Indoor Herb Garden Kits and Herbal Remedies

See With Your Nose

Many years ago I was involved with setting up a fragrance garden for the residents of a home for sight deprived men and women. My Lions Club was the sponsor and I got co-opted onto the organising committee.

Our first task was to decide what plants to incorporate as a precursor to planning the layout and various candiddates were propounded; prominent amongst these were the classsical scented plants such as lavender, jasmine, roses and several others. At this point, as a result of the hiatus of additional suggestions, we approached the manageress of the facility – herself a partially sughted person – for her advice on the plant inclusions list.

Her suggestion was terse, if a bit cryptic: Go to a nursery and see with your nose.

In those days, nurseries were not big on herbs, flowering annuals being the flavour of the period, but certainly had wonderfully fragrant floral examples to add to our short list. So off we went, literally blindfolded one another and toured a local nursery with a guide attached. Silly it might sound, but our lady guru had hit the nail on the head.

The nursery owner, intrigued by our antics, sent us off to a private nursery specialising in herbs to add to our experience and our short list. I truly do not remember more than a handful of species chosen by us for the fragrance garden, but the herbal contingent certainly included lemon verbena and lavender amongst its ranks. More importantly, it gave all of us an insight into another way of observing things.

To this day I close my eyes the better to enjoy some or other wonderful fragtance wafting past my nose.

Having said all that, what I am trying to do is give you a better appreciation of herbal (And other) fragrances and list the herbs you might consider for a fragrance herb garden. By planting such a garden you get a double whammy out of your herbs.

Herbs For Fragrant Gardens (My Personal Top 10)

• Lemon Verbena
• Lavender
• Bergamot
• The French, Apothecarys or Damask Rose
• Hyssop
• Lemon Balm
• Calamintha
• Lemon Scented Tea Tree
• Pineapple Sage
• Rose Scented Geranium

Note that there are many more scented herbs in my life than the list above, but these are my top essential fragrance garden herbs. This entire post is essentially in reply to the mail I received after the “Herbal Fragrances Examined” article in January 2011. This should be seen as supplementary to that particular post.

Thanks to all who enquired about the original fragrance post. It is really wonderful hearing from you all.

Chervil
Anthriscus cerefolium

Appearance
Chervil is an annual herb from 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24″) with a spread of up to 30 cm. (12′) Characteristic Flowers are an attractive lacy white and are best in midsummer. Remember though that flowering will reduce the flavour so split your container, beds and border sowing to take this culinary versus showy factor into account.

History
Chervil is native to the Caucasus – the Romans carried it throughout much of Europe, where it thrives to this day.

Usage
Chervil’s distinctive taste will enhance most dishes, even salads. Harvest some chervil for adding in to caesar salads, red fish, roux’s and potatoes. The flavour of chervil has been likened to the taste interpretation of the smell of freshly cut grass with undertones of fennel.

In times past, pregnant women bathed in a chervil infusion. Chervil was used for curing hiccups by infusing with vinegar. It was widely used as a digestive aid, a skin cleanser and a blood purifier. Medically it was used to treat high blood pressure. ,

Chervil has the virtue of attracting butterflies to a garden and is worth growing for this trait alone.

Propogation
Chervil likes a sunny or partly shaded domicile, but prefers moist soil and shaded roots. Chervil does not take well to transplanting. The recommended method is to sow seeds in situ and do this at intervals during the growing season for continuous availability. Allow plants to flower in order for them to self seed where they stand for the following season.

Aromatherapy Theory

The concept of aromatherapy, which uses fragrant essential oils that possess the capacity to make us feel good is thought to stem from the thought that the sense of smell was humans first sense; an important part of our’old brain’ which is not controlled by will or reason. Much like the fight or flight reaction, that which you smell triggers an instant, automatic response within our body, influencing heartbeat, body temperature, desire for food, digestion and remembrance.

The majority of the fragrances connected with aromatherapy are natural ones, testifying to the healing, soothing and life-giving powers of herbs. Growing to be aware of the potency of fragrance provides another dimension to the herb garden and increases the pleasure of cultivating herbs. Fragrant herbs don’t have to be confined to the herb garden either. They can be spread throughout the flower and vegetable garden.

Fragrant plants, such as lavender, rosemary, lemon verbena and scented geraniums, have to be handled or brushed against in order to liberate their fragrance so they are commonly used as borders, along paths, in containers or next to seats where one can easily brush against them or stroke the leaves using your fingers.

Varieties Of Fragrance

Broadly speaking, aromatic herbs can be divided into two groups – those that have an energising or invigorating effect and those that are relaxing and soothing. There are some herbs, including rosemary and lemon verbena, that may possess both.

• Calming herbs include Roman chamomile, bergamot, lavender, clary sage, and marjoram.
• Alternative energising herbs comprise peppermint, aromatic sage, pineapple sage, basil, feverfew, citronella geranium and lemon-scented tea tree.

There is a link between colour and aroma; ‘hot’ hued herbs, like pineapple sage (it has red-colored flowers), are invigorating while the colour and fragrance of purple herbs, such as lavender, can be relaxing.  It’s possible to also make a link involving the healing actions of herbs and their fragrance. The scent of the herb comes from it’s volatile natural oils; these oils are important active constituents in the therapeutic actions of plants.

Perfumed Natural Herbs That Delight The Senses.

Lemon Verbena Aloysia Triphylla
Lemon verbena grows into a large bushy shrub with strongly ” lemon ” perfumed leaves. It produces sprays of small white flowers in summer. It has calming and digestive properties but also provides a tonic that helps to elevate the mood and counter depression. It needs full sun and free-draining garden soil; when grown in places that receive frost it has to be planted in a sheltered position. Cutting it back hard in springtime will inspire fresh growth off the old wood.

Rose-Scented Geranium Pelargonium Graveolens
The lovely rose fragrance released from the deeply green leaves of P. graveolens is unsurpassed. It grows into a compact garden shrub which also does well in large pots. It develops best in maximum sun yet will tolerate limited shade. It requires free-draining earth plus weekly watering, and can be trimmed back if it gets untidy.

Citronella Geranium Pelargonium Citronellum
The deeply indented green leaves of P. citronellum are pungently fragrant when crushed, liberating lemon-scented plant oils. It’s regarded as a mosquito repellant, when its leaves are applied over surfaces. It can also be used in potpourris and herb cushions. It is frost tender and can be cultivated in a sheltered garden as well as in pots. It enjoys sun, free-draining earth and weekly watering.

Passion Fruit Daisy Tagetes Species
The leaves of this small perennial shrub smell strongly of passion fruit. It bears golden yellow-colored daisies almost all the year, especially in winter. It grows in sun or part shade and is drought tolerant but does best with regular sprinkling and feeding. It’s frost tender but rebounds swiftly.

Pineapple Sage Salvia Elegans
This shrubby perennial sage is an appealing garden plant. It’s quick growing and produces an abundance of red blossoms and has green pointed leaves with a powerful pineapple scent. It does best in full sun and damp, fertile soil that drains well. After flowering it can be pruned to maintain form, but you must steer clear of chopping into the old wood.

Making Use Of Fragrant Herbal Plants

Using the herbs is often as straightforward as just harvesting them and inhaling their aroma but there are many more ways of infusing their fragrance into your daily life:

• Make a fragrant cushion from dried herbs, apple-scented chamomile constitutes a soothing tea for a good night’s sleep.
• For a calming bath, place the leaves and flowers of calming herbs in a cloth bag or old stocking and hang it beneath the warm water tap while running a bath. You can also create a good infusion and combine it with the bath water.
• Make use of blossoms and leaves to make a fragrant posy or table bouquet.
• Employ energising herbs in cold and hot beverages and breathe in their aroma while you drink
• Make your own household cleaning agent by combining one part vinegar and nine portions of a robust herb infusion. It’ll kill germs, smell good and clean almost any surface area.
• Make use of the dried herbal products in spicy or sweet potpourris.

Pimpinella anisum

Description
Identified by its popular names of anise and aniseed, this is a dainty little annual that is native to the eastern Mediterranean location, western Asia and northern Africa. The gorgeous, delicate flowers tend to be delectable in salads and fresh fruit salads, as are the fine leaves. Keep anise seeds on hand when available. They can be very useful in numerous ways.

History
Anise was already being cultivated in Egypt more than 4 000 years ago and Pharaonic scrolls report it as being a treatment meant for intestinal colic, intestinal queasiness, unhealthy belching and symptoms of heartburn.

The Romans offered mustacae, a cake which had anise, caraway and dill seed cooked with it, right at the end of banquets, marriages and merrymaking events to counteract indigestion and colic following the lavish things eaten during the earlier 12 to 15 courses.

The ancient Greeks grew it as being a pain reliever which also allowed sufferers to breath more easily.

Usage
Warning: Do not take anise in any shape or form when pregnant; at all times consult your physician before commencing any kind of natural home treatment solution involving aniseed.

Medicinal use
In the early eras P.anisum was bought and sold in order to provide a traditional medicine and as a flavouring; its trade generally rewarding. In many countries the seeds were carried inside of a small bag affixed to the belt so that a pinch of the seeds might be chewed as a fast solution for intestinal difficulties, asthma and spasmodic hacking and coughing. Currently medical research validates these historical virtues.

Create aniseed tea by simply adding about a teaspoon of seeds – fresh or dehydrated – in a cup of boiling water, stir and let steep for five minutes. Drink slowly and also munch some of the seeds. This aniseed tea should relieve symptoms of heartburn, dissipate trapped wind, eliminate hiccups, alleviate intestinal colic, counter menstruation pains, ease whooping cough and even assist persons having difficulties with epileptic fits.

Try adding the seeds to cakes or biscuits, cornbread and berry juices.

Other uses
As a facial rejuvenation intended for enlarged pores, greasy problem skin, possibly even for acne, drink a cupful of aniseed tea daily and employ the cooled tea as a treatment, a wash as well as a spray – it’s a superb complexion remedy.

In India it is used as a breath sweetener and in Turkey, ‘raki ‘ – a popular alcoholic drink called is made from the seeds.

As aniseed is beloved by rodents, blend aniseed with coarse cooked maize porridge and employ it as bait for traps.

Propogation
The seeds germinate readily. Through early spring to mid summertime, plant where they are to mature, in richly composted damp earth in full sun. Spread the seeds sparsely straight into a shallow, well watered shallow trench. Rake over the soil and hold it hydrated at all times. The little baby plants mature easily and just about all parts associated with the plant are usually important as both food items and medicine.

Seed-stock, when dried on the plant, may be easily stashed inside airtight canisters for winter time usage.

Arnica montana (Asteraceae)

Appearance

Arnica has a deep-rooted, erect stem, typically unbranched. Furry opposing leaves sit high on the stem and a rosette of oval leaves adorns the base of the stem.

Large yellow or orange flowers are typical, these are 6-7 cm wide about a dozen radiating florets and a number of disc florets. Bracts beneath the flowerhead have long spreading hairs. The flowers boast a mildly aromatic perfume not unlike pine.

The rhizome is dark brown, cylindrical, usually curved, and bears brittle wiry rootlets on the under surface.

History
Arnica grows on montane to alpine meadows and pastures up to alpine level. In many European regions arnica is a protected species. Spain and Romania are important source countries of the species.

An abundant genus consisting of about 30 perennial, herbaceous species, arnica is a member of the sunflower family. It has been employed as a medicine for hundreds of years. the roots secrete a type of thymol, which are used as fungicides and preservatives and are reputed to have an anti-inflammatory virtue.

Usage
Arnica is commonly used as an important component of ointments to alleviate sports injuries and sprains. Homoeopathic compounds containing arnica are popular and widespread.

Arnica ointments used topically have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and aid natural recovery by increasing flow of blood and fluid accumulations by dilation. Beneficial after surgery to treat varicose veins.

Toxicity
Arnica contains the helenalin, which can be poisonous if large amounts are ingested. Direct contact with the plant can also cause skin irritation.

Propogation
Arnica may be propagated from root division, cuttings, or seeds, which are of short viability. Thrives in a mixture of dry loam, peat, and sand but not on limy soils.

Armoracia rusticana,
A. lapathifolia
Cochlearia armoracia

Appearance
Horseradish is a pungent perennial herb, possessing elongated fleshy roots, large coarse leaves and a garland of white-colored flowers with four petals. Leaves might have a fernlike appearance with several fingers on each side or be simply an elongated oval. They develop to about 50cm (18″) and can be used as an appealing and useful addition to any flowerbed.

History
Horseradish is botanically-known as Armoracia lapathifolia and A. rusticana, and is thought to be indigenous to Russia or Hungary. It is related to the mustard family, consequently its biting taste and aroma. The “horse” label describes the dimensions of the root as well as its pungency and was applied to tell it apart from other (unrelated) radishes. At one time, horseradish was referred to as “German mustard.”

Used for centuries, horseradish is one of the five symbolic bitter herbs commemorated in the Jewish Passover Seder.

Usage
Although the roots are normally used, young leaves give a refreshing bite to a salad.

Medicinal usage:
Horseradish is stimulating and lowers fevers by escalating perspiration, offers antibacterial properties and stimulates localized circulation.

It contains glucosinolates (mustard oil glycosides – gluconasturtin and sinigrin), which are hydrolyzed during drying to yield phenylethyl isothiocyanate and allyl isothiocyanate. The root also contains the enzyme peroxidase, coumarins and phenolic acids.

Internal use

• Horseradish is used internally for lung and urinary infections, as well as joint disease, gout pain and sciatic pain and for general weakness.
• The roots are widely-used in making a favorite condiment and the fresh leaves can be used in salads.

External use

• External application of horseradish raises circulation and is used as a poultice for infected wounds, rheumatism and bronchitis, along with pericarditis.
• It is used to soothe chilblains.
• The regenerative and anti-bacterial impact of horseradish validates its use on blemished, oily skin – also used as a hair tonic to promote growth.
• Please note that this is a robust pungent herb and may cause skin reaction.

Aromatherapy and essential oil use
The essential oil extracted from the root is classed as dangerous.

Basic safety precautions and warnings
The fresh juice may be irritating on the skin and extreme care needs to be used when applying. It is strongly recommended that a reduced concentration be used in this way.

Propogation
Pick a sunny, weed free location and balance soil pH to 6.2-6.7. Horseradish is an exceptionally vigorous plant and given a small amount of attention, will prosper in most any garden scenario. A 130cm (4ft.) row will support 5 plants. Allow for 90cm (3ft.) between rows. Excavate a trench of 30cm (12″) wide and 45 cm (18″) deep. Fill with garden compost and loose soil to allow the roots to spread easily.

My rootstock – obtained 5 years ago – consistently yields some 25 to 35 plants after splitting the mature plant. They are so prolific that everyone has their own harvesting method. Mine is to harvest soon after 2nd season shoots reach 5cm (2″.) in height. You get the developed root from season 1 and they are easily split at this stage.

Preparation
Horseradish is best used newly grated and raw.

Clean using a stiff brush and remove the dark skin before using horseradish.

In larger roots, the core might be fibrous and bitter. Remove and discard the core, along with any green spots.

Horseradish is similar to the allium family — the smaller it’s chopped or grated, the more pungent the flavor.

When grating horseradish, it’s easiest to use a food processor. Cut the peeled root into cubes and pulse to the preferred consistency. The fumes will be quite strong and may actually burn your nose as well as eyes. Make sure you open a window, remove the lid at arm’s length, and turn your head aside.

For do-it-yourself prepared horseradish, just add white vinegar and salt to taste whilst processing. Keep inside a lidded glass container inside the fridge approximately 6 weeks.

Horseradish Sauce
A.

• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp prepared hot horseradish, or to taste
• 1 tbsp chopped chives
• salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 60 minutes to blend the flavors. Serve chilled.

B.
Fold 1 Tablespoon fresh grated horseradish into stiffly-whipped heavy cream and salt to taste for a classic horseradish sauce to accompany beef dishes. Dill weed is also a tasty addition.• If you want to retain the spicy zing of horseradish in cooked dishes, add it at the end of the cooking process, after the dish has been removed from the heat.

African potato, Star-grass, Star lily, Yellow stars, Yellow star-grass

Hypoxis hemerocallidea (previous name H. rooperii)

Appearance
Hypoxis hemerocallidea is the best known variety of the genus. Plants will grow to about 100 to 500 mm tall. Leaves clearly 3-ranked, distinctly arching in the shape of a sickle and are hairy throughout.

The name Hypoxis is coined from the Greek words hypo meaning below and oxy referring towards the pointed lower ovary or fruit.

Being geophytic herbs, Hypoxis plants overcome winter conditions in the form of an underground rootstock called the corm. Corms are hard, fleshy, mucilaginous and white or yellow-orange within. Sliced corms, when exposed to the atmosphere, turn black with oxidation.

In spring, a brand new set of leaves grows from the apex from the corm. In most species, leaves are arranged one above another in three rows that radiate outwards. In some species, leaf bases are enclosed in a sheath, forming a false stem.

Leaves range from linear to broadly lance-shaped and die back over the wintertime months. Flowering stems appear with the leaves after the first rains in spring. They’re unbranched, with 2-12 flowers per stalk. Flowers are symmetrical with 6 tepals, rarely 4 or 8, are bright yellow, giving the genus its common name “yellow stars”.

The fruit is a capsule that splits across its diameter to expose the small black seeds.

History
Widespread in the summertime rainfall region of South Africa, from the coast to the interior, extending nothwards into Botswana but with less frequency. Used for centuries in African traditional medicine and recently recognized in the alternative medicine trade because of its immune-boosting properties.

A South East African plant from the Hypoxidaceae species, the plant tuber has been used by traditional healers for it’s medicinal properties for centuries and hs been affectionately dubbed the “African Potato”.

Usage
The African Potato Tuber reportedly balances and regulates the immune system.

Arthritis is an auto-immune disease. The painful joints come from the malfunctioning of the defense mechanisms. The sterols and sterolins are the active ingredients inside a remedy originally developed from the African potato which boosts the defense mechanisms and helps fight Aids, cancer, TB, psoriasis and arthritis.

Currently the cause is treated with plant sterols and sterolins which regulate the defense mechanisms. The greatest advantage of treating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms with sterols and sterolins is that these plant fats are natural, non-toxic and don’t have any side effects.

Plant sterol and sterolins occur in all plants. In their natural state they’re associated with plant fibres, making it difficult to allow them to be absorbed through the body during digestion. This is especially the situation with seniors, whose digestive systems dwindle efficient.

Research teams have proved that sterols and sterolins boost the functioning of T-cells which control and regulate the immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the malfunctioning from the sufferer’s defense mechanisms. Instead of attacking only bacteria, viruses and parasites in your body, the synoval membranes, which facilitate the movements of joints, will also be attacked. Eventually the cartilage is destroyed and the bones eroded.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms is more common one of the aged whose natureal defenses aren’t that efficient. When it happens in younger people it is almost always a result of stress or trauma.

Osteoarthritis sufferers can also enjoy the utilization of sterols and sterolins, but it may take longer to see the results. Sterols and sterolins cannot remedy the damage already caused towards the joints and bones by arthritis. They can, however, prevent further damage and relieve this, but must be used for a long time.

No hypoxis should be taken whilst on anti-coagulants such as heparin and warfarin.

Propogation
Hypoxis species are attractive for development as garden ornamentals. Species suited to garden beds are those with small corms and soft leaves like H. angustifolia and H. membranacea which spread quickly through multiplication from the rootstock to form a mass of plants.

Hardy species with large corms and strong leaves like H. hemerocallidea, H. colchicifolia, H. obtusa and H. acuminata are fairly easy to upkeep once established in a garden. Seeds of Hypoxis germinate better if sown right after maturity. Being a veldt plant subject to the vagaries of weather, hypoxis is easy to develop and will see regular watering and feeding as a bonus to growth potential.

Salad Rocket or Arugula (Eruca sativa L.)

Description
There is ongoing debate about rocket being a herb. In my book it fulfils the specification for a real herb and is thus included here.

All rocket species have a distinct, pungent taste; the pungency increases with the age of the leaf. The aroma is often described as herbal or nutty.

Rocket is an annual salad green that has leaves similar in taste and appearance to its relative, the radish. The leaves are 3-7 in (7.5 to 18 cm) long and deeply lobed, like those of dandelions. Best used as a salad green when it’s young, just 1 ft (0.3 m) or so tall. It will eventually produce stems 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m) in height, topped with white cross-shaped flowers that are very similar to those of radish.

Several cultivars are offered in the specialty seed catalogs.

History
The rocket species are native to Central and Southern Europe. These days the distinctive flavour of rocket has become popular in European countries, the USA and around the world.

Although the herb had enjoyed considerable popularity all over temperate Europe in the Middle Ages, both for the aromatic leaves and the pungent seeds, its cultivation was neglected. Since the 18th century, rocket was practically restricted to the Mediterranean, where it grows wild. Now rocket is back in Western and Central Europe and has spread around the world. Much beloved as a flavouring for salads, where it lends an interesting note to any lettuce-based dish.

Although rocket is one of the new stars among salad lovers in the New World, it has been a popular salad green and seasoner in southern Europe for centuries.

Usage
Rockets usage is best defined as widespread. uses include:

• Seeds can serve as a sub­stitute for mustard seeds
• Chopped rocket leaves are a good garnish for many Mediterranean foods
• Rocket leaves prepared with olive oil, aceto balsamico and freshly grated Parmigiano cheese makes an excellent appetizer for any Mediterranean, especially Italian, feast.
• In Turkey, rocket leaves are popular as a garnish for meats grilled on a skewer (kebab) or on a rotating spit (doner).
• It adds a pleasant peppery flavour to fresh green salads. Larger, more mature leaves, and those grown in the hot summer, are stronger tasting, almost bitter, and used in salads with discretion.
• Toss arugula with radicchio and a mild lettuce
• It adds a nice tangy bite to potato salads.
• Arugula can be cooked like spinach or wilted in hot olive oil and garlic and served with pasta or potatoes.
• Use the older, more tangy leaves in soups and sauces.
• Add arugula to leek and potato soup near the end of the simmering.
• Use arugula in vegetable stir fry.
• The seeds of arugula are sometimes used as a flavoring substitute for mustard, and they are pressed to yield an edible oil known as jamba oil.
• Seeds are sprouted for use in salads.
• The young leaves have a distinct peppery taste so they can be used in almost any combination:

1. In salads,
2. Open sandwiches,
3. As a vegetable with roast meat or
4. With a medley of Mediterranean vegetables.

According to ancient traditions, eating rocket will bring you good luck. The oil extracted from the seeds was considered to be an aphrodisiac. Since it also tastes good, those ancients knew they were on to something. Fresh rocket leaves contain iron and vitamins. Rocket is reputed to help cleanse the body of pollutants.

A research group from Saudi Arabia studied the anti-ulcer properties of rocket.  They found that rocket extract possesses antisecretory, cytoprotective and anti-ulcer activities against experimentally-induced gastric lesions in rats.

Propogation
Propogate from seed and grow in full sun. Plant seeds thickly in rows, bands or patches in early spring and again in autumn. Grow rocket in the fall and early spring. Usable leaves should be ready in 4-6 weeks. The best leaves are from plants grown fast in cool weather.

Use nitrogen fertilizer to insure rapid growth. Pick off leaves as needed, leaving the plant to grow more. Rocket will self seed in the garden if allowed.

Provide some shade from midday sun in summer – member that it requires regular watering.

Rocket is a hardy plant found in many climate types. It is an annual that can tolerate temperatures down to 25ºF (-3.9 C). It goes quickly to seed in hot weather.