SOIL

SOIL CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS EITHER ACID OR ALKALINE. This is known as the pH factor [potential of hydrogen]. The pH scale is a range from acid values through to alkaline values. The pH scale is from numbers 1 through to 14.
  Numbers 1 to 7 are on the acid end of the scale, while 7-14 is on the alkaline side,.
  The neutral on the pH scale is the number 7. Some plants love acid conditions; such as the Buchu and Ericas.
  If soil is too acid, lime may be added. Get advice from your herbalist or horticulturist how to do this safely and correctly.
  If the soil is too alkaline, this is usually due to a lack of organic matters.
  You can remedy this by the use of a good herbal organic compost.

Good soil 
  Remember; good soil leads to healthy, nourished plants. Healthy herbs and plants lead to healthy meals and herbal health and beauty products.
  Healthy meals and products lead to a healthy you!

Vital elements
  Three vital elements in soil are
Nitrogen [N[, Phosphorus [P] and Potassium [K]. Herbalists do not usually use fertilizers; and we never use pesticides.
  Pesticides can have side effects such as killing off butterflies and bees, field mice and the owls that eat them.
  Out of respect and care for the insect and animal world, we refrain from using substances that prove poisonous to them. It must also be remembered that pesticides on crops are often ingested by ourselves as part of the grain or fruit crop which were sprayed.

Pesticides and Cancer 
 There is a proven link between Pesticides and Cancer. Farmers who frequently use 2,4-D have a six-fold increase in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  Scientists believe that the use of lawn chemicals such as 2,4-D has been a significant factor in the 50% rise in on-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the American population; Alleged News. [1]

Pesticides Kill Bees 
The University of Minnesota Bee Squad are looking to raise awareness of the effect of pesticides on bees.  The insecticide fipronil killed thousands of bees across Minneapolis in October 2013, Alleged News. [2]

Bees are disappearing
  Honey bees are disappearing rapidly from the US; and scientists have confirmed that pesticides are killing the honeybees, Alleged News. [3]
  New research showed in 2013 that bees exposed to common agricultural chemicals while pollinating US crops are less likely to resist a parasitical infection, Alleged News.
  Scientists from the University of Maryland and the US Department of Agriculture published a study [4] that linked chemicals, including fungicides, to the mass die-offs [5].
  Scientists had been investigating to find the cause behind the Colony Collapse Disorder [CCD] in which an estimated 10 million beehives at an average value of $200 each have been lost since 2006, Alleged News. [3]
  In the winter of 2012, the honey bee population declined by 31.1 percent, with some beekeepers reporting losses of 90 to 100 percent of their bee populations.
  Scientists are concerned that the $200 billion agriculture industry could collapse, since more than 100 US crops rely on bees to pollinate them, Alleged News. [3]

Butterflies are disappearing
  Great concern is felt as whole populations of butterflies are under threat, and in some instances are in danger of disappearing.
  The beloved monarch butterfly is under serious threat, Alleged News.
  A 2013 census found that year's population of North American monarch butterflies in Mexico to be at the lowest level ever measured, Alleged News.
  Insect ecologist Orley Taylor spoke to Yale Environment 360 about how the planting of genetically modified crops and the resulting use of herbicides has contributed to the monarchs' decline, Alleged News. [6]

Protect our planet
  Herbalists nurture bees and butterflies tenderly, as these tiny creatures are a fundamental link in our food chain.
  Besides, they are cute and fellow beings on our planet.
They have as much right to be here as we, the stars in the sky and every creature on earth have.
  Herbalists are the midwives and protectors of the earth.
Let us protect our God-given and precious land, nourish our soil with only organic and healthy substances and PROTECT OUR BEES, BUTTERFLIES, INSECTS AND BIRDS.  

[1] Pesticides and Cancer, Alleged News
http://www.toxicsinfo.org/Lawn/Pesticides%20&%20Cancer.htm

[2] Pesticides killed bees, analysis shows, Alleged News
http://www.mndaily.com/news/campus/2013/10/07/pesticides-killed-bees-analysis-shows

[3] Scientists confirm: Pesticides kill America's honeybees, Alleged News
https://www.rt.com/usa/bee-pesticide-scientist-research-600/

[4] PLOS ONE: Crop Pollination Exposes Honey Bees to Pesticides which Alters Their Susceptibility to the Gut pathogen Nosema cerenae
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0070182#authcontrib

[5] 'Beemageddon' threatens US with food disaster, Alleged News
https://www.rt.com/usa/bee-pollination-disaster-food-959/

[6] Tracking the causes of the sharp decline of Monarch butterfly, Alleged News
http://e360.yale.edu/feature/tracking_the_causes_of_sharp__decline_of_the_monarch_butterfly/2634/

Catherine Nicolette WhittlePhytotherapy HAOSA [South Africa 2001]

*Disclaimer; Please note that the information on this Herbal Post is not meant to replace your Doctor or Health Professional  or Herbalist care,

With thanks to toxicsinfo.org, mndaily.com, rt.com, journals.plos.org and e360.yale.edu
 

WATER, TEMPERATURE AND WIND

WATER MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PLANTS. Some plants are native to  bogs and will not flower even if they survive other deprivations.
  You need to give the right amount of water to your various plants in order that they may grow properly.
  Too much water, and you can rot the roots [trust me; I know!]
Too little water, and your precious herbs will wither and die before your eyes.
  If you need assistance to know the correct amount of watering to give your plants, your local herbalist or horticulturist can give you invaluable advice.
  While considering water, do not forget the importance of temperature.
  There are different types of areas with different temperatures; such as

• hot
• humid
• desert
• dry areas
• rainy
• coastal
• frost and snow

Many plants are very adaptable and, if you give them good protection, may be cultivated outside their usual habitat.
 
Wind and temperature go together. The temperature in the area may be high, but this will be affected if there is wind.
  This is known as the wind-chill factor. In other words, the measured temperature may be quite high; but can be experienced as lower by the plant due to the wind cooling the plant.

Catherine Nicolette Whittle

Phytotherapy HAOSA [South Africa 2001]

*Disclaimer; Please note that the information on this Herbal Post is not meant to replace your Doctor or Health Professional  or Herbalist care

HOW TO PLAN AND PLANT YOUR OWN HERB GARDEN

 HOW DO YOU GET THAT FAMOUS 'GREEN THUMB?' 
Well, if you want your plants to grow, you need five essential conditions:

• air [or atmosphere]
• light
• warmth
• moisture
• and soil

You need good, rich growing soil which contains various organic and inorganic compounds.
  All plants and herbs require light. Some plants need more light than others, while simple fungus plants often need little or no light in which to thrive.
  Remember that your plants which have large and delicately thin leaves often prefer shade.
  Plants with stiff needle like or succulent leaves and thick cuticles, prefer full sun.

Choose your plant to suit your area
  Varying temperatures are vital to keep in mind. You cannot expect desert plants to grow well in a rainy coastal area.
  In the same way, you can't expect large delicate-leaved ferns to flourish in the heat of the desert.
  Plants with large [thin] delicate leaves generally prefer shade. These include the peppermint and mint plants, chervil and angelica.
  Various plants grow in various areas; choose those that are best adapted to your area.

Choice of herbs
  When you sit down to plan your herb garden, keep in mind what you want to use your herbs for.
  If you enjoy cooking, you will want to consider having culinary herbs such as sage in your garden.
  Medicinal plants - especially for tinctures, are of importance if you have interest in their medicinal properties for healing.
  Consider studying for a qualification in herbalism/ phytotherapy, if you wish to use various herbs as medicines.
  You need to be properly trained and qualified in order to safely treat medical conditions with herbs.
  You may want to plant cosmetic herbs as they assist in the health and vitality of yourself and your family.
  If you feel and look good, you will receive a psychological boost.
Hair, mouth, face and skin care is essential for the wellbeing and health of both you and your family.

Catherine Nicolette Whittle

Phytotherapy HAOSA [South Africa 2001]

*Disclaimer; Please note that the information on this Herbal Post is not meant to replace your Doctor or Health Professional  or Herbalist care