May 17, 2011, Daytona Beach, FL
“You are what you eat!” These words are more important then ever in our nutrient dead world. If there
is one thing that we need to control in our life, which plays a vital role in our overall health, it is our diet. It seems inevitable that the words "heart disease" and "cancer" will be around for decades to come, so eating healthy and choosing smart food is now more important than ever. Why is this so? What have we done to ourselves? Let's start by going back about one hundred years. Here was a world that was many times less
threatening to our health. There wasn’t a need for organic grown foods because all the foods we ate
were just that - organic. Foods back then were grown without pesticides and chemicals because there
was no such thing. Crops were grown in soil that was many times more fertile and nutrient dense than
today's nutrient depleted farmlands. There was no such thing as Genetically Modified Organism foods (GMO's), high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oils (Trans Fats). Our children were not nearly as obese, and fast food restaurants were nothing but a fantasy. Back then, we had plenty of healthy foods to go around but lacked the nutritional knowledge that we now have. Today, we have the knowledge to stay healthy but our environment is littered with obstacles; free radicals, pollution, pesticides, chemicals, ozone,
etc., that hinder this goal.
Today’s environment is in agony compared to the "good ole days." With global population continuing to soar, and to keep up with the growing demand, we are faced with mass produced foods that are processed more than ever. Top this with a never ending barrage of pesticide laden crops, unhealthy meats, dairy products filled with antibiotics and hormones, poultry products that may be causing young girls to reach puberty as young as six years old, and you have a formula for metabolic disaster. No, this is not just rhetoric babbling going on here. These are hard cold facts about our society and the future health of our children. It all started with the ending of WW II when the war chemical companies decided that our crops needed only three things to grow; nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Therefore, a fertilizer was created for farmers called NPK. Little did they know that this would mark the beginning of natural disaster. These fertilizers quietly depleted the soil of vital minerals that the plants thrived on. As a result, the plants suffered and could no longer produce their own internal pesticide compounds. Crops suffered from pest infiltration and the farm industry needed help. This led to the invention of pesticides - the rest is history! Our nation spills over three billion pounds of pesticides every year on crops. The levels of pesticide build up in the average person is many times higher than those levels of fifty years ago. Enough said!
Next up, the invention of the TV dinner fad back in the 1970's. What could be better? A ready made
dinner you say, complete with crispy chicken, healthy mashed potatoes, and cherry cobbler pie? These TV
dinners paved the way to an obese nation. Filled with preservatives, fat, and cholesterol, these little
poison boxes filled our freezers. Lions and tigers and Hungryman chicken dinners, oh my! From there we started to see the widespread use of artificial flavors and colors in our foods. Just to let everyone know, many artificial colors, such as red #40, are derived from "coal tar." Yes, COAL TAR! Do you really feel comfortable feeding your children food that powers a train? Then it was high fructose corn syrup and trans fats, both which result in the storage of fat in our body. Then all of a sudden, “Bang!, our candy bars doubled in size and contained four peanut butter cups instead of the once plenty satisfying two cups. Way to go guys, help keep our kids fat. Our nation, now hooked on sugar and fat, has grown out of control. More than half of our children are overweight and many of those are obese, being thirty or more pounds overweight.
Fear not though, there are a few very easy things you can do right now to protect your family and encourage good health for each one of them. For starters, it is best to limit red meat consumption to once a week. Once a month is more like it and cutting it off completely is even a wiser decision. Purchase organic red meat. This will assure that the meat is not filled with antibiotics and hormones, and that the animals were allowed to roam and graze while being raised. Free range animals yield leaner, healthier cuts of meat. Opt for organic poultry and choose fish, such as wild caught salmon and tilapia for your protein needs. If you want to take it one step further, add a tablespoon of chlorella and spirulina powder to your diet every day. Chlorella, a super food plant algae, is 60% protein and almost as complete as any animal protein, not to mention dozens of other healthy nutrients in every tablespoon. Use this same practice on your dairy products also. Non organic milk is one of the unhealthiest foods one can have. Choose organic milk for you and your family. Once again this will assure that the milk is free of antibiotics, hormones, and other harmful chemicals. Also remember that it is smart to drink milk alone and without anything else. Milk hinders the absorption of any other nutrient inside the body. The milk curdle surrounds other foods and prevents gastric acids from breaking down the food particles and therefore should be consumed by itself.
Next is a multivitamin. Take one per day, every day. Get a high quality potency vitamin (Centrum is a
good brand), and take one every day with one of your meals. Even better, opt for a natural whole food
vitamin. This will give your body a reserve of much needed essential nutrients just in case your diet
is lacking a bit. Because some vitamins such as A,D,E, and K are fat soluble, you must take your
vitamin with some food. These fat soluble vitamins must mix with a drop of fat to be successfully
absorbed by the body. Without any fat, the small intestine will be unable to process these vitamins.
Even with this said, the bioavailability of vitamin supplements is very small and only a fraction of the vitamin's ingredients will be absorbed. Supplement companies are only required to put the chemical equivalent to the ingredient on the label. Therefore, if the vitamin label says "Vitamin B12 - 100 mcg," don't think that your body will be enjoying 100 mcg of B12. The average absorption rate of B12 is only around 3%. Absorption rates vary per substance and do depend on other factors, such as supplement quality, bioavailability, etc. Bottom line is that you must choose healthy foods and a healthy lifestyle to keep the synergy of a healthy
body in check.
Next is yogurt, yes yogurt, get to know it, get to love it. Sorry to be so frank here but just one cup of natural yogurt per day will supply your body with a billion or more of healthy good bacteria, otherwise known as probiotics. These healthy bacteria keeps your digestive system in sync and makes absorption of nutrients more efficient. Not all yogurt will provide these benefits though. Choose only natural yogurt that lists "LAC" on the label -Live Active Cultures. Avoid any yogurt that has artificial flavors or colors. Check the ingredients and you will see which ones are good for you.
Next are fruits and veggies. Do your best to have 5-7 servings per day. We know this sounds like a lot, and to be honest, it is a lot, but just give it a shot. Choose frozen vegetables over canned ones for the highest nutrition yield and lowest preservatives/additives per serving. Wash fruits and veggies thoroughly before eating them. It would be wise to use a vegetable scrub to wash your fruits and veggies before eating. This will help wash away any wax and pesticides that have accumulated on them. Some companies actually spray their produce with a layer of wax to keep them shiny and protect the outer layer. It is best to avoid thin skinned fruits such as grapes, apples, strawberries, blueberries, unless they are organic. Pesticides sprayed on these thin skins absorb easily into the fruit. The best veggies to eat are the dark green ones such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, spinach, collard greens, green beans, and peas. These contain plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for a healthy immune system. Cosmetically perfect fruits and veggies should be avoided. These likely have had the most pesticides applied to them. Remember, bugs have feelings too. They will choose a pesticide free apple to reside compared to the unhealthier option. A bug in your food
will not kill you; but a pound of pesticide filled grapes eaten daily can though! Other than this, please,
keep your kids and loved ones away from any foods that list high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated
oil on the ingredient label. We could write hundreds of pages alone on the dangers of these two
ingredients. Bottom line, they are bad for you, and even worse for your children. They were invented by
major food chains to lower costs and increase food production. Stay away from them! The label may be
sneaky and list PARTIALLY hydrogenated oil, but this is just as bad. Any ingredient listed as
"hydrogenated" is otherwise known as a trans fat. High fructose corn syrup is another cost saving
technique for the major food companies to cut costs at the expense of our health. High fructose corn
syrup promotes the storage of fat and is an ingredient to avoid. Drink plenty of healthy pure water too. If your tap water is healthy, then choose tap over bottled water. It not only is better for you, but also will help conserve our planet's natural resources. Are you starting to see the "greener" side of things? It is recommended that a person drink one half their weight in water, in ounces of course. For example, if you weigh 100 pounds, then you should ideally drink approximately 50 ounces of quality water per day. Add a reverse osmosis system to your house. It will pay for itself in the long run and assure healthy water for you and your family. Be smart when it comes to snacks and desserts. Swap some homemade trail mix for those cookies and chips. Choose almonds and sunflower seeds over that candy bar. If you do get the urge to eat some bad food, make sure you do it in moderation. Never eat or snack while watching TV or reading a book. Choose natural eco-friendly foods whenever possible and help keep our planet safe for our children and their children. The previous tips will help you and your family completes the nutrition gap to what it once
was - organic and safe.
If you want to top off your new revived health plan, then opt for a health shake a few times per week or every day for optimum nutrient support. All of us here at Florida Herb House try to have a daily health drink that consists of:
4 oz - Aloe Juice
2 oz - Purified Water
1 tsp. - Wheatgrass Powder
1 tsp. - Spinach Powder
1 tsp. - Chlorella Powder
1 tsp. - Spirulina Powder
2 Tsp. - Flax Seeds
Handful of Frozen Fruits
Ice Cubes
Blend on High for 30 seconds.
(On weekends add a scoop of natural ice cream! )
Choose your herbs as you wish but keep in mind that any of the green super foods (wheatgrass, barley
grass, chlorella, spirulina, spinach, etc.) contain the most nutrient dense goodness per serving. This
drink supplies the ultimate compliment of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, chlorophyll, EFA's, and
over 20 phytonutrients to help support a healthy body and immune system. Ask your local food store to
stock more organic food items and do your part to help create a greener, safer environment for our children and their children. And, remember to incorporate exercise into your health regimen. Thirty minutes per day is all it takes to keep your body's cells rejuvenated. For more information about eating right in the millennium, please e-mail Lee Sharp at Info@FloridaHerbHouse.com or visit http://www.floridaherbhouse.com/.
###
Lee Sharp
Florida Herb House
S. Daytona Beach, FL 32119
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Break a Wall - Live Longer!
No, it has nothing to do with the Berlin Wall or any manmade wall for that matter. This wall and the contents behind it may be better than any showcase showdown on the Price Is Right. This wall and the stuff inside it can help battle cancerous cells, destroy free radicals, increase one's immune system, improve wound healing, aid in digestion, slow aging, stimulate bowel function, detoxify the body, fight bad breath and odor, and provide a wealth of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and more.
So what in the world kind of walls are we talking about here? It is the intriguing single celled algae plant that we call chlorella. If anyone is interested in a turbo powered boost to their health status then read on. Just one tablespoon per day of this green wondrous algae plant will nourish your body with impressive amounts of vitamin A, C, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, and K. But wait, we are not done yet. Along with the aforementioned vitamins that chlorella delivers in every serving, it is also rich in protein. In fact, chlorella consists of more than 60% protein content and has been compared to that of animal derived proteins. It contains all the eight essential amino acids which makes it perfect for vegetarians who often find themselves deficient in proteins and vitamin B12. If this does not convince you then let's add in the fact that chlorella also contains niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, choline, inositol, and PABA, all vital to good health. Now we're talking right? Well, we are still not done with the nutritional benefits of this little guy. Let's not forget the abundance of minerals that chlorella contains also. Each serving delivers important minerals such as phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, calcium, manganese, copper, zinc, iodine, and cobalt. No wonder this plant has been around for over a billion years. Some scientists even claim that chlorella was one of the first plants to survive on earth during its early years. Chlorella is a nutritionist's marvel to explore and a true human super food to eat.
There is a slight downside to this great algae though. While it is true that chlorella is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet, it is also one of the toughest to digest by the human body in its natural form. So don't bother running out to that lake in the middle of Montana gathering up a handful of the green goo to eat. Each chlorella cell contains a triple layered wall that is very resilient to foreign invaders. It is this tough wall that makes it hard to digest and results in a substantial loss of nutrient absorption when eaten. Thanks to modern science though, several methods have been developed to break down or "crack" the cell wall of the chlorella cells for better digestion. The most common methods to accomplish this is either by blanching or milling the chlorella. This process makes the chlorella up to 90% more digestible than without the cell wall broken. Most reputable herb and specialty food stores will have broken cell wall chlorella for sale.
What exactly is chlorella you ask? Chlorella is a single celled freshwater algae that can be seen covering the tops of ponds in many regions of the U.S. and abroad. What is fascinating about chlorella is its ability to divide itself four times in as little as sixteen hours. This cell division property makes chlorella easy to produce over a small area. In fact, over forty tons of chlorella can be harvested over a relatively small one acre area of space. In addition to the surplus of nutrients chlorella contains, it is also composed of about fiver percent chlorophyll, more than most plants.Chlorophyll is also utilized by our body to help aid in cold and flu resistance and help guard against other bacteria.
The health benefits of chlorella are endless and it should be considered as an addition to anyone's vitamin cabinet. The most effective way to reap the benefits of chlorella is to buy the pure power. Just a tablespoon per day is all that is needed. Many people enjoy the powder in a daily health shake, add it to salads, or simply mix it in a few ounces of water. We highly recommend avoiding those mass produced tablets, capsules, or liquid chlorella supplements. Many of these are diluted and made with fillers. Also these products have often been sitting on shelves for months or years which can render them practically useless. Buying your chlorella in it purest powdered form will usually guarantee the most potent nutritional content and gives the best bang for one's buck. Make sure to ask if the chlorella you are buying is "broken wall" or "cracked wall". Any reputable herb store should be aware of what this is and most will only carry this type as without the cell wall broken, the nutrients will otherwise be wasted.
Stephen Sharp, the founder of Florida Herb House in Daytona Beach, Florida and a global supplier of pure chlorella powder (www.FloridaHerbHouse.com - www.SharpWebLabs.com) has shared with us his secret chlorella drink recipe that incorporates chlorella and other green super foods for a blast of healthy goodness. This "drink of life" can be used daily or just a couple times per week to aid in a healthy body. Here is the recipe - enjoy!
Chlorella Drink of Life
4-6 oz - Aloe Juice (or spring water)
4 oz - Frozen Fruits (from freezer aisle of supermarket)
1 tbsp - Broken Wall Chlorella Powder
1 tbsp - Wheatgrass Powder
1 tbsp - Brown Flax Seeds
5-7 Ice Cubes
Directions: Blend on hi for 30 seconds, add an optional scoop of natural ice cream for a sweet treat.
Pour and serve! Equal to over 3 servings of fruits and vegetables.
D. Thomas
Green Life Events
So what in the world kind of walls are we talking about here? It is the intriguing single celled algae plant that we call chlorella. If anyone is interested in a turbo powered boost to their health status then read on. Just one tablespoon per day of this green wondrous algae plant will nourish your body with impressive amounts of vitamin A, C, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, and K. But wait, we are not done yet. Along with the aforementioned vitamins that chlorella delivers in every serving, it is also rich in protein. In fact, chlorella consists of more than 60% protein content and has been compared to that of animal derived proteins. It contains all the eight essential amino acids which makes it perfect for vegetarians who often find themselves deficient in proteins and vitamin B12. If this does not convince you then let's add in the fact that chlorella also contains niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, choline, inositol, and PABA, all vital to good health. Now we're talking right? Well, we are still not done with the nutritional benefits of this little guy. Let's not forget the abundance of minerals that chlorella contains also. Each serving delivers important minerals such as phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, calcium, manganese, copper, zinc, iodine, and cobalt. No wonder this plant has been around for over a billion years. Some scientists even claim that chlorella was one of the first plants to survive on earth during its early years. Chlorella is a nutritionist's marvel to explore and a true human super food to eat.
There is a slight downside to this great algae though. While it is true that chlorella is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet, it is also one of the toughest to digest by the human body in its natural form. So don't bother running out to that lake in the middle of Montana gathering up a handful of the green goo to eat. Each chlorella cell contains a triple layered wall that is very resilient to foreign invaders. It is this tough wall that makes it hard to digest and results in a substantial loss of nutrient absorption when eaten. Thanks to modern science though, several methods have been developed to break down or "crack" the cell wall of the chlorella cells for better digestion. The most common methods to accomplish this is either by blanching or milling the chlorella. This process makes the chlorella up to 90% more digestible than without the cell wall broken. Most reputable herb and specialty food stores will have broken cell wall chlorella for sale.
What exactly is chlorella you ask? Chlorella is a single celled freshwater algae that can be seen covering the tops of ponds in many regions of the U.S. and abroad. What is fascinating about chlorella is its ability to divide itself four times in as little as sixteen hours. This cell division property makes chlorella easy to produce over a small area. In fact, over forty tons of chlorella can be harvested over a relatively small one acre area of space. In addition to the surplus of nutrients chlorella contains, it is also composed of about fiver percent chlorophyll, more than most plants.Chlorophyll is also utilized by our body to help aid in cold and flu resistance and help guard against other bacteria.
The health benefits of chlorella are endless and it should be considered as an addition to anyone's vitamin cabinet. The most effective way to reap the benefits of chlorella is to buy the pure power. Just a tablespoon per day is all that is needed. Many people enjoy the powder in a daily health shake, add it to salads, or simply mix it in a few ounces of water. We highly recommend avoiding those mass produced tablets, capsules, or liquid chlorella supplements. Many of these are diluted and made with fillers. Also these products have often been sitting on shelves for months or years which can render them practically useless. Buying your chlorella in it purest powdered form will usually guarantee the most potent nutritional content and gives the best bang for one's buck. Make sure to ask if the chlorella you are buying is "broken wall" or "cracked wall". Any reputable herb store should be aware of what this is and most will only carry this type as without the cell wall broken, the nutrients will otherwise be wasted.
Stephen Sharp, the founder of Florida Herb House in Daytona Beach, Florida and a global supplier of pure chlorella powder (www.FloridaHerbHouse.com - www.SharpWebLabs.com) has shared with us his secret chlorella drink recipe that incorporates chlorella and other green super foods for a blast of healthy goodness. This "drink of life" can be used daily or just a couple times per week to aid in a healthy body. Here is the recipe - enjoy!
Chlorella Drink of Life
4-6 oz - Aloe Juice (or spring water)
4 oz - Frozen Fruits (from freezer aisle of supermarket)
1 tbsp - Broken Wall Chlorella Powder
1 tbsp - Wheatgrass Powder
1 tbsp - Brown Flax Seeds
5-7 Ice Cubes
Directions: Blend on hi for 30 seconds, add an optional scoop of natural ice cream for a sweet treat.
Pour and serve! Equal to over 3 servings of fruits and vegetables.
D. Thomas
Green Life Events
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Olive Leaf - The Superman of Antioxidants!
One word that people from all around the world can relate to is "antioxidant." What is the first thing that you think of when someone says it? Probably a long life, right? An antioxidant is the term given to any substance that opposes oxidation. Just as a shiny piece of metal can be dulled and weakened by oxidation, so can the cells in our body. Antioxidants, such as those found in fruits and vegetables, help protect the cells in our body from oxidation and "free radicals." Many healthy people work hard to fill their diets with leafy green veggies, such as spinach and asparagus, because of their abundance of antioxidants. But modern research has revealed yet another super powerful antioxidant, and it's found in what else.......olive leaf!
Recent studies of olive leaf have revealed some amazing facts. ORAC, or better known as Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity, is the standard test given to any substance to measure its ability to absorb free radicals. An example of this would be Goji Berries. When measured using the ORAC scale, Goji Juice yields a rating of 1215 of the ORAC scale. This score reflects a highly potent source of antioxidants and this is one of the reason the Goji berry has become so popular lately. When olive leaves were put through the same ORAC test, the results were staggering! Olive leaf pegged the ORAC meter giving a 7608 score! Olive leaf is one of the strongest antioxidant herbs money can buy. The leaf is loaded with antioxidants such as rutin, catechin, and luteolin and considered an antioxidant super food. While used for thousands of years for medicinal use, its use for antioxidant support has not been documented much until the 21st century.
The olive leaf (Olea europaea) grows on the branches of the olive tree, a delightful evergreen. The leaves are oblong shaped and dark green on the top with shades of silver on the back side of the leaf. The olive tree is native to the Mediterranean area but can be found thriving in many other tropical regions around the world. The branches of the tree can span 35 feet into the sky. We all know about those little green fruits, how they look and what they taste like too! A ripened olive changes from green to black over the course of a few weeks.
For those looking to supplement their diet with this amazing leaf, just one teaspoon serving per day of dried olive leaf powder is all it takes. One teaspoon of pure olive leaf powder provides the antioxidant power of multiple servings of vegetables. All natural or organic olive leaf powder can be found in specialty herb stores in your area or purchased online at reputable herb shops such as Florida Herb House and Starwest Botanicals. Make sure you buy your olive leaf powder from a reputable store to assure the best quality for your dollar. The best way to reap the benefits of this amazing leaf is to make a daily health drink with frozen fruits, aloe juice, and then simply add one teaspoon of your olive leaf powder. Some like to add other healthy goodies like wheat grass and flax seeds for even more goodness. A scoop of ice cream here and there won't kill you either. However you decide to boost your immune system, adding olive leaf to your diet is a great start.
###
Stephen Sharp
Green People United
www.SharpWebLabs.com
Ormond Beach, Florida 32119
(888) 476 - 9414
Recent studies of olive leaf have revealed some amazing facts. ORAC, or better known as Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity, is the standard test given to any substance to measure its ability to absorb free radicals. An example of this would be Goji Berries. When measured using the ORAC scale, Goji Juice yields a rating of 1215 of the ORAC scale. This score reflects a highly potent source of antioxidants and this is one of the reason the Goji berry has become so popular lately. When olive leaves were put through the same ORAC test, the results were staggering! Olive leaf pegged the ORAC meter giving a 7608 score! Olive leaf is one of the strongest antioxidant herbs money can buy. The leaf is loaded with antioxidants such as rutin, catechin, and luteolin and considered an antioxidant super food. While used for thousands of years for medicinal use, its use for antioxidant support has not been documented much until the 21st century.
The olive leaf (Olea europaea) grows on the branches of the olive tree, a delightful evergreen. The leaves are oblong shaped and dark green on the top with shades of silver on the back side of the leaf. The olive tree is native to the Mediterranean area but can be found thriving in many other tropical regions around the world. The branches of the tree can span 35 feet into the sky. We all know about those little green fruits, how they look and what they taste like too! A ripened olive changes from green to black over the course of a few weeks.
For those looking to supplement their diet with this amazing leaf, just one teaspoon serving per day of dried olive leaf powder is all it takes. One teaspoon of pure olive leaf powder provides the antioxidant power of multiple servings of vegetables. All natural or organic olive leaf powder can be found in specialty herb stores in your area or purchased online at reputable herb shops such as Florida Herb House and Starwest Botanicals. Make sure you buy your olive leaf powder from a reputable store to assure the best quality for your dollar. The best way to reap the benefits of this amazing leaf is to make a daily health drink with frozen fruits, aloe juice, and then simply add one teaspoon of your olive leaf powder. Some like to add other healthy goodies like wheat grass and flax seeds for even more goodness. A scoop of ice cream here and there won't kill you either. However you decide to boost your immune system, adding olive leaf to your diet is a great start.
###
Stephen Sharp
Green People United
www.SharpWebLabs.com
Ormond Beach, Florida 32119
(888) 476 - 9414
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Valerian Root - The Natural Choice for Sleep
VALERIAN ROOT - THE NATURAL CHOICE FOR SLEEP
We all know how good it feels to get a full night of rest after a busy day. We feel energized and ready
to go out and achieve new goals. We are mentally alert and ready for the next challenge that lies
ahead. The fact of the matter is that great results arise out of people who get proper rest.
Now for the bad news, did you know over one third of the population in the United States suffers
from sleep deprivation? Yes those numbers are correct and are staggering! If we do the math it equates
to roughly 100 million people with problems sleeping. There is help around the corner though, and
natural help to boot.
Could a little plant named valerian be the key to our sleep problems? Well one of the leading national herb retailers in Florida, Florida Herb House says "Yes!". Florida Herb House has been quietly enjoying increased annual sales of its organic grown valerian root for the last couple years. The owner of the herb shop, Stephen Sharp, gives credit to an ever increasing awareness by the public into natural remedies. Stephen tells us, "More and more people are trading in their prescriptions and seeking the natural equivalent for many health issues. Having problems sleeping is a perfect example. Instead of choosing any one of several prescriptions for a better night's rest, more and more people are seeking the advice of herbalists and doctors of natural medicine for their problems. Whether it is through an advertisement in a magazine, on tv or online, the once fruitful world of natural healing is coming back in strong forces. You can bet your shirt that if there is a prescription drug out there then there most likely is a herb that can offer similar benefits."
Valerian began to gain popularity back in the 1500's when it was often prescribed by doctors for
digestive disorders and for urinary tract infections.The botanical name "Valerriana" comes from the
Latin derivative "Valeo" which means "strong", probably referring to the plant's dominant healing
properties. In today's world the root of the valerian plant is widely used as a powerful yet natural
sleep aid as well as herbal sedative. Only the roots and underground stems, also called "rhizomes", are
used for these medicinal applications. Valerian has been a common herb prescribed by doctors throughout
Germany for various complaints of anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia. Valerian root works within the
human body by naturally depressing brain activity in the central nervous system and also by helping to
relax the muscles in the bronchial passage ways. The constituents in the root also help relax the
muscles in the colon.
There are several ways one can supplement their body with valerian. Before ones begins any health
program they should seek approval from their health practitioner. Also it is important to remember that
when beginning any natural program using herbs at least 4-6 weeks should be allotted before results
should be evaluated. There are valerian capsules available at most drug and convenience stores but we
recommend against these because of the mass production of these types products. If one is seeking the
best results from a herb then he/she should go direct to a herb store and buy the herbs in bulk
powdered form, organic grown is best. This assures that the herb is fresh dried and high in potency.
Many capsule type products are made in huge lots and they may have been sitting in the warehouse shelf
for many months or even years before they get to someone's pantry. Also to get the benefit of say one
teaspoon of valerian root powder one would have to take maybe 10-20 capsules as an equivalent. The bulk
powder will also digest better compared to the capsule form which has a gelatin or similar type shell
to hold in the herb. One of the most effective ways to reap the sleep support benefits of this herb is
to make a health drink a few hours before bed time. The three herbs the appear to work best for natural
sleep support are valerian root, hawthorn berry powder, and passion flower powder. The simple
directions are to mix 1 teaspoon of each of the powders into a health drink combining fresh spring
water, frozen berries, aloe juice, milk, and a teaspoon of flax seeds and then blend on hi for 30-60
seconds. Drink 2-3 hours before bed time. Special thanks to Betty's Botanical Gardens and Florida Herb
House for contributing to this article.
###
Green People United
Port Orange, Florida 32128
(888) 476 - 9414
http://www.greenpeople.org/
http://www.floridaherbhouse.com/
http://www.sharpweblabs.com/
We all know how good it feels to get a full night of rest after a busy day. We feel energized and ready
to go out and achieve new goals. We are mentally alert and ready for the next challenge that lies
ahead. The fact of the matter is that great results arise out of people who get proper rest.
Now for the bad news, did you know over one third of the population in the United States suffers
from sleep deprivation? Yes those numbers are correct and are staggering! If we do the math it equates
to roughly 100 million people with problems sleeping. There is help around the corner though, and
natural help to boot.
Could a little plant named valerian be the key to our sleep problems? Well one of the leading national herb retailers in Florida, Florida Herb House says "Yes!". Florida Herb House has been quietly enjoying increased annual sales of its organic grown valerian root for the last couple years. The owner of the herb shop, Stephen Sharp, gives credit to an ever increasing awareness by the public into natural remedies. Stephen tells us, "More and more people are trading in their prescriptions and seeking the natural equivalent for many health issues. Having problems sleeping is a perfect example. Instead of choosing any one of several prescriptions for a better night's rest, more and more people are seeking the advice of herbalists and doctors of natural medicine for their problems. Whether it is through an advertisement in a magazine, on tv or online, the once fruitful world of natural healing is coming back in strong forces. You can bet your shirt that if there is a prescription drug out there then there most likely is a herb that can offer similar benefits."
Valerian began to gain popularity back in the 1500's when it was often prescribed by doctors for
digestive disorders and for urinary tract infections.The botanical name "Valerriana" comes from the
Latin derivative "Valeo" which means "strong", probably referring to the plant's dominant healing
properties. In today's world the root of the valerian plant is widely used as a powerful yet natural
sleep aid as well as herbal sedative. Only the roots and underground stems, also called "rhizomes", are
used for these medicinal applications. Valerian has been a common herb prescribed by doctors throughout
Germany for various complaints of anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia. Valerian root works within the
human body by naturally depressing brain activity in the central nervous system and also by helping to
relax the muscles in the bronchial passage ways. The constituents in the root also help relax the
muscles in the colon.
There are several ways one can supplement their body with valerian. Before ones begins any health
program they should seek approval from their health practitioner. Also it is important to remember that
when beginning any natural program using herbs at least 4-6 weeks should be allotted before results
should be evaluated. There are valerian capsules available at most drug and convenience stores but we
recommend against these because of the mass production of these types products. If one is seeking the
best results from a herb then he/she should go direct to a herb store and buy the herbs in bulk
powdered form, organic grown is best. This assures that the herb is fresh dried and high in potency.
Many capsule type products are made in huge lots and they may have been sitting in the warehouse shelf
for many months or even years before they get to someone's pantry. Also to get the benefit of say one
teaspoon of valerian root powder one would have to take maybe 10-20 capsules as an equivalent. The bulk
powder will also digest better compared to the capsule form which has a gelatin or similar type shell
to hold in the herb. One of the most effective ways to reap the sleep support benefits of this herb is
to make a health drink a few hours before bed time. The three herbs the appear to work best for natural
sleep support are valerian root, hawthorn berry powder, and passion flower powder. The simple
directions are to mix 1 teaspoon of each of the powders into a health drink combining fresh spring
water, frozen berries, aloe juice, milk, and a teaspoon of flax seeds and then blend on hi for 30-60
seconds. Drink 2-3 hours before bed time. Special thanks to Betty's Botanical Gardens and Florida Herb
House for contributing to this article.
###
Green People United
Port Orange, Florida 32128
(888) 476 - 9414
http://www.greenpeople.org/
http://www.floridaherbhouse.com/
http://www.sharpweblabs.com/
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Outdoor Herb Helpers
Let's face it! When many of us drive by that perfectly groomed lawn with streamlined shrubs and elegantly trimmed turf like grass we tend to give an over welcomed stare. Now imagine that same lawn with elegantly flapping butterflies, colorful hummingbirds hovering about, and less of those bothersome insect invaders. Imagine achieving all this by simply planting some of natures miracles - herbs. Herbs have been grown and enjoyed for hundreds of years by mankind. They bring color and beauty to your yard and garden and also serve as tasty spices, creative teas, medicinal extracts, and more. The following tips reveal some additional little known benefits of various herbs. A herb by definition is any "non woody" plant. This applies to any plant with a stem such as dandelions, echinacea, saw palmetto, tarragon, etc etc. We also include several barks and roots of "non herb" trees on our list of valuable herbs such as birch, white willow, and yucca. The list goes on and on.
Who wouldn't love to have a fleet of butterflies and beautiful hummingbirds frequent your palace and browse about your delightful foliage? The hummingbird is a swift flying bird found throughout the United States and South America. There are about twelve different species found in the Eastern United States. The most common seen on the east coast is the ruby-throated hummingbird. This is our favorite bird to watch here outside our little herb store in Daytona Beach - Florida Herb House. What makes this bird a marvel to watch more than any other flying feathered friend is its uncanny ability to hover in flight unlike any other bird. It accomplishes this through the use of its thin blade like wings which can flap over 4000 times per minute. It uses this hovering ability to gather nectar from flowers without having to land on them. It is truly amazing to watch this little guy in action. The secret to attracting hummingbirds is the types of flowers you offer. Hummingbirds have weak spots for certain flowers just as humans have a weak spot for chocolate donuts and ice cream. The secret lies in the flowers of these five herb plants - bergamot, catnip, fennel, passion flower, and sage. The flowers of these herbs are the chocolate donut equivalant to us for butterflies and hummingbirds alike. Plant one of more of these herbs in partial shade, water as neccessary and keep your eyes open for your new vistors.
What other secret qualities do some herb plants offer you ask? Well did you know that there is also a list of herbal plants that act as natural insect repellant? Yes whether it is ants, beetles, flies, or mosquitoes that are being bothersome there is a herb to help. The herbs peppermint, spearmint, and tansy naturally deter ants. Ants dislike the aroma that these plants give off and if they make the mistake of chomping into one of their leaves they will be quickly disappointed. Folks that wish to rid of various types of common beetles can try growing rosemary or wormwood. The constituents of these herbs are not on a beetle's menu. Next is our favorite herb basil. Not only does this fine plant put the finishing touches on your favorite dish but it helps keep the air free from flies. We all know how flies can pose a problem during an outside cookout or quiet dinner meal so keep a few pots rich with basil on hand for those occasions. Just having them nearby will keep flies at bay. The last herb that we use as a natural insect repellant is pennyroyal. Pennyroyal does a fine job letting mosquitoes know who is boss. Try it at your next party. If you live within a few hundred feet of the ocean than many of the above mentioned herbs will simply not be able to survive the added dose of salt spray from the sea. If you still wish to enjoy the benefits and fun of growing herbs in these high salt conditions then there is a golden list of herbs for you. The following herbs thrive well near the ocean and can grow in sand with little or no problems; aloe, bay, lemon balm, juniper, roses, rosemary, sage. Whatever your botanical desires may be we wish all you days and nights be healthy and happy and herb fulfilling. For more information on herbs and spices you can contact Stephen Sharp from Florida Herb House or visit them online at www.FloridaHerbHouse.com or www.SharpWebLabs.com.
Stephen Sharp
Florida Herb House
1648 Taylor Road, # 363
Port Orange, FL 32128
(888) 476-9414
http://www.floridaherbhouse.com/
Who wouldn't love to have a fleet of butterflies and beautiful hummingbirds frequent your palace and browse about your delightful foliage? The hummingbird is a swift flying bird found throughout the United States and South America. There are about twelve different species found in the Eastern United States. The most common seen on the east coast is the ruby-throated hummingbird. This is our favorite bird to watch here outside our little herb store in Daytona Beach - Florida Herb House. What makes this bird a marvel to watch more than any other flying feathered friend is its uncanny ability to hover in flight unlike any other bird. It accomplishes this through the use of its thin blade like wings which can flap over 4000 times per minute. It uses this hovering ability to gather nectar from flowers without having to land on them. It is truly amazing to watch this little guy in action. The secret to attracting hummingbirds is the types of flowers you offer. Hummingbirds have weak spots for certain flowers just as humans have a weak spot for chocolate donuts and ice cream. The secret lies in the flowers of these five herb plants - bergamot, catnip, fennel, passion flower, and sage. The flowers of these herbs are the chocolate donut equivalant to us for butterflies and hummingbirds alike. Plant one of more of these herbs in partial shade, water as neccessary and keep your eyes open for your new vistors.
What other secret qualities do some herb plants offer you ask? Well did you know that there is also a list of herbal plants that act as natural insect repellant? Yes whether it is ants, beetles, flies, or mosquitoes that are being bothersome there is a herb to help. The herbs peppermint, spearmint, and tansy naturally deter ants. Ants dislike the aroma that these plants give off and if they make the mistake of chomping into one of their leaves they will be quickly disappointed. Folks that wish to rid of various types of common beetles can try growing rosemary or wormwood. The constituents of these herbs are not on a beetle's menu. Next is our favorite herb basil. Not only does this fine plant put the finishing touches on your favorite dish but it helps keep the air free from flies. We all know how flies can pose a problem during an outside cookout or quiet dinner meal so keep a few pots rich with basil on hand for those occasions. Just having them nearby will keep flies at bay. The last herb that we use as a natural insect repellant is pennyroyal. Pennyroyal does a fine job letting mosquitoes know who is boss. Try it at your next party. If you live within a few hundred feet of the ocean than many of the above mentioned herbs will simply not be able to survive the added dose of salt spray from the sea. If you still wish to enjoy the benefits and fun of growing herbs in these high salt conditions then there is a golden list of herbs for you. The following herbs thrive well near the ocean and can grow in sand with little or no problems; aloe, bay, lemon balm, juniper, roses, rosemary, sage. Whatever your botanical desires may be we wish all you days and nights be healthy and happy and herb fulfilling. For more information on herbs and spices you can contact Stephen Sharp from Florida Herb House or visit them online at www.FloridaHerbHouse.com or www.SharpWebLabs.com.
Stephen Sharp
Florida Herb House
1648 Taylor Road, # 363
Port Orange, FL 32128
(888) 476-9414
http://www.floridaherbhouse.com/
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Florida Herb Gardens Bring Healthy Smiles
If you live in Florida and enjoy herbs, whether they are tossed on your crispy garden salad, in your tea, or mixed in your potpourri, then there is no better time to get out your green thumb and have some fun. Planting and growing herbs is a great way to help the earth and your family. Don't worry if you have never planted a seed before or have been discouraged with past efforts. After reading this article you will be armed with the tools and knowledge to grow just about any herb/spice in the sunny state of Florida. The folks at Florida Herb House in Daytona Beach, Florida have been growing herbs for years in central Florida and have given us some valuable tips on growing herbs in the hot and humid climates of the southern U.S. Their tips and tricks have helped many produce healthy and hearty herb plants.
Growing herbs in Florida is rewarding because a large number of these great plants will keep providing enjoyment throughout the entire year. There are four important factors that must be considered when growing herbs in Florida. They are soil, heat, rain, and frost. The soil found around Florida has been subject to hundreds of years of heat and erosion. Much of it is depleted of its fertile nutrients and minerals. The soil in Florida consists mostly of clay and sand. This is not a problem though as this article will disclose the secrets around tough Florida soil. Next is the scorching heat of the Florida sun. Summer thunderstorms can bring torrential downpours which can overwhelm some sensitive herbs. This along with the high humidity makes Florida much different for herb gardens compared to those grown in northern states. Plants can overheat from high heat or rot away from too much rain. Not a problem though as we have some solutions for that too. Finally is the dreaded frost of cold winter nights. The threat of frost makes gardeners scurry around wildly covering all their vulnerable plants, trees, and shrubs. There is an easy remedy though for this icy phenomenon. With all the talk of herbs some of you are now a bit excited about wooing your friends and family by using your very own home grown parsley as a garnish on top of your next steak dinner or making homemade ice cream from your very own vanilla beans. Thankfully Stephen Sharp, the founder of Florida Herb House, has shared with the most prominent secrets to herb growing success. So lets get started.
The first order of business for your herbs is to decide where you will host your herb garden. Will it be indoors, outdoors, or both? Will you plant in pots, flower beds, or an outdoor herb garden? There are advantages and disadvantages to both. If you decide to grow your herbs indoors, for one thing frost will not be a factor. Another advantage is the heat and humidity of the summer months will not threaten your plants. A couple of disadvantages though will be the source of light for your herbs. If you use indoor fluorescent lights, then make sure they are giving your plants light for 14-16 hours per day. For plants that will get the benefit of sunshine from a window or lanai, then allow a solid 6-8 hours of natural sunlight per day. Your herbs do need darkness too! In this way our little herb plants are like us. They should receive around 8 hours of darkness per each 24 hour cycle. One other possible problem with growing indoors is your air conditioner. Air conditioners are a must in Florida but for plants they can pose a problem if set at too high a setting. Herbs especially when young will benefit from some degree of humidity. It is best to keep your air conditioner no lower than 77 degrees and 80 degrees is more appropriate for your herbs. As for outdoor growing, it seems herbs just tend to naturally thrive and grow better in their native environment. This does not mean your outdoor basil will tower over your indoor basil by no means. It is just the natural elements of the environment have a nurturing effect on botanical life. The obvious disadvantages of your outdoor garden in Florida are the extreme elements of the environment as we discussed earlier such as frost, thunderstorms, heavy rain, and high heat/humidity. Luckily herb plants are a tough plant species and can forgive you for one or two mistakes during their lifespan. We think the best way to approach this is to select only Florida's strongest herb survivors for your outdoor planting and keep the more delicate herbs inside for growing. Not before becoming more experienced with your herbs should you attempt to raise delicate herbs such as caraway, chamomile, lavender, marjoram, rue, sage, tarragon, or thyme outdoors as these usually fall victim to Florida's hot summer heat.
Next is choosing the herbs you wish to grow. This is one of the most fun parts for most. This obviously is entirely up to you depending on your needs. Some want to grow beautiful flowering herbs for ornamental purposes. Others wish to use their herbs for their cooking needs. Still others have health and medicinal needs for these miracle plants. Whatever your needs may be, there are hundreds and hundreds of different herb varieties to choose from. To list them all would be beyond the scope of this article so we will concentrate on 20 or so of the most popular plants. What we also suggest is starting your herb garden with choices that grow well in Florida. For this list we went again to our friends at Florida Herb House and they shared with us their golden list of the top 22 herb plants for Florida gardens indoors and outdoors. There are as follows; Aloe, Anise, Cardamom, Chicory, Chives, Comfrey, Cilantro, Elderberry, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Gotu Kola, Sage, Horseradish, Lemongrass, Lemon Verbena, Juniper, Peppermint, Spearmint, Oregano, Passion Flower, Rosemary, and Tarragon. Some additional popular herbs that should be grown indoors are Basil, Parsley, Thyme, and Basil - these will not fair well in the Florida heat. All the above mentioned herbs except for Aloe and Lemongrass should survive the Florida winters provided there is no frost. When frost lurks it is best to bring your herbs indoors if possible or cover with a protective blanket. Before you make your final herb selection, it is also wise to approximate how much space will be available for your plants. A good rule of thumb is to allow approximately one square foot of space for each herb. For example, if your herb garden will be 5 feet wide by 4 feet long then you should be able to easily accommodate 17-20 individual types of herbs.
Now it's time to choose seeds and plants. Will you be growing from seeds or starting your garden using young plants? Unless you are just head over heels with seeds then we are going to recommend against it. Sprouting seeds in Florida is more difficult than other states. The first problem is the quality of the seeds available in Florida. The viability of seeds stored in Florida are poor. Sometimes the "sprouting" part is the seed is destroyed only after 6 months or so of storage. Therefore it is very hard to determine if the seeds you buy will sprout. What compounds the problem is that you may think the problem is the way you are planting the seeds and then change up your entire planting method when the whole time it was the seed that was the culprit. If you must plant from seeds then the best way is to gather the seeds direct from the herb plant that you wish to grow. If that is not possible then make sure you purchase quality seeds from a reputable store. Also make sure the seeds you purchase are treated with fungicide to help prevent seed rot. The seeds should have a light pink powder on them, this is the fungicide powder. Store your seeds in zip lock bags, label them accordingly, and then place them in your freezer. Don't worry the cold will not hurt the seeds, it will protect the viability of them for future use. Stephen from Florida Herb House adds, "We rarely grow our herbs from seed here in Florida. The risk of seed rot during germination in Florida is high and happens often with even minor errors in your sprouting techniques. Many times even the best seeds will remain unsprouted or sprout and then just give up. It takes constant care, proper temp's, humidity, food, and water to bring a seed through the first few weeks successfully. Yes it can be done and is done often by gardeners but we opt to eliminate this phase of the growth process which allows more time to concentrate on other areas such as planting new herbs from cuttings, harvesting, and picking our herbs."
The advantage of starting with a young healthy plant rather than seeds is the fact that you can pick and choose from a variety of plants and select the ones that look the best. Now this can serve as your master herb and once it has grown large enough, a cutting can be made and then rooted to form new plants. This saves the many hassles of nurturing a seedling through the first four weeks of intensive care. Many people don't realize the simplicity of rooting plants from simple cuttings. To root any herb from a cutting, you simply snip off 4-8 inches of the plant. Make the cut above one of the plant's nodes (the node is a junction point on the plant where branches form). Also never take too much of the plant, never snip more than one third of the total plant as this can cause undue stress. Next make a diagonal shaped cut at the base of the cutting, this will help with the rooting process. Remove any of the leaves at the bottom of the cutting so you have a clean shaft to plant. Now fill a 4" pot with some quality soil or vermiculite from your local gardening store. Make a hole with your finger a few inches deep or enough to cover the cutting up to its first node. Insert the cutting and firm up the soil around it. Some will also use a root hormone to help speed the rooting process. If you purchase one of these, carefully read the directions and apply it before you plant your cutting. An old wise tale also recommends applying a small amount of saliva for prevention against bacteria and disease. If you do this it is best to use a cotton swab to apply. Don't put the plant in your mouth. Once finished, put your pots in a spot which allows 8-12 hours of sunlight per day and water as neccessary. Humidity is beneficial for your cutting so leaving the pot outside on your lanai or putting it in a ziploc bag is a plus. Now after about 1-2 weeks give your new plant a little tug. If it gives some resistance then it is probably rooted and you have turned your first herb cutting into a new plant! Transplant your new herb using a spoon. Make sure you scoop enough so that the roots are not left behind. Transplant into larger pots or flower beds. If your ultimate goal is to move your new herbs into an outdoor garden wait about 4-6 weeks. You can maximize the growth potential and living conditions for your outdoor herbs by following this great preparation technique. Stephen Sharp from Florida Herb House once again shares his secrets, "If you are getting ready to plant an outdoor herb garden here in Florida, then this procedure has been handed down from past generations and works well for us. After we have a garden marked off, what we do is line the bottom with old newspapers. We use about a section of black and white newspapers. This will help ward off weeds as well as improve soil mineral content and furthermore help with aeration. On top of that, add a mixture of compost and soil. For the compost a blend of grass clippings and brown leaves works well. The compost will rot away and provide nutrients for your herbs. On top of your compost/soil layer add one more thin layer of newspaper, about one or two pages thick will work fine. Top it all off with good soil and your garden is ready for planting. If you find the newspaper is interfering with your planting process, then use a screwdriver to poke through the paper just enough to get your herbs planted. Water your garden well after planting and that's it! As your herbs grow you will want to keep them healthy by providing adequate nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium, and other food/nutrient enzymes. A quality fertilizer from your local home and garden store should contain all these ingredients. Follow the directions for use, normal applications for fertilizers are about once every couple of months during summer months and less during the remainder of the year. During summer give your plants a daily soaking to dislodge insects and protect from overheating. Pick weeds as they appear for a beautiful looking garden. Take cuttings, harvest your plants for culinary and medicinal needs, and trim plants as needed. You are now on your way to being a true herb gardener! For more information on herbs, visit Florida Herb House at www.SharpWebLabs.com or www.FloridaHerbHouse.com.
Stephen Sharp
Green People United
Florida Herb House
Daytona Beach, FL 32128
(888) 476 9414
Growing herbs in Florida is rewarding because a large number of these great plants will keep providing enjoyment throughout the entire year. There are four important factors that must be considered when growing herbs in Florida. They are soil, heat, rain, and frost. The soil found around Florida has been subject to hundreds of years of heat and erosion. Much of it is depleted of its fertile nutrients and minerals. The soil in Florida consists mostly of clay and sand. This is not a problem though as this article will disclose the secrets around tough Florida soil. Next is the scorching heat of the Florida sun. Summer thunderstorms can bring torrential downpours which can overwhelm some sensitive herbs. This along with the high humidity makes Florida much different for herb gardens compared to those grown in northern states. Plants can overheat from high heat or rot away from too much rain. Not a problem though as we have some solutions for that too. Finally is the dreaded frost of cold winter nights. The threat of frost makes gardeners scurry around wildly covering all their vulnerable plants, trees, and shrubs. There is an easy remedy though for this icy phenomenon. With all the talk of herbs some of you are now a bit excited about wooing your friends and family by using your very own home grown parsley as a garnish on top of your next steak dinner or making homemade ice cream from your very own vanilla beans. Thankfully Stephen Sharp, the founder of Florida Herb House, has shared with the most prominent secrets to herb growing success. So lets get started.
The first order of business for your herbs is to decide where you will host your herb garden. Will it be indoors, outdoors, or both? Will you plant in pots, flower beds, or an outdoor herb garden? There are advantages and disadvantages to both. If you decide to grow your herbs indoors, for one thing frost will not be a factor. Another advantage is the heat and humidity of the summer months will not threaten your plants. A couple of disadvantages though will be the source of light for your herbs. If you use indoor fluorescent lights, then make sure they are giving your plants light for 14-16 hours per day. For plants that will get the benefit of sunshine from a window or lanai, then allow a solid 6-8 hours of natural sunlight per day. Your herbs do need darkness too! In this way our little herb plants are like us. They should receive around 8 hours of darkness per each 24 hour cycle. One other possible problem with growing indoors is your air conditioner. Air conditioners are a must in Florida but for plants they can pose a problem if set at too high a setting. Herbs especially when young will benefit from some degree of humidity. It is best to keep your air conditioner no lower than 77 degrees and 80 degrees is more appropriate for your herbs. As for outdoor growing, it seems herbs just tend to naturally thrive and grow better in their native environment. This does not mean your outdoor basil will tower over your indoor basil by no means. It is just the natural elements of the environment have a nurturing effect on botanical life. The obvious disadvantages of your outdoor garden in Florida are the extreme elements of the environment as we discussed earlier such as frost, thunderstorms, heavy rain, and high heat/humidity. Luckily herb plants are a tough plant species and can forgive you for one or two mistakes during their lifespan. We think the best way to approach this is to select only Florida's strongest herb survivors for your outdoor planting and keep the more delicate herbs inside for growing. Not before becoming more experienced with your herbs should you attempt to raise delicate herbs such as caraway, chamomile, lavender, marjoram, rue, sage, tarragon, or thyme outdoors as these usually fall victim to Florida's hot summer heat.
Next is choosing the herbs you wish to grow. This is one of the most fun parts for most. This obviously is entirely up to you depending on your needs. Some want to grow beautiful flowering herbs for ornamental purposes. Others wish to use their herbs for their cooking needs. Still others have health and medicinal needs for these miracle plants. Whatever your needs may be, there are hundreds and hundreds of different herb varieties to choose from. To list them all would be beyond the scope of this article so we will concentrate on 20 or so of the most popular plants. What we also suggest is starting your herb garden with choices that grow well in Florida. For this list we went again to our friends at Florida Herb House and they shared with us their golden list of the top 22 herb plants for Florida gardens indoors and outdoors. There are as follows; Aloe, Anise, Cardamom, Chicory, Chives, Comfrey, Cilantro, Elderberry, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Gotu Kola, Sage, Horseradish, Lemongrass, Lemon Verbena, Juniper, Peppermint, Spearmint, Oregano, Passion Flower, Rosemary, and Tarragon. Some additional popular herbs that should be grown indoors are Basil, Parsley, Thyme, and Basil - these will not fair well in the Florida heat. All the above mentioned herbs except for Aloe and Lemongrass should survive the Florida winters provided there is no frost. When frost lurks it is best to bring your herbs indoors if possible or cover with a protective blanket. Before you make your final herb selection, it is also wise to approximate how much space will be available for your plants. A good rule of thumb is to allow approximately one square foot of space for each herb. For example, if your herb garden will be 5 feet wide by 4 feet long then you should be able to easily accommodate 17-20 individual types of herbs.
Now it's time to choose seeds and plants. Will you be growing from seeds or starting your garden using young plants? Unless you are just head over heels with seeds then we are going to recommend against it. Sprouting seeds in Florida is more difficult than other states. The first problem is the quality of the seeds available in Florida. The viability of seeds stored in Florida are poor. Sometimes the "sprouting" part is the seed is destroyed only after 6 months or so of storage. Therefore it is very hard to determine if the seeds you buy will sprout. What compounds the problem is that you may think the problem is the way you are planting the seeds and then change up your entire planting method when the whole time it was the seed that was the culprit. If you must plant from seeds then the best way is to gather the seeds direct from the herb plant that you wish to grow. If that is not possible then make sure you purchase quality seeds from a reputable store. Also make sure the seeds you purchase are treated with fungicide to help prevent seed rot. The seeds should have a light pink powder on them, this is the fungicide powder. Store your seeds in zip lock bags, label them accordingly, and then place them in your freezer. Don't worry the cold will not hurt the seeds, it will protect the viability of them for future use. Stephen from Florida Herb House adds, "We rarely grow our herbs from seed here in Florida. The risk of seed rot during germination in Florida is high and happens often with even minor errors in your sprouting techniques. Many times even the best seeds will remain unsprouted or sprout and then just give up. It takes constant care, proper temp's, humidity, food, and water to bring a seed through the first few weeks successfully. Yes it can be done and is done often by gardeners but we opt to eliminate this phase of the growth process which allows more time to concentrate on other areas such as planting new herbs from cuttings, harvesting, and picking our herbs."
The advantage of starting with a young healthy plant rather than seeds is the fact that you can pick and choose from a variety of plants and select the ones that look the best. Now this can serve as your master herb and once it has grown large enough, a cutting can be made and then rooted to form new plants. This saves the many hassles of nurturing a seedling through the first four weeks of intensive care. Many people don't realize the simplicity of rooting plants from simple cuttings. To root any herb from a cutting, you simply snip off 4-8 inches of the plant. Make the cut above one of the plant's nodes (the node is a junction point on the plant where branches form). Also never take too much of the plant, never snip more than one third of the total plant as this can cause undue stress. Next make a diagonal shaped cut at the base of the cutting, this will help with the rooting process. Remove any of the leaves at the bottom of the cutting so you have a clean shaft to plant. Now fill a 4" pot with some quality soil or vermiculite from your local gardening store. Make a hole with your finger a few inches deep or enough to cover the cutting up to its first node. Insert the cutting and firm up the soil around it. Some will also use a root hormone to help speed the rooting process. If you purchase one of these, carefully read the directions and apply it before you plant your cutting. An old wise tale also recommends applying a small amount of saliva for prevention against bacteria and disease. If you do this it is best to use a cotton swab to apply. Don't put the plant in your mouth. Once finished, put your pots in a spot which allows 8-12 hours of sunlight per day and water as neccessary. Humidity is beneficial for your cutting so leaving the pot outside on your lanai or putting it in a ziploc bag is a plus. Now after about 1-2 weeks give your new plant a little tug. If it gives some resistance then it is probably rooted and you have turned your first herb cutting into a new plant! Transplant your new herb using a spoon. Make sure you scoop enough so that the roots are not left behind. Transplant into larger pots or flower beds. If your ultimate goal is to move your new herbs into an outdoor garden wait about 4-6 weeks. You can maximize the growth potential and living conditions for your outdoor herbs by following this great preparation technique. Stephen Sharp from Florida Herb House once again shares his secrets, "If you are getting ready to plant an outdoor herb garden here in Florida, then this procedure has been handed down from past generations and works well for us. After we have a garden marked off, what we do is line the bottom with old newspapers. We use about a section of black and white newspapers. This will help ward off weeds as well as improve soil mineral content and furthermore help with aeration. On top of that, add a mixture of compost and soil. For the compost a blend of grass clippings and brown leaves works well. The compost will rot away and provide nutrients for your herbs. On top of your compost/soil layer add one more thin layer of newspaper, about one or two pages thick will work fine. Top it all off with good soil and your garden is ready for planting. If you find the newspaper is interfering with your planting process, then use a screwdriver to poke through the paper just enough to get your herbs planted. Water your garden well after planting and that's it! As your herbs grow you will want to keep them healthy by providing adequate nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium, and other food/nutrient enzymes. A quality fertilizer from your local home and garden store should contain all these ingredients. Follow the directions for use, normal applications for fertilizers are about once every couple of months during summer months and less during the remainder of the year. During summer give your plants a daily soaking to dislodge insects and protect from overheating. Pick weeds as they appear for a beautiful looking garden. Take cuttings, harvest your plants for culinary and medicinal needs, and trim plants as needed. You are now on your way to being a true herb gardener! For more information on herbs, visit Florida Herb House at www.SharpWebLabs.com or www.FloridaHerbHouse.com.
Stephen Sharp
Green People United
Florida Herb House
Daytona Beach, FL 32128
(888) 476 9414
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Green Superfood Drink Of The Year
The votes are in and it's an unanimous decision. Florida Herb House in Daytona Beach, Florida has named "Superfood Delight" its best selling green superfood drink of the year. This green healthy drink powder contains the perfect blend of three top green superfood powders including wheatgrass, chlorella, and spirulina. Just a teaspoon per day in your daily health drink or smoothie provides the nutrition of multiple servings of vegetables along with so much more goodness such as chlorophyll, calcium, magnesium, proteins, and more.
Rounding out second and third place are two more popular superfood green drink powders, "Wheatgrass Delight," and "Spinach Delight." Florida Herb House's "Wheatgrass Delight" is also a prominent superfood powdered drink mix which is taken as a daily supplement one teaspoon per day also and provides a wealth of nutrition from its ingredients including wheatgrass powder, barleygrass powder, and alfalfa powder. Third on the list of best selling health drink superfood powders was "Spinach Delight." "Spinach Delight" is the perfect mix of spinach powder, wheatgrass powder, and barleygrass powder, another formidable health drink mix. Most of the ingredients used in these drink powders are organically grown or wild harvested which assures the highest in purity and potency for your health needs.
Florida Herb House currently offers about eight exclusive green superfood health drink blends and green juice powders which provides the ultimate compliment of vitamins and minerals like no other supplement around. If you are seeking a means to naturally support longevity and a health body, then look no further than Florida Herb House. Visit them online at www.FloridaHerbHouse.com, www.eSuperFoods.com, or www.SharpWebLabs.com. Use the coupon FLORIDAHERB for 10-20% off your online order!
Stephen Sharp
Florida Herb House
1648 Taylor Road, # 363
Port Orange, FL 32128
http://www.floridaherbhouse.com/
http://www.sharpweblabs.com/
http://www.esuperfoods.com/
http://www.muscleenhancers.com/
http://www.createtea.com/
Rounding out second and third place are two more popular superfood green drink powders, "Wheatgrass Delight," and "Spinach Delight." Florida Herb House's "Wheatgrass Delight" is also a prominent superfood powdered drink mix which is taken as a daily supplement one teaspoon per day also and provides a wealth of nutrition from its ingredients including wheatgrass powder, barleygrass powder, and alfalfa powder. Third on the list of best selling health drink superfood powders was "Spinach Delight." "Spinach Delight" is the perfect mix of spinach powder, wheatgrass powder, and barleygrass powder, another formidable health drink mix. Most of the ingredients used in these drink powders are organically grown or wild harvested which assures the highest in purity and potency for your health needs.
Florida Herb House currently offers about eight exclusive green superfood health drink blends and green juice powders which provides the ultimate compliment of vitamins and minerals like no other supplement around. If you are seeking a means to naturally support longevity and a health body, then look no further than Florida Herb House. Visit them online at www.FloridaHerbHouse.com, www.eSuperFoods.com, or www.SharpWebLabs.com. Use the coupon FLORIDAHERB for 10-20% off your online order!
Stephen Sharp
Florida Herb House
1648 Taylor Road, # 363
Port Orange, FL 32128
http://www.floridaherbhouse.com/
http://www.sharpweblabs.com/
http://www.esuperfoods.com/
http://www.muscleenhancers.com/
http://www.createtea.com/
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