A Tea-Lover's Soul Weed
We gardeners spend hours yanking weeds out of our preciousflowerbeds. To be honest, I enjoy weeding. I find it relaxing.I suspect quite a few of my fellow gardeners would agree.Recently I discovered an annoying weed I haven't been ableto defeat is in truth a sheer delight. I speak of the humblePineapple Weed.Matricaria matricioides! A big name for a weed found in wasteareas. But its scientific name is actually touching oncedefined.'Matricaria' stems from the Latin matrix meaning 'mother'while 'caria' is Latin for 'dear'.
This gives us 'mother dear'.This name refers to the medicinal use of pineapple weed foreasing the pain of the menstrual cycle, as well as for treatingcolic in babies. Pineapple weed can soothe the pain of being a woman, a mother, ora baby (which helps Mom even more).This plant's green fern-like foliage and oval greenish yellow flowers often cause people to mistake it for its close relativethe chamomile plant. Pineapple weed looks like chamomile whilein bud, only this weed's homely flowers never produce the flashywhite petals of its famous cousin.Visit this link to see a photo: http://www.wssa.net/photo&info/bmp/pineapple.weed.plant.jpgThis native annual of Western America makes its stubborn presenceknown from May to November. It grows in cracks in sidewalks,parking lots, in any plot of dry earth trampled by we humans. Thepineapple weed has spread clear across the Atlantic to Europe.I discovered the hidden charm of this weed while pulling a groupout of the ground.
The crushed leaves actually give off the fruity scent of pineapple.Intrigued, I did some research. I learned this weed is not onlyedible, with the same soothing qualities as chamomile, but was also a big hit with the Native Americans way back when.Native Americans traded goods for pineapple weed. The plant wasused as a perfume as well as a big repellant. Dried plants weresprinkled onto meat to keep off flies.But what caught my attention while researching is the fact thisweed is often brewed as a tea. Being a devout tea-drinker this delighted me.
I already make teafrom my peppermint plants. Why not put this pesky weed to gooduse?After rinsing three dusty plants in the sink I brewed a pot ofpineapple weed tea by pouring freshly boiled water into a teastrainer holding flower heads from the plants (the leaves canalso be used but they add a bitter note to the brew). I allowedthe tea to steep for three minutes before removing the strainerfrom the pot.The result was nothing short of wonderful! The delicatelyfragrant tea tasted like gentle chamomile with honey. A youngfriend described the tea as tasting like a 'yummy dessert in acup'.I no longer buy chamomile tea at the grocery store. Instead I harvest my pineapple weed from a proper garden bed.
I allow afew flower heads to develop into seed heads, which I collect forfuture planting. (Sidebar: Why did I buy chamomile tea instead of grow the herb?I'm asking myself this question. Think of the money I could havesaved! Oh, my lord. I'm an idiot.)With good care the pineapple weed becomes a handsome soul afoot tall with attractive ferny foliage. Collect the brown seedheads from wild plants if you wish to grow it.
Grow it as you would chamomile.Pineapple weed can also be used as an accent plant with other more traditional garden plants. The chartreuse color of theflower heads glow when mixed in with blue-flowering plants.But be careful! We are talking about a weed, and we all knowhow easily weeds spread. Collect the seed heads before theyturn completely brown, or you'll wind up drowning in tea.Visitors to my garden often point out my pineapple weed bedand tell me I need to weed. I inform them I grow the weeds on purpose. My visitors look at me as if I'm crazy.
Weeds arepests! Has she finally lost her mind?I explain my reason (it happens so often that explaining isgrowing tiresome). My visitors wind up sniffing the plants andpeppering me with questions.So, the next time you're on your knees in your garden about toyank out another weed stop yourself and take a good look at the plant.You may have found a Cinderella in disguise.Disclaimer: The results I achieved with this plant are solely myown. I am not responsible for any adverse effects you mayexperience as a result of consuming the Pineapple Weed. Please donot consume any wild plant until you are sure of itsidentification and any dangers it may pose. If you suffer fromplant allergies then please check with your doctor first..
Jenny Harker is an experienced gardener, psychic, and writer. Visit: http://www.livejournal.com/~paragarden/What Can Roses Do For You Today?
In the past millennium, it has been ordinary to see roses and their depictions being one and the same as attractiveness and grace. This is evidenced in writings as far back as Shakespeare (and probably further), demonstrating that roses have long been known as attractive and elegant. Obviously, the modern economy and most of today's business world has caught up with this notion, and has appealed to the concept of roses being the essence of loveliness, and often, even brought about this conviction. While this is not completely improper, roses have obviously become exceedingly pricey in the past few years. Florists have come into the market, and on a few holidays especially conceived for the sole purpose of exchanging greeting cards and roses, florists are able to pull in at least $75 for a dozen or so roses.
Roses, while not cheap, have become a necessity for formal events and nice occasions; weddings being the best example of such. So what is the answer? What is the cheapest way...
What Can Roses Do For You Today?
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All throughout history cologne has played an important role. Throughout many different countries in the world the use of fragrance is widespread. The modern cologne that you buy today can provide a rich, wonderful scent in a relatively small bottle. The most common fragrances are rose lavender with other flowers such as iris, orchids and jasmines being commonly used. Spices used range from cinnamon, ginger and even pepper, which can give a man an exciting, fiery scent.The best Cologne and fragrances enhance your love life.The most expensive and prized ingredient in a man's cologne is musk, which is a secretion produced by the male elk.
Unfortunately, the price for even a small portion of natural musk is very high, but modern scientists have identified the molecular structure of pure musk oil and can now artificially create this proven aphrodisiac at a fraction of the cost. All cologne is different and it's best to match your personality and skin type; after all, different colognes...
Discount Fragrances, perfume or romantic gifts will enhance your love life.
Flowers > Discount Fragrances, perfume or romantic gifts will enhance your love life.