| WINTER HEALTH  Take winter seriously - the bugs that go around are much more annoying than the garden variety in summer. Appropriate herbs in dried form can be used to boost immunity and soothe symptoms. Hot tea is always a good idea too.
HERBAL101 FOR SEASONAL WELLNESS:
Safety first with natural medicine! Ensure you or your loved ones are not sensitive to new herbs. Many herbs are gentle enough for anyone, but the few which are particularly potent can be dangerous. Now that the disclaimer has been given, consider starting with a good book as guide. A good herbal encyclopedia goes a long way in being safe with herbs. Read thoroughly before beginning an herbal regiment for wellness, and be aware of allergies. Albuquerque has incredible resources for those seeking assistance with a more natural approach to staying healthy in winter with fewer OTCs etc.
The following is a list of well-known herbs that can be brewed into teas with milder effects and fewer chances of allergy: basil, catmint, catnip, lavender, lemon balm, lemon verbena, rosemary, sage. These can be found or grown in the Albuquerque area, in pots, in flower beds, sunny window indoors, or out. Native American and Central American medicinal traditions have much to offer in the way of plants that can grow happily in the arid, high desert sw: bee balm, hops, osha, yellow dock, yerba mansa plus
NMSU article: yerba del manso
It seems even goatheads have some potential benefits... Spring '08 Research & Resources
In seeking out these herbs, find sources with ethical practices in cultivation of delicate native varieties.  PREPARING TEAS.
safety first with natural medicine! After researching your symptoms, or the herb of your interest, follow guidelines for prep.
NOTE! Be aware that many relaxing tea blends
contain chamomile as an ingredient, found to be a more common allergen
than once thought.
TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH IN THE MODERN ENVIRONMENT, LEARN MORE WITH CAREFUL GUIDANCE: WWW.MINDBODYSPIRITPLACE.COM
Therapeutic Environments is a healing place, merging conventional and natural practices in order to achieve wholeness, healing the mind, body, spirit and environment. Wonderful newsletter too!
| WINTER HABITAT
Be sure to water once/month! Perennials and trees need some moisture year 'round so watch for rain and mark it on your calendar. No rain for three weeks? Be sure to hand water shrubs, bulbs and trees (away from the trunk). FRESH AIR.
Indoors, air can become mighty stale by the time winter solstice rolls around. Scented candles can only do too much, and no one wants to waste heat keeping the door open. No matter what the budget or time, start with one or two of these simple steps: rosemary, lavender and lemongrass ~ sachets and spritzes that incorporate these herbs will help deter moths and lighten stuffy conditions. gather a spray bottle, filtered water of any kind, a handful of your choice in herbs and hot water. Steep the herbs as if making a tea and pour into your spritzer when cool.
sage and smudge sticks ~ sage in particular is understood by many to have cleansing properties. Used in ceremonial practices and every day places too, smudge sticks in sage along with other herbs, and sap producing varieties, produce a pleasant fragrant smoke when burnt, smelling great and freshening stale air. Naturally.
basil ~ used for 1000s of years as a medicinal herb in Eastern traditions, basil has many clearing, cleansing and detoxifying properties. available in seemingly endless varieties, basil is related to many other wonderful herbs and eases many daily ailments.
vinegar can be used along with beneficial herbs, diluted in air sprays and full-strength in cleaners with lemon
FEED THE BIRDS Winter is the most important time to care a little more for our feathered friends. Food is a necessity that more scarce, but water can be even more rare. Birds might have an easy year if the weather was good for fruiting plants and rains plentiful, or difficult year due to
To best support birds, provide the following things in order they appear. The first three things on the list are easy to do any time of year. Start there.
- add fresh water birdbath - shallow and wide. a slightly deep bowl can be filled with decorative rock to make it shallow enough.
- one seed feeder of any description
- second seed feeder of a different kind
- plan for, then plant those varieties that attract and provide food source for birds or beneficial insects. these plants will also provide shelter for birds, drawing them quickly to your house, improving your garden!
- be sure to keep feeders and baths clean
- add a birdhouse or two and hope for the best
- learn more! visit www.nwf.org/outside/ and join other ABQ locals who have had their landscapes certified as wildlife habitats.
LoveYourLeaves articles for the season coming soon!
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