ADELE G. DAWSON HERBS Partners in Life A Guide to Cooking, Gardening and Healing with Wild and Cultivated Plants illustrated by Robin Rothman| Copyright © 1 Ait ese Note tthe reader enproaches, ih qualified hel care profesional, Lanean oF Cocos Caras scan Date pide to coking gaening and heaing with Adele G, Dawson lsat by Robin Rotman, bs, 1980. ee Therap we 2) 4 Hers —Fol ng. I Dawson, Adele Goch, 1905 Health, bppines, sndthe pret of hes. SHISIHSD39 198 33.7000 003 ar ited an ound in the Unie Sa oos7 6543Contents PREFACE ix INTRODUCTION 1 PARTI 1 WHY SHOULD WE USE HERBS? 5 no IDENTIFICATION OF HERBS 11 m WHERE TO GET HERBS 22 Vv WHAT SHALL WE Do WITH THESE HERBS? 25 v HERBALISTS MENTIONED IN PART IT 28PARTI + Calsfaot « Coney Wied + Lecage + Marjan ny «Sage + Sad Burnet ‘Savory + Swe! Cicely + Veron vit SUMMER: GOURMET GARDENING | 93 2 + Bee Bal Pepper» Celandine » Clover» Ci der » Evening Prinrase » Fennel» Feo Hawkee » Horehound » Horst» Hyssop * Mallow ne Rosemary + Rae »Se-Heal» Sor “Tansy « Thyme + Warmcood agri der » Couch Grass vit AUTUMN: BATTENING DOWN 186 Burdock «Calendula + Cohosh» Elecampone Valerian » Wintargrecn » Yarrow x INTER: SEASON OF TISANES 215 «+ Cort» Cosinary + Fenugreek + Goldenrod * Stautery THE ARMCHAIR HERBALIST 241 XI ‘THE HISTORY OF HERBS 248 xm HONEY AND VINEGAR 254Comente APPENDIX I | ALPHABETICAL LIST OF HERBS 257 APPENDIX IT ‘THE LANGUAGE OF HERBALISTS 260 APPENDIX IIL LIST OF VITAMINS AND THEIR EFFECTS 263 APPENDIX IV SOURCES OF HERB SEEDS AND PLANTS 265 BIBLIOGRAPHY 267 INDEX. 273Preface 1's attempt to insure the ar ing out the retuen of verde, of making an ing’ it to make way for new vegetation, was indeed. Yet, when we begin to think about the change of se sons, we see that wwe are s to them, physically and pay- chically. A rational explanation does not ‘We are different people in each season ‘mooncrise and moon-set than we may realize If we analyze the quali- ties of each season, we see that We, #09, act out the drama of birth, ‘growth, maturity, decay, and rebirth every day of our livesPreface By attuning tothe seasons in our relationship w herbs which have been given tous “for meat and medicine” we will get close to them and to ourselves, statement more pertinent today than it was then. Our gardens, as well as the herbs that grow in them, may be a iniverse in which overstressed bodies and souls can retreat from the relentless bombardment of information (and information isnot the same as knowledge) which penetrates our homes, cas, planes, airports, and department stores. Im the peace and quiet ofa garden we can choose our own cosmol to our elit system. In an separate cosmologies exsted side by side—three different ways of see ing the universe. Whether we consider this contradictory or comple mentary may be a measure of minds. The way we understand our garden, the life init, i the way we understand oursei, We both date back millions of years, notin our present forms, although ve still have vestiges of ancient victo defeats, The plants ofthis year's garden have the resonance ofthe past in every thrusting root, every stem that leans into or resists a breeze, ‘every blossom that opens or closes on signal from the sun. Thousands (of years ago, fungi lichens, moss, fems grew beneath our basil sage; beneath roses, violets lies, ‘Undemeath our 20th century bral system whieh we share with all ma dom. The basic Function of past and to establish companionate rel ‘over the centuries, Native Americans speak of “all our relations." They refer tothe dees, the bear, the eagle, the serpent, and the butterfly; to trees, rivers, and tionships are due to tall and error ions” may not be merely a metaphoric way of describ share the earth with us, Modern science has esab- language,” a pre-natal one made up of only four In every form of if, It consists of «simple fons, a how-to guide that causes each species to re- parents The mouse child will bea mouse, the elephant chiPrefce fan elephant. A carrot seed will produce a carrot, a tarragon seed will ‘become a tarragon plant In contemporary {important for gardeners to remind them= ves that science did not develop these instructions forall species. It ly discovered that they existed. The Great Sprit dd not give ms to one species forthe benefit of another. Evolution can only if organisms maintain an enormous array of gene ‘Symbols go back tothe beginning of mankind, The double he led to the discovery of DNA existed in every part of the world. The até with two bird wings like a nuclear or extended family, gives us irov—net only to grow herbs ina way {to grow in our own paychie awareness, (2 jens oftheIntroduction [An introduction to her book requires of the author two things: She has ophy of using herbs for ‘athered, or purchased, how they Iebalists referred to in the text, In Part IL we plant, gather, preserve, smell, enjoy, eat, drink, and prescribe herbs, Monographs of more than seventy genera are described And illustrated. These aze divided into four groups which will be found at the endl of the four seasonal chapters on spring, summer, autumn, land winter, sections reinforced with alchemy, astrology, botany, bio: 1chemistry, folklore, history, literature, and moder The discussions of specific herbs are headed by the common, general name of the herb (Agrimony in the example below). Below left, are common names given to herb species answering tothe general name; folk oF local names of fm quotes and perentheses, in names of, to which the species belongs (ROSACEAE), Letters following species name are the initial letter o Who frst deseribed the species most oft Unnaeus (L). AGRIMONY AGRIMONY Agrimonia eupator (“cocktewuar,” “stickteworr”) ROSACEAE Eupator of Pontus, an his extensive herb garden and herbal remedies. us the second the species. ‘of the herbs described in the ancient king noted ‘The frst word is always the ge In the append plants and [At this point your guide leaves you—bon voyage,Why Should We Use Herbs? this country, as wi ‘provided in the herbs of its oven ‘growth the remedies for the several diseases to which itis most sub ject” ‘The woods and herbs, natural and effective r sometimes plague us a8 21 strean-beds are rimmed wi the rich humus-carpeted woods nustre beds of ead, A walk across any abandoned mi gold-flowered St. John’s worPart 1 spikes, Feenlike es pink, flowered yarrow dlefy the encroaching crabgrass Ditch edges in August host Buffy white spikes of lowering bonese and along rutted country roads monarch butterflies feed on purple clusters of milkweed blossoms, Dozens of “garden herbs" can be groven eas al, whose welcome appearance eac ent on sunshine and good drainage t green thumb. Both wild and cultivated herbs are dual-purpose plants, food ad drine as well as safe and proven in our backyards—hardy perenni ponder toward ofthe body as the best preven: Nei Ching Su Wen" (The Yellow Emperors te legendary Emperor of 500 8. asked his healthy person?” To which Chi Po an- lanced person is not affected by dis- physi swered, " This is the basic philosophy today of herbalists who use vegetable medicines to maintain a balance of the body and a serenity ofthe mind, h as that mental, ial development which provides for each of us a to ourselves and helpful to others. There is no Standard blueprint for us to use; each good Ife must be “owner-built” because we all enter the world with unique characteristics, a medley of ‘genetic inheritance and prenatal invluenee. We carr ths predetermined equipment with us into adulthood, and its appraisal an programming, ‘This inchades acceptance of the un n efficiency of workmanship as well 35, rences must be faced serenely when we for purposes of prevention or cure. We certain cells or organs are either not ey need to function properly or are being subjected 0 Something that is bad for them. 6Why Should We Use Herbs? Paracelsus, Swiss physician and alchemist born about 1493 as, Philipps Auteolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, said, "He who Wants to know man must look upon him as a whole and not a patched up piece of work. If he finds a part of the human body fased, he must look forthe causes that produce the disease and not merely teat the external effects. The causes of may lurk behind vated technology. ‘auses of poot health 1. Excessive (constant) use of “junk foods" 4 Foods with artificial coloring and/or a B Package foo 2, Fast foods, eaten in ah visual pleasure 43. Continued tension 4 Oversexposuce to ar 5. Lack of exposure to natur 6 Continued fatigue 7. Excessive exposure (4a Chemical, te synthetic for natural food ry arn an atmosphere lacking in serenity and lent 2h not necessarily sunlight pollutants {4 Service to others (community service, sharing of abilities) 10. Excessive use of fa Cigarettes |b Stimlants and depressants © PillPart 1 Scanning this list, you may find an unobtrusive cause of stress Producing symptoms whose cause you may not cteril infection isnot included in ‘balanced person,” as Chi Po Suge gested to the Emperor, is seldom alfected by disease to phar. al houses, Forty-three ofthese are in regular demand, and nine- teen are especially needed. This company has been buying from gath- cerers of wild herbs since 1891, Those of us who are ready to take more responsibilty for our own ‘health realize that herbal remedies prepared at homie have three di advantages over commercially-formulated drugs. Hetbs are selected Which respond tothe need ofa person, nat a diseace. We all know from according to our area of weakness and body chemistry sense to use a remedy compounded to meet an individual need ‘Another plus for our own herbal preparations is that we use Ines that grow in the same environment in which we live; we share am, iron, iodine, mage ll asthe trace mi eras copper, manganese, and zinc exist in plants, Those plants that grow in our own environment will contain the substances we need fo ‘maintain health Hippocrates, called the Father of Medicine, said, “Look to the coun- try and to the season before deciding on treatment.” st advantage to making our own herbal medicine, tes, poultice, e: We use the herb with its chemical consti exactly ‘occurs in nature. The pharmaceutical comp: ct what they believe to be the “active ingredient” and mix it in a laboratory with synthetic substances. This is why commercilly prepared drugs often have a side effect which may surface a5 arash, increased heart beat, breathing dificult, or drowsiness ‘The average testing time for new pharmaceutical products is a few ‘measure long-term effects Plants that we use te, have been used for 60,000 year, since the ime of Neanderthal man. In the ancient busals at Shanidar, nearWhy Should We Use Herbs? Baghdad, flowering plants were found, many of which still grow in the same ares around Iraq and are known to be astringent, diretics (use {al to Increase the flow of urine), emetics, pain velievers, and stimulants ‘Our “materia medica” inthis book willbe confined to some seventy herbs, ated. The herbs have been chosen because all 37e half a century ‘The maladies for which these herbs are helpf allergies rthnts sethma menstrual problems bee stings muscular pains blood pressure poison ivy boil Phoumatimn bronchitis ssatiea colds sinus ests warts dlarchea worms: fatigue ‘wounds headaches Remember that the “x” ingredient in herbal medicine, a in all medi cine, is common sense, As you read ray; your food at lunch consists of whatever is available near your place of work: you 9Part 1 catch cold; the cold goes into bronchitis. You must choose from among. several is. Which do you use and ‘what herbs do you combine with them? Obviously you will choose some herbs that have nutritive value, that are soothing to the nerves, and Jation. This is what we mean by common sense In herbal medicine. (Cotton Mather (1863-1728), b ter known for his sermons than for his ues of many wild herbs a8 well 88 gar den plants. “It would be,” he ssi 'a ‘laudable thing’ for gentlewomen to keep in their closets a number of harmless and useful herbs to help their neighbors if they needed them.” This advie is just a8 sound, and Inumane, today asi was in 1700 when Pastor Mather (son of Inerea le leaf” ofIl Identification of Herbsdvtifctin of Herbs “There are to bs above ground, and those being acs Some herbs have prostrate underground stems called “shizomes,” which spread below ground, a ing up leaves and flowers. Couch g lems spread loosely over the ground In all direction); bead 10 one side; ihe ground as if nt strong enough to sup- Repent or creping stem BLEAVES : R rentals (fh He , \ fink ody ufPart 1 Lear Snares | ged on the stem, and how they are ‘More leaf shapes SivpLe AND COMPOUND LEAVESdentition of Herbs fa compound leaf may be ite from a center), a | Compound leaves and their parts Lear Ties leaf may also have a distinctive shape. Eight fendeshapes ae The Up or fee end of ‘used to describePart | typesnsifcstion of Herbs LEAF ARRANGEMENT AND ATTACHMENT Leaves may be arranged on the stom “opposite” one anther, like the two at the base of the hypothetical plant in the figure below. “Alter rate” leaves are arranged in the manner ofthe leaves labeled “clasping" tnd “decurrent” in the same drawing Finally, leaves are distinctive in the way they are attached to the stem The drawing shows six common possiblities, labeled with thelr respective terms. Note especially that sessile” and “petioles” are op- posed terms (sessile leaves have ho petioles) and that “perfoiate” leaves Ere plesced by the plant stom (an example isthe herb bones) Leaf attachments 9ensifstion of Herbs Sessile” lowers like sessile leaves (See above) have no stem oF stalk in clusters. There are many different arrangements ofthe small Rowers ("florets that make up flower clusters. Ten common arrange- iments are seen inthe drawing on page 20 FLOWER ANATOMY ‘The consteuction of lowers varies in different plant families, bu most cases flowers consist ofan auter protective envelope and an chamber containing the seed-making pars. “The drawing shows the major the outer envelope ofthe flower’ inner leaves (“petals” of ofthe flower the “stamens” are the flower’s pollen. sually borne on the head of the stamen, the “anther” from the stamens arrives on the “pis tllzing the ovary plant, Most plant” flowers have stamens and pistils bath but in some plant species stamens and pistls grove separately. Flower parts aIl Where to Get Herbs n herb ‘an herb? The botanical definition i plant whose part above ground does not become woody, that dies down every year, and is Valued for its medicinal properties, flavor, and scent. A spice, on the other hand, is defined asa pungent or aromatic plant used as a season- Ing or preservative For the purposes ofthis book I use the standard definition ofan herb 25 a plant, woody or otherwise, that may oF may not die down every {year and is used for food and medicine, drink, favoring, preservative, tergreen, sage, and even the eucalyptus tree. 2Where t0 Get Herbs (One way to enjoy herbs i to plant an herb garden. Herbs grow hap= pily ia “They have only two requirements: sunshine and [good drainage. They are not subject to inset pests: many of them are insect deterrents, Wormwood, tansy, garlic onions, chives, sage, penny sms, and marigolds are noteworthy protectors of Yep ables, roses, and Frit tres. ‘More than half of your basic hesb garden willbe perennial, Many of your herbs will seed themselves, and others will develop new plants from their roots each year, enough for you to share your bounty with friends and neighbors. (See Appendix IV for a source of high-qu hero seeds and plants) TE you enjoy walks in the country, collecting wild herbs will be & pleasant excorsion across felds and meadows, through shady woods, fnd along fern-banked brooks, Exercise, fresh alt, and a purposeful Js free vacation package, available to everyone. ‘dweller, a car or bus wil take you to a good area for he country oF a small town, you need only ‘out of your house. DO NOT collect plants along highways where carbon monoxide has contaminated roadside herbs. DO NOT collect from under cros=-coun- try electric power lines or railroad tracks where del tase, Dirt roads, abandoned fields, andthe edges of wooded ar good places to start. Take with you a basket and lager paper oF ss0r8, a knife, a trowel, a notebook, and a pencil For purposes of helpful to where You gathered the herb. Write down the typeof s sandy, gravel [rowing near {go back next year. NEVER take all of any variety. If you do, the plants ‘cannot seed themselves or spread from the 109ts “The “whole herb,” or everything that grows above the ground, isthe useful part of some plants. The root, oF that part which grows under ‘round, is the valuable pat of others ‘When the bark isthe useful par, never girdle the tree by taking a strip from around the trunk. Take a Small perpendicular strip from one side, or from a branch Tf you want to use the magic of herbs but cannot plant or gather them, you ean order the dried herbs you need from thelist of reliable sources listed inthe append ‘You may vsant to knov a tsbout the structure of the herbs 2Part 1 you grow, collect, or use. If you are faced with the need botany is necessary in order to understand the descriptions inthe botanical texts you use for reference. The preceding chapter introduces the technical terms used to describe roots, stems, branches, leaves, and flower arrangement on the stem. You should consult pl ication manuals if you need more detailIV What Shall We Do with These Herbs? root where, during the wi ‘The whole herd should be gathered in summer just as the plant is beginning to bloom, when essential essencePart 1 The bark should be collected in the spring when the sap is moving. up from the roots to bring nourishment tothe leaves, dof preparing an herb fusion, This isthe same method that we ing weter on one 3 dried herb, the equivalent of one tablespoonfl, or on one of the fresh herb 5s, or enamel + when making any herbal medicine; never use metal, particu ly aluminum. Always allow the infusion to steep for ten minutes to have been extracted. In an infusion its le ingredients that are being extracted infusion, honey to taste, Its usually not necessary to strain an herbal because the leaves settle down tothe bottom after ten minutes of step: Jing. This infusion is often referzed to in herbals asa “standard brew.” ‘The correct dose isa small cupful three or four times a day. Herbs that are classified as “alteratives” ate prepared in this way and are taken Tong periods of time. ‘A second method of preparing herbal medicine is called a decoction ‘his is used when the plant material you want to extract is 4 bi is method the herb, and it can be the or seeds, or the bark of a woody plant i soaked in ours, then brought to a boll and allowed to s, The correct proportion is about one ounce of toeo cups of water. Sometimes, in the case of the liguid and wring out the excess moisture, ‘A fomentation is useful in treating a skin iri insect bite tation, a headache, or If decoction is diluted in a gallon of water, this is called an tmbrocaton. Embrocations are used hot and ate useful for soaking 2 sprained ankle, foot, wrist, oF finger. 'A tincture is another method of preparation. Add one pint of pureWhat Shall We Do with These Herbs? grain alcohol or brandy to two ounces of dry (or a large handful of Beth hesbs ina glass jar. Cap the jar tightly and turn upside down. Shake the jar once or twice a day for one week, Strain and replace the raid inthe jar. This tincture will keep for sb months. The dose is one tablespoonful to a wineglass of water, once or twice a day. Honey is also a preservative, and fresh or dried herbs can be pre= served in it for a month or two. This method is particularly good in ‘Preparing cough syrups. Make a concentrated infusion, eight ounces of Ee herd to twelve ounces of water. This is called a standard brew concen- date Infuse fifteen or twenty minttes, strain and add an equal amount Grhoney. Horehound and coltstoot, together or separately, make a good ‘way. The dose is two teaspoons in one-half four times a day. \dard brew and added to herbal prove the flavor ifthe hezb is biter as are wormwood ‘be added for flavor and will preserve the ‘medicine for several months "A poultice is'@ method of preparing herbs for external use, Herbs chopped fresh or dred are moistened with appe-cder vinegar and mixed Sithbwhole-wheat flour or cooked barley, the vehicle for holding it together The proportion is one part herb to thee parts vehicle, Spread the mixture on a cloth and fold the ends and sides over, The cloth Should be moist and hot Oil te skin before applying the hot poultice ‘A pee of plastic over it wil retain the heat, ora hot pad can be used ‘Sill another type of external preparation for herbal teatment is satce (for specific directions see page 188), Fresh or dried herbs are fred with water, brought to a bol, then simmered for thirty minut Strain and add an equal amount of olive or safflower oll Simmer until the water has evaporated in steam, and only th ol is left. Add enough beeswax to give the mixture salve consistency and pou while hot into floss or plastic jars sith tight covers. Salves wil lat up to year or ‘Small cloth bagp filled with such herbs as chamomile lavender, 50 ceenvrood, lemon ball, agrimony, thyme, and raspberry leaves can be ws hot bath to relax body tensions. The fragrance will sso soothe ‘ces. ce all separations will be kept for Some time, be suze £9 attach Iabels that will ot come ff and note the date of bottling as well fs the ingredientsVv Herbalists Mentioned again in Chapter of these herb read quo!Herbalists Mentioned in Part I ‘Theophrastus, Greek, 370-287 8, wrote Enquiry Ino Pans, Pliny, Caius Pinus Secondus, aD. 23-78, oman natralist author of hirty- ‘seven books of vehich only one, his Natur! History, remains Dioscorides, dans, of Ana2arbus, author of De Materia maize. Fist cen tury AD, Greek physician attached tothe Roman armies, John Gerard, English, author of The Herbal, or Geerll Historie of Pant, 1507, 1633, 1636 [Nicholas Culpepper, Eng Thomas Greene, En author of the Complete Hert, 1652 Herta, 1816. ‘Two publications are mentioned frequently in Part The United States Pharmacopea is published at Bethesda, Maryland. The fist edition ap- peared December 15,182, in both Latin and English. Two hundred anc Eeventeen druge were listed. At present, the Pharmacopela is revised, very five years, A minimum of one-third of the members ofthe Board of Trustees and of the Committee of Revision represent the medical remainder are pharmacists, Formulary i published by the American Pharmace Assocation, Washington, D.C. It was first publi years ater the American Pharmaceutical Assocation was organized in 1852 'A perusal ofthe United States Pharmacopia and the National Formulary feom their first publication to the present time isa short course in the history of medicine and pharmacology in the United States. They con- tain standards of pur fon of formulae, and a list of herbs used in the variods formulaePARTIVI Salute to Spring Before we salute spring, perhaps our first homage should be to Noah Webster, who, be igus know that spring is “a time of growth between winter and summer,” tells us that “spring stesses sudden and surprising emergence especially after a period of concealed existence “Phat it does, Mr. Webster, Those crisp, wavy dandelion leaves re- sponcdng tothe first fll day of April sunshine when the garden is still {hieroglyph of brown earth shoving in squiggles through thin snow, proves to us that "sudden and surprising emergence” isthe very es Sence of spring. An awakening and a gladness pervades our hearts and tur lungs with deep breaths of celebration "A practical person will now don boots and jacket and go forth to cut this welcome answer to “what's for here willbe enough ten der young dandelion eaves fr ala aed salad, A dressing that Is simple and delicious is olive son juice, sea salt and 3Part freshiground pepper, sprinkle of fresh tarragon or one-quarter tea- spoon ofthe dried herb the juice pressed from one clove of garlic, and 2 few thin slices of onion as topping. The crowns, those round, green knobs in the center of the young leaves, which ina fee weeks will ise on along stem to support a dise sed For ten minutes and served with te of pully whole-wheat biscuits is the perfect accompani this backyard banquet. stone cup of whole wheat flour, one cup of unbleached white flour teaspoon each of set salt, baking powder, and beking soda one-quarter quarters of a cup of plus two tablespoons of milk. Bake until golden brown in an ‘oven preheated to 4 cegpees. ‘This meal, health packed a when we consider the other uss of leaves become anger (and the days and steam them like spinach leaves. When they are barely tender, chop fand serve them with butter and a dribble of apple-cider vinegar or ream, and combine with nly chopped walnats, The taproot of dandelion ug and dried last autumn is ready to be used as a medicinal tes if needed for hepatitis or other liver complaints. Temay also be roasted and used asa coffe substitute, Frankly, Ido nat recommend the later. I drink coffe infrequently, in moderate amount Dut when I do, health faddists tothe contrary, I ike good Colombian coffee, davk-rossted and ripped, as my French grandmother described it "Black as night, sweet as love, and strong as the devil” If Tcould chaose only one wild plant for my garden, it would be rilkweed, Asclepias syiaco—a plant forall seasons, a source of food, fiber, medicine, and esthetic pleasure, ruly a vegetable survival kt Weeks before our garden asparagus is ready 0 eat, young milkweed sprouts, when they are about six inches tall, can be cut, steamed, and ‘eaten with basil buter or any herb butter you fancy—parsley, marjo- tam, and chives are all good. n another week the greens will be ready to prepare as spinach ubiquitous dan 32), gather a bas they can be steamed and serve can be made into tempura. Make a ‘wheat pastry flour, one teaspoon arrowroct, one egg yolk, one-half eaSalute to Spring spoon rice vinegar, and one cup water. Combine the dry ingre and add the the batter isthe right consistency, Tightly. Heat two cups safflower oll in an iron skillet, dip bitesized flower heads into the batter, and fey quickly to a golden brown, Drain at once on brown paper and serve het with or without a dip. 1 dip can be made of one cup of vegetable soup stock, two table~ or soy sauce, one tablespoon honey, fresh grated horse- singer root, and one tablespoon sherry. The ‘with one tablespoon of arrowroot pus, the beautiful Monarch buttery, mn to our health and happiness, Watch now for pele green seed pods to form. When these are one and one-half inches fongacut, wash, steam, and serve like okra, They may also be frozen and ‘winter use a8 2 vegetable or as the perfect ingredient for a ‘Greole gumbo, a thick seafood soup served with rice. ‘There is more to come, When the seed pods mature and open to emt and use the stands as an fecent in wall hangings, macrame, or stitchery. The longestapl rents make a soft stuffing for small pillows, 2 use that our colonial forebears well knew. ‘Early in May, afew bright green leaf tips rolled like a thin suddenly emerge through dark, moist earth. Comfrey, the most useful ge of the Tike the Victorian gardener who flt “a great the ways in which different plants come through the ground,"" pause and enjoy these strong peaks ned inat the edges, messengers Of increase and rene hand, make holes three feet part in rich com Tnsert a new young plant in each hole, fucking the earth ‘drainage will do the rest. In July the young pl their mother Ina fevr weeks leaves from the mother comfrey plant Ibe a8 large as I be ready 35Part I to cut for salad, From this time on, throughout the spring and summer, comfrey leaves, accompanied by violet and raspberry leaves, spring of ‘int, and a tablespoon of chopped orange peel, canbe put in a blender filed with unsweetened pineapple juice. Liquely this mixture for a rinute orto, then pour the vitamin filled drink over ice cubes lass and wait smugly for the inevitable del guests Another healthy and appetizing addition to the salad bow! is the stinging nettle, Early in spring when the leaves are young and tender, put on a pair of garden gloves and advance determinedly on the nearest plant, grasp it firmly, end put itn your gathering basket. If you have timed your capture correctly, the net wi waited 3 green, Heat in ursng mathers) step a small handful of ried) leaves in one and one-half cups of ‘water for ten minutes. Sweeten with natural, uncooked honey. ving winter mulch and ke the water chestnut, vegetables cooked in a wok Add them crispness, They may also be steamed whole and served with parsley butter ‘When the much-cut, yellow-green leaves of lovage are about one foot high, pointed red shoots willbe seen pushing through the round around them. Each of these shoots will make » new plant if itis dug deeply ‘enough so that a section of root comes out with it. The young leaves of this hardy perennial that tastes like celery are a good addition to a spring salad or soup. Stlad burnet seeds itself, However, if enough young plants are not visible by the end of May, the older plants may be divided to increase your supply. The small, round, scalloped leaves have a cool cucumber tin sala. ‘Sweet cicely, for all ts delicate fern-like leaves and lacy whit flow cers, isa hardy perennial which also teltsows, Spring i the tlme toSalute to Spring y are not where you want them. The leaves ike anise and are a pleasant addition to Gigreen salad or cole slaw. The seeds, enclosed in hard black shells, pointed at the ends take forever to come uj Better to let nature do the work and then make the executive decision as to where the be, ‘Thrve herbs essential to the condiment 35 well asthe medicine shelf rust be treated as annuals in the northeast part of the United States, ‘They are basil marjoram, and anise, These should be started indoors, in Marc. ‘Soak peat pots in water for 2 few minutes, then fill them wit which has bits of pearlite in ito absorb m: the sel from caking, Sprinkle seeds on top, cover Imisture, and keep the pots in 9 sunny window or under STgrow-light. Keep them moist until the rst green shows, then water very spanngly luted solution of seaweed concentrate—one {ablespoon fo one gallon of water, used alternately with room-tempers {ure water This same solution may be used to water the young plants when they are transplanted into the garden; this prevents transplant Shock. One gallon plastic cider jugs can be saved, and four or five kept fe with the seavwee 3, ready fo use Some varieties of basi ‘be started indoors, including the com- and the purple-leaved dark ‘opal. In june seeds ean be st uring the summer ‘One of my favorite recipes for using basil combines nnesb high on thelist of preventive foods—garlic. Tom Pound one and one-half cups of fresh basil and two cloves of ‘a mortar or wooden bowl, Add three-quarters of a cup of finely Parmesan and one-quas Romano cheese; mix to form a puree, When the mixture add gradually, Constantly, about three nuts fdded, but pesto Is excelent minture has the consistency of creamed by sauce, ar on baked potatoes, noodles, orc ‘One of the added pleasures ofthis sauce is that it can be made in advance of dinner and kept in the refrigerator until needed. Dill, summer savory, and parsley seeds should be started soon a the garden is ready’ for planting, Parsley is « biennial, which 2in the garden, But no one wants to take a chance on having a parsley shortage, Parsley {s much too valuable for food and todicine. Plant two new seed packages each year, one of the moss ian type. None of these herbs ‘seeds inthe garden where they are to re- transplant main. A sm 30 stat chen gatden at you back door i useful attractive, and fragrant: ‘and summer savory inthe back row, the basis, anise, and may fr coriander at one end and orange mint atthe other, Sind a double border in front of thyme and parsley. “about every fourth year you should start some new sage plants, planting the seds in the garden where they are to stay. Sage isa hardy Frrennia, but the plants get woody after four or five years and should Ee replaced or reinforced with new ones. ‘few wild herbs that you may war ‘your gorden can be transplanted sucessful Tmid ginger, whose root may be used for grating Gishes, and ta; blue vervain, which isan old fav Som freweed, an antispasmodic forthe relief of hiccups and spasmodic Coughs; and jewel weed, which is a specific for poison ivy. Consult the Sections of this chapter that tll where to find these herbs and the types (hen go forth armed witha pointed shovel, some fic bags. Remove both top in early spring. They ae: cookies, Chinese faround Open the large plastic bag, hands, raise t and lower quickly into the plastic bag. ‘When you arrive home with your booty, dig large, deep hol er, remove the plastic bag, and gently lower the can into the jpwards to remove, and tamp the earth around the roots ‘Water heavily for three days, then only when needed, ‘Caution: Never fake more than one plant from any one location and ‘be sure ta check the list of protected plants in your state tobe sure the plants you want are not on it If they are, you can order from 2 ower nursery (see Appendix IV). Never use manure or any fe ther then compost or wood hums when you transplant wild herbs. “Select «spot im yout garden which corresponds closely tothe natural habitat of the plant. Check the amour of sun, which direction the plant das facing (orth, east, south, aves), and whether the soil was rich OF poor, dry oF moistSalute to Spring If you consult an old farmer, he will tell you to plant rot ep inthe dark ofthe moon and above-ground vegetables during the rising moon, ‘True, but ancient wisdom has even more to offer us for guidance twas believed that during the twenty-eight days when the moon increases fom a crescent to full moon and. decreases again, it passes through the twelve signs of the zodiac. Some of these signs-—Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces: the water signs—were considered fruitful signs, and, when the under their influence, it was the best time to plant seeds or ‘Aries, Gemini, Leo, Vigo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius were ‘considered barren signs, while Libra was put in a special calegory, sign under whose influence root crops cauld be planted stil. ANISE ANISE Pimpinella anisum L. UMBELLIFERAE in early Greek medicine In the United States, anise isan annual which grows up to fifteen oF eighteen inches with bright green leaves, bipinnate and feathery, Seeds ‘may be sown inthe garden as soon as the soll i warm, in a spot where the plant will get direct sun most ofthe day. ‘Anise contains choline, sugar, and muclage It essential of contains up to 90 percent anethol, which gives it the typical aise fragrance and favor. It is earminative, antiseptic, a stimulant, and a tonic. ‘The roots (standard decoctian) reduce fever. The leaves may be cut up in salads or used as an edible garnish for lamb and pork. The seeds, the part most frequently used, ae tonic and stomach, valuable for Aatulence or infant colic. They have been a popular remedy in the United tes for two centuries, and we find anise listed in Jelferson’s The Fam Doctor (1869) as being recommended fr the same conditions we use for today. ‘Those who have not yet used anise medic seeds in cakes, cookies, and eye bread, ly are familar with the 3Spring ices 26 2 Aavor and disinfectant, Here are 1g the seeds with other herbs for healthy and ‘eliious teas (standard brew): Comfrey thyme, lemon balm, and anise in equal pa Sage slad burnet cickweed, and anise in equal parts ‘Two pats each anise and charnorl ne past each hyssop and yarrow SWEET BASIL DWARF BASIL DARK OPAL ©. basilicum ‘Purpurascens LABIATAE stron, eb is, quite approps jwence ‘of Mars, the net outside the earth's arbi high ‘energy. A truly royal herb its name is derived from the Greek word for king, basleus In Inda, a species of basil (Tus, or B sanctum) is sacred to Krishna and Vishnu, Planted on graves, itis every good Hindu's vist to paradise In Ttaly, the fragrant basil is given to @ loved one as a pledge of fidelity, and in country districts young men wear a sprig of basil behind ‘an ear when they go courting. Te gll may respond by saying, “Bacco, ‘arssimo,” of "Kiss me, dearest.” Bacco is also the common name for basi ‘Ozimun bsilicun came int literature with Boccaci's famous tale from the Decameron, “Isabell, or the Pot of Basil.” Keats's poem of the same tundred years later. A letter dated April 27,1818, la, or the Pot of I" but that he let them in his foio Shakespeare when he want £0 Teignmouth, and asked that they be sent to him. Inthe poem, Isabel ‘whose lover had been murdered by her cruel brothers, found his rem and Borie them under a pot of basil "which her tears kept ever wet.Part ItSalute to Spring op, the indefatigable gardener, ‘ordered “one ounce Bassi seeds at three pence. Basil is a hardy annual, which can be sowed direct inthe garden as soon asthe soil is warm, Three varieties should find a place in every ¢garden, The sweet or bush basil, Ocimurn bliin, is the one most used 835 a condiment. Dwar basil makes compact lite plants for a border Just tobe sure they leaf out and become bushy, pinch ofthe tops ofthe young plants. Dark opal has beautifl red-violet leaves and bluish-purple Rowers and has the same fragrance asthe green basis, The other basils have white fowers. basis are toni, st tant. They are used by herb cure enter nervine, carminative, and disinfec- isto improve appetite, allay fatigue, and ing and refreshing drink ater CATNIP caTNir Nepeta cataria L. LABIATAE under the guidance of the planet Venus, known to us as the bright star of morning and evening sky. Comfort of Venus, and catnip embodies these. ‘and the aging, Two to emmenagogue, and mi i ids and fevers by induc ‘et much-needed sleep. ‘he infusion, taken internally, is good for both reducing the pain of smensteual er reducing swell sand curing headache. Asaf ig caused By sprains of insPart It Catnip isa hardy perennial, which grows to three fet tall in the garden; its many-branched, square stem has opposite gray-green leaves, shaped, and deeply serrated Lavender flowers on gracef northern New England. The fesh nip flavor unless they aze bruised or ores the growing plant the dried leaves. A wild variety ine, when you igue and improves dr catnipSalute to Spring possible, Heavy blankets weigh down on your body and have a depress. Jag effect I will anticipate the question, what about an electric blanket? An elecci blanket satisfies the requirements, being light and warm. If ‘your electricity rate s not as exorbitant as “The first dry, sunny day aftr the lavender flowers have opened, cut catnip stalks for drying. Both wild and Same properties, nd Both are suitable for preventive and curative uses, "A Healy winter tea for prevention and eajoyment is made by infus- sng standard brew: equal quantities of catnip, comfrey, and red clover with half the amount of sage. CHAMOMILE ROMAN CHAMOMILE Chamaemelum mobile (L.) Ait. (Anthemis nobilis L.) GERMAN CHAMOMILE — Matricaria recutita L. (M. chamomilla L.proparte, Chamomilla recutita (L.] Rauschert) ‘COMPOSITAE ‘This well-known lite plant is under the protection ofthe sun, and it thrives grtefully in a location where it gts direct sunshine. ‘growing, seldom mate than ten inches in height. The jo root sends up a many-branched, tender stem, The leaves are finely cut ute daisy-like lowers appear singly on erect stalks, the Aocets the centers yellow. German chamomile an annual; Roman a perennial ‘plants, placed around the garden in small groups, will insure the health of other plants. An ailing herb or vegetable can be sd to health by setting a chamomile plant next to i the Hower heads that are used medicinally. The active principles ace primarily in the volatile oil, ‘Chamomile is tonic, stomachic anodyne, and an made az a standaed brew, is soothing, sed asmodic. The tes, ‘completely harm 45side... The bathing takes away weariness, Loses pains, © } ‘what part of the body soever they be applied. tt comforts the sinews iat ate over-srained, mollis all swellings: It moderately comforts all parts that have need of warmth, digests and dissolves whatscever has feed therea, by a wonderfsl speedy property. It ease ‘pains and torments of the that, “Thie fs Nechessa, an heads and leaves putin a hot bath ‘body and isa relief for excessive (Geman Chamonle § Pheapye Weed Roman Chamomile Chama- Salute to Spr ing its nat "Ex combination ofthe flower heads and popp tive fomentation for external use in treating swellings and neuralgia. ‘This mixture has both antiseptic and painkling qualities. In New England there isa wild chamomile, known locally as “pine- apple weed,” botanical ria maticavioides, a common round cover with litle, round, yellow buttons, and rayless heads. Tt twas naturalized in New England from the West Coast, California, and the Rocky Mountains ‘German chamomile, Matricariarecutt, i sometimes called wild cha- taller than the Roman variety and the flower heads are wee-quarters of an inch across fs of chamomiles have the same medicinal properties and fo tet the same problems. CHERVIL CHERVIL Anthriscus cerefolium L.,Hoftm. UMBELLIFERAE ‘A low-growing annual, ten to twelve Inches high, chervilis hardy in ‘New England winters if it is planted inthe fall and not allowed to go saves and wbbed stems give it the appearance of an is often called, imprecisely but understandably, full favor, Since cooking destroys both its aroma and its color, cher fs always added last t0 cooked foods. “Try adding « handful of finely chopped fresh chervi to potato soup made as follows: Cook until tender afew chopped potatoes and fe water (enough to cover the potatoes). Put sdd two cups of medium cream and salt and pepper taste. ‘almost Bolling remove from the fre, and add the chopped ”Salute to Spring COLTSFOOT coLTsFoot Tussilago farfara L. COMPOSITAE “This hardy perennial is found in Europe, the United States, and the East Indies. It grows wild in wet areas, along stream banks or pastures, fon embankments, and in slmost any loamy and limestone sol pelle” and the com- ‘ages have put leaves forthe cure for “sweetening the a8 they are in bloom, Dioscorides, Galen, Pliny, and many authorities their stamp of approval onthe smoking of coltsto ‘of a cough, Colton Mather also recommended blood." Tn England a tobacco is made which allows those with respiratory problems to enjoy smoking without harm. It contains coltsfot, buck ‘bean, eyebright, beton, rosemary, thyme, lavender, and chamomile low= fers, This will afford relief of asthma and any dificult breathing due to bronchitis, atarth, or other respiratory cause ‘An effective cough syrup can be made wsing honey’ asthe base and adding strong decoctons of colsfoot, horehound, ground ivy (prune comfrey, and pennyroyal. Other combinations can be made t0 fi ment of the specific type of cough and the physical condition of the person to be treated. You will notice by reading the characteristics of coltsfoot that it is ‘both emollient and expectorant. It will soothe the Ussues ofthe throat as well as cause phlegm to be expelled. Ifa patient is inclined to have Indigestion, the addition of peppermint may be indi of Chapter I again before you prescribe or make Decactions or infusions of coltsfoot may be applied externally tothe 9sd cookie sheet, score into cough érop sizes. i powder so the drops will not be sticky. 50Salute to Spring COMFREY cOMFREY Symphytum officinale L BORAGINACEAE ‘Comfrey isa hardy perennial under the protection of the planet Sat- ‘um. The botanical name, Symplytum, is derived from the Greek word meaning “to grow together” and refers tothe mucilaginous root which that—causes torn flesh and bones to unite Culpepper says of comfrey, "The root boiled in water and wine, and the decoction drank, heals inward hurts, bruises, wounds and ulcers of the lungs, end causes the phlegm that oppresses them to be easly si forth, .. The roots being outwardly applied cue fresh wounds or loger-physican, but in the case of comfrey we can applied fresh to cuts will also heal them, take out the bleeding, and prevent bruising. ‘Comérey has been used for mare different curative purposes than other plant, and more important ims made for it have 'a one-herb pharmac high in mcilage, containing even more ‘marsh malls I also contains allantoin and a small amount of starch and tannin, The allantoin content in aqueous solution has @ powerful action in strengthening epithelial formations, or protecting any injured. tissues, externa or internal. It build healthy cells which heal external ‘wouinds and ulcers ofthe stomach or duodenum, This wonder plant contains potassium, calcium, phosphorus, ion, ‘magnesium and cobalt. It i rich in Vitamin B (nicotinic and panto- siamin), and B,, (cobalamin). asthma, Specific ailments that comrey has benefited are: art 3Salute to Spring handsome blue to purplish blossoms and grows in 4 lush, ove shaped round. The original plants of prickly comfrey, § asprum, were intror leday about 1870, They were sent t0 hor Scotch successors to Joseph Bush, head the Great, who laid out and planted the gardens lace, the present Park of Rest and Culture in ry, growers in to distinguish it sgardener to Catheri of St, Petersburg bridge Botanic Gardens have shown that this "Russian com‘rey” was al hybrid between S asperum and 5 ofc, the ‘an F hybrid lke many of the In many ofthe new hybids stamens and around the base fails to open, preventing the entry of bees. Therefore, sot di the three types of clone propagation) is the only way 8 plentiful supply of identical plants The plan grows two to theee fet high, The lower leaves are large, ten tosixteen inches long, ovate lanceolate, pointed and slighty wavy, with veins and veinlets clearly defined. The upper leaves ae sm stom branched terminating n one-sided clusters of drooping, bee-shaped Flowers that grow on only one side ofthe stem, The racemes are pared and halémoon curved. Bids nearest the main stallofthe plant open fst In New England, comfrey blooms in July. The handsome, blue blos- somed flower stalks make a decorative background of comer plant in the garden so a few should be allowed to flower. But for use as food, animal fodder or herbal medicine, the stalks should be cut back before they flower and the lage basal leaves harvested two or three times a food or drying, are ler for tomatoes be- foes nitvogen and far less phosphorus CComirey isan excellent home treatment for fl and bronchitis. Make 3Port It «standard brew concentrate of two parts comfrey, one part yarrow, one part boneset, and a few juniper berries. or diarrhea or dysentery, simmer one ounce of dried comfrey root fn one pint of milk. Take a wineglassful three times a day. For a cough make this mixture: soak two ounces of comfrey root in lone quart of water, overnight. Bring to a boil and simmer thirty min- ‘utes Strain, add six ounces of honey and two ounces glycerin and sim- rer again for five minutes. Cook, store In a glass jar and take one tablespoonsful three or four times a dy, ‘To alleviate skin problems, bed sores, athletes’ foot, 2 useful salve can be made, The ditections and ingredients are given in Chapter VI ‘Autumn. In the late 1970s, comfrey got a bad press. Experimental data from ‘Australia were sai to indicate that laboratory rats which had been fed comfrey showed liver damage due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids. A careful evaluation ofthis material was done by John Pembery, research chem: fst and published by Laverence D. Hills a a special report to the Henry Doubleday Research Association of England. The rats whose ives were affected had been fed several times theis body weight of comitey leaves ‘overlong time woul take 140 years of drinking four cups of comfrey tea a day for a person to run the risk of 1 happen to any human being seems minimal ler tho get hives from eating stawbertes). DANDELION DANDELION Taraxacum officinale L. COMPOSITAE ‘Whether the dande! debated by authorities. Certainly it is found and eaten in most part of the work. Atleast two reports from the early nineteenth century attest‘opens the system in general” In the "Report on Medical Botany,"= Dr Clapp tells us that in 1852 dandelion was used “in chronic (scases of the iver.” This se has proved wel justified, asthe plant has been found to contain taraxacin, a hepatic stimulant; inulin; sugar, ‘choline, one of the Vitamin B complex; photosterols, which ie body from accumulating cholesterol and potash, whieh is three other ingredients. The tablets havea re percent of the patients recover twithout an operation. Five percent come to avoid an operation because the appendix is ave a recurrence but are cured by 2 I parts of the dandelion are used today, the oot for he leaves and crowns for salads and cocked greens, the flowers for making wine, and the juice to cure warts and blisters. ‘The Latin name for dandelion was dens lenis and the French name serrated ea! to a lion's tooth. The leaf of the plant varies. In some its deeply cut in others wavy rather than toothed, The taproot is thick, the taterios brown, the inside milky white. A hollow, smooth, redtinged ‘em grows up straight from the middle of a rosette of leaves tothe ground, and bears yellow, strap-shaped florets. When these ace broken off the stem exudes 2 milky juice. Dandelion watchers report 10 less than eighty-five ditterent insects banquet on its pollen nearly spring when our bodies seem to cry out for fresh greens, the tender, young dandelion eaves make a welcome silad John Burroughs, in Year in the Field, wrote, "T plucked my fist dandelion on a meadow slope on the twenty-third (of May)" See Chepter VI, Salute to Spring, for directions for preparing dandelion leaves and crowns. Both the dried leaves and the dried and powdered root are used as, “gh Se tin, Fy Pies Rt, No a Ml an DaSalute 10 Spring tea, Prepare the leaves as an infssion and the root as a decoction. The tea isa specific for hepatitis and any malfunction ofthe ‘Ona dry day in summer when the sun's rays tur a field of dandelions into shining gold dies, take a bushel basket with you and walk through the field. Snip off perfect blossomsas you go, enjoying the sun until your ‘basket is full. The ones you cut will not be missed inthe sea of color. ‘Colonial households enjoyed a wine made rom dandelion flowers. In Chapter VIL, Summer: Gourmet Gardening, {give a recipe fr this wine, Dandelions fresh leaves or dried root, are valuable additions to @ for diabetics. Add lettuce to the raw greens, steep juniper berries ‘he powdered root; Both are good, a8 in dandelion, for reducing. the sugar count ‘When the fist issue of the National Formulary came out in 1888, listed a “compound elixir of Taraxacum” in twelve diferent formul 111965. The dried root was ver and Iymph glands. One last hurrah for the dan treatment for monondleosis FIREWEED FIREWEED. Epilobium angustifolium L. Cwnttoween") ONAGRACEAE weed grow quick and 3 pk Blossoms 8 cover bulldozed or burnt-over ground, of nature's rural renewal program. No soils too thin, poor or for fireweed in front of my house there isa steep bank wheres ‘more than an inch deep above granite ledge with outcroppings of rock. ere fireweed has taken over to give pink summer protection from dust fn the road below it, and in autumn wavy, gray-bearded seed plumes remain attactive until heavy snows weigh them dovn Demuleent, astringent, tonic, and antispasmodic seed has its ate to Spring GINGER WILD GINGER Asarum canadense L. ‘ARISTOLOCHIACEAE vere known 0 sto reduce fever in typhoid For treatment ofa face ice of wild ginger and phoretic The dried root was off From 1620-73, and it was listed in the ‘According to Dr. Edward P, Claus, two antibiot ftolated from wild ginger, one of which is an act forming bacteria. ‘Asa dlaphorti, wild ginger is recommended in cases of inflamma tion or obstruction ofthe lings, spleen, bowels kidneys, bladder, or uterus to equalize circulation. It ean be used in a vapor bath or as an infusion ‘One-half ounce ofthe powdered root in one pint ofboiing water steeped fifteen minutes, should be taken, hot, induce perspiration. The leaves have been classified as a powerful emetic. Ihave net tried this, but would rot hesitate to do so if such an emetic were indicated, asthe leaves are ‘eaily available, fesh in summer, dried in winter. “The large, heart-shaped leaves ofthe wild ginger grow on short stems and hide the small, trumpetshaped, red-umber colored flower which Fests on the ground beneath them, The plant is found in rich, damp si and spreads rapidly ina situation congenial to it. have transplanted it from the woods to shady, protected slope where it has begun t0 in crease despite com; nearby day iis use the dried, scraped root in cooking a8 a subst ainger, Zingiberofcnae, whic, in our climate, can be {indoor pot plant (One tablespoonful of grated, wild ginger root, a clove of gel through a press, and oneshall cup of Tamari (soy sauce) used as @ te forthe real edonly asan 59Part I JEWEL WEED JEWEL WEED Impatiens capensis Meerb. CUALSAM WEED,” “WILD BALSAM,” “sporreD TOUCH-ME-NoT") BALSAMINACEAE ts with weak, pale green stems and thintex:Part It feet high. Their slipper-shaped orange flowers sprinkled with tic separation and uncoiling of valves, thatthe plant get Impatiens. Glefinch seem +9 know, instinctively, when rin of seeds her, ‘The fresh juice ofthe plant is a specific for poison ivy. The bruised leaves and stems may be applied directly tothe sores caused by poison, ivy of made into a poultice with slippery elm and cider vinegar. 'F space in your garden permits, itis nice to allow a small bed of jewel weed to become established, an easy thing to do as the goldfinch sways drop a few seeds. The plant has three things to recomend it the beauty ofits flowers, the ready availabilty ofa remedy for poison ivy, and the assurance of an annual visit of flocks of goldfinch. Jewel weed is native to North America, where it grows from coast to coast and north from Mexico to Canada, It s also found along some of terways of England. John Burroughs wrote in 1875, “Our pi cur and, in my garden, ace always on hand to cal LOVAGE LOVAGE Levisticum officinale Koch UMBELLIFERAE angelica, and parsey,lovage is «a hardy perennial under the planetary infkience ofthe Sun, whose rays refers tothe place of origin. The Romans, who knew a good thing when they stw it, Brought lovage from the Ligurian coast of Italy to Britain, ‘The plant grows from three to six fet fall, The green stems are hol- low, and the leaves compound, much divided. The whole plant may aPart ID Iooks, smells, and tases more like celery than celery. [nthe garden isa good background plant and is at its best Betore the flower stalk shoots up tall above the bright foliage ‘The umbels of yellow flowers ae attractive but soon fur ino brown, al, curved seeds with winged ribs, As both leaves and seeds are they should be gathered while i their prime, leaves fis, the 1 they begin ripen ‘Lovage came to America with the early English colonists. It may be Plantation Gardens, where a careful best be described by saying that of Spitalfields, sai y {eyes if dropped into them; it removes spots and freckles from the face.” In the Scandinavian countries, ovage is used today as a complexion aid. Washing the face with lovage water is cleansing and refreshing. fand gives tone to the skin, Combined with rue, itis efficient in the treatment of acne, used asa tea taken Internally, ewice a day, and as local application. ial made with lovage tansy and yarrow. A tea, made from the same ingredients in the proportion of two parts lovage and yarrow and one part tansy, is excellent as 2 general tonic Lovage leaves, dried and crumbled, are a tasty addition to a winter soup or stew, giving a celery flavor when celery is expensive i the food stores, Fresh green leaves are delicious ina salad, and the hollow stems, tnd cut in two-inch pieces, can be filed with cream cheese fr hors savres of as an addition to a sandwich plate. The cheese can be siven a variety of flavors by the adelton of curry powder, sesame, anise, chives, and/or soy sauce Lovage does well when started from seeds, but the mother herb is enciccled each spring with eager, healthy, young plants, which can be transplanted to rch sol in a spot that gets at least half a day of sun. Young leaves should be ready to ut by the end of June or the first ‘week in July. Chopped leaves and stalks give flavor and texture to both potato and chicken salad. Cooked in a wok, lovage blends well wi ther vegetables in Chinese dishes 6Salute to Spring Lovage can be enjoyed even atthe end ofthe gardening season. When. the leaves, yellow-green inthe summer, turn mustard yellow to copper brown (the tones ofa Harunobi print), they area very special part of the Autumn scene, a subject to photograph before cuting back just a few inches above the ground. to heap the cut branches around the base satisfying feeingitisto emovial way. _MARJORAM SWEET MARJORAM Ori ‘OREGANO Ori (wit Manjonase”) Wile marjoram and emmenagogiPart 1 i ‘Sweet MarjoramSalute to Spring {s given inthe early stages of measles to promote perspiration and bring ‘ut the rash A fer drops of ol fom the leaves can be put in the hollow {Sf an aching tooth to relieve pain. ld marjoram, of what we call today oregano, is a hardy garden perennial, which grows to a bushy shrub sometimes eighteen to twenty our inches high. The lowers have a two-lpped, light purple corolla, a five-toothed ealyx and grow in corymbs, which usually bloom in July and August in New England. ‘Sweet marjoram isa dainty, low, shrubby plant with woody stems and delicate, oval, opposite leaves and white flowers. In Portugal, its native land, sweet marjoram is a perennial; but in cold climates #t must be treated as an ted every spring from seed, indoors, or ry herb used in soups and stews, meat, egg, and fr, and homemade mayonnaise ‘The Spanish colon any dishes #5 they did sage, and asthe French colonists of the south~ fr states used bay, thyme, and cayenne. If potted before cold weath winter on a sunny window avoring. Both species may be dried, quick frozen, or salted on a tray in an oven at a temperature of 150 degrees. MILKWEED MILKWEED Asclepias syriaca L. ‘ASCLEPIADACEAE Milkweed, an herbaceous plant that exudes milly juice, grows tee fet high and, inspite ofits misleading descriptive name “sy in a native of the United States and Canada. The deep rose-colored flower heads are handsome and sweet smelling Milkweed is diuretic, emetic, and purgative. It is helpful in asthma and systemie ealarTh to produce expectoration and relieve pain and Coughing. Not surprisingly, mlkiweed was used by the American Indi- fins One tibe cured warts withthe milky juice. Another used infusions oate to Spring ofthe root t produce temporary sterlity. This was obviously success Ge students of Indian culture have reported that the average Inc ly was two, never more than theee children “Constituents of milkweed are asclepione (a crystaline substance), fatty matter, eaoutchouc, gum, sugat, and some salts Pleurisy eoot(Asclepias tubers) also called “butterfly weed,” is an other ofthe approximately eighty Aclpss. A handsome plant that grows fo one and one-half feet high, it different from other plants of the ispecies in that itis devoid ofthe charac ky juice. Deep yellow {fe orange flowers are born on large corymbs in September. ‘The root of butterfly weed contains a glucoside (asclepiadin, resins, fatty matter, and a trace of volatile o paso phorelic,expectorant, tonic, carminative, and ml Pipmended in darthea, dysentery, acute and chronic eheumatism, and Gtaerma, Large doses should be avoided because they are emetic and ‘Purgaive. Small frequent doses ofan infusion of he root wil increase perspiration and ease expectoration. Ikyeeeds (Asclepias) were named for Aesculapius, whois said learned his knowledge of healing from an apprenticeship to {the centaur whose herbal and medical skills came direct from by the eighth century 8.C. Aesculapius had been pede a god, and his methods of healing spread from his Temple at Epidauras tothe far borders of Ai t. The healing, feagrant, help fal mileweeds are a iting tibute to his memory. MINT SPEARMINT Mentha spicata L, PEPPERMINT Mx piperita L. PENNYROYAL M, pulegium L. LABIATAE ‘Spearmint, peppermint, and pennyzoyal are the most important spe ces of mints. They are all under the protection of the Moon, which nally slso controlled human breasts and stomach. Certainly the 6Salute to Spring nPart It Because of its ancient and modern cultivation, all over the world mint is found as a garden escapee, growing wi ide and cure. During the Renais used today as an ingee- soap, and in skin lotions. and Ld havea place in kitchens and as additions to vegetables and salads, soups, and cool fruit drinks ‘A wild variety grows in Mexico, where i is called “herba boracho' (herb of drunks), and bunches of it are handed to guests at weddings to prevent intoxication and to aid digestion Tn the United States, spearmint is best known a mint jelly, as the green sprig in a mint julep, and as the flavor in spearmint chewing gum, Te has lanceolate, wrinkled, bright green leaves, which contain oi Of spearmint, whose principal ingredient is carvone. It also contains phellandrene, limonene, and dinydro-arveo! acetate. Other ingredients Bare esters of acetic, butyric, and caproic acids Peppermint, a red-stalked, dark green, pointed-leafed mi oil of peppermint, the chief constituent of whichis menth contains menthyl acetate and isovalerate we pinene, and limonene. The: Gaping and i sed in the teat. 25 to disguise the taste of less iulant, and emmenagogic, used by herbalists for hysteria s,as its botanic name attests, excellent for geting rd of fleas. Trub ry dg with the crushed leaves and puta strong decoction inthe water when I mop the lors. All the mints are easy to cultivate, all do well in rich loamy sil, and n1 to Spring they lke plenty of wate. They spread quickly from creeping roo Ghd conning them to their allotted space is a greater proble ing them stared, They are an addition to any garden for beat fe and for fragrance, which pervades the air, and for at pink, and lavender blossoms, Thee fresh taste i both healthy sppetizing, peppermint, and peanyroyal, there ae four more stand vatiety tothe garden. Orange and lemon fragrance which makes them delicous tea herbs. The in and the low-growing,tny-Jeaved Corsican mint “and useful to putin a cool drink orto freeze in ice cubes “Re iterature ofthe 15th century in the United States shows us that mint was a valued herb. In “The Country ofthe Pointed Firs,” Sarah Gene Jewett describes the garden of Mrs, Todd, a practicing herbalist onthe sea breezes blew into the low end window ar the Rowse laden with . .. balm, and sage and borage and mint, Wwormivood and southernvwood.” or (1895) recommends pep- son, Fieays, "may be used rely.” Spearmint it zecommends for its dieu vad febrfage virtues.” Pennyrayal should be “used freely inthe form ata worm infusion, promotes perspiration and excites the menstrual iseharge, A large draught of the infusion should be taken at bed-time:” STINGING NETTLE Urtica dioica L. SMALL NETTLE U, wrens L, URTICACEAE wery equate mile ofthe United States, are not brought over from England by thet indefatigable gardener, John Jossely", testifying to their importance in the mother country. “The stinging neti is perennial witha stem about three fet fong, The downy, opposite leaves ave tapering, deeply and evenly serrated, threePort It ranged on bra some banginto Spring 3 herb, seth many uses. Medicinally itis diuretic, bicarbonate of ammonia, therefore, aze edible ‘The green herh boiled in on, will curdle milk and is used in home-made cheeses, ied leaves of nettle is home treatment for asthma an Pr ‘A tea made from three or four leaves in an infusion of one and one half cups of boiling water isa spring tonic and blood pucife. fs antiscorbutie, The same infusion may be applied loc ‘water, an astringent gargle “The leaves can be used to treat rheumatism, sciatica, and infertility “They are recommended as an addition to the dit of diabetics. Used raw and applied directly tthe rheumatic pain a tion and draw out pain. The painful area should be oi sflower oll before applying nettle leaves. ‘When the Romans brought nettles to England, they did so because they had heard that the ch ‘They whacked thelr bodies with Branches of nett ion fs back to the Roman occupation of England recom ‘be rubbed on the body to Keep out the cold ‘Young, fesh leaves, gathered shen they ae not mare than sbx inches long, may be used asa pot herb, Pu them in colander, wash thoroughly tunder sunning water, drain, and cook covered, without adding any more ‘water than clings tothe leaves, Chop, add butter and pepper to taste. le sa good addition toa vegetable casserole. To a cup and one- 5 sealded chopped nates, broe- nd pepper om top. ‘Nettle fibers have been used, like flax, for textiles in many parts of the world, During World War I, Germany collected over two million Iulograms which were used to make army uniforms. Tike many herbs which have been prescibed successfully for hun- dreds of years, nettles appear in many old rhymes. they would eat ntl ‘nd drink maguor So many fine maidens Would not go 1 the clay MarchPort 1 Another old adage used tobe recited while ridding oneself ofa nettle sting, ad one approached the plant incautiously grows everywhere; following this maxim should not be difficult ‘When cut and allowed to dry, nettles may be mixed with hay and fed increase the yield of milk. ried, powdered, end fed ease laying, sand a bunch hung on the outside of the kitchen keep them away, ‘The seeds mined with food will increase the glossiness ofboth dogs’ or "wergulu” inthe old Wessex dialect of the tenth cen- tury, was one of the nine sacred herbs, along with mugwort, plantain, ervil, and fennel ‘an annual, six to eighteen inches i bristly branches and thin aval leaves, deeply serrate thet long petioles, Flower clusters are about the same len ls, or shorter, the flowers androgynous (having both same way suggested for Utica PARSLEY PARSLEY Petrosel Nym. ex. A.W. HILL UMBELLIFERAE Parsley, ruled by Mars, belongs toa valuable family of hetbs which dudes anise, di ‘ovlander, and caraway, all of which are mati, cart also being salactagogue Parsley wes revered by the Greeks and Romans and is used today in every country of the world %6Part Id Two varieties of parsley should be represented in our gardens, the ross-curled because ofits beauty, and the Italian or celery-leaved be- ‘cause its hardier in very cold winters. Both varieties have the same Constituents: up tothe percent of vola Tey camphor) and a terpene resin, fixed Leaves, seeds, and root have medicin diseases of the Bladder and Kidneys (g bruised leaves, applied et mney, and red devil and back" before it appears above the ground [i bbe sown on Good Friday, under a vsing moon” Sow fou much as you need to “give the devil his due.” T plant the seeds by sprinkling them on top of well-worked, sifted sol, covered only by wet newspaper held down by stones atthe cor ners. I water the paper daly, oF twice a day if it dries out, and do not remove it until the leaves break through the soil beneath i ‘An old superstition wams that itis unlucky to transplant parsey, Because ofthe exceptionally long taproot, it probably is unlucky unless you have a truly emerald thumb, I usually dig up a very small plant from my second or third planting, put i in a pat that looks far too big, and am always surprised at hove quickly it branches out and fills plants potted for winter kitchen use, will adapt to the th a weak solution of sea- thought of i were thrown into ish ponds it would “heal the slok fishes therin Eat parsley raw in salads, make tea ofthe seeds, put finely chopped leaves on baked potatoes, in soups and egg dishes, in homemade ‘mayonnaise, sour ream, and yogurt to use asa topping for veg Mix it with cottage cheese as aside dish and make a parsley Butter forSalute to Spring copensfaced summer sandwiches, Parsley may be substituted for basil in recipes for pesto sauce, Parsley Butter ‘To one cup of sweet room temperature, add finely chopped fresh parsley leaves until st flecked. Cover with foil and keepin the refrigerator until needed, This makes a rice loping for broiled fish or green beans, Plants of the moss-cusled variety make a handsome border in the herb garden or kitchen plot, In Athens, inthe old section of the city Called "The Plaka” parsley and basil are seen in every tiny garden, on window sills and in doorways, SAGE SAGE Salvia officinalis L. PINEAPPLE SAGE 5. elegans Vabl. CLARY SAGE S. sclarea L. LABIATAE Sage is governed by Jupiter, the benevolent planet that sponsors nutrition and genial living. A native ofthe Mediterranean, It gros wild from the southern coast of Spain to Mar ranean end Adriatic coasts of Italy. It establishes itself happily in thin foils of limestone foundation and grows profusely in Croatia and Dalmatia, We often se little arson the condiment shelves of food stores labeled “Dalmatian Rubbed Sage.” Ts official name, Salis, is from the Latin verb, “salvare,” to save, root that this herb has been valued since Roman times and before. The ‘ld saying, Cur moriatur home cul Saia crest in horto? or *Why shoul fa man die when he has sage in his garden?” is certainly an expression of confidence in the medicinal and preventive powers of s95ere nent to sage. It is believedSalute 40 Spring Flower Pineapple Sage time thought so highly of sage te pounds of their own te one pound of it was worth three seed every spring, soil has warmed from growing, and thelr opposite, oblong le Bly texture. The flowers are red-violet (on my plants), butt fgreally depending on the amount of sun Sand lime content of the soll, There are over five hundred varieties of Sage. They grow throughout the tropical and temperate zones and many Ihave medicinal and culinary value ‘selered, cary sage, belongs in every garden for its beauty 28 the fact that it makes a pleasant liquor. (See instructions for aLPort It home-made liquers under Lemon Balm, Chapter VIL) It grows much taller than garden sage and the flower stalks grace any bouquet. apple sage 5. elegans, snot hardy in Vermont but can be brought indoors for the wi ith deep pink blossoms, It has the fragrance ofa true vie pineapple, It makes a delicous te, ad the fresh leaves area healthy and appetizing addition to frit punches ard wrote, “Sage is singularly good for {uickeneth the senses and memory, strengtheneth the snes, Recipe for Eggs Buerre Noir Fry eggs gently in a buttered, covered skillet. Remove when done to ‘a warm platter and place in a warm (200 degree) oven, Put ‘butter foreach egg in the skillet and cook unt the desired color, dd 1/4 teaspoon of cider vinegar for each egg, Mix and spoon over eggs: sprinkle with finely minced fresh or dry s9ge, Sage and sea salt rubbed together ate a good homemade dentifrice removes tartar and whitens the teeth. A mouthovash of sage, rosemary, peppermint, and comfrey made by infusion (double strength standard brews) with the addition ofa tablespoon of natural cider vin egar and honey will keep the gums healthy and the breath sweet, Fenugreek can be substituted for honey, as itis also disinfectant and sweet es often used commercially a8 @ maple syrup flavor. Soge has always been an ingredient in traditional sting for turkey and in sausage Itadds not only taste but als ‘lscomfort from overeating oF indigestion. 1f you plant sage in your garden, remember that after you have har- ‘vested al the perfect leaves for drying you can scat along the rows to bet by owners of fruit orchards and tomato farms in Mexico,Part tt pleasant that, while it isnot one ofthe most important additions to our table and pharmacopeia, its, nevertheless, a minor blessing ‘The small, acutely serrated, brightgreen leaflets grow on spreading wiry stems in pais of five to ten, They have a mild cucumber lavor, and like cucumber, are cooling to the system. The flower heads never Dear open Foret, but resemble a pointed strawberry or adi scarlet pine cone. The tufted stigmas are somewhat drooping. Burnet grew in all the old European herb gardens and was an early Immigrant to Amer rb, i derived from "sanguis,” blood, which ta stanch blood flow from wounds. The healing, tonic, stypic, and cooling ‘The young leaves, cut up amin content. They are a nice addition to cottage cheese ‘An infusion of leaves and flower heads (standard brew) is tonic and SAVORY SUMMER SAVORY Satureja hortensis L, WINTER SAVORY S. montana LABIATAE Culpepper says that savory is under the dominion of Mercury, the action. twas used by Greeks and Romans, often combined sith thyme, to flavor game, soups, and stsfings, mu by the Saxons and was English colonists brought it to this country John Winthrop, J, ordered a half ounce of summer savory seed at two-pence and one ounce of Winter savory at sixpence. We find reference to the savoris in that most practical of garden books, Leonard Meager’s 1682 Ar of Gardening which fame to America from England. A muchsssed copy was in the library fof Governor Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Savory is carminative, expectorant, astringent, and stomachlc. The 8Part I carminatve effect ofthe savories make them the ideel condiment for ing with beans and peas. A few ofthe leaves cooked with cabbage, lower, and turnips will absorb the strong odor usually associated ith these vegetables. ‘A tea (standard brew) isa safe home remedy for ines and its astringent qualities recommend savory as 2 cu ‘The infusion may also be used as a gargle for sore thro ‘Summer savory isan annual which often self-sows in the garden. It is hardy, and the seeds seem to grow into strong plants after freezing in the ground, The seeds may be sown as soon as the ground can be worked. The erect, slender stems atain a eight of from fifteen inches in my garden. The blunt, oblong, nearly linear leaves taper to short petioles on the main stem. Labiate, pale pinksh-lavender flowers form in the axils of the leaves in mi-summer, Usually two cuttings of the leafy tips can be made before the blossoms appear. When blossoms do, the plant should be pulled up to dry for winter use ‘Winter savory, Saturja mantan, is & hardy, low, much-branched, shrubby perennial, which can be used as a decorative plant on a rocky ledge or in a raised bed, The leaves area sleek, dark green, the flowers paler than the summer savory—nearly white. has all the culinary and {nedicinal value of ts sister annual and once started ean be increased by root division o layering Virgil recommended planting savory to attract honey bees. Visiting ‘bees seem interested in my plants, and {have discovered that the leaves will fake the sting out of their inadvertent bites, if rubbed on them i SWEET CICELY SWEET CICELY ‘Myris odorata (L.} Scop. UMBELLIFERAE “The long black seeds of sweet cicely are used in confections, the feathery leaves in soups and salads. Like anise, which it resembles in fragrance and taste, it is carminative and stomachic 86VERVAIN BLUE OR FALSE VERVAIN Verbena hastata L. ("wit ayssor”) VERBENACEAE ‘Vervain grows three to five feet high. The opposite leaves are lanceo. nous #9 North Americs and is found growing ‘eaboard to the Pacific coast. Blue vervain is antiperiodc, diaphoretic, diuretic, tonic, vermifuge, and vulnerary.Ithas been used for more than thirty diseases, and among other valuable qualities its a natural tranquilizer A warm infasion of either root, leaves, or lowers, taken every few hours is helpful for colds and fevers, headache. A poultice ofthe bruised fresh leaves gives reli i ‘neuralgia and cheumatism Vervain was used by the American Indians to treat stomach ache, and one tribe, the Menominees, used it to cleas up cloudy urine? The early colonists soon assim because records show that nary War. They described Cotton Mather, in The An nt Quant an equal Qi and boil them together into the Consistency of a syrup, Of this take now land then a spoonful” a certain herb may have specified res necessary to bea precision chemist o put together safe and useful herbal remedies for home use. This isthe positive sie, It mast be added ‘instant cates shold not be expected except in specially stated "Meg Nog Aner ne Men Noa: Ura f Obbame Pre, 8 88Part If cases. Herbs that are listed as “altrative” gradually restore the healthy balance of the body and must be taken over a long p The European the lustral water (used in sites of purification) by the druids, and sorcerers had great fat ‘worn around the neck as a charm for protection ageinst headaches and feof sexpents. But as the conscientious Gerard tel ed wives fables are writen of vervaine tending to witehcrafe and sorcery, which you may vead elsewhere, 3g to trouble your eares with report honest eares abhorre to hear.” 'A former use token of good faith in the concluding of treaties—no man of honest entons would enter a parley without For medicinal use the stalks of vervain should be begin to adorn the curving panicles. [have transplanted vervain to my garden where it grows well and selseeds freely. As John Burroughs Said, "Vervain is a beautiful weed. “Herbs are natural insect deterrents but only vervain seems to attract grasshoppers. take advantage ofthis fact and keep a generous planting fof them well back from the edge of the garden. In dry summers when irasshoppers become a menace tothe appearance of flowers and vine fs outpost acts as a decoy and Keeps the marauders chewing happily until a rain terminates thir vistVII Summer: Gourmet Gardening (One morning the sun, high above the river, sucks up ‘mist and draws them into the cumulus clouds that hang mot 4 bland cobalt sky. Briliant sunshine streaks in through a south win- low and inpa lights a hand-blown goblet and minute par ing. 1g my coma (mother of my Spanish som-in- 93Part I sprinkle for but them in the sun just long enowg bowl of summer slad, Use ys ‘combinations for this and try one of my favorites: Shredded comirey, violet, and nasurtium leaves Several sprigs of purslane ‘A few sections of fesh orange or grapefrult, (One or two Jerusalem artichokes lied very thin ‘Make a dressing of olive ol, fesh lemon julce, sea salt mixed with finely chopped dill weed, basil, and tarragon, two garlic cloves put ‘through a press, and a litle freshly ground black pepper. Bon eppett, and remember that the conquering Roman legions ate coriander seeds and gavic on bread as thelr daly rations when away from home. Deep red stems of English peppermint begin to distinguish it from the otter square-stemmmed mints: orange, emon, and spearmint these fragrant varieties can be used sauces, asa piquant Corsican mint. It inte, round, green leaves huddled together so closely that they seem stemles. Stoop own and rub yous finger across it and be surprised that anything so tiny could have such 9 strong ft hardy even in the coldest Winter. AS soon as the snow m eaves begin to spread over the ground. ‘Mints can be used in cooking the most prose vegetables, turning them into festive di Minted Carrots Steam young carrots (two handfuls) for seven minutes. In a skillet melt two tablespoons butter, one tablespoon maple syrup, one table- spoon rum, one tablespean finely chopped mint (orange ot pepper 94Summer: Gourmet Gar mint), Add the carsois, which should be just barely tender. Warm all Together for theee minutes. Serve with a sprig of mint ontop. Carob Mint Pudding ng constanly, four tablespoons carob in two cups milk ‘add unvee quarters cup honey. When dissolved, remove from fire and Ah three lightly beaten egg yolks. Rebeat, stirring constantly, until in Remove from fie, cool, add one tablespoon fand three stifly beaten egg whites. Chill ‘which one teaspoon enéme de menthe has Serve been added Crome de Menthe of vodka (Le, 4/5 quatt) add one cup crushed spear. mint or peppermint, one and one-half cups honey, and s few drops of freon vegetable coloring, Put in a tightly closed glass jor, shake wel ‘nce @ week and allow to stand for one man “The same base recipe can be used to make (melisa), anise, sweet cicely, sage and Lovage weurs fom lemon 'A few minutes spent out of doors, walking in Tush summer gar den_-gathering textured letuce leaves, fragrant basil and dill, savory nd green beans, beets, carrots, and broccol, cut when they are exactly the ight size (and omly what we feel lke eating this particular day)— {amore satisfying experience than getting in acar and driving through Carbon-monoxide-scented aie to buy vegetables and herbs that may be many miles and days away from their source. Our selection is based on (oat is available as well as what we want shape itis not possible for us al ¥o geow our own food this yea, ‘ut there willbe other years. And we can all make changes in our ives iM we begin to connect the food we eat with our state of health and well being ‘Summer isthe time of year when we see the maturity of plants all round us, when gradual development has reached logical fration, when the clue to the present is traceable in the past 95Part It Lest we be accused of nostalgia, let us face the fact that much “mod: cern” knowledge is simply re rus, they also used thyme being used in Spanish hospital ic, was so highly valued by the asthe going rate for an able-bodied Egyptians that fifteen pounds save, Dicscorides swrote of the Salix alba (white Aspirin (ace! salicy fon every drug low) as an anodyne, stand why gree ing Light ferulean blue shades into violet and indigo asthe evening sky above the garden darkens at sunset. These ae the colors associated with spsitual- ity. Mid-summer, for many people, is vacation time, but even those who choose winter asthe season away irom work patterns usually select a Tocale where they can contemplate blue skies and green vistas, June twenty-is, the summer solstice o St. John's Eve, is the long- fest day in the year. At noantime the Sun, exactly ninety degrees be tween the veenal and autumnal equinox, seems ta stand sill Before it ts path down the heavenly arc. As herb gardeners, we have 2 the public bonfires which glowed in small villages all over sinteenthcentury Europe to celebrate St John’s Eve. Garlands of mugowort were worn by young flames through sprays of lakspur which they throughout the year. As they 26 1 of herbs into the dying flames, (0 purify our systems inthe spring, In summer we use tas one of our important insecticides, Fresh ot died leaves can be chopped and placed in a circle around, ‘young cabbage plants when first set out in the garden. The discourages insets. Fresh leaves, finely chopped and mixed and of sharp pebbles, should be kept around the plants liscourage sige whose bells are vulnerable to abrasive surfaces, This wil protect strawberry beds from slugs nd young gren beans fom cuwormsSummer: Gourmet Gardening [An herbal spray that protects against insect marauders is made by chopping equal pats of wormiood, tansy, rue, hyssop, and pennyroyal 3 clove of chopped gatlic. Add to a quart of water, It it come to ity minutes, Sea, add another quart of water ren, animals, and birds, land spray on the Dut insects find its strong scent unpleasant. "A happy summer marrage of Rerb and vegetable is that between, savory and green bean. It gives flavor (0 the beans and prevents gas Is, the flavor can be fresh or dried savory, 3s one bay leaf and a grated carrot “The wealth of flavars and appetizing odors possible with fresh herbs makes summer cooking a culinary adventure "My suauner soup and 2ucchini pancake recipes may start you off on your own gourmet garden fantasy marjoram, thyme, Adele's Summer Soup ‘Two handfuls each of sore and purslane (One handful watercress [A few leaves each of basil and lovage, a sprig of tarragon One-half cup of minced chen One clove gri, crushed One hot sed pepper, minced “Two large onions, chopped “Two lage potatoes, chapped fine ‘Two tablespoons butter Four cups vegetable soup stock One cup cream le soup stock and simmer fone teaspoon sea salt and one cup cream. Serve hot or chilled Finely minced chervil on top of each serving,Adele's Zucchint Pancakes “These siall of one and one-half large zucchini, grated 1opped basil leaves and marjoram and savory sprigs up grated cheddar cheese (One cup whole-wheat flour, unsifted ‘One teaspoon 5 (One teaspoon baking powder iy besten 68 cayenne pepper Enough milk and/or yo to make a thick batter One-halt One cup “Three quarters cup honey froze : ner and finish Herbs, always Versatile, make gits that appeal to sight, scent, taste ‘A “tussie-mussie” {sa bouquet concocted of fragrant heibs surrounded, bya lace paper dolly and tied with ribbon, One rosebad i the traditional center, but a carnation, or gilly flower as it was called inthe days when the fussie-mussie was popular, may be sobsituted as may be an English cdalgy (Gels peennis). The center flower is surrounded by fragrant herbs‘Summer: Gourmet Gardening rosemary, lavender, scented geranium, lemon verbena, lemon bai, vale Han, oF any ofthe mint family, to make a symmetrical bouquet. Cut just enough out of the center of the dol around the stems. Wrap them with f selling and unusual gift can rise to many occasions: birthday, toa performing artist friend se-guest fresh herbs in your garden or those bought ata local farmer's Herb Jellies ‘This basic recipe can be used successfully ith sage, rosemary, tae ragon, marjoram, basi, lemon verbena, melissa, and anise. ‘Wash two quats of ripe crab apples (or art apples), cut up, unpeeled, snd uncored, Just barely cover with water ina heavy pan and cook un ‘ery soft, Empty into a jelly bag and et drip overnight. Measure juice, fn foreach cup allow one tablespoon cider vinegar, theee-quarters cup ssigar or honey, and three sprigs of an herb, Sometimes two or three herbs can be combined to produce 2 delicious but indefinable favor. juice with the fresh herb, sugar oF honey, and should be heated in'a flat pan in the oven before adding to the juice, which should be boiled for five minutes Totest, 3 to cool a few minutes fof the herb may be pected green color, add a tablespoon of raw spinach juice or a few ‘drops of green vegetable coloring,Port It Herb vinegars are less time-consuming than to be appreciated as Herb Vinegars cloves, crushed, jar before the hot vinegar is added. lowing recipe for dandelion wine, besides is fine genial effect, has another distinct advantage. Your seléimage pnd to include "frugal homemaker" and “gourmet hostess" once the golden-hued bottles aze on your shelf Dandelion Wine Eight gallons dandelion flower heads Four gallons water Five oranges, quartered Two lemons, quartered Two packages dey yeast Crushed ginger £00 (op Seven pounds sugar CCllect the dandelions ona bright sunny day when the vitamins you slbsorb fom "Sols Invictus” will compensate for any backache involved. Children under ten years make good companions for this salar as they re closer tothe ground than you are and normally enthusastc about newspapers out on the grass, when you return home wh yout loot, and empty the dandelions on them The wil give the insects A chance to craw away before you take the flowers inside to wash and 100et Gardening in crock, Once they are in the crock, pour the four gallons of vg water over them, cover, and wait twenty-four hours. Strain into large enamel canning pot, add oranges, lemons, and ginger root. Boll ity minutes, strain, add sugar, dissolve. Pour into crock. When cooled to lukewarmy str in the yeast which has been dissolved in two table- joan af the stops “working” oF bub- ing. Tis le longer, depending on the temperature ‘When the working has stopped, siphon into gallon jugs, cork loosely, gw excellent by Thanksgiving, You Tabor Day just to see if You have a good year into quart bottles. The wine CUTTING Henss Fox Davin winter has gradual ‘lossoms—the extravaganza of summer. Soo seed, the “herb-bearing seed” of Genesis within whichis caried the tunchanging paradigm of next year's plant. ‘These is another reason for not waiting u plete, a reason analogovs to shopping for summer merchan ‘beginning of the season. When we find perfect specimens of sre not the only ones in the market for natuee’s Benefits. Insects, birds, bees, and animals have the same instinct for preserving and restoring health that we have, But we need not fel guilty about getting there first they have a much larger cruising range than we have ‘Choose a warm, sunny day and wait until the dew has dried, for ‘moist foliage is likely to become moldy. Cut the stems just above ground them into loose bunches, about a handful to each bunch 1§ oF strips of cloth, hang them, blossom down, scolor the leaves) in & room or shed ith the name of the herb and the ly to the string. This will save confusion when you ace ready to bat aly, with curled Teaves, ate not always easy to recognize even with thethick veining take longer to dry than thin-leaved plants, sometimes upto three weeks ifthe weather i rainy that you will be very busy by the time the herbs are ready to bole, hang them up, covered with large paper bags, the open end i the stem, the other end for ventilation, This will protect the herbs from dust, and you ean rub them down and bottle them when you have more time When the herbs are perfectly dry, hold them over a large bowl and rub the leaves and flowers off the stems, Then cut the stems in small bits. Use glass jars tins, or ceramic containers for storage, but be sure the lids fit securely. Label each herb at once with name and date of ing. (See Chapter ‘Another system for drying herbs isto place them on layers of screen in stretched over frames. her ease if you have a fee day and the herbs are not bone dry, you can finish the process by setting your oven at two hundred degrees and turning it off when it has reached that temperature, Put the herbs, spread out on a cookie sheet, in the oven for about fen to twenty min. tes Herbs used for flavoring only may be kept for two years those used medicinally should be replaced eve not so wasteful as it sounds, What sprinkled around gorden post pile. Wormwood, southernwoad, mugior, tansy, rue, and hyss0p BIL have specitic e garden as insect repellents 4 cookie sheet. Place in an oven at the lowest possible temperature, or heat the oven first to two hundred degrees and then turn place the cookie sheet inside. This method retains the color Basil, parsley, marjoram, savory, and thyme can all be quick-fozen for winter use. Small bags with a combination of herbs can be frozen and later tossed stil frozen, into a winter soup, Experiment, try your ‘own combinations. Several that you might like to try are: thyme, mar joram, and calendula florets; savory, marjoram, and basil lovage, thyme, and basil, shouldbe scrubbed thoroughly before drying. Use a stiff brush, and if this does nat get them perfectly clean, scrape with a shatp knifeGardening Large roots and barks may be cut in thin slices before they are placed fon screen to dry. The process can be speeded up by placing the sliced roots or the barks ina warm, not hot, aven. They may also be placed on, a slightly open window to air-dry cheesecloth bag around the seed head s0 as not lose any that may fall off or be gobbled up by a visting bied ‘Ancient people who lived closer to the earth than we do today and. were far more observant to the growth, health, and decline of plants sd herbs into groups that were “ruled” by certain planets, If you ‘would like to experiment with cutting your herbs when the ruling planet, of each isin a favorable position here isthe ‘The Sun rales burnt, celandine, centaury, chamomile, hickory, eyebright, ‘marigeld, mistletoe, plmpernel, coemary salfvn, St, John’s wor. vipers buss. ‘he Maon rues adders tongue chickowoed, leavers (goose-grass,loosestife, privet, purslane, watercress, white poppy, white rose, willow. _Mars rues: basi, broom, hawthorne the lesser celandine, tonecrop thistle Mercury rules: il fennel, hazel, honeysuckle, marjoram, mulberry. parsley, southernwood, vereain. ter rules: agrimony, balm, betony, borage, chervl, chestnut dandelion, dock, houselee, hyssop, red rose, sage Venus rules: alder, daisy, er, fennel, fo Yn, meadovsweet, singue tansy, thyme, valerian, Satur res bistort, comfrey, hemlock, henbane, ivy, moss, mallen, night shade Ifyou decide to investigate the claims ofthe ancients, be assured that pany, Hippocrates, known as the father of medi- rath and said that every physician should be trained Do I believe in the efficacy of this system of cutting plants? A fai question. Our neighborhood ast coun. tty rock band, but I hope he will be back before the herb-drying season is here, Now, in midsummer itis time to st in the sun and exan 103comfrey, dandelion, lambs quarters (Chenopodium alu parsey ane green and yellow vegetables. ‘ue vtamin B garden less etesive hee we have only comiey an fengrec (Trg fonungrarcm L) of which combey provides 8; and Band fenogreck consis Band By These ave help in out diet but for the complete gamit of vitamin B, eat wo tablespoons of mutstional yeast every eter day, added to whole gran or om cereal, pancakes muting vegetable oat ar estroes. ‘Vitamin C is better represented with pasiy, green peppers, bur dock rose hips elderberries, blackcurrant, regan, and purslane that invader between the rows of everyone's garden. Purslane hs even higher conten shan ros hips, one ofthe Best known sources ofthe Cit tnin, Cayenne horseradish, coriander, ground vy, atip nel lab’ ‘and sore are also purveyor of can be found ithe garden only in very small quantities arise, dandelion greens, and snower sede The prin ein Dvaipa ocophera most potent form. 4 green summer guden, we fel so healthy that needing vitamins oer tan the ones iy profuced food, But we all some: times nd oorsives in situation where our ch of “Health ‘Sometimes after ain, when the weeds n our garden suddenly sprintSummer: Gurme! Gardening ders, read the descriptions of some ce thatthe “invaders” age as tne baskets of herbs on the porch. Getting to know our herbs intimately rakes us realize that their requirements and osrs are basicly the same— pre water, nourishing food, sunshine, and tender loving cate Like out plants, we are tied irrevocably to the eternal chythm of seasons, long, find short days, sunrise and nightfall Tending and gathering for food land medicine reinforces our innate knowledge that we are capable of ating for ourselves, that our well-being is a matter of individual deci- sion and respons AGRIMONY_ AGRIMONY Agrimonia eupatoria L. ("cocktesure,” “sticktewont”) ROSACEAE A search along country roads and in flelds bordering farms will be rewarded by the sight of two- to threefeet high stalks of agrimony with Jong narrow, much-cut leaves, seven to eight inches long near the ground, with terminal spikes of small yellow flowers. The deep green leaves pinnate, divided up tothe midrib into pairs of leaflets which get smaller as they go up the stalk, becoming only two to three inches tthe top. The plantis a mild astringent, is tonic diuretic, vulnerary, and antiscrofulous. contains a bitter volatile oil and five percent tannin Pliny described agrimony as “an herb of princely author Dioscorides recommended it fr “them that have bad livers"; Green in his Universal Herbal, sad that it “cures the ague.” Tt has been used inSummer: Gourmet Gardening many countries as a spring tonic, alone or in combination with other herbs, to purify the blood. Sprains, bruises, stomach acidity, and dis- teases of the kidney, liver, and spleen respond well o agrimony. In beth infusion and decoction, herbalists use the whole herb inthe treatment of coughs, diarthea, dysentery, and intestinal colitis and as a post-operative tonic It is used to get rid of pimples, skin blemishes, and II diseases ofthe blood. It has astringent action on the bladder and is tsed for the control of bed-wetting in older children. (Bed-wetting, ‘often 2 symptom of an emotional problem thus, the case 235 the overt behavior) ly, ina strong infusion of the fresh or dried the affected part in a cup of bowl of Dr. Daniel Smith, who practiced medicine is rinetcenth century wrote a book, The Reformed Bot lances seem reasonably sane, [have not had to ty this, bt Ido find agrimony useful for so many purposes that | have made a place for it im my garden. In Vermont it blooms late in the summer, and its small, bright, yellow blossoms, fac- ing the August sky, are welcome suncatchers. ANGELICA, ANGELICA, Angelica archangelica L. UMBELLIFERAE ously handsome plan, angelica sen forth age, bright green, irregularly toothed leaves on hollow stems which rise four to ‘ine Feet. The large leaflets ae arranged in groups of three, usually, butSummers Gourmet Gardening five. Angelica is under the dominion ofthe sun, a self- Which often takes three years to blossom; afer this consummation the plans usually die. Ifthe tops are cut before they flower the life ofthe plant can be prolonged several years. The roots are long and fusiform, and, ike the stems and leaves, ave astcong musky ‘odor of juniper. ‘The plant has a long history of medicinal usefulness. During the Middle Ages it was used as protection against the plague. Culpepper said of Angelia: "In all epidemical diseases caused by Satuzn that is a5 {good a preservative as grows. It resists poison by defending and com forting the heart, blood, and spirits” ‘Roots, seeds and leaves are all used medicinally. Stems and seeds flavor confections, and dried leaves are used In the brewing of hop bitters The soot of frst year angelica pla rapidly and kept in air-tight cont bbe dried in early summer June or ofthe fresh roo soften useful asa te for chron bronel iy in Europe than in America. The ‘three times & day and anther spoon’ ‘Angelica stems intended for candying should be collected in mid- summer (late July or early Augustin New England), a Inches long. To candy the stems, cut in four tender. Remove from water, peel and then boll the stems turn green. Dry and weigh the stems, Measure an ‘equal amount of sugar or honey, Place stems in a shallow earthenware bow! and sprinkle evenly with the sugar or honey. Allow them to re= rain for twenty-four hours, then put in an enamel pot end boil for ten minutes. Strain juice off and add a lite extra sugar or honey (about ‘one-half cup). Boil the juice, partially cool, and put the stems in the thickened julce for a few minutes. Remove stems and put ona plate to ry in a warm place “Angelica atropurpurea, commonly called masterwort, i found growing ‘wild in moist locations in the United States from the Canadian border as far south as Delaware. It has similar properties and uses A orchanglica those of,Part tt BEE BALM BEE BALM ‘Monarda didyma 1. (aencawor,” “osweco 14") LABIATAE Bee BalmSummers Gourmet Gardening blossoms, whieh is the reason for its common name. Hummingbirds select their host flowers by color rather than scent and are constant ‘isitors to the bright red blooms on sunny afternoons. Bergamot is another common name for Menards didyma, derived from its perfume, which is reminiscent of the “essence of Bergamot” expressed from the fruit rinds of Citrus bergamia. This essence is often used as & substitute for oll of Neral distilled at Grasse from the blossoms of the bitter orange. Both are used in making perfume. The plant grow’ to about three fet in good moist garden sol It is «sparkling decoration to a border or asa background for lower-grow= ing sweet woodruff, melissa, or horehound, Is botanic name honors Dr Nicolas Monardes, the sixteenth-century Spanish author-physician who of the New Founde World Its third common name, 3s a beverage peirs pointed, igh serrated, and tea for general use It can also be used medicinally for flatulence, nau 3, and/or vomiting BORAGE BORAGE Borago officinalis L BORAGINACEAE ‘Borage, a member ofthe same family as comfrey (my favorite medici- ue and star shaped with prominent black anthers form- ing ¢centzal cone, ‘Borage leaves have a cucumber-ike fragrance, and like the cucu: ber, impart a nice coolness to salads or summer drinksSwnmer: Gourmet Gardening Like comfrey the whole plant contains potassium and caelum, com- bined with mineral acids. Diuretic, demuleent, emollient, itis a popular herbal remedy for fevers, chest complaints, and skin blemishes. Due to the saline mucilage of stems and leaves, t help the kidneys to carry off feverish catazehs The flowers, candied, are a decoration to any dessert—sherbet or cake—or as candy. The fresh blue blossoms area pleasant addition to 2 punch bow Borage is perfect example of companionable pla placing of plants the garden. Borage isthe helpmate free of disease or marauding insects. In my garde! salf-seoded around the strawberry bed each year, BUGLE BUGLE Ajuga reptans L. LABIATAE The Iow-growing perennial bugle is under the beneficent influence of Venus, The purple lower leaves are oblong, o ledges, and Izom this creping mass of colors flower in early summer. Purple-blue blossoms grove around a spike in ly about six lowers to the whorl, and in between them ace saves the same color asthe flower which give the entire plant 2 bluish tone le leaves change color and are dark ‘Another variety has green leaves from the reclining stems form new plants every spring, so itis easy to establish a border of Auge, ‘The whole plat is used medicinally. shouldbe gathered for drying when the leaves are at their best and the lowers have just formed—the «end of June in Vermont. Is biter, astringent, aromatic, gently laxative, and sedative, “Herbalists use bugle for coughs, nervousness and headache, to lower 13 | | |Summer: Gourmet Garden CARAWAY corgi L. UMBELLIFERAE ‘A biennial caraway grows toto feet high with finely ct leaves and inted flowers. It was used inPart It Ww, in bread and cakes, Oil from the seeds is used in ‘making Kummel and other alcoholic beverages, Some curious beliefs were held about caraway in ealy times. said to keep hens and pigeons from ing, and was used in love The seeds and cil of caraway are aromatic, stimulant and carmina tive. They contain a volatile oll, with carvone, which is a hydrocarbon, ‘Te plant seems to adapt to many parts ofthe world and to a wide ‘of soils and climates. In the United States it soften found grove ld along country roads and in waste places, CAYENNE PEPPER CAYENNE fratescens L. SOLANACEAE Cayenne is a native of Central grown as a gerden plant in ‘mont Its Americanism predates apple pie by some four hundred years. Iwas mentioned by the physician who accompanied Columbus on his second voyage to America, Used by the mayas of Centeal America and the ineas eaten by the Indians of Mexico as an food ‘Cayenne is carminative, antispasmodic disinfectant, tonic and stimu Samuel Thomson, the early nineteenth-century doctor who started botanic treatment and who founded the Vermont Botanic Medical School {in 1836, called Capsicum “one of the safest and best articles ever discov tered to remove disease.” He recommended taking one-half to one tea spoonful in hot water. Every family, he said “should Keep on hand two ‘ounces of cayenne for 2 year's supply In herbal treatment today, Capsicum is used for cheumatism, 16Arthritis and rheumatism is made with:Part ‘cause itis known throughout the world asa condiment, you can sprinkle ‘cayenne on your food without appearing ude or tactiess. CELANDINE CELANDINE Chelidonium majus L. PAPAVERACEAE “The greater celandine, under the protection ofthe Suns found grow- {ng along old stone walls and the foundations of barns. Laak for the periphery of human habitation, It isa reliable peren iy found in the same place year after year, The stem is round and slender, land when broken, exudes an orange-colored juice which is of medicinal value in curing simple warts. The leaves are light green, about eight inches ong, divided to the have four yellow petals, and bloom ughout the summer months. They are foliowed by long, thi, seed ‘name, Cheldonium, was derived and it faded when they migra Jandine was used by the s their young. today to remove film feom the eyes. Gerard bed the juice as being ” good to sharpen sight especially being boiled with honey in a braseen ‘Dioscorides teacheth.” T would disagree with the be ‘would destroy the therapeutic value ofthe honey if not ine, I might add that natural honey, by touching them with the raw juice ofthe stem, one or two applications being Celandine contains at least twenty-five al including chelidonine and cherlrythene, the latter nar sons The leaves and stems, steeped in warm milk area safe and eecive eyewash. The fresh orange-colored juice ofthe stems should be rubbed directly on warts, coms, and cal king care not to let the juice 18Celandine 119‘Suunmer: Gourmet Gardening ace divided into thyee leaflets. The flower heads ate egg-shaped, about tne inch long with red to purplish lowers ‘Medically, red clover is alterative, diuretic, and sedative. Taken cover a long period of time, an infusion of ted clover acts a5 stimu Tant to the liver and bladder. Poultices and fomentations have been tused as a traditional local treatment for cancerous growths. Medical testing atthe present time is exploring the use of the plant as a cancer deterrent. The flowers are the part used, Dried or fresh they combine wel ess tothe infusion, CORIANDER CORIANDER Coriandrum sat UMBRELLIFERAE Coriander is a handsome ‘The lower regularly The upper leaves are ‘and resemble dill, ut are somewhat shorter and coarser, Coriander seeds are used in pickles and curry powder. In Mexico leaves are ro, are sold in every market, and are a fav. herb to cook with black beans, a staple food south ofthe border. coriander is 2 stimulant, aromatic and carminative ‘contains a volatile oll and the fruit (or see) contains malic acid tannin, ways popular in Egypt, it stil used for flavoring there to such an extent that local dishes are some~ times a bit too mich for Westeen palates. The Romans brought corisn der to England, and fom there the early colonists ordered the seeds for their gardens in the New World aPart tf 1m etSummer: Gourmet Gardening COUCH GRass couCH GRASS Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. (CveiteH,” “Doc,” “quack,” on “TWITCH GRass”) GRAMINEAE sme ofthis omnipresent grass comes from two Greek words; agros (eld) and puros (wheat). The number of common names by which iti known gives evidence to widespread use and abuse by san and man’s best they ae sick, and cure themselv ‘Agropyron repens was well known to Discorides, wh found it useful for stones inthe bladder, taken asa decoction. Dodoen’s A Niewe Herbal shows a wood engraving of the plant, and it was well thought of by Gerard, who felt that, although it was “an unwelcome guest to fields and gardens,” its virtues as a medicine "do recompense those hurts.” He thought i useful to “openeth the stoppings ofthe liver” Culpepper praised it for "virtues in treating Kidney diseases,” ‘A description of couch grass is quite unnecessary: Those who live in the country know it all to wel those wi live inthe cty ean order the dried rhizomes, the part used medicinll cals. (See Appendix IV for ist of suppl The rhizome is diureti, demuleent, emol icum (a carbohydrate somewhat like in acid malates. from a supplier of b ) ent, and tonic. Tt contains sugar, inosite, muclage, of the ‘act in country districts, considered an excellent spring tonic. ts taken a8 a tisane, of tea For use as an infusion take according to directions for standard brevs ‘Take up to two cups ic, taken cold, ones ton in Chapter IV.) T discovered an interesting use for quack grass fifteen years ago to one cup a day. (See directions forSummer: Gourmet Gardening when I began to prepare a garden plot where the soil had not been for sinty Years. Ie was a mass of quack grass. A sd the plot. | shook all the soil from the roots and ith as much organic kitchen waste as my household and then replaced the quack grass r00t on top of ih wood ashes, This was in October. By the next ist garden in the new location. It grew abun this and covered it June, 1 planted my dently DILL pitt Anethwum graveotens L. UMBELLIFERAE ‘The feathery form seeds in July oA Dill seeds, and fresh recognized favor: ‘mayonnaise and all Bland vegetables. ‘The name dlls believed tobe derived from an old Norse word, reaning to lll, and descriptive ofthe her's ability to relieve pains from gas in the stomach, Dill isan annual plant which grows to two and one-hal single, smooth stalk. An oil of dill containing limonene and earvone is contained inthe seeds. Its medical properties are stimulant, carminative ‘and aromatic yellow flowers which slmost every gardurmet Gardening COMMON ELDER Sambucus canadensis L (‘sweer,” “common,” ox “SLACK ELDER”) CAPRIFOLIACEAE wwts: vibunic acid a soft resi: traces ls grape sugar: gum starch; pectin, fat; wax: ale Leaves are used sprains, chil land seventeenth centuries it was believed that the Ieaves of the elder should be gathered on the last day of April, and hung on doors and ‘windows to prevent witches from entering the house A salve useful in treating swellings, piles (hemorthoids), and tumors {is made from a handful each of elder leaves, comfrey leaves, plantain, ‘mugwort, ground ivy, and thyme leaves. Chop finely, barely cover with water, bring toa bail, then simmer for thirty minutes. Strain. Add an ‘equal amount of olive or safflower oil and simmer until all the water has evaporated. Add enough beeswax to make a soft salve consistency. The elder flower contains a se volatile oil (about 0.32 per Wwiich, when the leaves dry, decreases fe lowers, fresh or dry, are used to make infusions. A tea is useful in treating bronchitis and bringing out the rash in measles and other eruptive diseases. Used as a si ‘gentle stimlant and a ingen To make elderberry water fora skin quasar with blossoms, 3 aris three-quarters ful land six hours strain, and ken every few hours in the very frst stages of influenza, will ward off a serious attack. It i ;phoretic; so stay in bed and keep well covered as perspiration stars. keep the system clear. n of the Bladder and the mucous Lining ofthe urinary passage, mix together thoroughly equal parts of blackberry leaves 18——— ‘Sunomer: Gourmet Gardening Use from two to thre teaspoonfuls 0 a cup of boing water. Let stand until cold, Strain. Take one cup three times a day, before meals "To remove freckles, soak flowers in water overnight, strain and use as.a wash several times a day. ‘The elder was known to the Egyptians, listed by Hippocrates in his nateris medice, and mentioned by Pliny, Culpepper, John Evelyn, and {Father Sebastian Kneipp asa blood purifier For this purpose a tea should bertaken, one cup a day, before breakfast, for one week ‘The dried berries are a cute for di Doctors in Europe prescribe pure elderborry juice, taken daily for five days ot more for eigeminal neuralgia and sciatic. Like many other pl ures, elder has given rise we struck by lightning and also thotight to protect ig, carted close tothe body, was thought to be a ‘nd good Tuck. the house. I and evil spirits. A harm to give hea Elderberry Wine Cather the ripe beries on a dry day, separate them from the stems and put in an earthenware crock. Cover with boiling water tothe amount tf one gallon of water to every two gallons of berzes. Press berries into the water with a wooden spoon or potato masher. Cover and let stand toventy-four hours, Stain through a Seve, mashing out all possible juice re the juice and add three pounds of sugar (or honey) to each juice, Toss in a small handful of cloves and a litle grated fresh the erock and add one package dry yeast dis: sup of the juice. Cover, let stand unt ‘working (bubbling) train through cheesecloth and bottle in After tio months decant into sine botles and cork tigh Elderberry Flower Wh Put one quart of fresh flowers in an earthenware crock. Pour over them three gallons boiling svater in which nine pounds of sugar (or 29Part I seven pounds of honey) have been dissolved. Allow to cool. Add juice of 3c lemon, three pounds of raisins, and one package of dry yeast solved in one-quarter cup of lukewarm juice. Let stand in a crock tnt it stops working (about ten days). Strain through cheesecloth and ‘in gallon jug. Alter three months decant into wine botles and cone tightly Elderberry Jelly bag. Cook tart crab apples, ‘bag. Combine one-half cup of era EVENING PRIMROSE Oenothera biennis L. ONAGRACEAE Evening primrose is native to the Uni found along roadsides and in dry meadows three to five inches witha width of one or two inches, are pointed and entire ‘The main st Medicina ‘The whole imestinal and hepatic use pression, used in salve form, combined with other herbs, for skin tations sion make a standard brew; use one cup a day, taking,FENNEL FENNEL FLORENCE FENNEL (“rixsoctio”) Fennel is U FenelSummer: Gourmet Gardening swith a Hime content, All pats of the pl ade Pliny gave twenty-two uses for fen fos vervain, tue, and celandine, is made a water good to cleare the sight of eine. che Romans cultivated fennel fr its aromatic seeds and edible roots. Ancient herbalists believed that fennel had a very beneficial effect om the eyesight ands in aly ily fish cooked with it was thought to be the SUED digest Another widely held belief was that drinking fennel tea caer th would have a slimming effect on those who were oversteight Sis may have originated with the Greeks whose name for it, “marie Tree ites derived from the werd "maraino,” to grow thin vethole and fenchone, both found ve, diuretic, get id of mucus milk others iftaken as 2 decoc reseed in barley water. A decoction ff the seed, stained and di Semedy for eyestrain or to wash a foreign substance from ‘Oil of fennel eases muscular or rheumatic pains Plorence fennel, like the common fennel, grows best in somewhat imey soll but it needs a richer earth, Te rot is bulbous and larger, but lant does not grow 3 fs best to find a spot in the garden way from other herbs, particularly basil, a both fer verse effect on other plats FEVERFEW FEVERFEW — Tanacetum parth {Chrysanthemum parthen im (L.) Schultz Bip, # Bernh.) COMPOSITAE ‘The name feverfew is @ corruption of “febrifuge.” « word meaning toallay fever, which describes this herb ely. Its carminative, aperient and a mild nervine with a bitter tastePart I ‘which should be cut back to theee inches when they are set in ‘seeds may be started indoors to be putin a sunny location in May oF June,= ees, fies, and gnats. Use » dou! Pees arma, face, and legs. Allow it to dry on the skin. Applications rate be made every few hours. Because fever is a relative of pyre That, a potent insecticide, iis not surprising that it, too, is distasteful to insects rapepper says of feverfew, “Venus commands this herb, and has commode it to suecor her sisters [women] to bea general strengthener Senet worbs, end to remedy such infirmities asa careless midwife “eaused” Ihave no personal experience with feverfew for the ie" related by Culpepper, but as he had a large practice in Red dating from the 1640's and was himself the father of seven fe no reason to doubt him. tandard brew) for headache and far ground. It has a mild tranquil aches caused by tension oF ft ‘The same infusion may be laken, cold as a tonic, The dose fr this use {one hatf to one teaspoonful ata time, taken between meats. GARLIC | GARLIC LILIACEAE “This powerful herb, ruled by Mars, has been known and valued for, mare than five thousand years, In ancient Egypt fifteen pounds of garlic Would buy one able-bodied slave, Wild garlic, Allium reticulatum, is ‘of Homer. Hermes gave it to Ulysses us rescuing his sallors whom she had tumed into swine “The Roman legions were given survival rations of caraway bread and ig away from home. When Sir John ised at the medical fas 4 disinfectant Six things tat are ne oder shal ens, Against all poses havea szret power,Pare, Gar Maximilian, Prince of Weid, was cured from what was considered a hopeless case of scurvy at Fort Clark in 1834, when some Indian chil dren gathered wild gail which was administered to him by a NegroSummer: Gourmet Gardening tings of early white frontier doctors tell us that the Shumnebagos and Dakotas used garlic 10 zelleve wasp and bee stings. Gate even inspired some place names inthe United States. Chicago, in the language of the Algonguin-speaking Indians of northeastern lino 1869, lists gar ecommencis its use in chronic catazehs, humoral asthma, worms, ei lepey, and dropsy. ‘ive know today that gar antispasmodic, vl containing dilly! disulphide and allylpropyl oside alli, which fs hydrolyzed by the enzyme, fe oil and fructose. iny listed more than sit diseases for which gaic was a cure. It is well known today that garlic i effective against both “staph” and rep” infections and i = flea. High in sulphur, gar s effective in treat eral and fxternal infections, It acts by combining with harmful bacteria to stop thei action, allowing healthful bacteria to grow back. It cures open “wounds through the regeneration of epidermal call. Iisa specific for us, ata, high blood pressure, stomach weer, chronic clits, All respiratory infections, colds infisenza, urinary tact infections, and medicine, it has no cardiovascular problems, As a preventi the home sote throat, running nose, or aching bones, in each cheek, allowing the jul ‘ade the system. The odor cin be masked by use of anise, cinnamon, oF Wy seeds, Both garlic tablets and capsules are available for those ‘odor. lowing five methods of preparing gs snd effective for home use are easy Oil of Gariie Peel and gat jar and cover wi warm esa day forfour days, strain the a7Part ID Jule, put it back in the jar, and keep ina cool place. For internal use, the ‘dose can be from ten drops to one teaspoonful three or four Himes 8 day Garlic Cough Medicine Place one pound of peeled and sliced garlic in ajar and cover with, 1 mixture of equal parts of apple-cider vinegar and water. Let stand for four or five hours, strain, and add an equal amount of honey. Keep the juice in a cool place and shake well before using. One tablespoontul may be taken three of four times a day. For bronchitis put two whole, peled cloves of garlic through a press, add to one cup of honey, and take the entire cupful, a spoontul ata time, during @ twenty-four hour period, Fresh-grated garlic or expressed juice may be put directly on any before serving, Galicbread has always been considered a gourmet add tion to the serving of a crisp green salad ox home-made soup. ‘An example of the immu ie gives was the our Thieves Vinegar. During the plague of 1722, inthe city of s achieved immunity through dally doses of gar- He vinegar, which allowed them to plunder the dead bodies of plague elim without contracting the disease 'No household should ever be without a good supply of fresh garlic, If you have even 2 small garden, garlic is easy to grow and harvest Divide the bulb into its separate cloves and plant inthe fallin well 4, rich, loamy soil, well drained. It will be ready to harvest the following summer. In World War I the army discovered the eficacy of garlic as disin- fectant for wounds, and it was credited with saving many lives. Its high in organi sulphur, vitamins, and minerals. For those involved in the pressures and ansieties of economic survival, i $8 comforting (0 betes, cheumatism, sciatica, and pimples. 138GROUND-IVY Glechoma hederacea L. | LABIATAE Thome remedy Ground feyPart i Dioscorides sal that “half a dram ofthe leaves being drunk in foure ounces and a half of faire water for forty oF fitty da remedy aglnst sciatica or ache in the hucklebone.” This might be eff- ‘acious in chronie scatica; I have only treated sporadic, acute eases, Usually when they occurted as an occupational disease, For such cases “other herbs ace stronger and more direc Culpepper calls ground-iwy “a singular her He says “the jue, dropped i ise and singing in them, and helpeth the hearing wh Gerard recommended 2 combination of ground:ivy, English daisies in equal ports, bruised and strained, put into rose wa ter witha litle sugar and “dropped wi her into the eies” which, he said, “taketh avvay all manster of inflammation, spots, webs smarting, or any grief whatsoever in the eyes..." He also gave 2 jon of The Herball of Generel Histor enproved on: 80 1 wi ‘quote it here: “Ground ivy isa low or base herbe and spread wpon ground hi about, with many stalks of uncertain length, Slender, and like those ofthe vine: thereupon grow leaves somethin ‘mongst which come forth the floures gaping ike those of Getmander, ofa purplish blew colour; rng smell and bitter taste.” It grew then, as row, in“tilled and in untilled places... upon banks under hedges, and by the sides of houses.” On the southeast side of my house, ground:-ivy grows just as Gerard sald, on a bank shaded by an elderberry hedge. The whole herb is used ‘meilcinally, have had good results from an infusion, taken internally, torelieve upset stomach and headache caused by digestive disturbance and to reduce low fever. Foran eye-wash, [have infused two parts gillover-the-hil with one part celandine, added a little honey, and obtained immediate rele. Gerard's addition of English daisies would be good, I am sure, but 1 have not found it necessary, and I have a limited supply, whose pink find white gaiety I enjoy too much to cut. disagree with Gerard's use Of sugar. Honey is preferable because ofits ability to absorb oxygen, without which a film over the eye cannot ex<= J Summer: Gourmet Gardening HAWKWEED HAWKWEED Hieracium piloselta L. COMPOSITAE tly in thePart I Hawkweed, sometimes called mouse-ear hawhweed, is astringent, chologogic,and diuretic. Itchecks diarthea and isa soothing gargle for mild sore throat. For both purposes itis used inthe form of an infusion, standard breve Hawkiveed isa perennial wildflower usually fund indy sil. Spatu look for, as fad safe treatment fortwo commen com ddue to change of diet and climate—sore throat and diarrhea HOREHOUND HOREHOUND Mai sum vulgare L. LABIATAE ‘A low, about six to eight inches, perennial with cordate-ovate, downy leaves and small white flowers growing in axillary whorls, horehound {sa decorative and useful plant which should be inluded i every herb arden. ‘The botanical name, Marrubium, is derived from the Hebrew word 3n, and to aid in liver trouble and painful menstrua the above complaints a standard brewr may be sweetened with honey and taken, two tablespoonsful ta time, three or four times a day ‘A horehound cough syrup can be made by stirring a strong infusion Ingo a cup of honey to which one tablespoon of lemon juice has been added, 1mSummer: Gourmet Gardening Horehound Horehound candy is easy to make and keeps w or wrapped in wax paper. To one cup of honey add one cup brown sugar and one jon made from one handal ofthe whol few drops tered plate scare while warm, cut when cold 3Port It HORSETAIL HORSETAIL Equisetum ((SHAvEGRASS,” “pewrenwuRr,” “sorrueeRUsH”) vense L. EQUISETACEAE The young stems of horsetall that appear in spring are bare of leaves and resemble a slim asparagus, attaining a height of eight o: ten inches, Hlorseai MaSummer: Gourmet Gardening ‘These die down and in July are followed by what Culpepper aptly scribes a5 "hard, rough, hollow stalks, joined at sundry places atthe fop.a foot high, so made as if the lower part were put into the upper, where grow on each side a bush of small long rush-ike hard leaves, tach part ressembling a horsetail” “The Equsehun we See today grovsing in damp areas are the minus- cule descendants of twenty. to thirty-f00t tees which flourished in the Carboniferous age, 300 million years ago. Fossil impressions, called Calamites," often appear hemostatic, and vulneray. An infusion steeping two teaspoons of Equsetum stems ‘cup of boiling water may be taken, one cup a day, for urinary fusion may aso be used asa gargle for sore gums, or ‘eruptions. ‘A decoction, thickened with flour, slippery elm, or beaten egg white {s useful a8 @ poultice for ruptures, wounds, or arthitc pains. ____ Hyssop ee iL. LABIATAE 1 herb is ruled by Jupiter. A neat, bushy plant, ‘square, and the narrow leaves Pink, and lavender. It can be start ion. thrives best in a ight somewhat sandy 6 The leaves and flowers ate expectorant,diaph: toral, and c source of hyssop's diaphoretc qualities. Gerard quotes Doscories as saying that hyssop boiled with rue and honey helps those that have coughs, shortness of breath, and wheezing. He recommends “The green her, bralsed witha ite sugar put thereto,” toheal any “cut oF green wound.” We would amend his formula to use honey instead of stgae whichis the 145,= JS ——~ Summer: Gourmet Gardening Given warm as an infusion, hyssop works well to break up chronic caterch and may safely be taken as often as needed. For this purpose horehound and pennyroyal may be added to the infusion ‘Locally applied, an infasion will take aveay discoloration from bruises CCouniry housewives inthe nineteenth century used a decoction of tops Sd lowers fora treatment for rheumatism. It works, Ladd a teaspoon, ‘fnatural(anboiled) honey and one of cider vinegar (without preserva fives) to each pint ofthe decoction Hyssop isan important ingredient in the liqueur Chartreuse and can bbe used to make a delicious home cordial. See directions under Lemon Balm, Chapter Like the mi century England, ofthe above uses of hyssop ae reliable, but {2s avalable, that have the same medicinal qu for hyssop #8 as a pleasantsmelling, inexpensive, non-toxic leaning, agent for floors, bathroom fixtures, flower pos, and linens. “The name “hyssop” came from the Greek "azab,” a holy heeb, be cause of its use Ihyssop was a favorite “strewing herb” in seventeenth- ‘A stained, strong infusion of hyssop can be pour machine during the rinse cycle to give linens a gent LADY'S MANTLE LADY'S MANTLE Alchemilla xanthochlora Rothm. (Alchemilla oulgaris auct.) ROSACEAE Venus is the patron planet ofthis eight large, rounded leaves are inch high plant, whoseSurnmer: Gourmet Gardening chemist “alkemelych,” the slentiss who predated our modern chem- “The namne gives us yet another eeminder thatthe plants that serve today were known and used in all ages. like drops of dew, which gather in the accondion-pleated leaves of Alchemila, were thought by the alchemists {undergo some subtly benign influence from the plant and were used ‘many mystic potions. {In 1532 Tragus (leome Bock) first cal prauenena same which Linnaeus adopted ‘The whole herb is used, as well as the root, for both internal and. external treatment, The plant should be gathered for drying when in {all Bloom, but the root may be used fresh as well as dry. Tt can be found growing wild in shaded woodlands or can be grown easily from. the plant Lady’s Mantle or hed his History of Plants, 3 Seed invour gardens here forms an unusual accent plant. In cultivas tion it will oleate sunny locations as well as shade. Lady's Mantle is astringent, sty ‘and vulnerary. Culpepper says that "It is proper for those wounds that have inflammation, and is ttfective to stay bleedings, vomitings, and fluxes of ‘An ntusion taken is good for loss of appe stomach wouble, diarthes, and excessive menstruation, and as abl oagulant It makes an excellent mouthwash and is effective t0 stop bleeding after a tooth extraction. Is also recommended asa douche for Teucorrhoea. LAVENDER Mill LABIATAE LAVENDER Lavandula angu Lavender is controlled by the planet Mercury, under whose domin- ion is the nervous system, This plat isthe “Nardus" of the Greeks, named for the Syrian city Naaréa, on the Euphrates River. It s often ferred to in old books as “Nard,” and St. Mark ealled it “spikenard.” iny said that it sold for a8 much as one hundred Roman “dineri” = pound, which in out money would be roughly ten dollars 19Part It Lavender's vols 18 components, 8 it is under Mer Lavender |Summer: Gourmet Gardening bathed therewith,” and “to garg the mouth {a good against the toothache.” {steep lavender spikes in cider vinegar, add little orange-lower water, and use it a8 a skin tonic. A decoction of cucumber juice and wender makes another good skin lotion. f you prefer a cream, mix ther one with melted cold creamy t 'A fomentation of lavender as external applica and stiffness of the joints. ‘Wars lavender was sed to cleanse wounds, and ‘being tried as a surgical dressing “Veterinarians in England use lavender oil to get id of lice and other animal parasites, I put lavender in my dog's bath water asa preventive ffir he has been running in the woods Oil of lavender is es effective 1 decoction thereof, is effective depends on the cause. Its harmless 20 try it if doesn't work, consult your doctor for a diagnosis In gasdens lavender grows wellin sandy or limestone sols. Its easly started from root division or from seed. In northern Vermont the plants {row to eighteen inches high, branching out widely. They prefera sunny Ivell-drained place shielded from th ig west wind, Sessile leaves fare opposite, thin, blunt, grayish, slightly revolute or r the margin. The terminal flower spikes hold whorls of six purple lipped blossoms. The calyx contains the aromaticilin its glands. Plants ave apt to get woody after three or more years, soit isa good, to start new ones every second year _LEMON BALM LEMON BALM Melissa officinalis L. Cteuissa”) LABIATAE ‘This fragrant perennial grows happily in most parts of the worl Europe, Asia, North and South America, and landfalls in between Is botanic name, Melissa, came from the Greek word for be, a reminder of 151 Gardening lemony fragrance. I grow well in any garden. can be stared from seeds, cuttings, of root The Sifted leaves are attractive itis a neat, bushy plant which holds its ‘Shape, attracts bees, and is useful asa pleasant addition to our c Sewell os for a medicine. It is carminative, diaphoretc, febrifuge, serry, and disinfectant. ‘Conmelite water, which consisted of Jemon balm as the principal ingredient 2s og, and angelica root, once had ts eeputation for curing nervous headache and neuralgia. Ch known es Charles 1 of Spain, drank carmelite water every day during the fifty-eight years of his Ife. Son of Philip the Fair of Flanders and Joana the Mad of Spain, Charles may have Been protected from heredi= {ary madness by the balm. In any case it probably added t tion for so doing because John Evelyn wrote, “Balm is sovereign f brain, strengthening the memory and powerful choly ‘Bath Pliny and Dioscorides believed thet "Bi applied, doth close up wounds ‘of inflammation” Today science has Siscovered” that the balsamic ols of many’ aromatic plans make efec- tive surgical dressings because of their ability to give off ozone and thus prevent putrefaction Paracelsus called Melissa the fering trom influenza or other ch Standard brew and administer one-half cupful a time, warm, every fess hours. "another use I have found for Meliss i to puta bruised leaf inside a bandage or band-aid to heal stubborn cats, ‘Less medicinally, but more Socaly, lemon balm is a delicious addi- nto a claret cup. Combine a handful of balm, a few borage leaves, 2 sf lemon and orange, 2 shot glass of cognac, a half cup of honey, ret and a pint of seltzer water or any good brand of car- fed water, Let stand with enough ice to coo, strain, and decorate the blue, star-shaped blossoms of borage, ‘A fine home-made liqueur can be made by taking two handfuls of ‘rushed Melisa leaves, putting them in a glass jar or crock, pouring, ver them a fifth of vodka, three.quarters cup of honey, and a grated lemon peel. Shake well and let stand for a week, Strain, botl, and test your character By waiting three weeks before using, This is a basic recipe which I use to make other herbal iqueurs asney, and 2 MALLOW HIGH MALLOW COMMON MALLOW (Couteses,” “Low Matto MARSH MALLOW HOLLYHOCK MALVACEAE The Malacene comprise nearly one thousand species which are is: tributed feom the toples tothe arctic, the number decreasing a5 they g0 north. All species are emollient and demulcent in varying degrees, and some are expectorant and diuretic They contain starch, mucilage, pec tis, oll, sugas, asparagine, phosphate of lime, gistinous matter, and cellulose, The family. name Malvscese comes from the Greek word “malake,” or soft as the plant heals and soothes. treating sore throats and larynit and as ‘make them helpful for skin irritations and insect stings The fresh, young leaves and the whole seed pod are edible. The latter {s often referred to in country places as “cheese.” In counties where crop fallures often bring famine, the mallows are an important subs tence food, The roots may be boiled, or steamed, then panfried with batter or oil and onions ‘An infusion of chokecherry partum hemorrhage In France, a conte to old dry stone walls and white picket fences, but the flowers, the part 154used, are very helpful in treating chest and lung congestion. Ales rosea fs diuretic as well as emollient and demuleent. igh MallowPart It MEADOWSWEET MEADOWSWEET Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim? ROSACEAE The phrase "a rose by any other name watld smell as sweet” ce iy applies to meadowsweet. It has been called by many names ef aldehyde, and a few additional compounds. It is astringent, dlu neadow- causes food to be fection, ath sweet works on the liver, pancreas, and intestines digested easly. Flowers and leaves made into an infusion, standard brew, may be taken internally forall the above diseases and as a blood purifier. A oublestrength standard infusion, taken cold, isan excellent tonic for pre or post-operative cases, general convalescence, or & run-down cond Gerard, in 1597, called this herb "Medessweet or queene of the rmedowes.” I lke his description of it, valid and appreciative. “This herb hath leaves lke Agsimony, consisting of divers leaves set upon a middle sb like those of an ash tre, each small la sleigh sipt about the edges, white on the inner side, and on the upper side "Forney Siam Spa fan Amen pce a leghimateetycletely tn en ips na ea puss 136ast aransmoprayystalke is three or four foot high, rough, and very or easie to be broken, of a reddish purple colour: on the top 9 are very many ite floures clustering and growing together, ot and of a pleasant sweet smell, as are the leaves “It groweth in the brinkes of waterie ditches and rivers sides, and also in medowes.. tis called Regina prati in English Meads-swee, Medow Sweet, and Queen of the Medowes y years later Culpepper go more techni a. This was the off searching for the fe pharmaceutical ingredient of the willow, isolated salicin from smeadowsweet Tn Amer Garden Encyclopedia defined ‘meadow sweet a the “common name for three species of Sp Scala, 8 lta, ana S,sl same plant. The name is also sometimes applied of hardy perennials.” Under se Encyclo “A genus of hardy perennial herbs of the Rose ly resembling certain Spiraea.” It lists F.ulmaria asthe Queen of iit an escape in the eastern states led meadowsweet in common, usage. One is hardhack, Spiraea tmentos, native to America, teenth-century doctor, Francis Porcher, called ita valuable tonic and astringent useful in dar ‘hea Is leaves were used by the Mohegans to cure dysentery; the Ojibwa Indians made a tea of leaves and flowers to cure morning sickness and to facilitate parturition Spiraea 1d the willow-leaved meadowsweet, was used ‘medicinally by the Potawatomi Indians and by white frontier doctors. lipeduleulmari, as well as other herbs called meadowsweet, have for good health—calcium, magne sum, and sodium, They are also valuable to rebuild issue and are used to treat anemia,Summer Go MILK THISTLE _ MILK THISTLE Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. COMPOSITAE Milk ThistlePart I Huerts to the olive o of generic green were ic A strong plant with a good selt-image, it sent cut a clear message. “Lam important get to know me” I tied. tn Vila Nueva, however, no one knew its name. “Cardo,” jus “thistle.” Bu Madrid I rushed to the Library of the Botanical Garden and found its name: Silybum marin. Two years later [talked to herbalists in Spain and in France. I made an impressive list, This self-assured “cardo” had always been used to cure mushroom poisoning and liver malfunctions, 1 haem from pollutants, agricultural or industrial wastes, has its place in my garden, brings a mythic background. May, it les to nurse the infant Jesus and spilled ‘Whale seeds ora tincture made from States as wel as in Europe, for both p ret. Powdered seeds are Fresh seeds ke rosemary and Indy’ is said, sat among green lection and regenera in capsules, te plant can be gathered for use asa healthy food y can be crushed and sprinkled on other foods, tof leis now listed in The Merck ver protector. No tonicity has been reported from the use of ‘but our advice, a in trying any nev food or drug plant. MULLEIN MULLEIN Verbascum thapsus L. SCROPHULARIACEAE The tall, velvet-leaved biennial, mullein, is under the protect the planet Saturn, It was well known to the Greeks, who made lamp Wicks ofits dried leaves, and tothe Romans, who dipped ts dried stalk in tallow for funeral torches Mullein belongs to a large family comprising some two hundred genera, within which there are nearly fifteen times that many species. 10smon and foxglove, Johalin are macilaginous, taste a yellow coloring princip coside, some acrid fatty matter, free acid and phosphoric ‘exystalizing sugar, mineral salts with potasia and lime bases, small amount of yellowish volatile 0 The plant is demulcent, em valuable herbal remedy for Tangs or bowels. The entice plant also helpful for coughs or hemorthoids, For diarrhea in adults or children, add a fresh lef or one teaspoon ‘of ground dried leaf to one pint of warm milk to which honey and raimeg or ginger have been added. The dose is one-quarter cup every teen minutes for two doses, then every half hour until the mixture fs finished. smashed in cider vinaga, ls, and asthma, The dried leaves smoked 1 # method used by the Potawatomi. ied leaves in an enamel pt, cover them with water and bring hen breathe in the fumes with a towel over my head fo hold the steam in, for nasal and bronchial congestion ‘The Menominee Indiens smoked the root for pulmonary diseases, Other tribes made a smoke smudge which they Inhaled for curing ca: tarth and to revive an wnconscious patient, ‘The fresh leaves, macerated in olive oil, put in a corked bottle, and kept in a warm place for several days, make a good local application to be used for piles, frostbite, and for bruises or any mucous membrane inflammation. The fesh flowers, soaked in olive oll for three weeks are effective asa bactericde Nicholas Culpepper says that, "The juice of the leaves and flowers laid on rough wats as also the powder ofthe dried roats rubbed on, takes them away." Mullein leaves and flowers were offically in the 16 until 1936. lein plants in my garden where their stately velvet towers form a handsome background for smaller herbs, and a conve+ nient source of medicine. This takes them out ofthe “weed” category, mn ofa weed 25 "A plant that grows where you‘Summer: Gourmet Gardening PLANTAIN COMMON PLANTAIN Plantago major L, ("'BROAD-LEAVED PLANTAIN") - RIBWORT Plantago lanceolata L. (WARROW-LEAVED PLANTAIN, “ENGLISH PLANTAIN”) PLANTAGINACEAE NarouLened Plantae Plantains SS” 163herb is retrigerant, diuretic, valnerary, de macerated fresh leaves are put on bee st called "Weybraed.” Its healing qu joned by Chaucer and Shakespeare ‘A very effective salve can be made from southernwoot black currant and parsley leaves, and the buds and leaves of elder. Good for burns and ravy surfaces, "An infusion, standard brew, is « mild cure for diaerhea. PURSLANE PURSLANE Portulaca oleracea L. ‘PORTULACEAE Purslane, herb of the Moon, isan excellent food which is sold in markets of Mexico as both a pot herb (like spinach) and a salad herb. It is used as salad and in soups in southern Spain and on the island of Grote, where it is ralsed as a garden plant and carefully watered, as its succulent leaves require more moisture than the average plant. Perhaps because it absorbs so much water it “assuages thirst,” as Culpepper sald, when “placed wnder the tongue” The leaves are round, fat, succulent it lies on the ground, never stretching up to more than four to six inches. The reddish stems are round and smooth. Many vegetable gardeners consider it a weed, as- sicuousy tearing it out shen they find it growing between the rows, ontinu to produce its deliSummer: Gourmet Gat PurslaneROSEMARY Rosmarinus officinalis L. LABIATAE tion and heat. External ion to bath water asa hair fs antispasmodic, stimulant, stomach, and astringent. It has the past been used as an emmenagogue and chalogogue, but we d recommend the oil in these two utes for home overdose could cause poisoning. Therefor, cussion fof rosemary’s very etportant contributions to external treatment and culinary use The leaves, simmered in ine, are an excellent external appl for rheumatic pains, sores, eczema, bruises, and wounds, Infused as a standard brew, rosemary i an antiseptic mouthwash, pleasant to the taste chem garden, rosemary is a shor, spreading, shrubby plant leathery, dark green leaves, shiny above and downy gray pointed, linea, slightly rolled edges. Pale Dlue-toclavender flowers geow in short, axillary racemes. In Vermont, rosemary does not bloom until July or August. In cold climates itis a tender perennial which must be potted and taken in for the winter ‘Once in the house, it does best in a cool location, and the sll should be allowed to dry out completely before itis watered. Then t should be soaked thoroughly s0 the roots will not come to the surface for mois- tute, Wash the leaves once a mon! secticide and protects other plants by brew may be used to bathe the kin when >, May-fly, or deer-fly season. learned to use fresh rosemary leaves andPort It In southern Spain, rosemary is used as 2 disinfectant for wounds and, in powdered form, to heal babes’ navels after the umbilical cord sd. Now that home deliveries inthe United States are becomn- hope that young mothers and mid-wives will use this readily available and effective antiseptic. In its native habitat along the rocky coasts of the Mediterranean, rosemary isnot the tender litte garden plant that we are feiliar with Ir grows to be a tall, spreading shrub, is roots happy with a thin layer (of dry soil and its leaves refreshed with sea spray RUE Ruta graveolens L. ("iteRs oF GRACE") RUTACEAE Rue is a shrubby perennial, blue-green in color, forming a nest, per fectly rounded mass of leaves divided into tripinnate-rounded sections. pislazuli tones, slight other vegetable grens of in terminal panicles, snd believed to impart sec. but Pliny reported that used to sprinkle the Roly water in the ceremony *Asperges” before High Mass Tthasbeen used to ward off contagious disease for centuries, Along with ingredients in the "Vinegar ofthe Four ing infeced themselves during the plague of 1722. In our own time, rue is used as an herbal remedy to allay the pains ‘of sciatica, The bruised leaves may be applied directly to the affected part but the skin should be oiled protectively first Fresh leaves applied 168Summer: Gourmet Gardening1 | Part 1 Like pennyroyal, re is good ingredient to put in water for mop. ping f you have pets. twill dispose of les and is harmless to animals "An attractive sandwich can be made by spread with cream cheese and We have been Deen theough my ity to rue in any ofthe hundreds f people who have ined (my rubble around ‘November. So far, my plants have lived through the ‘gerdeners know, there ean always be that unprec- garden my re plant winter, but as dented fi SELF-HEAL HEAL-ALL. Prunella vulgaris L. (canpenren’s mens") LABIATAE ies grows to six oF eight inches, ost leaves are round, Flowers growing from North America, naturalized from Europe ani Linnaeus changed the original name, Srunell, to the softer sounding Prella. Parkinson sald thatthe Germans named it Brazlla “because it cureth that disease which they call ‘die bruen” (uinsey), common to soldiers in camp, but especially in garrison, which isan inflammation of the mouth, throat and tongue.” 170Summer: Gourmet Gardening ci biter principe, tanin, and sugar and tonic. * mPart It SORREL FRENCH SORREL Rumex scutatus L, ‘SHEEP SORREL R. acetosella L. WOOD SORREL Oxalis species POLYGONACEAE The refreshing acidity or lemony taste ofthe sorrels is imparted by 4 salt—binoxalate of potash. The two vasetieso above are the most usefil for mena and me: vated. Both are diuretic, antiscorbutie, and refrigerant, excellent for cooling fevers, cleansing wounds, treating chtonic skin diseases and urinary problems, and as blood purifies, French sorrel is @ vigorous perennial plant for gardens. The large, pleasantly acd leaves may be chopped fine for salads or made into ¢ delicous soup, which is equally good served hot or chilled. This is the ‘way I make Gather two large handfuls of sorrel. Wash, dry, and chop fine, Sim- ser in a lage skillet with two tablespoons of butter until the sorrel has disintegrated. Add a tablespoon of flout, and add one cup of soup stock (veget: thickens slighty, Remove from heat and add one cup which one egg yolk has been stirred, Return fo the le heating but do not allow to bol. Serve at once, hot, oF refrigerate and serve chilled up can be prepared in summer, fozen, and used ler To do this, prepare a above until the soup stock has been added and brought to 2 Boil Then cool, put ina container, and freeze. ‘When ready to use, defrost add the milk or cream with egg yolk and ‘When the stems of French sorrel grow tall, in mid-summer, cut the insure a good supply each year Because of its food value, medicinal use, easy cultivation, and del cious taste, French sorrel isa plant that belongs in every garden, ‘Most of us who have walked through coal woods or along shaded paths know the delicate, acid wood sorrel, unex actosella, The leaves are divided into three heart-shaped leaflets, light bright green above msorrel are smaller and thinner than the French sorte used in the same way, ler used to bea favorite green sauce for fish. 1 use it on steamed or broiled trout, perch, or red snapper. Leaves of both French and wood sorrel can be used, fesh or dried, RUBIACEAE Sweet woodruff blooms in May in most climates, but in New En sland it is usually June before te small, white star-shaped flowers show above the narrow, light green leaves arranged around a stiff stem in whorls. About eight to tceve inches tal ts handsome border plant abit of grovsth and clear green color all summer. ies ave many. Sweet wroodruff is antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic an tonic. Herbalists use it to treat nephritis, jaundice, and other diseases of the liver, An infuslon is made of the whole herb, taken, a small cupful ata time, three times 3 day, before or after meas. ‘The action of sweet woodruff on the nervous system tranquilizer, one that is withot cases of insomnia and isso gent that of @ side effets and Is nontoxic. It helps jon that it can be used safelyGiusy, sonsPort It TANSY ComPostraz Tansy, a hardy perennial ruled by Venus, grows to three fet high The alternate eaves are cu in ferme pater, some sit inches long and three to four inches wide, Round, dat, dull-gold flowers top th sacri by abundance in waste places, in dry, ety is crispumr which has leaves cut into finer, cured segments. This handsome plant does not bloom in my garden, 0 L also grow some of the wild plants, Both types ‘well in any garden sol, are easily increased by root division inf spread naturally. Both wild and cul stituents: tanaceton, tannic acid and a vol (standard brew) night and morning on an empty stomach, Ins is stomachic, atiflatutent, and cordial. Tansy is strong herb and should not be taken in large amounts. I shuld never be taken by pres nant women asi is abortfacient. In colonial times it was be cure sterility in women. It had another vetue, welcome befor spoiling. Culpepper said Water and drank’ it would ease griping pains and be good for and aching joints. I is also recommended for toothache and sore b gums, In England a traditional Easter dish was “a Tansy.” The secipe is -d 7 eggs, yolks and whites beaten separately 1 pint cream 1/4 t01/2 cup 5 a leaf of tansy mashed in a mortar 2 cups cracker crumbs (graham or soda crackers) 3/4 cup honey | winegassal of dry white wine feeshy grated nutmegPart I Combine al the ingredients, cook until thickened, cool slightly, and Pour into apie tin lined with your favorite pie crust. Bake at 400° for fifteen minutes then reduce heat to 325° and cack until the custard is fem and a golden colo Tansy was popular as a strewing herb because ofits clean, acrid fragrance and because it kept flies and ans away. These qualities make it popular today, and itis frequently planted outside the kitchen door to discourage insects. Planted at intervals around the vegetable garden, along with wormwood, garlic, marigolds, and pennyroyal, i will di courage predatory insects Tansy has one other virtue which, in all faioess to this feathery plant, should be mentioned. A leaf, placed between your socks and the sole of your shoes, gue GARDEN THYME Thymus vulga LABIATAE Garden thyme has many branched, hard woody stems and grows to ‘height of about ten inches. The short, narrow, pointed leaves are only one-quarter inch long, dull green, growing in pairs on extremely short 2s. The lavender flowers Mother row between the paired leaves ies forthe garden are golden thyme, silver thyme, and woolly thyme, the botanical names for which are T. ‘ulgoris aureus, 7. oulgeris argenteus, and T.laniauls, The last has very woe! i branches which bloom early in the summer with pin flowers, larger than those of the other thymes. All varieties may be raised from seed, but the plats that are started from zo0t di gives a delightful flavor to their honey. Theophrastus boasted of the 178Summer: Gourmet Gardening superiority of honey in Attica, which owed its special quality to the ‘wild thyme growing on Mount Hymetts. Vigil wzote of honey gat fred from bees that fed on thyme, mayjoram, and motherof-thyme, “Tervet opus, redolenque Taymo fragrantia mela.” “Thyme is antiseptic antispasmodic, tonic, and carminatve. I | in treatment of whooping cough, colds, shortness of breath, the system of impurities, I is aso good for fungus infections and sore throat. Gerard recommended i to "eure sciatica and pains in the head.” Teis a safe and pleasant digestive taken in the form of an (standard brew). Try these teas to keep your body in a state of health. used tocear Equal pats of ier, comtrey red clover Thyme, comeey, anise “Two parts thyme to ‘One part hyssop, and one part lavage All species of thyme yield fragrant ‘thymol and carvacrol 179 —————_$—$=££ —————iyme enhances the flavor of soups, stuf. ngs, and home-made mayonnaise. It makes a fragrant herb butler to tse on beets, carrots, or parsnips and is one of the herbs used with mace, allspice, parsley, and onions in Swedish meat b Swedish Meat Balls If cup of bread crumbs into tablespoons of heavy cream, nd ground pork, one-half pound of g spoons minced onions and rubbed spices to teste, Mix Pepper to taste. Squirt into this minfure,« three-quarters cup of ginger ale or Well aguin and shape into very sm diameter. Fry whole cranberry oli Derry sauce Any le icious served cold as an Focus ‘An herbal pipe tobacco can be made with equ of thyme, comfrey, mul in a tin with a slice of apple, Ww for 2 mont Inthe garden, thyme isa repellent for cabbage worms, Viel in his poetic advice to farmers, the Geogics, recommends thyme a a fumigant. Pliny said that when burned it discouraged “all venomous creatures” WORMWOOD wormwoop Artemisia absinthium L. ROMAN WORMWOOD A. pontica L. SOUTHERNWOOD. A, abrotanum L MuGWoRT A. vulgaris L. compositaz isis are under the dominance ofthe planet Mars, which ng matter an energy of its oven, They ate biter herbsPart It ‘Wormwood is mentioned in the Bi the Jews ab one of the yl a. cohol, cadinene,phellandrene, and pinene, an the leaves contain the glu ‘oside absinthi,absinthicacd, tannin, resin, starch, nitrate of potash, an other sats It is aromatic, toni, stomachic febrifige, anthelm antiseptic. It was listed in the National Formulary Inancient times, wormwood was used as an antiseptic to counteract the poisons of hemlock and some ofthe more deadly Amanias” ‘Tea made from an infusion of fresh or dried leaves, sweetened with i a good spring tonic. I is also recommended after eating too heavy food, as one is apt to do at a Thanksgiving dinner or other eal. Wormwood should be steeped only five minutes because en to lwenty minutes which s wal southernwood is pati sh branches hung Wwoolens. For use in my ga and sprinkled in a circle around young, plants is also effective. Cutworms can be held at bay by a circle of ‘chopped wormwood tops and coarse sand, The bitter aroma of the herb and the abrasive texture ofthe sand will discourage the most rapacious Another use for wormwood has always been as an anthelmintic, To get rid of pin worms or thread worms, take one-half teaspoon worm wood in honey, night and morning for three days, On the fourth day drink an infusion of equal parts peppermint and yarrow, 2 cup morning, and night. Combined with rue, wormwood is a powerful antirheumatic treat- ment In America, the use of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) dates back to the seventeenth century. Captain Lawrence Hammond of Charlestown, Massachusetts, in his Plysical Receipts listed mugwort, sage, chamomile, and gentian boiled in honey and applied warm, asa remedy. As have 182est nonin Supapuey wuunog xoaunsPort 11 {growing silver mound (A, schmitans) has feathery silver follage and is 2 charming border plant, ‘Tarragon (Artemisia dacunculus) looks unlike other members ofits k green leaves are hyssop or lavender ot set seed in the U propagated by root imps of the plant should be and divided every third yea, or the roots vill strangle each ‘oter—the reason why the French name for tarragon is “estragon,” Lite Daagon |Thnow of no medicinal use for this green member of the arte elightul flavor in vinegar, silds, and when cooked ‘hicken or veal, makes tarragon its own reward tonic and antisep 8 of its more powerful relatives, $0 It can properly be classed as a preventative her.The evening breezes Water lapping lightly on the heron’s leg-sticks BusoN September sunshine The hovering draganfly’s Shimmering shadow KARO nn breezes shake The scarlet flowers my poor child Could not waiVill Autumn: Battening Down sack of butternut inthe woodshed, Taking a basket and od spade, we go to dig roots at burdock. In a 187Port 1! ‘brown paper bag we also gather seeds from last year's plants. The roots will be scrubbed, quartered, and dried to make blood-purifying teas, ‘Seeds will be saved in jars against possible need in local applications for ene and psoriasis. ‘A fow comlsey roots must be gathered too. And f ere i hill where five or sx plants were sen, clecampane, and Atter supper we make the fist autumn fire in the Up chicken wi and parsnipe the garden to bed 'Now is the time ton paper bags, that mony, bonese, to small pieces. Clean jars should be ter, a stack of labels waiting to be inscribe. xe drying and bottling your own herbs forthe firs time, use els that are large enough forthe follosng information: name of herb, common and botanical, date of botling and the condition the herb is used to remedy. Calsfoo 23 September 1980 russe faire one cup, thre or four 5 eaded Making salves is dure is simple, wa eon Chop herbs. Putin an enamel or stainless steep pot, Bately cover hetbs with spring, well, a botled water. (Do not use highly-chemicalized ton for a rainy day. The basic proce- 188city water) Bring toa boll let simmer 0 jquid an equal amount of olive or safflower oil Return to pot and ine water has evaporated. There will be no bubbles li until dissolved, Pour a teaspoonful on a thickens at once, the amount of wax is correct. fit does not | quickly add more wax, Stir and botle while hot. Label with Nuwper 1 ‘Two parts comfrey and/or plantain leaves “Two parts yarrow, leaves and flowers One pat St John’ewort blossoms (One part pennyroyal and rosemary (whole het) ‘This salve is useful for cuts, bruises, buzns, and as askin cream and lip salve Nuaen 2 ‘Two pats cabbage leaves Two pars mugwort and celandine (whole herb) flowering thyme, and feweed ‘This salve relieves muscular pains and discomfort due to bursitis or sheumatism, Herbs for te autama, Clay pots are best as they are porous a isture to tevaporate out, Place pebbles ot broken bits ofa clay pot in te botto 189rich garden soll. Be sure roots are firmly tucked tn, Water with a dilute seaweed solution. Culinary herbs that grow add piquancy to winter cooking are rosemary, and thyme, Do not aver-water; we all January. My opinion heavily, cover it with April is for the solar greenhouse, choose hetbs and -esistant and have thick rather than thin leaves, Bibb lettuce, chinese cabbage, kale, leeks, parsley, winter stvory, and salad burnet are good choices. The soll i the greenhouse should be very deep and rich. The bottom layer should be fresh manuze, then layers of hay, wood ash, and top soll. When the planting is done, the soll should be moist. Waterless frequently as the weather gets colder, and when the temperature goes down to ten degrees above freezing, stop watering. There should be enough condensation inside the glass 10 sive the plants sufficient moisture. A top mulch of hay can be used but judge the condition of your own greenhouse; each one is diferent. Horseradish roots may be dug any time he ground freezes, Dig deeply because the roots are long. The root on one plant shoul be ff one or two inches below the leaves. Return this small piece of the ground, press the sil around fan inch above the ground. This will insure another crop of horseradish for next year. Wash and scrub the roots and store them in the refrigerator in a plastic bag, wel tied. Grate the roots as needed. keep well in a coal root cella. Putting the garden to bed is a chore keep you out ‘of doors on cool sunny days, and the reward will be a painless spring with neat beds ready to plant and a minimum of pests who have win- tered over, lurking in the soi Any unused herbs, leaves, and stems should be returned to the sil or sudded to the compos pile. Pull out by the roots all vegetables that have already been harvested: beans, broccol, chard, cucumbers, cabbage. Pie them up away from the garden and chop wel, Mix with dry leaves and. a litle hay and burn them i there is no local ordinance against this In some towns permission must be obtained from the local fire warden, The 199Auta: Batting Dot shes can be put inthe compos pile, ined with all surplus herbs. ‘Comiey and sage leaves should be spaded into the soil. Both iscourage nematodes from spending the winter underground in the fgden and improve your yield of tomatoes next y ‘When all he tcash is gone, mulch the whole garden with traw, grass clippings, or early hay that was cut before seeds formed, lemon, silver, and golden thymes, winter savory, lavender, and rorehound do well with alight winter protection of spruce branches, ‘Asparagus beds should be fertilized with aged manure and compost each fal, then covered with mulch, ‘Sy Halloween our gardening wil be finished, pumpkins and squash will be taken from the garden toa cool place, ready for use as baked Vegetables, soups, bread, and pies, Halloween, or All Sains’ Eve, was tne of the two important Celie festivals of the year, the other being May Day, o* Beltane. Inthe highlands of Scotland, it a5 ind anything that would burn, a rising ground near the house en to gather into great heaps on wold be fires were githered up and OF neighborhood interpreted asa sign inthe United States, heed gardeners who fel winter with a Halloween or autumnal bonfire may have a more direct Connection with this ancient Celtic custom than is generally known, In the fer of the Vermont Academy of Arts and Sclences, an- ‘opologist Lucien Hanks reviews Dr. Warren Cook's Ancient Vernnt ‘stone chambers discovered in Vermont he say,“ aligned so winter solstice can be sighted at is doorway, suggesting a rela tionship 10 Stonehenge and other European remnants of Celtic times” Stone chambers found all over New England and other pats ofthe United States have been provisionally dated as before four hundred BC; ‘Whatever the eventual opinion of the purpose of these stone chamn- bers may be, it i safe to assume that cur subconscious wish to bum ‘summer's debris and to use fire as a purification rite before the seminal Season of vvinter, goes very far back into the past of European and African cultures 1ALOE Aloe vera L ACEAE A native of Aftica, Aloe vera has been naturalized in most of the tropical zones. In North t grows only as a house plant. The Tong, succulent leaves are pointed and grow in rosette form. When bro- ken, the leaves exude a thick, mucilaginous liquid which is very sooth Ing and healing to burns and minor cuts. It relieves the pain immedi 's repeated le water. During the winter they can go for several months without being watered. They require small amounts luring warm weather when they go into a period of growth. In the summer, small shoots which appear next to the mother plant can be removed and potted tof ants, The large plants should be epotted into larger containers about every two or three years‘The active ingredients of Aloe vera have not been iden this author knows, but from personal observa ‘oper from persons who have used it @ & weatment for burns, invariably "The thick juice from a broken leaf may be rubbed on heauty treatment. Ip nourishes the skin, and prevents and diminishes wrinkles, Wash the face wi toe vera and allow _BEARBERRY BEARBERRY Arctostaphylos uo) (xi , spreading, procor Teathery texture. They are a inely veined, The berries are red and seem tobe of interest only Epon and grouse. The flowers appear in dzooping pink and white terminal racemes or panicles, In New England the blooming season is fom june to July. 11s usually found in dry, rocky, and sandy sol, but Bearberry is als Bearberry 198Part tt have seen it growing contentedly slong the edge of woods in moder ly damp humus soil Inthe nineteenth century the plant was called Arbutus uea-st and is s0 classified in Green's Universal Herbal ‘The leaves are the only part ofthe plant used medicinal Bearberry’s main constitu butin, ursone, ing water and steep for twenty minutes. Marsh-mallow rool can be combined in ‘equal parts, BONESET BONESET. Eupatorium perfoliatum L. (tHonoucawons”) composrrae I was named for the Eupator of Pontus who, in idates VI whose extensive herb gardens were famous 19 world. There are ive hundred species of Eupatoviu, ‘many of which grow in warm ar tropical regions. Over eighty species Brow in the United States, Boneset grows wild in low, damp meadows throughout North ‘America as far south as Florida and also in the West Indies. grows to four feet high with a strong, erect and round stem which branches out atthe top into four or more divisions, topped by large, white terminal flower heads. These are somewhat bristly with the hairs arranged in Single rows. The plant is easy to recognize because the long, pointe. serrate leaves are opposite and joined atthe base, The leaves of boneset are pevfliate a characteristic reflected inthe botanic name. The leaves have a prominent central vein an Bonest is stimulant, febrituge, di 2ats on the 194Port it stomach, liver, Bowel, and uterus The hesb contains a bitter glucoside called eupatorn, resin, volatile oll gale acid and a glicosidal tannin, Is used by herbalists in eases of systemic colds Boneset and other species of Eupatorium were listed among the fy nine indigenous remedies used by the North American Indians. Indians ‘of the northeast used it as a fever remedy and identified it by a name which signified “ague-weed.” The white men leared t0 use it success. fully to cure intermittent fevers, Treated with boneset this typeof fever was non-recurrent, whereas @ elapse was apt t0 occur when it was treated with quinine During the yellow fever epidemic in P vas calle, he sad, the “Golden Medical Discovery,” and was “thoroughly sisted neutralize and destroy miasmatic ar ague poison which isin the ys tem.” To break up a chil’ fever, he prescribed four tesspoonsful three times a day for three days! Daring the Civil War, boneset was used as a febrifuge for of Conte for many illnesses due to dampness and exposure, and it sas found in “every well-regulated household." The Iroquois andthe Mohegan used it to combat chils and fever, and amang the Creeks it was used in steam houses for aches and pains ofthe hips. For ninety-six years E. peflitum was listed in the United States Phormacopeia and remained in the National Formalary wil 1950. ‘The plants should be collected in late Augustin New England, when the flowers ae fist opened, as both leaves and blossoms aze wed medici- rally. If you cannot collect it yourself, order the deed herb from any reputable source listed in Appendix V, a8 ts a valuable adition to any home medicine shel. use the following combinations in infusions: ES Ps UD. 7 eis Com Sa alr se th nd ion sees. Port, Rese Sars i Cmte Ser Cheon Se 196Dow Cone part honeset, ane pat comfrey, one part mint ‘One past Boneset, one part chickweed, one part anise (One part boneset, one part catnip, one part sage Sweeten with Roney Joe-Pye-weed, Eupatorium purpureum, is another valuable member of tne same farnly. [is astringent and diaphoretic. Its common name was {derived from an Indian of the northeast who was said to have cured cyphold fever with it by inducing extreme sweating I was also used by the Indians as an antisyphilitic ‘Both boneset and Joe-Pye-weed are common, handsome, wild plants, Tong history of medical efficacy. I can personally recommend ‘oneset as a cure for dengue or break-bone fever, which I contracted uring @ Tong stay BURDOCK BURDOCK Arctium lappa L. COMPOSITAE “The botanie name Arctium is derived from the Greek word “arktos" meaning bear, an obvious reference to the plants’ rough-coated burrs, Burdock, which enjoys the protection of Venus, is no stranger to even the best-cared-for ‘appears along paths and against ‘ts habitat to ditches and country that grow Tn color the plant .yed-green, the branched stem rising four or more fet from a biennial root. The lower leaves are amorphously teat shaped, very large, sometimes up to sixteen derside covered with down, tease in size and become ovat by September the tubular purple florets with th metamorphosed into the itransigent hooked burrs w f2rden gloves, clothing, dogs, and horses’ manes and tails with a nice impartiality. The long, Heshy root is neutral brown outside and white 197 ——$Firstyear plants have only basal leaves, the second year a pithy, logogue, diaphoretic, diuret dock, makes ta erative, tonic, and \deed, has something for everyone. A valuable ust for every home medicine cabin It removes toxic substances from the system Seton though Burr Taproat Burdock 198toning Down relieving conges- he part most commonly ased and {Should be collected inthe spring ofall ofthe first year. & decoction of mn teaspoon of the dried root, allowed to soak in an enamel pan for Wve hours (overnight would ot be too Tong), then brought to abo and ffrained, can be taken in the asount of one eupfal a day. A supply for fevecal days can be made and {decoction of the leaves is effective inthe of Bardock leaves, one cupful a day, has long been used as a spring Burdock, one of the most available plans, was well known to the “American Indians, Vogel, in his book, Ameria: In bes who developed their own uses frit: the Otos, the Meskwaky, leurisy and bor pains and to ease stom- Sch cramps. The Potawatomi used the root very much as we do, as a blood purifier and tonic, te man learned about burdock from the Indians. It appeared jermittenly from 1831 wnt 1916. It where purification ofthe system is indicated, such asin tr tone and eczema, Ths treatment is only effective, however, I the pa tient i willing to change his diet to one free of dairy products and to Increase his intake of raw frit and vegetables, ‘Burdock contains inulin, mucilage, sugar, a glucoside (appi amount of resin, fixed and volatile oils and some tannic acid. small CALENDULA CALENDULA OR MARIGOLD — Calendula officinalis L COMPOSITAE ‘The familar orangecflowered marigold received its botanical name because of its habit of blooming on the Calends, or first day of the ‘month, cording tothe ancient Julian calendar. Its popular name “mati 199gold” evolved from a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon “mersomeargell, ‘which actually refered to what we know as marsh marigold The green leaves ofthe Calendula or pot marigold area bright, perfect green, prototype of what we envision the color green to be, nether ark, nor silvered, nor muted with any other tone, an equal mix of wounds and burns n, double the usual amount of herb tothe used warm or cod fon made from one cup of fresh blossoms simmered in two cups isan excellent wash for the compl ‘with natural (no preservatives) cider vinegar, lett dry on the skin, then dab on the calen A handful of blossoms steeped in a cup of olive ot safflower oil in 4 glass jar placed in a sunny window and turned occasional ‘therapeutic il for sprains, congested veins external ulcers, or skin prob. 200Atm Bat 1g Down may be left in the sun from one week to one month. The freak lowers, brulsed, may be applied directly to a cut or abrasion. ‘an infusion, standard brew, may be taken inter ow-grade fevers It will also bring out the eruption in tases such a8 measles or chicken pox ledieval households the orange-clored blossoms were @ stan- dard ingredient of soups. The leaves, eaten in salads, were thought to be a cute for seofula! Today we use the bright florets to give color to both soups and sal- ads To dey flowers, pll the petels apart and arrange them, without ‘hing each other, ona lage cookie sheet. If they overlap, the res blackening ar loss of color. Dey in an oven that has been heated toto hundred degrees and then turned off. When the flowers are bone dry, sore in brown glass, ceramic, oF stoneware ja. (The type of jar that cheddar cheese, oF orange marmalade come ter stews and soups, the Blossoms tems. The weeded to give living space nce ofthe Sun’s purifying ray its patron and guardian. ‘he importance of marigold ‘may be judged by the fact thatthe seeds were among the first ordered by fohn Winthrop, Jr, a8 listed in the invoices of goods shipped in Captain Petee’s “Lyon.” One-half ounce of marigold seeds cost, on the twenty-sixth of July, 1631, two pence, or “tuppence. ‘Marsh marigold, which as we have mentioned gave its name to pot smarigold by way ofthe Anglo-Saxon, is not a marigold, or a member of the Calendula family, but of the genus Caltha (Caltha palustris) of the Duttercup family. It is perennial with large, round, heart-shaped leaves, {hollow stem and flowers twa inches across formed by yellow sepals father than by petals. It grows in water or wet places and is familiar sight mg ditches and in marshland. In Vermont, the early as an eaely spring green,COHOSH BERBERIDACEAE bce large, growing apex. Flowers are six to purple, large and dey. The r00t the part used medi knotty, with a brownish exterior, about four of five inches long with = White to yellowish interior. ue cohosh contains potassium, magnesium, gum, starch, sal dium, phosphoric acid, soluble resin, iron, ‘corresponding in some ways to 33 emmensgoaic, Teds used i ‘weeks before labor and for several hours before with the frst labor stengthens the uterus I ved and pre vents it from being too prolonged or too rapid. It is also helpful for srenstral cramps, Dosace fusion: One wineglassful thre or four times a day, between meals Decocton: One tesspoon to one tablespoon, three or four times a dayPart I ELECAMPANE ELECAMPANE Inula om L, composrraz rampane, protected by the planet Mercury, is partial to damp id somewhat shaded places, So adaptable is this four-to-five. nt that it has made itself at home throughout Europe, tem southern Siberia, and parts of India, and is naturlized wer North America, where itis frequently seen growing along road sides and in ditches and abandoned fields, The tout, eret stem branches fut near the top, where It bears terminal heads of lange, bright yellow flowers, four inches in diameter, hich grow out of a Base or involucre ‘of wide velvety Leaves (bracts). The leaves ofthe basil rosette are large, ‘ovate, pointed, fifteen to eighteen inches long and up to sx inches across at the widest point. The velvety leaves ae sitar to mullein. They clasp the stem as they approach the top, becoming, smaller as they go. The spindle-shaped, mucilaginous 109! Is peren fe 19 sx inches Jong, an inch and a half tthe thickest par, succulent, branching, brow, the Greeks and is sald to have been named for Filen, wife of Menelaus, who was believed to have had an arm of the plant when Pars abducted her ts ‘ofthe name is thatthe best plans grew on the Linnaeus, however, the plant was known a8 Ei y te Inula roots every day to aid dh preclalmed st "good "In Anglo-Saxon medicine, elecampane was 1e Norman conquest. The Welsh physicians of “marchala.” tery gardens a principle called helenin inulin, acrid resin cil, inulenin, and mucilage, among others. The active ingredient monary diseases. Its contained in in from the root ofelecampane, under- ss toa form of fructose, whichis used in diabetic bread, The ots of dahlias and Jerusalem avichakes are similar 208Part I Present-day herbalists use the root of elecampane as a tonic for pul> ‘monary complaints and for coughs, It is a safe and efficient home medi- cine for bronchitis and asthma, The dose is one teaspoonful of the de- coction taken three times a day. As an embrocaton, it may be used externally inthe treatment of seatica and neuralgia, The distilled water ofthe herb and root will remave blemishes from the Ski. ‘The medicinal action of elecampane is du tonic, an tisepic astringent, and gentle stimulant, Modern research has proved that the use of elecampane inthe treatment of pulmonary 2 solid bass. ts acuive, bitter principe, helena, is a powers nd bactericide: One port to ten thousand makes 2s fina spot where it can receive plenty ‘good. The roots may be started in a cold frame the garden, ST. JOHN'S-WORT ST. JOHN’S-WoRT Hypericum perforatum L. HYPERICACEAE ‘St. John's-wort is a hardy perennial found in uncultivated ground, meadows, and roadsides. The stems are branching, the leaves oppos pale green, sessile, oblong with pelluci spots of ol glands which ean be Seen if the leaf is held up tothe light. Bright yellow flowers grow in terminal cymes 208Port ID ‘Mediclly, St. Jon's wort is aromatie, astringent, expectorant,nervine, and vulineray, Iti used in pulmonary disease, bladder trouble, diar- jaundice, and nervous depression. Because of is nervine proper. an be used for insomnia and to prevent bedwetting Externally iis used as a forentation to relieve caked breasts. the flowers that have been steeped in aja with olive inthe sun for a few weoks to a month or more, nds, and skin problems. If kept cep for a year or Birthday, they will keep away “ghosts, de ‘of August, the day St.John was beheaded, the leaves ae supposed to show red spots. VALERIAN VALERIAN Valeriana officinalis L. (’serwatt," “GARDEN HELIOTROFE") VALERIANACEAE Valetian is a true dual-purpose plant. Its flower is showy and fea grant in the garden, its root has been used for centuries a6 a cure for Rervous disorders Its virtues were known to the Anglo-Saxon leeches Of the fifteenth century, and were extolled by the physicians of the medical school of Salerno in the ninth “The plant grows to four fet tal with bipinnate foliage and fragrant pink-tolavender flowers that appear in ft, terminal clusters. The root- tock, which is the part used met is short and wp to eee quar fers of an inch in diameter It has an unpleasant odor said to account for the name "Phu," by which the plant was knovn to the anclents ‘Valerian isan anodyne, an antispasmodic nd a non-narcotic nervine, [A standard infusion of fresh rootstock, two teaspoons to one pint boiling wate, taken cold a stall wineglassul theee times a day half an 208Post I hour before mess, i good treatment for nervousness or nerve-caused diseases. ‘An extract prepared by soaking ttoteespoonsful of rootstock in water for twenty-four hours, then stained, may be taken, one-half cupfl, at Deatime, WINTERGREEN WINTERGREEN Gaultheria procumbens L, ‘CHECKERBERRY") ERICACEAE The plant Is aromatic and smooth throughout. Branches grow erect from creeping or subterranean stems. Leaves grove mostly in elistrs at the ends of stems, oval, oblong, narrowed at the base, short-petiolad with margins slighly revolute (eolled backward), with very low, briteatures Battering Dow topped teeth. The top side ofthe leaf is dark green and shiny, the une derside is pal. Flowers grow in the als. They are usually 5 nally two grow together. The fruit is Bright red and five lobed. Principal constituents of wintergreen are methyl salicylate (a parafin), an aldehyde, an alcohol, and an ester juetic, rubefacient, atisheumatic, carminative, anodyne, to femmenagogue. An infusion of the leaves orp les An infusion may also be used as a gargle fr sore throat or as a douche for leucorrhoe. YARROW YARROW (save01") composrraz Authorities differ a8 to whether yarrow is native or naturalized to [North America the latter be true, ert no jahmny-come: Iately, because reports from vse asa vulner- ssid soldiers’ wounds with yarrve, A more fanciful ver- fant Achilles was dipped into a bath of yarrow by bhi mother, who held him by his heel. This accounted for his invulner to wounds, except fr his heel ‘Yarrow is astringent tonic, vulnerary simul ative, and emmenagosi. ns an aromatic volatile achillele acd, resin, tannin, gum, and earthy ash. The whole herb is used medically by herbalists today. It dilates the pores, producing co- ling, and isa valuable aid in reducing fevers and riding the ‘A strong infusion (double standard brew) is excellent for cleansing, open wounds and preventing infection. It contracts mucous membranes aPort It 22 Yorrowwith any homemade wine and can be kept in the refrigerator for several months. “The Micmac Indians of Canada used yarrow as a sweat bath to cure and ve use the blossoms ina hot bath, preceded and followed by the hot infusion. hery leaves of yazeow, topped with pearly-white re daisy-lke flores, are @ mustard fo cut on a summer day when the Moon, under whose protection i geows, ison the increase Tn ancient ty yarrow stalks were used to consult te oracle 1 Ching, The Book of Changes One stalk was pt aside, and there 213The new-laid garden sHADO My very bone-ends Make contact with the icy quilts (Of deep December BUSON In the wintry moon Gales raging down the river Hone the rock-edges. cHoRA ‘The old dog ties intent Listening . .. does he overhear The burrowing moles?Ix Winter: Season of Tisanes a5Part It ‘The Saturnalia, which reenacted the genial innocence of the good. smonarch’s reign, was celebrated in ancient Rome for seven days and seven nights, from the seventeenth to the twenty “Master and slave changed prince and pauper were equal was to receive Does our exchange of Christmas derive from inter isa good time to do some research, but now our ketle and we must choose some herbs to make tea for guests who will be ariving soon: comitey, raspberry leaves, Breen, a few cloves, to say that ic acid and phosphorus, i a es; Keeping warm takes & great deal of energy that in other seasons Is released for specific body functions, Heat and energy are interchangeable. When energy is being sed for heat it is necessary for us to drink teas that will compensate for the loss of energy in other areas “There are teas to warm us when we come in from the cold, Try combining One part chamomile One part costary “Two pars red coves ‘Two pars stinging “Two parts thyene A grating of fresh ginger and whole nutmeg As you increase your supply of dried herbs, you will experiment ls dlferent combinations and flavors, Here area few suggestions to start with, good winter teas for warmth and sociability. ‘Two parts marjoram and thyme (One part apple mint and hyssop Two parts lemon balm (melissa) and comfeey One part sage wo pars chamomile (One pare red clover and anlse seeds 16Winter: Season of Tisanes “Two parts comivey (One patt each lavender spearmint, nd sage ‘Many teas taste pleasant, yet have specific medicinal uses too. For High Blood Pressure (Chopping wood and shoveling snow sometimes raise blood pressure, Equal parts of parsley (leaves and root), arse, chamomile, and fenugreek ‘Te Purify the Blood This is important at the beginning and end of winter. ‘Two pars burdock root and comfrey (One part each wormvood, Two parts primrose peppermint ves and lowers) and sage n rot, yarrow, and afew whole cloves Equal parts rspbercy and vile leaves, rd clover, colander eating and Soothing Teas for Bronchi qual pats ground vy, elecampane root, eucalyptus leaves, and mallow root ‘Two parts comfrey and fenugreek (One part each anise seeds, witch grass rhizomes Equal pazts mollein, horehound, lungwort, and thyme Equal pars colisfoot, mullein, comfrey, mallow root For Flatulence or Digestive Discomfort Equal parts chamomile, peppermint, lemon gra ind catnip, cara seeds, and fennel seeds one par yarrow in two pasts eucalyptus 3, two parts comfrey (One part each plantas, primrose flowers, nettle To Increase the Flow of Bile, to Relieve Gall-Bladder Condition Two parts each patsey and singing nettle (One part each yarrow, burdock root, and peppermintCChatnomile or catnip; for young babies, one tablespoon at a time of the ‘warm infusion For a Mild Laxative: Two pars chickweed (One part each hyssop, yarrow, fenugreek, caraway, and feet For a Cough Two parts each coltsfoot and horehound One part anise gual parts elecampane root, lungwort, and few jniper bertis ‘Two pars comey, wo pats di (One part marjoram and anise To Soothe the Nerves: Equal parts chamomi Equal parts borage, Two parts One part b For Insomnia Everyone needs more hours of sleep in winter, so if you have trouble ito sleep, take one ofthese harmless and helpful teas, parts agrimony lavender, fennel seeds Equal pars catnip, blue veresn, anise Equal parts agrimony, chamomile, dill ‘Two pars each mallow flowers and root, salad busnet 218Winter: Season of Tsones For This is important for non-vegetalans. Two pars pepper Cone part dandelion root Two parts sweet woodrat rosemary For Menstrual Cramps: In winter, exposure to cold at the time of menstruation often cxuses cramps. ‘Equal parts raspberry leaves, lady's mantle Equal parts meadowsoeet, rosemary ‘Two parts St Joha'swort (ne pert tansy (tansy should not be taken by pregnant women, subs ‘west cicely) For Stomach Uleers: ‘Comfrey, calendula, fenugreek, equal parts Stinging nete, ground ivy, slippery elm, equal pats For a Tonic: Meadowsweet,besrberry, thyme, ual ‘Lemon balm (relissa}, basi, raspberry leaves, equal parts For Urinary Trouble: Two parts pasley root (One part horseta, sage, anda few juniper berries For Cyst “Two parts corn sl One past Lovage root and meadowsweet [Equal pats bearberry, parsley see, rose hips Inall eas except those for insomnia oF stomach uleers, the following additions may be made for favor a few cloves, a sprinke of cinnamon Or allspice, a drop of two of almond extract, 29Port I A special tea for acne is made by using burdock and comfiey root anise, and fennel seeds in a decoction, Drink three to four cups a day, ‘unsweetened, ‘Acne is also helped by holding the face over a pot of water in which aves, purslane leaves, anise, and fennel seeds ‘THE MEDICINE SHELF agrimony elder flower Deaberry cucalypts bonesst ‘dandelion root, slecampane THE CONDIMENT SHELF fenugreek singer loves sage cotiander vwintorgreen ried orange, lemon peel isa good time to tal abo ‘gentle art of compounding herbal teas and remedies. From the sevent ‘odd herbs in this Book, you may use twenty or so the fist year you 201 herbs to press approach the whole know them completely by dandelion root STRONG sp Toiemacy lerdal TenagreekePart I lop a psychic rapport. You will know, wat consciously what is needed. Should you de peciic curative herb but be somewhat rs, itis sometimes helpful to use a pendul that you find hard to choose between on a tbl ‘ver them, one at a time, Ask your pendslum is mixture?” The pendulum will ive the 3 ich way will you move?” The way your pendulum responds this frst time willbe the way you should henceforth interpret i Th wintes, when the ving essence of an herb retume to the root to conserve energy for the summer, so do we seem to gather in our resourees and store our strength. Dreaming, remembering, projecting into the future, ‘we enjoy a season of nner growth and preparation, Something occurs to Us as in severe, we see our summer herb garden. Why should we be tied to straight lines and squares? Some changes will be made tis year. There is powerina circle: the Sun, invincible, isa disc; the Moon a it brightest, ‘is round; the halo effect inthe sky is cece, With our magic marker, on a large pad, we draw a circle. Four herbs ruled by the Sun will share this inner cre: marigolds, chamomile salad burmet, and rosemary. In the tue of St, Face, p acre sought 3 sue gave him land near Brie. There Facee ‘and tended a garden of herbs and veg- “fiacres” were used by Parisians who drove the seventeen miles from Meaux to the Holy Tetracty. One plus two plus thre plus four equal jered the perfect number. These triangular beds ‘ease, At the apex ofeach triangle we may choose an accent of tll south- cermwvood, tansy, sweet cicely, angelica mmYer Season of Tisanes 1) English peppen 5) dow ‘esemary; with St. Fiace in the centr. After we have made these dream diagrams for our next summer's garden, we consult our seed catalogues, This a satisfying event, a sn that gives reality to our dream, But as we finish writing reeds for next spring, our eye stays down the page £0 caraway-scented thyme, ceeeping woolly yarrow (very rare, says the fatalogue), Vatican dwart sage, golden spearmint. Should this heady ist chimney in ‘As Christmas app? many times, about a ttle boy who believed in fairies andPart I milk and porridge with them by leaving little saucer on the hesrth the Litle Falk helped him tansy, yarrow, and thyme, Before the co ing, he brewed a tea for his mother 'A good introduction to herbs for y le bogs, rent color, that can be "ibbon, and hung on the Christmas tree to be presented to visiting friends January in snow cou sand freezers seem inex: could we have used so much yarrow?-—and will we never learn to dry ‘enough peppermint? Frozen pumpkin for one more pie, enough basil for pesto and a lat weekend of careful preparation. How the wood pile hhas dwindled! And the porch thermometer reading is agrees below zero, Must we listen to our household's favorite stories agin. and agal Whereis that peaceful enjoyment of reading and writing letters that we felt last week? We should remember, but never do, that ou problem {5 seasonal_—cabin fever, fe people believe that if you know the name of something, you have power over it. We agree. Cabin fever, we eepeat, as we make 2 cup of melissa tea February twenti a duck on Herringbrook Road just Ducks have built-in timers that ean never be fooled: the of four weeks, when the ducklings hatch, i will be spring. Right on cosmic calendar, the spin ing. 35 we surround ourselves 1g herbs that melissa m balm) was known in ancient medicine as a remedy for mela cholia, an herb to purge the body of all impurities anda means of inducing happiness. "Gene Der “Psa Geen” 18 m4CHICKWEED aria media L, (CARYOPHYLLACEAE CHICKWEED 5 Chickweed grows throughout the world and might almost be called an extension of man, asi an be found wherever he has made a home Culpepper described it poetically as "a fne sot pleasing herb under the lominion of the Moon." Is action is demulcent, laxative, and refiger acelsus call ‘Chickiweed is useful a6 an ointme and as an ingredient in ions or poultices. The plant id so can be used in varying proportions. AS 2 sild cure for const it ean be taken three times a day, or in ex treme cases every few hours until the bowels move normally. Put a snandful of ablespoons of the dried, herb in a quart water and bo the iguid has evaporate Drink warm, a cupful fs perfectly harmless fone teaspoon cayenne pepper blended fim and fenugreek, the desited coms tha piece of plastic for longer retention of heet jeeped overnight in water that has been brought to a boil may be used as wet applications or in a hand or foot ‘can be kept several days in 3 cool place, and warmed agtin as used, Do not CChickweed, like dandelion, purslane, and pigweed, makes a healthy and delicious salad or cooked green. It is rich in copper and iron. ‘An infusion (standard brew) of chickweed is soothing for stomach talcers and digestive problems. The bruised fresh leaves are healing to skin irritation and insect stings ‘Stella media isa long, vine-ke, procumbent, annual plan, the eB shaped leaves having short, sharp points that grow in pairs on the Smooth, pale-green stem. Tiny, white star-shaped flowers grow singly from axils of the leaves, or from terminal cymes. A toathed capsule 2sazPort IT ly, are tapering 2 faint aromatic smell anda sweet taste ln the mouth. It isa hardy perennial iy herd treatment of boils, erysipelas, gangrene, sep- fs I is useful in typhoid cae, ‘and fermentative dyspepsia. Its used today as an immune sys- races can be taken, five to ten drops a ‘during the winter months) 26 en as already been contracted, twenty ‘recommended. myer, and saffron ion, One-half cup of ‘an hour before breakfast and meals, Keep up the tretment for one week after the infection has dis: appeared, Purple conefloer can be obtained from nutsries now, It does well and increases in home gardens. Zea mays L. GRAMINACEAE roasted in its green sheath at a Labor Day pi garden, we worry lest the raccoons, whose bu hard to beat, harvest i the night belore the very day we plan to gather the eas Besides being one of the he Indians’ great contribution tothe dit of mankind throughout the tropic ‘and temperate zones corn is a valuable and inexpensive medicine, whose worth few would contest. Since its discovery, growing inthe New World, it has been in constant use by shamans, frontier doctors, and modern pharmacologiss "The Indians of both Americas wete well aware ofits medicinal value, 228red a decoction of ground com for jon in women. (Young mothers take 29Part 1 Herbalists today know that corn silk is diuretie lithostypt ic, and anodyne. Corn contains starch, sugar, fat, salts, water, yellow ei, maizenic aid, azotized matter, gluter dextrine, Blucose, cellulose, silica, phosphates of lime and magnesium, soluble alts of potasis (potassium hydroxide), and soda ci fresh or dried, contains maizenic acid, fixed ol, resin, chlorophyll, sugar-gum extractive, albuminoids, phlobaphine salt lose, and water VVermont’s wellknown folk medicine advocate, the late Dr. D. C Jarvis, recommended com silk for hay fever, migraine, and asthma. The rationale ofthis suggestion is that the acids in corm shift the body chem- sm alkaline to aid. He recommended a tablespoon of the chronic and acute cystitis, prostate problems, and bed-wetting. ‘A double-trength infusion (to ounces of com silk to a pint of b ours, one toro teaspoons ata COSTMARY cosTMARY Balsamite major Desf (BIBLELEAE, (Chrysanthemumbalsamital.) “ALEHOOF") COMPOSITAE CCostmary is governed by Jupiter, the kindly, benevolent planet from whose name the word “jovial” is derived. Jupiter influences mut and cell b ‘native of the Orient, costmary is now found in almost every coun-Port It two or thre feet in height. When it flowers, usually August in New England, the blossoms are small, greenish-yellow, and unattractive; by ‘the time this happens, the plant has a scragely, unkempt appearance. [t propageted from the creeping 700ts, so it Is best £0 ut i back before it lowers. If grown in the shade, it sometimes does not flower and keeps a neat shape Th the nineteenth century, costmary, combined with lavender, was ns and blankets inal tea is made by infusion, Allow itto steep tes because ofits bitter taste. Green's for "disorders frequent ne the source of the fe, This may be an example of costmary’s nutritive value under the benign guidance of Jupiter, ‘When costinary entigrted to New England, it acquired a new name, “Bible leaf” The firm, tough leaves were used as placesmarks in the Bible on Sunday; if the sermon dragged on interminably, the luckless parishioner chewed the minty-flavored leaf to keep him awake, much as Ive chew a mintflavared gum to keep from nodding. CCostmary, which has digestive and antiseptic properties as well as its minty favor, combines well with other hesbs to make a healthy anc fcomatic tea for preventive as well as socal use. Try some of these Combinations and experiment with some of your own creative choosing. One part costmary ‘Two parts comfrey ‘One part fennel seeds Cone part costnary (One part costmary (One part comirey ‘Two parts chamomile One part bugle (One part orange mist 232FENUGREEK Fenugresk 233Part It lzon in an organic form, It is mucilaginous, tonic, restorative, and sooth Ing. A poultice of mashed seeds soaked in dilute apple-cider vinegar is len glands, and skin ‘8 suitable vehicle for bind iestnes are relieved by drinking ade de by soaking one ounce of seds in one pint of cold water for four hours, then allowing the mixture to boil for three minutes. The addi ‘few deops of ol of aise, pepper fenugreek has been used to teat rickets, Its also valuable in the det of convalescent ‘Commercially, fenugreck is used as a maple-sugar Navoring in con- nd syrups. rized seeds can be used in making a curry power along with 5 catdamom, coriander, and turmeric GOLDENROD TALL GOLDENROD Solidago altissima L. LATE GOLDENROD S. gigantea L. LANCE-LEAFED GOLDENROD —S. gramintifolia L. SWEET GOLDENROD S. adora CANADA GOLDENROD S. canadensis L. DOWNY GOLDENROD S. puberula L. COMPOSITAE There are some hundred and twenty-five speces of goldenrod of which sisty-five grow in the United Stats, Identification isnot easy, but the various species can be divided roughly into five categories accord {ng to blossom form: plumelik, elm-branched, clublike, wandlike, and flat-topped. In all species the leaves ae lanceolate, long sessile, smooth ‘edged or slightly serrate, 2isnot of ge pecies have the same medicinal diuretic, and vulneray. The whole herb, aken as an infsion, has ¢ long remedy for kidney tones, fatulence, and vomiting. External for wounds and as a hot compress to relieve headaches. have found it valuable, mixed with equal parts of red clover bos soms and elecampane, to prevent and relieve hay fever and similar respiratory alleges Make an infusion of the leaves and flowers of goldenrod and red clover blossoms, about a handful ofeach, fresh or dried, and add the liquid to an equal amount of elecampane root decoction. If cup of this ken every day for several weeks before the hay-fever season ‘ill prevent or lessen the allergic reaction. GOLDTHREAD GOLDTHREAD Coptis groenlandica L. (‘vetiow root,” (ed.) Fern “CANKER ROOT") RANUNCULACEAE Golethread groves in moist, cool woods, Its « small perennial prominent leaves ate shiny davk green above and paler reath. In New England it blooms fram May to lyMYRRH MYRRH Commiphora myrrha (Nees.) Engl. BURSERACEAE 237Winter: Seaso wash for ulcerated mouth and sore gums. Two to five drops at atime, in one-half glass water, can be taken as needed, one teaspoon of myrch to one nally for bad breath 0100s spoonful four or five times a day It ean be used in combination with purple coneflower and other herbs to trent streptococcus infection, of boiling water, can The dose is one tea STRAWBERRY ‘STRAWBERRY Fragaria virginiana L. RASPBERRY Rubus idaeus L. ‘ROSACEAE ‘The steawberry, prized frit of garden and refrigerator, is a perennial herb, one of twenty species ofthe genus fragaria ofthe rose family. A joy to nosthern gardens, the strawberry needs no winter protection other than the snow that falls <0 obligingly fom November until April. The ‘compound leaves have three leaflets; the white flowers grow in clusters at the end ofa slender stalk, Varieties that produce few runners are best Set in hills, prolife runner varieties in matted rows. Sirawberres need 2 goodly supply of manure worked into the ground in the fall. The tverbearing varieties have smaller feuit with fine flavor and are a boon to the busy gardener and herbalist ‘William Coles, in The Art of Siepling (1856), advises, “Among straw~ berries sow here and there some Borage seed and you sh Strawberries under those leaves farre more larger than thei CCompanionate pla known in the seventeenth century, and a charm. Not only are my berries “more larger” for thei proximity to borage but they have never ‘been plagued by insects or disease “The three-star gourmet rating of strawberries is equaled by the me~ dicinal value of the leaves. Herbalists recommend them in cases ofxX The Armchair Herbalist An old friend who de cause of his travel was a sought-after dinner guest be ket, but in the Book-stzeven comfort of his study he foamed the world For those who will never plant a garden or cl thyme, there isthe option of becoming an armchair her ‘Herbal recipes turn up in unexpected places. Niolat Gogo! ter, the excellent housewife, Pulherya Ivanovna, row) and sage with vodka fo make a beverag houlder blades and loins. Vodka with peach stones, she asserted, would, make a bump on the forehead disappear within afew mi Pseudo Apulcins sad, "Anyone have with him this her (columbine) of wild‘be barked at by dogs.” Had this bit of ancient wisdom or Mr. Gravely, who came once a month to read our would have been a happier afsir fr him. Our dog s barker inal advice knows no geographical boundates; from Ene BYPI. and America come some bizatre recommendations in Chaucerian England, John of Arden had a remedy called "Sanguis Veners” which he worms purge, in number twenty, them together and keep it to the aforesaid.” Another old English book recommends agrimony to be taken with“ iminture of powdered frogs and himan blo orthages. ‘The Chinese, most of whose herbal medi foibles, too. Love philtes were made from dragon that if the dragonflies were buried in the house on y fifth month, the eyes would be transformed into blue pears. “The Chinese used a contraceptive which is unlikely to regain popu larity. Catch a scorpion, tear off all its legs, roast the body in ashes, smear glue on the wings of an autumn cicada, sprinkle the scorpion ‘shes on it, need well and spread the resulting dough onthe sbdomen ‘of the woman, thee fingers Below the navel. If at some later date, she ‘wants a child, the contraceptive can be undone if she swallows the saliva of a toad, ‘mary, bay leave Ww wax, and goose grease” ‘Another easly American recommendation, this one for tootheche, tary than the Reverend Cotton Mather: ner. The fist calls for equal pat Teaves, and the hoof of an a3, 22‘The Armchair Herbalist, head. The second isa scalp Iotion made from Khet plans, ollyrium, pleasant to reflect, as we sit comfortably before a fire, that some ated herbs, common to every kitchen garden and and legend, going t9 Scarborough Bair? Parsley, sage rosemary, and thyme Remember me ‘She was once proud and plumy by spread her cup. Only the green fosemary, born pe viewed that owned no benison of sweetness for the Child” Becoming weary, Mary rested beside a river ‘while the Baby slept, she washed His clothes. Where could she hang them? “The lily breaks beneath them, the Hac stands t0 tal Iaid them on the rosemary who “held them all morning to the sun.” 1 thank you gente rosemary Hencforerd you shall bear Blue clusters for remembrance Of tis ue clock I wear ‘Ad not your Blossoms ony 1 sie you as reward But where hs eciment clung to you lad the litle Lord shal be aroma Said Mary for! bess Les stom, and flower “That fom his hour Shalem of lines. Mandrake, a more sinister herb than the gentle rosemary, was put to song by John Donne in the sixteenth century shen he wrote ve a starr Get with oid rondrate rotePart But the history of the mandrake, Atropa mandragora (now called Man. dragore oficinaru), ofthe gens Solanacene, goes Back to 1375 B.C. It was cultivated in Egyptian gardens. Mandrake seeds were found inthe tom’ Of Tutankhamen along with glazed faience representations ofthe fn Both Egy knew the plant to be narcotie anesthetic anodyne, and aphrodisiac. ‘Anclent Greek herb gatherers believed that the mandrake should be facing west and ter three cic had been draven 3 sword, In medieval Europe, dogs were used to pull up the root, which grows three to four feet deep in the earth. A dog w chained to the plant and a piece of meat was placed a short distan front of him. Because the mandrake root is often cleft, giving appearance of legs, s was thought to resemble a man and was said {mit a frightful scream when uprooted, which meant instant death to ‘who heard it. The dog, of course, dropped dead Mandrake eoots of human form were much in demand for us charms, When the true root became scarce and could not supply the ‘market, byrony rots, somewhat sculpted, were substituted, In Germany these cosmeticized roots, called "Alzaum,” became minor works of ac, some costumed as dolls, They were imported into England at Gf Henry VIll and one of these may be seen today in the Welleome Historical Medical Museum in London. Fashion cooperates with the armchair herbalist today. After roughly ‘hundred yeats the pendulum has swung back to health and herbs as Chie topics of conversation, In the late 1970s health food stores prolit- tated from Vasco Nufez de Balboa's peaceful ocean to the cold gray shores of the Atlantic, stores with name such as "Nature's Own,” "Namia,’ “Eartherbs” “The Good Life,” and “The Bean Bag.” In 1873 tes Pinkham sold bottle of Vegetable compound, a teed to restore to robust health any fragile female suffer fs of her sex and enable her to “do her own washing,” It contained! Jamaica dogwood Pleurisy root (Asli tubeos) Black cohosh(Cimicfugaracemoss) Golden ragwor (Senecio auexs) iyi). (Tarazacum ofcinal) Gentian (Gentian nts) sia erin)The Armchair Herbalist thy alcoho (used solely as a solvent and preservative) ‘This was an age when “vegetable” had a charisma beyond the gar den patch, end “health” was a preoccupation that one-upped politics “and equalled religion. Ninetenth-century feod reformer, Sylvester Gra- ham, persuaded students and faculty of the newly founded Oberlin College to eat graham bread (named after him) and drink burnt-toast coffee ‘Graham was not the only nineteenth-century character to focus his jon on the problems of health. George Catlin better known for his Indians, wrote a slim and curious is effects upon the ‘Yorkin 1861 by J Wile. ing with Indian tribes in Central ‘North American West. He was impressed with to establish nose ‘mouth breathing “Air hose is as different when i reaches the Tangs fog pond” (or a cty “The breath of Life was breathed and should continue to “be breathed in the 5 ‘Ths theory of breathing was subscribed to in thee by the author ofthe Critique of Pure Reason. Immanuel Kant, one of the [greatest figures in the history of philosophy, frall and gentle man who fived beyond eighty, explained his theory when he was asked why he took his dally walks alone. If he took a companion along, he said, he ‘would talk. If he talked, he would breathe through his mouth, which ‘would make him prone to colds, coughs, and lung problems. Being a enaible aa wel as brilliant man, he walked alone Breathed through his nose, and fived fifteen years past the alloted theee score and ten, "An herbal variation ofthe coals carvied to Newcastle belongs inthe backpack of every armchair herbalist. Carrying ginseng to China was poptlar in America at the end of the eighteenth century when trade man’s nostril" said author 245, BarPort it with China was brisk and the Amerian species ofthe family Avliscee hhad an eager and high-priced marke, Hunting the wild plant became ¢ Profitable quest. Daniel Boone, an early ginseng hunter in Virgin ‘accumulated neary fifteen tons on one expedition. In Vermont, the ther of Joseph Smith (founder ofthe Church of Jesus Christ ofthe L terday Saints) did his hunting of ginseng around Williamstown. Ver. ‘mont. Neither Boone nor Smith were fated to grow rich on ginseng, in spite of the fact that the Chinese were paying five dollars a pound, Boone's roots, carefully dred, f ated before he reached his wholesale market, mith ‘captain to deliver his ginseng to a Chinese broker. The capt fered the cargo and we money, but Smith never sow faring fellow again, Ana Jn the moo for name-dropping might With Paracelsus, a name sure to provoke controversy. "The sl he ‘Man's dong, very great the noble essence, ie, food and {An orchid-growing friend in Oaxaca used to appreciate nothing 50 much as ajar of urine; the nicest orchids, it seems, are not above re sponding 10 a good dose of uric acid. Even the cellophane-wrapped ‘Western world cannot help but take an occasional tangential look atthe fact that over bs ca comes from Uganda where the Babima people are plagued by deep-seated absceses To cure this condition, they buy herbs from the local medicine man, rub them over the swelling, then buy the herbs under a well-feque piece of ground. The first person who steps over the buried herbs, said, breaks out with boils, and the original sufferer is cured A similar story comes from darkest New Hampshire. & friend's mother reported that her mother cured warts by tying a string around a piece of salt pork and burying it during the dark of the moon, When the string rotted, the wart would drop off iue vervain and agrimony in August, said to’be descended from Asclepius, the legendary physician-god who 1Was the son of Apolo and the nymph Coronis. Here are the family begats 6air Herbalist, -Asclepius begat Fodalirs Podairus begat Sostatus Sostatus begat Dardanus Dardans begat Crisamis Crisamis begat Cie ‘Theodorus If begat Sostats IT Sosa Il begat Nebrus Nebrus begat Hippocrates I Hippocrates I begat Herac I, called Hippocrates the Great ‘A soporifc lis, better than counting sheep. Thave neve stayed awake pest Sostratus I, but a friend, 2 somewhat unreliable type, claims to have reached Nebrus. “Truth lurks in strange places waiting to be recognized. Cettwy, an ancient Celtic astologer-philosopher-physician of Wales, propounded fifteen rules fra long and happy life. His third rule seems very sensible indeed. "Man he advised, “should eat when hungry drink when thirsty, ton, Pittsburgh, and New Orleans. A statement is made that few would fault in spite ofthe fact that tis embedded in a soft sell for Hostetter's | Stomach Bitters, “Physical vigor isthe main safeguard of health. It re pels and fights off the morbid elements which superinduce disease.” ere is no better exercise th ing an herb garden! May this | year’s armchair herbalist be next year's gardener, 27 |XI The History of Herbs versity of Le plants with “Te Egyptians of fourth thousand years ago nufered same diseses a) does modern tan, Digroves and remedies ithe Papyrascoverburs clic consiptoncardie dase, xtarh cysts glandular swelng eckemin,tomors, eye and throat infection, and Morms. Honey and il are named as slab vehicles in which fo mix Tn those days, doctors made house alls. They aso set precedent for teams. When the "asu” (doctor) rode up to your door on 2 donkey, he was accompanied by an “ashipu" (exorcist) and a “baru” 248The History of Herts (seer). The estab ms over the patient the baru, watching fr signs or omens them tothe asu, who then judiciously prepared the correct hesbal medicine ‘About two hundred and filty years later, in Greece, Aesculapius of Cos, sonof the god Apollo and the nymph Coronis founded the frst spa, (Gor details of this lineage, see page 247) Tt was in Epidaurus, where mountain air and sea breezes helped cures based on baths, festng, and herbal decoctions, and the therapeutic ws of music, drama, and games Ri baths, temples, and stadium are visited every year by thousands of tourists. Our guide pointed outa large stone slab on which were inscribed some ofthe famous cures utilizing four hundred herbs, Six hundred years later these were compiled by Thales of Miletus and otle’s daring the next eight hundred years for Hippocrates, who has been called the “father of medicine.” Some of his thoughtful advice, which can be read in his Aphorisms, would be pertinent for us to consider today. For example: ook to the country and fo the season before deciding on treatment,” "in every treatment of the ‘ody, whenever one begins to endure pain, it willbe reived by est,” and of natures, some are well adapted for summer and some for winter.” If we move on another two hundred and fity years, we come to Mitheidates VL, Eupator of Pontus, This ruler had! an extensive herb {garden where he and his court physician, Crateus collected, planted and {used herbs from all over the known world. Some medicinal plants used today, notably Eupitorium perfliatmn, or boneset, were named to come smemorate this ruler ‘By the first century AD. Pedanius Dioscorides, a Greek physicion lected a vast amount of material about is De Materia Medica, Some ofthese plants ‘appear inthe oficial pharmacopeias, although each year takes its tll thetic drugs replace them. (Whether the active ingredient is as ‘when faken out ofits natural context is open to question) A med by Dioscorides gives us the feeling that of old friends. We find: anise, belladonna, le, cardamom, cinnamon, colehicum, coriander, ill, gentian, 9Port it singer, juniper, lavender, linseed, pepper, rhubarb, thyme, wormwood. ‘The seed-bed of European medicine waste Alexandrian School which was founded about 250 8. in Egypt and reached its zenith under the Polomies, Its herbalists and botanists setted along the Mediterranean and followed the earavan routes to Jerusalem and Damascus By the eighth century A.D, the Arabs, who had learned from the Jewish teachers schooled in Alexandria, were making translations of Dioscorides, Galen and Hippocrates. When they conquered Egypt they began to compile dictionaries of the Co Egyptians who had become Chis By the midale ofthe fo produced by Ibn Kabr. ice, marjoram, mallow, mustard, chool was in Monty the curve made by the Gulf of mys: Stone i opinions were ignored for tee hundzed years. Roger Bacon, English philosopher and Franciscan monk, wrote acidulous enti- «isms of the prevalent conventional opinions of his day and called upon the Church to take the lead in subjecting the mass (I might say “mess"] of translated knowledge about medicine to analytical scrutiny. His views ‘were considered heretical and he was imprisoned instead of praised, Fifty years before the “admirable doctor” Bacon expressed his uncon- ventional views, Moses Maimonides was forthright fallacies and inaccuracies ofthe translations of Galen, whose work was looked upon as gospel. Maimonides was not p Dut this was possibly because he wrote in Arabi and only very fragmentary Latin translations were availableThe History of Hors [As an herbalist, Maimonides also recommended eapers, peppers, and wormmood. Modern medicine today has “discovered” that green pep- pers are high in vitamin C and wormwood is recognized as a diuret flso recommended as effective diuretics were: celery, carrots, valerian, “nd wild ginger Blackberry leaves, onions, and asparagus were good, he said for gall and kidney stones, Two men, one Italian, one Swiss, propounded a philosophy of heal. ing which we may find interesting to contrast with the materialism of twwentieth-century medicine ‘Marslio Fino was born in Florence, the son of Cosimo de Medi’ personal physician, A devout Christan at 2 time when Cosimo was hoping to bring neo-Platonism back, his ideal was St. Augustine. He nl the highest act of charity was to help man to keep mind wenly grace is ineffective and ‘Theophrastus plants under the influence of their ruling p! Specifically indicated for certain diseases. Because of the “electing the sight plant forthe right disea spiritual perception fed physician, He thought there as a vital forms of life, which he called "mumia," and that the ‘inverse was a manifestation ofthis fe frce which acted through difer- tentited forme, In contrast to this opinion, physicians today regard the ‘universe as an accumulation of forms which can be considered sepa rately and treated without regard fora unifying life force. Philosophcalyremate rom Paracelsus, modem medicine gives him credit forhis use of elomel (mercurous chloride as a diuretic and fungicide. This remedy was forgoten after his deathand rediscovered in 1885by lendrasik {ater calomel was used in a proprietary medicine called “Guy's Hosy Pill in which twas combined with squill and digitalis. Because he saw the spark of life as one in men, ani ‘Paracelsus considered food an important factor man's health and nature, In the fifteenth century, herbals were stil based on the bei four elements, with thee fespective properties, were reflec ing things. Each element had two correspondences: fie Gay; earth, cold and dry; at, hot and moist; and water, cold and moist 21each part ofthe body was ruled by 2 corporated into this body of belie Four keys to medical treatment were used: the astrological sign gover. Jing the pact ofthe body, the planet which infenced the sign, the plants dominated by the sign, and the element with which Hips, thighs, and iver were believed to be controlled by 53 was under the rule of Jupiter and was an earth sgn. The plants c by Jupiter, and thus chosen to relieve ailments of hips, thighs, and liver ‘were: agrimony, balm, betony, borage, cheril,chestnat, cinquefol dan. delion, houseleek, hyssop, red rose, sage, and One of these Jupiteran herbs, dandelion (Taranicue oficial) today in herbal medicine to treat diseases ofthe liver because of ts high ‘The Ast herbal in the Americas was the Badanixs Manuscript, called tec Herbal,” which was writen in the sisteenth century in the language ofthe Indians of Mexico, and translated into Latin and Spanish. The original manuscript was in the Vatican unt it was eturned trip to Mexico in 1990 Tt contains an extensive materia trees lowers, and herbs, Narcotics and analgesics were during opera strations gave color keys to the terrain in sh plant was found, in water, among rock, or in open fk Bezoar stones, calcareous concretions found in the s land animals, were prescribed to cure poisonings,snak India, and during the seventeenth and eight ‘vogue in Europe. Valued as rem large bezoae set in gol. ‘elit inthe curative power ofthese stones came to America with the early English settlers. Governor Endicott of Salem sent a bezoat and an alleged unicorn horn, along with an herbal remedy, tothe elder Gover- ror Winthrop when his wife suffered from shat was called a “mother fit” or hysteria. The herbal remedy contained anise, mint, mugwort, roses, and violets, “Another import from the mother country was a belief inthe Doctrine ‘of Signatures, which taught thatthe same benign Providence that placed 252The History of Herbs herbs on the earth also provided a clue, through their shape and color, proper ur a ‘a member of the Borage family, has white spots om its leaves, ‘This was thought reason enough to use spots on the lungs. Liverwort (Aen thought to bea clue to it use in teating malfunctions ofthe ive. Both plants are sill considered mildly hes Seventeenth- and eighteenth-century English herbals continued to be published and read with avidity. Turner, Greene, Gerard, il, and the ‘Redoublable Nicholas Culpepper were standard works. Thomas Tussr’s [Hee Hundred Points of Good Husbandry was stil popular, as was Dr. ‘andrew Boorde’ssinteenth-century Breviary of Health. The English House- fe by Gervaise Markham, a seventeenth-century publication, made it 's busy lady was expected to have a working knowledge of medicine, cooking, gardening, and distiling, “These useful volumes were brought to the New World by the early colonists along with seeds of culinary and medicinal plants, many of which have become naturalized in America. ‘ue, gripings of the belly, pleursies and empyemas, wi ‘ts well as headaches, palsies, dropsies, scurvies, and toothaches. The prevalent, an affliction for which Cotton Mather, in his Angel of Bethesda, gives no less Jes of our soyle” the Reverend Mather quotes Sir \gout “five most friendly to health: sage, rue, saffon,alehoof,garlick, and eldes.” “The wonders of sage,” Dr. De, Mather was not unaware of the waitings of Dioscordes, and Theophrastus Ina chapter called “The Physick Garden.” he men- tions them all, a8 well as the English her Hie extols the se of wild as well as cul says, “has been found a most potent anaeptic.” Celandine tea he has hheard, “cried up at such rate that if half be true ‘ts one of the best things in the work.” ‘Mather the minister and theologian speaks between medica recipes, “Ciaistian: the vertues of every plant call for thy praises tothe glorious God who has made the plant and taught us the value of i.”XII Honey and Vinegar Pharaoh 254Honey and Vinegar ‘These ancient Egyptians knew something which we, after fifteen hundred years, are just rediscovering. Honey has great (qualities, which modern scientists call "hygroscopic." This means that foney draws every bit of moisture out of germs, and germs, even as shaman beings, perish without water, Experiments have been made re- cenily which show that some of the mast virulent germs can endure nly twenty-four to one hundred hours in the sweet fluld which bees from the nectar of lowers, although they retain their deadly forty days and longer if not immersed in honey. Typhoid fever ‘onchial pneumonia germs were among the ones tested ' points to some very specific ation for those of use who want to stay healthy and to cure ur own diseases if we get any. But let ts remember that all of the above uses of honey employed only pure, tunboiled honey just as Honey's hygroscopic uses should not be forgot th it for other uses; remember from proper growth t0 vt thas ever come from its use, It contains, in varying degrees (depending fn the soil in which the plants grew from which the bees extracted the recta): iron, copper, manganese, silica chlorine, calcium, potassium, Sodium, phosphorus, aluminum, and manganese The final bonanza of honey isis vitamin content: Vitamin B, this: mine, Vitamin By ribolavin, Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, and pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, and nicotinic acid ‘One of the wellknown, invisible, battles that goes on in our bodies is between cells and bactera, a battle over the possession of fluid oF ‘moisture. This s not surprising because water has always been, and ways be, the liquid of life, In water life on earth began, and without ‘When bacteria invade our bodies, they attempt to king moisture from the body cells; but If these assium, they can take the moisture from the invading bacteria, The cells can win this tug of war if we provide them ‘with potassim by eating enough natu eaves, roots, ey, and vinegar—to turn the moistureabsorbing race in favor of the rege is excelent for this purpose as it combines potassium 255APPENDIX I Alphabetical List of Herbs mania eupatoria Boneset Borage Bugle Bardock Calendula Caraway 237Appendix 1 catnip Cayenne Pepper Gelandine Chamomile Cheri Chickweed Clover Cohosh Coltsfoot Comey Coneflower Coriander Com Costmary Couch Grass Dandelion Evening Primrose Fenugresk Fennel Feverfew weed Garlic Ginger Goldenrod Golathread Ground-lvy Hawkweed Horehound Horsetsl Hyssop Jewel Weed Lady's Mantle Lavender Lemon Bale Lovage Mallow Marjoram, 258, Nepetaeatria Capsicum jratescons Chelios majus Chanel mobile Anthriscus cereals Tusilago frfara Symphytum mite major Agropyron reer Tarenacum Anethum gravecens Sambucus canadensis Duala telensam devotee bens Trigonelafonum-graecure Fooniculume vulgare Tanacetum partheniam Solidago species Coptis groenlanticn Glechoma hederaces Hieracune plslla ‘Marrubium oulgare Eguisetum arvense Hyssopus officinalis Origanue speciesAlphabet List of Herts Meadowsweet Parsley Plantain Parslane Rosemary Rue Sage Salo ofcna St John’s-wort “Hypericum perforate Salad Burnet Savory Self heal Sorrel Rumex species Strawberry Fragaravirginione Sweet Cicely Sweet Woodruff Tansy Thyme Valerian Valerian oficinal Vervain Verbena stata Wintergreen, era procumbens Wormiood Yarrow 259APPENDIXII The Language of Herbalists Like many new voeabul ‘of es that help the body to remove toxic material, through the sweat glands and through the kidneys We use these words to describe the medicinal action herbs because they convey a meaning in one word that would otherwise 260‘The Language of Herbalists take from two to seven words to make clear They are Convenience and easy referral, but many of them you will already know Dispels or destoys intestinal warms ‘anibai: Destroys micro-organisms inthe Body ‘Antgeridi; Prevents recurrence ofa disease Prevents rheumatism or relieves its symptoms. “antscorbutie: Source of Viamin C, prevents scorvy ‘Antserofalous: Prevents scroula, “antiseptic; Destoys and/or inhibits harmful bacteria “Anvispusmodic: Reioves and/or stops spasms and cramps. ‘AperientsAets 98 rid laxative ‘aromatic: Hosa pleasant and stimulating sent ‘Contracts tsue, reduces body secretions. Carminatv: Expels gas fom the intestines CChologogue: Increases the flow of ble into the intestines 1g of Blood. iAcs a strong seasoning, enhancing the flavor of foods Tent: Soothes irate tissue and mucous membrane in the body. ent: Opens natural passages ofthe body. Diaphoretie: Promotes involuntary perspiration. Emmenagogue Promotes menstrual flow. Softens and soothes the skin. Enpectren: Causes discharge of mucus from respiratory system. Febrifage Reduces fever, age: increas secretion of Hlemasatie: Stops bleeding, Hepatic: Acts on the liver. Laxative: A mild purgative hospi: Good for disposing of kidney stones. inus: Hos gummy o gelatinous consistency. ‘a soothing eect on the nerves Partrient: Aids childbirth tk 261Pectnt: Remedies pulmonary disease Pargative: Causes thorough emptying ofthe bowels Refelgerant: Lowers body heat. 8 of the sin Process af the body. ‘Stypie Checks bleding Stomach: Stimulates gastric digestion Toni: Invigorates and strengthens the entire body Vermifuge: Expels intestinal worms, Vulnzrary: Heals wounds,APPENDIX II List of Vitamins and Their EffectsAppend 1 Pantothenic acid: Essential for cll growth, It delays body changes due to ‘increased age. Deficeney in pantothenic aid can impair the function of the adrenal glands which may caus inability to deal with stress, muscle ‘wenkness, and the sensation of “pins and needles” in hands and legs. Inositol: The essential growth factor. It keeps the arteries from dogatng thereby preventing high blood pressure. ‘Biotin: Keeps energy high and improves mental health during the ater years (Coline: Promotes health ofthe er ‘Vitamin B,; Necessary in the formation of hemoglobin, the coloring matter in the red blood corpuscles which brings onygen to the body tissues, Prevents pellagea ard pernicious anemia, i acid supplies oxygen tothe body cells and the heart has been use fo ret heart rouble, emphysema, needed for production of normal enzoic acid: A pat of folic aid. Promotes skin health to prevent and restore gray hoit s healthy connective fesve in the body, protects the 1d vessels, and overcomes infections. to the metabolism of calciim and phosphorus and to ‘roper growth, Vita E: Tocopherol ddutive glands and organs. I strengthens heart muscles, repais and strengthens cell and repairs scar sue necessary for grow nd the function of the repeo- n FIncudes arachidonic linoleic, and other oleic acids, These acids ‘are valuable fortwo reasons, They have nutritive value in themselves {and they contain open inks, or double bands, in their chains which ‘enable them to absorb the molecules thatthe body wishes fo have trans ported to wherever Vitamin K: Tysosinase eatalyzes the aerobic oxidation of tyrosine into melo nis and other pigments. It for blood coagulation Vion Pe Rat thy veins and arteves and normal blood pressureAPPENDIXIV Sources of Herb Seeds and Plants Warminster, PA 10974, CT 0538, 265;Appe ine Tee Garden Seis, New Gloucester, ME 08260. Seed Savers’ Exchange (Kent Whealy, Director), Rural Route 3, Box 239, Decorah, 1A 5210 ‘Thompson and Morgen 0. Box 1208 Jackson, 08827 SOURCES FOR BOTANICALS" Geologic! Botany Company, 622 West 670 St, Kansas City, MO The Herb Shop, Box 352, Orem, UT 846 Idina Bote Gardens, In, Box 5, Hammond, IN 46325, igh! Pharmacy, 109 Thied Ave, New York, NY 10003, Wise Word of Herts, 11 St. Catherine St, East, Montreal, Canada #126 1K3. * Dried herbs and herbal preparations. 266Bibliography SELECT LIST OF HERBALS [Abner, Agnes. Herkals—Their Origin and Evolution, A Chapter in History of Botany. London: Cambridge University Press, 1955 (ceprin 198 Bethel, May, The Hetling Power of Herts. Nosth Holly wood: Wilshire Book Company, 1974 Bootde, Andrew. The Breviary of Health London: Thomas East, 1546 ture's Healing Agents. Quakertown, Pa: The The Art of Simpling. Limited edition printed from the 1657 edition, Falls Village, Conn. The Her Grower Press, 1938 Solas. Culpepper's Complete Hert. London: W. Foulsham and Company, Ltd, 1955. rom original edition of 1650. De la Cruz, Martin, and Juanes Badianus. The Baanus Manuscript, tan Aber Herel of 152. Eaited by Emily Waleot Emma. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1940, 278, of Anazarbes. De materia metice, Edited and printed by Rober T. Gunther, 1933, Facs and London: Hafner Pu Evelyn John, Actaria, A Discourse of Salles. London: D. Toos, 16 1706. Reprint, Brooklyn: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1937, ‘The Kalendarium Hortense othe Gardener's Alana, 1th Edi tion (1706) Reprin, Falls Village, Conn. The Herb Grower Frese, 1963, Fuchs, Leonhart. De historia stirpim. Basle: Isingrin Press, 1582 Plants, Very Mach Enlarged a fan Apothecarye of London. London. Adam, ie Norton and Richard Wi iam, The Universal Herbal. London: Coxton Press, 1816, Grieve, Maude. A Modern Herbal 2 volumes, New York and London Hafner Publishing Company, 1931, 1935, 1967. New York: Harcourt, Brace, and Company, 1981, New York: Dover Publications 1971, Level, C.F. The Trath About Herbs. London: Andrew Dakers, Ltd, 194, Lust John B. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books, 1974 Meydenback, Jacob. Gart der Gesuniiet, Mainz, 1485. Hortus Sanita. Maina, 1491 ‘Monardes, Nicholas. Dos Libros. Seville: Hemando Diaz, 1568 Joyfall newes out ofthe new founde world... Translated by John Frampton, Marchaunt. London: W. Norton, 1577. Parkinson, John. Paradisi in Sole, Paradisus Terestris. Faithfully re Printed from the edition of 1628. London: Methuen and Company, 190, ‘Theophrastus. Enquiry into plana minor works on adours and weather signs. English translation by Sie Arthur Hort, Cambridge, Mase: Harvatd University Press, 1949 ‘Thompson, Campbell. Assyrian Herbal, A Monograph on Assyrian Veg table Drags. London, 1924, ‘Turner, Wiliam. Litelius de Re Herbris (1538) and The Names of Herbs (1548), Facsimile, London: The Ray Society, 1968 Veith, Iza. The Yellow Emperors Clasic of biternal Medicine. (Hung Ti [Nei Chang Su Wen). Chapters 1-34 translated from the Chinese with introductory study. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1966, Weiner, Michael A. Earth Medicine, Earth Foods. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1972, 268Bibliography HISTORICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY Brown, Alice Cooke, M Bonanza Books, 186 las and Their History. New Yorks Arabian Medizin and Us Influence on the Mite Paul Trench, Trubner and Company Ltd, 1926 Freeman, Margacet B. Herds of the Medica! Househol, for Cooking, rand Divers Uses. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Ar, 1945 us Theophrastus, Bon "Name of Paracelsus, New York: The Jers Company, 1894 “Metaphysical Pub Hers, Robert H. The Friends of Jon Gerard (1545-1612) Surgeon and lage, Conn: The Herb Grower Press, 1975, Larson, William, The Country House-Vives’ Garden. London: Anne fen, 1637. ‘Lockivood, Alice G.B, editor. Gardens of Colony and State: Gardens and Gardeners of the American Colonies and the Republic Before 1880. New York Charles Seribners Sons, 1931, 1934 Pagel, Walter. Parcelsus—An Intraducton to Philosophical Medicine i the Bi of the Renaissance. Basel and New York: 8. Karger, 1958, Rohde, Eleanor Sinclair. The Olde English Heals. London, New York Longmans, Green and Company, 122. New York: Dover Publications, 1971, MEDICINAL BIBLIOGRAPHY ‘Baas John Hermann, Outline of the History of Medicine and the Medial rofassion, Translated, and in conjunction with the author revised ar tnlarged by HE. Henderson, New York JH. Vall and Company, 1889, Cymer, R Swinburne. Nature's Healing Agents. Quakertown, Pas The Humanitarian Society, 1973, ‘Goodman, Louis, and Alfred Gilman. The Pharmacologica! Bass of ‘Therapeatics, th Bait lan Company, 1970. Harrison, Tinsley Randolph, Harrisons Principles of Interal Mette, 78h Bdltion, New Yorks McGraw Hill Book Company, 1974 Jarvis, D.C. Folk Medicine, New York: Holt, Rhinehart and Winston, 1988. Greenwich, Conn: Fawcett Publications, 1973 Jefferson, R. The Fanily Doctor: A Dicton surgery Especially Adapted for Fanily Use, George Gebbie, Publisher, 1869graphy Kloss, Jethro. Bac fo Eden. Coalmont, Tenn: Longview Publishing House, i971, Kreg, Margaret B. Green Medicine, New York: Rand McNally and. Company, 1964 Keochmal, Amold, and Connie Krochmal. A Guide tothe Medicinal Plants ofthe United States, New York: Quadrangle Books, 1973. Marks, Geoffrey, and William K, Beatty. The Story of Medicine in America, New York: Charles Serioner's Sons, 1973. Malmonides, Moses. Medica! Aphorins. Translated and edited by Fred Rosner and MuntherSuessman, New York: Yeshiva University Press, 1971 Mather, Cotton. The Angel of Bethesda. Edited, with an introduction and notes by Gordon W. Jones. Barze, Mass American Antiquarian Society and Barre Publishers, 1972 spaugh, Charles F. Amevicon Maicinal Plans 1892. New York Yeshiva University Press, 1971. New York: Daver Publications, 1974 Pierce, RV. The People’ Cammon Sense Medical Advisor in Plain En lise Or, Medicine Simplified, nd Edition, Buffalo, N'Y World Dispen- Say Printing Oice, 1895, Thomson, Samuel. Thomsonian Matera Medics or Botanic Family Phy. ‘Albany, N'Y: J. Munsell, 184, 1847 Trease, George. Tex! Boot of Pharmacognasy. London Baller, Tindale Me sine, Norman: University of COkiahoma Press, 1970 right, Pith Grey, Medicinal Plants and Their History, New York Wren, R. W., editor. Potter's New Cyclopedia of Medicinal Herbs and Preparations. New York: Harper and Row, 1972; 8th ed. 1985, Youngken, Herber W. Pharmaceutical Botany. Philadelphia: The Blakiston Company, 1951, SUGGESTED READINGS Botanical Britton, Nathaniel, and Addison Brown. Aw Illustrated Flora of the Northen United States end Canada. New York: Dover Publications, 1970, Steven, and James A. Duke. Peterson Fie Guides: EasteriCen- al Plats, Boston: ioughton Mifflin Company, 1980.Bibliography Peterson, Roger To wes of Nortbastra ‘Miffin Company, 1968 and Margatet MeKenny. A Fei Guite to Wild tieCentral Nor Arsrce Boston: Houghton Folklore Jacob, Dorothy. A Wi Publishing Company, 1965. Lehner, Emst, and Johatina Lehner Foltlore and Symtulism of Flowers, ‘Plants and Tres. New York: Tuder Publishing Company, 1960. Lvcas, EH. Fol ‘Plant Drugs, Papers of the Michigan Acad cemy of Science, Arts and Letters, Vol. XLY, 1960. Meyer, Clarence, American Folk Medicine. New York: Thomas Y, Crowell Company, 1973 ‘Oldmeadow, Katherine I. The Folilore of Herbs, Birmingham: Cornish Brothers, 1946, ' Guide to Gardening. New York: Teplinger General (History, Culinary, Gardens) ‘Beston, Henry. Herbs and the Barth. Garden City, N.Y: Doubleday, Doran and Company, 1935, Burlington Ecumenical Action Ministry. The Home Heath Handbook ‘Brattleboro: The Stephen Greene Press, 1972, Burroughs, John. A Year inthe Fels. Boston: Houghton, Mi Company, 1901 ‘Crow, W. B. The Oceul! Properties of Herbs. London: Aquarian Press, 1968. -Mességué, Maurice, Of People and Plants. Rochest Press, 1991. Sanecki Kay N. The Complete Book of Hers, New York: The Macmillan Publishing Company, 1974 ‘The School of Saletnum. Regen Santas Selerm.Salenno: Provinciale per il Turismo, 19 ‘Tompkins Peter, and Christopher Bird. The Seret Life ofP York: Harper and Row, 1973 and Ts Healing Arts New Health ‘Adams, Ruth. The Complete Home the Vitamins. New York amHall, Ross Hume Food jor Naught. New York: Randoms House, 1976, Hunter, Beatrice Trum. The Great Nutrition Robtery New York Charles The Staff of Prevention Magazine, The Encylopeia of Common Dis ceases, Emmaus, Pa: The Rodale Press, 1976 Herb Garde Foster, Gertrude. Hevts for Every Garden. New York: E, P. Dutton, 1973. Handbook of Herbs #27. Brooklyn: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, no dat. Kamm, Minnie W. Hers for Dover Pu Philbrick, Helen, and Richard Gregg. Compan Use Them Old Greenivich, Conn The Devine 1971, 1973, Simmons, Hawthorne Books, rb Gardens of Delight, New York: Havthoene Books, 1974 strated Herbal Handbook. New York: Hawthorne Books, her Gardens, New York and How to ir Company, 1966, n Five Sensons, New York Smith A. W. A Gardener's Book of P on, 1963, Names: New Yook: Harper & Periodicals The Herb Grower Magazine, Fl devoted to herb gardening o and Farming. 33 East Minor St, Emmaus, Pa, 18088, |A monthly devoted to organic gardening and living. Contains frequent articles on herbs 33 East Minor St, Emmaus, Pa, 18049. A monthly devoted Village, Cons. 06031. A quarterlyBladder, 35,75, 218, 230 ing, 75, 84, 149,162,164, 202 8 on, 44, 142,151ndex Indoor cultivation, 188-90 lovage. 64 age, 80 Fomentation, 36 In children, 156-8, 162 Fractured bone, 59 Gangrene, 2 Garden 2,37, 189-90 (il, 228) ‘indoor cu Elder, 127-30, Eldeibery:Inder Gts made from herbs, 99-101, (cooked) chickweed, 225 dandelion, 34,55, Itxieston (prevention), 72, 96 Jaundice, 64, 78, 174, 208,Masjoram, 37, 65-7 drying, 102 wmIndex occu ction, 157, 28,239 at Sev also Aen; Athlete's foot “Blacceads; Eczema: Pimples; Prosi: Sunburn tonic 181 137, 15, 172, 194,219, eras, $8,202Vinegar 235-6 ‘and honey, 255, Vamins 168 in honey, 285 See als under Wat, 85,671 Weeds, 108s Whooping cough, 8,179 Wile balsa, 60-2 Wild herbs transplanting, 38 Wild hyssop, 88-90 Wilowweed, 37-8 ergreen, 21047 uch grass, 123-5 Wood sore, 172-4 Zucchini pancakes (recipe), 98‘THE HERBAL HANDBOOK herbalist, addresses the properties and tdicinal andeulnaryherbs concentr fon the actions herbs have on the body—ant-inflammatory, astrn ic etc —and eategorizing treatment by specific body systems provides instructions for growing, drying, storing and preparingremedies, ‘THE HERBAL GUIDE TO STRESS RELIEF and Techniques for Healing the Nervous System #0-85281-4268 «$995 po Lookingatstressandanviety froma the undeying eases ents you can use to prevent and tre Slgisand tina pepcucersandmigmne headaches Hes advice onthe use of herbs in recovery from chemical dependences. ‘THE DICTIONARY OF MODERN HERBALISM A Comprehensive Gulde to Practical Herbal Therapy Simon Mills + #0-89281-238-9 + $9.95 pb forenceguide providesawes din the Americanand European! snd dosages, wile entries for symptoms and diseases sugges etective herbal remedies, OF PEOPLE AND PLANTS ‘The Autobiography of Europe's Most Celebrated Herbal Healer “Maurice Mességus + 40-99281-497-3 $12.95 pb Practicing the plantlore ofOther Herbal Books from Healing Arts Press. 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