Herb of the Week :Chamomile

Photo from deliciously organic 

The herb Chamomile is the flower herb of the month of October. It is a  lovely and sunny herb with a wonderful taste and smell. This herb has a long medical past and is also used in beauty. I had a hard time choosing which herb to do this week but the versatility of this herb is more that i can cover in a week. On to the information . We are going to be working with German chamomile (Matricaria retutica) , which Roman or English Chamomile ( Chamaemelum nobile) can also be used in these recipes as it is very similar to its cosine.  German chamomile is the most used and studied. I has also be approved by the Commission E ( a heath organization) to be used on the skin to reduce swelling and to fight bacteria. It has also been used as a tea or supplement sot stomach cramps. 

In recent on going studies, chamomiles  has been identified as: anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, muscle relaxant, antispasmodic, anti-allergenic and sedative properties, validating its long-held reputation. These studies have in conducted over the last 20 years and have provide the traditional uses of the plan. 

Chamomile has bee used to treat 

• irritation from chest colds
• slow-healing wounds, 
• abscesses, 
• gum inflammation, 
•  skin conditions such as :psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash

In theses conditions chamomile is used in an infusion, or bath, or even as a tincture. 

Roman chamomile is great for intestinal tract issues, sleeping problems or menstrual pain. 

Chamomile may:

• As a tea, be used for lumbago, rheumatic problems and rashes.
• As a salve, be used for hemorrhoids and wounds.
• As a vapor, be used to alleviate cold symptoms or asthma.
• Relieve restlessness, teething problems, and colic in children.
• Relieve allergies, much as an antihistamine would.
• Aid in digestion when taken as a tea after meals.
• Relieve morning sickness during pregnancy.
• Speed healing of skin ulcers, wounds, or burns.
• Treat gastritis and ulcerative colitis.
• Reduce inflammation and facilitate bowel movement without acting directly as a purgative.
• Be used as a wash or compress for skin problems and inflammations, including inflammations of mucous tissue.
• Promote general relaxation and relieve stress. Animal studies show that chamomile contains substances that act on the same parts of the brain and nervous system as anti-anxiety drugs. Never stop taking prescription medications, however, without consulting your doctor.
• Control insomnia. Chamomile's mildly sedating and muscle-relaxing effects may help those who suffer from insomnia to fall asleep more easily.
• Treat diverticular disease, irritable bowel problems and various gastrointestinal complaints. Chamomile's reported anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic actions relax the smooth muscles lining the stomach and intestine. The herb may therefore help to relieve nausea, heartburn, and stress-related flatulence. It may also be useful in the treatment of diverticular disorders and inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease.
• Soothe skin rashes (including eczema), minor burns and sunburn. Used as a lotion or added in oil form to a cool bath, chamomile may ease the itching of eczema and other rashes and reduces skin inflammation. It may also speed healing and prevent bacterial infection.
• Treat eye inflammation and infection. Cooled chamomile tea can be used in a compress to help soothe tired, irritated eyes and it may even help treat conjunctivitis.
• Heal mouth sores and prevent gum disease. A chamomile mouthwash may help soothe mouth inflammations and keep gums healthy.
• Reduce menstrual cramps. Chamomile's believed ability to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus helps ease the discomfort of menstrual cramping.

The Essential Oil is extracted from the  flowers of the plant. The oil is best used for relaxation. It has a calming effect on most people and can help induce sleep, ease frayed nerves, and promoted s sense of clam. It can also be applied to the skin  to help clean wounds, and to protect them form infections.  Ti can also be used to relax muscles, like back aches, cramps. and sore and tight joints. This oil can be blended with creams a to provide relief form rashes and irritated skin. 

Please consulate with your doctor in all case about your health.

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-chamomile.html

http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/amazing-benefits-of-chamomile-oil-for-skin-health-and-hair/

Chocolate coffee Cake

This is a great cake recipe. It is quick and easy. I found it at Averie cooks. her pictures are just lovely. But now on to the good stuff. She totes that this takes just one bowl, no creaming and no mixer. Okay, Challeng Accepted.



So it was not that hard to make and it turned out lovely. Below is the recpice

YIELD: one 9-by-9-inch square cake, 12 generous pieces

 

PREP TIME: 10 minutes

COOK TIME: about 25 minutes

 

TOTAL TIME: 90 minutes, to allow for cooling

INGREDIENTS:

Chocolate Cake

1 large egg

1 cup granulated sugar

6 ounces plain, vanilla, or chocolate yogurt 

1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup brewed coffee, room temperature or warm

1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt, optional

Chocolate Ganache

9 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (about 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips)

3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or optionally use 1 to 2 tablespoons rum, bourbon, coffee-, orange-, raspberry-, chocolate-flavored liqueur)

DIRECTIONS:

Cake - Preheat oven to 350° F.  Line a 9-by-9-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking or grease and flour a 10-inch round cake pan; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl combine egg, sugar, yogurt, oil, vanilla, and whisk until smooth and combined. Add coffee, cocoa powder, and whisk vigorously until batter is smooth and free from lumps.

Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and whisk vigorously until batter has just combined, about 1 minute. Note about coffee: The coffee does not make the cake taste like a coffee-flavored cake. Rather, it brings out and enhances the flavor of the cocoa powder and adds depth of flavor; I highly recommend coffee but use water if you must. The coffee can be any temperature other than piping hot; you don’t want to scramble the egg.

Pour batter, which is a loose and fairly runny batter, into prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes, or until top has set and a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cake to cool in pan completely, at least 30 minutes, before adding ganache or frosting the cake, or before slicing and serving. Unfrosted cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or store frosted cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Chocolate Ganache - Place chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl and heat on high power for 1 minute to soften chocolate; set aside.

In a small microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup, heat the cream (I used half-and-half) on high power just until it begins to bubble and show signs of boiling, about 60 to 75 seconds.

Pour hot cream over chocolate and let it stand about 1 minute. Whisk vigorously until chocolate has melted and mixture is smooth and velvety.

Add vanilla or optional flavorings and stir to combine. Set bowl aside for about 10 minutes, allowing ganache to cool and thicken a bit. Whisk mixture briefly before pouring all of it over the cake. Lightly smooth and spread the ganache with a spatula or offset knife. Allow ganache to set up for at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving the cake; or speed this process up by placing pan in the refrigerator or freezer briefly.

Chamomile Ingrown hair remover

Having a ingrown hair is painful. Trying to remove one is hard and painful. So this is a method that I have tried and it works. And FAST.

This should only take 30 minutes of wait time. So kick you feet and watch a short show on Netflixs. It only takes a few moments to whip this up if you have all the ingredients.

Ingredients

1 tsp raw honey

1/3 cup good quality Bentonite Clay

5 drops vitamin E oil

Essential oils of Chamomile, tea tree and lavender for a total of ~10 drops.


Directions
1. mix all dry ingredients in  a little bowl.
2 Add all the wet ingredients and then add water until it becomes a past.
3 Apply the past to the affected area or areas and let dry. Leave on for 30 minutes, the rise and moisturize. I use cocnut oil.


There should be dramatic improvement in 30 minutes and more by the next day.

Most ingrown hairs are due to shaving too close.

1 Do not apple pressure while shaving. Do not stretch the skin before you shave.
2.Keep moisturized
3. Try not to scrap, squeeze or pick a the site of the ingrown hair. This could damage the skin, increase healing time and even cause an infection.

Manga Review: Kimi ni Todoke

Author:  Karuho Shiina

Publisher:  Viz

Publish Date: August 9, 2009

Book Rating 5/5

On going

Amazon /  Goodreads / Ten Manga

Publisher's Description Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine...for a horror movie. With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, she's often mistaken for Sadako, the haunting character from Ringu. Unbeknownst to but a few, behind her scary façade is a very misunderstood teenager. Shy and pure of heart, she just wants to make friends. But when Kazehaya, the most popular boy in class, befriends her, she's sure to make more than just that--she's about to make some enemies too!.

Manga Review 4/5

Book Recevied : Own

Why I Picked it up: The cover art looked good. The slice of life style of manga is enjoyable. Also that is not perfect but want to make friends. 

Why I finished it: The story thus far is fun and light, but still has depth to it. It is a fun read and you want to find out more. 

Who I would give it to: Someone who wants a look inside an outsider life.

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Shades of grey

So this is a so so picture of a very cute outfit. It is a grey pencil skit with a cream blouse and a black sweater. The outfit is cuter in person. I took a tons of pictures of this and then just cam out bad. So this is the less bad one. I am honestly thinking about just taking picture of myself wearing the outfits. It just might work a bit better. We will see. there might just be changes around here.


Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

A soothing Lavender and Chamomile tea

Making you own tea is easy and soothing.  One for this week is base around roses. To help soothe the mind and nerves, this might be taken though then day or even before bed.

Japaneses Sencha Green Tea
 1/4 oz Lavender
1/4 oz Chamomile

Here I am using a one to one ration the herbs and a 1 to 4 ratio with the tea. This mixture has little to no caffeine making it suitable to take before bed time. Helping the brain turn off form the rigorous of the day.

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Lavender sachets

It is that time of year. The change is seasons, marks a change in clothes. We invest quite a bit of time and money and emotion in to our clothes. To keep the looking nice and smelling nice I have a few suggestions.

First wash them before packing them up. At this point you could add a bit of lavender in to the wash to impart a lovely scent.

Second check them over, is there a spot or stain, a rip or a tear. Mend them if you can or ask a friend who is skilled with a needle to mend them for you.


Third pick a good box for your clothes. Store them out of harsh light and in something air tight if you can. The box or container should be clean and dry.

Sort and fold your clothes. When packing, place the heaviest items on the bottom and the lightest on the top. If the fabric is delicate separate with tissue paper.

I have a small project for those who wish to add a little scent to the box.  You will need

DMC Floss
Felt
scissors
needle
lavender


So mine are going to heart shaped because I like the shape. So I traced out the heart on to an 8 by 8 piece of felt. I used a leftover piece form another project.  I cut it out.

Then I sewed it closed with the floss. Just a simple running stitch will be fine. You could add a decorative stitch such as a blanket stitch afterwards, but that is up to you.




I left a small opening  at the top. then I filled it with the sweet smelling lavender. Then closed it up. There is is done. I have a few of these to put in my boxes and maybe even my dresser drawers.




Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún