By Kym Kostos

Meet Ashby and Scarlet

Once upon a time there was a tree named Ashby that lived in a meadow with eyes as blue as the sky and a nest top hat that his best friend Scarlet lived in.

Ashby started out as a small apple seed and had grown into a large apple tree that gave the largest and sweetest from any of the other apple trees in the meadow.

Scarlet was as red as the apples on Ashby's branches, with a crown of red feathers on top of her head and rose colored glasses, because through her eyes, her world was a beautiful place to live in.

Ashby and Scarlet had been best friends for quite some time and their friendship meant a lot to each other. They could talk about anything to each other and they did every day.

Ashby's apples and shade from his large branches attracted the children from the nearby town to come and picnic under Ashby. The apples were too high for the children to pick, so sometimes Ashby would release a few apples for the children, by shaking his ranches, to eat and enjoy.

Scarlet also loved eating Ashby’s apples and the big fat juicy worms that often decided to enjoy them too, after they had fallen onto the ground or were rotting on the ground. There was plenty of food for everyone!

Scarlet had once been a lost little bird that had left her nest when she was just a little tiny bird. One day she had taken a rest on Ashby’s branch.

“Hello there.” Ashby had greeted her; “I’ve never seen you around here before.”

“Hello,” Scarlet greeted back, out of breath from flying so much. “My name is Scarlet. Do you mind if I take a break from flying and rest on your branch?” Scarlet asked.

“Feel free to.” Ashby smiled. “My name is Ashby. Would you like to enjoy one of my fresh apples or would you like a rotten apple with a big fat juicy worm?”

“Nice to meet you Ashby. Oh I would love to have a big fat juicy worm. I am so hungry!” Scarlet exclaimed.

“There has been a worm living in this rotten apple over here.” Ashby shook one his branches. “He’s been eating the apple from the inside out and getting fatter by the day.”

Scarlet flew down to the rotten apple and found the big fat juicy worm. He was a fat worm too, just like Ashby had told her. After feasting on the big fat juicy worm, Scarlet thanked Ashby.

“That was a delicious worm, but I shall be on my way now.” Scarlet told Ashby.

“Do you have a home Scarlet?” Ashby asked.

Scarlet thought for a moment. All she had been doing was flying from tree to tree to rest. She hadn’t found a permanent home yet. “No, I don’t have a home.”

“Would you like to live here with me?” Ashby asked.

Scarlet looked around and said, “I would love to!”

Scarlet immediately began building a nest and soon, the nest was finished. The nest was on top of Ashby’s head and looked just like a straw top hat!

“Well now, that is the finest looking nest I have ever seen before!” Ashby shouted up to Scarlet.

“It is isn’t it?” Scarlet smiled and said, very pleased with herself. “I think I will go inside and take a nap.” Then she paused, “Well, after I eat a big fat juicy worm first.” Scarlet and Ashby both laughed.

Timmy Gets Sunburn and Discovers the Aloe Plant

One day, there were three children picnicking under Ashby. Their names were Nick, Timmy and Eric. The sun was so bright that day that Timmy soon became red with sunburn because he forgot to wear sun block.

Ashby noticed that Timmy was crying and asked him what was wrong.

“My skin is burning and it hurts and I can’t go and play with Nick and Eric.” He answered Ashby as he cried.

Ashby then thought for a moment. Scarlet had overhead Timmy and said, “I know just the remedy!”

Timmy asked Ashby what does remedy mean.

“A remedy is something that will make it feel better, so it won’t hurt so much.” Ashby explained to Timmy.

“Oh!” Timmy explaimed, “That would be perfect!”

Scarlet flew over to the nearby Aloe plant named Al and asked Al, "Hello Al, can I pick some of your aloe leaves? One of the children are sunburned and needs the aloe for their skin."

Al replied, "Why certainly Scarlet, there are some really juicy ones on the right you may have." Scarlet picked the aloe leaves and flew back to the children that were picnicking under Ashby.

Scarlet dropped the aloe leaves on the children's blanket. Timmy picked up the leaves and Ashby told him, "squeeze the leaves and rub the aloe onto your skin. That will help stop the burning from your sunburn."

Timmy did as Ashby said, because all the children loved Ashby and his wisdom. Once he rubbed the aloe on his skin his skin began to feel cool and not hurt so much.

“Wow!” Timmy exclaimed, “That feels so much better!”

"Timmy, the Aloe plant can also be used on your skin if you fall down and scrape your knee or cut yourself while playing ball. Aloe plants live for years and can grow to be very big." Ashby told Timmy, Nick and Eric and then continued, “When you cut off or tear off the leaf from an Aloe plant, you don't have to worry about hurting the plant. Aloe plants very good at sealing themselves back up and will continue to grow. As you can see, the Aloe gel is a clear and jelly-like substance found inside the part of the aloe plant leaf. The plants also produce a material called aloe latex which is just under the plant’s skin and yellow in color."

“Oh! I see it!” Nick said out loud.

"You can also use aloe for other things too, such as frostbite and rub it on to your scalp to promote healthy hair growth! If your hair gets dry like from swimming in the ocean or swimming in a pool with chlorine, you can add it to your hair to moisturize it!"

Timmy was amazed at the different uses that the Aloe plant had. "Thank you so much Ashby for teaching us about the Aloe plant! We didn't know it had so many uses!"

"And it makes my feathers so shiny when I rub it on me!" added Scarlet.

Since Timmy was feeling better now and his skin wasn't burning from the hot sun, Ashby dropped a few apples from his branches for the children to enjoy. Scarlet even decided to join the children and have an apple slice too!

Cranberry Crunch

On a warm sunny afternoon Ashby was awakened by a crunching sound coming from Scarlet’s nest. He could not tell what the noise was exactly.

“Scarlet,” Ashby began, “What is that noise coming from up there?”

“Oh, sorry Ashby, it’s just me crunching on some fresh cranberries from Farmer Joe’s cranberry farm. They are so delicious!” She tweeted as she began crunching another cranberry.

“Ahh ok.” Ashby understood now. “Did you know that not only are they delicious, they also help promote a healthy body and have other uses also?”

“Really? Like what?” Scarlet was curious.

Just then a group of girls came over to Ashby and placed their picnic blanket and basket under Ashby’s branches and leaves.

“Well, hello girls!” Ashby was always happy to have the children picnicking underneath him.

“Hi Ashby!” They all greeted him back.

The children pulled out some cheese, cranberry juice and a big bowl of cranberries and also began munching and crunching on the cranberries.

“Those look very good children.” Ashby said to them.

“They are delicious!” The children said back to Ashby.

“Scarlet was just enjoying some cranberries as well and I was about to tell her about how good they are for you health.” He informed them.

Sara spoke first to Ashby; “I got them from my Uncle Joes’s farm. He has the best cranberries from anywhere!” She said with a smile.

“He sure does!” Scarlet agreed with Sara.

Sara continued, “My Aunt Millie makes cranberry juice, cranberry jelly, cranberry pie and cranberry sauce.” She then paused, “Me? I just like to munch on them like this!” She pooped a few into her mouth and began munching on them some more.

“Well, as I said, I was just beginning to tell Scarlet here the good things about cranberries.” Ashby continued, “Those little small red berries, even though they have a tart taste to them, they are loaded with antioxidants and many essential nutrients."

“What is Auntie Ox … whatever that word was you said?” Little Joy asked as she popped some into her mouth as well.

“They are called antioxidants. They are nutrients, which are things that are good for our body, that can prevent other things that harm or start to damage our already healthy bodies. When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals that can cause damage to our bodies. Antioxidants act as superheroes and fight and prevent and even repair the damage done by the free radicals.” Ashby informed.

“Here’s another superhero going into my body to fight the radical villains!” Sara said and giggled.

“Exactly Sara! "Girls, there are many health benefits of cranberries, and you can make them a part of your daily diet." Ashby smiled.

“Wow, as many as you girls have eaten, you are probably the most healthiest girls around!” Scarlet tweeted and everyone laughed.

Ashby continued, “"Cranberries are also very good for fighting certain cancer cells from multiplying." Ashby paused, then continued, "They are also very good for the heart in many different ways...."

"Good for our heart?" Angela asked.

"Yes." Ashby answered and continued, "Cranberries can prevent our arteries from hardening, lower your bad cholesterol and prevent plaque from deciding on making a home on the walls of your arteries."

“Wow, they really are superheroes!” Tweeted Scarlet.

“My granny eats cranberries every day. My mom said she had a stroke and she was in the hospital and now she eats cranberries on her cereal and drinks cranberry tea and juice.” Sara shared.

"You are right, Sara," Ashby smiled, "Also, they can help you to prevent cavities and other dental problems. Cranberries also build up our immune systems, so your immune system will be strong so that your body can fight off just about any sickness that wants to attack your body, like colds and the flu."

“So, when we all eat cranberries, not only are they delicious to eat and drink, they are delicious to our body too!” Tweeted Scarlet.

“Yes they are, Scarlet!” Ashby agreed and smiled and shook his branches. Several apples fell off his branches. “Apples are also good for you too!”

Everyone laughed and enjoyed the cranberries and Ashby’s juicy apples the rest of the afternoon.

Scarlet and Lavender

Scarlet awoke one morning and noticed that some of her straw in her top hat shaped nest had fallen out. So, she decided it was time to get some new fresh straw and fix up her home a little. She grabbed her little basket and flew over to Farmer Joe’s farm into Nellie the horse’s stable.

“Well, hello there Scarlet. How are y you today?” Nellie the horse asked her with a big neigh.

“Good Morning Nellie, my nest needs a little freshening up, so I decided to come over here and pick some fresh straw. Do you mind if I use some of your straw Nellie?” Scarlet tweeted to Nellie.

“No, I don’t mind at all, Scarlet.” Nellie answered her. “Go right ahead and take what you need.”

“Oh, that is just wonderful.” Scarlet replied and pulled out a red juicy apple from her little basket that was from Ashby’s very own apples. “And here, I brought you an apple from Ashby since I know you love his red juicy apples.”

Nellie the horse graciously took the apple in her mouth and savored the juicy sweet apple. Ashby’s apples were her favorite. “Take as much straw as you need Scarlet.” Nellie said as she swallowed the juicy red apple.

Scarlet collected what straw she needed from Nellie’s hay barrel. “Thank you Nellie, I shall be on my way. Have a nice day!” She said as she flew away.

As she was flying back, she noticed some pretty purplish flowers below in the meadow. She flew down and smelled the flowers. Not only were they pretty purplish flowers, they also smelled sweet. “Hmmm…” thought Scarlet, “these purplish flowers would look pretty outside and inside my top hat shaped nest.”

So, Scarlet picked some of the flowers and put them also in her little basket with the straw and flew back to Ashby who waiting for her in the meadow.

“Good Morning Ashby! Look at the beautiful flowers I found while I was flying back from collecting hay from Nellie’s stable.” She told Ashby.

“Hello there Scarlet.” Ashby greeted her back. “Those are called lavender flowers.” Ashby informed Scarlet.

“These lavender flowers smell so pretty. They will make a nice addition to my top hat shaped nest.” She tweeted happily as she began to add the new straw to her home and the lavender flowers as well.

“You know,” Ashby began, “not only are they pretty and smell good, they are also very good other things too.”

“Really?” Scarlet was very curious as to how not only could these flowers look pretty and smell sweet, but also have other uses. “Please tell me Ashby, I am very curious.”

"Well Scarlet, the lavender oil is used for all sorts of things. It can be used in aromatherapy, as you can already guess from the sweet smell." Ashby continued, "It's also used as a treatment for soothing insect bites, burns, and curing headaches. If you take a bunch of lavender, it can make insects go away too."

"Oh that's keen!" Scarlet tweeted. "Sometimes those pesky insects are a nuisance. They can be tasty, the insect, but too many are annoying."

"Lavender can also help if you have trouble sleeping. You can make a lavender tea and it will relax you." Ashby yawned, "I know I don't need any!" He laughed.

"Mmmm.... the lavender sure does make my nest smell sweet." Then Scarlet began to yawn. "Oh no, I think it's making me tired too." She tweeted.

As the sun was getting warmer, Ashby and Scarlet awoke from their nap to hear the giggles of Sara and her friends laying out there picnic blanket and basket.

“These pretty purple flowers will make a nice centerpiece for our tea party.” Sara said as she placed a bunch of the lavender flowers she had picked from her Uncle Joe’s farm.

“They smell so sweet too!” Angela said.

Scarlet heard the girls and flew down to see what all the giggles and chatter were about.

“Hi Scarlet!” Sara greeted her. “Look at these pretty flowers I picked. I picked some for you too to put in your top hat nest.”

“Oh dear…” Scarlet yawned. “Lavender is pretty, but they make me so…” Scarlet yawned again, “… so sleepy.”

Scarlet thanked the girls and took more of the lavender flowers up to her top hat nest. Scarlet decided it was better to place them outside her top hat nest as pretty decorations. Then she went back into her nest and fell asleep smelling the sweet scent of lavender flowers and hearing the giggles of Sara and her little friends having a tea party.

Sara’s Chamomile Tea Party

As Scarlet slept Sara and hr friends were having a tea party. Ashby heard the girls giggling and woke up from his nap.

“Hello girls.” Ashby greeted Sara and her friends. “I see you are having a tea party.”

“Hello Ashby.” Sara said back. “Yes, we are having a tea party with cookies and chamomile tea.”

“Did you know that chamomile is good for other things too?” Ashby asked the little girls.

“I know that my mom drinks it to relax at night.” Sara said.

“Indeed, but it is also used to treat insect bites, bee stings and skin irritations and rashes.” Ashby informed the girls.

“Really Ashby?” Angela asked.

Scarlet had heard Ashby speaking to the girls and always loved to hear the information Ashby shared about all sorts of things he knew about. She flew down to one of Ashby’s lower branches to hear what he had to say.

“Yes.” Ashby continued, “It has been used as medicine for thousands of years for relieving stress and calming tummy aches."

“Calming tummy aches?” Sara groaned a little. “Ugh, that’s good because I think I ate too many cookies at this tea party.” She held her tummy.

“Awww…” Ashby smiled at Sara. “Maybe you should not eat too many cookies then, Sara. It is not good for you.”

“I know, but my Aunt Millie baked them and they are so tasty.” Sara replied.

“Well, lay down and sip some of your chamomile tea and it should help calm your tummy ache.” Then Ashby continued, “Chamomile also helps with heartburn.”

“Like when I ate those hot peppers in Farmer Joe’s garden?” Scarlet asked.

“Yes Scarlet.” Ashby answered.

“I could have really used some chamomile tea then. My tummy was hurting and burning. I thought I was going to die!” Scarlet tweeted excitedly, remembering the pain she was in from eating Farmer Joe’s hot peppers she had picked from his garden.

“My uncle Joe gets heartburn too from those peppers, Scarlet.” Sara paused, “I’ve never eaten any, they are too hot and spicy for me.” Sara held her stomach again.

“My mommy sometimes mixes chamomile with other stuff and gives it to my baby sister when she isn’t feeling well. It seems to help her to calm down and sleep good.” Angela shared.

“Thanks for sharing Angeles.” Ashby smiled. “Your baby sister might be teething and giving chamomile to her calms her and also will reduce her gums from swelling. A good way to give a teething baby that remedy is to take a washcloth and soak it in 1/2 cup of strong chamomile tea that you have added two drops of clove oil. Then you put the washcloth in the freezer for about twenty minutes, then give it to the baby to teeth on.”

“I think I have seen my mom do that before for my baby sister.” Angela added.

“I just remembered Angela,” Sara spoke, “… remember that story Miss Johnson read to us about Peter Rabbit?”

“Oh yeah, I do!” Angela replied.

“Remember Peter Rabbit's mommy gave him chamomile tea when he was feeling sick?” Sara asked.

“I do!” Angela answered excitedly.

“You know girls, if you get bug bites, or Angela, if your baby sister gets a diaper rash, you can take a bath of warm chamomile and oatmeal to help. If you add four tablespoons of chamomile flowers and 1/2 cup oatmeal in a nylon stocking, and then tie the open end of the stocking with a rubber band. Then you put the stocking under the running faucet as the bathtub fills up with water. While you are soaking or playing in the bathtub, the chamomile and oats mixed together will sooth your skin.” Ashby shared with the girls.

“Well, I think I am going to go home and take one of those baths, I seem to have been bitten by some ants while I was laying down on my tummy.” Sara cried a little. “The bites hurt really bad.”

“That chamomile and oatmeal bath should help you feel better right away, Sara.” Ashby smiled and told her.

“Bye girls!” Scarlet tweeted.

Sara went home and immediately used the recipe Ashby gave her to help her bites to stop hurting and it worked!

The Catnip Cure

Sara came to visit Ashby and Scarlet on a warm sunny day. Today she was alone without her friends. She spread her blanket out and opened her picnic basket. But inside, she didn’t have picnic goodies, she had a kitten!

Sara opened her picnic basket and out jumped a cute black and white kitten. “Buttons!” Sara called out to the kitten as it ran pouncing bugs and chasing butterflies in the meadow. The kitten was full of energy and was tiring Sara out very quickly as she chased Buttons through the meadow.

Finally, she managed to bring buttons back under Ashby. Scarlet came out of her top hat nest to see what the noise was all about. Scarlet looked down and saw Sara’s kitten Buttons rolling around on the blanket.

Scarlet then noticed she had a loose red feather on her red little body and pulled it out and let it float down to the blanket where Sara and Buttons were resting.

Buttons immediately noticed the feather and began to play with it. The bright red color caught her eye and excited her even more!

“Oh dear, is there anything that will calm or tire out Buttons without tiring me out even more?” Sara asked Ashby.

“Over there, passed the dandelions and sunflowers, is a patch of catnip growing in the beautiful sunlight.” Ashby directed Scarlet. “Pick some catnip leaves and bring them back here.”

“Okay Ashby.” Scarlet tweeted and flew off. Scarlet was back in a just a few minutes, because she was lightning fast when she flew. She dropped some catnip onto the blanket where Buttons and Sara were.

Immediately, Buttons began to sniff the catnip, then he started chewing on it, then licking it and then he rubbed his body all over it.

“Buttons really likes that catnip! Why does he like it so much? What is it Ashby?” Sara asked.

"Catnip is a plant that is part of the mint family. If you smell it, it smells very minty." Ashby said.

Sara smelled the catnip Scarlet had brought her. "It does! It smells just like mint Ashby!" Sara said surprised.

Ashby continued, "It grows in the sunlight and as you can see, it has a square, fuzzy stalk with green colored heart shaped leaves. They also have flowers that grow in what are called spikes, reaching 1/2 inch in length."

“Well, Buttons certainly loves the catnip Scarlet brought him. Look at him rolling around in it and playing with it!” Sara exclaimed.

"Catnip is also used for other things as well and not just for cats and kittens to play with and enjoy. It is also about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than an active insect repellent called DEET." Ashby paused and continued, "It has also been discovered that catnip repels cockroaches!"

"Ewwww! Cockroaches are gross!" Sara cried out.

"Yes they are!" Ashby winced. "Also, rats and mice are believed to have a strong dislike of catnip and will avoid places where it grows. Nasty little things those rats and mice are."

"Look at how much Buttons loves the catnip!" Sara giggled as everyone laughed and watched Buttons roll around on the blanket.

"You can also use catnip as a tea to calm your upset tummy or help you to fall asleep." Ashby shook his branches a little, "I have a catnip tea recipe here somewhere,,, ahhh there it is. Put two teaspoons of dried catnip into a cup and add hot water. Let it sit for about ten minutes. Add some honey or lemon or both."

“It seems like you can make tea out of almost anything.” Scarlet tweeted.

“Well, almost everything that is safe to consume, Scarlet.” Ashby chuckled as his branches shook a little. "Catnip can also be used in cooking and salads. There are also medical uses, such as treating headaches, coughs and it can also be used for cuts because catnip has a natural healing ability. If you crush fresh catnip leaves, dampen them, and apply to your cut, it will help heal you.”

“Well, it certainly did the trick with Buttons! He’s fast asleep on the blanket now! Playing with the catnip definitely tired him out!” Sara exclaimed.

“Well, would you look at that. The little guy is wiped out completely!” Ashby said and everyone laughed quietly, so as to NOT wake Buttons.

“I think maybe I will take a nap too. Buttons wore me out as well.” Sara yawned and said.

“Sweet dreams, Sara.”

The Secret of Sage

On a cloudy but warm afternoon, the children were all playing in the meadow near Ashby. The children were yelling and shouting and having fun and being carefree. Ashby noticed that Billy wasn't yelling and shouting like the other children were. Instead, he was sitting under Ashby looking sad.

"What is wrong Billy?" Ashby asked him.

"My throat doesn't feel good, it's a little sore." Billy answered.

"Oh, said Ashby, "Some sage tea would help you with that."

"What is sage, Ashby?" Billy asked.

"Well Billy, sage is a herb of the mint family. Sage can be used for cooking and for remedies to help you feel better." Ashby said.

"I've seen my mom use it while she was cooking. Is that the same kind of sage?" Billy asked.

"Yes it is Billy." Ashby said and continued, "Sage is also a natural deodorizer. It can dry sweat and help to get rid of those smelly body odors that everyone gets after playing outside all day or working out at the gym."

“Wow, you can use sage for a lot of things.” Billy said with a raspy voice.

"Yes, there are Billy. And using sage to darken hair that is becoming gray is also another use. Older ladies like the slight effect of it because it just gradually darkens the gray. Also, sage leaves hair looking shiny and feeling soft." Ashby said.

“Has sage been around for a long time Ashby?” Scarlet asked.

"Yes it has Scarlet. The early colonists considered sage as important a as salt and pepper. Its use in Thanksgiving dinner has become an American tradition.”

“It has been around a long time!” Tweeted Scarlet.

Ashby continued, “Since sage is a great digestive herb when used as seasoning on meals with rich fowl and meats.”

“And it helps with sore throats too.” Billy added.

“Correct Billy.” Said Ashby. “I think you should go straight home and gargle with some sage or have a nice warm cup of sage tea and your sore throat will be gone in no time!” Ashby smiled and said.

“Thanks Ashby! I’m going straight home now!” Billy got up and left.

“Something tells me that with all the shouting those children are doing while playing, they will all be needing some sage tea too!” Scarlet tweeted.

Ashby’s Natural Remedy Recipes

Ashby talked about all sorts of natural remedies you can use to help heal or ease ailments and issues that our body encounters. In this chapter, Ashby will share with you natural remedy recipes.

Children, Ashby says to make sure you have adult supervision before making any of these recipes.

Insect Repellent

Ingredients:

6 drops Lemon Grass essential oil

4 ounces distilled water

4 drops citronella essential

3 drops tea tree essential oil

1 ounce witch hazel the - the alcohol type

Directions: Mix everything in a plastic or metal spray bottle. Shake it very well.

Canker Sores

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon of honey

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

Directions: Mix together and rub it on the sore.

Burns

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Aloe

1/4 teaspoon sandalwood 1/4 teaspoon turmeric

Directions: Mix and apply the paste to the burn area.

Cold and or Flu relief Bath Soak

Ingredients:

2 cups Epsom Salt

3 drops rosemary essential oil

3 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Directions: Mix ingredients together and add into the warm water as your tub is filling.

Gel Pack

The more alcohol you use, the softer the pack will be, making it more gentle on injuries than an ice pack.

Ingredients:

3 cups water

1 cup rubbing alcohol

2 Freezer Bags

Directions: Mix water and alcohol in one freezer bag. Seal the freezer bag, then put it in the second freezer bag. Place in the freezer.

Drops for Swimmer's Ear

Remember, never put anything into your ear canal smaller than your elbow!

Ingredients:

1 ounce vinegar

1 ounce rubbing alcohol

Directions: Mix the vinegar and alcohol in a small dropper bottle. After swimming or bathing, dry the ears well and add a few drops to each canal.

Sage Tea For Sore Throats

Ingredients:

4 cups water

1/4 oz grated or thinly peeled lemon rind

1/2 oz fresh sage leaves

2 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions: Bring the water to a boil. Keep water at a simmer and add the ingredients. Allow to steep for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.