Why Buy an Herb Grinder?

It is sometimes a burden, and a headache, to break down mass amounts of herbs by hand, and thus the herb grinder finds its perfect use. By using a grinder, one may save minutes in the process of breaking down plant material. This means more time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Why put in the extra effort when you don't have to?

Herb grinders also allow adults to show off their own counter culture. At parties and social gatherings, grinders are notoriously useful. An individual may attain a certain rush for being in charge of the grinding and sifting process. It allows the owner to take a crucial role in the fun activities and preparation of such activities. Herb grinders can be lightweight, small, and easily fit into a pant pocket or purse.

Herb

Plastic, aluminum, zinc alloy, and wood are just a few of the materials grinders can be made from. When purchasing a grinder for yourself, or someone special, keep in mind that they are also a personal expression, and certain materials aren't always right for certain people. For example, if you are a clumsy individual, plastic may not be the right choice for you. Although plastic grinders can come in the most variety of colors and unique engravings, dropping one of these can cost you another trip to the store! This is why, aluminum or zinc alloy is the number one choice by consumers who want a unique item that will practically last a lifetime, with the proper cleaning, of course. They come in so many different colors and sizes, and can be engraved with art or logos befitting your personal style. Grinders are a great way to show of your personality, and finding the perfect grinder is an experience you will enjoy undertaking!

Herb grinders come in many different sizes as well. There are two, four, and even five piece grinders. Choosing the right size for you, may depend on the quantity of herbs you are working with, and how fine you want your end result to be. For example, by owning a four piece herb grinder, you will be able to grind up plant material, herbs, and spices into different particle sizes. In the first Compartment, the material is ground and sifted into a second chamber through holes in the base of the first compartment. This chamber is separated by the final chamber by mesh that only allows very fine particles to fall through, perfect for pollen collection!

After you finally make the decision to purchase a grinder, the next big question will be to clean it. When cleaning the grinder, the first step will be to disassemble all of the parts and remove any particle matter, using a q-tip, or a small plastic scraper that comes prepackaged with many grinders. Some plastic grinders are dishwasher safe and can easily be cleaned in that way. The next step, when cleaning metal or aluminum, is to fill an airtight container with isopropyl alcohol, 90% or higher. Place the grinder pieces into the container and close the lid. Let the parts soak for ten minutes then shake the container gently to shake off other particles. Finish by scrubbing away any other particles with a q-tip dipped in the alcohol. Gently brush the mesh screen with a toothbrush. Once done, rinse the grinder with water and let dry. Now you can reassemble your herb grinder.

Why Buy an Herb Grinder?

Adrianna Wallace is an author for Jamullah Art and Poetry Magazine. Jamullah offers a top-notch herb grinder on Freedom Gifts. Pollenator Herb Grinders can be used to cut down time in breaking down herbs. Visit [http://shop.jamullah.com] to purchase a pollenator herb grinder today!

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Zodiac Home Herb Garden

Cultivating a zodiac home herb garden has been practiced amongst many civilizations for centuries. In fact, once upon a time every doctor too was an astrologer because having knowledge of astrology and the zodiac was absolutely essential in being able to diagnose and treat many types of illnesses. There are specific illnesses most commonly associated with a particular zodiac sign. Having this knowledge enabled the doctor to assign a particular herb or herbs to the patient.

A zodiac garden is tailored to an individuals astrological sign. Our ancestors studies the universe, the stars, the planets and nature thus structuring their lives around the amazing sciences stored in the universe. Specific to this topic, these findings provided a clear direction for knowing which types of herbs to plant and when to plant them.

Herb

Many individuals of today are carrying on this practice and personalizing their gardens to their specific astrological signs. The following is an outline of the twelve astrological signs, the body parts that is ruled by the sign, and the herbs associated with the corresponding sign:

Aries

Body: Head

Herbs: carnation, chervil, basil, nettle, catmint, wormwood, geranium, cypress pine.

Taurus

Body: Neck & Throat

Herbs: primrose, mint, thyme, violet, marshmallow, catnip, rose, carnation, saffron, honeysuckle, jasmine, tansy, wormwood, yarrow, soapwort.

Gemini

Body: Hands, Arms, Shoulders And Lungs

Herbs: mint, parsley, anise, Dill, lavender, marjoram, licorice, fennel, honeysuckle, horehound, oregano.

Cancer

Body: Breast And Stomach

Herbs: parsley, sage, aloe, evening primrose, myrtle, cinnamon, lemon balm, hyacinth, bay leaves, water lily.

Libra

Body: Buttocks, Lower Back And Kidneys

Herbs: Catnip, thyme, elderberry, iris, lilies, ivy, St John's wart, lemon balm, bergamot.

Leo

Body: Back, Spine & Heart

Herbs: dill, lemon balm, tarragon, rue, chamomile, clove, sandalwood, frankincense, camphor, eyebright, sunflower.

Scorpio

Body: The Genitals

Herbs: catmint, basil, sage, catnip, honeysuckle, nettle, onion, coriander, garlic, wormwood, elder.

Sagittarius

Body: Liver, Thighs & Hips.

Herbs: chervil, saffron, sage, basil, sage, borage, nutmeg, clove.

Capricorn

Body: Knees, Bones & Joints

Herbs: dill, tarragon, caraway, rosemary, chamomile, lambs ears, rosemary, marjoram.

Aquarius

Body: Ankles, Circulatory System & Shins

Herbs: daffodil, sage, comfrey, rosemary, valerian, fennel, mint.

Pisces

Body: Feet

Herbs: sage, lemon balm, basil, lilac, nutmeg, borage, lilies, clove.

Virgo

Body: Intestines & Nervous System

Herbs: chervil, dill, caraway, mint, morning glory, lily, horehound, lavender, marjoram.

Each sign of the zodiac is associated with one of the following four elements; these elements are water, air, fire and earth. As the moon is traveling through a particular sign of the zodiac it is in one of the four aforementioned elements. For instance, if the moon is in an air sign like Libra it is a good time to plant herbs and root crops. The following is an outline of each element, its corresponding zodiac sign and the ideal time to cultivate and/or harvest your herbs:

Element- Earth: Zodiac Sign: Capricorn, Virgo and Taurus. These signs are fertile signs and therefore a good time for growing herbs.

Element- Water: Zodiac Sign: Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces. It is a good Idea to plant annuals in these signs.

Element- Fire: Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius, Leo & Aries. It is best to harvest during these signs.

Element- Air: Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra & Aquarius. Harvesting or cultivating is ideal when the moon is in an air sign.

Happy Zodiac Gardening!

Zodiac Home Herb Garden

Janet Suzalski is an herb garden enthusiast and enjoys spending her time writing & teaching others about herb gardening. For more great information and tips on cultivating a home herb garden visit her site at http://www.herb-gardening-info.com and while you are there feel free to sign up to her FREE Mini-Course on Herb Gardening Secrets.

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Tarragon - The Anise-Scented Herb for Chicken and Fish

Tarragon is a perennial herb and a member of the aster family, Asteraceae. Native to western Asia and Siberia, tarragon is now cultivated in southern Europe and in North America. Two closely related plants are known as tarragon. Artemisia dracunculus is known as French tarragon and its close cousin, A. dracunculoides, is called Russian tarragon or false tarragon. Russian tarragon has coarser leaves and a less delicate flavor, so it's not considered the true tarragon. The term tarragon may be used for either plant and the herb consisting of their leaves.

The tarragons are hardy herbal plants that rarely set seeds, so propagation is usually via stem cuttings or root division. In order to keep growing the roots must experience a winter period. The root or crown should be taken up, divided and re-planted every three to four years. Leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and the leafy tops cut back to provide fresh herb for the kitchen.

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The twisted leaves of tarragon are narrow, measuring about two inches long. They are used to add flavor and scent to savory foods. The delicate, anise-scented flavor of tarragon enhances mild flavored dishes like chicken and fish. Tarragon is added to herb vinegars, dressings, sauces, fish and seafood, tartar sauce, egg dishes, pasta, poultry, pickles, tomatoes and salads. Chicken salad, potato salad, mayonnaise-based spreads for sandwiches, or sour cream dips for vegetables are delicious ways to appreciate the fresh taste of tarragon. Tarragon is an ingredient in the French herb mixture, fines herbes.

Some flavor is lost on drying, so this herb is best used fresh. However, dried chopped tarragon can be found on grocery spice shelves. Freezing tarragon is a better option than drying it as the aroma and flavor will be stronger. Place a few sprigs of tarragon in a plastic zip bag in the freezer. Use scissors to snip off the amount of tarragon needed for a recipe and replace the frozen tarragon back in the freezer. Harvest the tops of tarragon branches from the herbal garden before flowering begins for the best aroma.

Tarragon is cultivated as a flavoring agent. The herb itself is used in cooking to add its anise-like flavor to savory dishes. On a commercial-scale tarragon is distilled to obtain the essential oil, 0.3 to 1%. The main ingredient in the essential oil is methyl chavicol or estragole. Sometimes called estragon oil, oil of tarragon is used commercially as a flavoring and scenting agent. Components of the essential oil of tarragon may lend it digestive, diuretic and laxative properties.

Tarragon - The Anise-Scented Herb for Chicken and Fish

Naomi Gallagher is a writer and a fantastic cook with a love for machines that help her make the most of her time in the kitchen, like the trusty bosch stand mixer. Learn more about flavorful spices and culinary herbs by visiting kamenstein spice rack, where Naomi serves up a number of articles on the topic.

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The Oregano Herb - How to Grow, Harvest and Propagate the Plant

Oregano is a delightful perennial herb with dark green leaves in opposite pairs, and pretty flowers in pink, purple or white in color. Its flavor is very similar to that of Marjoram, but slightly stronger and more pungent.

The Oregano herb is believed to have come from Greece. Its name means "Joy of the Mountain" in Greek, and the herb is indeed found growing wild on the mountainside of Greece and the Mediterranean. Legend has it that the Greeks fed cows with Oregano to improve the taste of the meat, and Aristotle has recommended the herb as an antidote for poison after he noticed that tortoises would eat the herb after swallowing a poisonous snake.

Herb

Growing Oregano

Oregano grows best in warm climate; for the US, it would mean climate zone 5-9. It might be helpful to know that the herb prefers partial shade as its leaves can be scorched by the full sun. This makes Oregano the perfect choice in shady areas under the big tree, or corners in your garden. If you live in an area with lower climate zone, you can still include Oregano in your herb gardening, with extra care: either transplant them to pots and bring indoors before winter, or cover the plants for protection against frost and harsh winds.

Harvesting Oregano

The Oregano herb is ready for harvest once it reaches 4-5 inches in height. This plant can generally tolerate aggressive harvesting; in fact, frequent pruning can encourage stronger and healthier growth. As a good practice in herb gardening, you can inspect your Oregano for signs of pests during pruning.

Having said that, this herb attracts few pests, except maybe spider mites and aphids if the plant is grown indoors during the winter. If aphids hit, simply spray the plant with insecticidal soap.

Propagating Oregano

It is easy to propagate your Oregano and this can be done by seeding, cuttings and root division. For seeds, it will be helpful to sow them in containers and cover the seeds with only a light layer of soil. This can be done in spring or when the temperature is above 45F.

Similar to Mint, Oregano sends out runners when mature. Roots grow out from these shoots as soon as they touch the soil... While this means that the herb is very easy to propagate, there is a risk of Oregano overrunning your garden. A solution would be to contain the herb's growth in a pot (either with or without the bottom removed) and place it deep in the soil, or simply grow Oregano as a container plant.

Oregano Uses

While the Oregano herb is mostly used in perfume making in the commercial world, it has an important place in Mediterranean cooking. After all, it is affectionately known as the "pizza" herb!

If you decide to use Oregano as a culinary herb, I would recommend Greek Oregano, which has the classic Oregano flavor. Other varieties include the Mexican Oregano (mostly used as an ingredient for chili powders because of its more pungent flavor), and Golden Oregano, a variety with milder flavor and primarily used as ornamental herbs.

Lastly, a couple of tips for your culinary delight: throw in the herbs only towards the end of the cooking, as the Oregano leaves tend to turn bitter under strong heat. Also, please note that unlike most herbs, dried Oregano tastes stronger than its fresh form. Enjoy!

The Oregano Herb - How to Grow, Harvest and Propagate the Plant

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Megan Saurus is a dedicated herb gardener and author, and someone who is passionate about quality cooking, health and life. Besides herb gardening, she enjoys cooking, maks potpourri gifts for family and friends, and reads with her kids. To learn about other herbs for a wonderful Italian herb garden, please visit her website at http://herbgardeningcenter.com

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