Human cases of Swine Influenza, otherwise known as swine flu, may be emerging in the United States. On April 29, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the nation’s first fatality from this outbreak. The CDC also reported a number of laboratory confirmed cases of the swine flu in 10 states throughout the U.S.

According to the CDC, the swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza viruses, which cause regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Usually, swine flu viruses infect humans with direct exposure to pigs. But more recently, it has been reported to spread from person-to-person. The anxiety this flu is causing is so strong all over the world that the Egyptian government has ordered the slaughter of the country's entire hog population, according to NPR.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

What can you do? Washing your hands frequently is one of the most important steps we can take to prevent infection and spreading germs. Here are some guidelines for washing your hands the right way from the CDC.

• Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if available.
• Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
• Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend.
• Rinse hands well under running water.
• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
• Always use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.

When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

• Apply product to the palm of one hand.
• Rub hands together.
• Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

Courtesy Flickr/Andreas Levers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96dpi/

Here are some antiviral soaps that you can use to stay healthy and swine flu-free. Herbs such as elderberry, astragalus, ginger, licorice, zinc, lavender and ginseng all appear to have antiviral activity.

• Peppermint Frog Bar Soap by Brigit True Organics ($10) is 88 percent organic, has pure essential oils of peppermint, and is both antiviral and antiseptic.   
• Elderberry Flowers with Garden Iris and French Clay by Botanical Soap Shop ($7.99) is certified organic, soothing and calming and acts as an antiviral and antibacterial agent.
• Ginger Pomelo Hand Soap Liquid by Caldrea ($10.50) has a blend of essential oils including ginger, pomelo and aloe vera.

And last but certainly not least, you can enter for a chance to win Natural Hand Refresher by Green Tea Goods on our website in a few weeks.  It’s a wonderful hand sanitizer that naturally cleans your skin without that alcohol smell. The product uses a blend of Chinese herbs that have anti-bacterial functions. These herbs include mugwort leaf, licorice root and coptis chinensis.

Marguerite Dunne is a c itygirl and traveler. Visit her website at www.herbs-on-hudson.com or listen to her radio show, The Urban Herbalist, on www.wtbq.com. Marguerite was also the third place winner in The Herb Companion's essay contest, "Looking Forward to Herbs."

What are herbs?

Herbs are the spirit of Mother Earth talking to her children who walk, fly, swim–keeping the connection between the garden, the green, the light, the wind, the sand and the stars. They are working plants, giving us nourishment for our minds, clothing for our bodies, medicine for our ills, dyes, colors, fragrance and harmony.

Many lessons come from herbs and from the garden. We can take the light of day and transform it into a whole person. We need to find our place in the garden in order to grow. Whenever a plant does not thrive in one place there is always another place for it to flourish. Every season has its own beauty. If you move, shake loose and tumble, you will only be a tumbleweed, bumping along on the whimsy of the wind, or you can burrow down deep into the earth, spread your roots, claim your space, stretch your limbs, arms and soul, face the light, take the rains, snows and storms, bare your hardened bark, shed your falling leaves, and go inward on the veil of the winter solstice.

Grow grandly into a mighty oak; weep as a willow, head bowed all the daylong. Tend to the weeds, the infinite distractions we face daily, the loss of time, creativity and energy.

Herbal plants offer the medicine of Mother Nature–ye shall be known by thy fruit. Whatever grows of beauty and purpose is more than a single day’s work.

Courtesy of Flickr/Per Ola Wiberg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/powi/

It's time to get planting again as the chi of my comfrey, burdock, yellowdock, chocolate mint, catnip, stinging nettle, golden seal and echinacea rises, remembering the infinite connection. It’s spring once more. I grab my gardening tools, call my kittens and join the birds and bees as we all have work to do.

Do you remember that Facebook chain letter called “25 Random Things About Me?” If you don’t, it was a popular trend to write 25 things, facts, habits or goals about yourself on Facebook then publish it so that all your friends can read it, learn something, and create their own! Well, I like the idea but I’ve decided to tweak it a bit and make my own version called "15 Herbs for Me.” In no particular order, here is a list of herbs that interest me.

Photo by Smoobs/Courtesy Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smoo 

1.) Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). There are fine hairs on the leaves and stems of stinging nettle that contain irritating chemicals that are released when the plant comes into contact with skin. Trust me, I ran through a field of this stuff when I was too young to know any beter, and it wasn’t pleasant. Despite this, nettle is often used to relieve seasonal allergies.

2.) Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). This sweet-smelling purple flowering herb is widely used in perfumes, soaps, shampoos and sachets. 

3.) Aloe (Aloe vera). The gel in the inner portion of the leaf is widely used for the treatment of minor skin conditions. I use aloe gel to sooth sunburn and razor burn. 

4.) Basil (Ocimum basilicum). The fragrant green leaves of this herb are great in salads and can be used fresh or dry to flavor pasta, stew and poultry.

5.) Artichoke leaves (Cynara). Artichoke extract is useful in support of general liver function and prevention of some digestive disorders.

6.) Chives (Allium schoenoprasum). Add flavor to virtually any dish with chives. I like chives in eggs, on my bagels and of course in baked potatoes.

7.) Alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Contains a high mineral and vitamin content; is rich in protein and calcium. Alfalfa seeds are useful in the form of sprouts. They are delicious in salads, soups and sandwiches.

8.) Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). If you’re feeling lightheaded and out of sorts, this herb is used to enhance cognitive functions and give you a little energy boost.

9.) Cayenne (Capsicum annuum). A popular spice used in different regional styles of cooking. Cayenne contains capsaicin, which may be used to reduce pain and inflammation caused by injury.

10.) Arnica (Arnica montana). Applied topically as a cream, gel, ointment, tincture or salve, arnica relieves soreness and reduces swelling. I’ve used arnica on my ankles after a good workout to reduce inflammation and relieve any pain.

11.) Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). This herb is used to treat altitude sickness and headaches because of its ability to increase blood flow to the brain.

12.) Shiitake (Lentinula edodes). Shiitake mushrooms are packed with iron and vitamin C. I like the rich flavor of these mushrooms in a spicy stir fry or in some miso soup.

13.) Garlic (Allium sativum). It’s been called the “stinking rose” in light of its many benefits. Garlic is rich in manganese, a good source of vitamin B6 and vitamin C.

14). German chamomile (Matricaria recutita). Known for it’s mild sedating effects and widely used in herbal teas.

15.) Catnip, catmint (Nepeta cataria). Cats have a bizarre reaction to catnip. But why? According to Arthur O. Tucker and Sharon S. Tucker, authors of “Catnip and the Catnip Response,” the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the thing that triggers the unique sequence of responses in domestic cats.

Is their a particular herb that interests you? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment!

References: 

• Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth by Dr. Sharol Marie Tilgner (Wise Acres LLC, 2009)
• Catnip and the Catnip Response by Arthur O. Tucker and Sharon S. Tucker (Springer New York, 1988)

Sarah Powell, an herbalist, medical anthropologist and proprietor of the natural bath & body business, Lilith’s Apothecary. Find her shop at www.lilithsapothecary.etsy.com and her blog at www.lilithsapothecary.wordpress.com for more natural body care tips and recipes. 

Each year by the end of March, I have run out of my precious oil infusions of fresh plantain leaves, fresh violet leaves and delicate violet blossoms. In early spring, I am nearly chomping at the bit to see the first tender violet leaves poking through the soil in garden or woods, the first wide blades of plantain peaking out absolutely everywhere you look. In my neck of the woods, violet will not be flowering until at least late April, at which time I will begin to prepare my favorite herbal salves. Herbal infused oils, usually olive, grape seed, or sweet almond, are indispensible in the creation of many salves and oils specific to the healing power of vulnerary, or wound-healing, herbs that you use.

Plantain (Plantago major)

Plantain (Plantago major) is one of my favorite vulnerary herbs. Its gentle astringency makes it wonderful for blisters, insect bites, rashes and hemorrhoids. You can pick a leaf of this plant while hiking and put it in your shoe to help with blisters. I find it also to be an absolutely ideal diaper rash treatment and include it in all the baby balms I make to use on my toddler or sell. It’s readily available for wild crafting and a wonderful addition to any infused oil or salve.

Violet leaf (Viola odorata) is highly demulcent, which means that it contains significant amounts of mucilage that help soothe the skin, reducing inflammation, redness, and cooling irritated tissue. Violet is also antiseptic, and this combined with its soothing relief, makes it a wonderful infused oil to have on hand. Susun Weed (Healing Wise, Ash Tree Publishing, 1989) writes about ‘Aunt Violet’ as a wonderful remedy for breast inflammation, mastitis, cancer and cysts, and a water infusion made of fresh or dried violet leaves can soothe inflamed throats during a cold or flu.  Violet’s mild taste makes it palatable to children, and indeed, violet leaves and flowers are wonderful when freshly picked and added to a spring salad.  A salve made purely of the oils of these two plants combined with some natural beeswax is all I need to combat diaper rash in my household, and there is lots left over for myriad other uses.  

Violet leaf (Viola odorata)

When it seems that the world is lush with violets and plantain, it’s time to go wild crafting. It’s best to find a spot, perhaps by a wooded stream, where the leaves are wide and healthy looking, clearly well nourished and relatively free of dirt. Plantain and violet are often found growing near each other, and while you can pick plantain all summer long, I find that I prefer taking advantage of that early spring growth, so full of energy and healing potential.

Using garden scissors, snip the violet leaves where the stem meets the leaf and take the flower tops when you can, being careful not to overharvest the plant in one area. Rather, take a long walk and snip herbs here and there so you never deplete the supply in one place. Thank the plant for providing its bounty to us and take pleasure in the environment in which you discover this plentiful harvest.

Violet and Plantain Infused Oil: 

Step 1: Gather approximately 2 cups violet leaves and flowers and plantain leaves (either the narrow or wide leafed varieties).

Step 2: Try to clean off the leaves as much as possible without washing them. If they must be washed, do so, but be sure that the leaves are thoroughly wilted and absent of all moisture before adding the oil. Putting the oven on the lowest possible heat, arrange the herbs on a tray, preferably with the oven door open, and allow the leaves to wilt until you are sure no moisture remains. You are not diminishing the healing power of the herbs but rather, just removing more of the water content.

Step 3: Put the wilted leaves into a clean, very dry glass mason jar, or similar container, and fill to the top if possible. Then add the oil of choice (olive, grape seed, sweet almond, sunflower and safflower all work well) until you have filled the jar. Stir with a long spoon or chopstick until all bubbles have risen to the surface. Add a bit of Rosemary Oil Extract to prevent oil rancidity and further protect the oils. Just remember that water causes mold, so the drier your herbs and containers are, the more protected your oil is. Place some wax paper over the top of the container and then cap with a canning lid. Be aware that the oils may ‘weep’ while it steeps, so you may want to put a cup saucer under the jar.

Step 4: Place jar in a cool, dark place. Occasionally turn the jar upside down and then right side up to move the oil through the herbs and to try to keep all parts of the herbs covered with oil. Feel free to open it up and check on the herbs. If you see leaves poking through where there is some mold growth, remove the leaves and discard. If mold grows throughout the oil, you’ll have to toss the whole batch, as there is no saving the oil, even if it is heated. Steep 2-6 weeks.

Step 5: After 2-6 weeks, strain out the herbs using a cheesecloth and pour the infused oil into a clean, dry jar for storage. A dark glass container is best. You can keep this in the refrigerator for better storage or just store in a cool, dark place.

Violet and Plantain Herbal Salve: 

• 1 cup infused oil
• 1 ounce natural beeswax or beeswax beads, grated
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E (to preserve the salve and prevent rancidity)
• 1 teaspoon rosemary oil extract, optional (to further antioxidant protection)
• 20 drops tea tree oil (to add antifungal and antiseptic strength)
• 10 drops lavender essential oil (to offer topical pain relief)

In a double boiler or a saucepan on lowest possible heat, melt the beeswax into the oil. Add the additional vitamin E and rosemary oil extract, if using, and gently stir the oil with a wooden or stainless steel spoon. Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Pour immediately into a cleaned, very dry glass or aluminum container. You can also put this salve in lip balm pots to create a healing travel balm. If looking for a hard salve, test the consistency by putting a spoonful of the melted oils & beeswax into the freezer. If it is not hard enough, add a bit more beeswax until you reach the desired consistency.

Enjoy!

Theresa Loe is a freelance garden/culinary writer, book author and blogger who specializes in organic edible gardening and gardening with children. You can find her recipes and garden tips at www.gardenfreshliving.com.

All the sunny weather of springtime makes me want to add more fragrant herbs to my daily routines. It is a nice way to bring some of the refreshing garden fragrances inside the home. Herbs not only add fragrance to the air, they can also lift our spirits with their aromatherapy properties. You just can’t get that from an aerosol can!

One way to freshen the air with all-natural scents is to add fragrant herbs and spices to your vacuum bag. I like to create vacuum bag sachets that I keep in a jar with my other cleaning supplies. Every time I change the bag in my vacuum, I tuck one of these little homemade sachets inside. As the air moves through the bag during vacuuming, it releases the lovely scent all throughout the home.

These sachets are especially helpful when you have pets. No more pet hair smell while you vacuum! Instead, you get the lovely garden aroma of herbs and spices. What could be lovelier than that?

Vacuum Bag Sachets

To make your own, you will need small cotton tea bags (the kind with drawstrings work best), an essential oil and some herbs and spices. The nice thing about this recipe is that you can change it according to what you like best or what you have on hand. You should be able to find the tea bags and an assortment of essential oils at the health food store.

In a small bowl, combine:

• 1 cup cedar shavings (i.e. hamster bedding from the pet store)
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 tablespoon whole allspice, slightly crushed)
• 15 drops of your favorite essential oil (mint or lavender work well)
• 1 cup of your favorite fragrant herb, dried (i.e. mint, lavender, lemon verbena or rosemary)

1. Mix well and then fill each of your cotton tea bags with a few tablespoons of the mixture. Store the filled bags in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.

2. Add one sachet bag to each vacuum bag when you are changing out the bag.

3. If you ever find that a bag has lost its scent before you get a chance to use it, squeeze it to crush the herbs or add a drop of essential oil to the outside of the bag before you use it.

Passover  begins April 9th and I won’t be home this year to celebrate my favorite Jewish festival. Fortunately, my friend Karen was willing to share her delicious recipe for charoset, a wonderful fruit, nut and wine mix eaten during Passover. Charoset is meant to remind its eaters of the mortar the Jewish slaves used to bond bricks in Ancient Egypt. It is served on matzah and it’s a great Jewish dish. Here are two recipes from my friend Karen, who makes charoset every year for our Seder back home.  

Photo by Imagine24/Courtesy Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imagine24/

Ashkenazi Charoset with Brown Sugar
Serves 8 

 This is a standard Ashkenazi (Eastern European Jews) recipe, with a little brown sugar added for depth. 

• 3 medium Gala or Fuji apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
• 3/4 (or more to taste) cups walnut halves, lightly toasted, cooled, and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup sweet red wine such as Manischewitz Extra Heavy Malaga
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

1. In large bowl, stir together all ingredients.

2. Store, covered, at room temperature until ready to serve.

Sephardim Charoset with Fragrant Spices
Serves 8 

The Sephardim (Mediterranean Jews) use dates and other dried fruit and then purée the mixture.

• 20 pitted dates, preferably Medjool
• 3 bananas
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup sweet red wine such as Manischewitz Extra Heavy Malaga
• 3 tablespoons date syrup (silan) or honey
• 1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted
• 1/2 cup unsalted shelled pistachio nuts (not dyed red), toasted
• 1/2 cup whole almonds, toasted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

1. In food processor, purée dates until smooth.

2. Add bananas, raisins, wine, and date syrup and process to combine.

3. Add walnuts, pistachios, almonds, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves and process until smooth.

4. Store, covered, at room temperature until ready to serve.