Jerusalem Artichoke
If you are planning on planting the JA this Fall this is the time of year to do...

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If you are planning on planting the JA this Fall this is the time of year to do so.
Presentation will cover seed tuber sales to new growers, off season alcohol production at winery facilities , JA flour processing , non GMO crystalline fructose production , inulin extraction , non GMO feed silage and of course , ethanol processing , BIO Methane production and non GMO DDGs for animal feeds. As most orchards have drip irrigation the tuber harvests will be higher than usual . JA production is so abundant that even 10 acres could provide a living.
I have received the paperwork for the USA Renewable Fuel Standards , RFS2 , to have the crop declared as an Advanced Bio-fuel Crop. Sweet Sorghum was recently given that status in the US and will be replacing corn and grains crops now used for ethanol processing. Many ethanol plants have been shuttered in the US because of drought conditions and the high cost of corn. I see the time when Greenfield and other Canadian ethanol producers will need alternative Canadian grown biomass crops to replace corn and grains. Jerusalem artichoke crops , carbohydrate biomass , will have its place in the sun… Larry Whetstone.
Jerusalem artichokes are native to the central regions of North America. The plant is technically an evergreen perennial, but cultivated as annual crop. Once established, it grows vigorously with multiple branches, reaching about 5-10 feet height, slightly taller than sunflower plant, and bears many golden-yellow color flower heads at the terminal end of branches.
The plant bears numerous starchy edible rhizomes firmly attached to stem below the ground surface. The tubers feature grey, purple, or pink color skin externally and sweet delicate textured ice-white flesh inside. Some roots have quite bumpy and extremely knobby surface making them cleaning a tougher task. Each tuber weighs about 75 to 200 g.
Principle | Nutrient Value | Percentage of RDA |
---|---|---|
Energy | 73 Kcal | 3.7% |
Carbohydrates | 17.44 g | 13% |
Protein | 2 g | 4% |
Total Fat | 0.01 g | <1% |
Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g | 4% |
Vitamins | ||
Folates | 13 µg | 3% |
Niacin | 1.3 mg | 8% |
Pantothenic acid | 0.397 mg | 8% |
Pyridoxine | 0.077 mg | 6% |
Riboflavin | 0.060 mg | 4.5% |
Thiamin | 0.200 mg | 17% |
Vitamin A | 20 IU | <1% |
Vitamin C | 4 mg | 7% |
Vitamin E | 0.19 mg | 1% |
Vitamin K | 0.1 µg | <1% |
Electrolytes | ||
Sodium | 4 mg | <1% |
Potassium | 429 mg | 9% |
Minerals | ||
Calcium | 14 mg | 1.4% |
Copper | 0.140 mg | 15% |
Iron | 3.40 mg | 42.5% |
Magnesium | 17 mg | 4% |
Manganese | 0.060 mg | 2% |
Selenium | 0.7 µg | 1% |
Zinc | 0.12 mg | 1% |
Phyto-nutrients | ||
Carotene-ß | 12 µg | — |
Carotene-α | 0 µg | — |
Lutein-zeaxanthin | 0 µg | — |
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Cleaned sunchokes. Photo courtesy: mlinksva |
Sunchokes are commonly found in the US markets year-round. Fresh farm harvest hit the markets from October and last until winter and spring seasons. In the stores, buy smooth surfaced tubers as they pose less difficulty in the preparation. Look for average sized, clean, firm tubers. Avoid any sprouted, diseased, bruised roots.
Once at home, they should be stored in the refrigerator set at 33 to 35 degree F, and at very high relative humidity.
Wash the tubers thoroughly in cold water with gentle scrub. Although peel is fine to eat, it is generally discarded using a vegetable-peeler. The root artichokes are high in iron contents, and cut ends turn brown soon on exposure to air, as in apples. To prevent this, drop cut pieces into a bowl of cold acidulated water
Jerusalem artichokes are very versatile vegetables. The tubers can be used in various ways in cooking. They can be eaten raw like parsnips in salads, or boiled and mashed, roasted, or sautéed like potato. Do not overcook, as they turn soft and mushy rather quickly.
Here are five more reasons to fall in love with sunchokes:
1. Sunchokes can help to lower blood pressure. High levels of inulin bypasses digestion and reaches the lower gut to feed the good bacteria that resides there. Studies show that feeding the indigenous micro flora and warding off bad bacteria is an important part of the treatment and prevention of hypertension.
2. Sunchokes are high in potassium. A one cup serving of sunchokes contains 643 mg of potassium, which is essential for overall health and can help to reduce heart disease. Increasing your dietary potassium, in addition to reducing excess sodium, is especially beneficial for people at risk for high blood pressure.
3. Eating sunchokes can decrease blood cholesterol. Along with normalizing blood triglyceride levels, these small vegetables affect the way that the body metabolizes fats thanks to their high levels of probiotics.
4. One cup of sunchokes provides you with a quarter of your daily iron! You would have to eat three ounces of red
meat to get the same amount of iron. The sunchoke is a great way to increase your iron intake especially since it has no fat and only 109 calories per cup. Iron is an essential component of the proteins involved in the delivery of oxygen to each and every cell in your body. A deficiency of iron limits the delivery of oxygen to the cells resulting in fatigue and decreased immunity.
5. Sunchokes are high in protein. Not only does this wonderful root contain more protein than most other root vegetables, it’s particularly high in the sulfur-containingessential amino acids taurine, methionine, homocysteine and cysteine. These sulfur-containing amino acids are essential for maintaining the flexibility of connective tissue as well as allowing the liver carry out detoxification. Try this homemade stew to add these healthy benefits of sunchokes to your life.
source : http://www.chatelaine.com/health/diet/five-health-benefits-of-jerusalem-artichokes-sunchokes/
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/jerusalem-artichoke.html
http://www.vegparadise.com/highestperch26.html
When a favored member of the vegetable family sports a name that has no connection to its origin or genus, it makes one just a little curious. How did the Jerusalem artichoke earn its name? We know it didn’t come from Jerusalem, but where did it come from? Was it brought to Jerusalem by some famous explorer? Does this plant have a religious connection to Jerusalem? How is its name connected to the artichoke family? Our private investigators tracked down all of these leads and came up with some fascinating chronicles about the Jerusalem artichoke, also called sunchoke.
The Jerusalem artichoke has no relatives in the artichoke family but is actually a member of the sunflower family. A native of North America, it grew in the wild along the eastern seaboard from Georgia to Nova Scotia. The explorer Samuel de Champlain first encountered sunchokes growing in an American Indian vegetable garden in Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 1605. In his opinion they tasted like artichokes, a name that he carried back to France. The American Indians called them sun roots and introduced these perennial tubers to the pilgrims who adopted them as a staple food.
Our detectives continued their search. Apparently the French began growing these tubers successfully because they were sold by Parisian street vendors who named them topinambours, the French word for tuber. Six Brazillian Indians from the Topinambours tribe were brought back to the curious French in 1613 after an expedition, and the street hawkers adopted this name for their prized tubers from the Americas.
There is a record of Champlain sending some of the tubers to his native France after tasting them a second time in Canada. It’s very likely he sent them home from Massachusetts, too, because a book called Histoire de la Nouvelle France ,published in 1609, makes mention of this vegetable before Champlain’s exploration in Canada.
Our sleuths have surmised that when Jerusalem artichokes arrived in Italy sometime before 1633, the Italian word for sunflower, “girasole” which means “turning to the sun,” was somehow later corrupted into the word “Jerusalem.” This corruption combined with Champlain’s likening the taste of the vegetable to an artichoke brings our mystery to a close.
Jerusalem artichokes made their way across Europe, reaching England in 1617 and Germany by 1632. An early edition of the Oxford English Dictionary mentioned “Artichocks of Jerusalem” in 1620.
As in all trends, there is a rise in popularity, and then a fall into obscurity. France readily accepted the Jerusalem artichoke in the early 1600s, possibly because of the name artichoke. The potato, on the other hand, was regarded with suspicion and rejected. When the potato was finally accepted, the Jerusalem artichoke fell into rejection because people thought it caused leprosy. This belief was attributed to the irregular shape and brown mottled skin that resembled the deformed fingers of those with leprosy.
In times of desperation, the Jerusalem artichoke became sustenance. It was during a famine that occurred throughout Europe in 1772 that the Jerusalem artichoke could be quickly and easily grown to provide nourishment. During World War II the tubers regained some recognition in several countries because they were a food that could be bought without a ration card. The explorers Lewis and Clark were fortified by Jerusalem artichokes during a time when it was difficult to find ample food on their expedition.
The Jerusalem artichoke is a tuber that grows underground like the potato but is harder to harvest because the tubers cling to the roots and become entwined. Cultivated varieties of sunchokes grow in clumps close to the main root or rhizome while wild ones grow at the end of root. Like their family members of sunflowers, they can grow from 3 to 12 feet high with large leaves and flowers that are 1 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter. They grow well in almost all soil with the exception of very heavy clay soil, but do best in alkaline soil.
Sunchokes are easy to grow from tubers that weigh about 2 oz. and have 2 or 3 sprouts emerging. Plant them deep, about 3 to 4 inches underground. They do best when planted in little hills for better water retention and to make harvesting easier. Plant them in the spring through early summer, and harvest them fall through early winter. Be aware that any tubers left in the ground that were not harvested will reseed themselves. Many farmers are reluctant to go into heavy production of the sunchokes because of their ability to take over and become a serious weed problem.
Sunchokes are often called a starchy plant, but the starch is in the form of inulin, a polysaccharide from which fructose can be produced. Because this starch, or inulin, is not easily digestible by everyone, it may be best to introduce the vegetable in small amounts. John Goodyer, one of England’s pioneer planters of the early 1600’s wrote,
“But in my judgement, which way soever they be drest and eaten they stir up and cause a filthie loathesome stinking winde with the bodie, thereby causing the belly to bee much pained and tormented, and are a meat more fit for swine, than men.”
We find their delicate sweetness and nutty flavor so refreshing we include them in our repertoire of vegetables regularly. They have a crispness that resembles water chestnuts and can even stand in for water chestnuts in salads and stir fries.
Nutritionally, the sunchoke’s most outstanding benefits lie in the 327 mg. of potassium for a half-cup serving. That same half-cup serving has 57 calories, 1.5. gr. protein, 1.2 gr. fiber, 10.5 mg. calcium, 10 mcg. folacin along with smaller amounts of niacin and thiamine.
SHOPPING: Jerusalem artichokes are usually packaged in plastic and found in the produce department of most supermarkets. Since they are not in great demand, it’s important to examine them carefully. Fresh vegetables look plump and vibrant. Inspect carefully to avoid those that have a greenish tinge. Make sure they are not sprouting, or are shriveled or moldy.
STORAGE: Keep the tubers wrapped in plastic and refrigerate. They will keep up to two weeks, but it’s always best eat them as fresh as possible for the best flavor and nutrition. Their sweetness is known to increase when refrigerated after harvesting. If you grow your own, refrigerate them for a day or two before consuming.
PREPARATION: Scrub the sunchokes clean with a vegetable brush. Since much of their nutrients are stored just under the skin, it’s best not to peel them. Once cut, sunchokes discolor quickly, so it’s best to cut them close to serving time, or cut and immerse them in water with lemon or vinegar to prevent oxidation. Cooking them with the skins on may cause a darkening of the skins because of their high iron content.
RAW:
Slice sunchokes and enjoy the crunch they add to your salad.
Slice and serve them along with crudites and dips.
Shred them into a slaw. Dice them into a chopped salad.
Slice, dice, or shred and marinate in a little extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice or rice vinegar
Coarsely chop sunchokes and add to the blender when preparing raw soups.
STIR FRY: Slice, dice, or shred and stir fry along with other fresh vegetables in a little extra virgin olive oil. They will become softened in about 4 to 6 minutes. For a tender crisp texture, stir fry about 2 to 4 minutes.
BAKED: Sunchokes can be baked whole or sliced. Toss them in a bowl with a little extra virgin olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Set the oven temperature at 375 and bake 30 to 45 minutes for whole, and 20 to 25 minutes for sliced, turning them half way through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
STEAMED: Coarsely chop the Jerusalem artichokes and put them into a steamer basket. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Continue at high heat and steam for 5 to 8 minutes. Test for softness. Remove and season to taste or mash like potatoes.
BOILED: Sunchokes can be boiled whole or cut as desired. Bring a covered saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add sunchokes and boil for 10 to 15 minutes for whole, and 5 to 8 minutes for cut up. Season as desired or mash like potatoes.
As you can see, Jerusalem artichokes can be enjoyed with any meal, adding a special taste and texture to the palate. Below is a recipe that is as unique as the plant itself:
SUNCHOKE PECAN SANDWICH
Raw sunchokes, sometimes called Jerusalem artichokes, are spotlighted as the featured ingredient in this unique sandwich. Crunchy pecans and a smooth creamy avocado sauce pair up in supporting roles. Serve the sandwich with a salad and fruit for a tasty light meal.
Sunchoke Pecan Sandwich is one of the delicious recipes in Zel Allen’s cookbook The Nut Gourmet: Nourishing Nuts for Every Occasion published by Book Publishing Company in 2006.
Yield: 3 to 4 sandwiches
2 cups (480 ml) coarsely shredded sunchokes
1/2 cup (120 ml) raw or toasted pecans, coarsely chopped or coarsely ground
1/4 red bell pepper, finely diced
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
6 to 8 slices whole grain bread
12 to 16 large basil leaves
3 ripe tomatoes, sliced
3 to 4 butter lettuce leaves
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With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) planning to mandate the use of 1.28 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel in 2013, use of vegetable oils is expected to skyrocket, increasing competition among end users. Because commercial production of cellulose ethanol has yet to materialize, biomass-based diesel has to provide a larger percentage of the advanced fuels mandate, Rabobank said in a report released in May. About 96% of the biomass-based diesel is biodiesel, which is mostly made from vegetable oil feedstocks. U.S. soy oil use in the 2011-12 crop year is estimated at 4 billion pounds, an increase from the 2.55 billion pounds used in 2010-11. Soy oil use for biodiesel is increasing in other regions including South America and Europe, Rabobank said. Additionally, increasing demand for processed food in developing nations is increasing demand for vegetable oils. This comes at a time when world vegetable oil stocks-to-use ratio is at its lowest level in the last 40 years. U.S. corn acres are expected to increase 4% this year, but the soybean planted area is expected to drop 1%, further tightening world supplies, Rabobank said. “There simply is not enough vegetable oil in the world to feed the U.S. advanced biofuels mandate,” Rabobank said in its report. “Something’s got to give.” Growing production U.S. biodiesel production has increased dramatically in the last several years but has fluctuated with changing tax policies. The $1-per-gallon tax credit, first enacted in 2004, spurred production. When it lapsed at the end of 2009, production plummeted to about 300 million gallons. With the tax credit reinstated in 2011, production jumped to a record 1.1 billion gallons, 300 million gallons higher than the mandated 800 million gallons. Production through May of this year has reached 445.9 million gallons, according to the EPA. Capacity will not constrain production, Rabobank said, since the industry has had idle capacity for years. Total capacity in the U.S. is estimated at 2.9 billion gallons. Feedstock availability will be the most important issue for future biodiesel production, according to the report. A mandate of 1.28 billion gallons of fuel will require an oil input of 9.73 billion pounds, assuming use of 7.6 pounds per gallon. That amounts to a 1.4-billion-pound increase from 2011 levels. The EPA breaks down the total oil requirement by type with virgin vegetable oil providing 47%, or 4.56 billion pounds; yellow grease and rendered fats providing 30% or 2.888 billion pounds; and corn oil (mostly from ethanol) providing 23% or 2.28 billion pounds. The breakdown is in line with historical averages, Rabobank said, but the report noted that the history of biodiesel production is relatively short and 1.28 billion gallons of fuel represents a significant increase over average production in the last several years. “The volume increases required from each individual feedstock in future years will inevitably cause dislocations affecting other consumers of oils and fats,” the report said. Oil impact U.S. biodiesel producers are demanding more soy oil at a time when crush margins are falling. Distillers grains production that is replacing soy meal, a gain in market share by Argentina, China’s demand for unprocessed soybean imports and over-capacity have hurt crush margins, Rabobank said. Three U.S. soy crush plants have shut down since 2010. According to a U.S. EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) analysis, increased soy oil use for biodiesel will be offset by reduced exports. Rabobank said. However, the magnitude of the shift will tighten global vegetable oil balance sheets that are already at their lowest levels since 1976-77. “To increase production, the biodiesel industry will have to compete with growing emerging market countries for soy oil,” Rabobank said in its report. To meet increasing soy oil demands, there is little that can be done on the supply side. With the exception of one region in Brazil, there are few other areas to increase soybean acreage, the report said. While there is excess crush capacity in the U.S. and China, increasing the crush will exacerbate the glut in protein meal created by distillers grains, Rabobank said. Canola could be one source of relief for increasing vegetable oil demand. Increased end-user demand and favorable economics have led to record canola production in Canada. The USDA estimates the 2011-12 crop at 14.165 million tonnes, an increase of 182% over 2001-02. Oil yields are higher from canola at between 42% and 44%, compared to soy at 19%. Thus, incremental production increases add more to the oil supply than incremental increases of soy production. This could push U.S. wheat growers toward a canola rotation. Canola is approved by the EPA as a feedstock for biodiesel, but because of its higher price compared to soy, it is not a biodiesel producer’s first choice, Rabobank said. Corn oil, extracted by dry mill ethanol producers, will be another source of oil for biodiesel. Rabobank said U.S. dry mills are now producing 1 billion pounds of corn oil, a rate that could increase to 2.2 billion pounds by 2013. At that amount, corn oil could account for 280 million gallons of biodiesel production. It’s uncertain what rate of corn oil extraction producers will want in order to maximize profit from both distiller’s grains and the corn oil, the report said. Currently, de-oiled distiller’s grains are not selling at a significantly discounted price and corn oil is selling at a discount of 10¢ per pound to edible corn oil. Another feedstock option are rendered fats, produced at a rate of about 10 billion pounds per year. Roughly 20% to 30% of biodiesel is made from rendered fats and oils. However, unlike other feedstocks, rendered fats cannot be increased in response to increasing demand for biodiesel. Rendering production volumes are driven by animal protein production, which has been on a downward trend since 2006, Rabobank said. Biodiesel producers will have to compete with other end users such as the pet food and livestock industries, if it wants to increase the use of rendered fats. “Use of rendered fats and oils in biodiesel is complicated by the fact rendered products have a higher cloud point than soy, corn or canola oils, meaning that it does not flow as well at cold temperatures,” Rabobank said. “Players in the rendering industry say that biodiesel is unlikely to be maintained at greater than 30% of production for an extended period of time, while the U.S. EPA places the figure at 50%.” Outlook Finding feedstock to produce 1.28 billion gallons of biodiesel will be tricky. With 95% of dry mill ethanol plants implementing corn extraction, that market will tap out at 300 million gallons of biodiesel production. The rendering industry estimates it will only supply about 400 million gallons of biodiesel production. The remainder will have to be derived primarily from soy oil, Rabobank said. Other possibilities including canola oil, but its price premium to soy oil is a limiting factor. Palm oil can be a biodiesel feedstock, but the EPA has rejected it, eliminating it from the renewable fuels program. Increased biodiesel production will absorb an incremental 635,000 tonnes of vegetable oil supply from 2011 to 2013. At the same time, global overall vegetable oil supply and demand are growing at around 5 million tonnes per year. Rabobank concludes there is not enough vegetable oil to supply the growing biodiesel production mandate.
BioMethane from Jerusalem Artichoke Tops JA as Crop of the Future Country Life AdFree 02 13 Here is a link to JA harvester video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw6g6KHKD6w If you wish to be growing this crop I can arrange seed to come to you. 250-547-2138
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Parsley is one of the top weight loss spices available. First let’s take a look at parsley health benefits and, in particular, parsley juice health benefits as we think this is the best way to get more parsley into your diet. However, you can also use fresh parsley to garnish loads of dishes, including sandwiches or salads. Parsley juice can be drunk fresh, right after squeezing, or warm, combined with tea, under the form of an infusion.
Parsley has many, many health benefits, including reducing effects of diarrhea, improve digestion, reduces fatigue, helps with the menstrual cycle, and even provides some properties that reduce the chance of cancers, especially in the lungs. But, as the herb is a diuretic, it also has important weight loss benefits. A diuretic increases the rate of urination, which means that more matter is expelled from the body, including more calories and thus reducing weight loss. The diuretic aspect of parsley juice also means that it detoxifies the body faster than other drinks, and acts as an appetite suppressant making you feel fuller than you are.
Drinking parsley juice will also aid your digestive system, resulting in a more efficient processing system and faster metabolism. You will get more nutrients from the food you are eating, and therefore won’t have to eat as much food, resulting in weight loss. One more great health benefit provided by parsley which is especially welcomed by overweight people is that, this vegetable dissolves cholesterol within the veins. As you know a high bad cholesterol level is the negative side-effect of poor eating habits!
The parsley weight loss tip that we recommend to you is having a cup of warm parsley juice 15 minutes before you eat a main meal. You should be warned however that the effects of concentrated parsley juice are very strong, and you should therefore never have any more than one ounce of parsley in eight ounces of tea. Drinking more than the recommended amount can have a toxic result on your body.
There are loads of recipes available for parsley juice, but the most popular seem to include diluting the flavour of the parsley down with lemon or carrot. You can even include parsley in your regular main meal dishes, especially where fish is involved as you can have parsley sauce on it. You must be careful not to consume too much parsley however as it can result in some quite serious side-effects; it is a powerful herb! You should particularly not use it during pregnancy.
Parsley is a nutrient rich herb which contains high levels of folate, chlorophyll, calcium, beta carotene, vitamin B12, more vitamin C than citrus fruits, and also other known nutrients. Parsley roots are good source of calcium, B-complex vitamins and iron which helps to promote the glands and normalize the uptake of calcium. Parsley has pungent or slightly bitter taste with salty flavor. It is moistening, nourishing, restoring, and ‘warming’ food. It stimulates and increases the energy of organs and thus enhances the ability to digest and utilize nutrients.
Parsley, a tiny green herb contains so many vitamins and minerals. It is rich source of vitamin a, several b vitamins and vitamin k. Also, it is a good source of vitamin C that most citrus fruits. It improves the immunity of the body which helps to prevent many infections, colds and other diseases. Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant property. So, parsley is a very useful herb to prevent and ease conditions for example rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers.
Parsley is rich in minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, copper, magnesium, manganese, sulphur and iodine.
Ingredients: a handful of parsley, some carrots, cucumbers, some celery and a lemon.
Method: Peel the lemon and add all ingredients in a mixer. Blend and serve one glass of the beverage together with a few cups of ice.
Diuretic & Laxative:
Parsley is beneficial to the kidneys as it has diuretic property. Additionally, its laxative efficacy helps the body to eliminate toxins from the body. People who are on diuretic medication should be cautious while taking parsley juice to the diet as it has additional diuretic effect.
Breathe Freshener:
Parsley acts as natural breath freshener so drinking its juice after consuming strong-smelling foods, for example garlic or onions, will clear the heavy odor from the breath. For freshening of your breath, try nibbling it at the end of the meal.
Anemia Treatment:
As parsley is a good source of iron, it is also used in treatment of anemia. Anemic people who have difficulty in taking iron supplements may want to consider drinking parsley juice in its place. For specific dosages, consult your health care provider.
Immune Booster:
Parsley acts an extraordinary immunity enhancing food as it is high in vitamin C, beta carotene, B12, chlorophyll and essential fatty acid. It is one of the most important herbs to supply vitamins to the body. Its nutrients help to build up of strong immune system. You can also add a handful of fresh parsley to the vegetables for juicing purpose as it will raise the benefit to the immune system.
Digestion:
Parsley has excellent digestive property. It enhances the digestion of proteins and fats so promotes intestinal absorption, liver assimilation and storage. The digestive activity of parsley is due to its high enzyme content.
Hormonal support:
Parsley enhances estrogen and nourishes and restores the blood of the uterus in women. Delayed menstruation, PMS, and the menopause like conditions can often improved with parsley.
Insect Bite Treatment:
Massage the parsley or parsley juice directly onto the insect bites for relief. It helps to decrease the swelling and itch of insect bites.
Other health benefits of parsley:
VITAMINS
VITAMIN A Enhances immunity, prevents eye problems and skin disorders. Important in bone and teeth formation. Protects against colds and infection. Slows aging process.HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, borage leaves, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, horsetail, kelp, lemongrass, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, peppermint, plantain, raspberry leaves, red clover, rose hips, sage, uva ursi, violet leaves, watercress, yellow dock.
VITAMIN B1 (Thiamine) Promotes growth, improves mental attitude, aids digestion, helps strengthen nervous system and prevent stress. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, bladder wrack, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaves, red clover, rose hips, sage, yarrow, and yellow dock.
VITAMIN B2 (Riboflavin) Needed for red blood cell formation, aids growth and reproduction, promotes hair, skin and nail growth. Important in the prevention and treatment of cataracts. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, bladder wrack, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, ginseng, hops, horsetail, mullein, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaves, red clover, rose hips, sage, yellow dock.
VITAMIN B3(Niacin) Essential for proper circulation and healthy skin. Increases energy, aids digestion, helps prevent migraines. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, licorice, mullein, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, slippery elm, yellow dock.
VITAMIN B5 (Panothenic Acid) Enhances stamina, prevents anemia, helps wounds heal, fights infection, strengthens immune system. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, burdock root, nettle, yellow dock.
VITAMIN B6 (Pyridoxine) Needed to produce hydrochloric acid. Aids in absorption of fats, and protein. Mildly diuretic, helps prevent kidney stones. Helpful in treating allergies, arthritis, and asthma. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, catnip, oat straw.
VITAMIN B12 (cyanocobalamin) Helps prevent anemia. Protects nervous system, improves concentration, aids digestion. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, bladder wrack, hops.
VITAMIN C (ascorbic acid) Helps calcium and iron formation. Enhances immunity. Helps prevent cancer. Aids in production of anti-stress hormones. Antioxidant required for proper tissue growth and repair, and adrenal gland function. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, kelp, peppermint, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, pine needle, plantain, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, skullcap, violet leaves, yarrow, yellow dock.
VITAMIN D Essential for calcium and phosphorous utilization. Prevents rickets. Needed for normal growth of bones and teeth. Helps regulate heartbeat. Prevents cancer and enhances immunity. Aids thyroid function and blood clotting. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, horsetail, nettle, parsley.
VITAMIN E Antioxidant which helps prevent cancer and heart disease. Prevents cell damage. Reduces blood pressure and promotes healthy skin and hair. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, bladder wrack, dandelion, dong quai, flaxseed, nettle, oat straw, raspberry leaf, rose hips.
VITAMIN K Promotes healthy liver function. Helps bone formation and repair. Increases longevity.
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, green tea, kelp, nettle, oat straw, shepherds purse.
MINERALS
CALCIUM Builds and protects bones and teeth. Helps maintain regular heartbeat. Prevents muscle cramping.HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, chicory, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, flaxseed, hops, horsetail, kelp, lemongrass, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, peppermint, plantain, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, shepherd’s purse, violet leaves, yarrow, yellow dock.
CHROMIUM Vital in the synthesis of glucose and the metabolism of cholesterol, fats and proteins. Maintains blood pressure and blood sugar levels. HERBAL SOURCES:Catnip, horsetail, licorice, nettle, oat straw, red clover, sarsaparilla, wild yam, yarrow.
COPPER Converts iron to hemoglobin. Protects against anemia. Needed for healthy bones and joints. HERBAL SOURCES: Sheep sorrel.
GERMANIUM Helps fight pain, detoxify the body, and keep immune system functioning properly. HERBAL SOURCES: Aloe vera, comfrey, ginseng, suma.
IODINE Needed in trace amounts for a healthy thyroid gland , and to help metabolize excess fat. HERBAL SOURCES: alendula, tarragon leaves, turkey rhubarb.
IRON Essential for metabolism, and the production of hemoglobin. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, chicory, dandelion, dong quai, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, horsetail, kelp, lemongrass, licorice, milk thistle seed, mullein, nettle, oatstraw, paprika, parsley, peppermint, plantain, raspberry leaf, rose hips, sarsaparilla, shepherd’s purse, uva ursi, yellow dock.
MAGNESIUM Prevents calcification of soft tissue. Helps reduce and dissolve calcium phosphate kidney stones. Helps prevent birth defects. Improves cardiovascular system.HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, bladder wrack, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, eyebright, fennel, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, lemongrass, licorice, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, red clover, sage, shepherd’s purse, yarrow, yellow dock.
Dried herbs are packed with vitamins and a healthy addition to almost any meal. Dried Coriander provides the most magnesium with 694mg (174% DV) per 100 gram serving, or 14mg (3% DV) per tablespoon. It is followed by Chives (160% DV), Spearmint (151% DV), Dill (112% DV), Sage (107% DV), Basil (106% DV), and Savory (95% DV).
MANGANESE Minute quantities of this mineral are needed for healthy nerves, blood sugar regulation, normal bone growth, and thyroid hormone production. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, burdock root, catnip, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, ginseng, hops, horsetail, lemongrass, mullein, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hip, wild yam, yarrow, yellow dock. #2: Dried Herbs
MOLYBDENUM Small amounts of this mineral are required for nitrogen metabolism. Supports bone growth, and strengthens teeth. HERBAL SOURCES: Red clover blossoms.
PHOSPHOROUS Needed for teeth and bone formation, nerve impulse transfer, normal heart rhythm, and kidney function.HERBAL SOURCES: Burdock root, turkey rhubarb, slippery elm bark.
POTASSIUM Regulates water balance, and muscle function. Important for health nervous system and regular heart rhythm. HERBAL SOURCES: Catnip, hops, horsetail, nettle, plantain, red clover, sage, skullcap.
SELENIUM Provides an important trace element for prostrate gland in males. Protects immune system and helps regulate thyroid hormones. HERBAL SOURCES:Alfalfa, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, fennel seed, ginseng, garlic, hawthorn berry, hops, horsetail, lemongrass, milk thistle nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, rose hips, sarsaparilla, uva ursi, yarrow, yellow dock.
SULFUR This mineral helps skin and hair. Fights bacterial infection. Aids liver function. Disinfects blood. Protects against toxic substances. HERBAL SOURCES: Horsetail.
VANADIUM Needed for cellular metabolism and formation of bones and teeth. Improves insulin utilization. HERBAL SOURCES: Dill.
ZINC Promotes growth and mental alertness. Accelerates healing. Regulates oil glands. Promotes healthy immune system, and healing of wounds. HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, milk thistle, mullein, nettle, parsley, rose hips, sage, sarsaparilla, skullcap, wild yam.
Nourishing Daily Brews
Daily infusions of nourishing herbs (you learn how to make these in the Herbal Medicine Making Kit) such as nettle, raspberry leaf, oatstraw, and lemon balm are a wonderful way to add extra nutrients to your diet. Children and toddlers can benefit from them as a healthy alternative to sugary juice drinks. Herbs that help tame stress and anxiety can also play a huge part in keeping our systems in balance. A convenient way to prepare your daily brews is to make them in the evening and let them steep overnight. In the morning you can strain out the plant material and refrigerate your infusion if desired, or carry it with you to drink throughout the day.
by Cori Young,
For some time now there has been a sort of gross reductionism going on in the field of health and nutrition. Part of it is due to the type of research being done, and the way that it is interpreted
to serve the corporations sponsoring it. Specific nutrients that are shown to be beneficial in clinical studies are isolated, often in synthetic form, and heralded as new weapon against cancer, heart disease, old age, etc.
There are some rather disturbing marketing trends going on right now that are geared towards women and children. Television and print advertisements show smiling, athletic women racing from one place to the next while nibbling on a “just for women” candy bar that has been “fortified with a bunch of synthetic vitamins and minerals as well as a whole host of other artificial additives and preservatives.
Children have ‘fortified juices, cereals, cereal bars, and even fluoridated ‘nursery water’.
What these ad campaigns don’t show is no matter how fancy these products are dressed up and displayed, they are still dead, processed foods that may contain harmful ingredients like hydrogenated oils, preservatives, and neurotoxins.
Even in the field of “alternative health” we find this same sort of reductionism going on. Herbal compounds are isolated, extracted and ingested in inappropriate quantities, without the synergy that the whole plant provides.
We’ve all heard the alarming research showing that a specific herb has been found to be toxic – comfrey, ephedra, kava, etc. Yet somehow Native peoples managed to use these herbs very successfully for many generations. Many of us still do. There is something to be said for using plants and foods in their whole forms and for cultivating a relationship with the different energies offered by the plants around us.
It’s very hard to improve on a diet of wild foods and herbs. Well-nourished bodies and minds enjoy balnaced hormones and hearty immune systems.
Many of us commonly turn to herbs in times of imbalance – but the use of herbs can also be a wonderful preventative ally. Daily infusions of nourishing herbs such as nettle, raspberry leaf, oatstraw, and lemon balm are a wonderful way to add extra nutrients to your diet.
I say we trade in the food labels showing the isolated synthetic ingredients provided in the de-natured, processed products for a diet rich in wild foods and nourishing herbs.
Unlike synthetic pills, daily herbal infusions provide essential nutrients in a highly assimilable form.
Vitamins & minerals are abundant in many common herbs:
March 10th At the Cherryville Hall was an amazing success, over 160 signatures in the guest book and many vendors who taught and shared garden wisdom.
Bee SAFE celebrated it landslide results for the over whelming votes for a GMO free region. Thanks to their efforts and organization they demonstrated the power of cohesiveness as a community. A special thanks to
Special thanks to Vendors and Educators
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Before diving into the ginger bath, let me share with you some information about ginger, a powerful health-enhancing root.Ginger is a tropical species originating in South East Asia, but the exact origin of this rhizome is uncertain. As Ginger is not known to grow in the wild, the plant would have rapidly spread from the Indian Ocean to Africa and the West Indies, where it is most widely cultivated today.
Pythagoras the ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher was one of its staunch supporters, and the Romans -who valued its medicinal properties and popularized its use throughout their European colonies- brought Ginger to Europe. King Henri the 8th of England is said to have used ginger for protection against the plague.
For centuries, Arab merchants controlled the ginger trade as well as other exotic spices that were highly sought after by the Europeans for culinary and medicinal use.
Ginger is also mentioned in the literature of the ancient Greeks and Romans. It has found its way into the most classic of ancient remedies, the “Mithridate”, a mythical poison antidote, which was one of the most highly sought-after drugs during the Renaissance.
What prompted me to write this article is the incredible experience I personally had with the ginger bath.
I had been feeling cranky for a few days with flu symptoms I was unable to shake off. The fact that I was overwhelmed with work and in a deadly race against deadlines only made matters worse.
Feeling sorry for my misery, my friend Francine insisted I try a ginger bath, without going into much detail as to what happens in the process.
I obediently obliged and, in the evening, feeling shaky and achy, filled my bathtub with hot water and half a cup of grated ginger, as suggested. I gratefully eased myself into the warm and fragrant water.
Little did I expect what was going to happen next!
Within 5 minutes of lying in the bathtub, it felt like my body had turned into a tap! Sweat started pouring down my face and out of every single pore in my body in a way I had never experienced, not even while doing the most strenuous of sports! Not only during my 20-minute bath, but for the next couple of hours, completely soaking the bathrobe I was wearing.
I slept like a baby that night and, to my amazement, woke up feeling energetic, cleansed and … completely symptom-free!
Is it magic?
Not at all! We all know by now that sweating is one of the most potent ways to get rid of toxins.
So, for those of us who don’t have access to a sauna or steam bath, the ginger bath is a simple and sure way to sweat all those nasty toxins out of your body!
Ginger Bath: You can use either fresh grated ginger or ginger powder. Add ½ a cup of freshly grated ginger or a rounded teaspoon of ginger powder in hot or warm water and soak for 15-20 minutes. Please remember that the ginger bath will make you sweat profusely for at least an hour afterwards, so wear a bathrobe or sweat clothes.
Make sure you drink plenty of water after the bath. If you have sensitive skin or are allergy-prone, test ginger on your skin for irritation before the bath.
Ginger Infusion Recipe: The ginger infusion works wonderfully in treating common cold and flu symptoms. Its effective anti-mucus properties relieve chest and nasal congestion, as well as inflammations. Finely chop a good piece of ginger (slightly smaller than your palm). This infusion will keep for up to 48 hours. Place in 1 litre of water and bring to the boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and leave to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, then let it steep for 10 minutes. Serve a ¾ mug of ginger and add ½ a squeezed lemon and 1 teaspoonful of honey, or to taste. Drink throughout the day as soon as you have cold or flu symptoms. This infusion will get rid of them in 48 hours!
Note: The longer the ginger soaks in the water, the sharper the taste becomes.
Ginger and Garlic Paste Recipe: Peel and chop 4 ounces of garlic and 4 ounces of fresh ginger root; mix ingredients in a blender; transfer to a jar and add one teaspoon of olive oil; refrigerate. Use a spoonful of this delicious blend as a base for flavouring your recipes.
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger have been known and valued for centuries. Modern Medicine has now provided scientific support for the long-held belief that ginger contains constituents with anti-inflammatory properties. It is known to reduce the pain of rheumatoid arthritis and encourage blood circulation.
Caution: If you take anti-coagulants, consult your doctor before using ginger.
If you’re looking to lose weight, then the Detox Bath is an ideal addition to your routine. A combination of the Detox Bath with the occasional ginger bath is all you need to maintain a naturally healthy, fit and symptom and toxin-free body.
By Rand Khalil & Lina Baker
Oatmeal baths are both relaxing and soothing, especially when your skin feels itchy (such as during a bout of chicken pox or poison ivy rash),[1] or when it is inflamed (for example, as a result of allergies, insect bites, or sunburn).[2] Oatmeal is excellent for your skin, smells good, and leaves your skin feeling soft. With an oatmeal bath, you might wish you could just sit there forever. As an added advantage, there are limitless variations on the traditional oatmeal bath, some of which are described here. Follow these steps to prepare an easy but effective oatmeal bath to soothe your skin in the comfort of your own home.
Pour about 1/3 to 3/4 cup of oatmeal into a measuring cup. The amount used will depend on how large your coffee filter or muslin piece is.
Pour the oatmeal from the cup into a bowl.
Push down on the dry oatmeal with the back of a spoon. This is to get rid of any clumps that might have formed in storage.
Spoon the mixture into the coffee filter bag or muslin piece. The filter bags used in the images for this tutorial were size 4 filters (suitable for 8-12 cups of coffee), and required four level soup spoons of mixture to fill.
Fill the tub with relatively hot water. If adding milk as well, pour the buttermilk or regular milk into the tub under the running water from the faucet.
Throw the oatmeal/lavender bag in the back of the tub, away from the bath end with the running water. Allow to cool. As the tub cools to a tolerable temperature, the heat will cause the essences of oatmeal and lavender to disperse.
Step into the tub when it is tepid. Once in the bath, you cangently squeeze the oatmeal sachet to release more of the oatmeal liquid through the bath; don’t squeeze too hard if you’re using the filter paper version though, or it will break, leaving oatmeal in your bathtub. Enjoy the bath for as long as wished, although if you are treating a skin condition, don’t stay longer than 10 minutes to avoid aggravating your skin condition.