The Secret of the Salve for Gardener's

When we started our business, we came up with many wonderful creations. One of our earliest and most popular is our salve for gardeners. Steeped with the treasured little calendula plant in every step, it is the perfect balm for chapped and cracked, hardworking hands.

But this salve for gardeners has a little secret. It is based an the wisdom of herbs and healing shared by Airmid, a goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Her family were healers and surgeons to the gods. Airmid's gift was regeneration. She knew the secret of all of the herbs, one for each day of the year and the different parts of the body. Her recipes and blends have been passed and shared through the ages, her lessons on herbs whispered from the people and plants to all that could hear. We listened, and we heard.

We infuse Calendula, a champion with healing properties and infused it in to oil that is the base of this soothing salve. To that we add comfrey, rosemary, sage, basil, hemp seed and other oils, aloe, and a luscious blend of other herbs and oils. These combine to aid with the healing of nicks, scratches and cuts, all while softening and soothing your hardworking hands. Airmid had a fondness for gardeners, since they tend to her favorite plants - the herbs. 
 
We love to garden and get our bare hands good and dirty. That's why we've created this gardeners salve with the Airmid in mind – Airmids Salve for Gardeners.

You'll also find that it is a wonderful rescue for cuticles and knuckles that are becoming dry and cracked from the cold weather. It's always with me to give a quick treatment after a frosty encounter. 

The secret is out - but the softness and soothing continue!

Count Down to Herb Day - It's Here!

Herb Day is here! Saturday, October 11 is the 3rd annual Herb Day. Herbs are such an intricate part of our lives, it seems appropriate to take a day a celebrate these diverse, interesting and useful plants.

Most of us use dozens of herbs in our everyday lives without even thinking about it. A little basil in the spaghetti sauce, some thyme on a chicken dish, a little mint in your tea are simple things. We at Celtic Chairde use herbs in a myriad of ways - all of our products contain herbal infusions to enhance their purpose, use and fragrance. Many of these herbs grow in my backyard, so I've learned to use the simplest things in new and exciting ways.

You can celebrate Herb Day and enjoy these everyday treasures in new and exciting ways. Here are a few additional ideas to get you started.

1. Make an herb jelly! Mint jelly is probably the most popular, but you can make jelly from rosemary, lemon balm, garlic, geraniums, fennel, violets - any edible herb! The recipe for Rose Geranium jelly is great. If you don't have Rose Geraniums, use the herb of your choice and see what happens!

2. Collect your favorite herbs and use them as a bouquet in your house. Lemon Balm, Pineapple Sage, Mint, Calendula, Feverfew, Lavender, and Basil add fragrant and interesting accents to any corner.

3. Infuse herbs into sugars and vinegars. Any herb you have in abundance can be infused into a vinegar or sugar that will open up exciting new options in cooking. We've told you the secret to sweet success with Herbal Sugars. For herbal vinegars, look here.

4. Learn about a new herb. If you aren't sure what Calendula is, or if you didn't know that oregano can also be used as an antiseptic, try doing a little research and learn something new! The International Herb Association has some wonderful books about past Herbs of the Year. Or just check you local library, book store, agricultural service or garden center!

5. Have a nice cup of tea! What better way to enjoy a crisp autumn day than with an aromatic, enticing, warm herbal tea. It's easy to create your own, or enjoy one of our favorites - Ducky Life teas.

Happy Herb Day everyone!

Count Down to Herb Day - Herbal Sugars for Sweet Success

Saturday, October 11 is Herb Day! The herbs around us are intricately woven parts of everyday life, whether you realize it or not. From cooking to medicine, beauty care to cleaning, herbs serve purposes besides beauty in your garden.

The first Herb Day was celebrated only a few years ago, in October of 2006. It was the inspiration of 5 herbal organizations: American Botanical Council, United Plant Savers, the American Herbal Products Association, the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, and the American Herbalists Guild. It's a day to learn and celebrate herbs of all kinds.

As an herb enthusiast and student, I thought I'd share an herbal idea everyday to get you thinking about all the great uses for herbs of all kinds.

Today: herbal sugars.

Making flavored herbal sugars is easy and fun. A great family project, too, because children can help create these multi-use treats.

You'll need:

• 1 large, well cleaned dry glass jar with a lid. Quart mason jars work well or cleaned out spaghetti jars (Well cleaned out!)
• 1/2 to 1 cup (loosely packed) of your herb of choice - see some suggestions below.
• Sugar to fill your jar.

1. Rinse your herbs and make sure the are thoroughly dried off.
2. Lightly crush the herbs to help release some of the oils.
3. Put about 1/2 inch worth of sugar in the jar.
4. Place a layer of herb on top of the sugar.
5. Place a layer of sugar, followed by a layer of herbs.
6. Continue layering until you reach within 1/2 of the top of the jar.
7. Seal the jar tightly.
8. Let this sit for at least two weeks, but the longer you let it sit, the stronger the flavor.

Yes - it's that easy. Some wonderful herbs to use in your sugar: lemon verbena or lemon balm (my favorites), rose petal, lavender, rose geranium leaves - or any of the edible geraniums, mint, sage, marjoram, calendula petals - what ever grows in your garden! You can also do this with spices like vanilla beans, allspice, nutmeg, or coriander. Or try adding the dried rinds of oranges, lemons or limes.

Now what to do with this abundance of sweet flavors? Use them in hot or cold teas or punch. Sprinkly them on French Toast. Use when making a glaze for meat or chicken. They are terrific when baking, adding a wonderful depth and mystery to your usual cake or cookies. Whatever you would use sugar for - make it more flavorful with an herbal sugar.

If you have ideas for using your herbal sugars - feel free to share!

Calendula - the Herb of the Year 2008

I love Calendula. This beautiful little flower, also called pot marigold, it one of the first herbs I grew. It's one of those flowers that just makes you smile. That's why I was so happy when the International Herb Association named Calendula the 2008 Herb of the Year.

It's such a useful herb, too. Since antiquity, calendula has been used for it's healing power on cuts, scrapes and burns. We use calendula in so many of our products: Gardeners Salve, perfect for the gardener who likes to get their hands in the dirt; Dó Gréine Spray for sunburns; Méla Tae Lemon Bright Hair Rinse; and so many more.

But Calendula isn't just a great healing herb - it's a yummy herb to bring in to your kitchen, too!

Whenever I make deviled or scrambled eggs, I throw in a handful of fresh or dried little golden petals. They add a lovely, golden yellow and bright buttery flavor. I also add them to rice, soups and stews. Below is one of my favorite Calendula recipes.

Twice Baked Potatoes with Calendula

4 large baking potatoes
¼ cup of dried Calendula petals
½ to cup milk
¼ cup heavy cream
2 tbs butter
Salt & pepper to taste.

Wash and clean potatoes. Bake as you usually would, whether it’s in the oven or in the microwave. When just fork tender, take them out of the oven and let cool.

While the potatoes are cooling, warm the milk in a saucepan, but don’t let it boil. Add half of the calendula petals. Stir for one minute and then turn off heat heat. Let them petals infuse the milk.

While the petals are infusing, slice the potatoes in half length wise. Pre-heat the oven to 325.

Carefully scoop out the insides of the potatoes, keeping the skins in tact. Put the potatoes through a ricer and into a saucepan. Strain the cool infused milk into the potatoes, add the butter, and put over low heat. Stir until the butter melts (you could also use a mixer or whisk to whip up the potatoes). Slowly add the heavy cream until you get a consistency you like. Add some salt and pepper if you’d like. Turn off the heat and stir in all but 2 tbs of calendula petals.

Spoon or pipe the potatoes back into the skins. Place the skins in a baking dish and place in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the last of the petals over the top. Serve nice and warm.

To learn other recipes for calendula, or to find out more about this wonderful Herb of the Year, check any of the following websites:

Longcreek Herbs Calendula Recipes
The Herb Companion
Herbs for Health

or you can check out our newsletter archive.

So grab a pack of seeds and spread a little Calendula sunshine!