Successfully Nurturing Herb Plants

We’ve received such positive feedback from other articles written about herbs, and referring to the information in Herbal Rhythms: Deciphering Herbal Codes that we felt compelled to continue sharing with others.
Happy Herb Usage!
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown, and Mort

Herbal, organic, sustainable, back to nature, and nontoxic are but a few of the positive catch phrases commonly used when referring to a kinder, healthier lifestyle. Having—perhaps whilst dining out--enticed taste buds with new sensations of flavor not based on fats and salts many have purchased herbs and cookbooks with the intent of manifesting those flavor sensations at home. Unfortunately in our age of disassociation with process most are disappointed when the herbs don’t magically flourish wherever they’re put once arriving in their new home.
Such necessities as the proper amount of sunlight, water, soil conditions, soil and other amenities, temperatures, freezing of seeds or not at some point during the living cycle, likelihood of wind damage, animal intervention and other factors must be factored into the equation when considering successful herb plant cultivation. Casual placement whether in the ground or pot can easily result in disappointment whereas knowledge of the microclimates, targets of automatic sprinklers, exposure to sun etc. can make the difference between an easy harvest and none at all.
While most herbs don’t require the ministrations that high maintenance plants such as roses do, herbs prefer a close approximation of the conditions inherent to their native lands. This can be arrived at by various means and once the proper growth regiment is met can be repeated year after year with predictable success.
By way of example, those plants grown for the sake of their roots need a loose, detritus—natural rock formations, unnatural leftovers from construction—free area to stretch and grow in to their optimal harvest potential. Those coming from the Mediterranean regions prefer drier, coarser soil.
Anyone who has gardened is aware of delineation of the country’s climates into Zones. Knowledge of these and their placement help facilitate decisions about what to plant, where and when. Set up on the principle of averages they’re quite useful but don’t fully take into account altitude, desiccation/humidity levels, intensity of the sun, propensity for wind damage, micro-climes within the yard and other unique local factors. Familiarity with these is crucial when planning and executing a garden whether herb or otherwise.
Other influences to keep in mind might include cats--whether neighborhood or personal. I’ve found there to be a marked difference of opinion over the best intended use of a freshly turned area of the garden. I see it as a place for seeds or seedlings; they see it as an area in need of their ministrations and worthy of deposits of various sorts. A piece of screening over the top discourages further soil rearranging by feline or other volunteers and provides a resilient, light protection for new seedlings. It also keeps birds from nibbling on quite so many of the seeds before they germinate. Again a difference of perceptions springs to the avian and human mind when seeds are sown. They see dinner while I enjoy visions of leafy vegetation erupting within 7 to 10 days.
Once the foundational habits and desires of a particular herb are known the next step is to incorporate those into the specific geographical growing situation. Some will grow easily while others may require a bit of experimentation. Having all the necessary information easily accessible within a reference guide such as “Herbal Rhythms: Deciphering Herbal Codes” goes a long way towards facilitating a healthy, enjoyable harvest.
Most books cover many herbs and only provide brief informational snippets about each. Providing a well rounded picture of fourteen of the most widely used herbs this book discusses historical, medicinal, culinary, cultivation practices, as well as offering recipe suggestions and projects to clarify various processes and have fun. The fourteen herbs discussed include basil, coriander/cilantro, dill, ginger, lavender, lemon balm, licorice, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary, tarragon, and thyme.

Components of Basil, Dill, Lemon Balm and Parsley

The author of Herbal Rhythms: Deciphering Herbal Codes presents a brief synopsis on the benefits of familiarizing oneself with herbal constituents and their actions. The herbs mentioned in this article as well as coriander/cilantro, ginger, lavender, licorice, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme are presented in this book intended as an easy reference guide. Discussion revolves around their historical, culinary, and medicinal attributes with additional information pertaining to optimal growth conditions, harvesting, processing, storing, recipes and educational projects.
Namaste,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown, and Mort


Deciphering Herbal Codes may seem like an unnecessary task when it comes to increasing ones knowledge of herbs however familiarity with the innate abilities of herbal constituents, their interactions and results, enhances the possibilities for enjoyment and usefulness.
For instance, many people hearing (or reading) about existing historical records alluding to basil’s effectiveness in curing sea-dragon bites would scoff at claims of anti bacterial actions. Sure basil tastes wonderful and the scent is delightful but don’t insult personal intelligence with claims of medical prowess the Doubting Thomas maintains. Not so, the person familiar with basil’s constituents possessing proven antibacterial actions answers. As with most stories, myths and legends there is a kernel of truth buried amongst the layers of fiction. In this case it’s likely crabs were the ‘sea-dragons’ doing the nibbling and basil was found to contribute to a quick, uneventful healing process by keeping infection at bay.
That dill’s constituents prevent and/or ameliorate issues of indigestion and stomach upset is widely appreciated, less so its insecticidal properties. Unbeknownst to many, dill seeds contain a proven insecticide, carvone anethofuran. Employing such an insecticide is, I would think, preferable to organophosphates which can cause dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, blurred vision, sweating, endocrine disruption, and possibly death.
Lemon balm, a delight when enjoyed in infusion, contains rosmarinic acid a naturally occurring polyphonic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Proven effective against viruses, yeast and bacteria its usefulness doesn’t diminish when viruses or bacteria mutate, one of the established downsides of prescription drugs.
Generally considered as nothing more consequential than a decorative sprig of garnish, admired solely for its aesthetic contribution to the overall presentation of a sumptuous meal, parsley doesn’t get its deserved recognition. One of the most nutritious of herbs, parsley contains flavonoids, (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant) in addition to a plethora of vitamins, and minerals. Perhaps it’s parsley ability to quell indigestion issues that led to its use as a garnish with the original intent being as an after meal digestive aid.
While some of the issues prompting past herb ingestion—for instance internal worm control--are no longer considerations many are still pertinent. Indisputably it’s helpful to have at least basic knowledge of auto mechanics in case of a breakdown. It’s just as helpful to know something of an herb’s inner mechanical workings--its constituents and their characteristics—to be able to take full advantage of inherent opportunities.

Clarifying the Work at Home Mythology

The following commentary was written by a successful author who worked at home her entire writing career.

Namaste,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

Clarifying the Work at Home Mythology
Let me preface the following with the allowance that while myths are generally overblown, highly romanticized depictions of an event (s) or person (s) there is basis in truth. So saying, in lieu of a boring diatribe on the demerits of romanticizing working in the home let me offer a rendering of a typical day in the life of a home worker. The reader can be the judge as to the efficacy of the myths surrounding “working at home”.

Dulcet Oriental plinking seeps into my consciousness. Momentarily baffled realization creates a pitiful bleat of protest muffled by a blanket suddenly molded to my face. Loyal spouse that I am means getting up five mornings a week before any vestige of natural solar illumination has even considered sending a scouting ray or two above the horizon. Propelling the blanket back to its side of the bed I dutifully gird myself for the always eventful breakfast ritual as it pertains to the feeding of our pets. After completion of pre, during and post breakfast chores my arm waves cheerily at the back end of the car as it chugs away.
A load of laundry churning, the cats cleaning after their second breakfast—they display Hobbit behavioral proclivities, furry feet and bottomless stomachs—the Venetian’s slats coiled against their header, grey dawning gloom sulking beyond the window panes, and a variety of miscellaneous and sundry chores completed I sit before my computer, fingers poised.
But production is not to be...either the phone service or my ISP is on the blink. Unable to go on-line the necessity of checking my e-mail and doing research for my upcoming story goads me on. After several hours, much digital manipulation accompanied by a steady stream of commentary on my part, amidst a comforting gurgling of electronic bleeps the information that “you have mail” signifies connectivity success. While fix-it downloads of digital molasses intended to do away with the interfacing issues brought about by the security measures my ISP insists upon booby trapping my computer with, the laundry has been hung, the plants dehydration issues dealt with and dust relocated. And let us not forget the cats who think they have three cat doors. The preferred two require a human’s hand to facilitate their entering or exiting.
With the approach of late morning and the dog’s signaling his need to go outside and take care of business I prepare for the daily walk. Avoiding his leaping joy my eyes cast longingly at the now hibernating computer. The hoopla having roused everyone from their morning naps the feline circle greets our return, expectations high for anticipated elevenses, or is it third breakfast or first lunch?
Once again ensconced before the computer words finally flow through my fingertips onto the digitalized “page”, maybe the day won’t be a total washout after all. Bbrrriiinnngg, announces the phone, reinforcing its message of interruption three more times before the answering machine ends the torture. I keep an ear cocked for the voice of one of the few people who I’d leave work for. Why do people think that because one works at home one is therefore available for all sorts of trivial @#$% that no one would dare call someone to discuss in a more formal working situation?
Several hundred words later and with a resounding crash the power goes out. Sun blazing in a powdery blue sky means something other than a lighting bolt precipitated the interruption. Although only a dozen miles from the state capital power outages occur with frustrating regularity. Amidst the strident BLEEP, BLEEEPPING of my backup battery I click the necessary prompts telling the computer to shut down.
An hour later all the timing devices in the house blink steadily awake and the computer reloads. Handwritten pages in hand, a quick detour to the front porch to rescue one of my cats from the neighbor’s dog who seems to think our front porch is within her chasing territory rouses the rest of the again recently sleeping felines. Pages dropped off in the office and in hopes of being granted some peaceful quiet I provide the cats with 2nd or 3rd lunch, I’ve lost track which. Spraying the trail of ants just beginning their daily trek into the upper reaches of the pantry I realize that the UPS driver must be new. The big brown truck has determinedly thundered by my driveway intent—apparently—upon reaching the dirt road’s dead end less than 25 feet away. By the time he’s backed up to the head of my driveway I’m a waving beacon.
Once inside with my prize, the phone rings again, I remember I’ve forgotten to take out the chicken for dinner and begin wondering what I can substitute with and the eminent necessity of vacuuming wafts in soft fur colonies on the gentle air currents raised by my passage.
Exchanging chore necessity for work mode several more digital pages become filled with black print. Ears now protected by bulging sound thwarting headphones eyes glued to the screen, my mind deep within its preferred fictional world, I fail to notice the thunderstorm until a flash of lighting startles to awareness. Removing the headphones my ears are regaled with the warning precursor gagging of a cat about to vomit. The completion of that task and electricity’s tenuous connection to the house being terminated for the second time occurs simultaneously. Fortunately enough light seeps through the rain clouds to thoroughly clean up the mess before bringing in the newly dampened clothes.

An Apology to the "Dixie Chicks"

We offer this letter of apology without editorial comment.
Peace of Mind Be With You,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

An Apology to the “Dixie Chicks”
I seem compelled to be humbled on a disturbingly--at least to me—frequent but rarely silencing basis. My most recent humbling and realization of gross misappropriation of negative opinion resulted from stereotyping.
In similar fashion to every human being on this planet I am—in spite of awareness of the issue and determination to avoid the pitfalls—prone to built in stereotyping resulting from an array of different causes. Recognized impetus includes childhood trauma, familial convincing, media deluge, religious doctrine as well as victimization resulting from being blessed with a pair of X chromosomes at a time when women were just beginning to eke out some of those inalienable rights so taken for granted by their “other halves”.
The term “chick” unless referring to a fluffy, charmingly cute new member of the avian community determinedly following in mommy bird’s wake has always connoted the image of an overbearing, inevitably male persona referring to a woman. By no stretch of the imagination is there even a pretext of respect or equality conveyed by those employing this descriptive label. For many of us women born into the baby boomer generation the word “chick” either sends shivers up our spines or blood boiling to the outer regions of the skin—and I am not referring to hot flashes.
Suffice it to say that the term “dixie” instantaneously brings to mind images representative of the redneck/plantation mentality found in the South along with its various accoutrements. Not the least of these includes the Confederate flag, dragging of human beings behind pick-up trucks, the Ku Klux Klan, and thinking of women as material possessions, just to mention a few of the forms and means of heinous degradation employed.
Several years ago while scanning through TV channels I stopped to watch an interview of an unfamiliar group of musicians. Always interested in new groups I nevertheless hurriedly moved back to the channel selections upon realization of their group name, the “Dixie Chicks”. Ascribing my stereotyped connotations I couldn’t imagine anyone voluntarily choosing to represent themselves using those words being of interest to me. That snap judgment cost me years of musical enjoyment and the opportunity to be heartened by their life principles and strength of character they display in sticking to them. My humbling experience transpired as a consequence of the “Dixie Chicks” refusal to follow their brainwashed harassers’ example and submit to fear.
Becoming a fan necessitated their receiving death threats, among other unconscionable reactions, in response to voicing an opinion during a concert, a common practice among performers. With the release of their latest album and subsequent reiteration of their political views in various media genres I’ve realized they are people I want to support and so received a surprise. Delightfully neither their music nor their characters matched my preconceived negative notions.
Isn’t freedom of thought, speech and spiritual beliefs what we as a country should be cherishing instead of ostracizing? These three women are carrying on the tradition set by those founders of this country who thumbed their noses at the then issuer of policies promoting tyranny, bigotry and persecution.
They are peacefully continuing to publicly share their convictions without causing the death of thousands, inconvenience of millions and they’re providing entertainment to boot. Can our President say the same? His most outstanding features, selfishness, thoughtlessness, warped perspective, unwillingness to obey the law, willingness to sacrifice the masses to augment the wealth of the few, and proponent of hatred and bigotry emulates the actions and mindsets of the most feared fanatics of historical accountings.
Whether one agrees with the “Dixie Chicks” or not the sanctity to express their opinions without fear of reprisal must be preserved or the people of this country will be no better off than those of North Korea suffering under totalitarian rule. And important lessons won’t be available for those willing to admit and apologize for faulty assessments.