Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a popular perennial because it is quite easy to grow since it is hardy and drought tolerant. This plant is quite resistant to pests and attracts beneficial insects, ladybugs and butterflies. There are many varieties of yarrow that you can plant to add colorful flowers to your garden. Flowers bloom with dense clusters in shades of…
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There are many species of thistle, which are mostly part of the Asteraceae family. The word “thistle” is often used to refer to a specific genera of the plant. But it can also be used to define a wider range of prickly flowering plants. Cirsium has about 62 species of thistle which are the most common in North America. These…
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Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus, before it was Carduus benedictus) gets its name because it was used as a tonic by the Benedictine monks in the 14th century. These monks grew blessed thistle in their monastery gardens. Health benefits of blessed thistle have been used for centuries. This herb was even used to treat the bubonic or Black Plague during the…
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Health benefits of milk thistle have been known for over 2000 years. Dioscorides, a Greek botanist and physicist, was the first to record the healing properties of this herb. This species of thistle is native to the Mediterranean. Its scientific name is Silybum marianum and it is part of the Asteraceae plant family, which includes daisies and sunflowers. This prickly…
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Dill (Anethum graveolens) is mostly known as a wonderful culinary herb, that pairs extremely well with fish. It is often added to meals including salads, pickles, hummus, sauces, potatoes, chicken and more. This herb is quite important in the cuisines of Europe and Asia. However, there are many health benefits of dill that we will cover in this article. What…
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Those that grow fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) in their garden will be rewarded with a myriad of pollinators including butterflies and bees, as well as beneficial insects like lady bugs. Fennel is native to Europe and it looks a lot like dill, which makes sense since they are related. Egyptians and Chinese used fennel medicinally. This culinary herb, native to the…
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Star anise is the fruit of a tree called Illicium verum which you can grow if you have enough space and live in a tropical climate. This spice is quite versatile and it is used in many Hindu, Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. It is also used in beverages, desserts and general dishes. However, the health benefits of star anise are…
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