Tag Archives: Sierra Magazine

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Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Name:  Peppermint

Latin:  Mentha piperita

Other Common Names:

Family:  Mint

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:  Calcium

Used for:  Fights inflammation, is a bronchiodilator, has some effect against headaches, can be a coffee substitute, and is an effective element in cold and flu preparations.  It is also good for most digestive issues.  It can ease pain, and supports proper liver and nerve function.  One of the reasons it makes a good coffee substitute is that the stimulation it gives comes from a healthier angle.  Peppermint stimulates because of the nutritive value and by increasing circulation.  It wakes the system up, rather than agitating it.  Because it is kind of a catchall, I often use it to make medicinal teas more palatable, as it assists in mitigating unpleasant flavours.

Use in tandem with:

Uses for Pets:

Directions & Warnings:

Edibility:  So many different ways.  In water, in tea, in cocoa, in lemonade, in cookies, in cakes, in frosting, in…..  I also saw a suggestion for mixing sprigs of it in with peas, which I will have to try.

Other Uses for:  Bugs don’t like it when fresh and growing, so it can be used as a barrier along a house, or as an assist for more delicate plants.

Growing:  Mint likes shade, so if you have a darker area that you aren’t sure what to plant, mint is a good fill-in.  A bit literally, actually, because it really likes space, and will propagate itself in a number of ways all over the place.

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Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Name:  Sage

Latin:  Salvia officinalis

Other Common Names:

Family:  Mint

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Anti-bacterial, both internally and externally usable.  It is also a gentle stimulant, adding energy to the system without overstressing it.

Use in tandem with:

Uses for Pets:

Directions & Warnings:

Edibility:  Lovely with poultry specifically, and a wonderful spice for a number of other concoctions.  Makes a nice addition to a variety of teas.  Suggested to lightly flour fry it in olive oil and serve as an appetizer.  So many things to try.

Other uses for:

Growing:  Perennial.  It likes full sunlight and good drainage.

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Rosemary

Name:  Rosemary

Latin:  Rosmarinus officinals

Other Common Names:

Family:  Mint

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Anti-bacterial.  Circulatory system tonic.  Can be used in preparations to improve memory, focus, and concentration.  Also a known anti-inflammatory.   Can be used as a gentler stimulant than most, without agitating the system or exacerbating stress.  If you do not mind a more savory tea, and appreciate the flavour of rosemary, this can also be used to ameliorate some of the nastier medicinal herb flavours.

Use in tandem with:

Uses for Pets:

Directions & Warnings:

Edibility:  Use as a spice for meats and garlic.  Also makes a nifty tea on its own, or a nice addition to lemon/limeade.

Growing:  Rosemary is a naturally drought tolerant plant.  One of the easiest ways to kill it outdoors is over watering or overly rich soil.  Rosemary actually prefers sandier, well drained soil.  However, when in a pot it cannot sprawl its roots out as it prefers.  You must keep the soil for a potted rosemary plant moist.  If it dries out entirely, there is little chance of salvaging it.  It is reported that it also really loves seaweed water.