Preparing your home garden

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Many of us would like to grow herbs in our house and would like to eat fresh vegetables, grown in our own backyard. However, many of us doubt because we live in a narrow place, whether in an apartment or a house with very little land. Despite this there are ways to get your garden at home using the space in the best way possible says Richard Fifer.
If your case is that you live in an apartment, you may have a balcony or terrace where you can put pots in which to plant the vegetables and herbs you want. To maximize space you can put a ladder or a shelf with several tablets on which you can put the pots. Remember that these must be the right size for the plant that will place on it. You must fertilize the soil, put them where they can receive sunlight and water them regularly and taking care of the excess of water.
If you have a small yard around your house, choose the place you see fits the conditions of light and watering requirements. Prepare the land and fertilize it after removing stones and weeds, then mark the area with bricks or stones. Calculate how many plants you can put in the available space and avoid surrounding the area with trees or shrubs that are too high because they will steal sunlight from your garden.
Go for it and you can enjoy tomatoes, peppers and herbs, and other types of fruits and vegetables whenever they want.

Health Benefits from Eating Broccoli

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A detailed explanation of all the benefits that broccoli can provide would require a whole book because of the numerous nutrients it contains. Here is a summary of how this green vegetable can not only help you meet your daily nutritional needs, but can also be your ally in reducing cholesterol levels, detoxifying the body, reducing allergy symptoms and even lowering inflammation. As Richard Fifer has done.

In short, broccoli is an excellent source of:

  • folate
  • dietary fiber
  • vitamins B6, C, K, A and E
  • potassium
  • iron
  • calcium
  • thiamin
  • niacin
  • zinc
  • riboflavin
  • phosphorus
  • protein
  • omega 3 fatty acids

Containing such high nutritional value, it is not surprising that broccoli has healing properties for many diseases.

While cooked broccoli has its own advantages, eating raw broccoli has also proven to have additional benefits such as the ability to ease stomach problems. Similarly, flavonoids in broccoli can aid to reduce allergies. While they probably do not eliminate completely the problem you will notice that they will help to significantly relieve the discomfort.

Another one of the great benefits of this vegetable is related to the fact that that it helps to activate, neutralize and eliminate the unwanted toxins from the body. Studies have shown that consuming broccoli as a regular part of your diet cleanses the system, reduces inflammation and is an antioxidant.

Life Outdoors

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We know that children and adults need to exercise, breathe fresh air and take adequate amounts of sunlight to stay healthy.

A great way to be outdoors in a fun way is to plant a garden. We talked about different types of plants that we can grow according to our personal tastes and the size of our garden.

One type of gardening that I love is an edible one. The ideal is to find a fruit or vegetable that we can grow in our climate type and size of garden.

I suggest starting with radishes, they are very easy to grow, require little space and there are varieties such as Cherry Belle that matures in 22 days.

Choose a large pot and fill with enriched black soil. Then plant the seeds ½ inch deep and leave 1 inch of space between them.

Make sure the soil is always moist but not soggy, it is necessary to ensure that the pot has good drainage. In about three weeks you will see that its roots are about 1 inch thick. It is time to harvest.

Wash them well, slice them and add them to your salads. Delicious!

The Fragrant Panama Rose

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Originally from Panama and Cuba, the Fragrant Panama Rose (Rondeletia Odorata) is an evergreen shrub, now cultivated all over the world, but for some reason, particularly popular with gardeners in India and the south of the USA. The Fragrant Panama Rose grows up to 6-10 feet tall, with 2” long, opposite sessile, ovate to oblong leaves with wavy margins. The blooms are beautiful, fragrant reddish orange, tubular flowers with yellow throats. Flowers occur in many-flowered cymes (groupings) at the end of branches, up to 5” across, making a stunning display when in full bloom..

The Fragrant Panama Rose was first collected by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland in Mexico. Between 1799 and 1804, Humboldt travelled extensively in Latin America, exploring and describing the region in a scientific manner for the first time. His description of these journeys was written up and published in an enormous set of volumes published over a period of 21 years. The botanical name was published by Kunth in 1818 in the fourth edition of Nova Genera et Species Plantarum. The name honored Guillaume Rondelet, a natural historian, physician, and botany instructor at the university in Montpellier, France in the 16th century.

The species is divided into three subspecies, Rondeletia odorata subsp. bullata M.Fernández Zeq. & P.Herrera, Rondeletia odorata subsp. grandifolia M.Fernández Zeq. & P.Herrera, and Rondeletia odorata subsp. Odorata.

As well as its beautiful flowers, which, from a large, well-established plant, can bloom almost year-round, the Fragrant Panama Rose, as its name suggests, also produces a sweet fragrance, especially after sunset. A bonus for those Panamanians who enjoy sitting outside on our long evenings. The pink cluster of the Panama rose flowers will brighten up any garden, and they will also attract butterflies and humming birds to your garden.

Fragrant Panama Roses can be grown in pots on a patio or directly in soil. They make a stunning addition to any garden, and with their name, also a patriotic one!

Verbena or Sacred Herb

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The verbena is a plant that can reach one meter in height, has a very bitter taste, its leaves are a bit wrinkled with furrows and has violet blue flowers.

It is used as an emetic, purgative, antibilious, fever reducer, and healer of wounds.

To use as a purgative or emetic in cases of poisoning, you should ground verbena leaves, and squeeze its juice. Mix half cup of the juice with 2 or 3 cups of warm water.

To reduce fevers boil 4 tablespoons of verbena leaves in a liter of water for 2 minutes. Take a cup every three hours mixed with the juice of half a lemon.

For liver problems such as jaundice or excess of bile, and to clean the blood when we see pimples and blackheads. Prepare an infusion of one teaspoon of lemon verbena leaves and flowers in a cup of water, take before meals.

The previous infusion is also very good for stomach problems such as constipation and dyspepsia.

When children get sick to their stomach or have constipation accompanied by fever, headache and heaviness boil 5 tablespoons of verbena flowers and leaves in a pint of water, cool when it is just a bit warm, apply as an enema. For adults the recipe is doubled, both in water and in leaves and flowers.

For swollen bruises and bumps, crush verbena leaves finely and apply them over the affected area; wrap in a bandage for a couple of hours.

Methods of Agriculture

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In ancient times, agriculture was practiced in a way where the land was abandoned after exhausting its resources. Today, this type of agriculture is used mostly in primitive areas. Agriculture has developed and reached an industrial level where engineering, chemistry and technology play an important role.

Agriculture can be classified as follows:

a) Extensive

Organic fertilizers are also implemented in this form of agriculture meaning that artificial fertilizers are not used. It is a type of sustainable agriculture and responsible from an ecological point of view. The land where it is practiced does not suffer from the damage caused by other systems such as intensive or industrial agriculture. We will be further discussing them in this blog.

b) Intensive or industrial

It involves complex agricultural tasks. Chemical fertilizers are used for development and the soils where it takes place are reused continuously. Imbalances are created the environment by this type of farming. Not only are harmful products being used, but crops are drastically altered in to protect against pests and diseases (through artificial resistance). This has negative consequences on those who ingest the products. Its main disadvantage is that foods produced through this method usually contain pesticides and herbicides that threaten human health.

c) Biological

It was created to provide solutions to the problems posed by intensive farming. It is increasingly used and demanded by consumers. It also is respectful to human health and the environment. It implements natural methods to combat pests.

d) Parcel

It is implemented on small and dispersed surfaces. It is generally used because of the geography of certain regions such as the Andean mountains and Guatemalan highlands.

e) Monoculture

It consists in specializing in one product, for example, tea, coffee or cocoa. Often provides greater economic benefits by simplifying the management of land, production and marketing. However, may give rise to concentration of pests. Though they generally tend to be controlled, these can cause great losses in production.

Chamomile

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Chamomile is a plant from which many varieties are known. It grows in all climates and possesses highly prized properties in the world of natural medicine. Among its properties we can mention that it’s a good digestive. It is very useful for people with slow digestion problems and gas. Chamomile is a carminative, which means that relieves gas in the stomach and intestine, helping to reduce the pain caused by them.

Chamomile also helps induce menstruation in case of delays and to relax the uterus and facilitate the descent of the flow, helping relieve menstrual cramps.

This plant is also very useful for swollen bruises and benign tumors, and swollen kidneys when you feel pain in your lower back.

Use: As a digestive and to assist in cases of menstrual cramps, you should make an infusion with the following preparation: add a teaspoon of chamomile flowers in a cup of boiling water, let it rest for a few minutes and it takes while it’s still hot.

As anti-inflammatory, chamomile is used externally. Prepare an infusion of 20 tablespoons of chamomile in one quart of water, boil and apply with a cloth on the affected area as hot as tolerated, for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day.

You can also use chamomile to prepare an oil to treat bruises and pain caused by cold. Take chamomile flowers and allow them to soak in cooking oil in the sun for 8 days. You can rub it on the skin, on affected areas when necessary.

Finally, Chamomile creams and ointments that are available in the market are great for skin rashes, including diaper rash. A cream can be prepared at home by crushing chamomile flowers in a mortar, so that they release their essence. Mix with hypoallergenic lotion. Allow to stand for one week and apply it as needed.

Oregano Oil

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Oregano oil is an excellent natural antiseptic as it has a wide range of powers to kill microbes. Is commonly used to kill or block growth of almost any fungus, as well as inhibit the growth of most bacteria. Of the thirty most active components identified in oregano oil, carvacrol and thymol are the most active since they work synergistically to produce its powerful antiseptic properties.

This oil is perhaps one of the natural antifungal remedies ever known. Its efficiency is enhanced by its safety. Because it is natural, it does not have toxic effects. It is mainly used for fungal infections such as candidacies. Scientists have found that the resistance of most fungus to oregano is not likely. In fact, oregano is capable of destroying fungi which are difficult to fight with traditional antibiotic therapies.

Scientific research also shows that oregano oil is also highly effective as it is able to eliminate parasites (especially Giardia) and several types of common viruses.
Perhaps one of the most interesting facts about the oregano oil is that it is a powerful pain reliever. Those who have used it have come to regard it as a powerful tool just as effective as medications.

Oregano contains high levels of magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, copper, boron and manganese. It also contains vitamins A, C and niacin. All these components make the oil of oregano in an important supplement to treat or ameliorate various skin diseases.

The markets today offer a variety of oregano oil products, but beware of its content. For it to be efficient, it must be produced with wild oregano grown free of chemicals such as pesticides. To test for yourself the benefits of this wonderful natural product, consult a trusted herbalist or physician for instructions regarding how best to use it.

The Iguana

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The Iguana is cold-blooded, vegetarian, bright green animal with short legs,  five toes and sharp claws which lives in the tropical and subtropical regions from Mexico to Brazil. Its tail is long, thin and bordered by a row of sharp dorsal scales. One of its most characteristic traits is the loose skin that hangs from its neck.

It can grow to incredible sizes. For example, a male can become up to seven feet from head to tail. Interestingly, the size of an iguana is in relation to the environmental conditions it lives in. The more humid the area, the larger this animal grows. Also, half of its body is comprised of its tail which has a sharp point which it uses as a defense mechanism against attackers.

Mating between iguanas occurs mainly in in early February to April. The females create their nests and lay their eggs usually under trees or next to beaches and rivers where they can create tunnels up to a meter long in the smooth ground. Most females lay about 30 eggs in the nest but only 25% of these give life to new iguanas.

The average lifespan of an iguana is twenty years but they live much shorter in captivity because their owners commonly do not know how to give them the proper care. Interestingly, iguanas can stay under water for 28 minutes or drop from high distances without getting hurt.

White and black nettle

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Nettle is a plant that likes shade and for that reason grows on fences and debris. It itches when it comes in contact with the skin, however it has medicinal properties that are very prized by those who know and appreciate natural medicine.
Properties: helps stop bleeding, purifies blood, loosens phlegm and helps expel it from the chest, activates kidney function and helps eliminate the whitish secretion in women.
Uses: In cases of flu, colds and childhood diseases such as scarlet fever, rub fresh with nettles leaves soaked in alcohol all over the patient’s body, then wrap the patient with blankets. This treatment is intended to stimulate blood circulation and promote heavy sweating.
Nettle infusion is prepared as follows: boil 6 tablespoons of nettle leaves in one liter of water for 2 minutes. Allow to stand and drink warm before meals once a day.
The infusion described above is very effective to purify blood and thus eliminate blemishes of the skin, such as pimples and blackheads, decreases swelling of the lymph glands and eliminates white discharge.
In case of uterine bleeding, sputum with blood, bloody diarrhea or dysentery, it is recommended to drink pure nettle juice. The juice is extracted by pounding the leaves in a mortar and can be taken 3 to 4 measures per day.
Nettle juice is also effective in stopping nosebleeds. Apply drops of juice directly into the patient’s nose.
For hair loss, prepare an infusion with nettle root. Take the roots, cut them into small pieces and crush them in a mortar to soften them, that way they will release the juice. Then put 3 tablespoons in a liter of water and let it boil for 10 minutes. This liquid should be used as the final rinse when you wash your hair 3 times a day.