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June 2009Herbs in the Garden
The Leonard J. Buck Garden, Far Hills, NJ Easy-to-grow Basil, Ocimum basilicum is a must in any dish with tomato, such as soups, salads, pizza and pastas. Its antibacterial effect works against infections and relieves the itch of insect bites. A solution made from approximately eight basil leaves added to a cup of boiling water is a simple remedy to relieve sore gums, and a leaf tucked into the mouth over an ulcer will ease the pain. Its role as a repellent against mosquitoes, mites, and aphids make the herb a good companion plant in flower and vegetable gardens. Next time you have a barbeque, burn sprigs of basil on the fire to deter mosquitoes. Basil in a pot or hung in the kitchen also helps deter flies. Sage, Salvia officinalis, is an ancient herb that grew in virtually every garden in Germany in the Middle Ages, and in 1680 a 400 page book on the medicinal values of sage was produced. Salvia comes from the Latin “to heal.” This mint family member native to the Mediterranean is a hardy, drought tolerant perennial with an average life span of 4 years. Sage has a mass of uses and is easily grown. Historically, sage has been used as both a medicinal and culinary plant. In the U.S., sage is the taste of Thanksgiving dinner. It is found in stuffings, paired with poultry and pork and is a delicious seasoning for squash soap. Sage aids the digestion of rich foods; therefore, it is excellent cooked with fatty meats, oily fish and poultry. Due to its ability to slow oxidization in meat it has long been used as a food preservative, coming in handy in pre-refrigeration days. The main active ingredient of sage, a volatile oil, is an anti-inflammatory. It has an impact on infection-causing bacteria and is useful in dressing wounds. Considered nature’s deodorant, it regulates perspiration and reduces or eliminates body odor. Tests in Germany show sage in the diet can help regulate blood sugar levels. You can also add dried sage to potpourri for its moth-repellant properties. Last, but not least, the bluish-mauve flower spikes make an attractive cut flower. Medicinal herbalists placed thyme, Thymus vulgaris, under pillows to ease nightmares. Today many gardeners grow thyme as a cooking herb, while others use the many varieties for a low-growing groundcover. Thymus is derived from the Greek word thymon meaning courage. Soldiers bathed in thyme water to give themselves vigor. The herb contains thymol and carvacol, compounds that reportedly sooth aching muscles especially when rubbed into stiff joints. A bath in thyme is recommended to combat the jitters and depression. Its powerful antiseptic and preservative properties are well known. During World War I thyme was a popular commercial germicide and antiseptic in hospitals. You may have noticed thyme is a common ingredient in natural first-aid kits to treat cuts and scrapes. An infusion of thyme is an excellent treatment for bronchial problems as this herb is an antispasmodic and effective expectorant. In addition, thyme is used in herbal cosmetics to treat oily skin. To enhance savory dishes use the small but strong leaves from the stems. Add it to vinegars and oils, mix it into scones and breads or blend a little into herb butter. Thyme complements meat, fish and poultry dishes. Thyme requires full sun and a well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. There are many varieties to choose from, all varying in height, foliage and color. Cultivated perennials such as catmint, sweet flag, lady’s mantle, and soapwort are often unrecognized herbs. All can be found in nurseries. Nepeta x faassenii, catmint - Native to the Mediterranean area catmint is a popular aromatic herb with gray-green foliage and soft sprays of violet-blue flowers in mid-summer. The name Nepeta may derive from the Roman town Nepeti, where catmint was cultivated. It had a reputation as a seasoning and medicinal herb. The leaves are rubbed on meat for flavor and the young shoots are used in salads. It is a mild sedative used to calm upset stomachs, soothe nervousness, restlessness and hysteria. Leaves and flowers contain vitamin C. It makes a relaxing tea that soothes the symptoms of allergies, colds and flu. Catmint loses its healing property if overheated or boiled. As a first aid, a fresh leaf gives almost immediate relief to sore gums and aching teeth. Catmint makes a good groundcover and an attractive border plant for the herb garden. It thrives in well-drained soil of low to average fertility. This excellent companion plant with pest-inhibiting qualities repels aphids, Colorado potato beetle, flea beetles and squash bug. This herb appeals greatly to cats who partake of it as a medicine. The aromatic leaves can also be dried for potpourri. Acorus calamus, sweet flag is a member of the arum or philodendron family and is native to Northern India. It’s a valuable planting along ponds or in any boggy area. The essential oil calamus imparts a sweet fragrance to all parts of the plant. Sweet flag has been an item of trade in many cultures for thousands of years. It has been used medicinally for a wide variety of ailments, and its fragrance makes it valued in the perfume industry. The narrow, light green foliage gives off a warm, spicy aroma when crushed; use it as a strewing herb or in potpourri. Used internally it is said to have tonic powers of stimulating and normalizing the appetite. In small doses it alleviates acidity in the stomach. Larger doses increase stomach secretions; therefore, it is recommended in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Sweet flag is added to wine, gin and beer as a flavor enhancer and its leaves are a substitute for vanilla pods. In the summer an upright triangular stem produces a cylindrical head of tiny, scented, greenish-yellow flowers out of the reed-like foliage. Alchemilla vulgaris, lady’s mantle, is a member of the rose family and is native to Europe, North Asia, Greenland and the Himalayas. Lady’s mantle has large, soft, grayish-green, serrated, kidney-shaped leaves gathered at the stem where a gleaming drop of moisture is often seen. Its small yellow-green flowers are borne in loose clusters. This astringent herb successfully treats sore throats, laryngitis including cases with severe bleeding. The dried leaves are used in a facial steam for acne and are often found in cleansing creams and lotions to soften dry skin. Lady’s mantle is reputed to have tranquillizing properties in tincture form. Young leaves with mildly bitter taste, may be tossed into an herb salad. A. mollis is a more robust plant, grown in flower beds for its decorative qualities. Saponaria officinalis, soapwort, also known as bouncing bet is a lovely garden herb. The loose, cluster of five-petaled pink or creamy white flowers borne in late summer have a fruity fragrance. Soapwort has been used as a cleansing agent and as a medicinal herb for skin problems such as eczema and acne. Soapwort contains saponin, a lathering substance that soothes the skin and the mucous membranes. This soapy sap revitalizes precious fabrics and is now used in museums for this purpose. Simmer two to three handsfull of the foliage in 1¾ pints of water for approximately 15 minutes, strain and use. A little of the root simmered in water serves the same purpose. Note: soapwort root is poisonous and should not be taken internally. Do not grow near a fish pond: the roots will poison the fish! Herbs offer us an ever increasing rapport with nature. They are a gift from Mother Nature herself, enhancing our life at home and at work. Valued for their medicinal properties, scent, flavor and beauty, herbs should be a part of everyone’s garden. - Tricia Scibilia, interpretive gardener * All photos by Tricia Scibilia unless otherwise noted Leonard J. Buck Garden, Somerset County Park System: www.somersetcountyparks.org/ . |
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