Author: Lorraine Wade

Do Bananas Act As A Laxative?

“Bananas are a great natural laxative, as they are high in fibre and promote easy digestion,” said Shona. “This fruit is high in potassium, so eating a banana a day will help restore valuable electrolytes to your intestinal tract.” Do bananas make you poop? “Unripened, green bananas are constipating,” says Tammy Lakatos. “But ripe bananas […]

Do Bananas Last Longer In A Plastic Bag?

Wrap completely in plastic: Never store an entire banana in a plastic bag. These sweet treats will rot very quickly in a warm and moist environment and will be inedible. Do bananas last longer in plastic? The plastic wrap helps contain ethylene gas, which bananas produce naturally while they ripen. Without the plastic wrap, the […]

What Does Foil Do For Bananas?

Bananas, like many fruits, release ethylene gas naturally, which controls enzymatic browning and ripening of not just itself, but other fruits nearby. Much of that offgassing takes place at the stem—or the crown—of the banana. By wrapping the crown of a bunch, you slow down the ripening process a bit. Does foil help bananas? We’ve […]

Can Chamomile Grow In Clay Soil?

Chamomile lawn plants thrive in full sun, but will tolerate dappled shade. They require light soil, such as sandy loam, and do not do well in dry, stone-filled soils or heavy clay. Thoroughly remove all the weeds in the planting area beforehand, as chamomile does not compete well with many weeds. Which herbs grow best […]

Do Mosquitoes Like Lavender And Chamomile?

Not only will it attract beneficial nectar feeding insects to your garden, lavender repels ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes. Is chamomile good for mosquitoes? In conjunction with being a companion plant, chamomile helps to attract beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden. Hoverflies, beneficial wasps, ladybugs, and honey bees are all attracted to chamomile. As an […]

Can I Grow Chamomile With Mint?

In the herb garden, chamomile pairs well with mint and basil, and is said to improve their taste and scent. Chamomile should be kept trimmed back so it stays full and healthy and does not get leggy and scraggly. What should you not plant with chamomile? Mint is not a good companion plant with chamomile. […]

Do Ants Eat Chamomile?

Ants are known to be attracted to aphids and also protect them. Some of the best plants to grow that will attract these aphid predators include: Mint, Chamomile, Dill, Yarrow, Dandelions, Coneflowers, and Daisies. Are ants good for the herb garden? In traditional gardening, ants aerate the soil — digging tunnels that carry water, oxygen, […]

Is Chamomile Good For Gums?

Extracts of pomegranate (Punica granatum, Punicaceae) fruit and common chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Asteraceae) flowers — also known as German or Hungarian chamomile — have been proposed as mouthwash ingredients to treat gingivitis due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Is chamomile tea good for inflamed gums? Oils of chamomile, tea tree and peppermint can do […]

Does Olive Oil Pollute Water?

Olive oil production with three-phase centrifuge extraction The main problem with three-phase centrifugal extraction is that it produces a lot of wastewater that is difficult to dispose of. Due to the chemical composition of this so-called vegetation water, it has long been considered dangerous for plants. How does olive oil affect the environment? Olive oil […]

Can You Plant Chamomile With Lemon Balm?

Grow Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Stevia and Mint together for a constant selection of fresh teas and sweeteners! German Chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla, is commonly suggested for stress relief as it aids in relaxation. It is also known for soothing indigestion and heartburn, and helping colicky babies cry less. What herbs can be planted with lemon balm? […]

What Climate Is Best For Olive Trees?

Olive trees require a Mediterranean-like climate to survive. They need a long, hot summer and a cool, not frigid, winter. A mature tree can survive temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit for a limited amount of time; sustained cold below 15 degrees can be fatal. Where do olive trees grow best? Olive trees grow best […]

Is Broccoli Good For Arteries?

New British Heart Foundation (BHF) research from Imperial College London may have revealed why vegetables are good for the heart. The findings suggest that a chemical found in vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, can boost a natural defence mechanism to protect arteries from disease. Does broccoli clear the arteries? Broccoli Broccoli can prevent […]

Why Is My Olive Oil Black?

Good quality olive oils that have minimum processing (mainly those purchased in sealed tins), will often contain fruit sediments. If you decant the oil into a bottle, the sediments gets disturbed and causes the black/brown streaks to appear. They will eventually settle at the bottom of the bottle, so no problem. Why is my olive […]

How Much Does It Cost To Make Olive Oil?

The arithmetic average cost of producing one kilogram of oil in all countries works out at 2.78 euros/kg. Of this figure, 2.33 euros/kg. are on-farm costs and 0.45 euros/kg. are transport and oil processing costs. Is producing olive oil profitable? Olive farms are indeed very profitable in the mid and long term, provided the climate […]