~ Herbal Highlight
~ Overeating and Hangover
~ Herbal Gift Sets
~ January Drawing
~ Classes
 

Aloe
Aloe vera

Folks have kept Aloe plants on their kitchen windowsills for decades. It is so handy there, mostly used in kitchen type burns. But Aloe has so much more to offer. Fresh juices from the leaves also heal other skin wounds.
The plant is one of the easiest indoor plants, grown in full or part sun. Aloe enjoys sandy, well-drained soil.
How to use Aloe in Cosmetics:
It is used in cosmetics such as hand creams, suntan lotions, skin care products and shampoos. The leaf sap makes a soothing and healing moisturizing cream, suited for all skin types. For itchy, dry scalp, mix the sap into shampoo. For a healing, soothing effect, add to suntan lotion.
Aloe’s Medicinal Uses - For burns, eczema, dermatitis or chapped skin, use either the sliced leaf or the crushed sap as a lotion or poultice. For small burns, break a leaf and apply the sap. For larger burns, split a leaf, open it up and lay the sappy side to the injured skin. Lightly bandage so it stays in place. Renew often. Make sure to see a health care provider for serious burns.
Many naturalists recommend the use of a drink containing the juice of the INNER leaf to soothe stomach ulcers, and the entire digestive tract, as when the colon is extremely aggravated.
Joanie has Aloe plants in stock. Please contact her to order your plant:
(some information obtained from "The Complete Book of Herbs“, by Leslie Bremness,
and from "Holistic Herbal" by David Hoffmann.)
 

Those of us who must work the next morning, or have immediate duties such as getting children ready for school, etc., can try this formula which will give you necessary stimulation (also some diuretic effect).
Mix essential oils of Juniper, Grapefruit, Fennel and Rosemary. Inhale, put 8 drops in the bath, and/or rub a drop or two on the temples or back of the neck.
It happens every year - we promise ourselves that we will not pig out, but will ignore the luscious-looking table piled high with sweets, rich meats, eggnog, fatty casseroles and other holiday goodies. But we overindulge anyway, and spend the next few weeks feeling guilty and bloated.
Even though essential oils cannot miraculously dissolve the extra amounts of food or turn back the clock, they do facilitate digestion. They do this best in honey teas. Mix the following essential oils in these proportions - Lemon (5 drops), Ginger (2 drops), Peppermint (2 drops), Spearmint (2 drops), Dill (3 drops), Coriander (3 drops) and Mandarin (10 drops), then put two drops of this mixture, along with some honey, into a teacup/mug and add hot water. Sip slowly. It is a good idea to prepare this blend ahead-of-time and keep it handy.
It’s probably best not to sip more than 2 cups a day. Theoretically, this is an adequate weight-loss formula. Try it, it can’t hurt. But stick with consuming as per the guidelines above.
It is so easy to order your essential oils from Joanie’s website. Just click on what you’d like, using the secure PayPal button you may pay by credit card or your PayPal account, and within 3 business days your order is sent to you, for a very low shipping and handling fee. Check the complete list of available essential oils at Everlasting Gardener.
 

Herbal Gifts

Everlasting Gardener’s aromatic, healthy Herbal Gift Sets are sure to be appreciated by your friends and loved ones. Try some soon! Here are the names of all seven sets (watch for more to be added):

The shipping and handling are very reasonable on all Everlasting Gardener Products.
 

Details to follow, in Joanie’s mid-January newsletter.
In the meantime, this class promises to be an interesting and enjoyable time experiencing and ‘playing’ with Herbs that we know and love. Special focus on the Herbs of Love.
We’ll also have High Tea, with delicious Herbal foods such as quiche and Lavender chocolate cake.
Attend with a friend and each receive a discount.
 

Act 48 courses

Joanie will be teaching many Act 48 courses this Spring and early summer.
All but two will be taught at Joanie’s Everlasting Gardener. Courses are taught through 2 intermediate units, Beaver Valley and Midwestern.

Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit courses:
Please go here to find the details: http://www.bviu.org
* Plant Essences of the World - March 20 and April 3, 2010
* Herb Garden Time Travel - April 10 and April 17, 2010
* Environmental Education through Gardening - April 24 and May 15, 2010
* Herbal Cooking and World Cultures - May 22 and June 5, 2010


Midwestern Intermediate Unit courses:
To obtain registration forms and info, please contact:
MIU IV Continuing Education Department
724-458-6700 x 209, for Gail Myers, Program Secretary
gail_myers@miu4.k12.pa.us
OR x 238, for Lorinda Hess, Program Director
lorinda_hess@miu4.k12.pa.us
* Plant Essences of the World - February 20 and March 6, 2010
* Healing Plants - May 1 and 8, 2010
 

May you and your loved ones have a healthy, happy 2010!