How to Grow Ginkgo Biloba

How to Grow Ginkgo Biloba



Believed to be the oldest surviving tree on earth, ginkgo biloba has ancestors that lived when dinosaurs roamed around the world.
The medicinal properties of this fruit tree were discovered in 3000 B.C. by Chinese herbalist, Shen Nung, who proclaimed its usefulness in treating heart problems. Today it is cultivated throughout Europe and North America. Recent research shows it improves blood flow to the body and helps with concentration.









1


Plant ginkgo biloba seeds in full sunshine to partial shade in any type soil, including sand, as long as it's well drained.





2


Grow seed in the ground in the fall or in deep containers protected by an outdoor greenhouse in the winter and transplant later. The seeds should germinate all spring. Chose a male ginkgo biloba tree if you decide to go that route. The fruits from a female tree are slippery and smell very unappealing.





3


Watch for the fruits in the fall. Pollination takes place the tree's first year, usually by the wind. The ginkgo biloba tree has one or more trunks with round fruits about the size of a cherry tomato, each containing one seed. A tree can live 1,000 years and grow as tall as 50 to 100 feet and is known for its resistance to insects and pollution.





4


Be patient. The ginkgo biloba tree grows very slowly, mostly between May and the first part of September. It may take several seasons for blooms to appear.





5


Harvest your ginkgo biloba tree in the fall. Only the leaves are used for medicinal purposes and are what gives ginkgo biloba its commercial value. Best time to prune this tree is spring.





6


Store the seeds in your refrigerator and use them quickly. Store harvested leaves in a cool, dry place.








Tips & Warnings










Ginkgo biloba is also grown as a bonsai. You can buy a ginkgo bonsai or grow one from seed.








Consult a physician before using ginkgo biloba. The pulp and seed are poisonous and care should be given when handling the fruit pulp. Some people are allergic to it and can develop symptoms similar to poison ivy exposure.



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How to Grow Feverfew

How to Grow Feverfew



Widely known as a good herb to treat certain types of migraines, feverfew is a perennial native to southeastern Europe and Asia, but found in many other areas. This is a perfect plant for those without a green thumb. It will grow anywhere, even in bad soil and among weeds. Its reputation for being low maintenance convinces many amateur herbalists to grow feverfew right in their own backyards.









1


Decide where to plant your feverfew and if you want to use pots or sow the seeds right into the ground. You'll have plenty of choices since feverfew will pop up between the cracks in a sidewalk or a wall, a weedy garden or even on a rocky slope. Feverfew loves full sun and doesn't need an abundance of moisture.





2


Plant by seed in the spring or root division in the fall. Feverfew can grow up to two feet. Its leaves are brightly colored and have an aromatic smell, but somewhat bitter taste. The plant will live through a mild winter if placed in a sheltered spot.





3


Watch for flowers which appear from summer until mid-fall and look like daisies with yellow centers. As feverfew self sows its seed, the flowers will be quite plentiful.





4


Divide the plants when they get too big and plant in another location, keeping them moist until reestablished.





5


Harvest the entire plant while in bloom. Cut the leaves and flowers as needed. Dry the flowers face down on a flat surface to use later in potpourri. The leaves, flowers and occasionally, the stems, are used for medicinal purposes and are what give the feverfew its commercial value.





6


Store no longer than 120 days to maintain full effectiveness. Studies reveal feverfew leaves are best stored in powdered form in freezer conditions (-15C).








Tips & Warnings










Your rose garden will love it if you'd choose it to be the location for your feverfew. It will attract those pesky aphids away from your bushes and both plants make nice cut flowers.








Consult a physician before using feverfew. Avoid using in any form during
pregnancy
.



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How to Grow Black Cohosh

How to Grow Black Cohosh



Best known these days as the "menopause plant," black cohosh is a hardy perennial that grows from southern Canada south to Georgia, over to Arkansas and up to Wisconsin. Most black cohosh is harvested in the wild. Follow these steps to grow and cultivate black cohosh.









1


Find a shady area with damp soil for your black cohosh seeds. This plant prefers humus rich soil, the kind you find in the mossy beds of a forest.





2


Plant seeds Вј inch below the soil in a flat in late summer, spaced about 2 feet apart. Black cohosh needs the room because it can self sow its seed and will quickly grow to over 4 feet. Leaves are large and the white flowers, which bloom May through July, are plentiful and grow to over 6 feet tall. Once you've planted the seeds, cover the soil with mulch to keep in moisture.





3


Be patient. Seeds will need 2-4 weeks of warm temperatures, around 70F, followed by at least 3 months of cold, about 40F. In many locations, the ripe seeds can be planted in a shady bed in late summer or early fall and left for 18 months or so.





4


Transplant the seedlings into individual pots once they pop up with their second set of true leaves, the ones that come up after the "seed leaves" appear. Leave them in a shady area for another 6 months and in late summer or early fall, when the plants are about two years old, you can plant them in a shady garden. Black cohosh has a rather unpleasant smell to humans, but bees and birds love it.





5


Get ready for harvest as you watch the seedlings develop in little capsules from August to October. The capsules will rattle when shaken.





6


Harvest black cohosh sometime in October. The rhizome will be dark brown to black in color, thick and gnarled. The roots attached to the rhizome are used for medicinal purposes.





7


Wash the roots, blot with a paper towel and dry on a wire rack in a clean, well-ventilated area at 80F to 95F for one week. Once they are dry, store them in a burlap bag or cardboard drum in a cool, dark, dry location. Use within a year.








Tips & Warnings










Consult a physician before using black cohosh. Although it's been approved as an over-the-counter drug in Canada and Germany and herbalists have been using it medicinally for years, it has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2060920_grow-black-cohosh.html

How to Give a Hot Rock Massage

How to Give a Hot Rock Massage



Hot Rock Massage provides a deeply relaxing experience for the body, mind, and spirit. This massage concentrates on the lymph nodes and the fluid drainage. It penetrates your body and relaxes the muscles.







Things You'll Need:





Flat, round stones of various sizes




Hot stone pot




Slotted ladle




Massage oil









1


Place the rocks into the pot filled with water and heat to approximately 140 degrees. Once you have remove the rocks from the pot, their temperature will fall to 120 degrees.





2


Lay the person receiving the massage face down on a flat surface with the back and lower spine exposed for the massage. Carefully apply the massage oil over the person's back, spreading it evenly and not too heavily.





3


Using the slotted ladle, remove the stones from the heated water. Place the wet stones into a thick towel to dry them, and then gently place the stones on the subject's back. Make sure the temperature is not too hot for them. It should feel comforting, not painful.





4


Place the larger stones on the larger parts of the body, such as the hips and shoulders. Place the smaller stones along the back. Keep the stones in place for 20 minutes or until they lose their warmth. Begin by massaging the upper limbs. Get the limbs loose while the back relaxes under the stones.





5


Remove the stone from the base of the neck. You must be careful because the stones will fall occasionally. You can also work on the back of the head at this time.





6


Move down to the legs. Apply the massage oil in long, smooth strokes. Use your knuckles while massaging to elongate and stretch the muscles.





7


Remove the stones from the subjects's back. Start with the heavier stones and return them to the water. As you remove the stones, you will see spots where they have heated the muscles. Gently apply more massage oil. Do the entire back, and then begin the massage.





8


Finish with the "farewell strokes." These are the last strokes of the massage. Work all the way up and down the back, and end with the neck and the head. Return to the neck a few times, as this is one of the most stressed areas in the body. Finish with a head massage.








Tips & Warnings










Always clean the rocks and disinfect them between each massage.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2065972_give-hot-rock-massage.html

How to Get a Colon Cleansing

How to Get a Colon Cleansing



If you have heard about the benefits of colon cleansing, you may be interested in getting the procedure done. Colon cleansing involves getting rid of the impacted fecal matter found in your intestines. This is supposed to help rid the body of toxins. Several options for colon cleansing are available.









1


Purchase a colon cleansing product. Many companies offer a cleanse that comes in capsule form. You take the pills and it stimulates the bowels. Colonix is a popular colon cleansing system.





2


Make your own colon cleanse. Taking certain herbs together can allow you to cleanse your colon at home. For example, fennel seed and flax seed are both natural laxatives.





3


Speak to an herbalist. An herbalist can assist you if you decide to mix your own herbs to create a colon cleanse.





4


Find a spa that performs colon cleansing treatments. High end spas offer their guests the option of having colon cleanses done on their premises.





5


Speak to an alternative medicine specialist. A person that specializes in alternative medicine can let you know how you can go about getting a colon cleanse.








Tips & Warnings










Do not perform a colon cleanse if you are pregnant, nursing or suffer from any serious medical conditions.








Do not overdose on laxatives to cleanse your colon. This is not a safe method.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2057432_get-colon-cleansing.html

How to Shop Like Kate Winslet

How to Shop Like Kate Winslet



Kate Winslet is just as comfortable in a red carpet gown as she is in jeans and an old cardigan. She's known for doing most of her shopping in England, but also grabs a few pieces from the US. If you want to shop like this down to earth actress, head out to the stores on your own and leave the posse behind.









Step
1



Skip the personal shopper and look for things that fit your personality. Winslet told French Vogue that she does all of her own shopping because she wants her
children
to see her as a normal person.




Step
2



Shop for clothing created by British designers such as Alexander McQueen for Givenchy, Jasper Conran and Ben de Lisi. This London-based actress is known for supporting her fellow Brits while on the red carpet.




Step
3



Buy chunky diamond pieces from Fred Leighton in
New York
City


or their Las Vegas location. Kate Winslet loves shopping for larger pieces that match her personality and style.




Step
4



Invest in

makeup


and
beauty
products from Sephora. Winslet is known to peruse their stores in France, but you can find the same items from their US stores or their website.




Step
5



Visit J. Crew for low key clothing that isn't worn on the red carpet. Winslet loves to grab tee-shirts and sweaters from the retailer while working on the set.




Step
6



Head to London and hit Joseph on Bond Street. This high end retailer specializes in down to earth bohemian clothing and is a favorite of Winslet's. They also have stores in the US and a few select countries.




Step
7



Grab the Sacca Hobo bag from Tod's and a pair of Ugg boots to finish off your look. Winslet isn't seen out and about very often, but she loves these accessories when she's shopping.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2265183_shop-like-kate-winslet.html

How to Shop Like Kate Moss

How to Shop Like Kate Moss



Kate Moss routinely tops best-dressed lists for celebrities and jetsetters in America and abroad. This svelte supermodel gets high praise for her unique style and ability to shop for the trendiest designs. Kate Moss prefers to shop the high-end boutiques and department stores in Paris, New York, Hollywood and North London. Be prepared to spend hefty sums of money as you follow these steps to shop like Kate Moss.









Step
1



Go to Fred Segal's Boutique in West Hollywood, California. Choose any of Andre Trenier's trendy sneakers and
athletic
shoes


, the pricier the better. Kate also shops for Christian Louboutin's heels, especially the Patent Stiletto Wedge Sandal in red.




Step
2



Search the vintage boutique's in England's North London district. Kate's favorite is the Brora boutique on Marylebonne High Street in London where she stocks up on the costly Scottish cashmere cardigans, sleeveless sweaters and sweater dresses.




Step
3



Head out to the Soho district in New York. Kate shops at the Prada boutique at 575 Broadway where she buys the Leather Cork Platform Sandal in Gold or the Prada T-Strap Turquoise Sandal in Metallic Green. Kate also fetches a Prada signature black nylon fabric Poccone handbag.




Step
4



Race back to New York's Broadway shopping district and check out the latest styles from Juicy Couture available at Neiman Marcus. Kate shops for any of Juicy Couture's cashmere sweater dresses and pairs them with Wolford Black Tights and wide, studded black belts.




Step
5



Fly to the world-famous Chanel boutique at Rue Cambon in Paris, France. Like other trendsetters, Kate adores Chanel's quilted black tote bags, the Cambon Ligne Bag, the Black Flag Bag and the Beige Quilted Leather Boston Bag.




Step
6



Satisfy your penchant for high-cost jewelry at the Bulgari boutique, 730 Fifth Avenue in New York City. Kate can't resist the 18 karat yellow gold sport watch or Bulgari's 18 karat White Gold and Diamonds Drop Earrings.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2265182_shop-like-kate-moss.html