The topic is herbs because July is National Herbal Prescription Awareness Month. Since there are a number of articles about uses of herbs on our site, this is a great opportunity to discuss using herbs for health. Herbs as a Cure All? As many of … Read more
Author: Jacqueline
Make Lavender Infused Honey
National Lavender Day is June 29. In honor of this widely celebrated and universally beloved holiday, we deemed it time to share a timely tip on one way to use lovely lavender. Why is it Called Lavender? The name of the plant is derived from … Read more
Yerba Mansa – An Anti-bacterial Herb
Yerba mansa is a native Southwest herb that has some proven anti-bacterial properties. An Unusual Herb This lovely herb is in the Lizard Tail Family (Saururaceae), an unusual plant family with only seven species in it, grouped into four genera. Yerba mansa is known more … Read more
Mesquite – Forage for Food & Medicine
Tall stately mesquite trees are not what most people think of as a herb! But this graceful tree with durable wood was used as a medicinal herb as well as a source of food, tools, and building materials. Mesquite Pods The seed pods of mesquite … Read more
Seven Plants to Forage for Iced Tea
The tea industry has declared June “National Iced Tea Month.” So today we will look at seven common regional plants that make tasty tea. Many of these can be grown as landscape plants – so foraging could be as close as your own yard. Let’s … Read more
Poreleaf for Flavor
Forage the poreleaf flowers starting to bloom now in the sandy areas of the Sonoran Desert. You can use the leaves too, but our native species is slender poreleaf – meaning they are fairly slight! There are many other things you can forage in this … Read more
Pass the Herbs
In honor of National Senior Fitness Day, May 25, I am going to share how herbs can make you more fit. It’s easy – and tasty too! Have You Heard “Salt is Bad?” It’s a myth! Salt is required for basic health. The part … Read more
Edible Cactus Flowers
Humans have been eating flowers for millennia, in many different cultures, and in some truly tasty dishes. Desert peoples are no exception. They found many ways to use the desert plants around them, including cactus and their flowers – and fruits too. Yes, … Read more
Flavors of Edible Flowers
We have posted about foraging and eating flowers – but it’s hard for some people to wrap their brains around edible flowers. Here are some tips to getting started – and a super simple recipe. Start With Edible Herb Flowers If you are unsure of … Read more
Water is Wonderful
Do you want to save money? Do you want to stay healthy? Is the Southwest hot in the summer? Step right up folks, and listen while I tell you of this amazing miracle cure. No, it’s not snake oil, but you can … Read more