next spring with these simple steps.
Cool Find: Floating Garden
This fish tank is filled with plants like you've never seen before.
Cute Find: Herbie Chess Set
We found this cute garden decor and insist you take a look!
There's Something Happening Here
A kitchen garden offers many benefits beyond saving money.
Adventures in Chickensitting
I've never thought of myself one to carry on the family tradition of farming - but now that I have the opportunity to raise chickens within city limits, I am going to give it a shot! Read about how I'm getting started in urban chicken farming. And please, send me suggestions!
Green Your Life: Green Product Review: growbottles by Potting Shed Creations
If you're looking for a unique container gardening experience, look no further than growbottles from Potting Shed Creations. These self-watering planters are made in the USA from reclaimed restaurant wine bottles, and they're as sustainable as they are stylish.
How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack (And Live to Blog About it)
When you write for a blog called The Garden Gnome, you tend to get a lot of wacky things many of that make great holiday gifts. Among my favorite is the new book and guide to life, How To Survive a Garden Gnome Attack.
Green City Garden Girl: Recycle Beer Kegs Into Cool Garden Planters
Recycle old kegs into beautiful, functional garden planters—guest blogger KyLynn Hull shows you how!
Product Review: Creating Custom Garden Spaces
This book is packed with 20 intricate designs, charts, gardening tips and tricks and conventional wisdom passed down through the years.
Friend or Foe? Easy Plant Identification Tools
Guest blogger Jennifer Flaten discovers some easy plant identification tools to help her identify unknown plants in her Wisconsin garden.
USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released the new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM), updating a useful tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 1990 with greater accuracy and detail.
Honeybee Research: The Mighty Caterpillar Defender
Honeybees are the best of friends for blooming fruit trees flowers, and herbs, such as apricot, cherry, members of the daisy family, lavender, oregano and sage. We've known that bees
Composting with Kids!
Help your kids develop their green thumb by teaching them to compost.
Mulch Madness: Environmentally Friendly Mulch Options
A good layer of environmentally friendly mulch such as eucalyptus, pine bark or cocoa hulls will discourage weeds, keep soil up to 10 degrees cooler and help prevent plant disease. What's your favorite green mulch?
Grow Fragrant Perennial Flowers
Grow your own fresh supply of fragrant perennial flowers this year to scent your life and use as cut flowers, for crafts, and in natural personal care treatments.
Gardening Tips: Easy Indoor Compost
Whether you don't have the space for outdoor composting or you just want to get to work on your gardening preparations as soon as possible, this indoor composting method is a simple way to start.
How To: Grow Lavender Plants
This spring, guest blogger Patsy Bell Hobson is expanding her lavender collection to extend the bloom period with different varieties.
Plant Problem Q&A: What Are These Brown Spots?
One reader asked us to help her diagnose some brown spots she noticed on her basil plant's leaves.
A Beginner's Herb Garden
One beginning gardener is growing oregano, basil, cilantro and stevia this spring.
Green Gardening: La Plaza Cultural
Learn more about La Plaza Cultural community garden in New York City; create a recycled garden at home.
Atlanta Restaurant Takes Locally-Grown Seriously
A restaurant heads to the rooftops for eco-friendly gardening.
Snow Garden: Growing Herbs in Winter
The Lemon Verbena Lady shares how snow has helped her winter herb garden grow.
Tools of the Trade: Pruning
Choose the best tools for pruning with this handy list.
A Hydroponic System Q&A with Richard Florey of Worm's Way
Learn more about growing vegetables and herbs with a hydroponic system with Worm's Way.
How to Grow Citrus Trees from Seed
Grow your own beautiful houseplants from citrus seeds. Growing citrus trees from seed is easy, fun and, best of all, free.
4 Uses for Shredded Paper in the Garden
Add shredded paper to compost, use as mulch or seed-starting pots to add beneficial nutrients to your garden.
Growing Your Own Food: Tips for a Sustainable Homestead
For anyone who attempts to start their own homestead, there will be hurdles to overcome. Keep these five simple tips in mind when it comes to growing your own food, raising livestock and transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Gardening With a Black Thumb: Easy-to-Grow Indoor Plants
Guest blogger Eileen Troemel sets out to find easy-to-grow indoor plants that she can successfully keep alive with a black thumb.
In the News: Grow Mushrooms at Home
Back to the Root makes growing mushrooms at home simple and sustainable.
Natural Remedies for Runny Noses: Herbal Steams
After coming down with a cold, this Herb Companion editor kicks her sinus congestion to the curb with an herbal steam, an effective natural remedy for runny noses.
In the News: Contaminated Herbs In Spain?
According to Physorg.com, about 26 percent of herbs and 20 percent of spices sold in Spain are contaminated by various bacteria. Read more.
Naturopathic Health: Herbs for Fertility
Trouble getting pregnant? Consider these fertility-boosting herbs for both men and women.
Natural Home Remedies for the Holiday and Winter Season
Don't let the flu, a cold or any aches, anxieties and pains get the best of you this season. With the season already upon us, here are a few herbs, fruits and foods to consider to help relieve your aches, pains and anxiety.
Growing Herbs in Texas: The Best Basil for Texas
Basil is the perfect herb to grow in Texas during the mid- to late-summer heat.
Herb Companion on Martha Stewart Radio
If you heard me on Martha Stewart Radio this morning, I talked about healing burns with herbs, calendula, and getting enough sleep during the holidays. Curious about some of the topics I talked about? Here are links to more information about these topics.
Blueberry deliciousness
Delicious recipe with blueberries and cantaloupe
Dye Easter Eggs Naturally With Beets, Onions and Blueberries
Using herbs and food to dye Easter eggs gives them beautiful, earthy color--without scary chemicals. And it's surprisingly easy.
In the News: Romanian Witches Protest Taxes with Mandrake Root
Modern-day lore and magical herbs are being put to political use by Romanian witches.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Nasturtiums and Cilantro
The best herbs for fall, and the most commonly grown, are cilantro, dill, arugula and chervil, along with the edible flowers of calendula, violets and nasturtiums
Use Chamomile for Natural First Aid
Plant German chamomile and grow your own natural first aid and body care supplies.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Thyme Seedlings
I love seeding. It's just amazing to me how a little seed pushes itself through the soil and reaches for the sun. Just add water! Read more about thyme seedlings in Texas.
Great Solution for Small Spaces: Hot Pot BBQ Is Both Planter and Grill
Is your patio short on space? Check out the Hot Pot BBQ, a grill that doubles as an herb planter.
Natural Lip Balm: Addicted to Lip Balm: Herbs of Grace
Natural Home assistant editor Kim Wallace tries a new vegan, natural lip balm from Herbs of Grace.
Mountain Rose Named Green Business of the Year
Our friends at Mountain Rose Herbs have been named the 2008 Green Business of the Year in Coop America's People's Choice competition. We offer them our heartiest congratulations.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Herbs that Thrive During Droughts
See which herbs survive the best with little water during a Texas drought.
Herbs For Health: Obesity and Diabetes
The growing incidence of obesity worldwide leaves individuals vulnerable to other chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes.
Growing Herbs In Texas: Planting Specialty Basils
Guest blogger Cynthia Meredith has recently invested in a wide varieties of specialty basils, which include Holy basil, Mtule basil and much more. Check out her basil tips.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Clearing Herb Beds for Spring
It is time, however, to start cleaning up garden beds and preparing for new plants in the garden. If, like me, you've allowed that pesky Coastal Bermuda to invade your beds, now is the time to dig it out. Learn more.
For Your Knowledge: Ancient Herb Gardens
Discover how herb gardens were used in ancient Greece.
Meet Jekka McVicar: Queen of the Herbs
The Lemon Verbena Lady visits Jekka McVicar's Herb Farm outside of Bristol, England during Herb Farm Open Days in early September.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Growing Salvia Coccinea
Learn more about Salvia coccinea, also known as hummingbird sage or autumn sage, due to its great show of fall flowers. It's a beautiful, ornamental herb that you'll treasure forever.
Spanish Roots: Two Saffron Recipes
Garlic, saffron and parsley take me straight to the Mediterranean.
Herbs For Anxiety
Use fresh herbs to treat anxiety instead of potentially harmful drugs.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Early Spring Garden in Bloom
Many of Cynthia's plants, such as bluebonnet and Kaffir lime, had a difficult battle during the winter. They are now blooming in her early spring garden.
Natural Energy Enhancers and other Herbs for Runners
These powerhouse herbs are great for runners. They act as natural energy enhancers, improve stamina and endurance, heal aches and pains and improve circulatory health.
How to Make Homemade Candles for your Valentine
Light up your Valentine's Day with all natural, herbal homemade candles.
Yummy Herbal Beverages
Try tasty herbal beverages recipes for strawberry-basil sparkling beverages and a thyme lemonade to make the most of your summer herb garden.
Viscum Album: Unravel Mistletoe History and Lore
Learn about the history of mistletoe and find out how to grow this Christmas plant.
Summer Brew: Iced Tea Recipes Part 1
Make some iced tea with herbs from your own garden.
Herbal Remedies for Bug Bites
Use herbs and essential oils for itchy bug bites.
Herbal Gifts for Mother's Day
Looking for the perfect gesture of appreciation this weekend? Try these homemade Mother's Day gift ideas.
Home Remedies for Split Ends
Hydrate your dry scalp and make you hair shine this winter with these three soothing herbal hair rinses.
Herbal Crafts for Kids: Make Herbal Faerie Dust
Make faerie dust with the wee folks in your family to get them interested in herbs at a young age.
Organique by Himalaya Receives NPA Certificaton
Organique by Himalaya, a line of pure personal care products made by Himalaya Herbal Healthcare, received the NPA Natural Standard Seal on all 20 products.
Ilex Aquifolium: Grow and Heal with European Holly
Get into the holiday spirit by learning how to grow your own holly plants and discover the many uses of this seasonal treasure.
Rishi Tea Named Official Beverage of National Yoga Month
Rishi Tea will be donating a portion of its sales from its Organic Unity Herbal Tea to the National Yoga Month organization.
For Your Health: Herbs That Repel Fleas
If you're a dog owner you know that fleas can be a common hassle. These three herbs offer an alternative way to battle this pesky problem.
For Your Health: Relieve Stress and Anxiety
Relax and relieve your stress with these three herbs.
Try These Home Remedies for Your Pets
Looking for a safe way to treat common pet maladies naturally? This article outlines some common herbs and their uses.
Natural Alternatives: Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment (Response)
One guest blogger responds to a post about dry eye syndrome with some natural, herbal remedies that can help.
Back to School: An Herbal Care-package
Use these herbs to relieve stress, increase energy and stimulate sleep this school year.
Herb-Inspired Father's Day Gifts
Give your dad an herbal-themed gift basket this Father's Day.
Feel-Good Friday: 7 Herbs for Health and Wellness
Fight common ailments with these seven herbs for health and wellness.
Make Flavored Vinegars with Herbs
Learn how to make flavored vinegar with tasy herbal, spice, fruit and vegetable combinations.
For Your Health: Herbs That Help Prevent Kidney Stones
Kidney stones affect many Americans. Here are some herbal remedies to help stop them.
For Your Health: Relieve Your Sore Throat
Treat your dry, itchy throat this winter with these herbal remedies
Herbal Projects: Make Your Own Toothpaste
Whether you're worried about your synthetic chemical intake or simply want to save some money, making your own herbal toothpaste or powder can be a simple change.
Herbal Remedies for UTIs
Try these herbal remedies to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Aromatherapy Crafts for the Holidays, Part 1
Relieve stress, boost spirits and get relaxed with these aromatherapy crafts for the holidays, including an herbal bath bag and a simmering citrus potpourri.
Aromatherapy Crafts for the Holidays, Part 2
Find even more aromatherapy crafts for the holidays in this second post from the Lemon Verbena Lady.
The History of Echinacea, Part 1
It was once stated by ethnobotanist Melvin Gilmore that echinacea was used as a remedy for more ailments than any other plant, and it's not hard to understand why. The history behind this versatile coneflower is rich in remedies and medicinal uses. Read on to learn more about the history of echinacea.
9 Ways to Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can harm both body and mind. Prevent and relieve stress in your life with these nine ideas.
Herbal Spa: Grand View Lodge in Minnesota
Garden walks, wooded paths, natural sandy beaches and glacial lake waters abundant in restorative and healing minerals provide an experience not to be missed at Minnesota's Grand View Lodge.
Natural Bug Repellents for Camping
Try these valuable bug repellent formulas for a weekend in the woods.
In the News: Bilberry for Healthy Eyes
A recent clinical trial has found that bilberry extract in combination with other natural supplements can be beneficial to maintaining healthy eyes.
DIY: Make Your Own Herbal Bath Bag
Enjoy a warm bath with your own homemade herbal bath treasure bag to soothe dry skin, relieve stress or lift your spirits.
Spring Favorites: The Good, the Bad and the Curly Chives
One of my favorite spring herbs chives comes in several different varieties. The uses for making herbal vinegar and cooking with chives are explored in this post and lots of resources for mail ordering unusual herbs such as curly chives are given.
Discovering Dandelion Uses: The Loathed Weed and Cure-All of the Lawn
The dandelion is one of the most hated weeds in America, but also the mostly widely used wild green in the world. Learn how this herb was used historically, how it can treat many ailments, such as liver diseases and eczema, and how to make a dandelion omelet.
The Blooper Reel ...
Last week, we sent you our warmest wishes for the holiday season. This week, I show you a special sneak peek behind the festivity of our holiday video. And let me tell you ... we're crazy.
At My Place: Spring Vegetable Gardening
I have to admit it: I'm full of beans when it comes to gardening. I swore that this year, no really, I was only going to grow a few herbs in pots. And then, the seed catalogs came.
Cooking with Green Garlic
Anyone who has ever grown garlic knows how delicious the green tops are in spring salads and perhaps have even tossed a handful into a soup stock. With their heady garlic scent and bright green goodness, these edible green grasses are just the thing for winter weary palates.
Recipe for Gardeners: Cooking Asparagus Spears
I know an awful lot about plants. I know precious little about cooking. Could the old adage be true? Does any good relationship have a gardener and a chef?
Do Aqua Globes Really Work?
I'm sure you've seen these nifty little garden tools on TV - the Aqua Globe. Read my review to see what I really think about these As-Seen-On-TV "Wonders."
Healing Heartburn
Heartburn affects 44 percent of the population, and experts warn that serious side effects are more serious than we consider – potentially cancer. Learn about some treatments from experts that aren't so tough to swallow.
Halloween Decorations: Black Garden Plants
With these black flowers in your garden, it's easier to make a spooky bouquet.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
You've probably seen this product in the endless issues of SkyMall, but let me just tell you, the AeroGarden is every bit as cool as it looks! Also read the history behind, "Mary, Mary quite contrary ..."
How to Care for Edible Orchids
Orchids are some of the most beautiful flowers—they're safe around house pets, they come in a multitude of colors and shapes and ... they're edible?! Read more.
5 Tips: Keep Deer Out of the Garden
Deer proof your garden with these 5 helpful tips.
7 Flowers That Look Great All Summer Long
Cultivate a bright, cheery and unique garden in your own backyard. There's only one catch: What happens when your colorful plants stop blooming? Learn more about seven flowers that will keep their colorful blooms all season long.
5 Favorite Handmade Gift Shops
Eschew corporate goods and instead choose handmade gifts for everyone on your list this holiday, using these excellent Etsy shops as a jumping-off point.
Quick Pickling: Garlic, Lemon, Peppercorns & Bay Pickles
You can make these pickles with cucumbers or a plethora of other fresh vegetables plucked from your own garden or farmers' market, including summer squash, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, onions and more.
Double-Duty Perennial Herb: Lemon Balm
Lemon balm works hard for you in the kitchen, bath, medicine cabinet and yard and garden.
The Health Benefits of Winter Soups
Boost your immune system, control your cholesterol levels and stay full longer with healthy, easy-to-make winter soups.
Every Herb Has a Story: Treat Coronary Heart Disease with Hawthorn
Hawthorn herb can help support your heart and prevent coronary heart disease, the number one cause of death in the United States.
Every Herb Has a Story: Licorice's Health Benefits
Every herb has a story, and that of licorice begins with its reputation as a "sweet herb." Plants are put on this earth to provide nourishment and healing benefits. Licorice is one of those unique and special plants that does both.
Every Herb Has a Story: Bilberry for Eyes
Bilberries can help you maintain your eye health.
Guinea Hen Weed: The New Way to Fight Against Cancer?
Everybody's looking for the cure to cancer. When will it be found and where will it come from? A new herb has recently emerged as a possible new treatment for cancer. If you've never heard of guinea hen weed, read this now.
Celebrating Horseradish: The 2011 Herb of the Year
The Lemon Verbena Lady and her Herbal Companion celebrated Herbfest and the 2011 Herb of the Year, horseradish, at The Village Herb Shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. This was an herbal destination not to be missed.
Every Herb Has a Story: Milk Thistle Health Benefits
Milk thistle, which has a long history of safe and effective medicinal use dating back thousands of years, is medicinally valued for supporting healthy liver function.
Every Herb Has a Story: Oregon Grape
Since Oregon grape (Mahonia spp.) is the state flower of Oregon, we thought it would be nice to spend a little time telling you about the Pacific Northwest's best kept secret.
Add This Herb To Your Diet: Garlic
Add garlic to your daily diet by taking these tips into consideration.
Benefits of Arnica Montana: Relieve Aches and Pains
Arnica cream, ointment, tincture or salve can relieve muscle and joint pain.
Fireweed Plant: Surprisingly, it's Not Hot
The fireweed plant is a showy herb native to the northern hemisphere. Use it to make a deliciously sweet Fireweed Jelly or a tea useful in treating constipation.
Product Review: Cook With These Gourmet Peppercorns
NOTE We never trade products for mentions in our blogs or our published magazine. We do receive free samples and will mention them only if we like the product or find it especially effective. A few years ago a friend
Win a Solar-Powered Water Heater for Your Home
Enter the Go Solar Giveaway Sweepstakes for a chance to win a solar powered hot water system valued at over $10,000.
Spreading the Word on Herbs
Editor in Chief K.C. Compton interviews some experts who are spreading the word on herbs.
A Cutting-Edge Rain Garden in Kansas City
Kansas City's 18Broadway project is a superb example of how to capture and store rainwater to grow food in the heart of downtown.
How To Use Arugula From Your Garden
This garden favorite is great for salads, mesclun mixes, pastas and pizza. Comment for your chance to win a packet of arugula seeds from Renee's Garden.
Weed & Water Wednesday: Fall and Winter Veggie Gardening
Jessica recommends several sources for inspiration to grow vegetables into the fall and winter.
Weed & Water Wednesday: A Favorite Desert Garden
Although winter is setting in, that doesn't mean an end to the garden season in desert climates! Get inspired by this beautiful rainwater-harvesting, food-producing desert landscape!
Weed & Water Wednesday: Start Planning Those Gardens
If you're planning to plant a garden this spring, now is the perfect time to start choosing plants, ordering seeds and making plans.
Grow Dill 'Dukat' From Seed
Although pickling is the most well known use for dill, don't forget all the wonderful ways to include this herb in your life. Enter for a chance to win dill 'Dukat' seed packets.
7 Tips for Everyday Outdoor Gardening, Part 1
Save time, money and backache with a few of these tips from the first leg of my series on outdoor gardening's easy do's and don'ts.
Putting the Garden Back in The Garden Gnome
We're still frosting in Kansas but the herbs have gone on sale, and I'm happy to report that even though times are tough I'm keeping our nurseries in business. Chocolate mint, pineapple sage and lemon thyme are just a few of the herbs I've added so far this spring.
It Will Never Rain Roses: 6 Spring Gardening Tips
Give yourself a little extra reason to treasure your time in the garden by perusing the gardening articles from our March/April 2013 issue. We teach you how to have your earliest spring garden, give you tips on reducing your gardening resources, show you an unexpected source of nutrition, and much more!
Season Fish with Epicurean Organic Blends
Mountain Rose Herbs new line of Epicurean Organic seasoning blends are worth a try. The Herbs De Provence and the West Indies Rub are wonderful for seasoning prawns and most seafood.
Green Your Life: Organic Dog Shampoo: Olive Bubble + Squeak Herbal Dog Shampoo
If you're looking for a healthy and eco-friendly dog shampoo that smells great, then look no further than Olive Bubble + Squeak Herbal Dog Shampoo. This shampoo is USDA approved organic, 100 percent biodegradable and bottled in recyclable plastic.
How To: New Uses for Old Calendars
Use your old garden and herb calendars to craft colorful envelopes and stationery. Also, try some of their old recipes, like this St. John's Wort And Lavender Cream.
Plants Are Our Allies: Ease Irritated Eyes With Flax Seed
Contributer Susan Belsinger shares her experience with severe eye irritation and a low-cost home herbal cure.
Naturopathic Health: St. John's Wort and Depression Treatments
It's important to have accurate information about any herbal remedy you are thinking of using. Dr. Jaclyn Chasse shares her own experience with misleading media representation and clinical studies of St. John's wort.
Herbal Crafts for Kids: Creamsicle Lip Balm
Create a yummy summertime lip balm with your kids.
Know Your Herb: Bee Balm and Tea
Bee balm tea is difficult to come across, but has an array of health benefits.
Natural Lotion Review: Herbal Choice Mari's Hand and Body Lotion
Herbal Choice Mari's vegan, organic, natural hand and body lotions are naturally scented with plant-based oils.
Natural Medicine Cabinet: Cinnamon for Diabetes, Infections and Stomach Problems
Valued for centuries for its fragrance and flavor, cinnamon has a wide variety of medicinal uses. Studies have shown that cinnamon can be useful in lowering blood sugar levels for people with diabetes, fighting infections and treating stomach ailments.
One-Stop Holiday Shopping for the Tea Lover from Numi Organic Tea
If there's a tea aficionado on your gift list this year, look no further than Numi Organic Teas for one-stop shopping.
Spring Clean Naturally: Recipes for Herbal Cleaners
Follow these recipes for using essential oils and a few simple ingredients to make your own chemical-free cleaning products.
Summer Brew: Iced Tea Recipes Part 2
Try these three delicious herbal iced tea recipes to cool off this summer in our second part blog about tea.
Herbal Travels: Arboretum Trompenburg Botanical Gardens
The Herb Channeler visits the Arboretum Trompenburg in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and finds a movable herbal feast among the trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials.
The History of Echinacea, Part 2
After its exploding popularity in the late 19th century, echinacea was widely researched. Since then, numerous echinacea benefits have been discovered. Try these two simple echinacea remedies to fight the common cold.
Herbal Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder
If you find yourself suffering from seasonal depression as the weather gets cooler, try these herbal remedies for depression as treatment for seasonal affective disorder.
Feline Stress Relief: Natural Remedies for Cats
If you have a stressed cat, try one of these herbal remedies to soothe the nerves of your furry friend.
Healthy, Green Design: How to Make a Terrarium
Terrariums are beautiful in any room setting and they are a great activity to share with children. In honor of Earth Day, build your own!
DIY: Easy, Homemade Terrariums
One guest blogger recently discovered that you can make homemade terrariums from everyday household items already hanging around the house. Check it out now.
DIY: Compost Tea
If you're an herbie, then chances are you love tea. But did you know that your herbs also enjoy tea? Discover the benefits of compost tea and learn how to use it in your garden.
Green Your Life: Green Book Review: Make Your Place: Affordable, Sustainable Nesting Skills
Whether you're just starting out on the green path or looking for more ways to live sustainably, check out Make Your Place: Affordable, Sustainable Nesting Skills by Raleigh Briggs, which teaches simple domestic skills to help you lead a DIY life.
Gardening with a Black Thumb: Joys of an Early Spring
Guest blogger Eileen Troemel shares images of the spring flowers blooming in her garden.
Grow Parsley for Your Spring Garden
Germinate your favorite parsley indoors this winter to get a head start on spring gardening. Enter for a chance to win parsley seed packets.
Plants to Know: Invasive, Exotic and Native Species
Knowing if a plant is invasive, exotic, or native can save you a lot of time and trouble in your garden. In this article, Master Gardener, Stephanie Montalvo will explain the differences and give you tools to figure out if a plant is good or bad for your garden.
Battling the Elements in Your Garden
Inclement weather can really keep you out of your garden. Here are some of the challenges Mother Nature presents us and a couple of tricks you can use to keep her at bay.
Immune Boosters: Elderberry, Echinacea, Garlic and Oregano
The natural world has many treatments for the cold and flu—and some of them might surprise you. Elderberry, Echinacea, green tea, oregano and garlic are my favorite natural remedies for treating and preventing illness.
Meatless Monday: Fresh Spring Pasta with Asparagus
Perfect for spring, this pasta dish can be made with the spring herbs that are popping up in your garden or market and a little leftover wine (either red or white will do).
In the News: Hemlock Water Dropwort Useful for Botox?
Could a poisonous plant used by ancient colonizers to hurt be used by modern dermatologists to help?
Growing Herbs in Texas: Spring Gardening Update
In Texas, it has warmed up considerably, it's had plenty of rain and, best of all, the gardens are flourishing. See what's going on in Cynthia's Texas garden this month.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Tips for Growing Basil in Texas
Wet and windy conditions haven't kept our guest blogger Cynthia out of her herb garden. See how her plants are thriving despite the spring Texas weather.
Herbs for Healthy Skin: 3 Herbal Staples
These three herbal staples treat acne, treat eczema and reduce inflammation.
Add These Exotic Herbs To Your Spring Garden
Take a look at these exotic herbs that you can add to your garden.
Eco-Decor Delights: Mystic Masala Ayurvedic Aromatherapy
Mystic Masala offers Ayurveda-based candles, soaps, and body products made from sustainable herbs and fair trade methods in Nepal.
Prevent Illness with Immunity-Boosting Teas
Oregon's Wild Harvest Immuni Tea is packed full of many beneficial medicinal herbs that can help with the prevention and treatment of dozens of ailments from constipation to headache relief.
Just For Fun: Herbs of the Zodiac
There's more to your zodiac sign than you may think. Embrace your sign with these zodiac-related herbs.
Secrets of the Garden: 5 Mysterious Plants
We think that we know our herbs, and exactly what they do. However, there are also those herbs with a mysterious past. Here are five of the weirdest herbs we've found that might be hiding in a garden near you.
Fall Recipe: Quick Side Dish Stuffing
Sun-Maid's Quick Side Dish Stuffing combines raisins with warm pecans, stuffing mix and chopped vegetables for the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Iced Herb Gazpacho—Perfect for Your July Fourth Picnic
This simple, chilled Spanish soup featuring fresh summer herbs--basil, cilantro and parsley--in a cool, tangy tomato base is sure to be a hit at your Fourth of July picnic.
Mountain Rose Herbs Debuts Sustainable Tea Packaging
Mountain Rose Herbs has debuted new sustainable tea packaging made from 100 percent recycled newspaper and compostable non-GMO plant cellulose.
Ayurvastra: Herbal Healing Through Cloth
Want to know all the ways herbs can benefit your health? Traditional Indian medicine offers herbal healing through your clothes and sheets.
Cures for Winter Blahs: Winter Sow Herbs
Give winter sowing a try to chase away winter doldrums. Here is a step-by-step guide.
The Flowers of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Flowering herbs have a long history of medicinal use across the world: Discover seven components of Eastern alternative medicine.
Green Your Life: Forget Dryer Sheets—Use a Dryer Sachet!
Shrink your dryer sheet waste and use a dryer sachet instead. Learn about the benefits of dryer sachets, how to make your own sachet and a few ideas about what to do with your used dryer sheets.
Naturopathic Health: Ocimum Sanctum for Stress Relief
Our newest guest blogger discusses her experience as a naturopathic doctor and shares one of her favorite plants—holy basil.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Seed Preparation
Winter has certainly set in Texas. Learn more abouth how our Texas guest blogger is preparing her garden for the winter by perusing seed catalogs.
Growing Herbs in Texas: Harvesting Parsley and Basil
Summertime in Texas means heat, humidity, and a thriving herb garden. The time is right to harvest basil and parsley.
Kid-Friendly Recipes: Refreshing Drinks for Summer
Looking for refreshing drinks to serve to your little one? Use herbs to make drinks the whole family will enjoy!
6 Culinary Herbs for your Winter Kitchen
If you are new to cooking with herbs, try adding flavor to your meals with these six culinary herbs.
Delicous Spiced Nuts
This recipe for spiced nuts makes a quick and tasty snack or gift.
Winter Health: 7 Warming Herbs
Improve circulation with these seven warming herbs and spices, recommended by Brigitte Mars from The Huffington Post.
2 Thanksgiving Staples: Lovage and Sage
Welcome the holidays with two flavorful Thanksgiving herbs. Use lovage in our recipe for Cream of Carrot and Lovage Soup, and sage in our recipe for a delicious Feta-Sage Cornbread.
6 Herbal Sedatives to Help You Fall Asleep Naturally
Having trouble falling asleep at night? Combat insomnia with these herbal sleep aids.
Natural Remedies for Cold and Flu Season
Ease your cold and flu symptoms this season with these tried-and-true natural remedies.
Facebook Community: 20 Cold & Flu Remedies We Love
We asked our readers to share some of their favorite cold and flu remedies. Check out 20 of our favorite reader-submitted remedies, from hot toddies to essential oil rubs.
Homemade Herb Infused Oils and Salves with Plantain and Violet Leaf
Spring is the perfect time to wild craft gently soothing vulnerary herbs, such as plantain and violet leaf, to make healing oils and salves. Learn more about these wonderful springtime botanicals with useful recipes for infused oils and medicinal salves.
Herbal Travels: Spending the Day with Jekka McVicar
During her England vacation, the Lemon Verbena lady visited with Jekka McVicar and enjoyed front row seats during one of her hands-on herbal lessons.
Garden Giveaway: Grow Parsley, the Butterfly Magnet
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a biennial, meaning it takes two years to mature and reproduce. Get your chance to grow parsley from seed in your garden by entering our special garden giveawy. Ends April 2, 2012!
Green City Garden Girl: How to Reuse Eggshells
Besides composting, eggshells have many great uses both in the garden and in the home. Natural Home guest blogger KyLynn Hull details how to reuse eggshells.
Five Resources to Plan a Great Garden
Use these five excellent resources for help planning a productive, healthy, money-saving vegetable garden this spring.
Every Herb Has a Story: Black Cohosh
Black Cohosh, one of the early Native Americans' favorite medicinal plants, contains many benefits that can help you live a healthier life.
In The News: Kudzu Plant May Help Curb Binge Drinking
An extract from the kudzu plant may help drinkers learn to indulge in moderation.
It's Time to Prune Herbs in the Herb Garden
With all of the rain, the Lemon Verbena Lady has found the perfect time to prune the herbs in her herb garden.
An Herbal Dream Come True
One herb lover gets a chance to write her very own blog for her favorite herb magazine, The Herb Companion.
DIY: 3 Easy Herb-Infused Water Recipes
Stay hydrated with these simple, sweet and refreshing infused water recipes using vanilla, fruit and herbs.
In the News: A Chinese Herb May Aid in Treatment of Autoimmune Disorders
The root of the blue evergreen hydrangea may aid in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
Pinterest Inspiration: 3 Seasonal Centerpiece Ideas
Tie your home to nature with these three seasonal centerpiece ideas from Pinterest. Your Thanksgiving dinner table will thank you.
The Herb Society of America Celebrates the Season
The Herb Society of America (HSA) was invited by Lake Metroparks Farmpark to decorate a Christmas tree in their main lobby. Learn how they decorated the tree.
5 Herbs for Better Brain Health
Herbs contan antioxidants and other helpful properties that can improve memory, boost cognitive function and keep your brain in shape as you age.
Every Herb Has a Story: The Health Benefits of Ginger
New studies show that ginger, in addition to its other health benefits, may help regulate the body's inflammatory response.
How to Make a Homemade Bug Repellent Spray
Mother Earth Living Editor-in-Chief Jessica Kellner shares how to make a homemade bug-repellent spray.
Growing Dill From Seed
Grow the kind of dill that fits your gardening and dining style. Also, comment to enter our latest garden giveaway!
Making Gnocchi: A Pictorial
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull tries her hand at making gnocchi.
Bring the Garden Inside with a Terrarium
Believe it or not, terrariums are coming back into style. Learn how to make your own terrarium with these easy steps.
In the News: Obama To Sign Food Safety Bill
Obama is poised to sign the Food Safety Bill. Learn more about how you can guarantee the safety of your own food.
Gardening With Herbs Near The Sutter Buttes
Kathy Amen was excited to share photos of her home with The Herb Companion. She has been inspired to plant more herbs and build a greenhouse for them out of salvaged windows.
Dung Art for your Yard
Check out this interesting art! Plein air artist Susan Bell transforms manure from her horses into animal sculptures that decompose in your yard.
Keep Living Trees Safe for the Holidays
Like herbs, evergreen trees have a powerful fragrance, some even with medicinal properties, and with a few simple steps, you can find the perfect tree to keep safe from fire and fresh throughout the holidays.
The Garden Buzz: Three Reasons to Love Dandelions
Consider these three ideas before you kill the dandelions in your garden.
My Generation: Start a Community Garden
Retirement from work doesn't mean retiring from having fun in life. Help yourself and others by starting a community garden.
BTTR's Sustainable Oyster Mushroom Kits Are Now In The Produce Department
Back to the Roots (BTTR) is collecting 20,000 pounds of coffee grounds each week, cultivating them into a rich substrate from which to grow oyster mushrooms and make grow-it-at-home mushroom kits.
Recognizing and Harvesting the Bolting Spinach
Recognizing Spinach plants when they bolt and harvesting what is left that is useful.
Grow Chervil this Spring
Try growing chervil in your garden this spring. Also, enter our latest garden giveawy by leaving us a comment, explaining how you would use the plant.
Infuse Ratatouille With French Thyme
Ratatouille is a delicious way to preserve a lot of garden produce fast. Also, comment to win a French thyme seed packet.
3 Simple Steps to a Sustainable Home
Plant a patio garden, get a more efficient TV and change your light bulbs, suggests eco-designer Sabrina Soto.
Start Thyme Seeds For Your Spring Garden
Thyme is a very useful and decorative herb in the garden and in the kitchen.
Green Artist Spotlight: La Chanh Nguyen
La Chanh Nguyen's eco-friendly designs are changing the function common household items. Her process is simple; she deconstructs an object and recreates it with a green purpose and function.
Growing Campari Tomatoes
Guest blogger and novice gardener Shelley Moore grows Campari tomatoes in her Utah garden.
Tips to Control Garden Pests without Harming the Soil
Learn how to naturally control garden pests while maintaining healthy soil.
Helping an Herb Companion Friend
A fire ripped through and destroyed the home and garden of an Herb Companion friend, Ester Shouse. Read Ester's story and find out what you can do to help.
A Bomb of Cherry Flavor
The health benefits of whole tart cherries are widely documented – improving sleep, fighting off infection and slowing the aging process. Now there's a cherry juice not from concentrate – read about CherryPharm and its benefits…
Tough Tincture to Swallow
Medicines and extracted herbs can be disgusting, even diluted in water. Luckily, there's a trick for those of us who don't want to grimace every time we try and do something healthy for our bodies! Read more ...
4 Unusual Recipes for Cinco de Mayo
To celebrate the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo I'm throwing a party featuring some of the special Mexican herbs growing in my garden. Try these four unusual recipes: Black Bean Salsa with Cilantro, Papadzules, Minto Mojitos and Chocolate Banana Burritos!
Giving the White House a Green Thumb
Michelle Obama's new organic White House vegetable garden is the first of its kind since World War II. I spoke with a friend who was at the scene as students from a local elementary school broke ground Friday, which was the first day of spring. Find out what the new "First Herbs of the United States" are.
Bitter Wormwood: Growing Artemisia Absinthium
Artemisia absinthium, more commonly known as wormwood, is a bitter herb with many medicinal purposes. It is also an attractive plant in the landscape. Learn more about it.
Garden Giveaway: It's Time for Four O'Clock Flowers
Four-o'clocks are an old favorite that have been around a long time. There is a reason why they have been in your family garden for generations. Comment for your chance to win four-o'clock seeds, courtesy Renee's Garden.
Garden Giveaway: Growing Calendula From Seed
Calendula is an easy flower to grow. Plant in full sun flower beds, containers, and vegetable and herb gardens.
Natural Home Remedies for a Cough
Leave the over-the-counter medications at the store and ease your coughing with these natural remedies.
Unwind, Unplug and Connect with Your Food: The Ultimate Farm-to-Table Experience in Costa Rica
During farm tours at Finca Luna Nueva, an organic farm and resort in Costa Rica,, guests learn about the biodynamic preparations and compost that feed the vibrant, tasty produce they eat for dinner. The resort is connecting tourists to their food.
Natural Sunscreen: Elemental Herbs Sunscreen
Natural Home editorial assistant Susan Melgren reviews Elemental Herbs sunscreen, which uses zinc oxide to block the sun's rays and herbal ingredients to moisturize and heal skin.
Natural Home Remedies for Heartburn
Prevent and treat heartburn at home with these natural remedies.
Capture Flavor With Infusions
Alcohol-based infusions are wonderful for deglazing the skillet after searing a steak or piece of chicken, or you can drizzle them on ice cream for a grown-up dessert.
In The News: Wild Tomatillo Plant May Hold Cancer Fighting Compounds
The wild tomatillo plant may provide the compounds needed to win the fight against cancer.
Keep Your Kids Healthy With Herbs
Take a look at these herbs to fight colds, flus and ear infections.
In The News: Licorice Root May Help Stop Tooth Decay
Researchers may have found the herb to stop tooth decay: licorice root.
Slow Food Simmers in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, all the elements are in place for a Slow Food revolution. Check out the organic bounty--and enjoy a delicious gourmet take on a traditional native dish.
In The News: Turmeric May Help Promote Good Heart Health After Bypass Surgery
Researchers have discovered patients can enjoy good heart health after bypass surgery with the help of turmeric.
5 Herbs for Healthy Hair
When caring for your hair with conventional beauty products is not enough, supplement your hair care with these five fabulous herbs for healthy hair.
3 Easy and Delicious Herbal Popsicle Recipes
These three easy and delicious herbal popsicle recipes will help you make good use of an overflowing summer herb garden.
Single Serving Recipes: 3 Easy Comfort Foods
Enjoy easy comfort food with these three single serving recipes.
Natural Lip Balm: Addicted to Lip Balm: Prairie Essence Lip Balm
Natural Home assistant editor Kim Wallace reviews Prairie Essence Herbal Garden Lip Balm, a natural lip balm made from a blend of rosemary and herb essential oils.
Discovering the Purslane Plant, Part 3
In this third part of our guest blogger's purslane plant profile, she shares three delicious purslane-infused recipes, including a purslane pesto, a wild-greens salad and a summer soup.
Garden Giveaway: So Many Basils, So Little Time
Don't get stuck growing just one kind of basil. Try one of these basils for extra flavor and fragrance.
Support Local Garden Shops
Jessy Rushing explores a fun, locally owned nursery called Diggin' It in Texas.
Green City Garden Girl: Floating Farmer's Market in Seattle
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull explores a new concept in farmer's markets—a floating farmer's market in Seattle's South Lake Union area.
Water Your Garden with the Solar-Powered RainPerfect System
The solar powered RainPerfect pump system is a great way to harvest the rain that does fall and recycle it to help your gardens and lawns stay hydrated and rejuvenated.
Good Pizza Parlors in the Seattle Area
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull shares some of her likes and dislikes of homemade pizza and some of her favorite pizza parlors in the Seattle area.
Natural Lotion: Garden of Eve Hand and Body Lotion
Natural Home assistant editor Kim Wallace reviews natural lotions from Garden of Eve.
Discovering Peanut Butter Fruit (Bunchosia argentea)
Learn more about the peanut butter fruit that could be a part of your fruit garden.
Green City Garden Girl: Pacific Northwest Seafood
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull reviews her seafood past along with a couple shellfish recipe from her Pacific Northwest family.
Meatless Monday? Try Meatless Month!
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull goes without meat for a month. Try her meatless recipes!
DIY: Building Terrariums
Terrariums are easy to make and a great way to incorporate nature into any room.
Product Review: Poo Pourri Spray
Poo-Pourri spray claims it can eliminate stinky bathroom odors. The Garden Gnome finds out if it really works.
Green City Garden Girl: Soup Season: Sherried Mushroom Soup
Heavy cream and sherry lend this simple mushroom soup a sophisticated flavor. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy guest blogger KyLynn Hull.
Grow Mrs. Burns' Lemon Heirloom Basil
Discover one of our guest bloggers favorite heirloom seeds, lemon basil. Then learn more about unique heirlooms.
Naturally Color Easter Eggs with Food Dyes
Learn how to naturally color Easter eggs with guest blogger KyLynn Hull's notes on using food dyes.
How To: Save Your Seeds
Try saving seed from a few of your garden favorites this year. The number of seeds sold in the seed catalogs decreases every year. Saving seed may save that particular variety from extinction.
Herbal Travels: VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver
The Lemon Verbena Lady visits the VanDusen Botanical Garden's herb garden and finds that it doesn't take a lot of room to have a fragrant and flavorful herb garden.
Toxic Chemicals Found in Gardening Products
A new study from the Ecology Center found traces of lead, cadmium, BPA, phthalates and hazardous flame retardants in gardening products—and that chemicals in hoses leach into water.
DIY: Make Car Fresheners with Tea Infusers
Tired of those cheap cardboard car air fresheners that are ugly and have a fake, overpowering odor? Try this easy solution.
Soup Season: Carrot Soup
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull kicks off soup season with this simple carrot soup recipe.
Natural Health Products and Herb Gardening Expo
Herb gardening and natural health products are featured at the annual Expo East in Boston.
Green City Garden Girl: Yard Art
Finding used art can brighten your garden without emptying your pocketbook.
Weed & Water Wednesday: Planting Cover Crops
It's not too late to plant cover crops to increase your garden soil's fertility and enhance garden beauty this winter.
Green City Garden Girl: The Art of Razor Clam Digging
Guest blogger KyLynn shares a step-by-step photo gallery of how to clean razor clams.
Garden Giveaway: The Great Sunflower Project
Win sunflower seeds, attract pollinators and help bee populations in your area.
Green City Garden Girl: Spring Tree Sprouts a Closer Community
A spontaneous idea to erect a "spring tree" brings together a neighborhood and community.
Build a Double-Barrel Herb Garden
This weekend project is perfect for the herb gardener with limited space. It gives more surface area for the herbs to spill from, a lot more soil to hold nutrients and water, and root room for all the extra herbs.
Throwback Thursday: The Year in Natural Home & Garden Covers
Our Natural Home & Garden cover shoot process has evolved throughout the year. Read a behind-the-scenes take on our covers.
Sage Advice from the Wall Street Journal
That sage (ahem!) advice is from the Wall Street Journal Online, in an article about how small investments in buying seeds can reap large returns in the coming year.
Sunflowers, Suds and Saturday Morning
Saturday morning brings adventures with an overflowing dishwasher, pesky puppy and pretty sunflowers.
Grow 'Mignonette' Strawberries From Seed
These tiny, sweet strawberries are hard to find but perfect for any home gardener. Enter for a chance to win strawberry seed packets.
Protect Garden From Deer with a Plant Tonic
Looking for a safe but effective way to deter deer from using your garden as their personal buffet? Sprinkle this plant tonic on their favorite garden munchies.
Tansy, Russian Sage and Ladybugs, Oh My!
Watch for beneficial ladybugs the next time you rid your garden of tansy. The Lemon Verbena Lady shares pictures and a short story about tansy, russian sage and ladybugs in her herb garden.
Herb Trend: Vertical Planters
If you're looking for an indoor garden that keeps animals away and requires little space, the Woolly Pocket is right for you!
Herbal Tip: Recycle Plastic Flatware In Your Garden
A plastic knife will open those weighty bags of potting soil or top soil faster than most pricey garden gadgets.
Growing Fashionable Sage from Hort Couture
One of my favorite herbs from Hort Couture is Salvia officinalis 'La Crema', a fragrant, variegated sage that is currently thriving in my Zone 6 garden. Learn more about this brand with style.
DeLoach Vineyards: Stirring Biodynamic Horn Silica Prep 501
DeLoach Vineyards winegrower Eric Pooler explains the camaraderie amongst Biodynamic prep stirrers.
Companion Planting: 11 Herbs to Help Your Garden Grow
Companion planting can help your favorite plants achieve their full potential.
6 Best Iced Tea Varieties: Mother Earth Living Editors' Picks
Cool off with a glass of refreshing iced tea with the Mother Earth Living Editors' Picks of the best iced tea varieties for summer.
15 Random Things About 15 Herbs
A list of health promoting herbs for cooking and healing.
Sodium Excess: 7 Ways to Reduce Your Daily Sodium Intake
Consuming too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease, yet most Americans consume more than the recommended amount. Reduce your sodium intake with these seven simple steps.
Meatless Monday Recipe: Mushroom-Stuffed Squash, Leek and Fennel Soup
The New York Times reports our carbon emissions in 2011 were the highest on record. Reduce your family's carbon footprint by choosing vegetarian recipes such as Fennel and Leek Soup and Delicata Squash Stuffed with Wild Mushrooms and Herbs.
What's in the 2012 Summer Olympic Bouquet?
Uncover what colorful, fragrant flowers make up the London 2012 victory bouquets during this summer's Olympic Games.
Natural Medicine Cabinet: Health Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric, a curcumin-containing spice commonly used in Indian curry, has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines to cure a number of ailments. Discover the health benefits of turmeric!
Healthy Green Design: Naturally Scent Your Home
Eliminate unpleasant odors in your home by using natural products.
4 Ways to Naturally Relieve PMS
Reaching for the painkillers every month? Read on for natural ways to relieve PMS symptoms.
Stress Less with Calming Teas
Drinking tea is the perfect relaxation ritual. Stress less with help from three of my favorite calming tea formulas using calming herbs that can be enjoyed daily.
9 Anti-Aging Herbs
Anti-aging herbs such as ginkgo, bilberry and turmeric can improve memory, ease arthritis and treat other ailments caused by aging.
15 Ways to Survive the Cold and Flu Season
Bypass cold and flu season this year with natural remedies, herbal supplements, TLC and a little common sense.
The Lemon Verbena Tales: New Pests and Harvesting Tips
The Lemon Verbena Lady has a wonderful harvest of lemon verbena leaves to use in cooking and crafts. She has also discovered a new pest that may be trying to harm her favorite herb.
The Herbal Artist: Queen Anne's Lace Flower Jelly
Craft a refreshing jelly that resembles light floral lemonade or grapefruit juice with the delightful Queen Anne's lace.
Heading to the Mother Earth News Fair
The upcoming Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, Mother Earth News Fair promises hundreds of presentations on sustainable, self-reliant living; dozens of animals on display; delicious food; and tons of fun.
10 Homemade Holiday Gifts
This holiday season, avoid the shopping frenzy and make your own gifts straight from the heart. These homemade holiday gift ideas are fun and should cover nearly everyone on your shopping list.
A Reader's Request: The Herbs of Shakespeare, Act Two
Lemon Verbena Lady continues her exploration of Shakespeare and the herbal flowers and herbs from his plays for a reader of The Herb Channeler. Also she updates some additional seed catalogs.
My Favorite Christmas Thyme Book and Dried Herb Wreaths: Part 1
Lemon Verbena Lady finally makes a holiday-inspired craft—dried herb wreaths—from one of her favorite Christmas books. It repurposes your old potpourri into charming mini wreaths for gift giving or decorating. Part two will show you how to make a mini spice wreath.
DeLoach Vineyards: Farm-Fresh Eggs
Natural Home assistant editor Kim Wallace shares her newfound love for farm-fresh eggs after experiencing rich, nutritious eggs at DeLoach Vineyards in Santa Rosa, California.
World Food Day: Bringing People Together
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull shares how food affects her culture and family.
Green City Garden Girl: Recipe Keepsakes
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull shares a creative project to display favorite old family recipes with pictures the people who made them.
Green City Garden Girl: Soup Season: French Onion Soup
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull shares a recipe for homemade French Onion soup, a classic favorite.
Green City Garden Girl: Soup Season: Sausage Vegetable Stew
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull shares a recipe for Sausage Vegetable Stew, a recreation of a soup she enjoyed at In the Red Wine Bar and Cafe in Seattle's Phinney Ridge neighborhood.
Green City Garden Girl: Smoothie Sensation
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull finally discovers the beauty of smoothies—and shares four recipes for homemade concoctions!
Spring Garden Tips: 3 Springtime Recipes
The Lemon Verbena Lady is happily finding herbs in her spring herb garden while she remembers favorite recipe to use with each herb.
Green City Garden Girl: Rhubarb Custard Pie
Natural Home guest blogger KyLynn Hull shares her grandmother's rhubarb pie recipe.
Green City Garen Girl: Soup Season: Potato-Vegetable Soup
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull shares a rich and hearty recipe for potato-vegetable soup.
The Garden Buzz: Growing Strategies for Beginning Herb Gardeners
These growing strategies will help any beginning herb garden. Discover which herbs are easiest to grow from seed, which are easily propagated from division, and which are easily grown from cuttings.
Green City Garden Girl: Canning and Pickling Beets
Guest blogger KyLynn Hull shares her love for beets and explains how to can and pickle beets so they can be enjoyed year-round.
Green City Garden Girl: Blondie the Backyard Chicken
My baby chicken, Blondie, is growing up to become quite the obedient bird and developing quite the personality.
Natural Product Review: Garden Apothecary's Vanilla Sugar Scrub
Treat your skin to the wonderfully delicious scent of vanilla with this luxurious vanilla sugar scrub from Garden Apothecary.
A Mutant Grows in Kansas: Update
K.C. Compton hones in on the mystery of what variety sunflower is reaching for the sky in her back yard. And also sends kind wishes to the swallowtail butterfly who destroyed her parsley plant.
Future of Urban Gardening