Category: Christy Baker

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Garlic: The Stinky Savior

Garlic by riesling_76

TheGardenLady has invited people with horticultural interests and expertise to contribute posts to this blog.  The following post  was submitted by Christy Baker, a certified Family Herbalist and Consulting Herbalist.   Christy is currently pursuing a certificate in Horticulture Therapy and a second Master’s in Landscape Architecture.

“Bronx Vanilla”, “Stinking Rose”, “Italian Perfume” or more commonly called today- garlic. Garlic (Allium Sativum) has been known by many names and has enjoyed its fair share of fame and rejection since its first recorded use in Mesopotamia by the Sumerians. In the 1550 BC Ebers Codex of Egypt garlic was included in 22 different medicinal formulas. Dating back to 3200 BC sculptures and paintings of the bulbous plant were found in Egyptian tombs while an Egyptian papyrus boasts of the benefits of garlic in the successful treatment for over 22 ailments of the time. In Korea, the six clove black garlic was given to women to bless them with supernatural powers and immortality. Interestingly, early Christians believed that when Satan left the Garden of Eden underneath his right foot sprang an onion and from his left garlic. The ancient Greeks and Romans used garlic to treat dog bites, repel scorpions, bladder infections, leprosy and asthma. In 1858 Louis Pasteur was able to prove that 1 mm of raw garlic juice was as effective as 60 mg of penicillin. The list of ways garlic has been used over the span of time humans have walked the Earth is plentiful.

The Stinking Rose garlic restaurant by Erwin Bolwidt (El Rabbit)

Due to its high antibacterial content, during World War II British and Russian soldiers used diluted garlic solutions to stave off infections and gangrene. Early Transylvanians used garlic as mosquito repellent (and to ward off more menacing blood suckers); but despite a long and distinguished history garlic was rejected by the American elite, who deemed this powerful bulb unfit for proper ladies and anyone who wanted to court them- however in the warm comfort of immigrant kitchens garlic never lost its place among revered culinary delights. It wasn’t until the 1940’s that Americans once again returned to the beckoning arms of this pungent culinary staple. Today, Americans alone consume 250 million pounds of garlic each year.

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Red Clover: Pink Purifier

Clover Field in Georgia by JamesWatkins

Trifolium Pratense, otherwise known as Red Clover, is an herbaceous perennial member of the legume family that is native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northwest Africa. This gorgeous bulb-like flower with honey scented pink petals has been long revered for its cancer fighting properties, however today it is most often found as a leguminous crop to eventually be used for livestock fodder. The nitrogen fixing properties found in its deep roots has made it a favorite for gardeners and farmers alike, its ability to stop erosion and fix nutrient depleted soil has made it an invaluable resource for soil health.

Crimson Clover by Jim-AR

Upon maturity Red Clover can rapidly reach up to 2 feet in height and this unassuming flower has a long history as a medicinal herb that may have been forgotten in contemporary times. The ancient Chinese would burn the dried plant as cleansing incense, the Irish used the hot tea made from Red Clover flowers as a winter cold deterrent, in the 1917 Health from Field to Forest it was listed as ‘one of the best blood purifiers on earth’, and in the 30’s concentrated concoctions of Red Clover were placed on tumorous growths to encourage the alleviation of cancer; in fact the National Cancer Institute has substantiated Red Clover’s cancer fighting properties.

Red Clover - Trifolium Pratense by A. Walden

Red Clover is full of nutritional properties, containing significant levels of calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, beta carotene and vitamins B3, C, and E. Red Clover stimulates the body’s eliminating systems, encouraging the production of bile and digestive fluids which helps liver and kidney function as well as increasing the efficiency of digestion and the elimination of waste accumulated within the stomach and intestines. Red Clover helps alleviate excess mucus, relaxes the body, relieves arthritis pain, is especially useful as treatment for menopause and the unwanted monthly symptoms of PMS. Red Clover has also been  successfully used in helping weakened immune systems, skin complaints, debilitating and invasive diseases.

Field View 6 by zircon100

Red Clover is overall a wonderful gentle tonic but should be avoided when using blood thinner medication. The best way to enjoy the benefits of Red Clover is steep the dried leaves creating a warm cup of tea at the end of the day (also tastes excellent cold for warmer months), sweetened to taste.

Red Clover by Carey Newton

Please Note: Information provided here is not to replace the medical advice of your physician and is for educational purposes only

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More about Dandelions

Dandelion Fireworks-PHOTO 183-The halfway mark by aussiegall

TheGardenLady enjoyed Christy Baker’s guest post about dandelions that is on TheGardenLady blog. I hope the readers liked reading it, too.

Growing up on a truck farm, I am proud to report that the adjacent town to my town is known today as the dandelion capital of the world. Even the New York Times had an interesting article about Dandelion growing in Vineland, NJ.

Because dandelions were so prevalent, I always wanted to try a recipe for dandelion wine. Obviously lawns, when I was growing up, were not so pristine as they are these days. No one, that I knew, used any herbicides to kill dandelions. They may have been considered weeds even then. I can’t remember, but we children always loved them and loved blowing on the seed heads, dispersing more seeds to turn into yet more dandelions. And the flowers and leaves were always healthy to eat.

Wine recipes always read as an easy wine to make.  But I never tried. However, we had the dandelion leaves for salad.  No one that I knew ever heard of arugela in those days for the bitter green in a salad.

Someone observed that the healthiest diet is the one poor people had to eat in the old days. So consider adding dandelion greens to your diet for health reasons as well as a more diverse green palatte in the salad bowl.

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Dandelion: The Unappreciated Medicinal Warrior

Sinfonía de cristal (Taraxacum officinale) - Dandelion by Arbego

With the dawn of a new year and the approach of spring this is the perfect time to do some internal spring cleaning. Clearing out the buildup of winter feasts is a great way to jump start your system and ensure optimal health.

Dandelion - All Things must pass by Batikart

TheGardenLady has invited people with horticultural interests and expertise to contribute posts to this blog.  The following post  was submitted by Christy Baker, a certified Family Herbalist and Consulting Herbalist.   Christy is currently pursuing a certificate in Horticulture Therapy and a second Master’s in Landscape Architecture.

With a 30 million year history originating in Eurasia, Dandelion, Taraxacum Officinale, was once revered for its healing properties. Today however, most people think of it as a brightly colored nuisance, especially gardeners; the self fertilizing herbaceous plant does a very good job evading eviction. Instead of relentlessly fighting the Dandelion, try embracing its presence, for as many herbalists and naturalists know this small unassuming plant is a nutritious wonder.

Continue reading “Dandelion: The Unappreciated Medicinal Warrior”

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Fenugreek: Seeds of Increase

Fenugreek leaves (Menthi kura) by g.pullareddy

TheGardenLady has invited people with horticultural interests and expertise to contribute posts to this blog.  The following post  was submitted by Christy Baker, a certified Family Herbalist and Consulting Herbalist.   Christy is currently pursuing a certificate in Horticulture Therapy and a second Master’s in Landscape Architecture.

Fenugreek, triganella foenum-graecum, is also known as “Greek Hay” for its long time uses in the livestock industry. Fenugreek has been widely used to make sub par hay and animal feed more palatable. In spite of it’s usage with livestock, this 2 foot unassuming plant has some marvelous abilities when applied to the human species. Generally the leaves and seeds are used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Baby leaves are used in salads, mature leaves are dried and added to savory dishes and the seeds, well the seeds are so versatile and useful they could have their own aisle in any self respecting grocery store.

Fenugreek Seeds by Susan/The Well-Seasoned...

Native to the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Fenugreek is also cultivated in India, Morocco, Egypt, and  England. Assyrians were the first to cultivate this herb in 3000 BC and the Greeks and Romans used it as mouth freshener. Folklore claims that small breasted women would bathe in water infused with Fenugreek seeds in hopes of increasing breast size (no medical findings have been given to support this claim). Fenugreek was widely used to induce childbirth and it was even used as an addition to hair conditioner.

Trigonella foenum-graecum by afuna

Today Fenugreek has been discovered to offer wide and varied medicinal uses aside from increasing breast milk production in lactating women. Fenugreek tea has been noted to reduce fever and menstrual pain; topically it can be made into an ointment and applied to alleviate several different skin ailments such as infections and eczema. Despite its bitter aftertaste, Fenugreek has been noted as an aphrodisiac and been said to increase the male libido. Ground seeds lend a maple flavor to sweets and candies while its powdered form is used as a softening agent in lip balm. Internally it is said to alleviate cough, bronchitis, respiratory issues, and sinus conditions.

Generally the ingestion and topical application of Fenugreek is harmless, however,there are some cautionary notations to accompany its usage. Allergic reactions may include hives, swelling of the throat, lips, tongue, or difficulty breathing. It has been noted that Fenugreek can reduce blood glucose levels, although if taken in conjunction with other medications adverse responses may occur.

An additional benign effect of Fenugreek is that it may turn urine a slightly different color and cause one’s sweat or urine to smell faintly of maple. These side effects are rare and have only been found in extreme cases and most often can be avoided if used responsibly.

For the culinary inclined below you will find a simple recipe using Fenugreek that is said to make an excellent side note or vegetarian main course when paired with rice or couscous. Recipe is courtesy of allrecipes.com

Green Bean Curry

Serves 6

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 onion, sliced

• 1 serrano peppers, thinly sliced

• 1 clove garlic, crushed

• 5 fresh curry leaves

• 1 tablespoon curry powder

• 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

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Christy Baker

I am long term Philadelphia resident. I have a BA in psychology, a Master’s in Family Therapy. I am a certified Family Herbalist and Consulting Herbalist. I am currently pursuing a certificate in Horticulture Therapy and a second Master’s in Landscape Architecture.