Simple Syrup Recipes

Try it in iced tea or combine with rye whiskey, lemon juice and bitters for an amazing cocktail. We use a splash in Lemonade or Hot Herbal Tea!

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 cup dried Rose Petals or Lavender Buds

Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir in the rose petals/lavender and continue to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and steep for 15 minutes. Strain through a mesh sieve, reserving the syrup in a clean glass container.

Store in the refrigerator and use within one month.

You can also substitute Orange Peel, Lemon Peel, Calendula, Chamomile, Dandelion, Hibiscus, Peppermint, Spearmint or any other herb you like!

 Tip: For a more tart flavor with the benefit of an abundance of vitamin C, add ½ cup Rose Hips to the ingredients.

 Sweet & Spice Juniper Simple Syrup is so flavorful people will think it took a lot of effort. Use this syrup to create your own signature cocktails and mocktails.

1 cup water
3 tablespoons dried juniper berries
3 cardamom whole pods or 1 tsp chopped fresh ginger
1/2 c Orange/Lemon Peel or One whole fresh orange/Lemon

Using a mortar and pestle, lightly crush the juniper berries to break them open. Toss the berries into a medium saucepan. Repeat with the cardamom pods. Cut the orange peel into strips and add to the pan. Add the water and heat over medium heat to just bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and stir in sugar. Simmer the mixture on the lowest heat for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Strain and refrigerate the reserved syrup. Use within 2 weeks.

 Lavender & Thyme Simple Syrup incorporates a botanical combination that compliments in baked goods, or in lemonade. In cocktails, pair it with vodka or gin, sparkling soda and fresh lemon juice. Placing the herbs in a small muslin bag makes straining the mixture much easier.

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
¼ cup lavender flowers
2 teaspoons dried thyme

Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Place the lavender and thyme in a muslin bag and tie the top. Drop bag into the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes. Remove bag and transfer syrup into a clean glass container.

Refrigerate and use within 2 weeks.

Black Peppercorn Simple Syrup is an earthy, robust syrup that partners beautifully with the flavors of orange, grapefruit, persimmons, ginger and lavender.

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1⁄4 cup whole black peppercorns, lightly crushed or 10 drops Black Pepper Essential Oil

Combine water and sugar in a sauce pan. Crush peppercorns slightly using a mortar and pestle; add to pan and bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain, reserving the syrup in a glass jar.

Store in the refrigerator and use within one month.

  

copyright 2015-2019 J&J Farm; JnJFarmKY; JnJFarmVA

Natural Disinfectant Spray

Here at J&J Farm we use AB Protection Blend but here is another recipe

Natural Disinfectant Spray Recipe

1oz Vodka or Witch Hazel
1oz Water
1 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
3 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil
1 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
1 drops Lavender Essential Oil

OR 6 drops AB Protection Blend

Mix all ingredients together and add to a spray bottle. Shake the spray bottle frequently while cleaning.

2019 copyright J&J Farm; JnJFarmKY; JnJFarmVA

Plantain - A Unexpected Benefit

With this year’s flu season off to a deadly start (and we’ve caught it ourselves!) we wanted to offer alternatives to pharmaceutical medicines to holistic ones.  Other than achy joints, weakness and body-wracking cough it was our lungs filling with fluid that caused coughing fits every time we laid down.  We made a large pot of plantain tea to naturally help dry up the mucus in our lungs.  It helped they symptoms!

Plantain Leaf

Common Name

Standardized: plantain
Other: broad-leaf plantain, greater plantain

Botanical Name

Plantago lanceolata L.
Plant Family: Plantaginaceae

Overview

The common plantain is of Eurasian descent, but has since been naturalized around the world with particular prominence in the United States.
Plantain has been used by many cultures the world over, and the Saxons considered it one of their nine sacred herbs. It was considered an early Christian. Despite its usefulness, plantain is considered a noxious weed in some regions outside of its native range.
Plantains have wide-ranging antimicrobial properties including anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It not only soothes insect bites and superficial wounds but prevent infections and accelerate healing. An active biochemical aucubin is mainly responsible for the antimicrobial action of the herb. Another substance allantoin in the herb helps with skin tissue regeneration.  This is why we use plantain as one of the herbs in our Herbal Salve and Bengal Balm.
Plantains have an astringent property that helps dry up excess secretions in your respiratory tract and the digestive system, it is useful in treating colds and diarrhea. The astringency is moderated by the demulcent effect of the mucilage in the herb, so this herbal remedy is much gentler than other commonly used astringents.
The edible leaves of broadleaf plantain are rich in calcium and other minerals and vitamins, including Vitamin K. This vitamin helps stem bleeding from cuts and wounds. Tender leaves can be eaten fresh in salads, but older leaves have to be cooked.  

Parts Used

The whole leaf and some stem is acceptable.

Typical Preparations

Eaten raw and fresh in salads, as a tea, in tincture form and as an external compress.

Precautions

Specific: No known precautions.
General: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Here are several links which shows the anti-inflammatory action in upper respiratory tract infections].

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10483683?dopt=Abstract
Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) is used for the therapy of infections of the upper respiratory airways. While only few clinical data are available, results of experimental research confirm e.g. antiinflammatory, spasmolytic and immunostimulatory actions. A positive benefit-risk-ratio allows the recommendation of plantain in moderate chronic irritative cough, also especially for children.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874100002129

A tea from the plantain leaves is used as a highly effective cough medicine. In the traditional Austrian medicine Plantago lanceolata leaves have been used internally (as syrup or tea) or externally (fresh leaves) for treatment of disorders of the respiratory tract, skin, insect bites, and infections.

http://www.koop-phyto.org/en/medicinal-plants/ribwort-plantain.php
NOTE: Plantain is generally considered a safe herb but as with anything, consult your doctor before using if you have any kind of medical condition. It should not be used in place of medical attention when needed.

What is an Essential Oil?

At our shows and through emails we've had many people ask just what are essential oils and how do you use them?  In this article we'll explore:

What is an Essential Oil?

According to Webster’s online dictionary “any of a class of volatile oils that give plants their characteristic odors and are used especially in perfumes and flavorings, and for aromatherapy”
To get these oils a large quantity of plant parts is used, these parts include stems, leaves, flowers and sap.

Who sells Essential Oils?

There are lots of places to get essential oils but how do you know they are real.  There are no guidelines by the FDA for “Organic,” Therapeutic Grade or any such marketing words used to tug at your heart strings.
The main reason I will not buy essential oils from any of the MLM (Multi-Level Marketing: ie, Amway, Avon, Herbalife, Pampered Chef, etc.) companies is because they lead their customers to believe that when they say their product is “Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade”, that means something of value in the essential oil and aromatherapy world. There were three shocking things that I learned to lead me to steer clear of these
The first shocking thing that I learned is that there is no governing body that certifies essential oils.
The second shocking thing that I learned is that there are no grades of essential oils based upon their quality. There is no grade A, B, C, nor is there an actual classification in the aromatherapy world for “therapeutic grade”
In addition, two of the largest MLM (Young Living and doTERRA) have their own “certification” process of what is organic not the FDA.

According to the American College of Healthcare Sciences:

Did you know doTERRA has created its own certification system for its essential oils? Why does it matter? Well, they have managed to trademark the term "CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade®." So, not only can no other company or aromatherapy professional use this term, it actually confuses the industry-accepted terminology for how essential oils are evaluated, labeled, and marketed. Are we to assume that "CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade®" essential oils are superior to organic, sustainable sourced essential oils produced and distributed by boutique distilleries or oils that come with an independent lab report showing the constituent profile and pesticide level if any, or even oils that have nationally and internationally accepted certification such as USDA Organic or NOP Organic?

According to the FDA:

According to the FDA, these violations stemmed from Young Living’s claims of curing and treating diseases with the usage of Young Living Essential Oil aromatherapy products, causing the products to be deemed unapproved drugs by the FDA. The Warning Letter may be found here.
In particular, Young Living failed to follow FDA guidance and regulations applicable to cosmetic products, and instead labeled their products for conditions that caused the products to be deemed drugs by the Agency. Thus, it is important for marketers and sellers of aromatherapy and essential oil products to understand and comply with FDA regulations.
As the aromatherapy and essential oil industry has recently seen a rapid increase in popularity, we expect to see more attention to and FDA enforcement in this area. Compliant labeling of products will help to ensure the successful marketing and sale of the aromatherapy and essential oil products.

What makes our Essential Oils different?  

We purchase directly from an essential oil wholesaler who in turn purchases directly from the Organic Farms.  Because there is no such thing as “organic” essential oils, MLM companies can claim their oils are “organic” or “therapeutic grade.”
Our wholesaler purchases from Certified Organic Farms.

What does this mean?

“Organic Certification allows a farm or processing facility to sell, label, and represent their products as organic. The organic brand provides consumers with more choices in the marketplace. The USDA protects consumer options by protecting the organic seal.”
Our wholesaler purchases from smaller, family run farms to get the best price for their products.  We in-turn purchase directly from the wholesaler.  That means the best prices for YOU, with no other mark-ups, hidden fees or MLM practices.

How do we get the essential oils?

There are four major different ways to extract essential oils:
CO2, expression, solvent, steam-distilled
For our essential oils, we only use steam-distilled.  This is an excellent article on how essential oils are extracted: Exploring Aromatherapy.
“While CO2 is the new method: there are three main disadvantages for this process are cost, potential pesticide residue, and the lack of information regarding their safety and therapeutic benefits. With regard to pesticide residue, Guba comments that “carbon dioxide extraction has been demonstrated to concentrate from 7 to 53 times more pesticide residues in the final extract.” Therefore, it seems pertinent to only use organic plant material for CO2 extraction.”
We only purchase essential oils from USA, FDA and EU certified sources.  We never purchase from China as they are known to use Hexane (a petroleum based solvent) to extract essential oils.  In addition, the BBC article Report: One fifth of China's soil is contaminated shows just WHY the growing process must be organic.

In our next article, we will explore the different essential oils and how to use them in your daily life. Remember every order receives a FREE sample!

J&J Farm

SCHS Craft Show & Herndon Craft Show this weekend!

SCHS’s hours are 9am to 3pm.  Herndon’s hours are 10am to 4pm.

We are rolling out our NEW

Essential Oil Starter Kit

Set of 5 of the most useful oils

Lavender, Rosemary, Tea Tree, 

Eucalyptus & Peppermint

Remember every purchase of $49.99 or more receives a free bar of soap!

Thanksgiving a time for family!

We want each and every one of you to know how thankful we are to you for making us a part of your lives. 

All of us at J&J Farm want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving together with your family and friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

November 25-27 we will be at the

Ocean Convention Center for the

33rd Annual Home Condo and Outdoor Show With Arts and Crafts

 Our Holiday Scent this year:

White Christmas (YC)

~~~~~~~~~

 We have added to our 

5ML Essential Oils

Colombian Coffee, Ylang Ylang,

Rosemary, Spearmint, Wintergreen

Seaweed Detox Mask - Getting ready for the Holiday Season!

What better way to be prepared for the hectic Holiday season then with a Seaweed Detox Mask?

Seaweed Detox Mask

This mask is replete with a lavish blend of mineral and antioxidant-rich kelp and seaweeds, mushrooms and chlorella, this mask is designed to balance the production of sebum while the clays, cocoa powder and activated bamboo/willow charcoal unclog pores.

The ingredients in this mask help reduce inflammation, so it may be helpful when applied to swollen tissues, joints or achy muscles, firms the skin and stimulates blood flow.

The Mask can be mixed with water or liquid of your choice (includes raw honey, yoghurt, etc.). As it dries, toxins are pulled out, cells are fed vital nutrition and pores are tightened.

This mask can be used on other parts of the body besides the face.  When applied it is green. It will not stain your skin.

Our best-selling Seaweed Mask is made with all natural ingredients. These sold out at the last craft show I attended within a few hours. I have gotten many praises and wonderful feedback from this mask!

Made with Proprietary Blend of Clay's, Seaweed, Mushroom Powder, Herbs, Mineral Salts, Ascorbic Acid, Cocoa Powder, Activated Bamboo & Willow Charcoal, Goat Milk, Matcha, and Dead Sea Salt to draw out impurities, clean skin and detoxify skin, and tighten pores naturally.

This is a dry clay mask which means there are no preservatives and allows you to alter the consistency of the mask when applied. Your skin will look and feel amazing after using our new clay mask. 

Less than the tip of a teaspoon is needed for the entire face and can be mixed with water, organic milk, tea, aloe juice or gel, raw honey or even Greek yoghurt. Adding a few drops of a carrier oil such as sweet almond, Rice Bran, Apricot Kernel, Jojoba or Rosehip will ensure easy removal and is an essential step for those prone to dry skin. Use once a week for best results. 

This mask also works great as a spot treatment!

A heaping spoonful added to baths provides exceptional detoxifying benefits; plus, it makes your bath water look like the sea!  I also like to add a few drops of Essential Oils for a luxurious detox bath.

Always follow up with our Face Oil Blend for your perfect moisturizer.

Our masks are good for all skin types. However, try other liquids that are helpful to personalize the mask for your skin.

For Dry Sensitive Skin: Yoghurt, Raw Honey and Oils (Rosehip, Sesame, Argan, Rice Bran, Apricot Kernel, Wheat Germ or Sweet Almond).

For Normal Skin: Whole Milk,Rice Bran/Grapeseed/Sweet Almond/Apricot Kernel Oil, or Rose/Orange Blossom Water.

For Oily Skin: Water, Rose/Orange Blossom Water, Witch Hazel

I do not add Essential Oils or synthetic fragrance to products in order to cover up their pure, natural aroma; it is a sea-based vitamin for the skin. You can always add a drop or two of Essential Oil to your mask if you like.

I also make sure the ONLY ingredients are what you can PRONOUNCE!  It scares me what is in today's products. If I can't read it, I don't use it!