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Using and Growing Herbs and herbal products

Avoiding Toxins at home

By ACS Distance Education on January 9, 2023 in Animals, Environmental Issues, Food, Health, Herbs & Science | comments

From a scientific point of view, a toxin is a very specific type of poison, one which is produced via living cells. For instance, a poison produced by a spider would be considered a toxin. A manmade poison, on the other hand, would not be considered a toxin.

In the modern world, most people think of toxins in a more general sense, simply as substances which are poisonous to humans and/or animals. They refer to poisons which are produced by living cells as bio toxins or natural toxins.

 

Growing Mushrooms at Home

By ACS Distance Education on October 28, 2016 in Herbs | comments

You can start growing mushrooms at home, easily with a few simple steps:

Mushrooms are fun to grow at home and it need not be complex, difficult, or take up a lot of room. If you can provide a dark and slightly humid environment (like the kitchen pantry) then you could just buy a mushroom kit and you are set to go!

The mushroom we are most familiar with is a white topped Agaricus bisporus, also called the champignon, or white button mushroom.  The Swiss Brown is variety of the same Agaricus bisporus species, but with a brown rather than white mushroom, and a stronger flavour.
Other than these two ones today you can buy mushroom growing kits to grow all sorts at home including: oyster and king oyster,shiitake, enoki and shemeji. 

 

Herb Plant Pests

By ACS Distance Education on March 23, 2015 in Animals & Herbs | comments
Herbs are relatively pest and disease-free, in fact, they are often best used as companion plants to repel insects from more susceptible species.

There are few pests or diseases that generally affect herbs however some plants are prone to specific pests or diseases. For example, bulbs (eg. onion herbs) can rot if they get too wet, rust attacks mint, scale can attack bay laurel, and aphis infests parsley during dry conditions.
 

Propagating Herbs

By ACS Distance Education on March 12, 2015 in Animals & Herbs | comments

Creating new plants from old is not only fascinating and simple, it’s also the most economical means of adding to your garden.

Propagating your own herbs can be one of the most addictive and rewarding of gardening pursuits. It’s really quite easy once you know how.

Click & read our tips, or buy our principal's book: Starting a Nursery or Herb Farm  at our bookshop. www.acsbookshop.com

 

 

Spices

By ACS Distance Education on January 28, 2015 in Food & Herbs | comments
Spices come from the aromatic parts of plants which are dried. This includes seeds, bark, roots, leaves, fruit – in fact, all plant parts may have some use, depending on the particular plant. For instance, the dried seeds of coriander may be ground into a powder for use in Asian cuisine, or the roots of ginger can be treated in the same way. Although some spices are used fresh, like fresh coriander leaves and fresh ginger root, to qualify as a spice it must be dried before us