GREEN LAND

                                           THE SEED- FLOWER Human beings have many reasons for growing plants. We use them for food, for building materials, for pleasure, and for many other purposes. A plant really only has one reason to grow: to reproduce and make more plants like it. A life cycle shows how living things grow, change, and reproduce. Many plant life cycles include seeds. This article describes the life cycle of flowering plants. Flowering plants grow from seed Flowering plants produce seeds that are then dispersed from their parents. When a seed comes to rest in an appropriate place with suitable conditions for its germination, it opens. The embryo inside the seed begins to develop into a seedling. The roots grow downward to anchor the plant in the soil. The roots also take in water and nutrients and store food. A shoot grows skyward and becomes a stem that carr...

                                          Flowering  plants Flowering plants are a type of vascular plant that produces flowers to reproduce. Flowering plants produce seeds inside a fruit. The scientific name for flowering plants is angiosperms. Life cycle of a flowering plant Flowering plants follow a specific life cycle. Seed - They begin life as seeds. Seeds are like baby plants. They have a hard outer covering that protects the interior of the seed embryo. Germination - The seed ends up in the soil. It needs air, water and soil to grow. When a seed begins to grow, this is called germination. The first growth is usually a few small roots. Then the stems will grow. Sprout or Seedling – When the first sign of life appears above ground, this is called a sprout or seedling. Mature Plant – The seedling will continue to grow into a fully mature plant with leaves, roots, and stems...

                                                                The Basic Herbal Actions   The Basic Herbal Actions The herbalism is an art and a science with matics as diverse as the unique relationships we form with the plants around us. Whether we learn from our family, a teacher in our community, a book collection, or simply work with the herbs that flourish near us, understanding the language of herbalism can be of benefit in almost all situations. Using these common categories allows us to recognize patterns that can inform our learning process when using a new herb, making formulation decisions, or when needing a substitute for one of our regular preparations. Often times, one plant will exhibit multiple actions, making just a cup of that unique herb as a tea or a splash of tincture the perfect remedy on its own. Here...

                          A guide to common medicinal herbs A guide to common medicinal herbs Here are some common medicinal herbs. Most herbs have not been fully tested to see how well they work or to see if they interact with other herbs, supplements, medications, or foods. Products added to herbal preparations can also cause interactions. Please note that "natural" does not mean "safe." It is important to tell your healthcare providers about any herbs or dietary supplements you are using. Chamomile (Flower) Considered by some to be a panacea, chamomile is commonly used in the US for anxiety and relaxation. It is used in Europe for wound healing and to reduce inflammation or swelling. Few studies have looked at how well it works for any condition. Chamomile is used as a tea or applied as a compress. It is considered safe by the FDA. It can increase sleepiness caused by medications or other herbs or supplements. Chamomile...

                                          Herbal medicine                                                     Herbal medicine What are herbal supplements? Products made from botanicals or plants that are used to treat disease or maintain health are called herbal products, botanicals, or phytomedicines. A product made from plants and used for internal use only is called an herbal supplement. Many prescription and over-the-counter medicines are also made from plant products, but these products contain only purified ingredients and are regulated by the FDA. Herbal supplements may contain whole plants or parts of plants. Herbal supplements come in all forms—dried, chopped, powdered, capsules, or liquid—and can be used in a number of ways, including: Taken as p...

                                                                      HERBS TIPS AND TRICKS Tips and tricks Whether you're new to growing plants or a seasoned expert, our collection of 25 herb gardening tips should help. Enjoy! 1. To make parsley sprout faster, soften the seeds by soaking them in warm water overnight. 2. Thyme plants should be started from seed every two to three years. Older plants are of poor quality for cooking or other uses. 3. Harvest mint frequently to encourage vigorous growth, but grow it in a container or it will take over your garden. 4. Growing sustained, harvestable amounts of herbs indoors requires long periods of bright light. Plenty of light is also required for the plants to produce the oils that give the herbs their flavor. 5. Parsley is credited with all kinds of benefits, includi...

                                                                                Tips for using herbal products safely  Tips for using herbal products safely Buy or use herbal products from a qualified doctor or reputable provider. Request products that are clearly labeled in English with your name, lot number, date, quantity, dosage, instructions, safety information (if applicable), and your doctor's contact details. Avoid using over-the-counter products from a health food store, pharmacy, or the Internet. Please note that products sold online from other countries are not covered by the same quality and safety standards as those sold in Australia. Some Ayurvedic and Chinese products may contain lead, mercury, and arsenic in amounts high enough to be considered toxic. Make sure you...

                                                                            ADVENTURES WITH HERBS   Be adventurous with herbs Herbs can be used in an unlimited number of ways. The more you use herbs, the more adventurous you will become. You're not sure where to start? Follow a recipe that calls for an herb or 2 that you have not used before. Experiment with using other herbs in place of the herbs called for in a recipe to see how the dish turns out. Make your own bouquet garni. Grow some potted herbs on your windowsill or in the garden to use in your kitchen. Visit an Asian market (for example) to try experimenting with new flavors. In addition to enhancing the tastes, smells, appearance, and textures of your food, the more herbs you try, the greater the range of potential health benefits you'r...

                                              HERBAL COMBINATION Herbal combinations Although you can use one type of grass at a time, there are many great combinations that work well as well. Some traditional combinations are: basil - with chives, chilli, garlic, oregano bay - with parsley, thyme, garlic, oregano, marjoram chili - with coriander, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, mint, oregano chives - with basil, garlic, tarragon dill - with chives, garlic, parsley, tarragon garlic - with basil, rosemary, sage, fennel, chilli, coriander oregano - with basil, parsley, chives, thyme, bay leaf, chilli sage - with rosemary, garlic, marjoram thyme - with bay leaf, parsley, garlic, rosemary. As our food landscape is constantly evolving, particularly with the influence brought by new immigrant groups, so is the availability of herbs that were previously rare in Australia. For e...

                      TIPS FOR COOKING WITH HERBS Tips for cooking with herbs Suggestions for cooking with herbs include: Dried herbs have a stronger flavor than fresh ones. As a general rule of thumb, one teaspoon of dried herbs is equal to 4 teaspoons of fresh herbs. If using regular herbs, you can create a "bouquet garni" by tying mixed, chopped herbs into muslin sachets; you can add them to your cooking for flavor, but remove them before serving. Some herbs are tougher than others (such as rosemary and parsley) and will retain their flavor during the cooking process; they can be added at the beginning of cooking. Some herbs are used only to flavor a dish, but are not eaten, for example, bay leaves. The flavor of herbs fades over time, so discard dried herbs after 12 months. Dried whole herbs, in which the leaves are still attached to their stem, tend to have a stronger flavor than loose leaves that are sold in packets or jars. H...

                       COMBINATION OF FOOODS AND HERBS Good combinations of herbs and foods. There are limitless ways to use herbs in your cooking. Here are some traditional pairings to get you started: basil - pesto, tomato sauce, tomato soup, tomato juice, potato dishes, prawns, meat, chicken and poultry, pasta, rice, egg dishes, strawberries bay leaves: soups, stews, stews, meat and poultry marinades, broths chili - meat, chicken and poultry, seafood, tomato dishes, curries chives - salads, chicken, soups, cheese dishes, egg dishes, mayonnaise, vinaigrettes coriander: Asian dishes, stir-fries, curries, soups, salads, seafood, guacamole dil l - salads, sauces, fish, sour cream, cheese and potato dishes fennel - fillings, sauces, seafood, salads garlic: soups, sauces, pasta, meat, chicken, seafood, pesto, salad dressings, bread ginger - cakes, cookies, Asian dishes lemongrass: Asian dishes, stir-fries, curries, seafood, so...