INTRODUCTION TO MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS

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Small group of shitake musrooms isolated on white.

NAME: Shitake

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hongus Shitake

FAMILY: Marasmiaceae

ORIGIN: China

HEALTH BENEFITS:

• An extract made from this mushroom works as an incredible immune booster.
• This mushroom is also known to lower blood cholesterol levels, aids in diabetic control, is a treatment for eczema , and helps reduce cold & flu symptoms.

CAUTIONS: The whole Shitake mushrooms are safe for consumption but the shitake extract is not safe for those that are pregnant or nursing,

ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR HEALTH PROVIDER BEFORE ADDING THEM TO YOUR DIET.

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INTRODUCTION TO MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS

Small group of shitake musrooms isolated on white.

NAME: Shitake

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hongus Shitake

FAMILY: Marasmiaceae

ORIGIN: China

HEALTH BENEFITS:

• An extract made from this mushroom works as an incredible immune booster.
• This mushroom is also known to lower blood cholesterol levels, aids in diabetic control, is a treatment for eczema , and helps reduce cold & flu symptoms.

CAUTIONS: The whole Shitake mushrooms are safe for consumption but the shitake extract is not safe for those that are pregnant or nursing,

ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR HEALTH PROVIDER BEFORE ADDING THEM TO YOUR DIET.

MY GRANDMAS GARDEN PORTRA

ECHINACEA

ECHINACEA

Common Name: Purple Coneflower

Scientific Name: Echinacea spp

Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) family

Species:

There are three species of Echinacea:

• Echinacea Purpurea
• Echinacea, Echinacea Pallida
• Echinacea Angustifolia

Medicinal uses:

Echinacea helps to decrease the severity & length of the common cold and flu, and it is helpful in  reducing symptoms of cough, fever, and sore throat.

Echinacea has beneficial effects on the immune system by:

• Increasing antibody responses to elevated interferon levels for fighting viruses
• Stimulating the white blood cells to work harder in the fight against infections

Medicinal Recipes:

• Teas: Steep 1-2 teaspoons of Echinacea leaves/flowers in 1 cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes
• Boil 1 teaspoon of root in 1-2 cups of water for 10 minutes
• Tinctures: Take the dosage as suggested on the product’s label
• Capsules: Take the dosage as suggested on the product’s label

Cautions:

• Anyone with an Auto Immune condition should avoid using Echinacea
• Anyone that is allergic to other plants in the Asteraceae (Daisy) family
• High doses of Echinacea can cause nausea

Gardening Tips:

Type of Plant: Echinacea Purpurea is the most common species, and it is a perennial.

Time to Plant: Echinacea Purpurea can be propagated from seeds in about 30 days and it can be planted in the spring or fall.

Time to Harvest: Echinacea roots can be dug up in autumn of the second or third year.

Location: Echinacea Purpurea prefers full sun.

Soil Type: Echinacea Purpurea need a well drained soil

The Benefits of Sage

This is our fourth blog in the series” The Power of Herbs”:

The Power of Sage

Scientific Name: S. Officinalis

Family: Sage is part of the Lamiaceae family.

Species:

These are some of the most common species of Sage:

• Tricolour Sage
• Purple Sage
• Pineapple Sage
• Narrow-leaved Sage
• Common Sage
• Golden Sage
• Clary Sage

Medicinal Uses for Sage:

• Sage has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties.
• Sage is beneficial in the healing of a sore throat.
• Sage may help to reduce excessive perspiration
• Sage may help to guard against low levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is related to the loss of brain function, and it is suggested that this loss could be one of the causes responsible for Alzheimer’s disease.

CAUTION:

DO NOT USE SAGE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING.

EXTENDED OR EXCESSIVE USE OF SAGE MAY CAUSE SYMPTOMS OF POISONING.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Culinary Uses:

Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Golden Garlic, Tomatoes, and Sage

Nutritional information

Serves 6

30 minutes or fewer

Sage and tomatoes pair beautifully in this light pasta sauce. Firm Roma tomatoes are your best bet here for a sauce that’s not too watery. If early-season tomatoes make the sauce taste too acidic, stir 1 tsp. sugar or honey in with the sage and olives.

• ½ lb. whole-wheat spaghetti
• 3 Tbs. olive oil
• 4 large garlic cloves, peeled, halved, and sliced (3 Tbs.)
• 1 ½ lb. ripe tomatoes, coarsely chopped (6 cups)
• ¾ cup cooked chickpeas
• 2 Tbs. fresh chopped sage, plus more leaves for garnish
• 2 Tbs. chopped Kalamata olives

1. Cook spaghetti in large pot of boiling salted water 10 to 11 minutes, or until al dente.

2. Heat oil and garlic in large saucepan over medium heat. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until garlic is browned, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes, chickpeas, sage, and olives, and simmer 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

3. Drain spaghetti, and return to pot. Add sauce, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Divide among 6 serving bowls, and garnish with sage leaves.

 

Gardening Tips:

Type of Plant: Sage is a perennial in Zones 5 to 7.

Time to Plant: is in the spring after the last frost has passed

Time to Harvest: is in the late spring through to fall.

Location in the garden: Sage likes full sun.

Soil Type: Sage likes well drained soil

Advice from My Grandma’s Garden:

Sage is subject to pests such as aphids, white flies, and thrips.

Sage is a good companion to plant with carrots, cabbage, strawberries and tomatoes.

Sage does not like to be overwatered, and it will get root rot if it receives too much water.

Sage can be planted in a container or in the garden.

 

Storage:

Sage can be stored as fresh or dried.

To keep sage fresh, gather fresh sage and arrange it in a vase filled with water (do not put the leaves in the water, just the stems).

To dry sage, gather fresh sage and arrange it in a small bundle, tie it with twine and place it in a paper bag and store it in a warm, dry, dark location. Once it is dried, remove the stems and store the leaves in an air tight container.