Dill Herb: A Dill-lectably Healthful Additive To Your Garden

It’s just wonderful to know that some plants in our garden aren’t just for our viewing pleasure, and the dill herb is just one of them. Aside from adding that extra zest in our salads, steaks and dips, this herb can be very beneficial to our health.

Dill (Anethum graveolens), is a perennial herb easily recognized for its slender stems, finely divided feathery leaves and several umbel-shaped seed heads. Its name is derived from dile in Old English as the plant was regarded to have sleep-inducing properties. This plant is an Angiosperm, and is the sole representative of its genus.

Uses

The most popular use of the dill herb is with food, and its aromatic leaves are used to add a distinctive flavor to a wide variety of foods such as pickles, soups and fish. Its seeds are a trademark ingredient to dill pickles, and together with cucumber, salt and vinegar, it creates a great mixture for appetizers. In many parts of the world, this herb has become a popular additive for numerous recipes of soups, salads, dips, cheese and egg dishes, and well complements potatoes.

But apart from these, did you know that the dill herb is also beneficial to our health? According to Zheng et. al., the oil derived from this plant has constituents that promote detoxification of drugs, slows down cell aging, and protects cells from free radicals - chemicals that induce cancer. A clinical trial conducted at the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences is also currently exploring the effect of dill seeds on the patterns of uterine contractions for women giving birth, and it aims to establish if dill indeed helps in shortening labor periods.

Cultivation and Harvesting

Growing the dill herb is easy! The plant generally requires a warm environment (which we always have in the Philippines), and lots of sunlight. Make sure that you plant it in a sunny area, as shade sometimes decreases its yield, and plant it on well-drained, rich soil. Dill is a self-seeder, which can be both an advantage and disadvantage. Although it needs little maintenance and can easily propagate, the plant may uncontrollably invade the other areas of your garden, competing with your other plants for sunlight and nutrients, so it’s also advisable to regulate its growth.

The stems can readily be picked and prepared for your favorite dishes, and any excess portions can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. If you want to harvest the seeds, cut the flower heads off the stalks as the seeds begin to ripen. The flower heads should be placed upside down inside a paper bag, so that the seeds will be released as the flowers dry out while inside the bag. Once the flower heads become dry, you just have to shake it a little to have the seeds fall off the bag, and you can readily store them in an airtight container.

Why buy dill at your local supermarket, when you can have them fresh and at their prime dill-ectability from your backyard? And if you want to start growing the dill herb, better get it at wholesale prices! Click here for more info.

Link:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92774/

Garden Plants Watering Tips

Photo credit: Attic24/Flickr

Are you getting frustrated that you can’t bring out the best in your garden plants despite your efforts of regularly watering them? While it’s true that plants need ample water to be healthy, experts say that gardeners must also be mindful about watering methods – if not, you might just be wasting water away or inviting unwanted plant diseases. Some factors must be considered, just as how gardeners decide when to plant something, and here are some basic tips on how to water your plants properly:

1.       Quantity doesn’t always go with quality. When the soil is moist, it’s much better to have it soaked once a week rather than watered frequently. Moisture makes it favorable for the growth of fungi like Fusarium, and you’ll be having a pestilent, saprobe colony rather than a resplendent, colorful garden. Another thing: don’t walk around much when the grounds are wet to minimize the spread of fungal infection.

2.       Age does matter. Young plants need more water as their cells are rapidly multiplying, and they should receive larger amounts immediately after being transplanted. A good way to measure the right amount of water is to have the soil around young plants soaked to a depth of 6-12 inches, and it should not be watered again until the top 2-3 inches begin to dry out. Don’t overdo it though, or you might flood your younglings. Use a proper soaker line or sprinkler head if a hose is being used; or you might as well use a watering can.

  

3.       Timing counts. The worst time to water your garden is mid-day, between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., because the heat would cause the water to evaporate. The sun can also heat the water in the soil, burning your plants and flowers, so you might as well do it in the morning or in the afternoon. Be careful when you water at night, as the cool evening makes the water become retained for a longer time, bringing in fungal infestation.

4.       It depends on the weather. This expression seems to apply to watering as well, and gardeners should adjust the amount of water and watering frequency depending on climate and weather conditions. You shouldn’t water on a windy day, as excessive evaporation may take place, and more water is needed during hot and humid seasons. Needless to say, turn on the local weather news to know what Mother Nature has in store before you turn on the hose.

5.       Different plants, different needs. Plants such as cacti and succulents retain more water, thus they need less than mainstream plants and flowers. Garden plants such as Zamioculcas are xerophytes that are resilient to dry conditions, so you can even afford to have them soaked at least once a week.

6.       Mulch for moisture. Mulch can be a great addition to your garden as it helps in retaining soil moisture. It can be made of compost, straw, grass clippings or shredded newspaper, and topping it off your soil beds will not only reduce your plants’ water needs, it will reduce weed growth by as much as 90 percent. Don’t use too much mulch though, as too much at one time can cause rot and mold infections. Plastic mulches are also available and are preferred by many gardeners – it’s much more efficient and cleaner.

If you want to know more about how to properly water your plants, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be more than happy to provide you with the things that you need to spruce up your beautiful garden!  

Palmarosa Oil: 5 Health Benefits

One of the several plants I have in my collection is the Palmarosa lemongrass (Cymbopogon martinii), a fragrant herb frequently used in aromatherapy, and I truly admire its subtle citrus scent. Walking down the garden is a heartening treat as I pass through the lemongrass area, and smelling them on a fresh, sunny morning always rejuvenates the spirit. Having been intrigued by this perennial lemongrass, it’s wonderful to discover that the Palmarosa oil improves our health and well-being in 5 ways:

1.       Antifungal properties. Got any embarrassing fungal skin and nail infections? This plant can be your natural antifungal! A study conducted at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil reveals that that Palmarosa oil has a potent antifungal property, especially against Candida species.

2.       Antibacterial action. According to Lodhia et. al., the essential oil of Palmarosa has been found to have a potent antibacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria, meaning that it could treat a wide spectrum of bacterial skin infections. Another study by Friedman et. al. supports the action of its essential oil against pathogens of the digestive system.

3.       A natural insect repellent. Does the stench of insect-killer chemicals suffocate you? Try spraying some Palmarosa oil, and you’ll see how those pesky bugs and mosquitoes flit with repulsion. Mix 6 ml of lemongrass extract with 4 ounces of carrier oil, and add about 5 ml of Citronella oil for a more potent spray formula.

4.       Skin care. The leaves can be boiled to extract the oil which can be combined to a facial wash, and the oils of this grass have become a valuable component to skin care products. Got wrinkled skin? Not to worry! Its oil also has that hydrating property that will rejuvenate your skin cells and exfoliate the old ones.  

5.       Aromatherapy. Its fragrance has that resemblance to rose, and it’s a faved additive to aromatherapy. The sweet smell of lemongrass relaxes nerves and muscles, minimizes depression, anxiety, fatigue and stress. One could even feel a psychological and spiritual uplift just by smelling the plant itself.

The best thing to know about this plant is that it can be easily grown in your backyard, and from its dry grass you can readily extract the Palmarosa oil through simple steam distillation. If you want to know more about how to get the Palmarosa lemongrass and other plants at a wholesale price, click here.   

Links:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18553017

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20336210

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12380738

Disclaimer: While the information provided in this article is supported by research, it is for educational purposes only and in no way is any of the content to be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this article. It is recommended to seek the advice of your physician before taking supplements of any kind.

Plants Make You Healthy In 8 Ways

Plants are nature’s works of art, and it’s good to know that they don’t just exist in our garden for us to appreciate them or have them maintain the world’s ecological balance. In reality, almost all of our needs come from them, and different types of plants have been proven to benefit our health in a multitude of ways. Have you ever pondered on how they make you healthy? Here are 8 ways:

  1. Plants make you happy. A person with a happy disposition has less risk for anxiety, stress and depression, and appreciating the diverse beauty of flowering trees and ornamentals is a wonderful way to maintain emotional health. Grinde and Patil (2009) evaluated 50 relevant studies on the impact of visual contact with nature on health and well-being, and they concluded that an environment without flowers and trees may have an undesirable effect on the quality of life.

2.       They give oxygen. Oxygen is a product of photosynthesis, and this is mainly processed by plants. They are part of the ecological balance, causing anabolic chemical reactions to maintain the cycle of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Simply put, we need them for oxygen, and we’ll simply die without it.

3.       They humidify our surroundings. Flora around us contribute about 10% of the moisture found in the atmosphere, and it’s released from the roots to minute pores of the leaves’ undersides through a process called transpiration. Although the effect of this process may vary from one location to another, it nevertheless contributes to the humidity levels of our surroundings - and a humid environment keeps our bodies hydrated as well.

4.       They absorb toxins in the air. It might seem that the only purpose of keeping potted ornamentals at home is to beautify it, but did you know that potted houseplants actually absorb toxins in the air? NASA studies recommend that air quality can be improved by having 15 to 18 good-sized houseplants in 6 to 8-inch diameter containers in your home, and they do the job by absorbing toxins like benzene and formaldehyde. Talk about natural filters!

5.       Plants help us relax. Aside from improving our mood, flowers and trees has a calming influence that helps us do away with stress and worry. An article from the Wayne-Holmes Mental Health and Recovery Board newsletter points out that gardening offers an array of benefits for the body, mind and spirit, and ornamentals reduce anxiety and stress by stimulating our senses. That’s why mental health facilities put some green in their surroundings – it’s a form of milieu therapy.  

6.       Gardening improves school performance.  A study conducted by Passy et. al. explored the impact of school gardening on learning, and they found out that students’ performance have improved based on numerous learning outcomes, such as greater scientific knowledge and understanding, enhanced literacy, increased environmental awareness and other behavioral effects. Another study found that green environments within the university contribute to improved attendance, higher test scores, and decreased behavioral problems.

7.       Trees cut noise. It’s surprising to know that trees have a hand in decreasing noise in a particular place, and it’s true that environmental flora absorb noise from bustling streets and blaring car horns. An article from the College of Tropical Agriculture at the University of Hawaii recommends that plants are effective in reducing external noises, and people can maximize this through mass planting in key noise areas with the right spacing and height. Why add boring walls when you can have trees as natural barriers?

8.       Flowers and trees heal us. Aside from their medicinal value, the sight of colorful flowers, ornamentals and trees help people recuperate from illnesses, and foliage plants and flowers in a hospital can dramatically reduce recovery time, pain, stress and other complications. A study conducted by the Department of Horticulture at Kansas State University reveals that plants in hospital rooms have a therapeutic value, and having them is proven to be a non-invasive, inexpensive and complementary treatment for surgical patients.

Plant plants now! Not only do they make your home beautiful, they keep you healthy. And should you decide to make a garden, make sure you buy the things you need in bulk to maximize the value of your money.

To learn more about wholesale plants, trees and ornamentals, click here.

Links:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2760412/

http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycletranspiration.html

http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h110indoorair.html

http://www.whmhrb.org/pdf/Spring07Mental%20Notes.pdf

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening/uploads/documents/Impact_of_school_gardening_on_learning_821.pdf

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/GHGS-19.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19715461