I really liked that last bit of info on peppermint. I would love it if someone well versed in all aspects of herbs wrote something like this often of different herbs. I would find it interesting and informative. I have so much to learn from so many, posts like that help!

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy. net), February 27, 2002

Answers

Stay tuned Joanie! I'm not "well versed in all aspects," but I plan to post a lot here about herbs and gardening as I study and learn myself. I have a list of about 300 or so herbs, their uses, some and technical stuff I don't really understand but enjoy reading. I think I will post something about a different herb every day here - that's almost one for every day of the year. If you have questions about specific herbs let me know and I'll find out what I can. I'm sure others on the forum will have good information and advice, too!

-- Phil in KS (pigfarmerphil@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

Using Herbs in capsules.

Herbs can be powdered in a blender and put in capsules. Health food stores offer gelatin and vegetarian empty capsules that can be filled. They can be done by hand or you can find mini hand "machines" that will cap about 50 an ounce.

-- Phil in KS (pigfarmerphil@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

Hello Joanie,

If you would go to www.barnesandnoble.com website you could find out how to take their "Free" online course for Medicinal Herbs and their Herb Gardening course. Melitza and I took them both last year and they helped us tremendously with our research.

Sincerely,

ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.

Thanks Ernest! Good info! And GREAT site you have there - I was up last night WAY later than I should have been looking around and chekcing out your "place!" Mind if I put a link to it on my webpage?

-- Phil in KS (pigfarmerphil@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

I have an interest in herbs and in the mint family for starters, since I understand they all have square stems and so many cultures use so many different species.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

Thanks everyone. I will check out the sites and maybe register for the course. YOu people are great!

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), February 28, 2002.

Thanks Ernest, great site. But I couldn't find the class listed for herbs. Do they offer different classes each term? Would love to take this class.

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), February 28, 2002.

One of those little electric coffee grinders works great for grinding herbs too. I bought one that I only use for herbs, that way they don't all come out tasting like coffee.

The more of the herb's surface that is exposed to air, the quicker their potency is lost. You probably wouldn't want to grind a year's worth of capsules at once, and be sure to store them in a cool dark place.

-- Sherri C in Central Indiana (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), February 28, 2002.

Hello Joanie, Annie, etc,

I just checked the www.barnesandnoble.com webpage for the Herb classes and could not find them. I guess they change their cirriculum ever so often. My wife and I took them last year and I just thought that repeated them every semester. Keep checking the webpage to see if they add them next semester!

PHIL...you certainly may add my webpage to your list!

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), March 01, 2002.

Thanks Ernest for the heads up on the web site. I've got it bookmarked and will be keeping check on it often now. My mom is really into geneology and the site has a class they're offering now on it, so I told her about it and she's checking it out. Thanks again Ernest, for letting us all know about the site!

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), March 01, 2002.