Welcome to an opportunity to become friends with the herbs on this planet and to make healthy choices throughout life!

Herbal Educator offers a delightful course for children leading to Junior Herbalist Certification!

Start your journey as a Junior Herbalist!

• Enjoy 12 herb lessons! Each one includes important knowledge about the herb, gardening, stories from history, and nutrition matters! With each herb you learn about, you can complete hands-on projects to give you experience and to help you grow as a budding herbalist. Stories from around the world and throughout the centuries will help you gain knowledge and wisdom! Purchase Lesson One and begin your journey as a Junior Herbalist today!

Cost: Each lesson is in PDF file format and may be purchased individually and downloaded to your computer for US$ 5.99.

Purchase all 12 lessons together to receive a super discount and a free copy of the Teacher’s Guide. Cost: US$ 48.00.

Lesson 1: The Largest Herb in the World. This is an amazing lesson for children (ages 8-100). What is an herb?  What is the largest herb in the world? Discover the answers as you learn about herbs, gardening, stories from history, and nutrition matters. Enjoy stories, crossword puzzles, matching exercises, and many activities to help you remember and treasure this knew knowledge. For ages 8 and above, this is great material!  US$ 5.99

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Lesson 2: Chamomile. What is the difference between German and Roman Chamomile?  What is the legend and origin of tea?  Learn how to make chamomile tea and why, in the Story of Peter Rabbit, Peter’s mother chose chamomile tea to comfort Peter before bedtime. Great stories and chamomile herb facts from around the world! US$ 5.99

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Lesson 3: Arugula. In England, arugula is known as “Rocket.”  In Arabia, arugula is “Jarjeer.” Learn how to use this delightful plant and how it has been used around the world for health and healing through the centuries. US$ 5.99

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Lesson 4: Basil. US$ 5.99

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Myrtle

Myrtle (Myrtus  communis) is a marvelous evergreen shrub.  Its fragrant leaves, when steam distilled, yield a healing essential oil – reminding us that the fruit of trees “shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” (Ezekial 47:12)

The essential oil of myrtle is a decongestant, and an aid to the respiratory system, sinus infections, colds, flu, coughs, bronchitis, and asthma.  Dr. Penoel, M.D. of France, shares that myrtle normalizes hormonal imbalances of the thyroid, hyperthyroid, and ovaries.  To benefit from this biblical plant, one can apply the essential oil of myrtle topically, diffuse, or use in a humidifier.  It is gentle and useful for children’s chest complaints and coughs. Note: One way to start when applying topically is to dilute 50/50 in a vegetable oil, such as V6, and rub on the chest and upper back.

Six times, myrtle is directly mentioned in the Bible.  It is first mentioned after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in the 6^th century BC, during the time of captivity of the Children of Israel.

• During the Feast of the Tabernacles, a custom was to dwell in booths made out of boughs of trees.  Nehemiah 8:15 cites myrtle as one of the trees used for this practice. “And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.” The Feast of the Tabernacles celebrates the sojourning of the children of Israel in the wilderness and the gathering in of the fruits of the year.
• The Prophet Zechariah, who preached repentance from the 2^nd to 4^th year of Darius (520-518 BC), saw a vision of an angel of God standing among the myrtle trees. Three times, myrtle trees were mentioned as the location where the angel stood.  Perhaps this man of God was enjoying the beauty and fragrance of the myrtle as he prayed and prepared for his work. (Zechariah 1: 7-11)
• The Prophet Isaiah, in his description of the recovery of Israel, spoke positively of myrtle stating: “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree” (Isaiah 55:13).
• Again from Isaiah 41:19, we read: “I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together.”

Also fascinating are traditional uses of myrtle not referenced in the Bible:

• Anciently, myrtle was used to make perfume and ink.
• Myrtle branches have traditionally been used for strewing on the graves of loved ones in Syria and Lebanon. (Musselman, 2007)

Key Constituents of myrtle include Alpha-Pinene [45-60%)]; 1,8 Cineol (Eucalyptol) [17-27%]; Limonene [5-11%]; Linalol [2-5%]

Both Alpha-Pinene and Limonene are popular monoterpenes, found in many essential oils!  Monoterpenes can be described as balancing and healing. An oxide, 1,8 Cineol is decongesting and also known for increasing blood flow in the brain, which can relieve head pain. Linalol is an alcohol, a category which is generally energizing, stimulating, toning, cleansing, bactericidal, antiviral, antiseptic, gentle, and mild.

In a nutshell, myrtle is a great oil to have in your “at-home preparedness kit.” It has been used for practical purposes for centuries and you may enjoy it, too!

To experience myrtle, as a proud Distributor, I recommend Young Living Essential Oils!  They are pure and therapeutic-grade. Myrtle essential oil is available in 15 mL bottles (Order Code: 3596) or as part of the Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture kit (Order Code: 3143). To purchase the essential oil of myrtle, please visit my website and provide my Young Living Member # 517938 when ordering:

http://herbaleducator.younglivingworld.com/

OR  www.herbaleducator.com (click on link to Purchase Essential Oils)

If you prefer phone calls, I’d be happy to help you place your order or you may call Young Living customer service directly at 1-800-571-3513.  When Customer service asks who your enroller/sponsor is, again please provide my YL#517938.

When you receive your selection, let me know how myrtle resonates with you!  We can again review its properties, its value, and application methods. It’s an absolutely awesome oil and I’m excited for you to try it!

Donna Evans, YL #517938
Herbal Educator / Young Living Distributor
Phone: 571-313-1650

Historic Herbs: One of these now historic farms is located in Dover, Delaware, and is called Poplar Hall.  Of interest to historical herbalists visiting the site are the herbs displayed in the basement kitchen (original to the house) which include wormwood, tansy, marjoram, horehound, rosemary, peppermint, yellow bedstraw, feverfew, lemon balm, thyme, and lemon thyme.

More herbs dried and hanging in the storage room include lemon balm, lavender, spearmint, tarragon, basil, rue, anise, fennel, and rosemary, as well as feverfew, peppermint, tansy, rosemary, wormwood, and marjoram.

Wormwood tea was used for worms and tapeworms. Wormwood is an excellent strewing herb; it was put on the floor of dwellings to release a scent that bugs do not like.  Wormwood, rue, and tansy were rubbed on tables to keep flies away. Tansy was used for worms.

According to Barbara Carroll, an historic guide who works at the Dickinson mansion house, spearmint contains no menthol and so was used to make mint jams and jellies and is good for upset stomachs.  Peppermint, which contains menthol, was used for upset stomachs and to repel rodents, who don’t like menthol.  Barbara described a type of orange water liquid that was prepared in a colonial crock pot, called a pipkin. The orange water was made with one-fourth cup of orange peel and one cup of water.  The liquid was left to sit overnight and would take on an orange flavor that was used to flavor cakes, pies, and cookies.

On the day of this author’s tour through Poplar Hall (August 15, 2012), a lady’s group was being treated to an herbal potpourri making activity, featuring rose petals, lavender, orange, cinnamon sticks (to be grated), peppermint, and spearmint.  Our guide explained that colonists wore herbs as well as strewed the floors with herbs to keep themselves and their houses smelling nice.

Poplar Hall is a wonderful historic site to visit to appreciate “the good things of life”  (specifically herbs, spices, aromas, plants, trees, and all of nature) and the old-fashioned ways that are becoming ever so popular once again today.

While reading this article, did you feel a desire to make orange water to create your own sweeteners for cakes or cookies? Would you like to try colonial cooking?  Dutch ovens and spider frying pans are some of the tools used and can be seen at www.historichousefitters.com by clicking on the hearth cooking link.  Books on hearthside cooking might be of interest to you, too!

ESSENTIAL OILS: And, quality essential oils for potpourris, cooking, healing applications and aromatic enjoyment may be purchased at my website: www.herbaleducator.com.  Feel free to e-mail me for assistance at herbaleducator@yahoo.com.

More About John Dickinson:  Although remembered as a delegate who did not sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776, he was a clear advocate for American rights and was known as the Penman of the American Revolution for writing Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies (1767-1768), in which he objected to Parliament taxing the colonies to raise revenue.  Dickinson served in the military against British troops and later was an ardent supporter of the Constitution. At the time of the signing of the Constitution, Dickinson represented Delaware which became the first state to ratify the Constitution, hence Delaware’s nickname as “The First State.”

Combine 1/2 cup greek yogurt (plain) with1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon fresh minced tarragon, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.  Mix until smooth.

Mix two cups cubed cooked chicken (chilled) with 3/4 cup celery and about the same amount of seeded, halved grapes.  Combine all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate.

When it is time to serve, place lettuce leaves o a plate and top with the chicken-tarragon salad.  Garnish with slivered almonds.

There is joy in serving a healthful meal!

A lovely pre-Civil War home to tour is the birthplace of Thomas Woodrow Wilson in Staunton, Virginia. You are shown the formal parlor and dining room, as well as the study, bedroom, kitchen, storage room, and family dining room. Hanging from the mantle of the storage room, adjacent to the kitchen, are the dried herbs of borage, thyme, salad burnet, tansy, lemon balm, basil, hyssop, sage, lavender, peppermint, curly mint, marjoram, horehound, lemon mint, and tarragon.

Were all of herbs presently hanging from the mantle grown in the garden of Mrs. Wilson? Although there is record of a garden existing behind the house, which could be seen from the balcony above, we do not know exactly which items were cultivated. We do know, however, that during pre-Civil War America, as recorded in a book titled “The Family Nurse” (also called “Companion of The American Frugal Housewife”) published originally in 1837, that many of these herbs were well-known and commonly used. Here are a few examples:

Sage (Salvia officinalis) tea relieved headaches and was known to relieve symptoms of measles. Mixed with honey and vinegar, it was a good gargle for sore throats.

Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) blossom tea was recommended for poor digestion.

Mint (Mentha piperita) was used for flatulence, nausea, and spasmodic pain. The bruised fresh herb of mint was applied to the stomach to ease sickness and was used for cholera treatment for children.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) was drunk to cool fevers. It enhanced perspiration when taken warm along with medications for this purpose.

White Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) was made into a tea and sweetened with honey or molasses. It was highly recommended for coughs and lung complaints.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) The bruised leaves were said to ease the pain of bruises and to heal them without scar. It was considered good for asthma, coughs, and especially healing for the elderly. A tea of elecampane, hyssop, and horehound steeped together and taken with warm flax-seed tea at bedtime was highly praised as a cure for colds.

Well, this lovely home and birthplace of President Woodrow Wilson was called a Manse, a house provided for a pastor by a congregation. Father, Joseph R. Wilson, was a Presbyterian minister who served in Staunton, VA. Mother, Janet “Jesse” Woodrow, was a gentle wife and mother. The family lived here a short time prior to moving to Augusta, Georgia when Thomas was about a year and a half old in 1858. It is interesting to note that this move positioned the family even more firmly in the South and Joseph R. Wilson served as a chaplain in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Woodrow Wilson had childhood memories of Jefferson Davis, the Confederate President, being removed in chains by Union soldiers. He also vividly remembered the ravages of war. As President, on the brink of World War I, he remarked that he could lead the country into war, but it would be the son of the poor farmer or the son of a poor widow who would do the fighting and it would be those who would suffered greatest.

To remember a few key facts about President Woodrow Wilson quite easily, read this:  Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born December 28, 1856.  He became the 28th president of the United States at age 56.  (28+28=56)

To experience the essential oils of early American herbs, visit herbaleducator.com and click on the link “Purchase Essential Oils.” You will be able to find the essential oils of sage, hyssop, chamomile, mint, and lemon balm. Please be sure to use my YL# 517938 when placing orders – identifying me as your sponsor/enroller. Call or email me to learn more about what these herbs – in the form of essential oils – can do for you today! (Donna Evans, 571-313-1650)

YL Resin Burner

In the Book of Genesis, there is a priceless story of Isaac going out into the field in the evening to meditate.  It was a special time of his life as he was waiting to receive the wife that his father Abraham had arranged for him, and Abraham’s servant had travelled to a distant land to bring her (Rebekah) back.  Surely, he had much to anticipate and consider.

Granted, he didn’t have video games, movies, or the internet to distract him, but he had a busy life, too, with chores to complete and family and servants to talk to.  Yet in the evenings, he took time – as recorded in scripture – to reflect and contemplate.

“And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide…” (Genesis 24:63)

Although we do not have record of Isaac utilizing frankincense during his meditations, it is most probable that he would be aware of its existence as it was a valuable treasure which originates in the Middle East. In fact, frankincense trees grow in southern Arabia and in East Africa, where they produce a resin used as incense.  Frankincense has travelled the major trade routes for centuries and has been used in religious and governmental ceremonies.  It is known for promoting meditation, increasing spiritual awareness, and improving attitudes.  In general, it is uplifting!

Boswellia carteri

So, the next time that you choose to meditate (daily, right?), consider using the Middle Eastern scent of frankincense to enhance your experience.  It is easy to utilize in its resin form, with a resin burner, or distilled as an essential oil which you can apply on your location of choice (head, neck, chakra points, etc.).

You may obtain the resin, resin burner, and the essential oil of frankincense through Young Living Essential Oils.  Young Living offers two types of essential oil of frankincense: Boswellia carteri from Somalia and Boswellia sacra from Oman.  Why not explore and try them both?  You may call me with any questions you may have! (571-313-1650)

When ordering, please use my YL#517938 so that I may be your enroller/sponsor.  You may visit www.herbaleducator.com and select the link Purchase Essential Oils or go directly to http://herbaleducator.younglivingworld.com to begin the process. Select the Independent Distributor option in order to obtain a Young Living membership and purchase desired items at wholesale prices.

Boswellia sacra

May your daily meditations be meaningful and inspiring!

Herbally yours,

Donna Evans, MH
Young Living Distributor, YL#517938

To make American Bee Balm tea, take a fresh edible flower of Monarda didyma (you may use leaves too) equal to 1-2 tablespoon of material.  Bring water to a boil. Pour one cup of boiling water over the bee balm.  Let steep 10 minutes. Add raw honey or blue agave to sweeten, as desired.  This recipe may be adjusted to bring out the delicate lemony/honeysuckle flavor that suits you.  Very nice! 

A tip I read about in the book Herbal Antibiotics, written by Stephen Buhner, is to look for wildflower honey rather than honey made from clover or alfalfa which are often sprayed, so the wildflower honey may be better for your health.

Blue Agave, a natural sweetener which comes from the plant Agave tequilana, may also be used to sweeten tea.  It’s low glycemic index makes it a popular replacement for table sugar. You may order Blue agave from the Young Living Essential Oils company.  Please use my YL# 517938 when placing your order.

Below is a photo for your enjoyment of the Monarda didyma plant.  You may consider it an investment in edible landscaping as it is a joy to be able to eat and drink from the plants surrounding your home.  There is a sense of self-reliance, the true spirit of American independence which helped to popularize this gentle tea with the early American colonists.  Of course, the native Americans were familiar with and using this plant prior to the arrival of the colonists, so we have much to learn from many sources! 

Bee Balm (Scarlet Bergamot)

These words signaled the approach of the men of the Boston Tea Party who dumped 340 chests of tea into the Boston harbor in protest of a tax levied on tea by the British Parliament without the representation or consent of the local colonies.

Similar “tea parties” along the New England coastline soon encouraged the creation and use of new herbal teas-considered as “patriot teas” – served in place of imported tea.

Colonial Tea Blends

Two-herb tea blends recommended by colonialist Philo Aletheias in the Virginia Gazette (January 1774), one month after the Boston Tea Party, include:

sweet marjoram and a little mint
mother of thyme and a little hyssop
rosemary and lavender
clover with a little chamomile
sage and lemon balm leaves with a little lemon juice.

Another popular substitute for imported tea at the time of the American Revolution was Monarda didyma, also known as Bergamot, or Bee Balm.  It is also nick-named Oswego tea, perhaps from its native home near Oswego, New York or the American Indian tribe who taught of its medicinal virtues.

American Bee Balm Tea Recipe

To make American Bee Balm tea, take a fresh edible flower of Monarda didyma (you may use leaves too) equal to about 1 tablespoon of material.  Bring water to a boil. Pour one cup of boiling water over the bee balm.  Let steep 10 minutes. Add raw honey or blue agave to sweeten, as desired.  This recipe may be adjusted to bring out the delicate lemony/honeysuckle flavor that suits you.  Very nice! 

Independence and Your Health

Continuing on with the spirit of innovation and revolution toward greater health, may I suggest that we continue to embrace the freedom to use natural approaches, such as herbal teas, essential oils, wholesome nutrition, exercise, pure water, and positive thinking and direction in life.

Struggling with excessive reliance on prescription drugs and medications, with supply sources not within your realm of control, may be dangerous to your health. A goal may be to work with a qualified health care professional to responsibly remain free from this form of bondage.

Freedom from Synthetic Chemicals and Dangerous Ingredients

If you would like to use essential oils and wholesome nutritional and self-care products (shampoos, toothpaste, etc., without harmful chemicals), please select the link to Purchase Essential Oils.  Be sure to use my YL# 517938 as your enroller/sponsor so that we may stay connected, with you as part of my Young Living business family. 

Alternatively, you may call Young Living customer service and let them know that you would like a Young Living membership so you may purchase Young Living products at wholesale prices.  Again, please provide my YL #517938.

As your sponsor, I will do my best to answer your questions, provide on-going support, and help you to enjoy the wonderful oils and nutritional items for your good health!

You may call me, Donna, at 571-313-1650 with questions (EST)!

Financial Independence

If you are considering an entrepreneurial approach to life, I’d be delighted to share with you the Young Living home and international business options.

May good health and the freedom to enjoy it be yours always!

Well, I do not drink alcohol at all but I woke up from this dream realizing that the message I was receiving was to have the basics in place – to be prepared.  All of the fancy lights and equipment does not do any good if you do not have the light bulbs, the basic parts necessary to function.

Today is a GREAT day to think about your first-aid kits.  Do you have band aids, gauze, sterile pads, Neosporin?  Do you have feminine pads in your kit?  They are a great dressing for more serious cuts and wounds because of their highly absorptive nature.

Do you have the essential oil of Melrose, a strong topical antiseptic that cleans and disinfects cuts, scrapes, burns, and rashes?  (Melrose can be diluted 50/50 with a pure vegetable oil prior to application due to possible skin sensitivity).

 Do you have the essential oil of Purification for bites, stings, and scrapes as well as for an insect repellent?

Do you have Animal Scents Ointment ?  Dr. Peter Menke (PhD) recommends Animal Scents Ointment for large surface abrasions.  After applying the essential oil of Purification for cleansing, he uses Animal Scents Ointment for sealing the wound. Dr. Menke also uses the Animal Scents Ointment for diaper rash.

These are just a few thoughts to inspire action today.  Let’s be sure our first aid tools are not only the best but the most practical and ready to go in times of need.

Herbally yours,

Donna Evans, MH

Click here to listen to a tele-class about Healing Oils of the Bible  It’s FREE – Enjoy!

See Class Schedule for additional details.