Archive for the ‘Lavender’ Category

Tips on Using Purple Wedding Decorations

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Your wedding day is a chance for you to become a princess, and what better accent to have than the royal color of purple. With all the different shades of this color, it will be available for you in any season. From soft lavender, bright violet, or a deep plum, your wedding would be fit for a king and queen.

Once you have the color for your bridesmaids dresses, bring a swatch of fabric to your florist to find flowers that will complement the shade you have chosen. Violets, iris, orchids, and the also popular hydrangea can all be purchased in a shade of purple. Hydrangea in particular dry very well, so if you choose this hearty flower for your centerpieces, you and some of your guests may take one home and have it as a reminder of your wedding day. On the color wheel, purple and yellow are complements; consider throwing a dash of a complementing color into your flower arrangements and bouquets. Depending on the season, you can pair purple with yellow, deep greens, and bright pinks.

The swatch of color can also be a useful reference when choosing table linens, and even for cake decoration. Fondant and icing can be tinted to match just about any color, so share your shade with your bakery or cake decorator for a perfect match.

A sprig of lavender wrapped around the dinner napkin will look and smell good to your guests. Lavender infused tea can be served with a dessert of poached plums, or a soothing lavender lotion can be a perfect thank you gift for guests to take away them.

Achieving the Best Design For Your Herb Garden

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Herb garden designs are highly personal, as each person has a specific look they are trying to accomplish. Some are not as interested in the look as they are the herbs themselves. No matter what you are looking to accomplish, a good design is very important. A good design can make the difference between a garden, which thrives, and one that struggles. Since there is no point in planting a garden you don’t want to survive, you will do well to learn about planning. You do not have to be an expert in order to design a good garden. You only need to know what your plants need in order to thrive. Giving them what they require is easy with the right design.

Wind is something a lot of herb garden designs do not take into consideration. So much attention is placed on aesthetics; factors such as wind are ignored. Most herbs do not do well in windy conditions. In order to allow your plants to grow, you will want to protect them from strong winds. A good idea is to gauge how strong the winds are in your area. Next you will want to figure out what direction the wind blows most often. This can be accomplished with something as simple as a streamer attached to a stick. Making the stick as tall as your herbs will allow you to see how they might be affected. Blocking or slowing down wind can be accomplished by using walls or hedges.

Different herbs require different amounts of light. Great herb garden designs provide only the right amount of light to your plants. The packet of seeds you buy from the store should be able to tell you how much or how little shade your plant will need. Plants like lavender, oregano, thyme and rosemary require about 7 hours of direct sunlight. Others like mint, lemon balm, parsley, and chervil benefit from being in partial shade. Overhangs with vines and lattice will provide shade as needed. Box hedges and walls can also provide the necessary shade. Just make sure the plants that need the most sunlight have the exposure they need. You will notice brown leaves on plants getting too much light.

Being careful of plants which are considered invasive helps your garden maintain it’s appearance. Most herb garden designs will include barriers for plants like lavender, mint and chives. Lavender does well in a pot. It helps to accentuate the appearance of the plant itself while containing it. Try to make sure the wind will not blow across the lavender to the rest of your garden. The seeds from this perennial have been known to spread yards away from where the plant is. Do not be surprised if you start growing herbs outside of your garden parameters.

When planning herb garden designs, many people want to include a walkway. This is a great idea as long as it is done correctly. You will want to avoid anything that will negatively affect the garden itself. Paved walkways are a big no-no. This is because the water will run off from the walkway and drown your plants. If you want something hard to walk on, you can use large stones, or cobble stones. This will allow water to be absorbed by the ground around the stones. You will be spared from having to walk on mud, but keep your plants healthy.

Purple Power – Good Feng Shui

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Throughout history it has been no accident what so ever that the color purple has curried great favor with the most influential and power personalities and groups of people. The art and science of Feng Shui holds the color of the spectrum purple as having great powers and effects in the lives of you, your family, friends and co-workers. Use the great effects and powers of the color purple when it comes to Feng Shui affected decisions in both planning and implementing changes and improvements in your surroundings – be it home or office , bedroom or kitchen .

Purple can be said to “make you money “, improve your financial status and life and work towards personal wealth and power. Weddings and family events – such as a banquet held in the restaurant of your local prestigious hotel are a good place to start with an emphasis towards increasing the saturation levels of this specific color of the rainbow – purple. It is no secret in the hospitality trades that businesses prosper with the color purple indicate advertising, art studios, television and film companies, psychologist’s offices, gift stores and even lighting fixture businesses. Its not only the rich texture of the color, it’s the glow, power and vibrancy afforded. You may well have noted that in some eateries – with power and prestige that the standard color choices of walls and furnishings seem to be a basic mix of purple and grey. You might have been mistakes in thinking that perhaps it was convenience or maintenance, or just an ethnic, cultural or family preference of the owner’s or management of that fine dining establishment or inn. Its not just coincidence , or personal preferences in this case but a well known fact , well known and held in the lodgings and hospitality and service trades – well known from years and eons of expertise and experience.

Lastly the color purple affects and enhances personal peace, wisdom and self growth. Any rooms whose functions involve thought planning and meditation can benefit from color choices of purple or even its offshoot cousin – lavender shades of the rainbow. Purple will enhance concentration and the benefits of meditation especially if it is in the form of soft, lavender colored light. This can easily be afforded and accomplished through the choice and choices of lavender colored crystals on lamp fixtures should you be involved in home upkeep , maintenance and major upgrades be at home , even the office , banquet and hotel facilities. The crystals of your well chosen new light fixtures can be strategically placed so that they cast lavender rainbows on surrounding walls. Lastly you can arrange or hang a purple tinted stained glass window or other decorative setting in your window or window fittings to create more purple tinted natural or incandescent light.

All in all it can be said that the specific color of purple well chosen , can have great effect and influence both in your home – for yourself , your family and friends , major family events – such as weddings , receptions and banquets and lastly at your place of business not only to enhance your personal prosperity and good fortune but also to welcome and make your guests and customers feel at ease with their selves , their surroundings and indeed their own mental states , good fortunes and prosperity.

Feng Shui.

Home Remedies for Hair Loss

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Hair loss is a metabolic disorder which occurs due to improper diet, lack of vitamins, heredity, stress, anxiety, prolonged illness, poor blood circulation and dirty scalp. Hair may start falling, thinning or even disappearing.

Some home remedies or natural remedies for preventing hair loss are as follows -

1. Lavender oil is known to be very useful in increasing hair growth. Massage the scalp with lavender oil three times a week and you”??ll notice a significant increase in re-growth of your hair. You can even spray the lavender oil to scalp. After massaging or spray, leave it for approximately 15 minutes before washing with shampoo.

2. Take ? teaspoon of margosa oil, ? teaspoon of teatree, 15 drops of lavender and rosemary essential oil. Take a cup of lukewarm water (preferably distilled water) and mix the above mentioned ingredients in it. Shake well because oil can separate from water. Apply directly on the scalp. This helps in healing and soothing the infectious area and re-grows the hair back. These ingredients can be used without water also. Instead of water use ? cup of almond or olive oil. Always try a patch test to ensure that you are not allergic or sensitive to these oils. Pregnant women should not use rosemary oil. This is one of the best home remedies for hair loss

3. Take 4 tablespoons of henna leaves and boil these with one cup mustard oil. Strain it and store in a bottle. Massage your scalp with this oil regularly.

4. Take 5 tablespoons of curd. Add 2 tablespoons of chholia (gram raw) powder and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to it. Apply on scalp and hair. Leave for an hour. Wash after this to stop hair fall.

5. You can also apply red henna on the scalp directly. Wash after one hour. Repeat this in regular interval of 10-15 days. Henna is a good conditioner and strengthens the hair as well. The only problem is that your hair might turn red. To avoid this, you can mix amla powder to henna.

6. Take fenugreek seeds and grind them with water to make a paste. Apply on the head for at least 40 minutes. Now wash your hair. Do this regularly for one month to get good results.

7. Massaging is good for hair health. Massage your hair with aloe vera gel or coconut milk. After half an hour, rinse with lukewarm water. Do this at least three times a week.

8. Mix egg yolk and honey. Massage the scalp and hair with the paste. Wash hair after 30 minutes.

9. Take fresh leaf juice of amaranth and apply to hair. It keeps the hair soft and helps them to re-grow.

10. Take 100 gm amla, reetha and shikakai. Mix these ingredients and boil in 2 lt water. Strain the liquid and wash your hair with this. It is a well known and proved home remedy for hair loss.

11. Mix triphla powder with aloe vera. Apply this paste to hair. Do this regularly for 3-6 months. It helps in hair re-growth.

12. Apply castor oil on hair roots an scalp. Don”??t apply it on hair. Now wrap your hair with some newspaper. Tie a scarf over head and leave for overnight. You can wash your hair next morning. Repeat this treatment after 8-10 days. It helps in preventing hair loss.

Signs Of Insomnia – Natural Products For Relieving Stress, Anxiety, and Insomnia

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Signs Of Insomnia

In currently high paced world it seems this for multiple people, the solution for everything is to clearly pop one or two new fad drug; however, there are great, non-addictive, likely alternatives to struggling with stress, anxiety, and insomnia that does not cause you to spend still more little bit at the pharmacy. There are a wide range of affordable, easy to use natural products that can help you get the reprieve that you need.

Natural products can come in a variety of methods for helping you to ease tension and get to sleep ranging from Aromatherapy products, aromatic bath salts and oils, essential oils, herbal teas, and supplements so you are sure to find any number of natural products to help you relax in a safe and easy way. Natural products in the aromatherapy category can range from candles, oil diffusers, sachets and pillows, and even these great little sleeping mists that you can use to spray your bed linens before you go to bed; the lavender and other aromatherapy elements of the spray help you to relax and soothes you to sleep. Signs Of Insomnia

What effect you wish to achieve is the main determinant of which scent you would want. Most of the pillows and sleeping sprays, for example, come in lavender or some combination of lavender, chamomile, or sandalwood as well as other essential oils because of their ability to relax you, ease stress, and promote a restful sleep. Aromatic bath salts and oils utilize most of the same elements and scents that are used in other aromatherapy products but give you the added enjoyment of a luxurious bath, which in itself can do wonders for a stressful day.

That is much the same of essential oils which you can use in a variety of ways, for example, rubbing lavender oil on your temples can help to relieve the stress of a tension headache. Cardamom is also a common essential oil to hep with fatigue and is known for its warm and comforting effect as well as its ability to promote clarity. All of these natural products utilize the the soothing properties of the aromas to help calm and soothe you. Herbal remedies, unlike aromatherapy, actually work with your body and an be taken a variety of ways.

These natural products most often come in teas or supplements that you can take should tea not be your thing. When it comes to natural products in the tea categories, some of the most common choices include chamomile which does wonders for combating insomnia without any of the addictive properties of sleeping pills. Valerian root is another element of many natural products that you find to treat stress and insomnia because it has been used for generations to help promote relaxation and induce sleep.

With herbal remedies; however, if you are on medication, are pregnant, or have health concerns you should consult your health care provider. Some herbs, chamomile for example, is not to be taken by pregnant women and others can interfere with certain types of medications so be sure to seek advice before beginning any herbal regiment. Using natural products to help sooth away the effects of stress and anxiety and to treat insomnia can be very simple and yield great rewards so try one of the many natural products available and start getting a good night’s sleep. Do your body a favour. Have a good sleep tonight! Download your Signs Of Insomnia eBook now!

Natural Medicine

Monday, January 10th, 2011

It is important that parents and caretakers have a first aid box and procedure book on hand, in the home, in the event of accidents, illnesses, and emergencies. Here are some natural remedies to disinfect, soothe, and prevent further swelling of bug bites and stings that should be prepared and kept in the first aid box, along with first aid procedure for removing a bee or wasp stinger.

Bug bites are often painful, terribly itchy, and can swell up to quite large. A bee or wasp sting is painful and the sooner you remove the stinger and treat the wound, the better and faster there will be relief and less swelling.

You can easily and effectively treat bug bites, bee and wasp stings and even black widow spider bites with these natural remedies.

It is important to follow first aid procedures first before applying the remedy for healing.

First Aid Treatment

DO NOT SQUEEZE THE STINGER AT ALL WHILE IT IS STILL IN THE SKIN.

1. Remove the stinger carefully and slowly. DO NOT SQUEEZE IT. Squeezing it will release further venom into the blood stream. Immediately discard the stinger in the trash.

2. Clean the wound with an antiseptic.

Natural Remedies Recipes

Plantain Leaves Natural Remedy

1. Crush plantain leaves to extract their juice.

2. Apply the juice over the wound and apply a loose band aid.

Toothpaste Home Remedy

1. Apply toothpaste to the wound and cover with a band aid.

Homeopathic Remedy #1

-Apply Apis Mallifica 30x to reduce inflammation, pain, burning and stinging. -Cover with a band aid

Homeopathic Remedy #2

-Apply Cantharis 30c for bee or wasp stings and cover with a band aid.

Homeopathic Remedy #3 – For severe allergic reactions to bee stings or black widow bites

-Apply Carbolicum Acidum, 30 c and cover with a band aid

Homeopathic Remedy #4 For itching, pain, and burning

-Apply Urtica Urens, 30c and cover with band aid.

Insect Bite Oil

-1tsp lavender essential oil (stops itching and reduces swelling) -1 tbls vegetable oil -Mix ingredients and apply to the wound. Cover with band aid. DO NOT USE THIS OIL AROUND EYE AREA

Extra strength Sting Paste

-1 tbls Echinacea root tincture – 1 tbls distilled water -1/8 tsp lavender essential oil -1 tbls Bentonite clay -Combine Echinacea, water, lavender and mix. -While stirring the clay, slowly and gradually add the mixture. -Apply this paste to the wound. It will stick to the skin. Store the paste in an air tight container to avoid it drying out. If it does dry out add a little water to bring it back to paste form. Use over a few days if need be.

Avoid Mosquito bites with this natural remedy, which acts as a mosquito repellent.

-1 tsp Lavender oil -Rosemary (seasoning from the grocery store) -Grind both together and apply to your skin.

Do you know?

* Do you know that applying sugar over a bite wound will keep it from scarring?
* Do you know a slice of raw onion on an animal bite will fight infection and draw out any poison?

Parents can prepare the above natural remedies ahead of time, store them in an air tight container and keep them in the first aid box or natural remedy cabinet so they are ready to use when bug bites or bee stings occur.

Put Nature to the test – Use natural remedies for cold and flu as apposed to over the counter.

The Best Herb Garden Plants For Inside Your Home

Sunday, January 9th, 2011

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Many people want to know which herb garden plants will grow best inside your home. Well the answer is simple. Nearly all herb garden plants can be grown inside. However, before you go move your entire container garden inside there are some things to consider. Individual herb garden plants will require different environments in order to grow well.

Growing herb garden plants in your home is not only a great way to add tons of great flavor to food, but it?s also a great way to add beauty to your home. Many herb garden plants are quite beautiful, in addition to being useful. Take, for example, Lavender. Lavender has small, pretty, light purple flowers and is not only beautiful to look at, it is also edible. Lavender is popular in some European cuisines and it is also popular in health and beauty products. Instead of paying a fortune for Lavender infused oil, you can simply make your own and have complete control over the result.

When you grow herb garden plants in your home, it?s important to consider where the plants will be placed. Some herb garden plants such as Basil, Oregano, Thyme or Sage prefer full sun, whereas herbs like Chervil and Mint prefer partial sun. Often those who are trying to grow herb garden plants indoors find that it is helpful to use artificial light sources. Fluorescent light bulbs are an affordable way to provide light to your plants in the right spectrum to help them grow. There are other forms of grow light bulbs as well, but fluorescent bulbs are the most affordable and widely available option.

Another important consideration to be made when growing herb garden plants in your home is water. Some plants, such as varieties of Mint, like a lot of water whereas plants like Thyme and Sage do not. Water is something easy to control in an indoor garden. Just be sure that you make a note of which plants need to be watered frequently so that you don?t end up over watering your drought resistant plants.

Growing an herb garden indoors is a great way to begin gardening. Herbs are easy to grow in comparison to other plants like roses or citrus trees. Several different types of herbs can be started from the cuttings of healthy plants, although most are started from seed. Most seed packages will tell you what type of environment that your plants need. Since you won?t be planting them outdoors, you won?t have to worry about frosts and freezes in regards to when you plant.

One last thing to keep in mind when planting an indoor herb garden is the container you plant your herbs in. You will want to be sure that you plant your herbs in containers that are attractive, but also that those containers are adequate for the herbs you put in them. Some plants, such as Mint, like very moist soil, so you would put it in a pot that allowed it to stay moist.

Indoor herb gardens are beautiful, practical and easy to grow. With little effort, you can enjoy fresh herbs all year long.

The Best Herb Garden Plants For Inside Your Home

Sunday, January 9th, 2011

?

?

Many people want to know which herb garden plants will grow best inside your home. Well the answer is simple. Nearly all herb garden plants can be grown inside. However, before you go move your entire container garden inside there are some things to consider. Individual herb garden plants will require different environments in order to grow well.

Growing herb garden plants in your home is not only a great way to add tons of great flavor to food, but it?s also a great way to add beauty to your home. Many herb garden plants are quite beautiful, in addition to being useful. Take, for example, Lavender. Lavender has small, pretty, light purple flowers and is not only beautiful to look at, it is also edible. Lavender is popular in some European cuisines and it is also popular in health and beauty products. Instead of paying a fortune for Lavender infused oil, you can simply make your own and have complete control over the result.

When you grow herb garden plants in your home, it?s important to consider where the plants will be placed. Some herb garden plants such as Basil, Oregano, Thyme or Sage prefer full sun, whereas herbs like Chervil and Mint prefer partial sun. Often those who are trying to grow herb garden plants indoors find that it is helpful to use artificial light sources. Fluorescent light bulbs are an affordable way to provide light to your plants in the right spectrum to help them grow. There are other forms of grow light bulbs as well, but fluorescent bulbs are the most affordable and widely available option.

Another important consideration to be made when growing herb garden plants in your home is water. Some plants, such as varieties of Mint, like a lot of water whereas plants like Thyme and Sage do not. Water is something easy to control in an indoor garden. Just be sure that you make a note of which plants need to be watered frequently so that you don?t end up over watering your drought resistant plants.

Growing an herb garden indoors is a great way to begin gardening. Herbs are easy to grow in comparison to other plants like roses or citrus trees. Several different types of herbs can be started from the cuttings of healthy plants, although most are started from seed. Most seed packages will tell you what type of environment that your plants need. Since you won?t be planting them outdoors, you won?t have to worry about frosts and freezes in regards to when you plant.

One last thing to keep in mind when planting an indoor herb garden is the container you plant your herbs in. You will want to be sure that you plant your herbs in containers that are attractive, but also that those containers are adequate for the herbs you put in them. Some plants, such as Mint, like very moist soil, so you would put it in a pot that allowed it to stay moist.

Indoor herb gardens are beautiful, practical and easy to grow. With little effort, you can enjoy fresh herbs all year long.

The Best Herb Garden Plants For Inside Your Home

Sunday, January 9th, 2011

?

?

Many people want to know which herb garden plants will grow best inside your home. Well the answer is simple. Nearly all herb garden plants can be grown inside. However, before you go move your entire container garden inside there are some things to consider. Individual herb garden plants will require different environments in order to grow well.

Growing herb garden plants in your home is not only a great way to add tons of great flavor to food, but it?s also a great way to add beauty to your home. Many herb garden plants are quite beautiful, in addition to being useful. Take, for example, Lavender. Lavender has small, pretty, light purple flowers and is not only beautiful to look at, it is also edible. Lavender is popular in some European cuisines and it is also popular in health and beauty products. Instead of paying a fortune for Lavender infused oil, you can simply make your own and have complete control over the result.

When you grow herb garden plants in your home, it?s important to consider where the plants will be placed. Some herb garden plants such as Basil, Oregano, Thyme or Sage prefer full sun, whereas herbs like Chervil and Mint prefer partial sun. Often those who are trying to grow herb garden plants indoors find that it is helpful to use artificial light sources. Fluorescent light bulbs are an affordable way to provide light to your plants in the right spectrum to help them grow. There are other forms of grow light bulbs as well, but fluorescent bulbs are the most affordable and widely available option.

Another important consideration to be made when growing herb garden plants in your home is water. Some plants, such as varieties of Mint, like a lot of water whereas plants like Thyme and Sage do not. Water is something easy to control in an indoor garden. Just be sure that you make a note of which plants need to be watered frequently so that you don?t end up over watering your drought resistant plants.

Growing an herb garden indoors is a great way to begin gardening. Herbs are easy to grow in comparison to other plants like roses or citrus trees. Several different types of herbs can be started from the cuttings of healthy plants, although most are started from seed. Most seed packages will tell you what type of environment that your plants need. Since you won?t be planting them outdoors, you won?t have to worry about frosts and freezes in regards to when you plant.

One last thing to keep in mind when planting an indoor herb garden is the container you plant your herbs in. You will want to be sure that you plant your herbs in containers that are attractive, but also that those containers are adequate for the herbs you put in them. Some plants, such as Mint, like very moist soil, so you would put it in a pot that allowed it to stay moist.

Indoor herb gardens are beautiful, practical and easy to grow. With little effort, you can enjoy fresh herbs all year long.

Growing Herbs Indoors – Fragrance In Every Room

Saturday, January 8th, 2011

There are many reasons why a house might get an unpleasant odour.? Many people with cats and dogs find that a certain corner of their house has given itself over to smelling like a litter box, or you may have just moved into an apartment or an older house and it currently sports a musty smell.? Even the well-kept house can get a slight odour after being closed up all winter.? Thankfully, we can add fragrance to every room in our home by growing herbs indoors. ?

Herbs are my favourites over flowers when it comes to adding a pleasant scent to my home.? First of all, flowers only produce a scent when they are blooming.? Even indoor flowering plants will not bloom all year round.? In addition, the scent of flowers can sometimes overpower the atmosphere of a room and give it an overpowering feeling.? This is especially true during the winter when you have to keep your house shut up and the combination of central heating and flowers can be overwhelming.? Growing herbs indoors releases a fragrance whether or not the herbs are blooming and their scent is generally more subtle than that of flowers, their perfume is often fresh and light. In fact, some herbs do not even release scent unless you brush up against them.? Therefore, if you are looking for a light, clean scent to fill your rooms, growing herbs indoors is the answer.

As you look around for herbs to add a pleasant aroma to your home, you will find there are many from which to choose.? In the kitchen it is good to consider practicalities as well as scents.? If the area where we prepare food is occasionally visited by fruit flies or other small insects, then growing herbs indoors like garlic and chives will keep insects out.? These two herbs also continually fill the kitchen with the smells of good cooking, so they are great for the windowsill above your sink.? Basil is another great herb to keep in the kitchen: it is primarily used for cooking, but after it is snipped it releases a light and fresh fragrance.

You can help the health of your pets by growing herbs indoors – in fact, pennyroyal is a good herb to keep around.? You might find the odour a little pungent, so it is better if confined to the litter box or sleeping area of your pet – but remember to keep it up on a high shelf as the leaves are toxic to eat.? The scent and oil of the pennyroyal will keep away fleas, therefore as you harvest its leaves, rub the oil on your pet collar and bedding.

Lavender may be the most popular way to add fragrance to your home with herbs.? Lavender produces a sweet-smelling purple flower.? These flowers can be used in cake decoration or can be dried and placed in sachets.? Dried lavender keeps your clothes smelling great and will also repel moths just as effectively as camphor balls.? Since lavender is a hearty plant, you should be able to keep it in any room that gets adequate sunlight.

If you are looking at growing herbs indoors you might want to try rosemary in the bathroom since rosemary is a semi-tropical Mediterranean herb that loves hot and humid conditions.? Of course, it needs some natural light or a grow light in order for it to flourish and it will gift you with a wonderful light scent that is reminiscent of evergreen needles. ?

Mint is an amazing way to bring a variety of sweet aromas into your house.? These days, mint has been bred to produce a wide array of scents.? You can find traditional spearmint and peppermint, but there is also lemon, lime, orange, banana, ginger, and chocolate mint. All these mints produce the same scent as their namesake.? If you are feeling creative, you could even create a ?fruit bowl? of citrus mints to act as an original centrepiece to your dining room table.

As you start to add fragrance to every room in your home by growing herbs indoors you will quickly see what an enjoyable and rewarding process this can be.