Llewellyn’s herbal almanac 2012

459 Pages·2011·4.74 MB·English

by  JD Hortwort

Copyright Information Llewellyn’s Herbal Almanac © 2011
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First e-book edition © 2011
E-book ISBN: 9780738732091
Cover designed by Kevin R. Brown Edited by Sharon Leah
Cover Images: Mint: iStockphoto.com, Evgeniy Ivanov; Vanilla
Flower and Mint Herb: iStockphoto.com, Eleonora Kolotseva; Tea
Cup with Rose Hits: iStockphoto.com, Eleonora Ivanova; Basil,
Parsley, Cilantro: iStockphoto.com, Wendy Miranda; Italian Parsley
in Flower Pot, French Tarragon in Flower Pot, and Sweet Marjoram
Herb Icon: iStockphoto.com, Joan Loitz; Sunflower:
iStockphoto.com, Alex van de Hoef Interior Art: © Fiona King,
excluding illustrations on pages 2–4, which are © Mary Azarian
Llewellyn Publications is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.
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ISBN 978-0-7387-1205-5
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Table of Contents
Introduction to Llewellyn’s Herbal Almanac Growing and Gathering Herbs
Urban Herb Gardening Tips by JD Hortwort
Herbal Honey Harvests by Suzanne Ress
Full Sun Spotlight by Elizabeth Barrette Fertilizers for Free by Janice Sharkey
Herb Q and A by JD Hortwort
Plants Need Friends, Too by Misty Kuceris
How to Contain Your Garden by Alice DeVille
Culinary Herbs
Grilling with Herbs by Susan Pesznecker Go Wild: Free-Range & Game Meat
Seasonings by Elizabeth Barrette Quick Cuisine by Dallas Jennifer Cobb
Delectable, Edible Herb Flowers by Suzanne Ress Royal Basil by Harmony
Usher
Herbs for Health and Beauty
Energy-Opening Herbs by Tess Whitehurst
Herbal Nervines by Calantirniel
Herb Soups that Heal by Darcey Blue French
Herbal Remedies for Hot Lungs by Sean Donahue
Shoo Fly by Elizabeth Barrette
Herb Crafts
Essential Crafting Tools by Susan Pesznecker
Sunflowers by JD Hortwort
Aromatherapy by Calantirniel
Fragrant Graces by Elizabeth Barrette Autumn Luck Bag by Lucy Hall Kelly
Herb History, Myth, and Lore
Nastrutium: Sparks in the Garden by Linda Raedisch Tale of the Cattail by Susan
Pesznecker
Herb, Healers & Charms by Sharynne MacLeod NicMhacha World of
Ethnobotany by Susan Pesznecker
The Doctrine of Signatures by J. Lee Lehman PhD
The Future of Herbs by Diana Rajchel
Moon Signs, Phases, and Tables
The Quarters and Signs of the Moon
January-December Moon Tables
Dates to Destroy Weeds and Pests
About the Authors
Introduction to Llewellyn’s
Herbal Almanac
T
he herbal landscape is an ever-evolving one. The slow warming of our
planet has seen temperate climates creeping toward the poles, while
consumer trends prompt more immediate changes. But through it all,
homegrown herbs still make a lasting impact. Llewellyn’s 2012 Herbal Almanac
takes a look at the year-round effects of herbs, re-examining the research on uses
of herbs as medicine, as culinary spices, as cosmetics, and more. This year we
once again tap into practical, historical, and just plain enjoyable aspects of herbal
knowledge—using herbs to help people manage personal energy flow, combat
pesky insects, craft with herbs, plant and care for herb gardens, make infusions,
tinctures, and teas; and, of course, trying out fabulous new recipes. And we bring
to these pages some of the most innovative and original thinkers and writers on
herbs.
Growing, preparing, and using herbs allows us to focus on the old ways—
when men and women around the world knew and understood the power of
herbs. Taking a step back to a simpler time is important today as the pace of
everyday life quickens and demands more and more of our energy—leaving
precious little room for beauty, good food, health, love, and friendship. This
state of affairs is perhaps not terribly surprising considering so many of us are
out of touch with the beauty, spirituality, and health-giving properties of the
natural world. Many of us spend too much of our lives rushing about in a
technological bubble. We forget to focus on the parts of life that can bring us
back into balance and harmony.
Though it’s getting more difficult, you can still find ways to escape the rat
race once in a while. People are still striving to make us all more aware of the
uplifting, beautiful ways that herbs can affect our lives. In the 2012 edition of the
Herbal Almanac, the authors pay tribute to the ideals of beauty and balance in
relation to the health-giving and beautifying properties of herbs. Whether it
comes in the form of energy-opening herbs, crafting your own bug repellents, or
a new favorite recipe, herbs can clearly make a positive impact in your life.
Herbs are the perfect complement to the power of the mind, an ancient tool
whose time has come back around to help us restore balance in our lives. More
and more people are using herbs, growing and gathering them, and studying
them for their enlivening and healing properties. We, the editor and authors of
this volume, encourage the treatment of the whole organism—of the person and
of the planet—with herbal goodness.

Note: The old-fashioned remedies in this book are historical references used
for teaching purposes only. The recipes are not for commercial use or profit. The
contents are not meant to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or substitute consultation
with a licensed health-care professional. Herbs, whether used internally or
externally, should be introduced in small amounts to allow the body to adjust
and to detect possible allergies. Please consult a standard reference source or an
expert herbalist to learn more about the possible effects of certain herbs. You
must take care not to replace regular medical treatment with the use of herbs.
Herbal treatment is intended primarily to complement modern health care.
Always seek professional help if you suffer from illness. Also, take care to read
all warning labels before taking any herbs or starting on an extended herbal
regimen. Always consult medical and herbal professionals before beginning any
sort of medical treatment—this is particularly true for pregnant women. Herbs
are powerful things; be sure you are using that power to achieve balance.
Llewellyn Worldwide does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority
or responsibility concerning private business transactions between its authors
and the public.
[contents]
Growing and Gathering Herbs
Urban Herb Gardening Tips
by JD Hortwort
M
ost herbs are tolerant of harsh growing conditions—even those
found in our urban centers, which are man-made heat wells. With a
little direction and some perseverance, urban gardeners can grow
plenty of herbs for the kitchen, bath, or cupboard.
It is a lucky urban gardener, indeed, who has access to a plot of land for
gardening. Some cities provide access to community garden land.1 But if a little
piece of land isn’t available, the urban gardener often turns to container
gardening. Fortunately, gardening in containers allows the grower to maximize
limited space. Most culinary herbs will fill out a large pot, and any herb that
trails across the ground can be encouraged to run up a trellis.
If you want to plant herbs and you have limited space, the first thing to do is
survey what you have available and choose the most appropriate growing space.
Even plants that are grown in containers will need adequate light. The best
growing location is a southern exposure that gets sun throughout the day. A
western exposure, where the sun hits the location from midday onward, is next
best. Finally, an eastern exposure that sees sunlight from early morning until
around noon will work well for many herb plants. While most herb plants need
at least four hours of direct sunlight, it’s possible to grow a selection of herbs
that will survive in the shade. Your choices will be limited, though. Northern
exposures that receive no sunlight will be very challenging!
Tips on Containers, Soil, and Planting
Let’s work from the assumption that light will not be a problem, even if the
available space is only a windowsill. The next step is to develop the “land.” You
need pots that are at least 12 inches deep to accommodate plant roots. Garden
centers usually carry a variety of sizes, and the 10-to 15-gallon plastic pots are
excellent. Don’t forget those pickle buckets that restaurants go through by the
dozens. Both of these types of containers are big enough to grow a variety of