The Little Herb House
The Little House to Remember!
5800 Holland Church Road
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919)
772-3543
June/July 2006
Volume 5, Issue 3
On Thursday, June 8, we harvested the lavender grosso that was planted beside the horse stables
in the fall of 2005. It was absolutely a heavenly experience! The aromas from the essential oils
were everywhere and could be smelled simply by standing nearby the plants. The bumble bees (probably 300
of them!) were not too happy about us taking away their nectar. I hope you are able to open/see the photos
that follow:
This is why I grow herbs my friends!! The experience of harvesting an herb that was started from a tiny, 2-inch plug
one year ago is like none other! The satisfaction is complete. The aromas are like no other. And the experience is a
total sensory one – sight (the color lavender), sound (the buzz of the bumble bees), smell (that of only true lavender
essential oil), touch (cutting the stems of lavender), and taste (yes, I even popped a few lavender florets into
my mouth)! I hope these photos bring you closer to some of my experiences on the herb farm.
The next group of photos shows the German Chamomile when it was harvested in May. Talk about a wonderful,
organic chamomile tea!!
That’s all of the photos for now! Read on to plan for your next outing to The Little Herb House!
Herbally yours,
Lisa
Summer Events
July 27 - 29: Customer Appreciation Days Sale
July 27&28, Th.&Fri. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
July 29, Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
This sale is to say thank you to all the loyal customers of The Little Herb House! Come out on Friday or
Saturday to have a glass of herbal iced tea and shop the Customer Appreciation Days Sale. Here’s some of the
bargains you’ll find:
· All plants will be 50% off – that’s right, for just two days you can take 50% off of all potted plants!
· Each customer will receive a 4-inch potted Teatime hibiscus plant to take home & grow your own hibiscus tea (limit one/customer, while supplies last).
$ 3.00 VALUE
· In addition, anyone who buys a Chinese Lantern plant (Physalis alkekengi) ($2.25) can choose a free Ajuga ‘Knotweed’, Hops, Leek, or Mountain mint plant. $ 3.00 VALUE
· Each customer will receive 2 “Tea of Life” tea bags upon checkout – choose from black, green, white or red teas with wonderful, assorted flavors!!
$ .50 VALUE
· The first 25 customers will receive a copy of Lisa’s “Fifty Ways to Love Your Leaves” booklet ($10 minimum purchase required to receive the booklet upon check-out).
$ 3.50 VALUE
· Lots of last year’s inventory still 50% off – sale areas throughout the shop will be identified with
50%-Off Signs!!!
TOTAL
FREEBIES:
$10.00 VALUE
August 25 or 26: “Fifty Ways to Love Your Leaves” Workshop $25/person
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
This hands-on workshop will educate you in the ways of loving (and using) your leaves – herb leaves, of course!
Preserve your herb harvest by learning how to use drying & freezing methods and making vinegars.
Each participant will make an herbal vinegar, cut a bunch of fresh herbs to take home and dry, and receive a
copy of Lisa’s “50 Ways to Love Your Leaves” booklet. Lisa will discuss many of the 50 ways to harvest and
use your herbs. Herbal tea and scones will also be served. Register today by e-mailing ltway@bellsouth.net,
with your choice of dates (Aug. 25 or Aug. 26) and herb for vinegar (basil or tarragon), and then mail your check,
payable to The Little Herb House, by August 15.
Class size will be limited to 12 participants/day and registration fee must be pre-paid.
The Little Herb House reserves the right to cancel a class/workshop if pre-registration is low, and
will refund your class fee if cancellation is required.
September 15 & 16: Fall Open House
Details to follow in next newsletter.
New Products
now available at The Little Herb House
Earth Mama/Angel Baby
Earth Mama Angel Baby™ is the only complete line of all-natural and organic herbal products and gifts that support the entire process of childbirth –
from natural pregnancy through labor, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding and natural baby care. View the complete line of products at
www.earthmamaangelbaby.com and then call or e-mail The Little Herb House to order your products today. This line has some of the finest,
top-of-the-line herbal products for women and children that I have ever carried in my shop!!
Earth Maiden Soap & Sundries
Earth Maiden
Earth Maiden Soap and Sundries is a small cottage soapworks in Charleston, South Carolina. We offer natural, handcrafted, all vegetable oil soaps and bath and body products, essential oil scented and fragrance free. Our soaps are hand stirred, wire cut and made in small batches to assure quality.
Back in May while Craig & I were in Charleston celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, we decided to go to the
downtown Farmer’s Market. There I met Mary, the owner and soapmaker of Earth Maiden Soap & Sundries. Her
soaps were beautiful to see, the fragrances were wonderful (because she uses pure essential oils), but how would
they lather & feel upon the skin, we wondered? Mary’s customers were buying them “right and left” as I stood at
her booth waiting to buy mine – now I know why! Craig & I bought 6 bars to try out at home – the soaps did not let us
down!! Their cleansing and lathering abilities were excellent, and the after-feel on the skin was moisturizing and
nourishing. I decided right then to carry them at The Little Herb House, and now they are here for you to enjoy as well!
You can purchase a 4.5 oz. bar for $6.00, or buy 3 for $15, or 6 for $28.
Samples will also be available for $1.00 a piece – a great way to try new scents!
|
Silicone Mini Scone Pan |
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|
|
Silicone mini-scone pan makes three-bite-sized scones quickly
and easily. |
King Arthur Scone Mixes
Fresh-baked scones, hot from the oven... it just doesn't get any better!
King Arthur's easy scone mix makes delicious scones FAST.
• Made with
all-natural, unbleached King Arthur Flour
• Simply blend, shape and bake for hot &
delicious
scones in less than 30 minutes
• Makes 8 to 16 scones (depending on size of
scones)
• Serve at breakfast, high tea, or anytime
Order your scone mix and pan today from The Little Herb House!
Save on delivery charges by picking up your products at the shop!
Highlight Herb: Lemon Verbena
by Lisa S. Treadaway
Botanical Name: Aloysia triphylla
Family: Verbenaceae
Parts Used: Leaf
Description: Lemon verbena is a deciduous, woody shrub, hardy in zones 9-10. This herb imparts a clean,
sharp, lemony fragrance upon contact and in culinary uses. It can grow to 10-15 ft. outdoors in warm climates,
and up to 5 ft. in cooler areas or indoors. Lemon verbena is native to Chile and Argentina, where it is widely
cultivated. In late summer, the shrub will flower with tiny, white and pale lavender loose clusters.
History: This herb is unusual when it comes to its history, as there is very little known. Spanish explorers discovered
it in South America and brought it to Europe in the seventeenth century. There it was used for its perfumed oil, as an
after bath body rub, and later in soaps and bath oils. Lemon verbena’s “claim to fame” occurred in Gone with the Wind
when it was mentioned as the favorite fragrance of Scarlet O’Hara’s mother.
Cultivation: Planting site should be full sun in light, well-drained, alkaline soil. Poor soil usually produces stronger
plants, more able to survive the winter. For most people who live above zone 9, you can grow lemon verbena in a container.
It is a heavy feeder, so fertilize regularly. For propagating, take softwood cuttings in late spring. As cold temperatures approach,
trim away thin branches and bring the plant indoors. Don’t be concerned if the plant loses its leaves while inside during fall and
winter – lemon verbena is like any other deciduous tree. Simply prune and spray with warm water in the spring to revive the
plant.
Culinary Uses: Lemon verbena leaf, either fresh or dried, may be infused as an herbal tea. Chopped leaves can be added to
fish, poultry, drinks, jams, cakes, ice cream, salad dressings, etc. Fresh leaves are tough, so remember to remove them from foods
before serving. Fresh leaves may be tossed into iced tea to add a sweet, lemony taste. Add dried, crumbled leaves to the batter
of carrot, banana or zucchini bread.
Aromatic Uses: Dried leaves will retain their strong, fresh lemon scent for 2-3 years; this makes for an excellent herb in potpourris
and sachets. Another popular use for fresh leaves is to infuse in finger bowls at a fancy dinner party. Lemon verbena essential oil
is used in perfumes, floral waters, massage oils, and scented baths. Simply having the plant close to a walkway and brushing by it
is a wonderful, aromatic experience.
Medicinal Action & Uses: Typically not regarded as an important medicinal herb, lemon verbena has been used to aid digestion
and to reduce flatulence, stomach cramps, and nausea. It is also said to have a mildly sedative effect and to reduce fevers when
taken as a tea.
References: Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs
The Complete Book of Herbs, by Lesley Bremness
That’s all for this issue! Until next time, “Find a way, to enjoy herbs every day.”
The Little Herb
By Appointment Only
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