minutes


Johnson County Herb Society Minutes of Meeting November 18, 2006 The meeting was called to order by president Esther Chambliss. Esther announced a Herb Study Group. Everyone will bring at least one fact about a particular herb to share at the January meeting. Facts can be from a cooking recipe, crafting, medicinal use, history, how the herb was used in the Victorian era, civil war, etc. Sources of information can be libraries, the internet, Herb Companion Magazine, herbal cookbooks, or the Herb Society of America library. The first herb is Lemon Balm, (Melissa Officinalis) since it is Herb of the Year. The first study group will be held in Janaury. Store items were displayed for sale - calendars, tiles, cups, mortar and pestles, etc. Johnny Jumpups, an edible flower, were for sale at 55 cents each. Esther announced new books in the library - Herbal Soups, Breads and Sweets. A lady from Hamilton called Esther for information on contacting Larry White. She saw the picture of Sue in her gas mask, gloves, etc. in the paper and wanted to know more. Vendors told various members that they had a great time at the October Symposium and the food was delicious. Mary Doebbelin told Esther she heard we had a great show. Esther suggested the December meeting be a luncheon on the second Saturday, December 9, at the Lemon Sisters restaurant near the Wright Plaza. Members were warned not to park in the Wright Building Parking lot or they would be towed. Pat Chapman made a motion that the December meeting be a luncheon at the Lemon Sisters. Elaine Bell seconded. The motion passed. Pat Chapman made a motion that each member pay for their own lunch. Grace Rohr seconded. The motion passed. Discussion on whether to donate to the pregnancy center was held. Debra Moore made a motion to continue to donate diapers. Pat Chapman seconded. The motion passed. Debra Moore made a motion that the club buy one case of diapers from Sam's Club using part of the profit from the show. Sue Morgan seconded. The motion passed. Members do not need to bring individual items for the pregnancy center. Sue Morgan passed out the Treasurer's Report. So far profit from the herb show has been abut $100, with more expected from book sales commissions. About 70 - 80 people attended besides workers and vendors. Also, we have items to sell at the Master Gardeners Show in March, and we have a supply of cups, plates, napkins, etc. Esther said this show was a PR project and it was successful in that regard. Discussion was held on whether to have another show next year, or simply expand our booth at the Johnson County Lawn and Garden Show sponsored by the Master Gardeners. If we do a show, work should begin nine months ahead of time. Elaine Bell said the entire Civic Center costs $600 to rent, whereas the Senior Center cost $80. The Master Gardeners doubled the number of attendees the second year. Nancy Hagwood suggested we focus on setting up booths at other shows. More discussion will be held in December and a vote will be taken in January. The Master Gardeners Show is March 10, 2007. January's meeting will be a Howdy Party. Each member will invite a guest to help spread the word about the Johnson County Herb Society. Handouts were passed out: Treasurer's Report Getting the Most from your Herb Garden - Fall Planting and Winter Preparation Johnny Jumpups Lemon Balm Pansy Dianthus Recipe for Fresh Tomato Tart Rosemary and Sage Available for pickup were copies of Homegrown and Texas Home Gardener Drawings were held for four door prizes. Melissa Hodges, licensed massage therapist from Body and Sole (near the First Financial Bank) demonstrated and explained massage techniques. Sally Porter and Sue Morgan were the lucky massage recipients. Melissa talked while she worked, and members contributed herbal tips. Herbal Trivia Shared: Esther explained that any herb with "officinalis" as part of its name meant that it was used medicinally. A long time ago when people were sick they went to a monastery or nunnery to be treated. The monks or nuns would go into the "office" to get the herb. Pat Chapman said that Sage combined with Sea Salt makes an excellent tooth whitener and also creates healthy gums. Sage is also said to be good for sore throat, excess mucous, helps adrenal hormones, and helps memory in Alzheimers cases. Pat Chapman told how to make comfrey oil: Cut comfrey, break it up, put in pan. Use peanut oil or olive oil. Heat 20 200 to 250 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes in the oven. Let set overnight. Use as liniment for sore muscles. Also good for acne. Calendula is also good for acne. Esther explained that to make a tincture, use vodka or rum. Put dry bruised herbs in a glass jar, fill with alcohol, keep in dark. Shake every day or so for two weeks. (Editor's Note: As a former chemist, I know that Everclear brand of vodka has no additives or flavorings and is a good base for tinctures.) Arnica absorbs shock, trauma and swelling. Put on a cottonball under a bandaid. Melissa suggested soaking the feet in Epsom Salts to detox the body and to get magnesium into the body. Or make a paste of half epsom salts and half hot water in the microwave and rub it on body, or soak in an Epsom Salts bath. She suggested using it once a week. She said it is important to test essential oils first before putting on large areas. Test a spot behind the knees, behind ears, or on the inside of wrists. She uses safflower, jojoba, olive, apricot, or sunflower oils as bases when she gives a massage. Canola oil is not a natural oil and should not be used. Tea tree oil in socks will clear sinuses. Peppermint is a hot herb and will warm you up. Don't use before bedtime. Eucalyptus is a cooling herb, as is Lavender. For aromatherapy, mix herbs with Epsom Salts and use as bath salts. Melissa said in giving massages, to rub along the sides of the vertebrae, never directly on the backbone. Use peppermint oil or eucalyptus in the massage. If you are alone, use a tennis ball in a sock and rub against it on a wall. Stretch to get out cricks and sore spots. If you don't take care if it, it will spread. It is important to stretch calves and never lock knees when standing. Micki Nellis, Secretary Johnson County Herb Society

Johnson County Herb Society
Minutes of Meeting November 18, 2006

The meeting was called to order by president Esther Chambliss.

Esther announced a Herb Study Group. Everyone will bring at least one fact about a particular herb to share at the January meeting. Facts can be from a cooking recipe, crafting, medicinal use, history, how the herb was used in the Victorian era, civil war, etc.

Sources of information can be libraries, the internet, Herb Companion Magazine, herbal cookbooks, or the Herb Society of America library.

The first herb is Lemon Balm, (Melissa Officinalis) since it is Herb of the Year. The first study group will be held in Janaury.

Store items were displayed for sale - calendars, tiles, cups, mortar and pestles, etc. Johnny Jumpups, an edible flower, were for sale at 55 cents each.

Esther announced new books in the library - Herbal Soups, Breads and Sweets.

A lady from Hamilton called Esther for information on contacting Larry White. She saw the picture of Sue in her gas mask, gloves, etc. in the paper and wanted to know more.

Vendors told various members that they had a great time at the October Symposium and the food was delicious. Mary Doebbelin told Esther she heard we had a great show.

Esther suggested the December meeting be a luncheon on the second Saturday, December 9, at the Lemon Sisters restaurant near the Wright Plaza. Members were warned not to park in the Wright Building Parking lot or they would be towed.

Pat Chapman made a motion that the December meeting be a luncheon at the Lemon Sisters. Elaine Bell seconded. The motion passed.

Pat Chapman made a motion that each member pay for their own lunch. Grace Rohr seconded. The motion passed.

Discussion on whether to donate to the pregnancy center was held. Debra Moore made a motion to continue to donate diapers. Pat Chapman seconded. The motion passed. Debra Moore made a motion that the club buy one case of diapers from Sam's Club using part of the profit from the show. Sue Morgan seconded. The motion passed. Members do not need to bring individual items for the pregnancy center.

Sue Morgan passed out the Treasurer's Report. So far profit from the herb show has been abut $100, with more expected from book sales commissions. About 70 - 80 people attended besides workers and vendors. Also, we have items to sell at the Master Gardeners Show in March, and we have a supply of cups, plates, napkins, etc.

Esther said this show was a PR project and it was successful in that regard. Discussion was held on whether to have another show next year, or simply expand our booth at the Johnson County Lawn and Garden Show sponsored by the Master Gardeners. If we do a show, work should begin nine months ahead of time. Elaine Bell said the entire Civic Center costs $600 to rent, whereas the Senior Center cost $80. The Master Gardeners doubled the number of attendees the second year. Nancy Hagwood suggested we focus on setting up booths at other shows. More discussion will be held in December and a vote will be taken in January.

The Master Gardeners Show is March 10, 2007.

January's meeting will be a Howdy Party. Each member will invite a guest to help spread the word about the Johnson County Herb Society.

Handouts were passed out:
Treasurer's Report
Getting the Most from your Herb Garden - Fall Planting and Winter Preparation
Johnny Jumpups
Lemon Balm
Pansy
Dianthus
Recipe for Fresh Tomato Tart
Rosemary and Sage

Available for pickup were copies of Homegrown and Texas Home Gardener

Drawings were held for four door prizes.

Melissa Hodges, licensed massage therapist from Body and Sole (near the First Financial Bank) demonstrated and explained massage techniques. Sally Porter and Sue Morgan were the lucky massage recipients.

Melissa talked while she worked, and members contributed herbal tips.

Herbal Trivia Shared:

Esther explained that any herb with "officinalis" as part of its name meant that it was used medicinally. A long time ago when people were sick they went to a monastery or nunnery to be treated. The monks or nuns would go into the "office" to get the herb.

Pat Chapman said that Sage combined with Sea Salt makes an excellent tooth whitener and also creates healthy gums.

Sage is also said to be good for sore throat, excess mucous, helps adrenal hormones, and helps memory in Alzheimers cases.

Pat Chapman told how to make comfrey oil: Cut comfrey, break it up, put in pan. Use peanut oil or olive oil. Heat 20 200 to 250 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes in the oven. Let set overnight. Use as liniment for sore muscles. Also good for acne.

Calendula is also good for acne.

Esther explained that to make a tincture, use vodka or rum. Put dry bruised herbs in a glass jar, fill with alcohol, keep in dark. Shake every day or so for two weeks. (Editor's Note: As a former chemist, I know that Everclear brand of vodka has no additives or flavorings and is a good base for tinctures.)

Arnica absorbs shock, trauma and swelling. Put on a cottonball under a bandaid.

Melissa suggested soaking the feet in Epsom Salts to detox the body and to get magnesium into the body. Or make a paste of half epsom salts and half hot water in the microwave and rub it on body, or soak in an Epsom Salts bath. She suggested using it once a week.

She said it is important to test essential oils first before putting on large areas. Test a spot behind the knees, behind ears, or on the inside of wrists.

She uses safflower, jojoba, olive, apricot, or sunflower oils as bases when she gives a massage. Canola oil is not a natural oil and should not be used.

Tea tree oil in socks will clear sinuses.

Peppermint is a hot herb and will warm you up. Don't use before bedtime. Eucalyptus is a cooling herb, as is Lavender.

For aromatherapy, mix herbs with Epsom Salts and use as bath salts.

Melissa said in giving massages, to rub along the sides of the vertebrae, never directly on the backbone. Use peppermint oil or eucalyptus in the massage. If you are alone, use a tennis ball in a sock and rub against it on a wall.

Stretch to get out cricks and sore spots. If you don't take care if it, it will spread. It is important to stretch calves and never lock knees when standing.

Micki Nellis, Secretary
Johnson County Herb Society