Llewellyn - Llewellyns 2013 Herbal Almanac: Herbs for Growing & Gathering, Cooking & Crafts, Health & Beauty, History, Myth & Lore

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Llewellyns 2013 Herbal Almanac 2012 by Llewellyn Publications

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First e-book edition 2012

E-book ISBN: 9780738735603

Cover Design: Kevin R. Brown

Cover Images: Basil: iStockphoto.com/Olga Weber
White rose: iStockphoto.com/Tathagata Mandal
Butterfly: iStockphoto.com/cyfrogclone
Garlic: iStockphoto.com/Eleonora Ivanova
Bee: iStockphoto.com/Mervana
Jalapeno pepper: iStockphoto.com/dondesigns
Herbs: iStockphoto.com/pinkcoala
Mint: iStockphoto.com/Victoria Ryabinina
Pink rose and leaves: iStockphoto.com/Lee Pettet

Interior Art: Fiona King

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Contents

to Llewellyns Herbal Almanac

Growing and Gathering Herbs

by Elizabeth Barrette

by James Kambos

by Jill Henderson

by Emyme

by Darcey Blue French

by Charlie Rainbow Wolf

by Carole Schwalm

by Lisa Mc Sherry

by Emyme

by JD Hortwort

Culinary Herbs

by Suzanne Ress

by Jill Henderson

by Dallas Jennifer Cobb

by Alice DeVille

by Elizabeth Barrette

by Susan Pesznecker

by Anne Sala

Herbs for Health and Beauty

by Cindy Jones, Ph.D.

by Lisa Mc Sherry

by Susan Pesznecker

by Sally Cragin

by Calantirniel

by Darcey Blue French

Herb Crafts

by JD Hortwort

by Laurel Reufner

by Lexa Olick

Herb History, Myth, and Lore

by Linda Raedisch

by Suzanne Ress

by Calantirniel

by Kelly Proudfoot

by Susan Pesznecker

Moon Signs, Phases, and Tables

Introduction to Llewellyns
Herbal Almanac

M ore and more people are using herbs, growing and gathering them, and studying them for their enlivening and healing properties. In the 2013 edition of the Herbal Almanac , we 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 a natural herbal bath, a delightful moon garden, or a new favorite recipe, herbs can clearly make a positive impact in your life.

This year we once again bring to these pages some of the most innovative and original thinkers and writers on herbs. We tap into practical, historical, and just plain enjoyable aspects of herbal knowledgeusing herbs to help you reconnect with the earth, attract wildlife to your garden, enhance your culinary creations, and heal your body and mind. The thirty-one articles in this almanac will teach you everything from how to plant an herb garden to how to craft the perfect carrier oils for your herbs. 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 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 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

Early Season Gardening
with Herbs

By Elizabeth Barrette

A garden begins long before summer turns the world green. One of the best times to plan a new garden, or the expansion and refinement of an established garden, is during the winter. You can order your seeds and plants in advance, both for old and new gardens. Some herbs lend themselves well to starting indoors for later transplant. Then in early spring, you can prepare the garden space itself so it will be ready to receive your herbs when the weather warms up enough.

Garden Design

Unlike vegetable gardens, which tend to take up substantial space, herb gardens tend toward a smaller scale. This makes them ideal for balconies, patios, and urban yards. Even in large rural yards, the herb garden is often a little pocket garden right next to the house. Several designs in particular work well with this aspect of herb gardening. Plan an herb garden anytime in winter and set it up in early spring. Prepare and enrich the soil before sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings in mid- to late spring.

On the smallest end of the spectrum, you can grow an herb garden in a single container. Two excellent choices are the strawberry pot and the barrel garden. Choose the strawberry pot if you like both upright and trailing herbs; you plant the upright ones in the large upper hole and the trailing ones in the small side holes. For instance, you might fill the top with French sorrel, sage, and tarragon, while the side pockets hold chamomile, Mother-of-thyme, oregano, prostrate rosemary, trailing nasturtium, and Corsican mint. In a barrel garden you could choose basil, chives, cilantro, Italian parsley, sweet marjoram, and summer and winter savory.

Moving up a step are container gardens featuring a multitude of pots. Shopping before the main garden season can turn up bargains on containers that would be much more expensive at peak demand. Container gardens are adaptable because you can always add or rearrange pots as needed. This approach is ideal if you want to grow herbs that try to take over the world, such as most varieties of mint. Its also good for separating herbs that shouldnt grow too close together, such as plain chives and garlic chives or dill and fennel. Many container gardens live on a porch or patio rather than bare earth. You can even fasten containers to a wall, taking up no ground space at all!