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HERBS of the Bible~Day Four~~
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)…. is an herb native to the upper areas of the Nile, mentioned in the Bible, along with Mint (Mentha sp.), when Jesus reproved the scribes.

cumin1(Matthew 23:23) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”~

(Old Testament) “For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.
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Cumin (pronounced “KYOO-min”) is a spice made from the dried seed of a plant known as Cuminum cyminum. A member of the parsley family.

Ancient Romans used cumin the way people do pepper today, as an all-purpose seasoning for nearly every food.

Cumin is well loved in Middle Eastern and Indian dishes.

cumin2Lamb, curries and yogurt are among the most popular foods that call for Cumin.
Black Cumin, while not easy to find in certain locations, imparts a milder flavor…I find it best for those foods that don’t need a strong influence.
It’s also used to flavor liqueurs and for pickling.

The seed is used in perfumery and veterinary medicine.

It’s medicinal uses are for flatulence, colic, indigestion and diarrhea.
This is my favorite blend for Indian food or any food that you wish to impart a good bite.

**Equal amounts of: cardamon, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.**
Just blend well and store in an airtight jar…I make small batches as needed for a few weeks use.

Does wonders for a basic Chili recipe.
And it spices up a cup of plain tea or hot chocolate cup.
Enjoy~

Coriander-A Bible Herb~

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is referenced several times in the Old Testament.

(Exodus 16:31) Now the house of Israel called its name manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
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corianderCoriander/Cilantro is fast becoming one of the most popular fresh herbs in the U.S. The foliage is called Cilantro, while the edible seed is Coriander.
( the plant looks very much like the Italian parsley plant.)But…can easily be identified by the aroma. Very pungent.

Coriander seeds were found in the tomb of Tutankhamen, dating back to around 1300 BC.

The plant was brought to Britain by the Romans; in the first century AD.

The Coriander seeds are delicious in soups and breads and is a main ingredient in a good “curry powder.”

Mix together:

1oz dried ginger
1oz coriander seed
1oz cardamon seed
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1oz turmeric powder

Grind to a fine blend with pestle and mortar/store in an air tight glass jar.

( this blend is wonderful added to sour cream for a spicy dipping bowl.)

Medicinal use:

The seeds are most potent for calming indigestion and helps digest fatty foods.

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy massage for muscular aches and stress related indigestion.

We usually have at least one Mexican meal during the holidays and this blend is a staple.

Enjoy….experiment~

For those who doubt the benefits from using herbs in the kitchen….ponder the fact….in the times we are discussing….herbs were entirely for medicine-culinary usage did not come into play until much, much later.

For example…nothing better for our system than the Warm herbs…ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, clove, etc.
Just a shake in everything you consume will pack a wallop at the end of the day.

There are at least twelve herbs that are mentioned in the Bible.

I think the Holiday Season is a perfect time to ponder these.
herbs of the bible bible

Aloe (Aquilari agalloche) is believed to be the only tree descended to man from the Garden of Eden.

(Numbers 24:6) Like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters.
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aloeAloe today is a major herb in the field of Natural health and medicine.

The most well know uses are the benefits in treating burns, from small mishaps to badly burned cases, sunburn, eczema, psoriasis, and any other skin inflammation.

Mixed with cucumber juice it can be used to help immune function, digestive function and conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and Crohn’s disease.

Keeping an Aloe Vera plant in your garden or a small pot in the kitchen can be a fast and helpful remedy for small bites and scrapes from everyday activities, especially if you have small children.

It’s also great for a soft and healthy complexion.

The leaves can be broken and the gel applied directly to the skin.

**Those requesting printed information…the cost is $ 25.00, PM me for payment instructions.
**Please do not copy this or any of my material from Sage Hill without written permission from me.**
Anything I share is free to read and use for your personal benefit…Not to copy and re-distribute. Thank you~

October is my renewal anticipation time…..think about the past year and weed out the things that did not serve me and my purpose well.

Make a rough draft for the coming year and clear the path for Holiday season!

As you know, if you follow this blog…Bliss and Red have been the focus…so why would I stray from that now…October is the perfect month for all shades of red. Bright, shocking red, russet reds, and orangy reds…and yes! October is full of Bliss !

Colorful foods of the season, warm cotton shirts, and leather boots that pull you toward the woods….where you’ll find colors to match your thoughts…if, you allow the October Bliss to guide you~

Loving the season….

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You’ve noticed no-doubt..The Stylish Gardener has been on vacation!

Four months left of 2015…WoW! The year has left many changes at Sage Hill.

One of the biggest and best…more free time, a slower pace, for “me.”

Sitting in my comfort zone today (my home office) content ( to a point) in my work, my accomplishments, my self expectations….I realized what a blessed life I have….I have climbed mountains these last 2 years…reached peaks I thought were out of reach for me….said yes to questionable options….embraced future disappointments…and still smiling and seeing Bliss where some say there is no Bliss….It’s A Red Dot moment~005

 

19151t-easley-covered-bridge-easly-covered-bridge1Yes, I’m aware we have been missing…even Bliss needs a break from time to time.

There are times when sharing doesn’t fit the feeling…however, I hope you enjoyed your break as much as I have mine.

Things I’m seeing more and more…red sunsets, red clouds, red leaves in the gardens, red colors in the new season for home and self…

You know my passion for red…it never fails to spark a thought, an action, a wish…

There is always a new bridge to cross…if you are lucky…it will be a covered, red one!

Much love~

imagesVEW1C096100_3136images         Deep red or bright pink fruits and vegetables should be eaten every day. Nutrition research shows that foods in the red groups contain phytochemicals, such as lycopene and anthocyanins. Phytochemicals, substances found only in plants, help your body fight disease and promote good health.

Lycopene (pronounced LIKE-oh-peen) helps reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Watermelons, pink grapefruits, and tomato-based products such as spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, and tomato juice are all good sources of lycopene. One out of every six men in America will be affected by prostate cancer, says Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, Director of NCIs 5 A Day for Better Health Program. Men who want to reduce their risk of prostate cancer should eat foods rich in lycopene as part of their recommended 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Women need 5 to 7 servings per day…

I’m not big on measuring out servings and counting amounts…so…I just fill up the frig, the pantry, and the fruit bowls with the right colors and when I get hungry…that is what I eat.

You can do it~

Other red fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, raspberries, and beets contain anthocyanins (pronounced an-tho-SIGH-uh-nins), a group of phytochemicals that are powerful antioxidants that help control high blood pressure and protect against diabetes-related circulatory.

Japanese Honeysuckle (Wild-crafted)

There are over 180 varieties of honeysuckle, which include both deciduous and evergreen types. All varieties have sweet-smelling flowers that range from white and yellow to red.

Japanese HoneysuckleThe most common honeysuckle is the Japanese variety. The vine has deciduous green leaves one to three inches in length and yellow, trumpet-like, two-lipped flowers. The vine can grow in excess of 30 feet and can be supported by a trellis or grow up a structure.

Honeysuckle is an invasive plant, so it must be constantly clipped back so it does not escape from the garden and into the fields. The stems are slightly hairy when new and form a bark as they get a little older. The plant dies back in the winter in cold climates but comes back in the spring. Honeysuckle attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Japanese honeysuckle is native to Japan and Korea. It was brought to the state of New York in 1806 to be used as a food source for wildlife in the state, and because of its appeal as a plant. It was used to control and prevent earth erosion, and it worked well. In fact, the plant became invasive and had to be controlled after a while.

This is the honeysuckle used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating the heart and lung meridians. In western herbalism it is a trusted treatment for many forms of arthritis, including rhuematoid and osteo arthritis pain and inflamation. It also is an excellent treatment for gout. This is the stems only, the stem and flower mixture treats upper respiritory ailments. The stem alone is an important medicinal, besides treating joint pain and swelling, it also lowers Blood Pressure, and breaks fevers..

There are two ways to enjoy this and any Wild Crafted Tisane….

Japanese HoneysuckleSteep 1-3 teaspoons of blend in 8-ounces of water that reached a boiling point—cover and steep 5 minutes for sipping pleasure.

For medicinal results steep from 7 to 15 minutes, depending on strength desired. The longer steeped, the stronger the taste/benefits.

Most Wild Crafted herbs/plants are best dried before using. Drying preserves and strengthens the oils/flavors.

What are Capers?

CapersCapers are the un-ripened flower buds of Capparis spinosa, a prickly, perennial plant.

Capers probably originated from dry regions in west or central Asia. Known and used for millennia, capers were mentioned by Dioscorides as being a marketable product of the ancient Greeks. Capers are also mentioned by the Roman scholar, Pliny the Elder.The relationship between capers and human beings can be traced back to the stone age.

Remains of C. spinosa were unearthed in archaeological sites as early as the lower Mesolithic. (Cultural period between paleolithic and Neolithic)

CapersAfter the buds are harvested and dried, the pungent, almost peppery, lemony taste… is brought out by the pickling process in vinegar, brine, salt or wine.

Being a desert plant, the caper bush needs very little water or nutrients.

The earliest known mention of the caper bush is in a Sumerian epic of 2000 BC. … Besides its value as food and medicine, the plant is highly ornamental .