Herb Garden Plants

Anyone seeking help about herb garden information joins a venerable company of historical figures of religious and legendary provenance who have been associated with these sometimes mystical, often sacred but more often revered, cherished and famous plants.

May I present you with a tiny taste of this incredibly romantic subject.

Since infamous is always more popular than famous let us start these glimpses with HEMLOCK – which as we all know caused the death of Socrates. (He was no suicide, but was sentenced to death by drinking a mixture containing poisonous hemlock.)

A less famous poisonous plant is the CASTOR OIL PLANT, the leaves are are called ‘palmus Christi’ after the healing hands of Christ, and are  remarkably beneficial in healing – while the seeds are very toxic.

But enough of the nasties – let us visit the bountiful.

ROSEMARY is one of the most ancient of herbs used by mankind – it’s use has been recorded in documents that are venerably old, going back to recorded history. Many legends abound around rosemary – such as the Virgin Mary being reputed to have taken shelter behind a rosemary bush to escape persecutors. It was burned during ancient religious rites and carried during the great European plague as a ward against sickness. On a more culinary note, Greek shepherds out on the hills used it to slow cook ‘Lamb Kleftiko’ which means something like ‘Stolen lamb’.

VIOLET was believed by the Greeks to be an aphrodisiac and so the Romans used it to make wine. (Those Italians!)

ST. JOHNS WORT is imbued with folklore tales; it was used to attract fairies and protect the home against loss and sorrow. Can you imagine 2 fairy housewives debating the ‘Mushroom/St. John’s Wort’ question over a cup of tea?

WORMWOOD – John the Baptist wore a woven girdle of wormwood,hence it’s other name of St John’s girdle. Known as an outstanding healing herb since very early times, it was affixed to the door of a healer as a sort of logo.

THYME was used in the 15th to 17th centuries as a border to narrow paths known as ‘thyme walks’. Ladies would walk the paths and their dresses would brush the plants, which would then release their perfume. The name is derived from the Greek word for courage.

SALAD BURNET is a plant famously used by King Chaba of mediaeval Hungary to heal the wounds of many thousands of his men.

SAGE derives it’s name from the Latin word ‘salvere’- to enjoy good health – reflecting the reputation for bountiful qualities enjoyed by sage from days of yore. (That’s very yore) No herb garden should be without it.

TANSY is named for a Greek word meaning ‘immortality’ – it was used as a strewing herb, for preserving corpses and as a flavourant – but not, hopefully, at the same time.

SORREL was beloved of ancient Greece, Italy and Egypt. It was widely used as an antidote for overeating or too much drinking. (Those old dogs) The high oxalic content caused it’s corm to be carried aboard old-time sailing ships and used as an anti-scurvy measure.

RUE was – and may be still be for all I know – customarily used in holy water used to bless repentant sinners. Rue, of course, also means to repent or be sorry.

SOLOMON’S SEAL rootstock was used in the 15th and 16th centuries by women as an application for black eyes and bruises. It was a specific remedy for knitting broken bones and has been used for centuries as a cosmetic to cure freckles and as a skin tonic.

PARSLEY is widely known as the ‘king of herbs’. Not my personal choice, but it was held in great esteem by the ancient Greeks who used it to decorate tombs as well as in many things culinary.

Well, thats me out of space. I hope, dear reader, that this short article will go a long way in stimulating your interest in these fascinating herbs and do some further reading. Now go and get your hands dirty in some potting soil if you are not already growing herbs.