When my kids were little, one of them got pink eye. If any of you have ever dealt with pink eye, you know it is highly contagious and will go through every kid you have. I thought to myself "What if I made a eye wash of goldenseal and echinacea?" Well, I did and it worked! Within 24 hours my daughter was healed and not one of the other 3 kids got it. I highly recommend this treatment for eye infections!

Many people don't know how beneficial roses can be. Even if you do not grow roses, rose petals, essential oil, and rose hips are all available at your favorite source- online or health food store. It's not every day that something beautiful and fragrant is so good for you! Let's take a closer look at the Rose as an herb: Botanical Name - Rosa spp. (various species, especially Rosa damascene, Rosa gallica, Rosa rugosa, Rosa canina, and Rosa centifolia) Common Names - Rose, Damask rose, Apothecary rose, Wild rose, Dog rose, Cabbage rose Family - Rosaceae Description Roses are perennial, woody shrubs with thorny stems, pinnate leaves, and showy, fragrant flowers ranging in color from white to deep crimson. The hips (seed pods) are small, usually red or orange, and develop after flowering. In herbalism, the petals and hips are the most valued parts. History & Folklore Ancient Civilizations: - Egypt: Cleopatra famously scattered rose petals in her chambers to seduce Mark Antony. - Persia: The birthplace of distilled rosewater (~10th century CE), used for medicine and cuisine. - Rome: Petals were strewn at feasts and steeped in wine; rose garlands symbolized secrecy ("sub rosa") Parts Used - Petals – fresh or dried for teas, syrups, glycerites, infused honey, vinegars, skin care. - Hips – fresh or dried for teas, jams, jellies, syrups; prized for vitamin C content. - Essential oil & hydrosol – distilled from petals for perfumery, aromatherapy, and skin care. Constituents - Petals: volatile oils (including geraniol, nerol, citronellol), flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds. - Hips: ascorbic acid (vitamin C), flavonoids, carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene), pectins, organic acids. Medicinal Actions - Petals: fresh or dried for teas, syrups, glycerites, infused honey, vinegars, skin care - Hips: fresh or dried for teas, jams, jellies, syrups; prized for vitamin C content. Modern Research - Rose extracts show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. - Aromatherapy with rose essential oil has been linked to reduced anxiety, improved mood, and enhanced sexual function. - Rose hip powder has demonstrated benefit in reducing pain and improving mobility in osteoarthritis.

I’m working in the garden with zero time restraints or agendas! I’ve got some beds to whip into shape and prep for the next season of gardening- the cool season 😃

This is a delightful herb! It’s an early spring plant, so put it on your seed list for 2026!

I love seeing herbs in the wild all over the place! This video is from Newport, Rhode Island