Catnip – not just for cats!

Nepeta cataria

We all know catnip as the herb that makes most cats go delightfully crazy. The ancient Greeks and Romans even cultivated this member of the mint family for cats. Not all cats seem to enjoy the effect of catnip though, which comes from the essential oil nepetalactone being released from the herb when crushed. This essential oil is also a very effective insect repellent. But did you know that catnip is good medicine for humans?  Catnip is a tried, true and safe children’s remedy for colds, stomachaches, insomnia, intestinal cramps and colic.  Adults can use catnip for stress-induced gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea or nervous stomach. Chewing on the leaf is an old remedy for toothaches. As a tea, catnip combines nicely with lemon balm, chamomile, and peppermint for a calming effect; or raspberry leaf, peppermint, and cinnamon for diarrhea.

Since I am a glutton for herbal lore and mythology, here are a few fascinating tidbits:
In early America, hangmen consumed catnip roots to harden themselves for their work. It was believed that the roots could make even the kindest person mean.  In ancient mythology, catnip was dedicated to the goddesses Bast and Sekhmet, the cat and lioness. It was said to help women transform themselves into cats at night! Unfortunately, it has never had that effect on me :)

The genus name – Nepeta – may have come from a town in Italy where it was once cultivated – Nepete. Catnip grows easily in the garden and is a common weedy plant.

Catnip in my mint garden in the foreground, with sage, lemon balm and peppermint in the back.

I think there's some skullcap hiding in there somewhere.

CSA season has begun! And an easy baby bok choy recipe

We had our first CSA pickup yesterday, and there is no shortage of spring greens this week! Included in this week's share was spring mix lettuce, head lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale, baby bok choy, breakfast radishes, hakurei turnips, broccoli, and from the u-pick...snap peas and fresh herbs. Unfortunately, the strawberry crop did not do well this year due to the unusually mild winter. But we've been enjoying a few from our own patch. We also purchased a chicken share this year, and a fruit share which will start later in the season. Picked up bacon and eggs for Sunday brekkie at the farm store. The store also carries locally made cheeses, yogurt, meats, breads and baked goods, soaps, flour, and new this year, sunflower oil.

I also planted a small garden this year to supplement our small CSA share. The bunnies got to the broccoli  and cabbage plants, but the tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, chard and herbs are going strong. I wanted to put up a fence, but that's just one of those things I haven't got around to.

I love the local growing season because that means not having to rely on supermarkets, knowing where my food is coming from, it's the freshest it can be, and supporting local farmers.

Baby bok choy recipe:
Slice the bok choy.
Toast some sesame seeds (I used black sesame seeds)
Sautee the stalks first ( I used coconut oil, but you can use sesame oil, olive oil, or butter).
When stalks start getting tender, add the leaves and cook till tender.  
Add some Tamari, Braggs Aminos or other soy sauce to taste.
Toss with toasted sesame seeds.
You can also add fried onions and/or garlic. Enjoy!
We had this with dinner and I had some with breakfast this morning.

The taste of freshly picked produce does not compare to most you get at the supermarket which may have been shipped from far away or may have been sitting around. They may also be higher in nutrient content.

A beautiful Motherwort

I was pleasantly surprised to come across this beautiful flowering motherwort on my walk last night. I had never seen it growing in this spot before.  Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is a member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family and gets its name from its history of use for allaying anxiety in new mothers. Its species name, cardiaca, comes from the Greek word for heart, "kardiaca". This tells us that this herb has some action on the heart. It acts as a cardiac tonic and helps relieve heart palpitations, angina, and can help lower blood pressure. The genus name, Leonurus, comes from the Greek “leon” for lion, and “ouros” for tail, as the plant was thought to resemble the tail of a lion. Motherwort is often combined with other herbs and used for anxiety associated with PMS or menopause, menopausal hot flashes and sweating, and hyperthyroidism. Its taste is quite bitter, so a tea of motherwort is not very palatable. A tincture of the herb is an easier way to take motherwort.

The plant grows to approximately 5’ tall by 2’ wide.  The flowers appear in pale pink to purple whorls, alternating up the stem with leaves. The leaves are deeply lobed into 3. 

Happy Herb Day!

Saturday, May 5 is Herb Day! During the month of May, herbalists and herb lovers all over the nation are celebrating with various events designed to raise awareness about how herbs bring joy and well-being into our daily lives. To learn more about Herb Day, visit www.herbday.org


One of the messages I would like to get out for Herb Day is that herbal medicine has long been known as "the people's medicine". It is for everyone and it should be accessible to anyone who desires to use it...male, female, children, the elderly, even our pets! It is not just for the "crunchy" among us (a stereotype I do not particularly care for). There is a growing body of scientific research validating the traditional uses of many herbs. It is easy to grow some of your own herbs to make your own teas or tinctures, even if you have only a small space. Many grow well in pots and now (spring) is a great time to get started.


If you are ready to learn more, please join me for a FREE herb walk in honor of herb day on Saturday, May 19, 2012. See flyer for details: http://www.artfulherbalist.com/Beauty.htm

“What can I take for…”

 When people learn that I am an herbalist, I often get asked, “what can I take for an upset stomach”, or “what can I take for depression”, etc., etc.  I often tell them that there is no simple answer, like “take a few aspirins if you have a headache.” Or take an antacid if you have upset stomach.”

I have a friend whose mother-in-law saw Dr. Oz talking about the herb California Poppy. This woman now wants her entire family to take this herb because they are all “nuts, anxious, depressed, and in pain”. According to Dr. Oz, this herb can take care of it all! I am glad that Dr. Oz is raising awareness about herbs, but this is a poor approach to using herbs and more likely to fail than an individualized approach.

Working with herbs is often not so simple. If you are depressed, what is making you depressed? How is your digestion and elimination? (most people are surprised to learn that many cases of depression stem from a dysfunctional gastrointestinal system). Maybe your depression is of “hepatic” origin. Is it hormonal depression? Do you feel stuck in your job or in a bad relationship? Are you lonely or bored? Are you depressed because you fear death or illness? Is your depression a drug side-effect? Are you hypothyroid? Have nutritional deficiencies? Blood sugar imbalances? Is your depression seasonal?

There is no single herb that will work for all types of depression. St. John’s Wort has been pigeon-holed as the “Depression herb”. While St. John’s Wort may be effective for a specific type of depression, it does not work for all. I have seen that many people take a “take this for that” approach to herbs because they have heard that an herb is “good for” this or that, and when it does not work, they declare herbs ineffective. The herbalist strives to discover the underlying cause and aims to correct it with a very individualized approach.

Herbalists rarely use a single herb; rather, we use thoughtfully constructed formulations of herbs that work synergistically together – uniquely tailored to the individual. 

Brown Bagging It for Lunch

Anyone who works away from home knows how much of a hassle it is to run out for lunch. You may have to get in your car and drive your destination, then wait in line and order your meal. You shell out your hard-earned dollars for a meal that may not be in your health’s best interest. Many restaurant meals are loaded with salt, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats. Then you scarf it down in minutes in order to make it back to work in time. By the time you return, you may be more frazzled than when you left…with indigestion to boot! Most school cafeteria lunches are notoriously unhealthy, and kids may have little time to eat after waiting in the lunch line.
There is a better way to do lunch that will leave you more refreshed, healthier, and with a few more dollars. By “brown bagging” your lunch, you can enjoy your lunch at a nearby park, an office lounge, or even escape to the solitude of your car. And you may even have time for a short walk, a power-nap,
or meditation when you are finished. Brown bagging it can be healthier for the planet because take out containers from restaurants end up in landfills.
Most people think of a deli meat sandwich when it comes to brown bagging it, but there are so many other possibilities. Here are just a few ideas both adults and kids may enjoy:
• Salads: Lettuce, vegetable, fruit, potato, pasta, bean, egg, shrimp, chicken or turkey, quinoa or rice salad
• Sandwiches: Turkey, ham, tuna, hummus, roasted red pepper/Portobello mushroom and mozzerella, hummus and cucumber, nut butters, avocado/tomato/lettuce, on whole grain bread
• Hard-boiled eggs with ham and cheese roll-ups
• Cottage cheese & fruit
• Cheese and whole grain crackers with veggies & dip
• Tabouli, hummus on a pita, stuffed grape leaves
• Cold leftovers from the night before: meatloaf, quiche, chicken
• Soups and stews can be kept hot in a good insulated container
A high carbohydrate meal can give you a quick burst of energy, but leave you feeling sluggish later in the afternoon. For sustained energy, combine complex carbs with healthy fats with protein, and eliminate simple carbs like sugars, refined flours, and processed foods. For an added boost, enjoy energizing hot or cold teas with your lunch. Try green tea, Tulsi, or peppermint teas.
Some necessary supplies for brown bagging it include: a reusable insulated bag, small reuseable ice packs, and reuseable food and beverage containers. Kids and adults both love the bento-style lunchboxes which have several containers of varying sizes inside a hard-sided box. Some, such as the “Laptop Lunch” system come with a recipe book, beverage container, and utensils.
What are your favorite brown bag lunches?

Natural Solutions for Hay Fever

Hay fever season is upon us early this year in the Mid-Atlantic due to unseasonably mild temperatures. For many people, the first weeks of spring trigger an onslaught of runny nose, congestion, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and itchy ears.

In allergic people, the inhalation of pollen triggers a cascade of events in the upper respiratory tract resulting in the release of histamine. The histamine release causes a hyper-reaction in the surrounding tissues, which results in hay fever symptoms. Over time, these repeated reactions can damage the tissues and can result in increased susceptibility to (or chronic) upper respiratory infections, further hyper-reaction, and chronic rhinitis.

The usual medical treatment for hay fever involves the use of antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids, which can have a number of unpleasant side effects and does not address the root of the problem.

Natural methods for alleviating hay fever must begin about 6 weeks prior to the expected onset of symptoms. Utilizing a combination of approaches is the best bet for successful relief. Among the many possibilities for the natural treatment of hay fever, these are a few:

Botanicals: Use anti-inflammatory herbs like Chinese Scullcap and Forsythia, Schizandra, and Turmeric. Respiratory tonics include Bayberry, Goldenseal (use only sustainably harvested), Eyebright, and Mullein. Modulate immune response with herbs like Reishi, Chinese Scullcap, and Licorice.

Supplements: Fish oils to supply anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids, whole foods vitamin and mineral supplement for antioxidants and anti-inflammatory action, and bioflavonoids for their antihistamine action and to restore capillaries.

Healthy diet: Dairy and flour can encourage mucus production. Fried foods, processed foods, and sugars encourage inflammation. Focus on whole foods like blueberries, onions and garlic, cayenne peppers, and soups and stews which can help thin mucus secretions.

Consult with an herbalist for the proper use of herbs and to find a formulation that is best suited to you. With time and commitment, many people can find natural relief from this annual nuisance.

Superfoods for Every Day

 When you hear the term “superfood”, you may think of exotic foods like noni fruit, acai berries, or mangosteen.  There has been a lot of marketing hype around exotic superfoods, and there have been some pretty impressive claims.  While these foods likely have health benefits, there are less exotic foods that are just as “super”, more readily available, and much less expensive than those foods that have traveled across oceans to reach your stomach. Here are a few of my favorite everyday superfoods:

Green Tea: OK, so tea is not a food, it’s a beverage…a “super beverage”. Green tea contains EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is thought to be one of the most powerful cancer-fighting antioxidants found in nature. Green tea is also rich in heart-protective polyphenols. Evidence is growing showing green tea can help boost metabolism, prevent sun damage, and balance cholesterol. Green tea makes an excellent replacement for those soft drinks in your life. Don’t like the taste of green tea? Try sweetening with a little honey, combine it with other flavorful teas, or mix in a little fruit juice and serve cold.

Blueberries:  Blueberries offer many, many health benefits in one small, tasty package. Other vaccinium species like bilberries, cranberries, whortleberries, and huckleberries have similar benefits. Flavonoids known as anthocyanosides are what give the berries their deep blue-red color. It is this compound that helps protect the vascular system by strengthening capillary walls. This action may result in lowering of blood pressure, reduction of blood clots, and reducing varicosities and bruising. Regular intake may improve night vision and visual acuity. Anthocyanosides are powerful antioxidants.

Garlic and onions: Garlic and onions have been prized for centuries as medicinal foods and for their culinary use. Regular use can help reduce risk of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, gastric and intestinal cancers, and lower LDL cholesterol. Compounds called allyl sulfides and bioflavonoids are thought to be responsible for these benefits. Eating raw garlic and onions during cold and flu season can help ward off those maladies. The minimum effective dose is about 2 tsp. of chopped or crushed garlic, or 2 Tbs. of onions per day depending on body weight. It’s OK to smell bad and feel good :)

Wild Salmon: Besides being an excellent source of high quality protein, wild salmon and other wild fatty fish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are necessary for optimal health and difficult to obtain from plant foods (many people are unable to make the complex conversions from plant foods). These fats play numerous roles in health including:
• Protect heart health and reduce risk of sudden death from heart disease

• Reduce risk of stroke

• Reduce chance of heart disease in Type 2 Diabetes

• Essential in infant brain and eye development during pregnancy and infancy

• Improve blood lipids

• Improve blood vessel function

• Improve symptoms of immune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and some skin conditions

• Reduce the risk of some mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression

• Protective of cell membranes

Kale: Kale is a member of the brassica family, which includes other super vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Brassicas contain sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which appear to be protective against some cancers. Kale is rich in flavonoids, which act as antioxidants, and carotenoids, which protect the eyes and mucus membranes. Vitamin K is abundant in kale, which is important to bone health and for proper blood clotting. Kale contains many minerals like copper, calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus, which are important to overall health.

This is not a full list of my favorite superfoods. I would also have to include walnuts, mushrooms like shittake and maitake, tomatoes, many wild foods like nettles and dandelion, and of course the many spices we use to season our food. If you want to eat for health, think a variety of tasty, nutrient dense foods as they come from nature.

A favorite super supper:

Steam a bunch of kale until tender. Toss with olive oil, chopped garlic, and sea salt. Toss in some chopped bacon, Greek olives, or hot pepper flakes if desired.

Brush wild salmon steaks with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Broil or grill for several minutes on each side until done. While salmon is cooking, melt some butter in a frying pan and stir in some turmeric (a super spice). Add the onions, and cook until soft. When the salmon is done, place the onions and melted turmeric butter on top.

Serve the salmon and kale with a side of wild rice, quinoa, or other cooked grain seasoned with your choice of spices if desired. Serve iced green tea with a slice of lemon or lime as a beverage.

For dessert, serve a bowl of blueberries with or without a dollop of freshly whipped cream. Add other berries like blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and/or cherries and chopped walnuts if desired.

Sensory Herb Garden

One of the benefits of working from home is that if I am feeling stressed, I can go out to my garden for some stress therapy. A few of my favorite stress-busting and uplifting garden plants are lemon verbena, lemon balm, peppermint, lavender, and rose. There's nothing like sticking your nose into a patch of one of these plants for instant aromatherapy. Just looking at plants helps bring the mind to a calmer state. Get out your magnifier, and lose yourself in the delicate intricacies of the leaves and flowers...it is quite amazing! I like to bring a pot or two indoors for winter enjoyment.

Plants that have a lemony scent – like lemon verbena and lemon balm – are reputed to be uplifting. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a member of the mint (lamiaceae) family and it grows and spreads easily. This herb makes a refreshing iced beverage and can be mixed with other uplifting herbs like peppermint and rose petals. The tea can be sweetened with a little honey and frozen into popsicles. The young, fresh leaves can be used in cooking where you would like to impart a lemony flavor. They are delicious with fruit or fish. Lemon balm can also be helpful for nervousness and digestive upsets, especially nervous stomach. Gather lemon balm leaves before the plant flowers.

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla) is perhaps my favorite scent of all and usually the first plant I go to in the garden when I need some stress aromatherapy. Lemon verbena also makes a refreshing tea and is useful for nervousness and depression. In the kitchen, this herb can be used in the same way as lemon balm.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is another member of the mint family, and is quite easy to grow. This herb is useful for nervousness and depression, and can help relieve tension headache and gas. Lavender can be used in a tea, but has a strong flavor and is best mixed with other herbs. A strong tea may be added to bathwater for a relaxing scented bath. The dried flowers may be placed in a small muslin bag and placed inside the pillowcase to help you drift off to sleep. Lavender flowers may be added to cakes, cookies, syrups, and jams. Watch the bees buzz about the flowers for summertime entertainment...it's often better than what is on TV!

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) makes a very refreshing tea and a delightful addition to fruit dishes. Peppermint is effective for a range of digestive and gastrointestinal upsets. Inhaling the scent of peppermint awakens the mind, improves concentration, and uplifts the spirit.

The scent of Roses (Rosa spp.) often induces a happy feeling. Fragrant rose petals can be used as a tea, but are often mixed with other herbs due to their strong flavor. Roses are often used for anxiety, grief, and depression. The petals can be added to baked goods like muffins and pancakes, and go well with fruits like strawberries, peaches and apples. They look beautiful sprinkled on a salad. Use only organic roses, as the commercial varieties are often heavily sprayed.

If you do not have room for a garden, most of these herbs grow well in pots in a sunny area. Herbs can be dried for later use. Herbs are best dried in a dehydrator, but if you do not have one, they can be dried in a hot, ventilated car (out of direct sunlight), a warm ventilated room, or in a very low oven with the door slightly ajar. Store dried herbs in airtight containers away from moisture and light.

Are Medicinal Herbs Safe? Do They Really Work?

Thanks for stopping by my Herblog! Since you are here, you probably have some interest in using herbs to promote health. And if you do not, I hope that you will be inspired to learn more about these amazingly useful plants. My passion is teaching others what I know about herbs. If there is an herbal or natural health topic you would like me to blog about, please leave a comment. In this post, I will address some common concerns.

People are often concerned about the safety of herbs. How do we know that herbs are safe? I like to answer that question with another question...how do we know that – for example, strawberries – are safe? It is because humans have been using them as food for many, many years and we know them to be safe. Of course, a few people may have an allergy or sensitivity to strawberries. This is true for almost any food, and herbs also. How do we know that certain plants are poisonous? At some point in history, humans probably tried to eat these plants and became ill, so we know to avoid these. Humans have been using herbs as medicine for thousands of years (Traditional Chinese Medicine is over 5,000 years old)! Their uses have been recorded all over the world for centuries. Herbs have been and are still the world's primary medicine (75% of the world's population still rely primarily upon traditional healing practices, most of which is herbal medicine). Yes, there are poisonous herbs that do have a place in herbal medicine, but most herbalists avoid using them unless they are very experienced in their use. Today's standardized herbal extracts are another issue. These herbs are more concentrated and drug-like and more likely to cause reactions. They have their place, but I prefer to stick with whole herbs usually in tea or tincture form. Another safety issue occurs when certain herbs are taken with pharmaceuticals. While many herbs are safe to take with pharmaceuticals, and some herbs actually enhance drug actions, there are some drug-herb combinations that are problematic such as those which may occur with blood-thinning and immunosuppressive drugs.


"Do herbs really work?" is a question I am often asked. I also like to answer this with a question...if herbs were ineffective, why would our world's herbal traditions have survived for thousands of years? One would think if something did not work, it would have been disregarded long ago. Modern science is now validating many traditional uses of herbs.  


Many people may try an herb because they have "heard" that it is good for this or that, and do not get the results they expected. Many factors must be understood when using herbs to get optimal results, especially the energetics of the plant. Also important are the quality of plant, the preparation, part of the plant used, and proper dosage. If these important factors are ignored, you may be wasting your time and money, and may even exacerbate certain conditions. Single herbs are rarely used, rather they are combined with other herbs that enhance or balance their effects. People who have taken pharmaceuticals may expect a similar effect from herbs, but herbs often do not work the same way. Herbs are slower acting, and it may take several weeks to months to experience results in chronic conditions. Herbs do not merely cover up symptoms, they act at a deeper level. A good protocol will help to remediate the underlying cause of symptoms. Herbs can also be helpful in many acute situations like cold and flu, and gastrointestinal upsets. Don't take my word for it. I'd like you to experience herbs and decide for yourself! Meet with an herbalist, learn about some herbs that may benefit you, then give them a fair chance.