White tea health benefits

Jun 6, 2010 Deanna Lynn Sletten
White tea comes from the same species of plant (Camellia sinensis) as green, black and oolong tea but is processed differently to give it a softer, smoother flavor. Although fewer studies have been done on white tea as compared to green tea, the studies on white tea have shown it to be more effective in preventing certain diseases as well as being an overall healthier choice.

Why White Tea May be Healthier than Green Tea

White tea is produced mainly in China from the Camellia sinensis plant but this particular species contains more buds than leaves. The buds and young leaves are picked, steamed immediately and dried, allowing for the freshest tea possible. The processing of green tea involves the picking of mature leaves that are then steamed or fried and then rolled. The extra processing of the green tea leaves is believed to take away from its health benefits. Researchers from Oregon State University who studied the health benefits of white tea for cancer prevention believe that it is the combination of the young buds and leaves of the white tea as well as the way it is processed that allows it to maintain a higher concentration of polyphenols (catechins) than green tea that protect against some diseases.

White Tea and Cancer Prevention

In March, 2000, the first ever study of white tea for cancer prevention was presented at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society. In the wake of reports on the cancer-fighting ability of green tea, researchers at Oregon State University wanted to find out if white tea possessed the same antioxidant levels as green tea. They tested four different varieties of white tea and found that white tea inhibited DNA mutations, the earliest steps leading to cancer, more effectively than green tea. While white tea has the same types of polyphenols as green tea, it was found that it contained different proportions.


Read more at Suite101: White Tea: Health Benefits May be More Effective than Green Tea http://www.suite101.com/content/white-tea-health-benefits-may-be-more-effective-than-green-tea-a245646#ixzz155bsASUF

White tea health benefits

Jun 6, 2010 Deanna Lynn Sletten
White tea comes from the same species of plant (Camellia sinensis) as green, black and oolong tea but is processed differently to give it a softer, smoother flavor. Although fewer studies have been done on white tea as compared to green tea, the studies on white tea have shown it to be more effective in preventing certain diseases as well as being an overall healthier choice.

Why White Tea May be Healthier than Green Tea

Crock Pot Recipes

Easy slow-cooker recipes.

Crock pot chicken recipes, stew recipes, goulash recipes and more easy slow-cooker recipes.

( Found these at EatingWell.com )

Our healthy crock pot recipes make a delicious dinner for fall. Our slow cooker stew recipes, pot roast recipes, chicken recipes and goulash recipes are fragrant, hearty dishes that are easy to prepare. Try our Wine & Tomato Braised Chicken for an easy crock pot chicken recipe or Slow-Cooker Black Bean-Mushroom Chili for a healthy chili recipe to feed your family.
Begin »

More Healthy Crock Pot Recipes

• Easy Slow Cooker and Crock Pot Recipes
• Healthy Beef Crock Pot Recipes and Healthy Beef Slow Cooker Recipes
• Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes and Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
• Healthy Lamb Slow Cooker Recipes and Healthy Pork Crock Pot Recipes
• Healthy Vegetarian Crock Pot Recipes and Healthy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes

Crock Pot Recipes

Easy slow-cooker recipes.

Crock pot chicken recipes, stew recipes, goulash recipes and more easy slow-cooker recipes.

( Found these at EatingWell.com )

Our healthy crock pot recipes make a delicious dinner for fall. Our slow cooker stew recipes, pot roast recipes, chicken recipes and goulash recipes are fragrant, hearty dishes that are easy to prepare. Try our Wine & Tomato Braised Chicken for an easy crock pot chicken recipe or Slow-Cooker Black Bean-Mushroom Chili for a healthy chili recipe to feed your family.
Begin »

More Healthy Crock Pot Recipes

• Easy Slow Cooker and Crock Pot Recipes
• Healthy Beef Crock Pot Recipes and Healthy Beef Slow Cooker Recipes
• Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes and Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
• Healthy Lamb Slow Cooker Recipes and Healthy Pork Crock Pot Recipes
• Healthy Vegetarian Crock Pot Recipes and Healthy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes

Prevent formation of kidney stones

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2004 Nov;154(21-22):523-7.

[Goldenrod--a classical exponent in the urological phytotherapy].

[Article in German]

Melzig MF¹.

Author information

Herbal remedies based on goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea L.) have been well-tried for centuries in the treatment of urinary tract diseases. Investigations in molecular pharmacology could show new mechanisms responsible for the biological effect of natural product from goldenrod extracts. The use of such herbal preparations with a rather complex action spectrum (anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, diuretic, antispasmodic, analgesic) is especially recommended for treatment of infections and inflammations, to prevent formation of kidney stones and to help remove urinary gravel. This therapy is safe at a reasonable price and does not show drug-related side-effects.

Prevent formation of kidney stones

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2004 Nov;154(21-22):523-7.

[Goldenrod--a classical exponent in the urological phytotherapy].

[Article in German]

Melzig MF¹.

Author information

Herbal remedies based on goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea L.) have been well-tried for centuries in the treatment of urinary tract diseases. Investigations in molecular pharmacology could show new mechanisms responsible for the biological effect of natural product from goldenrod extracts. The use of such herbal preparations with a rather complex action spectrum (anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, diuretic, antispasmodic, analgesic) is especially recommended for treatment of infections and inflammations, to prevent formation of kidney stones and to help remove urinary gravel. This therapy is safe at a reasonable price and does not show drug-related side-effects.

Five reasons to enjoy fresh peaches this summer

 

By Julie Daniluk, R.H.N. | Chatelaine – Mon, 8 Aug, 2011 12:00 AM EDT

While sweating through an Ontario heatwave, I found nothing more enjoyable than relaxing by the water with a cold peach. As many of us know, the juice from a fresh peach inevitably ends up running down your chin, but it's worth it - not only for the taste, but also for the iron, potassium, niacin and vitamin C the fruit provides.

Five more reasons to enjoy fresh peaches while they're in season
1. They may help prevent respiratory infections: Peaches are packed full of vitamin C, which has been shown to not only boost your entire immune system, but also specifically to prevent lung infections. Make the most of your summer by stocking up these delicious treats to ward off a dreaded summer cold.

2. Peaches could help with weight loss: Besides being packed full of fiber and water, peaches are also very high in beta-carotene. Recent studies have suggested that beta-carotene plays a role in up-regulating some aspects of the fat-burning process. So try trading in dessert for a fresh peach and keep your weight loss goals on track.

3. They're a source of magnesium: Magnesium has the ability to relax our muscles, both small and large. This makes magnesium especially important in the relaxation of the tiny muscles that contract blood vessels and ease tension. Magnesium helps to relieve migraine headaches and symptoms of muscle tension and inflammation.

4. Potassium-rich peaches are the perfect summer snack: Peaches are high in potassium, which is especially important in the summer due to the heat. In the summertime we lose a lot of water through our sweat; along with that water loss. we also lose many salts that conduct the electrical signals in our body. Potassium is a mineral salt that we lose quite a bit of, so it must be constantly replenished - especially when exercising!

5. Peaches are a rich source of niacin: Niacin is a B vitamin necessary for the metabolism of every cell of you body. Niacin is also being tested as an anti-cancer treatment because of its amazing ability to kill cells in our body that are compromised by cancer, lowering our risk of growth and metastasis.

Peachy keen crisp

This is a great gluten-free summer treat. The combination of summer berries and peaches is a great one for entertaining. You can give them a gift twice - first with the taste, and secondly with the nutritional healing power of the ingredients.

Filling ingredients:
6 cups (1.5 L) organic fresh or frozen strawberries, halved
6 cups (1.5 L) fresh organic peaches, sliced
1/2 cup (125 mL) organic goji berries
1 cup (250 mL) unsweetened berry juice
2 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) clove powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) nutmeg powder

Topping ingredients:
1 cup (250 mL) quinoa flakes (rolled oats can be substituted)
1/2 cup (125 mL) brown rice flour
1/4 cup (60 mL) hazelnuts, chopped
1/2 cup (125 mL) honey
2 tsp (10 mL) cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) ginger powder
1/4 tsp (1 mL) pink rock or grey sea salt
4 tbsp (60 mL) coconut butter, cut into eight pieces

Filling directions:
1. Preheat the oven at 350°F (175 °C).

2. In a medium bowl combine the strawberries, apples, peaches, and goji berries. Add the berry juice, lemon juice, cloves, and nutmeg.

3. Toss thoroughly and transfer to a 9" x 13" baking dish.

Topping directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa flakes, brown rice flour, hazelnuts, maple syrup, mesquite powder, maca powder, cinnamon, ginger, and sea salt. Place the coconut butter on top of the flour mixture. Using your hand, blend until the mixture looks like coarse meal.

2. Sprinkle the topping evenly and loosely over the fruit mixture, leaving fruit visible in a few spots for the juices to bubble up.

3. Transfer to the oven. Bake the crisp for 45 minutes or until the top is brown and the fruit juices are bubbling at the edges.
Makes 12 servings

Five reasons to enjoy fresh peaches this summer

 

By Julie Daniluk, R.H.N. | Chatelaine – Mon, 8 Aug, 2011 12:00 AM EDT

While sweating through an Ontario heatwave, I found nothing more enjoyable than relaxing by the water with a cold peach. As many of us know, the juice from a fresh peach inevitably ends up running down your chin, but it's worth it - not only for the taste, but also for the iron, potassium, niacin and vitamin C the fruit provides.

Five more reasons to enjoy fresh peaches while they're in season
1. They may help prevent respiratory infections: Peaches are packed full of vitamin C, which has been shown to not only boost your entire immune system, but also specifically to prevent lung infections. Make the most of your summer by stocking up these delicious treats to ward off a dreaded summer cold.

2. Peaches could help with weight loss: Besides being packed full of fiber and water, peaches are also very high in beta-carotene. Recent studies have suggested that beta-carotene plays a role in up-regulating some aspects of the fat-burning process. So try trading in dessert for a fresh peach and keep your weight loss goals on track.

3. They're a source of magnesium: Magnesium has the ability to relax our muscles, both small and large. This makes magnesium especially important in the relaxation of the tiny muscles that contract blood vessels and ease tension. Magnesium helps to relieve migraine headaches and symptoms of muscle tension and inflammation.

4. Potassium-rich peaches are the perfect summer snack: Peaches are high in potassium, which is especially important in the summer due to the heat. In the summertime we lose a lot of water through our sweat; along with that water loss. we also lose many salts that conduct the electrical signals in our body. Potassium is a mineral salt that we lose quite a bit of, so it must be constantly replenished - especially when exercising!

5. Peaches are a rich source of niacin: Niacin is a B vitamin necessary for the metabolism of every cell of you body. Niacin is also being tested as an anti-cancer treatment because of its amazing ability to kill cells in our body that are compromised by cancer, lowering our risk of growth and metastasis.

Peachy keen crisp

This is a great gluten-free summer treat. The combination of summer berries and peaches is a great one for entertaining. You can give them a gift twice - first with the taste, and secondly with the nutritional healing power of the ingredients.

Filling ingredients:
6 cups (1.5 L) organic fresh or frozen strawberries, halved
6 cups (1.5 L) fresh organic peaches, sliced
1/2 cup (125 mL) organic goji berries
1 cup (250 mL) unsweetened berry juice
2 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) clove powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) nutmeg powder

Topping ingredients:
1 cup (250 mL) quinoa flakes (rolled oats can be substituted)
1/2 cup (125 mL) brown rice flour
1/4 cup (60 mL) hazelnuts, chopped
1/2 cup (125 mL) honey
2 tsp (10 mL) cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) ginger powder
1/4 tsp (1 mL) pink rock or grey sea salt
4 tbsp (60 mL) coconut butter, cut into eight pieces

Filling directions:
1. Preheat the oven at 350°F (175 °C).

2. In a medium bowl combine the strawberries, apples, peaches, and goji berries. Add the berry juice, lemon juice, cloves, and nutmeg.

3. Toss thoroughly and transfer to a 9" x 13" baking dish.

Topping directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa flakes, brown rice flour, hazelnuts, maple syrup, mesquite powder, maca powder, cinnamon, ginger, and sea salt. Place the coconut butter on top of the flour mixture. Using your hand, blend until the mixture looks like coarse meal.

2. Sprinkle the topping evenly and loosely over the fruit mixture, leaving fruit visible in a few spots for the juices to bubble up.

3. Transfer to the oven. Bake the crisp for 45 minutes or until the top is brown and the fruit juices are bubbling at the edges.
Makes 12 servings

Chicken in a crock pot

By sweetspot.ca | sweetspot.ca – Tue, 13 Sep, 2011 12:00 AM EDT

About a year or so ago, I had some friends over for a dinner party and decided to make a roast chicken. Sure, the whole thing sounded simple — overnight brining in salt water, a day of drying and dusting with herbs, a few hours in the oven and a couple of minutes to rest. Easy, right?

In actuality, it was exhausting! I was so pooped from the chicken prep that I could barely keep my eyes open through dessert. Sure, the chicken was really good, but the whole almost-24-hour process made it totally unrealistic for a Sunday dinner, let alone a weekday night.

And then I found this slow cooker chicken over at Weelicious. I tried the recipe and loved the super-moist texture of the chicken, but wasn't crazy about the zingy lemon flavour or the slightly anemic looking bird. So I came up with my own variation and haven't looked back since. Two and a half hours in the old crock pot followed by a 10-minute broil gives me perfectly roast chicken every time — without having to brine, baste or worry.

Raw chicken in the slow cooker, with celery, carrots, garlic, onion, wine and spices.

You need:

• 1/2 cup of red wine
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/2 small white onion
• 1 celery stalk, cut in half
• 1 carrot, cut in half
• sprinkle of herbs de provence, thyme, or herb combination of your choice
• tin foil

The slow cooked chicken right before broiling. It would still be tasty to eat it like this, but I like the crispy skin a bout in the oven gives me.

Directions:

1. Crumple three pieces of aluminum foil and place in the middle of your slow cooker.
2. Add wine, garlic, onion, celery and carrot
3. Place chicken on top of aluminum foil. (You may have to push the chicken down a bit so it'll all fit in there!)
4. Sprinkle chicken with herbs, salt and pepper.
5. Set slow cooker to high and cook for 1/2 hour per pound.
6. When ready, stick a meat thermometer into leg to ensure it is done. Transfer chicken to a roasting pan and set oven to 500º Fahrenheit.
7. Broil for 8-10 minutes, or until skin is golden brown.
8. Serve with roast root vegetables, mashed potatoes, or anything else you'd like!

The best part of this recipe? After your done cooking everything, you'll have a considerable amount of jus left over from the chicken. Whisk it with some cornstarch for a truly delicious gravy, or save it in your fridge or freezer for at-the-ready soup stock when you need it in a pinch. (It's so much better than bouillon.)

Yup, chicken in a crock pot is the gift that keeps on giving.

Chicken in a crock pot

By sweetspot.ca | sweetspot.ca – Tue, 13 Sep, 2011 12:00 AM EDT

About a year or so ago, I had some friends over for a dinner party and decided to make a roast chicken. Sure, the whole thing sounded simple — overnight brining in salt water, a day of drying and dusting with herbs, a few hours in the oven and a couple of minutes to rest. Easy, right?

In actuality, it was exhausting! I was so pooped from the chicken prep that I could barely keep my eyes open through dessert. Sure, the chicken was really good, but the whole almost-24-hour process made it totally unrealistic for a Sunday dinner, let alone a weekday night.

And then I found this slow cooker chicken over at Weelicious. I tried the recipe and loved the super-moist texture of the chicken, but wasn't crazy about the zingy lemon flavour or the slightly anemic looking bird. So I came up with my own variation and haven't looked back since. Two and a half hours in the old crock pot followed by a 10-minute broil gives me perfectly roast chicken every time — without having to brine, baste or worry.

Raw chicken in the slow cooker, with celery, carrots, garlic, onion, wine and spices.

You need:

• 1/2 cup of red wine
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/2 small white onion
• 1 celery stalk, cut in half
• 1 carrot, cut in half
• sprinkle of herbs de provence, thyme, or herb combination of your choice
• tin foil

The slow cooked chicken right before broiling. It would still be tasty to eat it like this, but I like the crispy skin a bout in the oven gives me.

Directions:

1. Crumple three pieces of aluminum foil and place in the middle of your slow cooker.
2. Add wine, garlic, onion, celery and carrot
3. Place chicken on top of aluminum foil. (You may have to push the chicken down a bit so it'll all fit in there!)
4. Sprinkle chicken with herbs, salt and pepper.
5. Set slow cooker to high and cook for 1/2 hour per pound.
6. When ready, stick a meat thermometer into leg to ensure it is done. Transfer chicken to a roasting pan and set oven to 500º Fahrenheit.
7. Broil for 8-10 minutes, or until skin is golden brown.
8. Serve with roast root vegetables, mashed potatoes, or anything else you'd like!

The best part of this recipe? After your done cooking everything, you'll have a considerable amount of jus left over from the chicken. Whisk it with some cornstarch for a truly delicious gravy, or save it in your fridge or freezer for at-the-ready soup stock when you need it in a pinch. (It's so much better than bouillon.)

Yup, chicken in a crock pot is the gift that keeps on giving.

Vitamin Water Infusions

Vitamin Water Infusions

 

Creating your own vitamin water is one of the simplest things to do! All you need is some fruit, herbs and water and you are set. Don't settle for the "vitamin waters" you might notice in grocery stores. Those waters are full of artificial chemical flavourings, plenty of refined sugar and bone dissolving acids all of which promote illness and disease. 

Making your own vitamin water infusions is quick and easy! They are packed with natural vitamins and minerals (not synthetic alterations of them) and thus they are better recognized and utilized in the body. Make sure to create larger batches so that these waters will last you all throughout the week!

Directions:

1. Pick a non-citrus fruit - I like to pick things like berries, kiwi, mango or pineapple. 

2. Pick a citrus fruit - you can choose from orange slices to lemon or lime slices!

3. Add herbs - choose things like mint, rosemary, basil or other favourite herbs

Once you have decided on the combination you want to use (and you may add as little or as much as you please of each - I like to add in about 1/2 cup of each fruit and 1/4 cup of herbs for 2 litres of water), put them into a large jug of water and let them soak in the water in a fridge overnight. In the morning you will have yourself a wonderful vitamin infused water that you can enjoy over the day!

Favourite combinations of mine:

1. Strawberry, lemon, mint

2. Lemon, lime, mint

3. Kiwi, lemon, lime, mint

4. Pineapple, lemon, basil

5. Mango, orange, rosemary

*You may also choose to add some ice to your water for an even cooler treat!

Vitamin Water Infusions

Vitamin Water Infusions

 

Creating your own vitamin water is one of the simplest things to do! All you need is some fruit, herbs and water and you are set. Don't settle for the "vitamin waters" you might notice in grocery stores. Those waters are full of artificial chemical flavourings, plenty of refined sugar and bone dissolving acids all of which promote illness and disease. 

Making your own vitamin water infusions is quick and easy! They are packed with natural vitamins and minerals (not synthetic alterations of them) and thus they are better recognized and utilized in the body. Make sure to create larger batches so that these waters will last you all throughout the week!

Directions:

1. Pick a non-citrus fruit - I like to pick things like berries, kiwi, mango or pineapple. 

2. Pick a citrus fruit - you can choose from orange slices to lemon or lime slices!

3. Add herbs - choose things like mint, rosemary, basil or other favourite herbs

Once you have decided on the combination you want to use (and you may add as little or as much as you please of each - I like to add in about 1/2 cup of each fruit and 1/4 cup of herbs for 2 litres of water), put them into a large jug of water and let them soak in the water in a fridge overnight. In the morning you will have yourself a wonderful vitamin infused water that you can enjoy over the day!

Favourite combinations of mine:

1. Strawberry, lemon, mint

2. Lemon, lime, mint

3. Kiwi, lemon, lime, mint

4. Pineapple, lemon, basil

5. Mango, orange, rosemary

*You may also choose to add some ice to your water for an even cooler treat!

10 Easy No-Bake Cookie Recipes

http://recipesprojectsandmore.com/cookies_private/10_easy_no-bake_cookie_recipes 



 I fond these recipes at the LINK above !







"Oh my goodness" kind of good, give these wonderful No-Bake cookies a try.
Coconut Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies


This is a delicious treat any time of the day.
Rocky Road No Bake Cookies


Mock Moon Pie Cookies



Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Oatmeal, what more could you want in an easy No-Bake cookie recipe?
No-Bake Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Cookies


No-Bake Eskimo Snowballs

Yummy! Give these delicious No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter M&M Cookies a try.
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter M&M Cookies


Peanut Butter Corn Flake Treats



Everyone love Peanut Butter Cookies so why not try these fantastic No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies?
No-Cook Peanut Butter Cookies



No-Bake 15 Minute Thin Mints



Change up your typical cookie recipe and give these wonderful No-Bake cookies a try. You are going to love them.
No bake Coconut Orange Juice Cookies

10 Easy No-Bake Cookie Recipes

http://recipesprojectsandmore.com/cookies_private/10_easy_no-bake_cookie_recipes 



 I fond these recipes at the LINK above !

flat-tummy-water/

http://www.stepin2mygreenworld.com/healthyliving/flat-tummy-water/

flat-tummy-water/

http://www.stepin2mygreenworld.com/healthyliving/flat-tummy-water/

Easy log bench

https://www.facebook.com/homesteading?fref=photo

Easy log bench

https://www.facebook.com/homesteading?fref=photo

Rosehips may reduce belly fat

Rosehips may reduce belly fat

Rosehips may reduce belly fat

Rosehips may reduce belly fat

Have a Great Day I know I will :)

Hi Everyone
I see over the years many people come here to see my Blog I am a little embarrassed to call it a Blog most of the time I just copy and paste ! I do want to change this  I need to be more active on this blog  be more personal . You see I have been through a few bad years lately Yes I know we all have those times. I just am not very good with coping  at times . I do feel I am getting much better though. in past few months a major glitch happened that just was the last straw . And at the same time by this persons actions I finally got to look inside myself and see what I needed to heal and that is exactly what I am doing .

Have a Great Day I know I will :)

Hi Everyone
I see over the years many people come here to see my Blog I am a little embarrassed to call it a Blog most of the time I just copy and paste ! I do want to change this  I need to be more active on this blog  be more personal . You see I have been through a few bad years lately Yes I know we all have those times. I just am not very good with coping  at times . I do feel I am getting much better though. in past few months a major glitch happened that just was the last straw . And at the same time by this persons actions I finally got to look inside myself and see what I needed to heal and that is exactly what I am doing .

10 tips for building a water garden - Canadian Gardening

10 tips for building a water garden - Canadian Gardening

10 tips for building a water garden - Canadian Gardening

10 tips for building a water garden - Canadian Gardening

Wintergreen Essential oil

Wintergreen Essential oil

Dandelion Tea

Dandelion Tea

Image via Wikipedia

Health Benefits of Dandelion TeaDandelions are believed to have evolved about 30 million years ago and have been used as a herbal remedy for much of recorded history.

The leaves and roots, fresh or dried, are used to make dandelion tea.

Dandelion tea contains substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and E, potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium. Dandelion leaves have more beta carotene than carrots.
Health Benefits of Dandelion Tea

• Dandelion tea is particularly helpful in treating liver problems (due largely to a substance known as taraxacin). It can improve liver function, reduce inflammation of the bile duct, and may help prevent gallstones. It has been used to treat disorders such as jaundice and hepatitis.

• Dandelion tea is one of the most effective herbal diuretics. It increases urine output and also replaces potassium lost in the urine.

• Dandelion tea contains antioxidants and can help boost the immune system to fight off bacteria and viruses.

Other benefits of dandelion tea include helping with weight loss, improving blood circulation, reducing blood cholesterol, and decreasing inflammation related to rheumatism and arthritis. It is also thought to help bladder and kidney stones.
Preparing Dandelion Tea

Dandelion tea is strong and has a bitter taste. Leaves harvested in late fall (after a frost) are less bitter. Another good time to harvest is in the spring, before the flowers bloom.

Choose plants that are young, have broad leaves, and grown in moist and rich soil.

Preparing dandelion tea:

In a pot, boil 1 quart of water
reduce the heat
add 2 tablespoons of fresh dandelion roots (cleaned and chopped)
cover and simmer for a minute
remove the pot from the heat source
add 2 tablespoons of dandelion leaves (freshly picked and chopped)
steep for 40 minutes
strain.

Another way to prepare dandelion tea:

Add a handful of dandelion flowers (freshly picked) in a pint of hot water, cover, steep for 20 minutes, and strain.

To get the best health benefits of dandelion tea, store herbs in a cool, dry place.

Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/health/alternative-medicine/articles/18699.aspx#ixzz1LCAs9xE6

You might also like:

Health Benefits of Dandelions

Tea & Health

Dandelion Cordial

Linkwithin

Dandelion Tea

Dandelion Tea

Image via Wikipedia

Health Benefits of Dandelion TeaDandelions are believed to have evolved about 30 million years ago and have been used as a herbal remedy for much of recorded history.

The leaves and roots, fresh or dried, are used to make dandelion tea.

Dandelion tea contains substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and E, potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium. Dandelion leaves have more beta carotene than carrots.
Health Benefits of Dandelion Tea

• Dandelion tea is particularly helpful in treating liver problems (due largely to a substance known as taraxacin). It can improve liver function, reduce inflammation of the bile duct, and may help prevent gallstones. It has been used to treat disorders such as jaundice and hepatitis.

• Dandelion tea is one of the most effective herbal diuretics. It increases urine output and also replaces potassium lost in the urine.

• Dandelion tea contains antioxidants and can help boost the immune system to fight off bacteria and viruses.

Other benefits of dandelion tea include helping with weight loss, improving blood circulation, reducing blood cholesterol, and decreasing inflammation related to rheumatism and arthritis. It is also thought to help bladder and kidney stones.
Preparing Dandelion Tea

Dandelion tea is strong and has a bitter taste. Leaves harvested in late fall (after a frost) are less bitter. Another good time to harvest is in the spring, before the flowers bloom.

Choose plants that are young, have broad leaves, and grown in moist and rich soil.

Preparing dandelion tea:

In a pot, boil 1 quart of water
reduce the heat
add 2 tablespoons of fresh dandelion roots (cleaned and chopped)
cover and simmer for a minute
remove the pot from the heat source
add 2 tablespoons of dandelion leaves (freshly picked and chopped)
steep for 40 minutes
strain.

Another way to prepare dandelion tea:

Add a handful of dandelion flowers (freshly picked) in a pint of hot water, cover, steep for 20 minutes, and strain.

To get the best health benefits of dandelion tea, store herbs in a cool, dry place.

Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/health/alternative-medicine/articles/18699.aspx#ixzz1LCAs9xE6

You might also like:

Health Benefits of Dandelions

Tea & Health

Dandelion Cordial

Linkwithin

Plantain medicinal uses

http://buynongmoseeds.com/this-little-weed-is-one-of-the-most-useful-medicines-on-the-planet/

Plantain medicinal uses

http://buynongmoseeds.com/this-little-weed-is-one-of-the-most-useful-medicines-on-the-planet/

Amazon Deals

Amazon Deals

How To Build Dry Creek Beds for Landscape Drainage

How To Build Dry Creek Beds for Landscape Drainage

Do you have a slope on your property down which excess water flows, causing erosion on the slope and/or a landscape drainage problem below? Homeowners often get rid of such puddling by building dry creek beds. Besides the practical aspect of improving landscape drainage, dry creek beds can also be attractive. In fact, some folks with absolutely no landscape drainage problems build dry creek beds just because they like the look of them!

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 4 hours/10 feet

Here's How:

1. First plan the course that the dry creek bed will take down the slope. Mark the 2 edges of that course with landscaper's paint. A meandering course looks more natural than a straight course. How high up the slope should you start? In some cases, there's little choice. For instance, if a landscape drainage pipe that's already in place is dumping all that excess water onto your property, your decision is clear-cut: begin the dry creek bed by grading the land right under that pipe....
2. But in cases where you have more leeway (especially for dry creek beds that are purely decorative), attempt to disguise the "headwaters" of the dry creek bed by making it bend out from behind a large boulder or some plant material. When the source of a stream is mysterious, viewers have to use their imagination. And what we construct with our hands is rarely as pleasing as what we construct with our minds!
3. We've talked about how high up the slope to start. But what about where to finish down below? Some homeowners redirect excess water toward the street. But it's best to contemplate a worst-case scenario when dealing with public property, because that means dealing with the government -- which can be a real stickler when it comes to issues like redirecting excess water. So check with your local public works department first. If their response is positive, get something in writing that says so....
4. What if you're not allowed to redirect the water to the street? Unless you already have a landscape drainage system in place (allowing you to route the runoff into that system), you have 2 main options. You could channel the water to a location on your land (but make sure it's your land, not a neighbor's!) where it's less troublesome and where, if the soil is sandy enough, it can percolate harmlessly down into the ground. A second option is to build a pond and funnel the water into it.
5. So much for the course of a dry creek bed. What about its depth and width? These dimensions don't have to conform to any rule exactly. Look at dry creek beds in nature: they're obviously not all of the same depth and width. But there's a general rule you can follow: dry creek beds tend to be wider than they are deep, which is good news for you -- less digging! A 2:1 ratio is about right, meaning you could make the dry creek bed 3' wide x 1.5' deep, for example.
6. With the planning done, now it's time for the first real work in the project: the digging. It's easy to build dry creek beds for landscape drainage, provided that the soil you'll be excavating isn't strewn with roots and rocks. Those with difficult soil to excavate can take solace in the fact that excavating the dry creek bed will be the toughest part of the project!
7. Take the soil that you're excavating and mound it up along the sides of your dry creek bed, as you go. This will reduce the amount of digging that you have to do, since you'll be lowering the base and raising the sides in one motion. Tamp down this excavated soil with a tamping tool.
8. After the trench for the dry creek bed has been excavated, lay down landscape fabric along its whole length. You want the fabric to cover the mounds of earth on both sides, as well as the trench. Hold the fabric in place using fabric pins or garden staples. Now for the part of the project that will be visible to viewer's: the rock....
9. For projects intended to improve landscape drainage, all rocks need to be mortared into place to form a solid channel that will carry water away (for ornamental dry creek beds, this is optional -- and probably undesirable). Apply mortar only to short sections of the fabric at a time, since mortar dries quickly. Use at least 2" of mortar. Lay the rocks in the mortar, then repeat the process with the next short section. It's easier to work from the top of the slope, down.
10. You can use rock of various shapes and sizes, but many homeowners prefer to select more round rocks ("river rocks") than flat ones. Round rocks conjure up an image of the water that has been gushing over them, knocking them about and causing them to become round over time.
11. Place small river rocks in the center of the trench; the water will flow over these.
12. Place your larger rocks on the sides of the dry creek bed, where they'll help channel the water and where they'll have the most visual impact. Save any boulders for the biggest bends in your stream's course and to disguise the "headwaters" of the dry creek bed (as discussed in Step 2 above).

Tips:

1. After you build dry creek beds, you can dress them up a bit. Plants will soften the edges, for instance. If you're more ambitious, you can install a landscape bridge over the dry creek bed and plant tall ornamental grasses to serve as "bookends" at both entrances to the landscape bridge. Adorn the landscape bridge with hanging container gardens to create a knockout focal point for your yard.

What You Need:

• Landscaper's paint
• Landscape fabric
• Fabric pins or garden staples
• River rocks and boulders
• Mortar
• Wheelbarrow for mixing the mortar
• Tamping tool
• Shovel

Suggested Reading

• French Drains for Landscape Drainage
• Garden Ponds
• Retaining Walls

Suggested Reading

• Free Online Landscaping Course
• Hardscape FAQ

Related Articles

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• Reader Tips for Building a Raised Bed Garden - How to Build a Raised Bed Ga...
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How To Build Dry Creek Beds for Landscape Drainage

How To Build Dry Creek Beds for Landscape Drainage

Do you have a slope on your property down which excess water flows, causing erosion on the slope and/or a landscape drainage problem below? Homeowners often get rid of such puddling by building dry creek beds. Besides the practical aspect of improving landscape drainage, dry creek beds can also be attractive. In fact, some folks with absolutely no landscape drainage problems build dry creek beds just because they like the look of them!

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 4 hours/10 feet

Here's How:

1. First plan the course that the dry creek bed will take down the slope. Mark the 2 edges of that course with landscaper's paint. A meandering course looks more natural than a straight course. How high up the slope should you start? In some cases, there's little choice. For instance, if a landscape drainage pipe that's already in place is dumping all that excess water onto your property, your decision is clear-cut: begin the dry creek bed by grading the land right under that pipe....
2. But in cases where you have more leeway (especially for dry creek beds that are purely decorative), attempt to disguise the "headwaters" of the dry creek bed by making it bend out from behind a large boulder or some plant material. When the source of a stream is mysterious, viewers have to use their imagination. And what we construct with our hands is rarely as pleasing as what we construct with our minds!
3. We've talked about how high up the slope to start. But what about where to finish down below? Some homeowners redirect excess water toward the street. But it's best to contemplate a worst-case scenario when dealing with public property, because that means dealing with the government -- which can be a real stickler when it comes to issues like redirecting excess water. So check with your local public works department first. If their response is positive, get something in writing that says so....
4. What if you're not allowed to redirect the water to the street? Unless you already have a landscape drainage system in place (allowing you to route the runoff into that system), you have 2 main options. You could channel the water to a location on your land (but make sure it's your land, not a neighbor's!) where it's less troublesome and where, if the soil is sandy enough, it can percolate harmlessly down into the ground. A second option is to build a pond and funnel the water into it.
5. So much for the course of a dry creek bed. What about its depth and width? These dimensions don't have to conform to any rule exactly. Look at dry creek beds in nature: they're obviously not all of the same depth and width. But there's a general rule you can follow: dry creek beds tend to be wider than they are deep, which is good news for you -- less digging! A 2:1 ratio is about right, meaning you could make the dry creek bed 3' wide x 1.5' deep, for example.
6. With the planning done, now it's time for the first real work in the project: the digging. It's easy to build dry creek beds for landscape drainage, provided that the soil you'll be excavating isn't strewn with roots and rocks. Those with difficult soil to excavate can take solace in the fact that excavating the dry creek bed will be the toughest part of the project!
7. Take the soil that you're excavating and mound it up along the sides of your dry creek bed, as you go. This will reduce the amount of digging that you have to do, since you'll be lowering the base and raising the sides in one motion. Tamp down this excavated soil with a tamping tool.
8. After the trench for the dry creek bed has been excavated, lay down landscape fabric along its whole length. You want the fabric to cover the mounds of earth on both sides, as well as the trench. Hold the fabric in place using fabric pins or garden staples. Now for the part of the project that will be visible to viewer's: the rock....
9. For projects intended to improve landscape drainage, all rocks need to be mortared into place to form a solid channel that will carry water away (for ornamental dry creek beds, this is optional -- and probably undesirable). Apply mortar only to short sections of the fabric at a time, since mortar dries quickly. Use at least 2" of mortar. Lay the rocks in the mortar, then repeat the process with the next short section. It's easier to work from the top of the slope, down.
10. You can use rock of various shapes and sizes, but many homeowners prefer to select more round rocks ("river rocks") than flat ones. Round rocks conjure up an image of the water that has been gushing over them, knocking them about and causing them to become round over time.
11. Place small river rocks in the center of the trench; the water will flow over these.
12. Place your larger rocks on the sides of the dry creek bed, where they'll help channel the water and where they'll have the most visual impact. Save any boulders for the biggest bends in your stream's course and to disguise the "headwaters" of the dry creek bed (as discussed in Step 2 above).

Tips:

1. After you build dry creek beds, you can dress them up a bit. Plants will soften the edges, for instance. If you're more ambitious, you can install a landscape bridge over the dry creek bed and plant tall ornamental grasses to serve as "bookends" at both entrances to the landscape bridge. Adorn the landscape bridge with hanging container gardens to create a knockout focal point for your yard.

What You Need:

• Landscaper's paint
• Landscape fabric
• Fabric pins or garden staples
• River rocks and boulders
• Mortar
• Wheelbarrow for mixing the mortar
• Tamping tool
• Shovel

Suggested Reading

• French Drains for Landscape Drainage
• Garden Ponds
• Retaining Walls

Suggested Reading

• Free Online Landscaping Course
• Hardscape FAQ

Related Articles

• Laundry and Dry Cleaning Care of 10 Winter Holiday Fabrics and Clothing, Ca...
• Reader Tips for Building a Raised Bed Garden - How to Build a Raised Bed Ga...
• Treasure Stone Craft
• Raised Garden Beds - A Gardening TechniqueThat Solves Several Problems
• Reviews