I knew this would be a prickly one. When the topic of "what is an herb" has come up in the past, there has never been an agreement on what it is with regards to this forum. Some say "herbs" are only culinary herbs. Others have a more broader definition. I personally fall into the wider definition category. For the forum definition I see us only having 2 options - a very restrictive definition (e.g. culinary herbs) or broader and more expansive definition. Perhaps it might help to see how the Herb Society of America defines an herb. A couple more specific comments..... 1. We can not use a "botanical" definition of "herb." Botanically speaking, an herb is a non-woody plant. So no discussions about sage, rosemary, thyme, roses, or any other woody plant. To my knowledge there is no other "botanical perspective" of what an herb is. 2. Sorry, Daisy. Just forgot the "cosmetic" herbs. And I too find much value in Hippocrates' philosophy of food as medicine. I practice it often. 3. Overlap....yes. There is overlap between Herbs and other forums. That is the nature of gardening forums. A rose, for example, could be talked about here or a variety of other forums including the rose forums, perennial, cottage gardens, edible, native plants (some), cutting garden and many others. It doesn't mean it is wrong or shouldn't be talked about in any of those. But a person wanting to know more specific details about growing roses or specific rose varieties may wish to visit one of the rose specific forums for the best information. There are experts on those topics there. But general rose discussions or specific discussions about which varieties produce the best hips for tea or even how to harvest those hips would be very well placed here. I have some other general FAQ's in process but I'm looking to get one done before really starting another. One of those is about the difference between the Herbs and Herbalism forums. If it clarifies anything now, I'll share where that one is headed. The difference in the forums is in their focus. We focus on growing herbs of all sorts with some usage information in addition. The Herbalism forum is about medicinal herbs, specifically the usage of them, how to prepare them for use (tinctures, etc.), medical studies about their usage and efficacy, and educational resources to learn more about them and their usage. If cutting to the chase....it's growing versus using plus our area of subject matter is wider. 4. Oak? Herb. Willow? Herb. Trees as well? Sure enough, but that doesn't stop them from being herbs and topics for discussion here. The book Native American Ethnobotany by Moerman lists over 40 distinct oak species that were used by the Native Americans for all manner of uses from food to toys to basketry to medicine and more. Willow also has 40 or so listings with many varied uses. Will most people come here for info on oaks or willows? No. They'll probably head over to the Trees forum - it's a good forum too. But if they are looking for good varieties to grow for a particular herbal use or maybe questions about how to encourage willow to produce more branches for harvesting bark from, we're the forum for that and we should not discourage that discussion. FataMorgana

Hello everyone on Japanese Garden Forum. As usual Im long winded. Jizen found me today. Because I wanted it to or rather I was ready. But without this thread about a little statue I would have never known what I held in my hands this evening. Never had found a small Jizen like stone. And for this I have become willing to accept my life as not one to be ashamed of. Rather part of a larger picture. This is a good place for me to be. I took some time off to collect myself. Stayed away from the computer. I cant put a finger on it but the blend of learning the complex styles of Japanese Gardening and my attaching my personal life to it has become so much fun. However this process takes a lot of energy from me. The writing part in particular. Its so slow. The emotions involved are unexpectedly overwhelming. Not having practiced the sharing of experience, personal thoughts and more to an open audience I was hit by a wall of exhaustion. The type of tiredness that is good for the mind. Yet I wish I was prepared and practiced in such forms of expressions in a public forum. Not being well practiced my emotions welled up too strongly leading to much rambling and sensitivity. Often on the childish or naive ways. I try to make my mind coalesce into comprehensible words. Words that can be seen as truths. Weather bad or good this is why I like Japanese Gardening. As a simple person who has made many un-virtuous mistakes, I find comfort in the Buddhist imagery incorporated in the garden design. Somehow IÂll find my self again and continue on a better path. See how all my mistakes are still threads that are woven into my life forever. Finding how to love the good with the bad. This thread of a young boy Buddha statue has the ring of a thread woven within my souls tapestry. Sounds overused and corny to express it so but I cant put the idea into better words. If the individual threads of my mortal life could have sound and be plucked for the onlooker to hear, he or she could register all of those subconscious strands that make up the infinite complexities of the weavers looms. Understand that how I see a particular thread as ugly and undesirable as something that canot be removed. Yet maybe pulled a little tighter. A little looser. Giving off the right note-sound. Even if I do not acknowledge who is the weaver of my lifeÂs tapestry I wish to take responsibility for my own acts. Not to remove the unwanted threads consisting of mistakes from the successes. IÂve been told IÂm a stubborn person. Unwilling to accept change and responsibility. Rarely Thinking clearly and acting accordingly. An annoying problem I have. This afternoon I could not wait to leave the customers home. When I finally decided to pack up and leave the day still held a few hours of sunlight. A half hours drive brought me to the place I have recently found as healing and loving. Closing the door to my truck I ran down the steep slope towards the small rock cliffs and river. Took of my shoes and folded my shirt. Tied my keys to the chords of my swim trunks. Looked around and found myself alone. Laid my belongings on a boulder on the rivers side and ran back up the steep slope to a cliff about 30 high from the waters surface. Its become a ritual recently. The cliff is small yet the jump down is fun. Then after the plunge the short swim across to the rope swing. Taking a few jumps off the swing. When people are around its all the more fun. Gets competitive! Having all those younger kids trying to out do me. In the end the win because IÂm finding myself full of aches and pains the following morning. Not like when I was a teenager : ) But today I was alone. Two families passed under me while I stood ready to jump the cliff. They were excited to see the action. So I obliged. I was already standing ready to jump before I noticed them. Canoes and kayaks can move awfully quite. The canoe and kayak held young kids with their parents. We said hello before I jumped. I waited for them to move upriver a little so as not to land on them. They were eager to see the jump so I had fun. After they made their way upriver another hundred yards to an island dividing the river. Beyond my view they quickly became and I enjoyed the solitude again. Drifting in the slow current after another plunge into the river I became anxious. I wanted to be a part of human activity. I envied the two families that passed by. I was alone. Even though enjoying the thrill of freefalling into the gorge never becomes boring! And after all it was the whole Idea about building a Japanese Garden that led me to discovering new places like this. So I threw back on my shoes and shirt and walked along the rivers shore up towards the island. Here the river becomes boulder strewn with minor little rapids. Unlike the steep sided deep narrow gorge I just left that so many other kids spend the summer jumping off into. Little cliffs yet one is about 50 high. That one requires high tides. And some inconsideration. SomeoneÂs home is right on the precipice. Meaning you are literally jumping of an occupied home to jump off the cliff. IÂm to old to get away with that! Boy I wish I were a kid again. Somehow I havenÂt grown up I knew more or less why and I crossed the river onto the islands shore. And started looking for arrowheads, suiseki stones or anything that a forager would randomly place as important. The people were on the other side of the island upstream hidden by dense trees. I found a little stone that looked like a rounded version of an asian Junk boat. I knew it was nothing really but held onto it. Sometimes holding onto an object while focusing at thousands of others helps guide the mind to the next figure of interest. The smooth surface of the little stone in hand struck me as the exact opposite of the next stone I glanced at. This one was also less than palm sized but lumpy. The river eroded all the softer stone leaving unfinished garnets protruding. I knew the ÂLeopard Stone in china which is an outdoor suiseki was formed similarly. The mica schistÂs eroding leaving exposed garnets. At least thatÂs my interpretation of the small picture provided from a book. I held these two stones and felt good. Forgetting about the desire to have friends alongside me. Being alone. Nobody has ever really spent much time with me outdoors so sometimes I feel alone in the world. Almost guilty to be acting like a child playing in the sand , stones and dirt. But this is me. I like to discover. Small adventures. Foraging and playing. Now my thoughts were on the next stone. I crushed it. Somehow I knew the 2" diameter little stone was like a gem inside. And it was! A translucent blue quartz so pretty I was really happy. I left the blue quartz shards on the boulder for someone else to find. Japanese Suiseki stones were my interest. Not rocks and minerals like a science project. Twenty minutes had passed since I started looking for rocks and now the two families were heading back to the boats. I had completely forgotten myself and was content at looking for more stones. But a father passed close by. He was last on the trial. Lingering behind. Not noticing me since the boulders hid our views and the noise of water buffered our ears. I ran downstream and reexamined the blue quartz shards. Picked the best one and introduced myself to the father. I explained I wanted him to have this stone for his son . Since IÂve spent time rock collecting this would be a good opportunity to share something otherwise lost again. He held it up in his hand and was to my surprise genuinely happy and really excited. His eyes and face was glowing and I was greeted with much gratitude by him telling me, "Thank you and the stone is so beautiful. Look at that color. My son will be happy." We quickly went our own ways. I went upstream a little confused. Not knowing what to think about my impulsive actions. So I gave thanks to the weaver of destiny and simply was happy to make someone smile. And in return I received that human contact. A random act but one experience on a path amidst the river island. Where the beginning and end of that short path has a natural boundary. Surrounded by water. A short path along the middle of the island. I walked alone to one end and the father walked alone back to his family. Boats ready to launch and flow back downstream. The families disappeared and I was alone again. Alone yet feeling I accomplished another footstep along the invisible path that leads ones way of life. The way that is chosen. Like the ancient footpaths and roads that lead to a place of meaning. Like the ancient Greek trials that lead to mountain side temples. Paths of goodwill and special meaning. Chodo. The Way of Tea. The mountain path and the hermitage atop the mountain. Simplicity yet full of meaning no less advanced as that of an urban setting. I found a small Indian artifact on the same short trail the previous month. This place to me is becoming my friend. A way to define myself as a student of life. Now my thoughts were on finding that elusive almost impossible small stone with a hole naturally drilled into it creating a bowl. I know so little about Japanese Gardens. But my convictions to find each item for my Sensei and his teachers in the Japanese Cultural arts center is of the highest standards. Each garden item must not be bought or sold. The eventual assembly of the Garden for viewing will speak of devotion. A path of life that can be seen as a way to live. To become part of a group. Larger than any one individual. Knowing that to be patient will give the experiences of daily life an opportunity to test my devotion towards the collecting process of the garden materials. To become part of the land again. Having deep roots and continued traditions. Even if the Japanese Traditions and the local landcsape is an adopted one foreign from European roots, IÂll try to give the garden that quality of a long distant past. Something money cant buy. Like planting a mossy stone. Money cant buy time. Now I spent the last hours of sunlight walking in the river. Knowing I will never find a stone bowl for my teacher at the Dojo. Hoping that my desire to build a garden for the "Way of Tea" will have the continued freedom of untold time to find the proper materials. So far its been almost four months. It may take a few years. I hope that I do not become disliked as an impractical person. A dreamer who has no touch of reality. I never expected finding the right materials to be so difficult. And I know so little about Bhuddism and all the other related Japanese topics of importance. I feel like an ostrich with my head stuck in the sand for too long. So many boulders have holes drilled into them. But they are as large as a dump trucks or a golf cart. Each weighing thousands of pounds. Yet they give me the glimpse at how the river provides inspiration for artistic stone gardening. My mind was on the kid again I saw when looking down the cliff before jumping into the water earlier.Â. Would his father chuck the blue stone into the river? Did he feign the excitement? No he wouldnÂt. I was imagining the worst scenario. And that is when I became bothered with thinking such silly thoughts after the father was genuinely happy. But what really counted was I just wanted the kid finding amusement at a gem quality stone. It was like jumping off the cliff for his amusement was good but I knew I could do better. I wanted to share what I had found previous weeks in the river to the family but all the stones were stored away.Somehow I wanted to share the essence of the river. Make it more than just a playground but a stream of life. Exciting. Full of new interpretations using Asian influences. Whish in the long run are identical to Western Ideas. All those archetypical images that unite nations and cultures. They were obviously new to the river since they never seen people jump off and didnÂt know about the rope swing withch was there for years, as IÂve been told. But in reality IÂm not the type of guy to go introducing myself to strangers enjoying themselves. And using the garden web frees me from such inhibitions of sharing life. Then I became really sad. I had the opportunity to have a child a couple of years and lost the privilege. That was the thread I was pulling at this evening. A thread that is now a part of my being. I was plucking at the painful experience of loosing an unborn life. Partly of my own decisions wrongly made if asked of my point of view. Almost everyone else saw it as a good thing givin the circumstances. I was looking for a way to retune the threads painful experience into a note of practicality and usefulness. Making a bad unforgivable occurrence in my life into a livable and bearable memory. Having a note that is more like the musical threads of a harps plucked chordÂs by a talented musician. What IÂm saying is this experience had a sour note I now hate to hear. And then the whole memory of having to make a decision of abortion based upon medical complications to the fetus. What doctors considered reasonable and justified. While a whole opposite story came from doctors at the same time saying there is no need. I was so confused and wanted the best for the women I loved. All my life I thought I was the most loving human and protector of all life. I was to be a father. But I somehow lost the privilege and my decisions led to this sour note in my life. Now IÂm just another person who has lost some glow. I can type and actually function today as myself again. Not letting emotions blur who I used to be before the abortion. I was so young and innocent. Dreamy and full of hopes. I cant begin to express my feelings of saying IÂm sorry. Because I Have to live with the decision for the rest of my life. I made the mistake of letting others guide me towards loosing something that almost cost me my sanity. What IÂm saying is nobody can tell you how you will cope after you make a decision during a crossroad in life. I learned and want to place this experience in stoneÂ".An individual who makes a decision will have to live with that for all of their life." Every day. Morning and night. My decision was based upon my weakness to stand up for my beliefs. I failed miserably and now am finding the healing process will always be a scar non the less. I will not cry anymore over this thread that has been woven into my life. The sound and color may be to my dislike but I am willing to continue learning again. As a humble more wiser student. Knowing that my acts today on the island towards giving a stone for the father for his child was for me. I wanted to initiate the first step on a path I almost lost sight of because of remorse and anger. Our traces will be washed away by the rivers currents. My footsteps along the river islands path will disappear. But I will have added one tiny strand to the tapestry of my life this day. A small thread that has initiated the goodness found in following a WAY. The Way of my life re-stitched. The path or road chosen on any given moment when choices have to be made can be slightly orientated towards the way of life and its continuation. Forgiving oneself is the hardest and longest path to initiate. I can never fully understand forgiveness. I donÂt expect to ever attain it. For like anything else in life nothing is perfect or complete. Perfection is of another life and time. IÂll just try and do my best to make up for this lifeÂs mistakes. In the end you have to live with yourself. Nobody can do this for you. Life seems so easy until I ask myself to be honest. Seems like finding the materials for a Japanese Garden for me has led to finding the path of truth. A way of life without leading the next person down the wrong path. Now IÂve found Compassion for the fellow man. Forgiveness. Yet with that comes responsibility. To let the whole truth be known. The body of truth. This is the undercurrent of all art forms. That is the truth I see in such a simple meaningless picture of a cheap Buddha statue that is almost one the line of whimsical. I know I rambled again. Getting back to the river this eveningÂÂ..looking into the darkening waters of the river, I decided it was time to go home. A white object blurred by swift moving water caught my eyes. The stone bowl for the way of tea would be for another day. I looked at the willow tree next to me stubbornly clinging to a small group of stones in the middle of the river. Two months ago it was submerged by fifteen feet of spring flood waters. The roar of the river and its hydraulic power was scary to remember. Yet the willow was able to hold root. Its pink and red roots were exposed by the raging current. Boulders crashing down beneath the deep current dented the tree here and there. The woods were dark. The river Gorge was the only open accepting the unfiltered light. Just enough light that when I looked back down I barely could see the stone. It was like a moment of suspense! One more stone. I should just make my way back to the truck I was thinking. I didnÂt find the stone for the tea ceremony. I was a little bruised from jumping of the cliffs and quite honestly dinner seemed to be the motive to hustle home. But I bent down and picked up the stone. Walking a few minutes with the stone in hand I finally turned it around to the white portion. A childÂs face much like a baby with two eyes and a mouth. The head was the main focal point. You can discern the cheeks and a small tuft of hair. I wasnÂt moved like that of Aware. That upwelling of emotion bringing tears of happiness. Rather I was dumbstruck! If you can understand the moment of turning away to go home. The moment when you decide to pick up one random stone when the infinite variety of patterns can always await to be discovered tomorrow. I mean I picked up a stone not desiring to find any rare or exceptional quality. Immediately I remembered the little stone statue of this thread. And in closing to my long story it was only tonight that I read the threads entirety. I needed to find my own answers today. We make our own luck and find what we want to fit our needs accordingly. Today I barrowed a seemingly unimportant thread to help heal deep wounds. Wounds that I do not desire to ever heal perfectly. Unless I want to forget the mistakes I made and retrace my footsteps blindly. I am better for my mistakes. Maybe making me fall behind in finding a perfectly lived life. But I am accepting all experiences as truths not to be hidden. Open heart. Maybe I can show a picture of the stone. I donÂt know how to. And it might seem like nothing to the viewer as I describe. Certainly not a truly special suiseki. But IÂd like to share a picture of how a Japanese Bhuddist iconic image from this thread (Jizen son) and the process of collecting a Japanese GardenÂs materials had become a way of life for me. Much like any religious way. Its also ironic that the last time I posted a lengthy follow up was about the definition of the native Indian meaning of papoose. And if anything this stone looks much like an infant in a basket. I took the time to share this experience. Because I was ready. Willing and wanted to let a person know that with time and during the most mundane boring activities , a person can find meaning . Maybe not a perfect answer worth taking the risk to share the experience and how it unfolded. Finding old religious images and the stories that belong to them as relevant to another person. When least expected. To me it was learning the meaning of the statue O Jizo sama. The related items of travelers, Jozos jewel, children and my own personal experiences from today and a past event that found some harmony. I most definitely will have to show a picture of the stone less one thinks IÂm a story teller or never picked up by accident an image of Jizen. Hope I didnÂt waste forum space and apologize. This is fun for me so IÂm trying my best to find values in the gardening experience. Thank you.

Jamie: All other recommendations aside.... are you aware that there is an "illness" going around right now that seems to be not much more than the person being exceptionally tired? It lasts about two weeks. An upset stomach some times accompanies the tiredness. Lots of people around here have/ or have had this... including both DH and me, all our children, neighbors, co-workers, etc. AS to your original question.... I copied this last year and it may be of help: ShapeShifter Diana E. Stanley The burning of herbs or incense is a practice held sacred by many traditional cultures and is frequently called "Smudging". Smudging takes many forms. Sometimes herbs are tied in a bundle called a "smudge stick" and allowed to dry. Some herbs lend themselves to braiding. In olden times, the end of the smudge stick or braid was lit from the central or cooking fire. Today, however, a candle is recommended as it takes some time to get the stick smoking. Loose dried herbs may also be placed directly onto the burning wood in an indoor fireplace or crumbled between the fingers over a piece of charcoal. The container used for the charcoal and herbs needs to be fireproof. Ceramic or glass bowls with a layer of sand or salt work well. Especially nice is an abalone shell with a layer of colored sand in the bottom. Remember that the container may be come warm enough to scorch a surface or burn your hand. When burning a smudge stick or braid, they will eventually go out on their own, but should you need to put them out quickly, you can tamp the end out in sand or soil, shaking off the excess.  Using water is messy and not generally recommended. The idea behind burning herbs is to release their energy and fragrance, not to fill the room or your lungs with smoke. Burning excessive amounts can lead to respiratory distress or problems (and may also set off your smoke alarm). Show consideration for other people when smudging. Avoid smudging in the room when infants, pregnant persons, asthmatic or allergy-prone people are present. Smudging is not recommended during pregnancy! Never leave your smudge sticks, candles or charcoal unattended to avoid fire hazards. There are many cultures and belief systems. Not everyone views the practice of smudging in the same way and different herbs may be used for different purposes. Generally, Sage, Sweet Grass, and Cedar (also known as Cypress and Juniper) are burned to purify and protect one's living area, self and sacred tools. Bay leaf is traditionally used to protect against colds and flu. Epazote is helpful in establishing healthy boundaries and often used in combination with Fennel and one of the protective herbs (Sage, Sweet Grass or Cedar). Fennel is effective in repelling negative energies and calms the nerves. Mints are both uplifting and cleansing and are particularly good when used in combination with Sage or Cedar. Mugwort is used for healing, divination and to stimulate dreams and visions. It can be burned during rituals or before sleeping. However as some people find it to be slightly mind-altering, avoid its use before driving. UNSAFE DURING PREGNANCY! Mullien is an effective herb for healing emotional trauma that originates from relationships with other people and it provides protection when beginning a new project. Most people find the smoke to be very grounding and calming. It is often used at the end of a ritual in which Mugwort has been burned at the beginning. Orris root when burned with Celery seeds increases psychic gifts and concentration. Pine, Fir, Hemlock, and Spruce are burnt for their purifying and cleansing effect. They are most effective in combination with other herbs. Resin, Balsam, Gum, and Sap are obtained from a variety of sources. Some examples are sweet gum, birch, acacia, benzoin, copal, dragon's blood, myrrh and frankincense. Resins represent the four elements (water, earth, air and fire) when burned. The connection to all creation is affirmed when using the Sacred Smoke of your chosen resin. Uvi Ursi was traditionally mixed with tobacco and used for smoking during peace pipe ceremonies. The fragrance and energy when burned are very calming and grounding. Yerba Santa has many uses medicinally. Burn it to nurture and protect that which is ancient, sacred and wild within yourself. Use it when you need encouragement or courage. Any action, undertaken with intention and belief can become a ritual. It grows powerful through repetition and connection. The repetition can be personal~during this life time or over many life times. It can be cultural (such as celebrating Christmas) or ancestral (as in sacred dances passed down through the generations). Finding your own personal ritual can be a very healing experience. All rituals have a beginning point. Many begin as dreams or visions. Sometimes direction comes from your spirit helpers. It is possible that Spirit will instruct you if you ask and open your heart. An important way rituals evolve is by paying attention to your feelings when you attempt to make sacred or healing actions. The right actions feel good. A sense of well being and connection~of magick~comes into your soul. Some people experience this quickly and for others it evolves slowly. Patience and commitment is required as with any new endeavor. Let the searching flow through your heart, let it be spontaneous. There is no exact recipe, but with time, you will find your own personal smudging ritual. Lighting the smudge and offering it to the four directions is a common practice. Then fan the smoke over your body, first bringing it to your heart, then over your head and down to your feet. When used for cleansing, purifying and protecting, fan the smoke through the room, around yourself and draw your sacred tools through the smoke. If desired, you can incant some type of prayer as you do this, releasing your intent to Spirit. The burning of herbs is also used during healing work and prayer. This helps connect you to your spirit assistants and carries your intentions out to both the physical and spirit worlds. During healing work, the smoke may be fanned over the person either by your hand or with feathers. This clears out unhealthy energies and brings in the special attributes of the herbs. Invite the Spirit of the Herb(s) to join you and guide you in your sacred work. Whether you speak silently through your heart and soul, or aloud, is up to you. Do whatever makes the process seem real and feels right to you. Use respect, kindness and affection. Consider having the intention to form a lasting friendship and partnership with the Spirit of the Herb. Your intention will be known. If you merely wish to use the herbs rather than form a partnership, their magick may not be as effective. Part of the spiritual work of the Plant is to work with human spirits~when you have the intention to be partners, it enables them to work actively with you and much more of their magic manifests in your life. Oh Great Spirit! Hear me as I light the sacred herbs in fellowship with my Plant brothers. Honor and blessings to all. Guide and protect me on my journey. Honor and blessings to the North. Direct my steps to places that balance the physical. Honor and blessings to the East. Guide me in my journey to knowledge and wisdom. Honor and blessings to the South. Lead me to spiritual strength and courage. Honor and blessings to the West. Teach me the gentle ways of emotional balance. Be with me all, protecting and guiding me in my search for true wisdom in Spirit's love and light. Oh Great Spirit, thank you for your guidance, blessings and protection. Thank you Plant brothers for joining me and sharing your energies and blessings with me. Go with my blessings, Spirits of the North. My thanks for your help now and to come in empowering my physical life. Go with my blessings, Spirits of the East. My thanks for your help now and to come in empowering my mental life. Go with my blessings, Spirits of the South. My thanks for your help now and to come in empowering my spiritual life. Go with my blessings, Spirits of the West. My thanks for your help now and to come in empowering my emotional life. In SPIRIT's name, love and blessings to all spirits and creatures of the worlds. My thanks for blessing, guiding and protecting me on my sacred journey. So be it!

I'm sorry you lost him Rita. (Rita) I wish you wouldn't beat yourself up. I am certain you were the last thing Rex saw. Rex had been in cardiac distress for sometime before you got him to the vet's office Monday and by the time he was taken from you to the back most likely he was was too far gone to know or recognize anything. Lori Bless you and Bless Rex. He looks like he was quite a character!