Yoga for Health

Most of the diseases take their origin in over-eating, sexual excess and outbursts of anger and hatred. If the mind is kept cool and calm at all times, you will have wonderful health, strength and vitality. Energy is depleted by fits of anger. The cells and tissues are filled with morbid, poisonous materials, when one loses his temper and entertains deep hatred. Various sorts of physical ailments crop up. The blood becomes hot and thin and consequently night pollution results. Various kinds of nervous diseases are attributable to excessive loss of the seminal energy and frequent fits of explosive anger or wrath.

Let any disease remain in your body. Do not bother too much. Do not fret and fume. Develop the powers of endurance and resistance. Strengthen your body, mind and nerves. Take plenty of open-air exercises, substantial nutritious food, medicated oil bath and plenty of rest. Have mental and physical recreation. Lead a well-regulated life. Be moderate in food, drink and enjoyments. Lead a spiritual life. All diseases will leave your body by themselves. All microbes will die, when your vitality, vigour and strength are at a flood tide. This is the secret of health and happiness.

Do not be carried away by the pompous advertisements made by quacks and charlatans. Lead a simple natural life. You will become all right soon. Do not spend any money in purchasing the so-called patent medicines and specifics. They are worthless. Quacks try to exploit the credulous and the ignorant. Beware. Do not go to the doctors very often. Endeavour to qualify yourself as your own doctor. Understand the laws of nature and the principles of hygiene and health. Do not trespass against the laws of health.

Bask in the sun. Expose your body to the rays of the sun for a short time daily. This is heliotherapy or sun-treatment. Sun is the source of energy and power. You will derive energy and power from the sun.

Soak 12 almonds at night. Remove the skin and take the almonds with some sugarcandy in the early morning. Or you can make a refreshing beverage by grinding these almonds with a little black pepper and sugarcandy. This is called 'thandai' by the Punjabis. This is a fine, cooling and strength-giving tonic.

Herbal Cosmetics

Herbal Cosmetics Natural and Safe Choice

Women love to dress and put on make up. They use various cosmetic products to enhance their features. The list is endless. Eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss, compact, foundation, face packs, and so on. The cosmetic industry is flooded with a huge range of products. Numerous brands have flooded the market with innumerable products. While choosing the products, women should give due thought to the quality and safety. Some products are known to cause irritation and health problems over a period of time.

Even though many products promise to be of good quality, they cause some kind of inconvenience over a period of time. Using natural products can be a great idea. They are made up of natural products and don’t cause any side effect. Moreover, they are priced less. They are devoid of any harmful chemicals and nourish the skin. Glow naturally and look beautiful.

There are numerous manufacturers of natural products in the market. You can easily get highly effective herbal cosmetics. Ensure that you choose products that are manufactured under strict watch of experts. Now, you can enhance your beauty with pure and natural herbal cosmetics. The greatest advantage is that are harmless to the skin and also don’t cause much.

There are various kinds of herbal cosmetics available:

• Hair dye - (Hair Colours)

• Nail Polish

• Herbal Face pack

• Herbal Body pack

• Herbal Hair pack

The herbal cosmetics & medicines are made of pure herbs. They are available at affordable prices too as compared to chemical cosmetics. Homemade herbal cosmetics will keep you younger for longer time. They are also safe and effective. You can also use products available at home. Natural products are known to enhance beauty naturally. Today, cosmetics counters also offer cleansers which contain natural ingredients. Chamomile, chervil, dandelion, fennel, lime flowers, rosemary leaves, also make an excellent cleansing agents.

These cosmetics are have been in existence sine ancient time. They can be prepared at home. These products range from skin care products, to hair care products, to herbal bath teas, and to lotions, creams, powders, and a lot more. Some of the herbs include ingredients such as the chamomile, chervil, fennel, dandelion, lime flowers, and rosemary leaves. They are excellent for sensitive skin since they cause minimum irritation.

You can even get information about natural products by looking online. You can choose from a wide range of products. Pamper yourself with the low-cost and quality products like sunscreen lotions, herbal face scrubs, skin-nourishing creams and gels, anti-wrinkle creams, aroma-therapy body lotion. The choice is unlimited.

Orach

Orach Garden Species

From the family Chenopodiaceae

The garden species of orach, Atriplex hortensis, originated in Eastern Europe and is now widely distributed in countries with temperate climates. In the past it was called mountain spinach and grown as a vegetable in its own right.

The red form, Atriplex hortensis 'Rubra', is still eaten frequently in Continental Europe, particularly with game, and was used as a flavoring for breads.

The common orach, Atriplex patula, was considered a poor man's pot herb, which is a fact worth remembering when you are pulling out this invasive annual weed.

Species

Atriplex hortensis

Orach

Hardy annual. Ht 1.5m (5ft), spread 30cm (12in). Tiny greenish (boring) flowers in summer. Green triangular leaves.

Atriplex hortensis 'Rubra'

Red Orach

Hardy annual. Ht 1.2m (4tf), spread 30cm (1ft). Tiny reddish (boring) flowers in summer. Red triangular leaves.

Atriplex patula

Common Orach

Hardy annual. Ht 90cm (3ft) spread 30cm (12in). Flowers similar to orach, the leaves more spear shaped and smaller.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

If you wish to have a continuous supply of leaves, start off under protection in early spring, sowing the flat seeds directly into prepared plug trays. Cover with Perlite. When the seedlings are large enough, and after hardening off, plant out in a prepared site in the garden 25cm (10in) apart.

Pests and Diseases

In the majority of cases this herb is pest and disease free.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seeds.

Summer: Cut flowers before they form.

Autumn: Cut seeds off before! they are fully ripe to prevent too much self-seeding.

Winter: Dig up old plants.

Garden Cultivation

This annual herb produces the largest and most succulent leaves when the soil is rich. So prepare the site well with well rotted manure. For Red Orach choose a site with partial shade as the leaves can scorch in very hot summers. The seeds can be sown in rows 60cm (2ft) apart in spring when the soil has warmed. Thin out to 25cm (l0in) as soon as the seedlings are large enough, and replant. Water well throughout the growing season.

As this plant is a very rapid grower, it is as well to do 2 sowings to ensure a good supply of young leaves. The red varieties look very attractive grown as a hedge. Remove flowering tips as soon as they appear. This will help maintain the shape of the plant.

If seed is not required, pick the flowers off as soon as they appear. To save the seed, collect before it is fully ripe, otherwise you will have hundreds of orach babies all over your garden and next door.

Harvest

Pick voting leaves to use fresh as required. The herb does not dry or freeze particularly well.

Culinary

The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, and the red variety looks most attractive. The old leaves of both species ought to be cooked as they become slightly tough and bitter. It can be used as a substitute for spinach or as a vegetable, served in a white sauce. It is becoming more popular in Europe, where it is used in soups.

Red Orach Soup

450g (1 lb) potatoes

225g (8oz) young red orach leaves

50g (2oz) butter

900ml (1'Apt/314 cups) chicken stock

1 clove garlic, crushed Salt and black pepper 4 tablespoons sour cream

Peel the potatoes and cut them into thick slices. Wash the orach and cut up coarsely. Cook the potatoes for 10 minutes in salted water, drain. Melt the butter in a saucepan with the crushed garlic and slowly sweeten; add the red orach leaves and gently simmer for 5-10 minutes until soft (if the leaves are truly young then 5 minutes will be sufficient). Pour in the stock, add the parboiled potatoes, and bring to the boil; simmer for a further 10 minutes. When all is soft, cool slightly then puree in a blender or liquidize. After blending, return the soup to a clean pan, add salt and pepper to taste and heat slowly (not to boiling). Stir in the sour cream, and serve.

Container growing

The red-leafed orach looks very attractive in containers, provided you don't let it get too tall. Nip out the growing tip and the plant will bush out, and do not let it flower. Use the peat, bark mix of potting soil. Keep the plant in semi-shade in high summer and water well at all times. If watering in high sun, be" careful not to splash the leaves, as they can scorch, especially the red variety.

Medicinal

This herb is no longer used medicinally. In the past it was a home remedy for sore throats, gout, and jaundice.

Tarragon

Tarragon Herb

Also knoum as Estragon. From the family Compositae.

A native of southern Europe, tarragon is now found in dry areas of North America, Southern Asia and Siberia. Dracunculus' means little dragon. Its naming could have occurred (via the Doctrine of Signatures) as a result of the shape of its roots, or because of its fiery flavor. Whatever, it was certainly believed to have considerable power to heal bites from snakes, serpents and other venomous creatures.

In ancient times the mixed juices of tarragon and fennel made a favorite drink for the Kings of India. In the reign of Henry VIII, tarragon made its way into English gardens, and the rhyme, 'There is certain people, and certain herbs, that good digestion disturbs,' could well be associated with tarragon. I love, too, the story that Henry VIII divorced Catherine of Aragon for her reckless use of tarragon.

Species

Artemisia dracunculus

French Tarragon

Half-hardy perennial. Ht 90cm (3ft) spread 45cm (1 Sin). Tiny, insignificant, yellow flower heads are borne in sprays in summer but rarely produce ripe seed sets except in warm climates. The leaves are smooth dark green, long and narrow, and have a very strong flavor.

Artemisia dracunculus dracunculoides

Russian Tarragon

Hardy perennial. Ht 1.2m (4ft) spread 45cm (18in). Tiny, insignificant, yellow flower heads in sprays in summer. The leaves are slightly coarser and green in color, their shape long and narrow. This plant originates from Siberia, so is hardy.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

Only the Russian variety produces viable seed. A lot of growers are propagating and selling it to the unsuspecting public as French tarragon. If you really want Russian tarragon, sow the small seed in spring, into prepared seed or plug trays, using the bark, peat, grit compost. No extra heat required. When the young plants are large enough to handle, transfer to the garden, 60cm (24in) apart.

Cuttings

Both French and Russian tarragon can be propagated by cuttings.

Roots: Dig up the underground runners in spring when the frosts are finished, pull them apart; do not cut. You will notice growing nodules; these will reproduce in the coming season. Place a small amount of root - 8-10cm (3-4in) -each with a growing nodule, in a 8cm (3in) pot, and cover with compost. Use the bark, grit, peat mix and place in a warm, well ventilated place. Keep watering to a minimum. When well rooted, plant out in the garden after hardening off, 60cm (24in) apart. It is possible to take softwood cuttings of the growing tips in summer. You will need to keep the leaves moist, but the compost on the dry side. It works best under a misting unit with a little bottom heat 15°C (60°F).

Division

Divide established plants of either variety in the spring.

Pests and Diseases

Recently there has been a spate of rust developing on French tarragon. When buying a plant, look for tell tale signs - small rust spots on the underneath of a leaf If you have a plant with rust, dig it up, cut off all foliage carefully, and bin the leaves. Wash the roots free from soil, and pot up into fresh sterile soil. If this fails, place the dormant roots in hot water after washing off all the compost. The temperature of the water should be 40-46°C (105-115°F); over 46°C will damage the root. Leave the roots in the hot water for 5 minutes then replant in a new place in the garden.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow Russian tarragon seeds if you must. Divide established plants, fake root cuttings.

Summer: Remove flowers. Autumn: Pot up pieces of French tarragon root as insurance.

Winter: Protect French tarragon. As the plant dies back into the ground in winter it is an ideal candidate for either agricultural fleece, straw or deep mulch.

Garden Cultivation

French Tarragon has the superior flavor of the two and is the most tender. It grows best in a warm dry position, and will need protection in winter. It also dislikes humid conditions. The plant should be renewed every 3 years because the flavor deteriorates as the plant matures.

Russian tarragon is fully hardy and will grow in any conditions. There is a myth going around that it improves the longer it is grown in I place. This is untrue, it gets coarse. It is extremely tolerant of most soil types, but prefers a sunny position, 60cm (2ft) away from other plants.

Harvest

Pick sprigs of French tarragon early in the season to make vinegar. Pick leaves for fresh use throughout the growing season. For freezing it is best to pick the leaves in the midsummer months.

Container growing

French tarragon grows well in containers. Use the bark, grit mix of compost. As it produces root runners, choose a container to give it room to grow so that it will not become pot bound. At all times make sure the plant is watered, and in the daytime, not at night. It hates having wet roots. Keep feeding to a minimum; overfeeding produces fleshy leaves with a poor flavor; be mean. In winter, when the plant is dormant, do not water, keep the compost dry and the container in a cool, frost-free environment.

Culinary

Without doubt this is among the Rolls Royces of the culinary herb collection. Its flavor promotes appetite and complements so many dishes - chicken, veal, fish, stuffed tomatoes, rice dishes, and salad dressings, and of course is the main ingredient of Sauce Bernaise.

Chicken Salad with tarragon and grapes

Serves 4-6

11.3 kg (3lb) cooked chicken 150ml (5jl oz) mayonnaise 75ml (3fl oz) double cream I heaped teaspoon fresh chopped tarragon (½ teaspoon dried) 3 spring onions, finely chopped 100g (4oz) green grapes (seedless if not de-piped) I small lettuce A few sprigs water cress Salt and pepper Remove the skin from the chicken and all the chicken from the bones. Slice the meat into longish pieces and place in a bowl.

In another bowl mix the mayonnaise with the cream, the chopped tarragon, and the finely chopped spring onions. Pour this mixture over the chicken and mix carefully together. Arrange the lettuce on a dish and spoon on the chicken mixture. Arrange the grapes and the water cress around it. Serve with jacket potatoes or rice salad.

Medicinal

No modern medicinal use. Formerly used for toothache. If nothing else is available, a tea made from the leaves is said to overcome insomnia.

Wormwood

Uses of Wormwood Herb

Also known as Absinthe and Green Ginger. From the family Compositae. A native of Asia and Europe, including Britain, it was introduced into America as a cultivated plant and is now naturalized in many places. Found on waste ground, especially near the sea in warmer regions. Legend has it that as the serpent slithered out of Eden, wormwood first sprang up in the impressions on the ground left by its tail. Another story tells that in the beginning it was called 'Parthenis absinthium', but Artemis, Greek goddess of chastity, benefited so much from it that she named it after herself - 'Artemisia absinthium'. The Latin meaning of 'absinthium' is 'to desist from', which says it all.

Although it is one of the most bitter herbs known, it has for centuries been a major ingredient of aperitifs and herb wines. Both absinthe and vermouth get their names from this plant, the latter being an 18th century French variation of the German 'wermut', itself the origin of the English name Wormwood. Wormwood was hung by the door where it kept away evil spirits and deterred night-time visitations by goblins. It was also made a constituent of ink to stop mice eating old letters.

It was used as a strewing herb to prevent fleas, hence:

'White wormwood hath seed, get a handful or twain, to save against March, to make flea to refrain. Where chamber is sweeped and wormwood is streivn, no flea for his life, dare abide to be known.' This extract comes from Thomas Tusser's Five Hundred Pointes of Good Husbandrie, written in 1573. Finally, wormwood is believed to be the herb that Shakespeare had in mind when his Oberon lifted the spell from Titania with 'the juice of Dian's bud', Artemis being known to the Romans as Dian or Diana.

Species

Artemisia absinthium

Wormwood

Partial-evergreen hardy perennial. Ht lm (40in), spread 1.2m (4ft). Tiny, insignificant, yellow flower heads are borne in sprays in summer. The abundant leaves are divided, aromatic and grey/green in color.

Artemisia absinthium 'Lambrook Silver'

Evergreen hardy perennial. Ht80cm (32in), spread 50cm (20in). Tiny, insignificant, grey flowerheads are borne in long panicles in summer. The abundant leaves are finely divided, aromatic and silver/grey in color. May need protecting in exposed sites.

Artemisia pontica

Old Warrior

Evergreen hardy perennial. Hi 60cm (24in), spread 30cm (12in).Tiny, insignificant, silver/grey flower heads are borne on tall spikes in summer. The abundant, feathery, small leaves are finely divided, aromatic and silver/grey in color. This can, in the right conditions, be a vigorous grower, spreading well in excess of 30cm (12in).

Artemisia Pontica 'Powis Castle'

Evergreen hardy perennial. Ht90cm (36in), spread 1.2m (4ft). Tiny, insignificant, grayish-yellow flower heads are borne in sprays in summer. The abundant leaves are finely divided, aromatic and silver/ grey in color.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

Of the species mentioned above, only wormwood is successfully grown from seed. It is extremely small and best started off under protection. Sow in spring in a prepared seed or plug tray, using the bark, peat, grit mix of compost. Cover with Perlite and propagate with heat, 15-21 °C (60-70°F). Plant out when the seedlings are large enough to handle and have had a period of hardening off.

Cuttings

Take softwood cuttings from the lush new growth in early summer; semi-hardwood in late summer. Use the bark, peat, grit mix of compost.

Division

As they are all vigorous growers division is a good idea at least every 3 to 4 years to keep the plant healthy, to stop it becoming woody and to prevent encroaching. Dig up the plant in spring or autumn, divide the toots and replant in a chosen spot.

Pests and Diseases

Wormwood can suffer from a summer attack of black fly. If it gets too bad, use a liquid horticultural soap, following manufacturer's instructions.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seeds. Divide established plants. Trim new growth for shape. Take softwood cuttings.

Summer: Take semi-hardwood cuttings.

Autumn: Prune back all the species mentioned to 15cm (6in) of the ground. Divide established plants.

Winter: Protect in temperatures below -5°C (23°F). Cover with agricultural fleece, straw, bark, anything that can be removed in the following spring.

Garden Cultivation

Artemisias like a light well-drained soil and sunshine, but will adapt well to ordinary soils provided some shelter is given. Planting distance depends on spread.

Wormwood is an overpoweringly flavored plant and it does impair the flavor of dill and coriander so do not plant nearby.

Harvest

Pick flowering tops just as they begin to open. Dry. Pick leaves for drying in summer.

Container growing

Artemisia absinthium 'Lambrook Silver' and Old Warrior (Artemisia pontica) look very good in terracotta containers. Use the bark, peat, grit mix of compost. Only feed in the summer; if you feed too early the leaves will lose their silvery foliage and revert to a more green look. In winter keep watering to the absolute minimum and protect from hard frosts.

Other uses

It can produce a yellow dye.

Antiseptic vinegar

This vinegar is known as the 'Four Thieves' because it is said that thieves used to rub their bodies with it before robbing plague victims.

1 tablespoon wormwood

1 tablespoon lavender

1 tablespoon rosemary

1 tablespoon sage

1.1 l (1 ¾) pints vinegar

Put the crushed herbs into an earthenware container. Pour in the vinegar. Cover the container and leave it in a warm sunny place two weeks. Strain into bottles with tight-fitting, non-metal lids. This makes a very refreshing tonic in the bath, or try sprinkling it on work surfaces in the kitchen.

Moth-Repellent

Wormwood or southernwood can be used for keeping moths and other harmful insects away from clothes. The smell is sharp and refreshing and does not cling to your clothes like camphor moth-balls.

Bug Ban Recipe

2 tablespoons dried wormwood or southernwood

2 tablespoons dried lavender

2 tablespoons dried mint

Mix the ingredients well and put into small sachets.

Medicinal

True to its name, wormwood expels worms especially round- and thread- worms.