Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Did you know?

1. No African country names begin with the letters F, H, I, J, O, P, Q, V, W, X, or Y.

2. Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent.

3. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

Five Herbs of Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa

In the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa, five herbs naturally scent the air in your house. They are basil, jasmine, lavender, mint and rosemary.

Five Herbs To Cleanse The Air In Your Home
Dried herbs


Cape Floral Kingdom. 

In the southwestern corner of South Africa there is a distinct kingdom; the Cape Floral Kingdom which contains about 3% of the world's plants. The Cape Floral Region is one of the richest areas for plants when compared to any similar sized area in the world. It represents less than 0.5% of the area of Africa but is home to nearly 20% of the continent’s flora. In the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa, five herbs naturally scent the air in your house. They are basil, jasmine, lavender, mint and rosemary plants.

 

Five Air Purifying Cape Floral Kingdom Herbs.

Sweet Basil. 
Many varieties of basil often have a sweet smell. To keep basil cut plants fresh for a few days by putting the cut ends in water just like a cut flower. They will add a fresh fragrance to the air but do not keep fresh leaves in the refrigerator, though, as they will turn brown. 

Basil is considered potent to inspire love while protecting from every misfortune those who cultivate it, sanctifies and guides them to heaven. It is difficult to understand why so sacred and so fragrant herb as Sweet Basil should have become the known as a symbol of hatred in the modern era. It is unfortunate to dream of Basil, for it is supposed to betoken grief and misfortune.

 
Jasmine. 
Many jasmine flower varieties have a distinct scent that is strong long after it is picked and are usually white or yellow in color. Jasmine is cultivated commercially for domestic and industrial uses, such as the perfume industry. Jasmine flowers are also known as Moonlight of the Grove. To dream of this beautiful flower foretells good luck; to lovers it is a sure sign they will be speedily married. Jasmine flowers are known as a symbol of friendliness.

 
Lavender. 
Dried lavender flowers and lavender essential oils are popular for color and fragrance. There are 47 known species of the lavender flower; many are also used as a culinary herb. Lavender flowers are known as a symbol of silence and mistrust. 

Lavender was used generally in baths where the name derived from, the Latin verb, lavare, to wash. It was once believed that the asp, a dangerous species of snake, made Lavender its customary resting place, for which reason the lavender plant was approached with extreme caution.

 
Mint. 
Mints are one of the most aromatic plants with leaf colors ranging from dark green and gray-green to purple, blue, and sometimes pale yellow with the flowers being white to purple in color. There are many different mints; different species, hybrids and special selections that are grown all over the world. 

Most of them are water lovers and are usually found growing in wet and damp places. Fresh mint leaves should be used immediately or stored up to three days in sealed plastic bags in a cool place. Dried mint leaves should be stored in an airtight container placed in a cool, dark, dry area. 

Mint leaves are known as a symbol of wisdom and virtue. The herb was dedicated to the Virgin, under the name of Herba Sanctæ Mariæ. It was formerly customary to scatter the churches with mint flowers.
 
 
Rosemary. 
Rosemary is deemed an herb of the sun. Rosemary is a member of the mint family with needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers. Rosemary can grow quite large and retain attractiveness for many years. 

Sprigs of rosemary were once worn at weddings as well as at funerals. By many persons Rosemary is used as tea for headaches and nervous disorders, it was once believed rosemary, worn about the body, strengthens the memory. Rosemary plants are known as a symbol of reviving energy. Rosemary has traditionally been used as a medicine for many sicknesses like coughs and colds, and colic.
 
 
How to dry herbs naturally. 
One of the oldest methods of preserving herbs is air-drying. Air-drying is the process of removing water from herbs to prevent the growth of bacteria and decay. 

The air-drying method does not deplete the herbs of their oils making them perfect for use in cooking and crafts. 

Gather clean herbs together by their stems, tie stems with string, place them in a paper sack with holes punched in it for air circulation, and hang them upside down in a warm, airy room. Keep checking weekly until your herbs are completely dry.

 
How to make a no-sew lavender sachet
Lavender sachet


Our favorite air-purifying herb is lavender. Let's learn how to make a no-sew lavender sachet.

Materials and Directions.

Place a handful of dried lavender inside a fabric square or netting circle and tie with a decorative ribbon. Keep a relaxing lavender bag by your pillow for a good nights sleep and in your dresser drawers for a light fresh scent. 

Africa is surrounded by water but is not an island, here are a few African Island facts.

Madagascar is the 4th large island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean supporting a unique biology, about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth.

Composed of 155 islands, Seychelles is Africa's smallest country. By far the largest island is Mahe, home to about 90% of the population and the site of its capital city of Victoria.

Cabo Verde has a strategic location 310 miles or 500 km from the west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.

Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent. Continents can not be considered islands because of their size and also by historic definition since many people who study geography define islands and continents as two different things.

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African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

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Being African in America I have grown up learning about different ethnic cultures. My father and mother are historians of African culture and history and their influence expanded my activities to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded products, and a popular African culture and food blog.

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