During the American Revolution in 1773, the colonists protested the tea tax with the Boston Tea Party-therefore not drinking English Tea. To satisfy their craving for tea, they drank tea made from bee balm leaves. This was introduced to them by the New York Oswego Indians, and is now called Oswego Tea. So, is Oswego Tea the same as Earl Grey Tea?--for Earl Grey Tea's main ingrediant is monarda!

So, what is MONARDA? It is in the mint family with the 'real' name of: Monarda Didyma. It grows to be about 2-4 feet tall with corse, kinda hairy leaves. It grows hardy through zone 4, (although has a tendancy for mildew), in full sun to partly shady araes. Being it is in the mint family, some say that it is invasive. I haven't found this to be so. I just split mine after three years, shared with some friends, and will have a lovely spot this year!

I dried the flowers upside down for later use in floral arrangements, present decorations, swags and wreaths. The leaves can be dried, although they loose some of their flavor, for tea. Serve the flowers in salads, add to floral ice ring molds, or infuse into champange! The tea is used for releiving mentrual cramps, nausea, and gas. A steam bath with monarda will help broncial problems, and sore throats.

Oh, take note!!: If you are in love, NEVER cut parsley, for you will be cutting your LUCK as well! You can eat it, provoking lust and fertility, but remember it is regarded as an evil herb! It is placed on plates protecting the food from contamination. And used in baths for purification and keeping misfortune away.

Although this is the folklore around parsley, it does have a history! It has a diuretic property, so therefore, has been used to treat fluid retention, including edema and obesity.

The Romans and the ancient Greeks used parsley for refreshing the breath of garlic and other odiferous foods. It was woven into wreaths to honor the best athetics. Chaplets of parsley were worn at banquets for it was thought to absorb the fumes of the wine they were drinking.

Parsley is a great cleansing herb! It benefits the lungs, stomach, liver, and thyroid, and has helped in passing all stones, and helps in bladder infections.

It is full of nutrients that help give it the name of one of natures preventitive medicines. It is high in vitamin B and potasium, has high iron, chlorophyll, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A & C.

So eat your parsley for it will help build resistance to infections and diseases. Scientists have found a substance that inhibits the development of certain cancer cells. Some even think that it may yet be proven that parsley is a cancer preventitive!

Pregnant woman should not use parsley for it may bring on an early labor! And nursing moms: it may dry up your milk flow! And if you have kidney problems, omit parsley from your diet. Parsley is a warming herb, so omit it if you are battling an infection, or when any inflamation is present in your body.

Parsley tea can be drank after your meals, or chew on the sprig left on your plate to relieve indigestion and to relieve a urinary complaint. It is also a good remedy for hemorroids! When using fresh parsley, remember the roots are more powerful than the leaves. When making a tea, simply steep a few sprigs in very hot water for a few minutes, and enjoy.

For insect bites you can squeeze parsley juice onto the sting for a quick relief. Infuse parsley into a lotion and use to help fade away those freckles!

So, use your parsley! Chop it up to make a two-cup full, and chop tomatoes and onions and chives, add a little Italian dressing and wa-la, you have a wonderful summer salad!

So, enjoy!

The medicinal part of the Willow tree is the bark. There are a few different ways to prepare it. First, it is best to collect the bark in Springtime. One preparation option would be to boil the bark for at least 20 minutes, then either take internally or as a poultice. A decoction can be made by soaking up to three teaspoons of bark in one cup of cold water for up to five hours, and then boil down to a potent formula. To intake this you should take one cup unsweetend, no more than one a day. A decoction of Willow can be used to help with mouth problems, ie. you can gargle with it to help with inflamations of the gums and tonsils. A decoction can also be used externally for sores, burns, and cuts. To make a cold extract, soak one teaspoon of bark in one cup of cold water for up to ten hours and strain. You can make a powder by taking one to one and one-half teaspoons, three times a day. Everything I've read about intaking a hot Willow drink says that it is important that it is taken in large gulps, not small sips.

To see the harvesting and growing instructions for any of the Willows, please see the link to: Willow