Wolf Diana Rainbow - Llewellyns 2016 Herbal Almanac

Llewellyn Publications

Woodbury, Minnesota

Copyright Information

Llewellyns 2016 Herbal Almanac 2015 Llewellyn Publications

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First e-book edition 2015

E-book ISBN: 9780738734422

Cover Design: Kevin R. Brown

Editing: Jennifer Ackman

Cover images: shutterstock.com/121518688/ mart, 71500606, 161042336, 56477956/ Kovalevska, 128760839Julia-art

Interior Art: Fiona King

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Contents

by Jill Henderson

by James Kambos

by Clea Danaan

by Estha McNevin

by Charlie Rainbow Wolf

by Dallas Jennifer Cobb

by JD Hortwort

by Emyme

by Alice DeVille

by Natalie Zaman

by Anne Sala

by Cliff Seruntine

by Deborah Castellano

by Tiffany Lazic

by Stephanie Rose Bird

by Sally Cragin

by Darcey Blue French

by Elizabeth Barrette

by Suzanne Ress

by Stephanie Rose Bird

by Peg Aloi

by Monica Crosson

by Doreen Shababy

by Thea Fiore-Bloom

by Jill Henderson

by Diana Rajchel

by Danu Forest

by Linda Raedisch

by Susan Pesznecker

by Laurel Reufner

Introduction to
Llewellyns Herbal Almanac

M ore and more people are using herbs, growing and gath- ering them and studying them for their enlivening and healing properties. Whether in the form of a refreshing herbal tonic, a critter-friendly garden, or a new favorite recipe, herbs can clearly enhance your life.

In the 2016 edition of the Herbal Almanac, we once again feature innovative and original thinkers and writers on herbs. We tap into the practical, historical, and enjoyable aspects of herbal knowledgeusing herbs to help you reconnect with the earth, enhance your culinary creations, and heal your body and mind. The thirty articles in this almanac will teach you everything from making your own love charms to using flower and vibrational essences to improve your health. Youll also learn how to identify poisonous and non-poisonous mushrooms, create your own shade garden, and serve up a culinary concoction thatll wow the crowds. Enjoy!

Note: The old-fashioned remedies in this book are historical references used for teaching purposes only.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 are suffering from an illness. Also, take care to read all warning labels before taking any herbs or starting an extended herbal regimen. Always consult medical and herbal professionals before beginning any sort of medical treatmentthis 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.

Growing
and
Gathering Herbs

Grow Your Own
Herbs and Spices:
Ten Easy Steps to Success

By Jill Henderson

A kitchen without herbs is like a carnival without ridesboring! Cooking with freshly picked or dehydrated herbs turns plain, everyday food into exciting gourmet fare. And you just cant beat the price! In fact, growing your own kitchen herbs is one of the easiest and most rewarding pastimes you will ever engage inand its terribly addictive, too.

If you are already familiar with growing flowers and vegetables, adding herbs to your repertoire should be a breeze. For those new to gardening or growing herbs, the following guidelines will go a long way to help you grow your own flavorful and healthful herbs and spices. You will no doubt enjoy the experience, and everyone who sits at your table will thank you for it!

Step 1Start Annual Herbs at Home

Seeds

Many, but not all, culinary herbs begin their lives as seeds. This is particularly true for annual herbs like dill, basil, and cilantro. Understanding how to get those small packages of life to unfurl their greenness is a relatively simple matter. If you want to grow quality herbs, begin by purchasing quality seeds from a reputable seed house or nursery. Not only are you guaranteed good seed, but the instructions for starting the seeds are printed right on the package. Later on you can learn how to save your own annual herb seeds, which can save you a ton of money year after year.

First-time herb gardeners should begin by using easy seed-starting trays designed to offer the gardener control of the microenvironment that seeds need to germinate. They also provide excellent drainage and easy removal of young seedlings. These kits should include a plastic sheet of individual plant cells with drainage holes, a flat without drainage holes, and a clear dome to cover the whole works. The quality and reusability of these trays varies by retailer, but even the cheapest ones (usually around six dollars) can be reused at least once.

Starting Medium

There are many types of potting soils and soilless potting mixes from which to choose, and each brand promises fantastic results. However, any soilless mix that does not contain fertilizer will do. Added fertilizer prompts herbs to grow leggy. This means that the seedlings have grown too fast, have become long and slender, and often fall over because their cell structures have not grown strong enough to support them. Rarely do leggy plants recover and grow normally again. So avoid fertilizers and dont worry; nature is a wonderfully ingenious thing. All the nutrition that your newly emerging herbs will need to get off to a good start has been built into the seeds themselves by Mother Nature.

Step 2Seedlings Need Lots of Love