1. Basil
A great pain-relieving supplement, moderates blood sugar levels, and is a potent antibiotic, antiviral and anti-fungal. It is great for relieving coughs, and symptoms of bronchitis.Food Uses: Italian herb can be used on pizza, in pasta sauces, salads and even pesto! While basil does improve the taste of your tomatoes when companion planted, it doesn’t mean you can’t also have it on your windowsill!

2. Stevia
This popular natural sweetener is best grown at home to avoid genetically modified organisms and pesticides. Stevia helps reduce the desire for nicotine (to help stop smoking), because there is a link between sugar and nicotine cravings. Stevia has also been researched for its ability to kill lyme disease co-infections. It does so by targeting the tough biofilms that protect the bacteria from our immune system.Food Uses: Excellente sugar replacement.

3. Culinary Sage
Great at inhibiting the inflammatory response in the body. Can help remediate symptoms that come with ailments like arthritis, bronchial asthma and atherosclerosis.Food Uses: You can add fresh sage to your salads, in gravies and sauces, or you can steep it fresh in a tea to help soothe irritated lungs.

4. Peppermint
Is wonderful for relieving digestive upset and can soothe irritable bowel syndrome. It helps relieve stress, nausea, inflammatory conditions, and is known for its incredible ability to get rid of headaches – very fast!Food Uses: Peppermint can be made into a tea, or you can blend it up with medjool dates and some warm water to make a delicious, frothy peppermint drink or dessert. It is a great addition to almost any chocolate recipe, like chocolate cake, muffins or even cookies!

5. Rosemary
Has a sharper taste fresh than dried, and is known to improve memory and cognitive function, stimulate hair growth and prevent inflammation.Food Uses: Rosemary can be enjoyed in soups, stews, and sauces. It is also suggested to add rosemary to any potato dish you add to the oven. This plant has thick stems, so it takes a while to grow roots. But once it gets going, it takes very well.

6. Oregano
Has been found to be superior to prescription antibiotics, working as an effective antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and antioxidant. Some test-tube studies have shown that oregano and its components may help kill cancer cells. heal your lungs from symptoms of cough, asthma, bronchitis, and other infections.Food Uses: Pasta dishes, sauces, stews, soups, or even made into a tea.

7. Thyme
Thymol found in thyme, is known to kill cancer cells, as well as lower blood pressure, prevent tooth decay, ease stomach disorders and kill bacteria and fung. It is also a powerful anti-viral. The essential oil of thyme has been successfully used in keeping mold levels down in the air, particularly when diffused.Food Uses: Thyme is great in salads, but it really makes an impression in soups. For some reason, I’ve found that thyme gives an almost chicken-like flavor to soup, but without having to use chicken broth (good for people like me who are plant-based!). It also works wonderfully in stews and sauces.

These images remind us of the Majestic Planet we live on and give us one more reason to take care of it. The following links offer virtual walks through nature.

These images remind us of the Majestic Planet we live on and give us one more reason to take care of it. The following links offer virtual walks through nature.

Amorphophallus titanum, the titan arum, is a flowering plant with the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world. The titan arum’s inflorescence can reach over 3 metres (10 ft) in height. The titan arum grows in the wild only in the equatorial rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia. The plant flowers only infrequently in the wild and even more rarely when cultivated. In cultivation, the titan arum generally requires 7 to 10 years of vegetative growth before blooming for the first time.

After its initial blooming, there can be considerable variation in blooming frequency. Some plants may not bloom again for another 7 to 10 years while others may bloom every two to three years. As the spathe gradually opens, the spadix releases powerful odors to attract pollinators, insects which feed on dead animals or lay their eggs in rotting meat. The potency of the odor gradually increases from late evening until the middle of the night, when carrion beetles and flesh flies are active as pollinators, then tapers off towards morning. Analyses of chemicals released by the spadix show the stench includes dimethyl trisulfide (like limburger cheese), dimethyl disulfide, trimethylamine (rotting fish), isovaleric acid (sweaty socks), benzyl alcohol (sweet floral scent), phenol (like Chloraseptic), and indole (like feces).