Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medicinal botany, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, and phytotherapy. Sometimes the scope of herbal medicine is extended to include fungi and bee products, as well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts.Many plants synthesize substances that are useful to the maintenance of health in humans and other animals. These include aromatic substances, most of which are phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives such as tannins. Many are secondary metabolites, of which at least 12,000 have been isolated — a number estimated to be less than 10% of the total. In many cases, these substances (particularly the alkaloids) serve as plant defense mechanisms against predation by microorganisms, insects, and herbivores. Many of the herbs and spices used by humans to season food yield useful medicinal compounds.

More than just another container garden, the patented Earth Box is a virtually maintenance-free system that allows you to grow food in your own backyard, balcony, or deck. A complete kit costs upwards of $50, however, so if your budget is starting to look real stringy, Cool-fool from Instructables has a tutorial on making your own self-watering

BYOB suddenly takes on a new meaning! We're not talking beer or bottle, but bags ... shopping bags. Yumsugar reported that Whole Foods will be banning plastic bags by Earth Day 2008 (April 22nd)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Whole Foods Market Inc said on Tuesday that it will aim to end the use of disposable plastic grocery bags in all of its 270 U.S., Canada, and United Kingdom stores by April 22, Earth Day. The grocer, which features natural...

Whole Foods is discontinuing the use of plastic bags on Earth Day 2008. Here are some reusable bag options that I like.

great article about why plastic is not a good choice for the environment. Intelligently written and interesting - a must read for those that care about nature.