Did you know that you can use Soapnut Berries as an eco-friendly way to make your own laundry detergent substitute?

Soapnut berries come from the Sapindus trifoliatus tree. The trees produce the berries, which, when crushed, can be used to make soaps and detergents. This is because soapnut berries contain saponins, which are surface acting agents, making them useful as an ingredient in cleaning detergents.

Here Are Some Eco Tips For Using Soapnut Berries

You can think of soapnut berries as eco laundry balls. You will need a cloth bag made out of a loose-mesh fabric like cheesecloth that can be tied off at the top. Inside this bag you place four or five soapnut berries, tie it off and place it in the washer with your laundry. The soapnut berries help to wash the clothes, removing dirt and odors with ease. The soapnut berries can be reused four or five times in your washer, gently cleaning your clothes. When the soapnuts get soft and mushy, you are done with them, and the used berries can be placed in your compost pile with no ill effects because they are plant matter.

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A study by Whole Foods Market in 2004 reported by the Organic Consumers Association found that ‘Two Years After Organic Standards Enacted, More Than Half of Americans Have Tried Organic Foods; Americans Choose Organic Products for Quality, Flavor, Environmental Impact, Perceived Health Benefits’

More recently, this growing popularity and awareness of the natural foods industry was highlighted through the success of the Natural Products Expo. Along with this are the early estimates from the Nutrition Business Journal that indicate consumer sales of nutrition products grew 9 percent in 2008 to more than $100 billion.

We decided to take a look at some of the factors of why the demand for organic herbs is on the rise.

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It seems to be an ongoing controversy – is it best to use whole spices or ground? Dried herbs or fresh?

There are strong arguments on all sides of the issue, but when asking this question, the best answer is “all of the above” – for different types of cooking and food preparation. It can also depend a great deal upon the time of the year; after all, many herbs are perennials that die back at the end of each growing season – meaning that in its fresh form, it’s probably not available during the winter.

It’s also dependent on whether the food being prepared is fried or baked, and at what temperature. For example, some fresh herbs and spices stand up quite well to the extremely high temperatures involved in Chinese wok stir-frying. On the other hand, when it comes to Italian marinara sauces that simmer for hours over low heat, it’s probably best to use dried herbs rather than the fresh variety. The reason here is that dried herbs ultimately explode into microscopic particles during the simmering process, actually fusing with the tomatoes on a molecular level as they cook down into sauce. Fresh herbs in this case would likely turn into soggy little bits.

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New studies are following the use of Hibiscus in the fight to lower high blood pressure

Hibiscus tea is the infusion made from Hibiscus sabdariffa flower, an herbal tea drink consumed both hot and cold by people around the world. Hibiscus tea has a tart, cranberry-like flavor. It contains vitamin C and minerals and is used traditionally as a mild medicine, as it’s believed to reduce cholesterol. Certain health authorities have been working to build awareness around the diuretic properties of the tea, and its effectiveness in the treatment of urinary tract infections.New studies are following the use of Hibiscus in the fight to lower high blood pressure. Read the rest of this entry »