Monday, August 19, 2013

JEAN'S POST ON FLOWERS AND HERBS

I want you to feel free to ask me any questions you would like.  They give me an idea of what to put in my posts.  After a while, I run out of ideas. This post is answering some questions that were asked.

Yes, I do dry flowers.  I dry them and make some into arrangements to sell at the stand, in from of our house.  Some of the arrangements, I keep in our house to brighten it up.  We are allowed to have dried flowers and fresh flowers in our homes.

I also dry herbs in my home.  I grow herb plants in my house and greenhouse.  Some of the herbs I dry and use them for medical purposes.  Some I sell at the our stand.   I also give some to Martha, as she has problems growing these, so I just give her some of mine.

I believe in going to the medical doctor, but I also believe that there  are many medical situations that herbs can be used.  I would much rather use herbs than take a pill or get a shot.  Also, many people are allergic to modern medical pills that doctors prescribe and they need other medical means.  I do not use herbs for medical use on anyone except my family.

Many of these herbs medicines come from many generations back in our family.  There are some modern ones, too.  I know at one time I put some herb medicines on Amish Stories.  Would you like me to put some on New York State of Mind?  Is there any particular herb medicine you are looking for?  I can not guarantee I have what you are looking for, but I have and use many herb  medicines.   I am not a doctor and neither is Marilyn, so you should contact your doctor before using any of herb medicines.

POISON IVY

Sponge vinegar over all the poison ivy.  When applied, it will burn at first, but within minutes the itch will stop.  The next day it should be dried up and within a few days the skin will be clear.

Another Method:

2 Tablespoons each tinctures of grindelia flowers (or jewelweed leave) and comfrey leaves
1/4 cup vinegar
3 drops peppermint oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine ingredients in a jar.  Shake well before each use.  Apply as needed.

Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac Bath

4 drops each peppermint and lavender essential oils
4 cups colloidal oatmeal
1 cup Epson salts

Add ingredients to lukewarm or cool bath water.  Also you can sponge this formula onto the afflicted area, rather than taking a bath.



Be With God,
Jean


15 comments:

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Everyone.
Hope you enjoy Jean's post this morning.

It is a beautiful day today.

Marilyn

Vickie said...

Hi Marilyn and Jean! Neat post today. I hope you both have a great day in the Lord!

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Vickie,

So glad to hear from you. Hadn't heard from you in a while. Will tell Jean what you said about the post. Hope you have a great day in the Lord, too,

Marilyn

Chasity said...

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Chasity,
Thank you for commenting. They are really appreciated.

Marilyn

http://thankfullga447 said...

I have rosemary and thyme do I just let it dry on trays and turn them over every once in awhile or do I hang them?

annie said...

I enjoyed the post today, and would like to see more on this subject. The first recipe listed jewel weed. I was wondering of it has to be gathered fresh, or if you gather (for this the flowers or other recipes)leaves and dry them to use them later on. I know most would gather herbs early in the day, is there a particular time or way you choose to gather herbs and store. Are essential oils considered an English product, or do you have Amish or Mennonite sources for the oils? Do you have anything that would be very good to use on extreme dry scaly skin, that would not irritate sensitive skin? Is there any particular herbs or salves you might use on tender baby skin for diaper rash etc.? Thank you for sharing. I also wanted to say Edward's Grandmother's Fruit Casserole was a hit with the Preacher at the church dinner. He said yesterday it was the best he has ever eaten, and requested the recipe for his good wife. He said he went back for seconds that day, but it had been gobbled up (he grinned when he said this!) Thank you again for sharing that!

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi ga447,

I will see that Jean gets your questions. I know she appreciates questions.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Annie,
I will see that Jean gets your questions. She is very glad to get questions. She was trying to figure our what to have for a post next week-I think you gave her the answer. I also know Edward will be so happy to hear about the fruit casserole.

Marilyn

SueAnn said...

You can tie your herbs in bunches, and hang them upside down to dry....if you don't have a hook in the ceiling for this purpose, then you can hang them form anything you have, that has enough of a hook so you can loop the thread over it- dry out of sunlight.

New York State Of Mind said...

Thank you, Sue Ann for answering Annie's question.

Marilyn

SueAnn said...

Marilyn,
Please tell Jean I am excited to see she dries flowers and herbs. so many people around me here, do not.....I have done this my whole life, having grown up with a grandmother that did it.So many herbs are useful medical wise..I grow and dry feverfew leaves...for headaches...and the flowers for in the house. There is so much more to herbs that are easy to do..even for people that have never done it before.
I was thinking last night about Annie's question, and if you do not have a place to hang herbs, using and old screen or a cookie rack, will work, the turning is needed tho, a few times a week..til they are resonably dry, then they can be crushed, and put in jars, or left whole..I still put a bay leaf in with them....if there is a a lot... Bay leaves in dry goods in the kitchen is a great bug preventative....in the bottom of my flour can I have some ( I leave the flour in the bag).
I would love to hear more from Jean on her drying and preserving!!! always neat to learn from others.
Thanks so much for all your work with this blog.

Countryside Reflections said...

What very interesting information. I would love to have more herb medicines. Are the ones for Poison Ivy good for any itch, like bug bites?

Doreen

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Sue Ann,

I will tell Jean what you said. I know nothing about herbs and should know more because I am so allergic to certain medicines.

Will tell Jean what you would like her to tell about.

You are welcome. I enjoy the work and learn so much.

MArilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Doreen,

I called Jean and she said these are also good for: Poison Oak, Poison Sumac, stings and rashes. Hope that helps.

Marilyn