Seeds and sick tummies

These two topics have nothing to do with each other, but both needed addressing.

SEEDS
Seeds are amazing. To think that this:


Comes from these:


I grow almost all of my vegetables from seed. I'm also fond of mixed flower seed packets, like the Pacific Northwest Wildflower mix I've dedicated a whole box to or the Beneficial Bug mix. My general rule seems to be annuals from seed, perennials from plant. I've bought an aster plant (Winston Churchill), two echinaceas (Magnum and Double Decker), a blueberry, and several rosemaries.

With the yarrow actually producing this year (after two years of nothing), I may consider doing more single variety flower seeds in the future. If you've never grown anything from seed, please try it. It's incredibly rewarding, and you'll find yourself tending way more to the seed-started plants than to those starts you got at the garden center.

2. Your intrepid aromatherapist is beyond unhappy with a very sick stomach, and I thought now would be a good time to recap some essential oils I use for various stomach ailments.

• Heartburn -- Start with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a small glass of water. Drink, burp, no more heartburn. I then take 32 ounces of water and add one drop of lemon essential oil. This keeps the heartburn from coming back. If you know what foods give you heartburn, and you just can't say no to them, start off with the lemon water to stave off the acid reflux.
• Gas -- Unfortunately for everyone around you, the best way to deal with gas is to expel it. Lemon essential oil is the best way. Again, lemon water is a great solution, and if you don't have lemon essential oil on hand, steep some pieces of lemon peel in 4 ounces of boiling water and add that water to 28 ounces of cold water.
  
• "I ate too much" Syndrome -- A stomach rub of 2 ounces of carrier oil (sweet almond, jojoba, olive oil) and a drop each of sweet fennel and lemon essential oils. Mix and rub on stomach in a clockwise motion.
• Stomach pains -- A stomach rub of 2 ounces of carrier oil and a drop each of sweet fennel and peppermint essential oils. Mix and run on stomach in a clockwise motion.
• Nausea -- Mix 2 or 3 drops of ginger essential oil with 2 ounces of carrier oil. Rub a small amount on the back of your neck and as a stomach rub (if you can stand to have pressure put on your stomach).

I think that covers a majority of stomach-related issues. If you are throwing up or have diarrhea, it's incredibly important to drink lots of water, because you don't want to become dehydrated. Stick to very bland foods when you are ready to eat; white rice cooked in vegetable broth is easy to digest and provides lots of nutrition.

I hope you never get sick, but we all do from time to time, and it's a relief when you can take care of yourself easily and naturally.

Wishing you much health!

NOTE: Ginger should not be used by women experiencing morning sickness or by anyone suffering from gallstones. Fennel should not be used by anyone suffering from estrogen-related disorders. Lemon can cause phototoxicity and should not be used on any part of the body that will be exposed to sun within 24 hours.

If digestive problems persist, please consult a doctor, wellness practitioner or your midwife.