The herb ginger has many beneficial uses. It has been used for centuries by different cultures to aid in digestion, treat nausea, control motion sickness and to help fight the common cold or flu.
Homemade ginger ale is a very refreshing drink and very easy to make. You will be amazed and pleasantly surprised by the citrusy taste of this homemade ginger drink. You can also make hot ginger tea by steeping fresh ginger in hot water for 5 minutes. Then add sugar or honey to sweeten.

When I began my interest in herbs I was astounded to find how many flowers are actually herbs. One of these is the common mallow plant. I have used it as a flower for years not aware of it’s herbal qualities.

Coriander leaves are called cilantro. The coriander plant is a rigid, strong smelling annual with a pronounced taproot and slender stems up to 2 feet. It features ferny pinnate leaves, rounded and parsley-like at base, umbels of small white or pink flowers formed in midsummer, followed by round red-brown seed capsules that are very aromatic when ripe.

Dill is one of the most common herbs in North America. It is an annual tall and lacey plant that grows 18-30 inches in height, with fine feathered blue-green leaves and hollow stems. It has small open umbels of creamy-yellow flowers in summer, followed by dark brown seeds.

Liquorice, a herbaceous perennial has been cultivated for its sweet aromatic root since the Middle ages. Arab physicians used it as a laxative, and for treating stomach ulcers and bladder and kidney complaints. It has also been used as an infusion given for sore throats and to reduce fever.

Before modern medicine, horseradish was invaluable to people for maintaining various aspects of their health. It was used as a digestive, antiseptic, stimulant and to make poultices for rheumatism, chest complaints and circulation problems.

Aloe Vera is a succulent drought-resistant tropical plant that forms clumps of short-stemmed rosettes of fleshy evergreen leaves, up to 2 feet long. These leaves are pointed and are edged with teeth

Fresh or dried herbs have been prepared for medicinal purposes for centuries, drawing on the accumulated wisdom and experience of generations of herbalists. Diagnosis and prescription are still best left to a qualified practitioner, although simple remedies can be prepared at home. Homer wrote of healing roots, one of the earliest records of the use of medicinal plants in Europe.

The various species all possess the familiar sulphurous smell, but individually they are valued as vegetables, herbs, medicines and decorative garden bulbs. Unfortunately I am slightly allergic to all forms of onions and garlic but nevertheless I have learned just the amount I can tolerate so I still enjoy them in moderation.

English monarchs had Strewers of Herbs precede them in processions to scatter dried aromatic herbs such as rosemary, thyme and rue to ward off diseases. The medieval plagues were thought to be caused by foul air. Dried herbs and essential oils were incorporated into pot-pourris, snuff and scented water.