Herbally Yours, Patty

A to Z blog hop at Patterings
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This week is the letter H.

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Did I ever mention that I found my handy-dandy list of ideas for this A to Z meme? I did, I did! And I was so relieved! Especially with some of these "harder" letters, like the letter H. LoL.

Here's something I bet most of you didn't know about me and my family...

We hardly ever go to the doctor. Not because we don't get sick--we do, but we choose to deal with things differently.

We use herbs, and have ever since my oldest (who will be 21 this winter!) was a baby and came down with a cold. As a new mom, a baby with a cold is scary. As an experienced mom holding baby #5, a baby with a cold can be scary.

Yup, we've been using herbs for 20 years, have had fantastic results, and are very happy with our decision. So I decided it was time to come out of the closet and share this side of me since it's one I've done a ton of studying in--book studying and hands on experimenting and using. *grin*


Many times where others see weeds, I see good plants, herbs that find their way into my home for use. The one above is a great example. Plantain is all through many yards and I hear people complain about it all the time, but it's one of those herbs I use A LOT.

To the left is Mullein. It grows along roadways, is very tall and can ugly, especially later in the season. The top has an area of small yellow flowers whose use is completely different than the leaves.

This Mullein plant was in my yard and we left it be--makes it easier to harvest if I wanted some fresh herbs.

Here's another favorite that most people call a weed. Yarrow. My kids know where to find it and how to use it. It's let them stay outside playing longer instead of having to come in for bug bites or scrapes.

But a fun thing about Yarrow is that many people, my mom included, put Yarrow in their flower beds. Here's how you might know it better, by it's delicate, lacy flowers...


Herbs are something that have been a part of my life for 20 years, and I'm so thankful. Our family has been much healthier as a result and it's kept us out of the doctor's office many, many times. (That said, let me also say there are times when going to the doctor is absolutely necessary! I am NOT against doctors at all. I'm very thankful for them and their knowledge!)

So tell me, have you ever used herbs?

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13 comments:

  1. I tried using herbs in college, echinacea people!, but it didn't do anything for me. Guess I need the hard stuff only Tylenol can provide.

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    1. People tend to think herbs are a magic bullet but they are not. Yes, the hard stuff gives you immediate relief, but the herbs get you the long term help and prevention that we tend not to notice, making us think they aren't working when they really are. Don't write them off based on that one experience.

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  2. I've been learning about using them but not fast enugh. Should have started a long time ago. I use the standards for seasoning not so much for healing-yet
    Blessings,
    Diana

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    1. Ironically, I don't cook with herbs...maybe because I don't like cooking. LoL. Using some of the basic herbs I work with is very simple and effective. We love them, Diana.

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  3. This is something I've been quite fascinated about ever since we met- but I've never asked about it, have I? May need an education. Interesting post!

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    1. Really? I didn't know that! I looooove talking herbs. It's one of my soapboxes. =] And that means that you'll be hearing more about herbs from me, now that I've come out of the closet. LoL.

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  4. I planted yarrow in one of our flower beds. Didn't know it was an herb!

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    1. Oh yes! A very pretty herb. During the Civil War (and probably other wars) they called it Staunch Weed. Gives a good clue what one of its uses are. ;-) I use Yarrow a LOT, in the house and out of the house--it's one I tend to look for and try to remember where it is when I'm out and about with the kids. It's that handy.

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  5. I have lots of weeds popping up in my yard! I should check them out and see if they are usable. Good excuse not to work out there. :)

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    1. LoLoL. Love your reasoning, Barb! I totally agree with you, too. Can't mow those down because they're GOOD weeds. (and yes, I've done that here in our yard many times!) =]

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  6. I like using herbs when I can. I've done reading, etc., but have never gotten "into it" the way I'd like to! I use natural remedies when I can and take no drugs on a daily bases. Now my husband, that's a different story. I've used Primrose oil, aloe, plantain, rose hips...and some others. Was just looking at an article today on herbs and wondering about getting more serious about it. I have aloe plants in the yard and I use them for bites, sunburn, and stood in the grocery store today--reading the label on an organic bottle of liquid aloe. I put the bottle up, thinking....I'll make my own. :)I use grapefruit on my face sometimes/with sugar or salt as a scrub. I drive my husband nuts when we hike (and children when they were young)because I'm pointing out plants, saying...you can eat that, etc. Ha. Now, my daughter works in the woods and uses alot of health foods, etc. But no way am I an expert on them! I'd love some imput when you got time to type or talk. In fact, today as I was driving to pick up grandkids at different schools, I was thinking of the character in one of my books and herbs she could use. Hmm, I've written a whole book right here! Ha. Sorry.

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    1. Karen, making your own sometimes is so much better and almost always cheaper, although I've never done much with aloe--I tend to kill any desert-type plant (except my precious palm trees).

      You know where to find me--anytime. =] Also, I plan on posting about herbs on here from time to time--what I use and how. =]

      It would be soooo much fun going walking with you! I do the same thing and sometimes my crew gets tired of it.

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  7. I wish I knew more about herbs. My grandmother knew so much and I didn't listen. The foolishness of childhood wasted all that knowledge. I so wish I'd tapped into it.

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