The Compl et e Book of Her bal Teas By Mar i et t a Mar shal l Mar ci n I nt r oducti on Acknowl edgement s ( Removed) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
A br i ef hi story of t ea. Gui de to cu l t i vat i ng her bs. Pl anni ng your gar den, out doors an d i n. Dr yi ng, f r eezi ng, and st or i ng How t o br ew her bal t eas Cr eat i ng tea b l ends Compendi um of her bs
Gr owi ng Her bal Teas: Ref er ence Char t [ Pi ct ur es p208, p209, p210, p211] Met r i c- I mper i al Equi val ent s [ Pi ct ur e p216] Sour ces f or Seeds, Pl ant s and Equi pment ( Removed) I ndex ( Removed) ------------NOTE: Par t 7 ( t he Compendi um of her bs) had a pi ct ur e of each herb l i st ed, t hi s has been r emoved i n t hi s t ext ver si on ( i t does not r educe t he i nf or mat i on i n any way t hough) . The ht ml ver si on wi l l have t he pi ct ur es i ncl uded. - Sal mun====================== I nt r oducti on A f ew year s ago some pesky mi nt appear ed i n my gar den and began t o spr ead, cr owdi ng out car ef ul l y cul t i vat ed annual s and per enni al s. I was begi nni ng t o pl an a massi ve er adi cat i on pr ogr am, when I came acr oss a r eci pe f or mi nt t ea. Wel l , I t hought , why not t r y i t ? The r aw i ngr edi ent s ce r t ai nl y wer e avai l abl e. So I pul l ed up a f ew handf ul s of mi nt and br ewed my f i r st cup of home- gr own t ea. I t t ast ed gr eat . So gr eat , i n f act , t hat t he endangered gar den mi nt t ook on new si cance spart ed. f ol lr ow I pl antr ed m, ef ennel , on margni j orf iam and and t hymw e,as and r i edThe t hose ecii ng pes,year t oo. The esull em t ?on I bal becam hooked her bal t eas. Lat er , I l ear ned t ea i s drun k mor e tha n any ot her l i qui d except wat er . Thr oughout r ecor ded hi st or y t ea has been used t o sust ai n l i f e, enhance sl eep, r est or e heal t h, and ease conver sat i on, t o name j ust a f ew of i t s uses. Some peopl e l i ke i t hot . Some l i ke i t col d. Some l i ke i t mi xed wi t h sugar , l emon, honey, mi l k, or wi t h st r onger st uf f , such as gi n or br andy. And some l i ke i t str ai ght . I n the nar r owest sense of t he wor d, t ea ref er s t o t he l eaves or f l ower buds of shr ubs i n t he genus t hat was named Thea si nensi s by Swedi sh bot ani st Car ol us Li nnaeus. Si nce Thea si nensi s t ea i s a cl ose r el at i ve of t he camel l i a f l ower , i t i s somet i mes r ef er r ed t o as Camel l i a t hea or Camel l i a si nensi s. Br oadl y speaki ng, however , t ea i s any dr i nk made f r om st eepi ng f r agr ant l eaves, ber r i es, seeds, f l ower s, r oot s, or ba r k i n boi l i ng wat er . I mpor t ed Thea si nensi s t eas al l come f r om ever gr een pl ant s of t he same genus. Lapsang souchong t ea i s a smoked ver si on of Thea si nensi s l eaves, and bl ack, gr een, and ool ong t eas can al so be made f r om l eaves of t he same pl ant . They di f f er onl y i n t he degr ee of f erment at i on t hey have under gone dur i ng pr ocessi ng.
Most i mpor t ed t eas ar e gr own at hi gh al t i t udes wher e i t i s cont i nual l y hot , wet , and very hu mi d. Darj eel i ng t ea, f or exampl e, comes f r om t he mount ai ns of Dar j eel i ng, i n I ndi a. I mpor t ed Thea si nensi s t eas t r adi t i onal l y have been ser ved si de by si de wi t h t eas made f r om her bal l eaves pl ucked f r om t he gar den. I ndeed, t he deci si on t o ser ve Thea si nensi s t eas r at her t han her bal t eas has of t en been made mor e f or r easons of pr est i ge t han f or t ast e. As cof f ee pr i ces have gone sky- hi gh, so t oo has t he pr i ce of st or e- bought t eas escal at ed. But as I f ound, you can easi l y gr ow and br ew exot i c her bal t eas, f ul l of t ast es and ar omas you never bel i eved possi bl e. The cost t o you i s a f ew penni es a cup; t he experi ence i s pr i cel ess. Herbs t hat make exci t i ng t eas can be gr own i n your garde n or i n f l ower pot s on your wi ndowsi l l , whet her you l i ve i n sout hern Cal i f or ni a or nort hern Nova Scot i a, i n London or Sydney. Thi s book gi ves you al l t he i nf or mat i on you need t o br ew t he per f ect cup of her bal t ea. I t spel l s out how t o gr ow t he pl ant s, har vest t he t ea component s, pr epar e and st or e t he i ngr edi ent s you' l l need, and mi x t hem f or i nt er est i ng bl ends. You' l l l ear n wher e to b uy seeds and pl ant s. You' l l even f i nd wher e t o buy bags and cont ai ner s i n whi ch t o package your own "pr i vat e l abel " bl ends. Sound compl i cat ed? I t ' s r eal l y easy once you know how. And, whi l e you' r e har vest i ng her bal t eas ei t her on a smal l or gr and scal e, you can al so use t hem as pot pour r i s, f abr i c dyes, gar ni shes, and seasoni ngs f or t he cooki ng pot . Peopl e have al ways swor n by t he medi ci nal qual i t i es of herba l t eas. Whi l e heal t h aut hor i t i es, such as t he Uni t ed St at es Food and Dr ug Admi ni st r at i on f r own upon cl ai ms t hat her bal t eas can act ual l y cur e ai l ment s, mi l l i ons of peopl e mai nt ai n t hey do. I ' l l out l i ne some of t he medi ci nal uses t o whi ch her bal t eas have been put . But by no means ar e t he her bal t eas descr i bed i n t hi s book pr esent ed as pr escr i pt i ons f or medi cal ai l ment s. Cl ear l y, as wi t h any medi cal pr obl em you may have, i t ' s i mpor t ant t o consul t a pr of essi onal pr act i t i oner f or di agnosi s and t r eat ment . Thi s book i s t he onl y gui de you' l l need t o t ake t he j our ney of t ast e di sc over y t hat comes f r om br ewi ng her bal t eas. Let us t ake t hat t r i p t oget her . ====================== 1. A br i ef hi story o f t ea Deep i n t he mi st y mount ai ns of Chi na, t he Bodhi dhar ma, t he f ounder of Zen Buddhi sm, sat i n a gar den near t he emper or ' s pal ace, medi t at i ng on t he per f ect i on of Buddha. Cal l ed Ta' Mo' ( Whi t e Buddha) by t he Chi nese, t he swart hy, r ot und sai nt had come t o Chi na f r om I ndi a bear i ng t he sacred bowl of hi s ancest or s. Ta' Mo' vowed t o demonst r at e hi s devot i on t o Buddha by si t t i ng bef or e a wal l and medi t at i ng f or ni ne year s. Spr i ng t ur ned t o summer ; aut umn came wi t h cr i sp ai r and col or ed, f al l i ng l eaves. St i l l Ta' Mo' medi t at ed. Wi nt er came and cover ed t he sai nt ' s cl oak wi t h snow as he sat un bl i nki ng and unsl eepi ng. Fi nal l y, af t er many years ha d passed, t he Bodhi dharma' s at t ent i on waver ed, hi s chi n dr opped, and hi s eyes cl osed i n sl eep. When Ta' Mo' awakened- per haps a day, per haps a year l at er - he was s o angr y wi t h hi msel f f or negl ect i ng hi s medi t at i on t hat he t ook out a kni f e, sl i ced of f bot h hi s eyel i ds, and t hr ew t hem t o the gr ound. The sai nt ' s eyel i ds t ook r oot i n t he r i ch soi l and gr ew i nt o a t ea bush, t he symbol of wakef ul ness. Thi s i s t he most popul ar of t he l egends about t he or i gi n of Thea si nensi s, t he bot ani cal name f or what i s commonl y cal l ed t he t ea pl ant , whi ch we associ at e wi t h bl ack, gr een, ool ong, and or ange pekoe t eas. Li ke ot her st or i es about t he
or i gi n of t ea and t he r i t ual s of t ea dr i nki ng, f act and f i cti on ar e i nt er t wi ned so tho r oughl y t hat i t i s har d t o separ at e t hem. The di sc over y of Thea si nensi s t ea Ta' Mo' di ed about 530 A. D. , but t he Chi nese cl ai m t hey di sc over ed t he t ea pl ant much ear l i er . They cal l ed i t "t he gi f t of heaven, " and i t was ment i oned, al ong wi t h ot her her bs used f or medi ci nal pur poses, about 2737 B. C. i n t he wr i t i ngs of t he l egendar y emper or Shen Nung. Accor di ng t o l egend, Shen Nung obser ved t hat peopl e who boi l ed t hei r dr i nki ng wat er r emai ned heal t hi er t han t hose who di dn' t , so he al ways made sur e hi s wat er was boi l ed. On a t r i p t o a nei ghbor i ng pr ovi nce, t he emper or ' s ser vant s st ar t ed a f i r e t o boi l wat er f or hi m. As t he wat er was heat i ng, a br eeze bl ew some of t he ten der l eaves f r om t he upper most t wi gs of t he f i r ewood i nt o t he pot . At t r act ed by t he f r agr ance of t he resu l t i ng l i qui d, t he emper or "t ast ed i t and f ound i t good, " as t he sayi ng goes. Thus began a t ea- dr i nki ng cust om t hat has per si st ed t o t hi s day. Or i gi nal l y t he t ea made by i nf usi ng t he Thea si nensi s her b was used onl y as a medi ci nal br ew, as wer e t eas made f r om many ot her her bal pl ant s. Thea si nensi s t ea soon became a popul ar bever age because of i t s f l avor , and t he wor d t ea came t o be asso ci at ed wi t h t hi s pl ant . Al t hough t he cul t i vat i on of t ea began i n Chi na, i t gr adual l y spr ead t o J apan and t he r est of t he Far East . I t was not cul t i vat ed i n I ndi a unt i l 1832, when t he Br i t i sh i nt r oduced i t t her e, l ong af t er i t had become a popul ar bever age i n Engl and and t he Uni t ed St at es. Der i vat i on of t he word t ea The wor d t ea has an i nt er est i ng hi st or y. When Thea si nensi s t ea was f i r st i nt r oduced i n Engl and i t was pr onounced cha or t cha f r om t he Mandar i n and Cant onese di al ect s s poken i n Macao, t he port f r om whi ch t he t ea was s hi pped. When a Cockney housewi f e says i t woul d be ni ce t o have "a cup o f char , " she i s speaki ng per f ect l y r espect abl e Chi nese, a hol dover f r om t he or i gi nal wor d. Lat er t ea was i mpor t ed t o Engl and f r om t he Chi nese por t of Amoy. I n t he Amoy di al ect , i t was cal l ed t ' e, and i t was f r om t hi s wor d t hat t he wor d t ea was der i ved. The wor d t i sane came f r om t he Lat i n pt i sana and t he Gr eek pt i sane. Or i gi nal l y, t i sane meant pearl bar l ey and bar l ey wat er , but over t he year s i t has come t o mean any i nf usi on of her bal l eaves i n boi l i ng wat er . Tea comes t o Engl and No one knows f or sur e exact l y when Thea si nensi s t ea was f i r st br ought t o Engl and, but i n 1658, an ent er pr i si ng mer chant named Thomas Gar way pl aced an adver t i sement i n t he publ i cat i on Mer cur i us Pol i t i cus announci ng t hat : " The excel l ent and by al l Physi t i ans appr oved Chi na Dr i nk, cal l ed by t he Chi neans Tcha, by ot her nat i ons Tay, al i as Tee, can be pr ocur ed at Sul t aness Head Cophee- House i n Sweet i ng' s Rent s by t he Royal Exchange. " Gar way ext ol l ed t he medi ci nal qual i t i es of t ea as a st i mul ant . He wr ot e t hat " t ea r emovet h l assi t ude, vanqui shet h heavy dr eams, easet h t he f r ame, and st r engt henet h t he memor y. I t over comet h super f l uous sl eep, and pr event s sl eepi ness i n general , so t hat wi t hout t r oubl e whol e ni ght s may be passe d i n st udy" Dut ch shi ps f r om t he Or i ent br ought t ea, al ong wi t h ot her "r i ches of t he r i si ng sun" t o Hol l and, and f r om t here Lo r ds Ossor y and Ar l i ngt on began br i ngi ng consi gnment s of t ea t o Engl and. What st ar t ed as an i nf ant t r ade qui ckl y became a r age. Soon Thea si nensi s t eas wer e bei ng ser ved i n al l of Engl and' s most f amous cof f eehouses.
As t he popul ar i t y of t ea dr i nki ng gr ew, t ax r evenues f r om t he sal e of beer and wi ne decl i ned. To compensat e f or t hi s l oss o f i ncome, i n 1660 Charl es I I i mposed t he f i r st Engl i sh t ea t axes, pavi ng t he way f or a t hr i vi ng bl ack mar ket i n t ea. The ear l i est Amer i can set t l er s di d not shar e t he Engl i sh passi on f or dr i nki ng i mpor t ed t eas. Tea dr i nki ng was pr obabl y i nt r oduced t o t he col oni es somewhat l at er , by t he bur ghers of New Amst erda m. Wi l l i am Penn br ought Thea si nensi s t ea t o t he Quaker col ony he f ounded i n what i s now Del awar e i n 1682. But by t he 1750s, Amer i can col oni st s wer e quaf f i ng t ea as hear t i l y as t he Engl i sh. Ear l y r ecorde d uses of herba l t eas Her bal t eas, ot her t han Thea si nensi s, have been br ewed f or t housands of years . The ear l i est r ecor ds t al k of usi ng her bs f or heal i ng r at her t han f l avor i ng. I n 410 B. C. , Pl at o ment i oned her bal t eas i n hi s wr i t i ngs. Sevent y year s l at er , Ar i st ot l e di scussed her bal t eas, and hi s di sci pl e Theophr ast us wr ot e a det ai l ed wor k, "On t he Hi st or y of Pl ant s, " whi ch descr i bed t he uses of her bs. Her bal s wi t h det ai l ed i l l ust r at i ons, and i nst r uct i ons f or br ewi ng her bal t eas, have been r evi sed and expanded ever si nce. The Roman st at esmen Ci cer o, Seneca, and Pl i ny t he El der pr act i ced advanced f or ms of hor t i cul t ur e and wr ot e about t hei r exper i ences. Pl i ny' s Nat ur al Hi st or y (77 A. D. ) , af f i r ms t he i mport ance of gr owi ng her baceous pl ant s bot h f or ki t chen and medi ci nal uses. He out l i ned how t o pl ant , t r anspl ant , and har vest t hem. Pl i ny al so spel l ed out t he medi ci nal uses o f each herb, and al so how t o admi ni st er each one - as l ot i on, powder , or t ea. Many her bal t eas wer e t o be br ewed wi t h wat er and vi negar , he sai d, whi ch may expl ai n why her b t eas wer en' t popul ar as bever ages unt i l l at er , when t hey came t o be br ewed i n wat er al one. Hi s descr i pt i ons of t he j ui ces and f l avor s of each her b char act er i ze savor y and wi l d mar j or am as havi ng "a n acr i d tast e, " ot her s as b ei ng "sweet " or " pungent . " Pl i ny cat al ogued t he ger mi nat i on t i mes of many her bs, not i ng t hat cont i nued t o appear ever y year, whi l e ot hers had t o be newl y sown t hey wer e t o come up agai n. " No seed i s mor e pr ol i f i c t han basi l , " " They r ecommend sowi ng i t wi t h cur ses and i mpr ecat i ons t o make i t abundant l y. "
some pl ant s f r om seed i f he sai d. come up mor e
Weal t hy Romans t ook the i r her b cul t ur e ser i ousl y. The mi l d I t al i an wi nt er s st i l l w e not war munder enough om had bei ng r oyed, plerant s werqui e tpleaced t hit o n keep sheet som s ofe tmender i ca ( plher at bs e glf rass notdest been develso oped yet ) t o pr ot ect t hem f r om t he chi l l . And war m wat er was of t en pi ped ar ound t he r oses, whi ch wer e par t i cul ar l y admi r ed f or bot h t hei r beaut y and medi ci nal qual i ti es. Her bal t eas i n t he New Wor l d I n Engl and, her bal t eas wer e wi del y cul t i vat ed and used. When t he Pi l gr i m f at her s sa i l ed t o t he New Wor l d, t hey br ought seeds or pl ant s of t hei r f avor i t e her bs wi t h t hem. Most l ar ger houses had bot h an her b gar den and a " st i l l r oom" f or cu l t i vat i ng her bs. Whi l e t he t ea of Thea si nensi s r emai ned t he f avori t e her bal bever age, t hose who coul dn' t af f or d i t cont i nued t o make t eas f r om ot her , mor e easi l y accessi bl e her bs. Chamomi l e, peppermi nt , and el der f l ower t eas wer e especi al l y popul ar . One her bal t ea bel oved of t he col oni st s was Oswego t ea, made f r om t he dr y f l ower heads of Amer i can wi l d ber gamot ( Monar ch di dyma) , al so cal l ed bee bal m. ( The r esul t i ng l i qui d t ast es l i ke one of t he scent ed Chi nese t eas. ) Some say t he col oni st s l ear ned t o make Oswego t ea f r om t he I ndi ans, ot her s t hat i t was devi sed as a New Wor l d ver si on of a Eur opean t i sane.
Af t er t he Bost on Tea Par t y, pat r i ot i c l adi es bani shed i mpor t ed tea t er med " t he banef ul herb" by t he cl er gyman and educat or J ohn Andr ews- f r om t hei r t abl es and t ur ned t o domest i cal l y gr own her bal t eas. They cal l ed t hese bever ages " l i ber t y t eas. " Some of t hei r herba l combi nat i ons- made f r om mi nt , bal m, r osemary, and sage- ar e sti l l f avor i t es to day. Af t er t he Revol ut i onar y War , t he Amer i cans i mpor t ed t ea di r ect l y f r om Chi na, and Thea si nensi s became easi l y at t ai nabl e and i nexpensi ve once agai n. A f ew of t he mor e f l avor f ul her bal bever ages wer e st i l l used, but most home- gr own t eas wer e r et ur ned t o t he medi ci ne chest . I mpor t ed her bs wer e now al so easy t o come by, f or t hose who want ed the m, so t he cul t i vat i on of her bs decl i ned, t oo. I t wasn' t unt i l t he out br eak of Wor l d War I t hat Engl and and Amer i ca wer e f aced wi t h t he unpl easant r eal i zat i on t hat t hey had become l ar gel y dependent on Ger man sour ces f or medi ci nal and cooki ng her bs. Ther e ensued an upsur ge i n home- gr own her b cul t i vat i on. Recent gr owt h i n t he her bal t ea mar ket The use of her bs i n cooki ng has never been as gr eat i n Engl and and Amer i ca as i n Fr ance. Recent i nt er est i n gour met cooker y, however , has meant t hat mor e peopl e ar e usi ng her bs i n t he ki t chen. Al ong wi t h t hi s devel opment has c ome a mar ked i ncr ease i n t he consumpt i on of her bal t eas. The nat ur al f oods movement has al so cont r i but ed t o t he gr owi ng appr eci at i on of her bs- t hey have no f ood addi t i ves, ar t i f i ci al col or i ng, chemi cal l y pr oduced f l avor s, or caf f ei ne. The di sc over y t hat caf f ei ne i s not onl y an ar t i f i ci al ment al and physi cal st i mul ant but al so an addi ct i ve subst ance has cau sed t he heal t h- consci ous t o t ur n more a nd mor e t o herba l t eas. For whi l e cof f ee, cocoa, and Thea si nensi s t eas co nt ai n caf f ei ne, her bal t eas do not . For many years a f avor i t e onl y wi t h heal t h- f ood devot ees, her bal t ea i s becomi ng uni ver sal l y popul ar . I n Eur ope, her bal t ea sal es have soar ed f r om 5 per cent of t he t ea mar ket sever al year s ago t o mor e t han 60 per cent t oday. I n t he Uni t ed St at es, gr owt h has been mor e moder at e, but sal es have i mpr oved each year . Packaged her bal t eas now account f or about 10 per cent of t he Uni t ed St at es t ea mar ket , up f r om vi r t ual l y not hi ng f i f t een year s ago. Twent y year s ago, t he if ndust r y ls eader est i al mar Seasoni I nc. even i of n busi ness.t eas I n t1975, i ve year af t er, iCel t began ket i ngngs, col or f ul, lwiasn' t t l et boxes her bal hr ough heal t h f ood st or es, t he company br oke t he $1 mi l l i on mar k i n sal es. Sal es doubl ed i n 1976. I n 19$1, gr oss r evenues r ose t o over $23 mi l l i on. Cel est i al now sel l s about 4 mi l l i on pounds of her bs a year . Sensi ng a shar p i nr oad i nt o t he Chi na t ea mar ket , t he t wo l ar ge Amer i can t ea compani es, Li pt on and Bi gel ow, r ecent l y j umped ont o t he her bal t ea bandwagon. Sal es of her bal pr oduct s i n t he Uni t ed St at es ar e now est i mat ed at bet ween $150 and $200 mi l l i on a year , wi t h packaged her bal t eas acco unt i ng f or about $90 mi l l i on of t he t ot al . The Food and Dr ug Admi ni st r at i on ent er ed the her bal t ea pi ct ur e a f ew year s ago, or deri ng t wo compani es t o st op pr oduci ng sassaf r as t ea, an age- ol d pr escr i pt i on f or upset st omach and f or ne r ves. When boi l ed, sassa f r as r el eases a sub st ance cal l ed saf r ol e, a known car ci nogen whi ch t he FDA has banned as a f ood addi t i ve. Resear chers l at er di scov er ed a per son woul d have t o i ngest mor e sassaf r as t ea i n a day t han most peopl e do i n a year i n or der t o get t he same concent r at i on of saf r ol e t hat had pr oduced some cancer s i n l abor at or y ani mal s, so t he ban on sassa f r as t ea has been l i f t ed. There i s no doubt , however , t hat excessi ve use of cer t ai n her bal t eas can be i nj ur i ous t o your heal t h. Dr . J ames Duke, head of t he Medi ci nal Pl ant Resour ces Labor at or y of t he U. S. Depar t ment of Agr i cul t ur e, bel i eves st evi a and cat ni p ar e hal l uci nogens i f t aken
i n excess. He al so mai nt ai ns t hat ar ni ca, bel l adonna, bi t t er sweet , hel bane, heml ock, and secuda, commonl y sol d f or her b t eas, ar e poi sonous, and t hat bl oodr oot cont ai ns s ome of t he same al kal oi ds as opi um. Thi s has made i t a r age i n some ci r cl es f or maki ng "hi gh" t ea. Despi t e t hese gl oom- and- doom announcement s, however , most her bal t eas ar e benef i ci al , not poi sonous, i f dr unk i n moder at i on. One of t he most hi ghl y t out ed her bal t eas i s gi nseng. Tour any herb st ore o r Chi nese empor i um and you wi l l see a hef t y di spl ay of i t . Gi nseng i s bel i eved t o i ncr ease sexual pot ency, l engt hen l i f espan, and pr oduce a f eel i ng of wel l - bei ng. Kor ean r ed r oot gi nseng, Korea n whi t e r oot gi nseng, Manchur i an gi nseng, Manchur i an r ed gi nseng, Canadi an gi nseng, and, f or t he connoi sseur , I mper i al Chi nese gi nseng, ar e consi der ed t he f i nest gi nseng t eas avai l abl e. They ar e t hought so pot ent t hat t hey ar e usual l y t aken onl y once or t wi ce a year . One var i et y of gi nseng, Panax qui nquef ol i um, i s grown i n t he Uni t ed St at es, al t hough i t i s di f f i cul t to cul ti vate . The FDA concer ned i t sel f wi t h gi nseng f or a whi l e, but doesn' t anymor e. FDA l abor at ory t est s i ndi cat ed gi nseng has no ef f ect on t he body what soever , t hough sat i sf i ed gi nseng user s beg t o di f f er . Pr oduci ng enough her bs t o meet t he new demand f or her bal t eas has become somet hi ng of a pr obl em. Si nce t hey must be pi cked by hand, most her bs ar e gr own i n Thi r d Wor l d count r i es wher e l abor cost s ar e l ow. Many herbs ar e al so pi cked wi l d, or ar e pur chased f r om smal l gr ower s wi t h backyar d pl ot s. Cont r ol l i ng qual i t y by gr owi ng your own herbs Har vest i ng, pr ocessi ng, and shi ppi ng del i cat e her bs gr own i n many di f f er ent pl aces can make qual i t y cont r ol di f f i cul t . You can sur mount t hese pr obl ems, t hough, by gr owi ng her bs your sel f . You won' t be gr owi ng t hem i n such gr eat quant i t i es t hat pi cker s wi l l be har d t o f i nd. You can sor t and pr epar e t hem, keepi ng t hei r qual i t y as r ef i ned as your t ast e. And you can exper i ment wi t h bl endi ng t hem, augment i ng t he bl ends wi t h a f ew i ngr edi ent s f r om your l ocal herb suppl y st or e. Her bs you gr ow f or t ea al so make good addi t i ons t o sal ads, soups, or mai n di shes. Ext r as can be used i n pot pour r i s, sachet s, her bal but t er s, and vi negar s, or t o m at season i ve, l ongl ast .i ng f l or al di spl ays tha t sce nt your home l ong af t er t ake he grdecor owi ng i s past Peopl e wi t h veget abl e gar dens- and i t i s est i mat ed t hat cl ose t o one- hal f of al l f ami l i es i n t he Uni t ed St at es now gr ow some of t hei r own f ood- f i nd herbs ar e easy t o gr ow. I n f act , mi nt , ber gamot , chamomi l e, and dandel i on have been gr owi ng ar ound us, wi l d, al l al ong. So l et ' s move on t o t he pr act i cal busi ness of gr owi ng t hese her bs, and many ot hers , and di scov eri ng j ust how easy i t i s t o br ew your own herba l t ea del i ght s. ====================== 2. Gui de t o cul t i vat i ng her bs The most pungent her bs ar e sai d t o gr ow on r ocky hi l l s near t he Medi t er r anean coast . Ther e, i n poor , dr y soi l wher e t he sun beat s down on t hem al l day, a hi gh concent r at i on of esse nt i al oi l s ( whi ch ar e what gi ve her bs t hei r f l avor and ar oma) bui l ds up i n t he l eaves. Thi s i s nat ur e' s way of keepi ng t he pl ant s f r om dr yi ng out and dyi ng. Ear l y gr owers t r i ed t o dupl i cat e t he aust er e envi r onment of t hese nat i ve pl ant s. They bel i eved poor soi l , l i t t l e wat er , and hot sun woul d guar ant ee t he most ar omat i c basi l , t hyme, and r osemar y. No mat t er t hat t hey had
t o har vest hal f an acr e of pl ant s f or a f ew handf ul s of l eaves; t he t ast e and aroma made i t al l wort hwhi l e. Today' s her b gar dener has nei t her t he space nor pat i ence t o gr ow s t unt ed, smal l l eaved pl ant s t hat yi el d one t eapot ' s wor t h of her bs when t he gar den i s st r i pped. For t unat el y, pl ant genet i ci st s have devel oped her bal st r ai ns t hat have l ar ge amount s of esse nt i al oi l s i n t hei r l eaves but ar e al so bi g and bushy pl ant s t hat t hr i ve i n good, wel l dr ai ned soi l . The i ndoor gar dener , usi ng i mpr oved seeds and pl ant s, as wel l as moder n gr owi ng met hods, can get a f i ne yi el d of her bal t ea f r om a si ngl e pot t ed pl ant pl aced on a wi ndowsi l l or under gr ow- l i ght s. The out door gar dener c an der i ve i mmense sat i sf act i on and a gr at i f yi ng cr op f r om a smal l her b pl ot t ucked i n a sunny cor ner or on a smal l pat ch of gr ound near t he ki t chen door. Whet her you' r e star t i ng your her bs f r om seed, nur ser y pl ant s, or cut t i ngs or r oot i ngs gi ven t o you by gener ous f r i ends, you' l l want t o ensur e t hei r success by pr ovi di ng t hem wi t h a good gr owi ng envi r onment . Pr epar i ng t he soi l Most of t oday' s her bal st r ai ns do ni cel y i n aer at ed soi l t hat i s wel l dr ai ned, cr umbl y, and enr i ched wi t h a moderat e amount of f ert i l i zer or orga ni c mat t er t o suppl y t he pl ant s wi t h nut r i ent s. To check how good your soi l i s, i nser t a spadi ng f or k t o i t s f ul l dept h. I f i t goes i n easi l y wi t h l i t t l e or no ef f or t , you' r e l ucky- you pr obabl y al r eady have i deal soi l f or your her bal t eas. I f i t scra pes or won' t go i n al l t he way, you' l l have t o do some wor k. Usual l y, t hi s wi l l mean addi ng condi t i oner s. Most soi l s benef i t f r om t he addi t i on t o t hei r bul k of up t o 1/ 3 peat moss, compost , sawdust , or l eaf mol d, wel l mi xed, t o a dept h of at l east 1 f oot . I f you have cl ay soi l , you' l l want t o add even mor e of t hese co ndi t i oner s t o get an her b pl ant i ng bed t hat wi l l pr ovi de good dr ai nage and enough f r i abi l i t y so t he r oot syst ems wi l l r emai n moi st ( but not soggy) and wi l l spr ead easi l y. I f you have i mpossi bl y heavy cl ay soi l or an i mper meabl e l ayer of har dpan not t oo f ar bel ow your pl ant i ng sur f ace, you can cr eat e a r ai sed pl ant i ng bed f i l l ed wi t h a mor e desi r abl e soi l mi x. Rai sed beds can be sur r ounded by br i cks, r ai l r oad t i es, r ocks, boar ds- anyt hi ng st ur dy enough t o keep t he ear t h cont ai ned. Iwnci y, ear a lr iaiersed guar ant ees good drant ai nage but talhan so at becom es ar mdent andaldrl y i nbed t he not spr ionl ng,y al l ow i ng you t o pl sooner gr ound l evel . For t hi s r eason, many gar dener s whose soi l i s good st i l l pr ef er r ai sed pl ant i ng beds f or t hei r her bs. Avoi d pr epar i ng your soi l on a day when t he eart h i s wet and st i cky and wi l l compact . You can t est f or t he r i ght t i me t o cul t i vat e by t aki ng a handf ul of ear t h and squeezi ng i t t oget her i nt o a bal l . Press t hi s l ump gent l y wi t h a f i nger of your ot her hand. I f i t hol ds t oget her , t he gr ound i s t oo wet t o wor k. I f i t cru mbl es, i t ' s t i me t o r ol l up your sl eeves and st ar t di ggi ng. Be sur e to d i st r i but e soi l condi t i oner s evenl y t hr oughout t he mi xture. St ar t by spadi ng your bed t o the dept h of t he spadi ng f or k, so t hat i t ' s l oose. Then spr ead t he or gani c mat er i al s over t he sur f ace and syst emat i cal l y di g t hem i n. As you i nser t your spadi ng f or k, t ur n t he soi l t o one si de or t he ot her so t hat t he or gani c mat er i al s t r i ckl e t hr ough t he t i nes of t he f or k and down t he f ace of t he soi l t he f ul l dept h of t he spade. Thi s way you avoi d l eavi ng t he soi l on t op of or gani c mat t er t hat i s bur i ed i n a l ayer under neat h. You may wor k t he soi l sever al t i mes bef or e i t i s t he r i ght consi st ency, but once you' ve pai d your gar deni ng dues by cr eat i ng a good pl ant i ng bed, i t can be
mai nt ai ned easi l y f or sever al year s and wi l l r ewar d you wi t h bi gger , heal t hi er pl ant s. Checki ng soi l aci di t y and al kal i ni t y Af t er you' ve wor ked condi t i oner s i nt o t he pl ant i ng area , you shoul d check t he pH f acto r - aci di t y or al kal i ni t y- of t he soi l . The pH sc al e r uns f r om 0 at t he aci d end t o 14 at t he al kal i ne end. Most her bs do wel l i n a f ai r l y neut r al pH r ange of 6. 0 t o 7. 5. To det er mi ne t he pH f act or of t he soi l i n your gar den, you can t est a sampl e of soi l your sel f wi t h t he typ e of ki t sol d at most gar den cent er s. These ki t s are si mpl e t o use. I f you f i nd t he pl ant i ng mi xt ur e i s t oo aci d, mi x 5 pounds of agr i cul t ur al l i mest one i nt o each 100 squar e f eet of pl ant i ng ar ea t o r ai se t he pH by 1/ 2 t o 1 poi nt . I f t he mi xt ur e i s t oo al kal i ne, add 3 pounds of i r on sul f at e or al umi num sul f at e t o each 100 squar e f eet t o l ower t he pH by 1/ 2 t o 1 poi nt . For t he f ew her bs t hat pr ef er more a ci d or al kal i ne concent r at i ons, you can spot work t hese mi ner al s i nt o t he soi l ar ound t he pl ant . Pl anni ng f or out door pl ant i ng I f you' r e pl ant i ng seeds out door s, pl an car ef ul l y wher e you want t o put t hem ( see chapt er 3 f or f ul l i nf or mat i on on pl anni ng your gar den) . By pl ant i ng r i ght where t he pl ant s wi l l be gr owi ng, you' l l know exact l y whi ch her bs ar e wher e ( but i t ' s st i l l a good i dea t o use l abel mar ker s t o hel p j og your memor y) . Al so, you can t hi n t he her bs i n pl ace; and you won' t r i sk l oss f r om l at er t r anspl ant i ng. Wat er your pl ant i ng ar ea wel l t he day bef or e you pl an t o seed. Thi s way, newl y sown seeds wi l l get t he necessary moi st ur e t o hel p t hem spr out , and t her e wi l l be l ess l i kel i hood of washi ng t hem out j ust af t er t hey' ve been pl ant ed. Make sur e al l danger of f r ost i s past and t hat t he soi l has begun t o war m up. I f t her e i s a sh or t gr owi ng season i n your ar ea, sl ow- gr owi ng pl ant s wi t h l ong ger mi nat i on per i ods sh oul d be pl ant ed ear l i er , i ndoor s or i n a col d f r ame, t hen t r anspl ant ed i nt o t he gar den when t hey' r e est abl i shed. Ot herwi se, t hey won' t yi el d a cr op of any si gni f i cance bef ore t he end of t he gr owi ng season. For cent ur i es gar dener s have consi der ed moon phases when pl ant i ng seeds, because of r a all il ght kness, and/ or gr avi at i onal pul l pr ovi ded by t he l unar cyclt he e. ext Gener y, ,i t dar ' s bel i eved annual her tbs ( whi ch l i ve one season onl y) shoul d be pl ant ed dur i ng t he f i r st ‚ or second š l unar phase. Bi enni al her bs ( whi ch l i ve t wo seasons) , shoul d be pl ant ed dur i ng t he thi r d ƒ or f our t h ˜ l unar phase. Per enni al s ( whi ch may l i ve many year s) shoul d be pl ant ed dur i ng the t hi r d l unar phase. However , al l r oot cr op her bs shoul d be pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d and f our t h phases, when added dar kness hel ps t hem send t hei r r oot s deep i nt o t he gr ound. More ex act pl ant i ng t i me can be det er mi ned by consul t i ng your newspaper ( t he weat her r epor t usual l y shows moon phases) or an al manac. Pr esoaki ng seeds Many her b seeds ar e sl ow t o ger mi nat e but spr out mor e qui ckl y i f you soak t hem i n wat er bef or e you pl ant t hem. The ni ght bef or e I ' m goi ng t o pl ant i ndoor s or out door s, I put seeds of each her b i nt o separ at e saucer s f i l l ed wi t h wat er . I pl ace t he seed packet under each saucer , so I ' l l know whi ch i s whi ch when mor ni ng comes. Then I l ock up my cat s, so t hey won' t hel p t hemsel ves t o a noct ur nal dr i nk f r om t he saucer s or mi x up t he seeds. I n t he morni ng, I r emove excess moi st ur e f r om each saucer wi t h a sponge and t he t i p of a paper napki n. Then I pl ant my seed var i et i es one by one.
Pl ant i ng seeds out door s I f wi nt er s ar en' t t oo sever e i n your cl i mat e, you can pl ant di l l , bor age, and ot her sl ow- ger mi nat i ng seeds out door s i n t he f al l . They' l l come up ni cel y i n spr i ng. Fal l pl ant i ng shoul d be done bef or e aut umn f r ost s begi n, but l at e enough i n t he season so t hat s eedl i ngs won' t emer ge bef or e wi nt er on l y t o be ki l l ed when col d weat her ar r i ves. Check seed packet s f or aver age ger mi nat i on per i ods and f or i nst r uct i ons on pl ant i ng i n your cl i mat e. Bef or e you pl ant , make shal l ow scr at ch l i nes wi t h a hoe or t r owel t o gui de you when sowi ng. Pl ace seeds i n t he f ur r ows, and cover t hem l i ght l y wi t h soi l . Seed packet s usu al l y spel l out how deep seeds sho ul d be pl aced- t hi s va r i es f r om her b t o her b. I f pl ant i ng dept h i sn' t spel l ed out , a good r ul e of t humb i s t o pl ant seeds t o a dept h of t wo t o t hr ee t i mes t he di amet er of t he seed. Make sur e the soi l cover i ng t he seeds i sn' t l umpy or heavy. You can si f t i t over t he seeds t hr ough a scr een, maki ng sure i t i s even and f i ne. Af t er you' ve cover ed t he seeds, f i r m t he pl ant i ng ar ea wi t h your hand or a boar d. I f t he sur f ace has dr i ed out , moi st en i t l i ght l y wi t h a f i ne spr ay of wat er , bei ng car ef ul not t o uncover or di sl odge t he seeds. I n t he days t hat f ol l ow, cont i nue t o keep t he soi l damp ( not soggy) by wat eri ng wi t h a ver y f i ne spr ay. Many her bs ar e l ook- al i kes as se edl i ngs. Some, l i ke or egano and mar j or am, cont i nue t o l ook l i ke one anot her even i nt o mat ur i t y. Don' t count on your memor y t o r emember whi ch her b i s whi ch or you mi ght be i n f or some unpl easant t ast e sur pr i ses when you br ew t he her bal t eas. Label seed r ows or pl ant i ng spot s wi t h pl ast i c or wooden mar ker s, usi ng a wat er pr oof , i ndel i bl e pen. I use 1- i nchsquar e st akes about a f oot l ong, whi ch I dr i ve i nt o t he gr ound 6 i nches deep so t hey won' t be upr oot ed. Each st ake i s pr omi nent l y mar ked wi t h a wi de t i pped pen. I f mar ker s become di r t y and har d t o rea d af t er a coupl e of year s, I pul l t hem out one by one, sand t hem l i ght l y, and r el abel t hem. Annual s and bi enni al s usu al l y ger mi nat e more qu i ckl y t han per enni al s, but some bi enni al her bs ( l i ke par sl ey) t ake a l ong t i me t o appear . Be pat i ent . I f you' r e usi ng good new seed, have pl ant ed pr oper l y, and haven' t had an excessi vel y col d or r ai ny spel l , t he l i t t l e pl ant s wi l l ` pr obabl y emer ge j ust as you' r e gi vi ng up hope. Remember , t hough, most her bs ger mi nat e best at 70º F ( 21º C) or war mer , and t hey pr ef er 60º t o 65º F ( 15º t o 18º C) t emper at ur es once t hey' ve spr out ed, w s not i easy accompl door s.e That sthiarch t iseeds ndoor tsounder mori sh e mout anageabl condi' st i why ons. many gar dener s pr ef er t o Thi nni ng seedl i ngs Whet her you' r e pl ant i ng out door s or i ndoor s, t hi n t he seedl i ngs af t er t wo pai r s of t r ue l eaves devel op, so t he r emai ni ng pl ant s wi l l have enough r oom t o devel op. Tr y t o sni p or pi nch of f weaker seedl i ngs ( pul l i ng t hem up can somet i mes upr oot good ones) , even i f i t means t r anspl ant i ng st r ong ones t hat have sprou t ed i n one ar ea. I n hot weat her ar eas, l eave pl ant s cl oser t oget her so f ol i age wi l l shade t he soi l . I f necessa r y, you can t hi n agai n when t he seedl i ngs are l ar ger . By al l means, save t he l i t t l e pl ant s you' ve gl eaned when t hi nni ng. I f l eaves ar e t he part of t he herb used t o br ew t ea, t r eat your sel f t o a cup as a r ewar d f or your ef f or t s! Pl ant i ng seeds i ndoor s Less h ar dy her bs, or t hose t hat t ake a l ong t i me t o ger mi nat e, can get a head st ar t i f you pl ant t hem i ndoor s 6 t o 9 weeks bef or e t he l ast f r ost i s expect ed.
You can pl ant i n cer ami c, pl ast i c, or peat pot s, or i n wooden or pl ast i c f l at s ( t r ays) . Al l cont ai ner s must have hol es i n t he bot t om t o pr ovi de good dr ai nage, and must be scr ubbed absol ut el y cl ean so t hey won' t t r ansmi t di sease t o new seedl i ngs vi a pl ant pest s sti l l l i nger i ng f r om pr evi ous pl ant i ngs. Wooden f l at s, i n par t i cul ar , may cont i nue t o har bor di sease- causi ng or gani sms. I st er i l i ze mi ne by put t i ng t hem i nt o a 160º t o 180º F ( 71º t o 82º C) oven f or about hal f an hour . The st ench i s awf ul as t hey' r e "coo ki ng, " but t he r esul t s ar e good. Once t hey' ve cool ed, f i l l your pl ant i ng cont ai ner s wi t h a good st er i l e pot t i ng mi x. You can buy t hi s r eady- made, or , i f you pr ef er , you can make your own. One commer ci al her b gar dener who gr ows t housands of pl ant s each year asser t s t hat gar dener s who make t hei r own her bal pl ant i ng mi x wi l l get good r esul t s by combi ni ng 1 par t each of soi l , sand, peat moss, and per l i t e. Thi s mi xt ur e i s good f or bot h i ndoor and out door herb p l ant i ng. No mat t er what pl ant i ng mi x you deci de t o use, scr een i t t hr ough a I / 4- i nch mesh scr een ( har dwar e cl ot h) t o br eak up t he par t i cl es. I f you' r e usi ng garde n soi l and compost , you' l l want t o make sure t he mi x i s st eri l e. Bake i t i n a 160º t o 180º F ( 71º t o 82º C) oven f or ab out 2 hour s. Once agai n, t he smel l wi l l be st r ong. Pl ant s pot t ed i n such soi l ar e unl i kel y to g et dampi ng- of f di sease, a f ungus whi ch at t acks see ds and t i ny seedl i ngs. I f you want t o pr event dampi ng- of f di sease wi t hout st er i l i zat i on, you can sat ur at e t he pl ant i ng mi x wi t h a sol ut i on of commer ci al l y pr epar ed f ungi ci de. You can al so make your own f ungi ci de by mi xi ng 2 par t s of f i nel y gr ound copper sul phat e wi t h 11 par t s of f r esh ammoni um car bonat e. St or e t he mi x i n an ai r t i ght gl ass j ar. When you need a sol ut i on, di ssol ve 2/ 3 ounce of t he mi xt ur e i n a l i t t l e hot wat er . Then add enough col d wat er t o make 1 gal l on. St or e t he sol ut i on i n a pl ast i c or por cel ai n cont ai ner ( not a met al one) and use i t i mmedi at el y. Or gani c gar dener s, who shy away f r om chemi cal addi t i ves, mai nt ai n t hat t hey can cont r ol dampi ng- of f di sease by: 1. Usi ng st er i l e pot t i ng mi xt ur e 2. Pr ovi di ng seed f l at s wi t h pr oper dr ai nage 3. Keepi ng f l at s i n a pl ace t hat i s l ow i n humi di t y and has good vent i l at i on 4. Sow ngt the heseeds seedswii tnhapul mi ver xt uri zed, e of heat equaledpar t s of compost and sand, and cover i ing cl ay 5. Sowi ng seeds spa r sel y, so t hey ar en' t cr owded Once you' ve f i l l ed your pl ant i ng cont ai ner wi t h pot t i ng soi l , t amp i t down gent l y t o 1/ 2 i nch bel ow t he t op of t he f l at or pot and wat er i t wel l . I f you' r e sowi ng sever al r ows of her bs i n a f l at , make shal l ow i ndent at i ons about 2 i nches apart f or ea ch r ow. I use a penci l l engt h pr essed i nt o t he mi x. Sow seeds i n t he r ows, l abel i ng each r ow wi t h a wooden or pl ast i c mar ker , and cover t he seeds l i ght l y wi t h si f t ed pl ant i ng mi x. I f t he seeds sho w when you wat er or mi st t hem, i t means you haven' t cover ed t hem deepl y enough, and shoul d si f t a l i t t l e mor e soi l over t hem. [ I nser t Pi c p022 + p023] The best way t o wat er newl y sown seeds wi t hout di st ur bi ng t hem i s t o pl ace t he pl ant i ng cont ai ner s i n a t r ay of wat er . Al l ow t hem t o soak unt i l you see t hat t he t op sur f ace i s t hor oughl y wet . Annual , bi enni al , or t ender per enni al her bs t hat or i gi nat ed i n hot cl i mat es usual l y germi nat e bet t er i f t he seeds ar e kept f ai r l y war m. You can accompl i sh
t hi s by put t i ng an el ect r i c so i l - war mi ng cabl e (av ai l abl e at gar den suppl y st or es) on t he bot t om of t he f l at and keepi ng i t pl ugged i n unt i l t he pl ant s have emer ged. Or you can pl ace an ' : i ncandescent l amp under t he f l at t o war m t he bot t om, keepi ng t he ' ` t emper at ur e at 70º t o 75º F ( 21º t o 24º C) . Prov i di ng adequat e l i ght The best pl ace t o put f l at s or pot s i s i n a wi ndow i n di r ect sunl i ght wher e t hey' l l get heat and l i ght al l day. I f your wi ndow doesn' t f ace due sout h ( or nor t h i n t he Sout her n Hemi spher e) , you' l l have t o r ot at e t he f l at s and pot s t o keep t he pl ant s gr owi ng st r ai ght . I f you don' t have a sunny exposur e, you can use f l uorescen t gr ow l i ght s. The usual ar r angement i s t wo t ubes, 24 or 48 i nches l ong, i n a `: commer ci al shopt ype f i xt ur e. Mi ne ar e suspended f r om heat i ng pi pes i n my basement by chai ns at t ached wi t h S hooks at t he f i xt ur e end. a Thi s way I can r ai se or l ower t he l i ght s t o accommodat e gr owi ng pl ant s. I pl ug t he f i xt ur es i nt o aut omat i c t i mer s, al l owi ng f r om 12 t o 16 hour s of l i ght per day. Regul ar f l uor escent l i ght s ca n al so be used, but t hey l ack so me of t he benef i t s of gr ow- l i ght s, whi ch ar e desi gned t o pr omot e pl ant gr owt h. Some gar dener s who have sunny wi ndows use gr ow- l i ght s as wel l t o ensure a l onger day f or t hei r pl ant s. Begi n by pl aci ng newl y seeded f l at s and pot s onl y 3 or 4 i nches under t he f i xt ur e so emer gi ng seedl i ngs won' t become "l eggy" t r yi ng t o rea ch t he l i ght . Once t he pl ant s have est abl i shed a coupl e of set s of l eaves and are d oi ng ni cel y, you can move t he l amps up, or t he pl ant s down, dependi ng on your ar r angement . Make sur e t he pl ant s never t ouch t he l i ght s. I f t he her bs ar e i n a dr y pl ace, mi st t hem dai l y, but be sur e you do t hi s ear l y i n t he day so t hey dr y t hor oughl y bef or e t he l i ght s go of f or t he sun goes down. Ot her wi se, t hey may devel op f ungus di sease. But , you say, why shoul d t hi s be? Af t er al l , dew f or ms on out door pl ant s at ni ght , and t hey dol t get mi l dewed. That ' s t r ue. But out door pl ant s have const ant vent i l at i on, whi ch can' t be dupl i cat ed i n i ndoor gr owi ng si t uat i ons. Be sur e to t hi n i ndoor seedl i ngs, j ust as you do out door ones. Tr anspl ant i ng Seedl i ngs gr own i ndoor s i n f l at s or pot s, pl ant s r ai sed i n t he nur ser y, or cut t i ngs or r oot i ngs t aken f r om ot her pl ant s sh oul d al l be t r anspl ant ed car ef ul l y i f t hey' r e to make a successf ul t r ansi t i on t o t he host i l e out door envi r onment wi t h i t s var i at i ons of t emper at ur e, wi nd, and moi st ur e. To pr event t r anspl ant shock, you can " har den" i ndoor pl ant s by i nt r oduci ng t hem gr adual l y t o t he har sh wor l d out si de. A f ew days bef or e t he t r anspl ant i ng, pl ace t hem out si de i n a warm, sunny, and pr ot ect ed spot . Leave t hem f or a f ew hour s each day, but be sur e t o br i ng t hem saf el y i ndoor s i f t he sun st ops shi ni ng, t he t emper at ur e begi ns f al l i ng, or whenever wi nd or cool er weat her t hr eat ens. Af t er a f ew days of harde ni ng, your pl ant s sho ul d be accl i mat i zed and r eady f or out door pl ant i ng. Tr anspl ant on a mi l d, over cas t day or j ust bef or e sunset , when t he sun wi l l not beat on t he r el ocat ed pl ant s. The dar k and dew of ni ght hel ps t hem r ecover bef or e mor ni ng. I f you must t r anspl ant on a sunny day, be sur e t o pr ot ect t he t r anspl ant s f r om excess heat and l i ght by const r uct i ng a cheesecl ot h umbr el l a suspended on st akes,
or by pushi ng a shi ngl e, f l oor t i l e, or l eaf y twi g i nt o t he soi l on t he sunny si de of t he pl ant s t o shel t er t hem. To move seedl i ngs, l i f t t hem out of t hei r gr owi ng cont ai ner s one by one. Pr y up t he roo t syst em of each wi t h a pl ant mar ker , t ongue depr esso r , or spoon, t r yi ng t o keep as bi g a bal l of soi l ar ound t he r oot s as you can. St eady each l i t t l e her b pl ant as you move i t by gent l y hol di ng a l eaf ( not t he t ender st em, whi ch can easi l y snap) and l ower t he r oot bal l i nt o a pr epar ed moi st hol e. I f you' ve pl ant ed i n peat pot s, you can pl ace each seedl i ng i n i t s hol e, pot and al l . Expandi ng r oot s wi l l gr ow t hr ough t he di si nt egr at i ng pot . Fi r m t he soi l and make a l i t t l e saucer - l i ke depr essi on ar ound each seedl i ng to cat ch and hol d moi st ur e. Tr y t o set pl ant s no deeper t han t hey wer e when gr owi ng i ndoor s. I f , however , t hey have become "l eggi er " t han you woul d l i ke, set t hem a l i t t l e deeper so the y can suppor t t hemsel ves wi t hout f al l i ng over . [ I nser t Pi c p024 + p025] Keep t r anspl ant ed seedl i ngs wel l wat er ed, maki ng sur e you don' t uncover t he r oot s or knock t hem over wi t h t oo heavy a spray. I nci dent al l y, you can use t hi s same met hod i f you deci de t o t r anspl ant seedl i ngs i ndoor s because your pl ant s ar e t oo cr owded, or ar e comi ng up al l i n one spot and not i n anot her . I f you' r e t r anspl ant i ng nur ser y pl ant s, t r y t o t r ansf er al l t he pl ant i ng mi xt ur e sur r oundi ng t he r oot s t o t he t r anspl ant hol e wi t hout di st ur bi ng t he pl ant . Tap t he pot shar pl y t o l oosen di r t f r om t he edges, or i f t he pl ant i s i n a pl ast i c compar t ment , squeeze t he compar t ment gent l y t o di sl odge t he mass of soi l sur r oundi ng t he r oot s. Thi s i s easi er t o do i f you do not wat er pl ant s j ust bef or e you t r anspl ant t hem. I f t he soi l ar ound t hem i s t oo moi st , i t ' s l i kel y t o crumbl e when you t r y to remove t he pl ant f r om i t s co nt ai ner . I f i t ' s dr i er , i t wi l l usual l y st i ck t o t he pl ant r oot s and come out i n one mass. I f soi l does f al l of f t he r oot s, or i f t he gr owi ng mi xt ur e hasn' t adher ed t o t he r oot s, spr ead t he r oot s i n t he pl ant i ng hol e gent l y so t hey' r e not i n one cl umped mass. Then car ef ul l y f i r m soi l ar ound t he pl ant s and wat er t hem wel l . Lar ger nur ser y pl ant s, r oot i ngs, or cut t i ngs don' t need qui t e as much pr ot ect i on ft rr om t he er tmr, anspl as or dol tati ny ngs, anspl antsun onafat cal over ant casti ng day e i seedl n t hei af t er but noon.i t ' s best t o Whenever you' r e movi ng pl ant s, be sur e t he t r anspl ant hol e i s good- si zed, so you can surr ound t he newl y pl ant ed herb wi t h pl ent y of l oosened, pr epar ed soi l . And wor k up t he soi l i n t he bot t om of t he hol e t o gi ve t he r oot s a sof t cushi on t o r est on . I f soi l i n t he t r anspl ant hol e i sn' t t he r i ght mi x, di g a much l ar ger hol e- one bi g enough t o hol d t he r oot syst em of t he herb when i t r eaches mat ur i t y. Then r epl ace t he soi l t hat was i n t he hol e wi t h t he pr oper pl ant i ng mi x. [ I nser t Pi c p026] When t r anspl ant i ng, don' t r el y on memor y t o t el l you wher e you put each pl ant . Many her bs change appear ance consi der abl y as t hey mat ur e, so i t ' s i mpor t ant t o l abel your t r anspl ant s j ust as you woul d seeds, at l east unt i l you' ve been gr owi ng her bs f or so many year s t hat you' r e t hor oughl y f ami l i ar wi t h al l st ages of t hei r devel opment . Wat er i ng t i ps
You' l l want , of cour se, t o gi ve speci al at t ent i on t o t he wat er i ng of seedl i ngs, nur ser y pl ant s, cut t i ngs, or r oot di vi si ons j ust af t er you' ve tr anspl ant ed t hem. But t her e ar e ot her gener al wat er i ng t i ps t o bear i n mi nd. When pl anni ng your gar den, gr oup herbs t hat r equi r e l ot s of wat er i n one spot so t hat t hey can be spr i nkl ed or s oaked at t he same t i me. The her bs t hat r equi r e l ess moi st ur e shoul d be cl ust er ed t oget her t o avoi d over wat eri ng t hem when you' r e t endi ng t he rest of your gar den. Her bs l i ke t hor ough and deep wat er i ngs, r at her t han f r equent s hal l ow ones whi ch don' t penet r at e t o t he bot t om of t he r oot bal l . Mul chi ng You can cut down on wat er i ng i f you spr ead 1 or 2 i nches of mul ch ar ound your her bs, t aper i ng of f t o about 1/ z i nch near t he st ems. Ever si nce Rut h St out advocat ed heavy mul chi ng i n her book, How t o Have a Gr een Thumb Wi t hout an Achi ng Back, mul chi ng has been r egar ded as a new phenomenon. Actu al l y, i t i s a nat ur al pr ocess, mi l l i ons of year s ol d. As l eaves f al l t o t he f or est f l oor , t hey pr ot ect smal l er pl ant s dur i ng sever e weat her , and as t hey decompose, t hey f or m soi l - enr i chi ng compost . Whet her i t occur s nat ur al l y or t hr ough t he ef f or t s of a consci ent i ous gar dener , mul chi ng accompl i shes many t hi ngs. I t conser ves wat er by cut t i ng down on evapor at i on, and i t hel ps keep pl ant l eaves cl ean when t her e ar e heavy r ai ns. Thi s i s par t i cul ar l y i mpor t ant i n t he case of cr eepi ng t hyme, par sl ey, or egano, ani se, and ot her her bs t hat gr ow cl ose t o t he gr ound and ar e of t en bl own over i n heavy st or ms and pushed i nt o t he soi l . Mul chi ng al so el i mi nat es weeds and pr eser ves del i cat e her b f eeder r oot s t hat woul d ot her wi se be dest r oyed by hoei ng or di ggi ng. The f ew weeds t hat cr eep t hr ough t he mul ch can be pul l ed out easi l y by hand. Mul chi ng al so hel ps guard a gai nst ext r eme weat her by i nsul at i ng her bal r oot s f r om t he col d. I f t he mul ch i s or gani c, i t gr adual l y decomposes i nt o t he ear t h' s t op l ayer , boost i ng soi l f er t i l i t y by pr ovi di ng hel pf ul mi croo r gani sms. Per enni al s growi ng i n sever e cl i mat es benef i t f r om heavi er mul chi ng at t he end of he gr ow i ngr season, whiem ch ot ect s tng hem andt keeps t hei r oot syst s fprr om dr yi outf .r om ext r eme col d wi nt er t emper at ur es Popul ar mul ches f or t he her b garde n i ncl ude f r eshl y cut gr ass, chopped hay or st r aw, chopped seaweed, cocoa hul l s, wood chi ps, and pi ne needl es. ( Gr ass sho ul d be pi l ed on i n many thi n l ayer s, r at her t han al l at once, t o pr event r ot t i ng, whi ch at t r act s i nsect s. ) Most gar deners have f avor i t e mul ches, dependi ng on per sonal pr ef er ence and avai l abi l i t y. One caut i on: I f you' r e mul chi ng heavi l y f or a l ong per i od of t i me, check t he pH f act or occasi onal l y. Some mul ches cause soi l aci di t y- a "n o- no" f or most her bs. You can adj ust f or t hi s by addi ng mi ner al s t o deaci di f y t he soi l . Fer t i l i zi ng herb s Gener al l y speaki ng, her bs don' t need much f er t i l i zi ng- t hey dr aw t hei r nut r i ent s f r om t he soi l t hey' r e pl ant ed i n. Too much f er t i l i zer can cause excess l eaf gr owt h, r esul t i ng i n smal l er concent r at i ons of t he f l avor f ul esse nt i al oi l s t hat di st i ngui sh her bs. Commer ci al her b gr ower s r el y on one smal l dose of f er t i l i zer f or ' seedl i ngsusual l y f i sh emul si on or l i qui d seaweed. One gr ower f i nds . ` t hat usi ng ski m mi l k i nst ead of wat er pr omot es heal t hy gr owt h i n young seedl i ngs.
Most her bs can do wi t hout f er t i l i zer i f t hey ar e mul ched wi t h or gan- . i s mat t er and i f compost i s added t o t he soi l per i odi cal l y. I ndoor pl ant s, whi ch don' t benef i t f r om t hese nat ur al f er t i l i zer s, t hr i ve wi t h an appl i cat i on of ver y weak f i sh emul si on about once ever y 2 weeks " dur i ng wat er i ng. Combat i ng pest s and di seases Most her bs ar e nat ur al l y r esi st ant t o i nsect s, so much so t hat t hey ar e of t en compani on- pl ant ed wi t h veget abl es and f l ower s i n orde r t o r epel har mf ul pest s. The cl oser t he her b var i et y i s t o i t s or i gi nal t ype, t he `; bet t er i t wi t hst ands i nsect at t acks or di sease. Aphi ds somet i mes at t ack ch amomi l e and di l l , but not excessi vel y. Basi l i s occasi onal l y st r i pped of i t s l eaves by J apanese beet l es. Gener al l y speaki ng, t hough, pl ant pest s t end t o shy away f r om t he ar omat i c herbs. I f pest s do become a pr obl em, you shoul d avoi d chemi cal pest i ci des especi al l y si nce you wi l l be i ngest i ng t he t eas made f r om t he l eaves, r oot s, f l ower s, or seeds. I nsect s can be el i mi nat ed by hand- pi cki ng t hem of f pl ant s. Or you can spray y our her bs wi t h an i nsect i ci dal soap. Appr oved f or use on ?' f ood pl ant s by t he U. S. Envi r onment al Pr ot ect i on Agency, f or exampl e, i nsect i ci dal soap i s co mpl et el y bi odegr adabl e, l eaves no harmf ul r esi due, ; s and can be appl i ed up t o t he day of har vest . I t i s made f r om nat ur al l y, occur r i ng f at s and oi l s f ound i n t he cel l s of al l l i vi ng t hi ngs. When spr ayed on i nf est ed pl ant s, i t er adi cat es f r om 86 t o 100 percen t of t he ` most dest r uct i ve garde n pest s, but does not ha r m benef i ci al i nsect s such as bees and l adybugs. I t has a pl easant smel l and act ual l y cl eans ?` the pl ant s' l eaves. Pr opagat i ng her bs Her bs may be pr opagat ed i n many ways- by seeds, st em cut t i ngs, r oot cut t i ngs, l ayer i ng, mound l ayer i ng, r oot di vi si on, and r unner s. Di f f er ent her b var i et i es ar e mor e easi l y pr opagat ed by one met hod t han by anot her . Seed pr opagat i on M her bs, easi i ncll udi enni al f, orand per enni es,l i st can r any epr oduced y f ng r omannual seeds, ( bi sour ces seeds andalpl var ant is et ari e edbe at t he back of t hi s book) . I f you have pat i ence and a wi l l i ngness t o wor k, seeds ar e by f ar t he most economi cal way t o devel op your her bal t ea gar den. A packet of seeds, usual l y enough f or up t o 100 pl ant s, cost s l i t t l e. As I expl ai ned ear l i er i n t hi s chapt er , seeds ca n be pl ant ed di r ect l y out door s, or i ndoor s i n f l at s or pot s f or per manent t r anspl ant i ng t o the gar den once t he danger of f r ost has passed. I f you' r e gat her i ng your own seeds f r om pl ant s you or f r i ends have gr own, sni p of f t he seed heads i nt o a paper bag. I f t he seeds ar e dr y and f i ne, shake t hem f r om t hei r pods and pl ant t hem i mmedi at el y; or st or e t hem i n a cl ean, dr y pl ace, wai t a f ew days or mont hs, and pl ant t hem so t hey' l l emer ge at a t i me you woul d prefe r . A f ew herb see ds- sar sapar i l l a, f or exampl e- shoul d be pl ant ed i mmedi at el y upon r i peni ng i n or der t o achi eve maxi mum ger mi nat i on. However , because t hi s pl ant i s much easi er t o pr opagat e by r oot cut t i ngs, most garde ner s don' t bot her wi t h seeds. Some her bs ar e di f f i cul t t o cul t i vat e f r om seeds, but sel f - sow r eadi l y. I t i s easi er t o t r anspl ant t he seedl i ngs f r om t hese her bs i n spr i ng or f al l . ( Ther e i s mor e det ai l on i ndi vi dual her bs i n chapt er 7. )
Lavender , l emon t hyme, t ar r agon, and most mi nt s can be gr own f r om seeds but sel dom are, because ot her pr opagat i on met hods ar e easi er . St em cut t i ngs Rosemar y, or egano, wi nt er savor y, l emon ver bena, hyssop, l avender , t he t hymes, and scent ed ger ani ums ar e usual l y pr opagat ed by st em cut t i ngs, because seed pr opagat i on of t hese var i et i es i s pai nst aki ng and uncer t ai n. To r epr oduce by cut t i ngs, cut of f 3- t o 6- i nch pl ant t i ps f r om heal t hy, wel l est abl i shed pl ant s dur i ng t he act i ve gr owi ng season. Don' t t ake sof t or f or ced gr owt h, weak shoot s f r om t he cent er of t he pl ant , or vi gor ous gr owt h f r om t hi ck st ems. The i deal cut t i ng st em wi l l snap when bent shar pl y, r at her t han bendi ng wi t hout br eaki ng. Cut each st em shar pl y and cl eanl y j ust bel ow a l eaf bud, usi ng a razo r bl ade, shar p kni f e, or shear s ( a sci sso r s pi nches t he st em end, i mpedi ng r oot f or mat i on) . Make sur e t he cut i s cl ean, st r ai ght acr oss o r on a sl i ght angl e. Gar dener s di sagr ee as t o whi ch met hod i s mor e ef f ect i ve, but bot h seem t o wor k. Make your own choi ce. [ I nser t Pi c p030] St r i p l eaves of f t he bot t om t hi r d or hal f of each cut t i ng, and di p t he st em i nt o a hor mone r oot i ng powder t o 1/ 4 i nch above t he l ast st r i pped l eaf bud. Thi s st ep i s opt i onal , but t he hor mone powder hast ens r oot f or mat i on. I t ' s avai l abl e at most gar den cent er s. Tap of f excess powder bef or e you i nser t t he cut t i ng i nt o a hol e made i n advance i n moi st ened r oot i ng medi um. Make sur e t hi s hol e i s wi de enough so t he hor mone powder won' t be scr aped of f when you i nser t t he cut t i ng. Then f i r m t he medi um ar ound t he cut t i ng t o avoi d ai r pocket s. An i deal pl ant i ng mi xt ur e f or cut t i ngs i s moi st sand, or per l i t e pl aced i n a f l at or ot her cont ai ner whi ch wi l l pr ovi de good dr ai nage. s Soi l , peat moss, and ver mi cul i t e ar e not usual l y used i n cut t i ng mi xt ur es because wi t hout t hem dr ai nage i s bet t er and t her e i s l ess possi bi l i t y of f ungus. One exper i enced her b gr ower swear s by a wel l - packed mi xt ur e of 1 part sand and 1 par t perl i t e. Once you' ve pl aced t he st ems i n t he cut t i ng mi xt ur e, do not al l ow t hem t o become dr y or wi l t ed. Mi st t he cut t i ngs each mor ni ng ( never at ni ght ) unt i l r oot s have f or med. Some gar deners pl ace a pl ast i c bag over t he cut t i ng cont ai ner t o ensur e t hat st ems wi l l r emai n moi st . Unl ess t he pl ast i c i s r emoved r egul ar l y t o admi t f r esh ai r , however , t her e s a danger t hat mol ds wi l l f or m. Set t he cut t i ng cont ai ner i n a pl ace wher e i t wi l l get good i ndi r ect l i ght - not di r ect sunl i ght . Tur n t he cont ai ner r egul ar l y so t hat t he cut t i ngs wi l l get equal l i ght on al l si des. Lemon bal m and t hyme wi l l pr obabl y f orm r oot s i n 4 t o 6 weeks, but herbs wi t h woodi er st ems ( r osemar y, t ar r agon, and l avender ) may t ake sever al mont hs. You' l l know r oot s have f or med when t he f ol i age t akes on a br i ght er gr een col or , or when you t ug gent l y on cut t i ngs and di scover t hey t ug back. Wai t sever al weeks bef or e tr yi ng t he tug t est , so as not t o di st ur b cut t i ngs unnecessa r i l y. Ther e pr obabl y won' t be any new l eaf f or mat i on j ust af t er r oot s have f or med, but t he cut t i ngs wi l l never t hel ess be r eady f or t r anspl ant i ng i nt o 3- t o 4- i nchdi amet er pot s. When t r anspl ant i ng, t r y t o keep as much of t he pr opagat i ng mi x ar ound t he r oot s as you can. Agai n, keep t he t r anspl ant ed her bs moi st and out of di r ect sun l i ght unt i l new gr owt h i s evi dent .
Thr ee t o 5 weeks af t er you' ve t r anspl ant ed, when t he pl ant s ar e 3 t o 4 i nches hi gh, pi nch of f t he t op cent er of t he young herbs t o encour age bushi ng out . Your pl ant s shoul d be devel opi ng ni cel y come spr i ng. Har dy sage can act ual l y be put out si de a mont h bef or e t he l ast spri ng f r ost dat e, once you' ve harde ned t he pl ant s. But wai t unt i l af t er t he l ast f r ost dat e t o put out t ender pl ant s such as bay and r osemar y. One advant age of gr owi ng new pl ant s f r om cut t i ngs i s t hat you know t he r esul t i ng pl ant s wi l l be t r ue t o t he ol d ones. Cut t i ng i s an asexual pr ocess, whi l e seeds devel op t hr ough a sexual pr ocess and may not l ook exact l y l i ke t he pl ant you t ook t hem f r om. Anot her advant age of pr opagat i on by cut t i ng i s t hat you can get a t r emendous var i et y of per enni al her bs qui ckl y t hi s way i f you have f r i ends who ar e wi l l i ng t o l et you sni p away i n t hei r gar dens. However , out of def er ence t o your f r i ends' gener osi t y, t ake cut t i ngs onl y f r om wel l - est abl i shed pl ant s, ones wi t h sever al st ems and si de shoot s, not f r om one- st emmed pl ant s t hat have been t ender l y nur t ur ed i ndoor s al l wi nt er and ar e st i l l st r uggl i ng t o sur vi ve out si de. Root cut t i ngs Some pl ant s- such as bee bal m ( ber gamot ) , hor ehound, cat ni p, an( savor y- send up new st ems f r om spr eadi ng roo t s. Cut t i ngs f r om t hese ca n cr eat e new pl ant s. Sel ect r oot s 3/ 6 t o 3/ s i nch i n di amet er f r om a wel l - est abl i shed, vi gor ousl y gr owi ng pl ant . Di scar d t he t aperi ng ends of t he r oot , and cut t he r emai nder i nt o 1- t o 3- i nch l engt hs, so t hat each pi ece i ncl udes some of t he f l eshy roo t and a bud. Dust t he r oot pi eces wi t h hor mone r oot i ng powder , and l ay t hem 2 i nches apar t hor i zont al l y i n a f l at pr epar ed wi t h t he same t ype of soi l mi xt ur e you used f or st em cut t i ngs. Cover t hem wi t h about 1/ z i nch of addi t i onal cut t i ng mi xt ur e, and wat er t he f l at t hor oughl y. Then cover t he cont ai ner wi t h a pi ece of gl ass or newspaper , pl ace i t i n a shady pl ace, and keep t he cut t i ngs moi st . Remove t he cover i ng when l eaves appear . Once gr owt h i s est abl i shed, t r anspl ant each cut t i ng i nt o a smal l pot . I f l eaf gr owt h i s heavy, r emove most of i t bef or e r epl ant i ng, al l owi ng onl y one or t wo smal l cent er l eaves t o remai n. Pl ant each cut t i ng i nt o i t s pot so t hat t he l eaves ar e above t he soi l , and t he pi ece of r oot i s bel ow. The best t i me t o pr opagat e t hi s way i s i n t he spr i ng, when new gr owt h i s under way, t hough r oot cut t i ngs may be t aken any t i me f r om spri ng t o f al l i f you can keep t he newl y pl ant ed r oot s shaded and moi st . I n cool r egi ons, you can t ake r oot cut t i ngs i n f al l and st or e t he cut t i ng cont ai ner on a shel t er ed porch o r i n a col d f r ame out door s. Be sur e t o keep t he cont ai ner wel l wat er ed. I n spr i ng t he cut t i ngs wi l l send up shoot s and can be pl ant ed i n t he gar den. [ I nser t Pi c p032 + p033] Layer i ng Layer i ng i s of t en easi er t han maki ng cut t i ngs. Many her bs, such as sage and t ar r agon, wi l l l ayer t hemsel ves out door s when a st em f al l s over , t ouches t he gr ound, and sends down r oot s. You can l ayer per enni al s your sel f i f you want ext r a pl ant s. Choose a heal t hy st em or br anch near t he gr ound, one t hat wi l l bend down easi l y t o t ouch t he soi l . Look f or a l eaf node about 1 f oot f r om t he st em t i p, and make a smal l sl ant i ng cut j ust bel ow t he l eaf node, cut t i ng about hal f way t hr ough t he st em or br anch. You can al so scr ape away t he out er l ayer of bar k f r om a shor t sect i on of st em or br anch wi t hout cut t i ng i nt o i t and dust t he cut or st r i pped sect i on wi t h hor mone r oot i ng powder . Thi s " woundi ng" met hod i s bet t er f or t hi n st ems.
Fi gur e out wher e the cut or st r i pped sect i on wi l l t ouch t he soi l , and di g a shal l ow depr essi on t her e. Mi x t he soi l you r emove f r om t hi s hol e wi t h equal par t s of peat moss, gr ound bark, or sand, and put some of t hi s mi xt ur e i n t he bot t om of t he hol e. Then bend t he cut or st r i pped br anch down i nt o t he hol e, anchor i ng i t i n pl ace wi t h a heavy wi r e l oop or st apl e. Pi eces of coat hanger do ni cel y, or f or t hi nner st ems, l ar ge hai r pi ns wi l l do t he t r i ck. Be sur e t he met al pi nni ng goes deep enough i nt o t he soi l t o hol d t he l ayered br anch f i r ml y. Mound t he depr essi on wi t h t he pr evi ousl y pr epar ed soi l , and f i r m i t wel l . Wat er and t hen add a mul ch of l eaves or compost . I f you' r e pr epar i ng good- si zed br anches f or l ayer i ng, you may pl ace a br i ck or st one on t op of t he mound so t hat t he t r eat ed por t i on cannot become di sl odged. Root s usual l y f or m i n about 6 weeks. Check t hem by car ef ul l y r emovi ng t he soi l and t uggi ng on t he st em or br anch. I f r oot s ar e wel l est abl i shed, you can sever t he st em or br anch f r om t he par ent pl ant and t r anspl ant your new her b. I f you' r e l ayer i ng i n t he s pr i ng, use gr owt h f r om t he pr evi ous ye ar I f you' r e pr opagat i ng by l ayer i ng i n mi dsummer , use new gr owt h r at her t han t he pr evi ous year' s ol der wood. Summer gr owt h i s usual l y easi er t o l ayer because i t ' s mor e pl i abl e. You can cont i nue t o pr opagat e by l ayer i ng unt i l 4 weeks bef or e t he f i r st f r ost . Pl ant s t hat ar e pr ocesse d i n l at e summer or f al l shoul d he l ef t i n pl ace unt i l t he f ol l owi ng spr i ng, t hen sever ed f r om t hei r par ent - pl ant and t r anspl ant ed. Mound l ayer i ng Mound l ayer i ng i s anot her way t o l ayer bushy per enni al her bs, especi al l y i f t hey br anch out f r om a t i ght r oot base. I n ear l y f al l , pi l e ear t h up ar ound t he pl ant , bur yi ng t he cent er br anches compl et el y t o a hei ght of 4 or 5 i nches. Make sur e t he br anches ar e kept cover ed wi t h moi st ear t h. When you di g up t he pl ant i n l at e spr i ng, you' l l f i nd t hat r oot have f or med al l over t he bur i ed br anches. Cut each l eaf ed br anch bel ow t he new r oot f or mat i on and- pr est o- i nst ant new pl ant ! Root di vi si on Per enni al her bs wi t h r oot sys t ems t hat spr ead each year and send u}1 new gr owt h ar e a const ant sour ce of new pl ant s. These r oot s become compl et e new her bs when t hey' r e di vi ded f r om t he par ent pl ant . Angel i ca, bee bal m ( ber gamot ) , cat ni p, oreg ano, col t sf oot , t hyme, and many ot her herbs ar e easy t o pr opagat e i n t hi s f ashi on once a par ent pl ant has become est abl i shed and st ar t ed t o spr ead. Si ngl e st em her bs ( dandel i on and par sl ey, f or exampl e) cannot be pr opagat ed t hi s way. [ I nser t Pi c p034 + p035] I f an her b i s s pr eadi ng beyond wher e you want i t t o go, you can cr eat e new pl ant s and t hi n t he ol d one at t he same t i me. Pl ant pr opagat ors suggest gent l y di ggi ng up t he ol d pl ant and washi ng t he r oot bal l so you can cl ear l y see t he spr eadi ng r oot s. Then pul l t he pl ant apar t or cut of f t he younger pl ant gr owt h t hat ha s f or med ar ound t he out si de. Di scar d t he ol der, woodi er cen t r al gr owt h. Par t s you pul l of f f r om ar ound t he cor e can be t r anspl ant ed i nt o wat er - f i l l ed hol es pr epar ed wi t h good soi l . Sur r ound t he tr anspl ant s wi t h f i r med ear t h t o pr event ai r pocket s. Tr i m some l eaves and st ems of f t he new pl ant s t o avoi d excessi ve l oss o f moi st ur e whi l e t hey r e- est abl i sh t hemsel ves, and i f t he r oot s are l ong and bushy, t r i m t hem t o encour age new gr owt h. Once pl ant ed, t he her bs shoul d be wel l wat er ed unt i l t he pl ant s have r ecover ed.
I f you don’ t want t o di st ur b t he paren t pl ant , but l ot s of new gr owt h has f ormed arou nd t he cor e, dr i ve a spade st r ai ght down i nt o a port i on of t he new gr owt h and separ at e i t f r om t he par ent pl ant . Fi l l t he hol e you cr eat e by removi ng t he spr eadi ng r oot sect i on, t amp i t , and wat er t he par ent pl ant wel l . The sect i on you separat e f r om t he par ent pl ant can t hen be pr ocesse d j ust as i f you had dug up t he par ent pl ant . [ I nser t Pi c p036] Root di vi si ons c an be made i n t he spr i ng, bef or e new gr owt h has become so est abl i shed t hat l eaf damage caused by handl i ng t he pl ant wi l l af f ect i t s appear ance dur i ng t he gr owi ng season. Or di vi si ons can be made i n t he f al l ; new gr owt h t he f ol l owi ng spr i ng wi l l ensur e a compact , at t r act i ve r esur gence of undamaged her bal l eaves. Runner s Some her bs ( such as st r awberr i es) send out r unners f r om t he par ent pl ant . Long st ems devel op, wi t h l eaves and r oot nodes al ong t he way or at t he ends. When t he r unner s event ual l y t ouch gr ound, t hey send down new r oot s. Whi l e t hese r oot syst ems ar e bei ng est abl i shed, r unner pl ant s cont i nue t o t ake nour i shment f r om t he paren t pl ant . Once t he roo t ed pl ant s ar e comi ng al ong ni cel y, t he st ems t hat "r an" t hem t o t hei r new l ocat i on wi l l wi t her away. I f you wi sh t o pr opagat e t hi s t ype of her b, i t ' s easy t o hel p nat ur e a l i t t l e. You can di r ect r unner s wher e you want new pl ant s, t hen anchor t hem i nt o ni cel y pr epar ed soi l t o hast en r oot devel opment . Leave t he r unni ng st ems at t ached t o t he par ent pl ant unt i l new pl ant s ar e est abl i shed, t hen t r i m t hem of f . I n al l f or ms of pr opagat i on, a f ew basi c r ul es appl y. The soi l bed f or pr opagat ed pl ant s shoul d be car ef ul l y pr epar ed, and t he soi l shoul d be kept moi st unt i l new pl ant s have est abl i shed t hemsel ves. Of cour se, al l pl ant par t s i nvol ved i n t he pr opagat i on pr ocess s houl d be handl ed gent l y and wat ched car ef ul l y unt i l t he new pl ant s ar e wel l devel oped. Wi t h pr act i ce, you can become hi ghl y ski l l ed at al l met hods of pr opagat i on. What may sound compl i cat ed becomes second nat ur e once you have r epeat ed i t st ep by st ep a f ew t i mes. ====================== 3. Pl anni ng your gar den, out doors and i n One of t he most del i ght f ul t hi ngs about herba l t ea gar dens i s t he way t hey r ef l ect t he i di osyncrac i es of t hei r owner s. Di sor gani zed gar deners t uck one her b her e, anot her t here, yet st i l l manage t o enj oy a r ef r eshi ng cup of her bal t ea, when t hey can r emember wher e t hey put t he pl ant . Sci ent i f i c gar dener s car ef ul l y pl ant t hei r her bs next t o t r easur ed f l ower s or veget abl es, pr eci sel y mat chi ng t he her bs' i nsect - r epel l i ng , capaci t i es wi t h t he suscept i bi l i t i es of ot her pl ant s, so t hat each f l ower or veget abl e i s pr ot ect ed f romi t s pred at ors. Fast i di ous gar dener s del i ght i n f or mal , geomet r i cal l y cor r ect her b gar dens, each pl ant t r i mmed t o per f ect i on and exact i ngl y pl aced. A cr i si s ensues when, t o pr ovi de t ea f or unexpect ed guest s, a br anch must be t r i mmed mor e t han pl anned. Ar t i st i c gar dener s arr ange pl ant s wi t h aest het i c co nsi der at i ons i n mi nd, whi msi cal l y shi f t i ng t hem ar ound each year t o cr eat e i nt er est i ng new ar r angement s.
Besi des of f er i ng a bount i f ul har vest , her bs al l ow you t o expr ess yo ur sel f . And unl i ke f l owers and veget abl es, herbs p r ovi de mor e t han j ust a f ew shor t days of pl easur e- t hey pr ovi de t ea al l year l ong. Pl anni ng t he out door gar den As you pl an your gar den, you may want t o emphasi ze col or pat t er ns gr ay- gr een sage wi t h i t s pur pl i sh f l ower s pl aced near t he whi t e or yel l ow bl ossoms of f eat hery ye l l ow- gr een f ennel . You may pr ef er t o pl ant f or a bal ance of ar omasdel i cat e l avender f ar f r om pungent basi l ; r osemar y, wi t h i t s woodsy smel l , cl ose t o woodr uf f , whi ch yi el ds up a f or est - l i ke odor af t er i t has f l ower ed and dr i ed. Or you may want t o emphasi ze t ext ur es- l ace- l i ke, ser r at ed l eaves of t ansy pl aced cl ose t o t he smoot h, r egul ar l eaves of bay. The cr eat i ve possi bi l i t i es ar e count l ess. Bef or e you begi n pl ant i ng, however, consi der t hese basi c gui del i nes t o r educe t he chance of f ai l ur e and t o get mor e i nt er est i ng r esul t s: 1. Gr oup her bs t hat need a l ot of wat er s o t hey can be wat er ed al l at one t i me. Conver sel y, gr oup t hose needi ng l i t t l e wat er , so you can spar e t hem when you' r e spr i nkl i ng. 2. I f you have sever al t ypes of soi l i n di f f er ent ar eas of your gar den, t r y t o mat ch t he needs of t he her bs t o the soi l condi t i ons. Thi s wi l l hel p cut down on t he amount of car e you' l l need t o gi ve t hem. 3. Make sur e al l her bs ar e easy t o r each so y ou can t end and har vest t hem wi t hout t r oubl e. Keep t he beds nar r ow, or cr eat e pat hs t hr ough wi de beds, so you can gai n access t o t he her bs f r om behi nd. 4. Pl ace her bs t hat t hr i ve i n di r ect sunl i ght i n an ar ea of t he gar den t hat get s sunl i ght al l day. Her bs t hat l i ke f ul l or par t i al shade shoul d be i n an ar ea t hat l oses di r ect sunl i ght af t er t he sun passe s behi nd a t r ee or bui l di ng. 5. Consi der t he seasonal pat t er ns of t he sun' s r ays i n your pl ant i ng ar ea, t hen pl ant l ow- gr owi ng herbs i n f r ont , f aci ng t he sun, medi um- si zed ones behi nd t hem, and t he t al l est i n t he back. Thi s way al l pl ant s get t he maxi mum avai l abl e sunl i ght . 6. Pl ant f or col or and t ext ur e- a pat ch of bl ue f l ower ed her bs i n one ar ea, yel l ow bl oomer s i n anot her . Or you can sof t en and emphasi ze t he out l i nes of st ar k, si ngl e- spi ked pl ant s by pl aci ng expansi ve bushy ones near by. 7. I f possi bl e, pl ant per enni al s i n one ar ea, bi enni al s and annual s i n anot her so as not t o di st ur b the r oot s of per manent l y si t ed pl ant s when you' r e pl ant i ng her bs t hat l ast onl y one or t wo seasons. 8. Pl ant her bs t hat t end t o spr ead i n ar eas wher e t hey won' t smot her sl ower gr owi ng, del i cat e var i et i es. I f space i s l i mi t ed, you can keep spr eader s f r om goi ng wi l d by si nki ng wooden or pl ast i c barr i ers be l ow gr ound t o cont ai n t he r oot s. 9. Consi der t he best use or uses f or each her b. Cr eeper s can be used as gr ound cover or per haps i n a r ock gar den. Tal l and bushy her bs can be used as a wi ndbr eak f or mor e del i cat e her bs, or as a h edge or vi sual bar r i er . Ever gr eens can sof t en t he har shness o f a bui l di ng or , i f cl ose t o a bi r d f eeder , pr ovi de r ef uge f or bi r ds dur i ng col d weat her . 10. Fi nal l y, consi der t he over al l ambi ence of your her b gar den. Tr y t o vi sual i ze how i t wi l l l ook t hr oughout t he gr owi ng season, i ncl udi ng bl oomi ng pat t er ns and bar e spot s cr eat ed by ear l y har vest i ng. Thi nk about how t o get mor e t han one cr op i n a season. Make a cont i nual anal ysi s of t he appear ance and usef ul ness of t he pl ant s i n r el at i on t o t hei r gr owt h pat t er ns.
Remember , t he most at t r act i ve her bal t ea gar den i s not cr eat ed i nst ant l y, but t hr ough car ef ul pl anni ng f or t he f ut ur e, when wel l est abl i shed per enni al pl ant s wi l l gi ve i t a nat ur al and decor at i ve appear ance. When pl ot t i ng your gar den, consul t t he compendi um of her bs and t he qui ck r ef er ence char t i n t hi s book. They capsul i ze basi c i nf or mat i on on each of t he sevent y herbs p opul arl y used f or t ea, and wi l l hel p you wi t h t he pl acement of her bs i n your gar den. The compendi um al so pr ovi des i nf or mat i on on si ze and spaci ng of pl ant s; i t i s i mpor t ant t o al l ow suf f i ci ent br eat hi ng r oom f or pl ant s t o mat ur e and devel op pr oper l y. Her e ar e some of t he pr oper t i es of her bal t ea pl ant s t hat you' l l want t o consi der : HERBAL TEAS THAT GROW I N SHADE OR PARTI AL SHADE: Agr i mony, angel i ca, ci cel y, comf r ey, dandel i on, el der , gi nseng, hop, hyssop, Labr ador t ea, ' l emon bal m, mi nt s ( not cat ni p) , mugwor t , par sl ey, pennyroy al , sar sapar i l l a, sassa f r as, speedwel l , t ar r agon, val er i an, wi nt er gr een, woodr uf f . ' HERBAL TEAS THAT GROW I N MOI ST PLACES: Angel i ca, ber gamot ( bee bal m) , col t sf oot , comf r ey, el der , f l ax, hi bi scus, hop, j asmi ne, Labr ador t ea, meadowsweet , mi nt s ( not cat ni p) , mugwor t , par sl ey, pennyr oyal , r aspber r y, sar sapar i l l a, speedwel l , val er i an, Woodr uf f . HERBAL TEAS THAT GROW I N DRY PLACES: Agr i mony, bl ackber r y, bor age, bur net , chamomi l e, f ennel , gol denr od, l avender , mul l ei n, New J er sey t ea, pennyroy al , r osemar y, sage, savor y ( wi nt er var i et y) , speedwel l , t hyme, yar r ow. [ I nser t Pi c p040 + p041] HERBAL TEAS FOR HEDGES: Basi l , hyss op, l avender , r osemar y, sage. HERBAL TEAS FOR LOW EDGI NGS: Basi l ( dwar f ) , chamomi l e, chr ysant hemum ( dwar f var i et i es) , col t sf oot , par sl ey, pennyr oyal , speedwel l , st r awber r y (wi l d) , t hyme, woodr uf f . HERBAL TEAS FOR GROUND COVER: Sun: Car away, chamomi l e, col t sf oot , t hyme; shade or par t i al shade: Speedwel l , wi nt er gr een, woodr uf f . HERBAL TEAS FOR ROCK GARDENS OR CREVI CES: Chamomi l e, mar j or am, pennyroyal , t hyme, woodr uf f . TALL HERBAL TEAS: Angel i ca, bay, bi r ch, el der , f ennel , hawt hor n, hi bi sc us, hol l yhock, j asmi ne, j uni per , l i nden, mul l ei n, net t l e, r ose ( l ar ge var i et i es), r osemar y, sage, sassa f r as, t ansy. Her bal t eas by col or of t he f l ower ( t hese may var y wi t hi n t he var i et y) : BLUE: Bor age, f l ax, hysso p, speedwel l . GREEN: Net t l e, sar sapar i l l a. PURPLI SH- BLUE: Al f al f a, l avender , l emon ver bena, l i cor i ce, pennyroy al , r osemar y, sage, t hyme, val er i an, yar r ow. PURPLI SH- PI NK: Or egano. REDDI SH- BROWN: Chr ysant hemum var i et i es, mugwor t .
REDDI SH- PI NK: Bee bal m ( ber gamot ) , chr ysant hemum var i et i es, f r axi nel l a, hol l yhock, mar j or am, r ed cl over . REDDI SH- PURPLE: Bet ony, bur net , mi nt . VI OLET: Savory. WHI TE: Angel i ca, ani se, bal m, basi l , bay, bl ackber r y, car away, chamomi l e, ci cel y, comf r ey, el der , hawt hor n, hol l yhock, hor ehound, j asmi ne, Labr ador t ea, l i nden, meadowsweet , New J er sey t ea, pars l ey, r aspberr y, st r awber r y, val eri an, wi nt er gr een, Woodr uf f . YELLOW: Agr i mony, chr ysant hemum var i et i es, col t sf oot , dandel i on, di l l , el der , f ennel , f enugr eek, gi nseng, gol denr od, hi bi scus, j uni per , l emon ver bena, l i cor i ce, l i nden, mar i gol d, meadowsweet , mul l ei n, t ansy, yar r ow. YELLOW- GREEN: Hop, par sl ey, sass af r as. Once you' ve det er mi ned wher e t o put your her b gar den and have sket ched a pl ant i ng pl an on paper , st ake out t he pl ant i ng bed. Then you can pr epar e t he soi l ( see chapt er 2, "Gui de t o Cul t i vat i ng Her bs") . I f space per mi t s, l eave one ar ea of t he gar den f or r eser ve pl ant s- cut t i ngs or seedl i ngs t hat ar e l ef t over af t er you' ve t r anspl ant ed i nt o the gar den pr oper . These can become r epl acement s f or her bs t hat don' t t ake when you t r anspl ant or t hat wi nt er ki l l . Al so, you can gat her t ea i ngr edi ent s f r om t he spar e her bs when you don' t want t o tr i m pamper ed or st r at egi cal l y pl aced pl ant s. I f you' r e pl anni ng a geomet r i c gar den, mar k i t f or pl ant i ng af t er you' ve pr epar ed t he soi l and edged t he bed. Fol l ow t he same met hod you' d use i f you wer e maki ng geomet r i c dr awi ngs on paper . To mar k of f ci r cul ar ar eas, use a homemade compass ( a st ake dr i ven i nt o t he gr ound, wi t h a st r i ng and poi nt ed mar ker at t ached t o i t ) . For st r ai ght l i nes, you can use a st r i ng st r et ched t i ght bet ween t wo st akes, or a boar d, as a gui del i ne t o mar k wher e pl ant s s houl d be pl aced. For mal , geomet r i cal l y ar r anged gar dens gai n i nt er est i f t hey ar e pl aced so t he pat t er n can be seen f r om above ( f r om t he t op of a r i se, f or exampl e) . Pl ant s can al so be gr ouped ar ound a f ocal poi nt - a sundi al , bi r dbat h, st at ue, or f ount ai n. I n a f or mal gar den, t he pl ant s t hat del i neat e t he desi gn l i ne shoul d be smal l , sl ow- gr owi ng her bs t hat hol d t hei r shape. They must , of cour se, be t r i mmed and weeded r egul ar l y. Pl ant s wi t h l ess manageabl e f ol i age can be pl ant ed wi t hi n t he out l i ned spaces. Less uct an ur ed her bsol garutdens f or he pl acem ent ofi t ed many her bs wi w t ant hi ns a smal l starr eai deal i on falorl ow t he gart dener wi t h lim space who pl ent y of var i et y f or one- her b, t wo- her b, or mul t i her b t eas. Prot ect i ng your her b gar den i n wi nt er I f you l i ve i n an ar ea wher e wi nt er s ar e sever e, you' l l want t o pr ovi de pr ot ect i on f or your per enni al her bs. [ I nser t Pi c p043] These pl ant s ar e usual l y ki l l ed by al t er nat e t hawi ng and f r eezi ng, whi ch pushes t he her bs out of t he gr ound, causi ng ser i ous damage t o t he r oot s. A per manent mul ch can shi el d del i cat e r oot s f r om such t emper at ur e ext r emes. Weed- f r ee st r aw, sawdust , cocoa bean hul l s, and pi ne bar k ar e t ypes of mul ch you can use. The mul ch shoul d be l i ght and por ous enough t o al l ow ai r t o penet r at e, yet t hi ck enough t o shade t he soi l and pr ovi de adequat e i nsul at i on. Whi l e sawdust and bar k make good wi nt er mul ch, t hey somet i mes cr eat e a ni t r ogen def i ci ency i n t he soi l . You can cor r ect t hi s dur i ng t he gr owi ng season by di ggi ng a l i t t l e f i sh meal or bl ood meal i nt o t he soi l ar ound t he pl ant s.
One ti p: Don' t har vest her bal t eas j ust bef or e a f r ost . Tr i mmi ng causes her bs t o send out new gr owt h, whi ch l owers t hei r r esi st ance and makes t hem susce pt i bl e t o wi nt er ki l l . Tr y not t o har vest l ess t han a mont h bef or e f r ost i s expect ed. Wi nd can al so be a pr obl em. Even her bs t hat ar e sai d t o be har dy i n your ar ea may be ki l l ed i f wi nds become excessi ve. The wi nd chi l l f act or l owers t he ef f ect i ve t emper at ur e f ar bel ow t he t emper at ur e you see on your t her momet er . A t hermomet er r eadi ng may be 0º F ( - 18º C) , but i f t her e' s a 30- mi l e- an- hour wi nd, t he t emper at ur e your pl ant s ar e exper i enci ng i s r eal l y - 49ºF ( - 46ºC) - l ower t han most herbs can t ol er at e. One pr ecaut i on you can t ake i s t o gr ow pl ant s i n a pr ot ect ed spot on t he si de of your house tha t cat ches t he sun. I f t hat ' s not possi bl e, consi der cover i ng the pl ant s c ompl et el y wi t h a mul ch t hat won' t mat t hem down and suf f ocat e t hem. You can al so cr eat e a wi ndscr een of ever gr een boughs poked i nt o t he soi l ar ound t he pl ant s, or er ect a f ence or pi l e of st ones on t he wi ndwar d si de of t he gar den. Anot her way t o ensur e wi nt er sur vi val of per enni al her bs i s t o gr ow var i et i es t hat have been devel oped t o wi t hst and t he cl i mat e i n your ar ea. When you' r e buyi ng pl ant s, obt ai n t hem f r om a cl i mat e as col d as or col der t han t he one you' l l be gr owi ng t hem i n. Some t ender per enni al s ( l emon ver bena, bay, hi bi scus, j asmi ne, r osemar y, and t he scent ed ger ani ums) must be t aken i nt o t he house or moved t o a war mer l ocat i on ( such as a por ch or col d f r ame) when col d weat her t hr eat ens. To avoi d t r anspl ant i ng shock, gr ow t hem i n pot s year r ound, so you can br i ng t hem i ndoor s easi l y i n t he f al l . Tr eat t hese t r opi cal var i et i es as house pl ant s ( see t he sect i on on i ndoor gar deni ng l at er i n t hi s chapt er ) . Rosemar y i s an ever gr een; i t wi l l st ay gr een al l wi nt er. But l emon ver bena, a deci duous shrub , may dr op al l i t s l eaves and become dor mant dur i ng t he wi nt er . Don' t t hr ow i t out because of i t s dead appear ance- keep wat er i ng i t . I n t he spr i ng i t wi l l send out new l eaves. Scent ed ger ani ums need speci al car e. Bef or e t he f i r st ki l l i ng f r ost , t ake al l t he cut t i ngs you need f or t he f ol l owi ng year ' s pl ant s and pl ace t hem i n a box of cl ean, shar p, and sl i ght l y damp sand ( perl i t e can be added as wel l ) . Be sure t hi s pl ant i ng cont ai ner i s wel l dr ai ned. Label each pl ant or r ow of pl ant s, and pl ace t he cut t i ngs ver t i cal l y hal f way i nt o t he sand ( see t he di scussi on of pr opagat i on by cut t i ngs i n chapt er 2) . Remove t he pl ant i ng cont ai ner t o t he basement or t o a shel t ered porch, where i t wi l l r emai n cool and dor mant unt i l spr i ng, but w not f r soi eeze. g up t he i ger ani you too k t he cuttthese i ngs i n f r om , shake ofi lf l excess l , Then and pldiace t hem n br owum n spaper bags. Hang t he garag e or at t i c. Ar ound Mar ch, pl ace t hese pl ant s i n a moi st mi xt ur e of f er t i l e gr een l oam and peat moss. Keep t hem i n t he shade, wat er i ng t hem dai l y unt i l col or r et ur ns; t hen move t hem i nt o sunl i ght . When danger of f r ost i s past , you can pl ant t hem out door s once agai n, al ong wi t h t he new pl ant s t hat have r esul t ed f r om your cut t i ngs. Pl ant i ng t he i ndoor gar den An i ndoor garde ner wi l l never be abl e t o pr ovi de t he same gr owi ng condi t i ons t hat exi st nat ur al l y out doors . Apar t ment s and houses ar e usual l y t oo warm, dr y, and dar k, and t hey don' t suppl y t he gent l e br eezes and eveni ng dews t hat pl ant s need t o pr ot ect t hem agai nst excessi ve dr yi ng and di sease. Poor vent i l at i on makes i ndoor pl ant s susce pt i bl e t o f ungus and t o at t acks b y aphi ds, mi t es, and ot her i nsect pest s. The chal l enge i s t o dupl i cat e out door condi t i ons as best you can. I t i sn' t easy, but t hi s doesn' t mean you can' t gr ow del i ght f ul her bal t ea pl ant s i ndoor s. I t j ust means you have t o be awar e of t he pr obl ems and l ear n t o over come t hem.
Her bs t hat gr ow wel l i ndoor s Many her bs gr ow wel l i ndoor s. They may not r each t he f ul l ness or hei ght t hat t hey woul d out door s ( t hei r cont ai ner - bound r oot s ar e somewhat dwar f ed) , but t hey can st i l l pr ovi de beaut y and an abundance of l eaves f or maki ng herba l t eas. HERBS THA T GROW WELL I NDOORS: Angel i ca, basi l , bay, bor age, bur net , cat ni p, chamomi l e, dandel i on, di l l , f ennel , hor ehound, j asmi ne, l avender , l emon bal m, l emon ver bena, mar j or am, mi nt , or egano, par sl ey, r osemar y, sage, savory, scent ed ger ani ums, t ansy, t arr agon, t hyme, wi nt er gr een, Woodr uf f . Ther e ar e many choi ces her e f or t he i ndoor her bal t ea gar dener who l i kes var i et y. Choosi ng your wi ndow exposur e When pl anni ng your i ndoor gar den, choose a spot wher e t he pl ant s wi l l get pl ent y of sun- i deal l y a wi ndow t hat get s di r ect sunl i ght . I f you have a sun r oom, por ch, or gar den r oom, you' r e al l set . I f you don' t , you may have t o use ar t i f i ci al pl ant l i ght s, gi vi ng seedl i ngs and pl ant s f r om 12 t o 16 hour s of ar t i f i ci al l i ght each day. ( See chapt er 2 f or more i nf ormat i on on st ar t i ng seeds and pro vi di ng art i f i ci al l i ght. ) Tender per enni al s shoul d get at l east as much l i ght as t hey woul d i n t hei r nat i ve envi r onment , whet her t hey were br ought i n f r om t he out door s or are be i ng cul t i vat ed i nsi de. Consul t a gui de t o l i ght gar deni ng t o det er mi ne t he t ype of equi pment you shoul d use and t he amount of l i ght you shoul d pr ovi de i n conj unct i on wi t h the nat ur al l i ght you ar e wor ki ng wi t h. You can gr ow a gar den on a t abl e next t o a wi ndow, or i n a wi ndow gr eenhouse. You can al so gr ow your her bs i n hangi ng basket s, i n a t er r ar i um, on t r ays, or i n l ar ge wi ndow boxes. Her bs gr own i n pot s or t ubs can be used as decor at i ve el ement s, t oo. Wat er i ng Gi ve your pl ant s enough wat er so t he soi l i s moi st , but not so much t hat t hey' r e st andi ng i n wat er . Root r ot i s ca used by t oo much wat er . I f you use pl ast i c pot s, you d wiatf er goods ri ul of ,t hum s ti ol w r egul dursoi i ngl war m spel shoul l s, but t hel ess. ai r i Andoor s ec ool wai bt iunt t at heersur f acearofl yt he becomes dr y. The wat er shoul d be at r oom t emper at ur e. Some her bs c onsume mor e wat er t han ot her s. Lear n t hei r habi t s, and wat er accor di ngl y. The compendi um of her bs l at er i n t hi s book wi l l t el l you whi ch her bs l i ke t o be moi st and whi ch dry. You shoul d al so pr ovi de enough humi di t y. I f your home i s dr y, mi st her bs dai l y, pr ef er abl y ear l y i n t he day. I f her bs ar e st i l l ver y damp when l i ght i s no l onger avai l abl e t o t hem, t hey' l l become susce pt i bl e t o f ungus ( unl ess t her e i s pl ent y of vent i l at i on, whi ch i s har d t o achi eve i ndoor s) . Most her bs adapt t o t he dr i er humi di t y of i ndoor gr owi ng bet t er t han ot her pl ant s. Soi l condi t i on Make sur e i ndoor pot t i ng soi l i s por ous and cr umbl y and pr ovi des good dr ai nage. Commer ci al pot t i ng soi l s desi gned f or i ndoor use ar e good; you can al so make your own. Some i ndoor gar dener s pr ef er s oi l wi t hout s oi l - 1 par t peat moss and 1 par t per l i t e or ver mi cul i t e. Then t hey add t he nut r i ent s needed by i ndi vi dual pl ant s.
I ndoor pl ant s pr ef er a l i t t l e f ood gi ven of t en t o a l ot al l at once. Ti mer el ease f er t i l i zer s accompl i sh t hi s, but i f your pot s ar e smal l and you l i ke l i qui d f er t i l i zer s, choose one cont ai ni ng t he ni t r ogen, phosphor us, and pot assi um t hat her bs need. Most concent r at es pr ovi de dosages f or once- a- mont h f eedi ngs. I f you f eed your her bs weekl y, use one- quar t er t he amount r ecommended on t he l abel . I f you f eed every ot her week, use hal f t he amount . Fi sh emul si on i s a f avor i t e f er t i l i zer of or gani c her b gar dener s; anot her i s se aweed ext r act . Spot t i ng poor gr owi ng condi t i ons i f an her b' s l eaves wi t her , check t o see t hat i t ' s get t i ng enough wat er and l i ght . Most i ndoor gar dener s t hi nk i nsect s or di sease ar e causi ng l eaves t o wi t her , t ur n br own, or devel op cr i sp edges, but t hi s may not be so. Per haps t he pl ant i s get t i ng t oo much heat , or soi l t emper at ur es may be f l uct uat i ng t oo much. I f devel opi ng l eaves t ur n yel l ow, t her e may not be enough aci di t y i n t he soi l . Remember , most her bs l i ke a f ai r l y neut r al soi l - not t oo aci d or al kal i ne. I f l eaves devel op br own or si l ver y st r eaks, t he pl ant may be get t i ng t oo much sun. Li f el ess- l ooki ng l eaves may be t he r esul t of t oo l i t t l e wat er . Buds dr oppi ng of f usual l y i ndi cat e r api dl y f l uct uat i ng t emper at ur es, whi ch i s har d t o r emedy wi t h i ndoor gr owi ng condi t i ons. I f an her b i sn' t bl oomi ng when i t shoul d, i t ' s pr obabl y not get t i ng enough sun. I f st ems t ur n sof t , t he her b i sn' t get t i ng enough sun, and i t ' s pr obabl y al so get t i ng t oo much wat er . Pl ant i nsect s and di seases Her bs gr owi ng i ndoor s ar e f ai r l y resi st ant t o di sease and i nsect s, j ust as t hey ar e out door s. But i f f ungus devel ops, t r eat i t i mmedi at el y. Ot her wi se t he spor es wi l l spr ead f r om one pl ant t o anot her vi a what ever i nsect s ar e on t he pl ant . Maj or i ndoor her b pest s i ncl ude aphi ds, meal ybugs, mi t es, and whi t e f l i es. I nsect i ci dal soaps, used t o combat out si de pest s, ar e al so avai l abl e i n i ndoor f or mul as, some wi t h f er t i l i zer i ncl uded i n t hei r mi xtures. They pr ovi de ef f ect i ve i nsect cont r ol and ar e or gani c- t hey cont ai n no subst ances i nj ur i ous t o peopl e or t o pet s. St art i ng your garde n I f you' r e st ar t i ng pl ant s f r om seed, do as you woul d i f you wer e pl anni ng t o put t hem out door s event ual l y ( see chapt er 2) , but i nst ead t r anspl ant t hem t o l ar ger pot s af t er t hey' ve devel oped ni cel y. I f you' r e buyi ng nur ser y pl ant s, keep t hem i sol at ed f r om your ot her pl ant s f or a f ew days, unt i l you' ve det ermi ned t hat t hey' r e heal t hy. Then you can l et t hem get acquai nt ed wi t h the ot her her bs. Be sur e t o t r anspl ant her bal t ea pl ant s i nt o l ar ger cont ai ner s as t hey devel op. Keep pl ant s t r i mmed, not onl y so you can enj oy her bal t eas, but al so because shapi ng and t r i mmi ng encour ages t hem t o become bushi er , gi vi ng a bet t er appear ance and pr oduci ng a bet t er t ea cr op. Tr y t o t r i m j ust above t he l eaf buds; and t r i m r egul ar l y r at her t han al l owi ng pl ant s t o become t oo l ar ge and "l eggy, " whi ch r equi r es dr amat i c t r i mmi ng. Thi s can cause t he pl ant s t o di e of shock caused by t he sudden i mbal ance bet ween t he r oot s and l eaves. Pl an your her b pr uni ng schedul e so you can har vest an her bal t ea cr op when you want one.
Pl ant s can be gr ouped t o make an at t r act i ve garde n, wi t h a bal ance of t ext ur es, col or s, and shapes. I f t he her bs ar e i n i ndi vi dual cont ai ner s, you can use t hem as decor at i ve cent r epi eces f or you r t abl e or as wel come f r agr ances i n bedr oom or ki t chen. I f t he pl ant s you use decor at i vel y don' t get suf f i ci ent l i ght , be sur e t o al t er nat e t hem so t hey ar e not i n t he shade f or mor e t han a f ew days at a t i me. I ndoor pl ant s r equi r e car ef ul moni t or i ng ( t hey depend on you f or al most al l t hei r needs) , but t hey ar e pr ot ect ed f r om dr ought , heavy downpour s, and ot her adver se weat her condi t i ons. Thi s means t hat i ndoor her bs ar e of t en mor e at t r act i ve t han t hose gr own out door s. They of f er not onl y beaut y and f r agr ance cl ose at hand, but a bount i f ul har vest of her bal t eas as wel l . ====================== 4. Dr yi ng, f r eezi ng, ar i d stori ng Our her bs ar e gr owi ng ni cel y. You' ve exper i ment ed by usi ng f r esh her bs t o br ew t eas, but now i t ' s t i me t o pr epar e t he l ef t overs f or use when t he gr owi ng season i s over . How do you har vest , st or e, and use t hese her bs? Gat her i ng l eaf t eas Gat her i ng l eaves and st ems f r om an her b pl ant act ual l y cont r i but es t o i t s heal t h. I f her bs ar e l ef t uncut , yel l ow- r i pe or dyi ng l eaves wi l l r esul t . Cut t i ng t hem back pr omot es new gr owt h, as wel l as assur i ng your suppl y of herba l del i ght s f ar i nto th e f al l . The best t i me f or gat her i ng l eaves i s on a dr y, sunny mor ni ng i n spr i ng or ear l y summer , j ust af t er t he dew has evapor at ed- and bef or e t he sun has become hot enough t o dr aw out t he nat ur al oi l s. I f you pi ck t he her bs wet , t hey may become moul dy. Use sci ssors or shear s when gat her i ng her b l eaves, pet al s, or f l ower s, r at her t han pi cki ng t hem wi t h your f i nger s. Thi s hel ps assu r e cl ean cl ust er s, f r ee of adher i ng pi eces of r oot . For t he t ender est l eaves, gat her t he t i ps of st al ks r at her t han t he f ul l st em. I f you har vest f r om a smal l er pl ant , keep at l east t wo set s of l eaves at t he base of each st em so t he pl ant wi l l cont i nue gr owi ng. By "pr uni ng" t hi s way, you can obt ai n t wo or t hr ee cr ops of l eaves i n a si ngl e season. When cut t i ng l eaf y her bs- basi l , savor y, cher vi l , and mar j or am t he best t i me of t he gr owt h cycl e i s j ust bef or e t he bl ossoms f or m, when t he gr eat est abundance of nat ur al oi l s i s c oncent r at ed i n t he l eaves. These oi l s wi l l gi ve t he f ul l est f l avor and t he best l eaf col or when dr i ed. Af t er bl oomi ng, some l eaf var i et i es change col or . Savor y becomes ver y dar k, f or exampl e, and t he smal l l eaves l ook bl ack and shri vel l ed when dr i ed. Of cour se, you can cut l eaves af t er t he her bs have bl oomed, but t he col or , f l avor , and t ext ur e of t he l eaves wi l l be l ess per f ect. Usi ng f r esh herbs I f you pl an t o use f r esh herbs, cut of f dead and i mper f ect l eaves. Wash t he her bs t hor oughl y i n cl ean col d wat er , t hen shake or t owel - dr y t hem. Remove st ems whereve r possi bl e, and pop t he l eaves i nt o a t eapot . Free zi ng l eaf t eas Del i cat e- t ast i ng or t ender - l eaved her bs- such as bor age, t ar r agon, par sl ey, and basi l - t end t o l ose some f l avor i n t he dr yi ng pr ocess. For such pl ant s, an excel l ent al t er nat i ve met hod of pr eser vat i on i s f r eezi ng. Ot her her bs t hat keep
especi al l y wel l when f r ozen are mar j oram, or egano, t hyme, r osemar y, savor y, sal ad bur net , di l l , l emon bal m, l emon ver bena, and mi nt . Bef or e f r eezi ng, t he her bs s houl d be washed and pat t ed dr y wi t h t owel s. Fr eeze t hem whol e or chopped, wi t hout bl anchi ng. Pl ast i c bags make good st or age cont ai ner s, because t hey can be st apl ed t oget her and squashed i nt o a conveni ent cor ner of t he f r eezer . Be sur e t o mar k each bag f or l at er i dent i f i cat i on. When you' r e r eady t o br ew her bal t ea, mi nce t he f r ozen her bs on a choppi ng boar d. Dr yi ng l eaf t eas Once pi cked, t he f ast er her bs ar e pr ocessed t he bet t er . Thi s wi l l ensur e maxi mum f l avor . Gr een herbs must be kept out of st r ong l i ght and t he sun t o pr event t he col or f r om f adi ng, no mat t er whet her you pl an t o use t hem f r esh, dr i ed, or f r ozen. And t hi s r ul e ext ends t hr oughout t hei r st or age t i me. You shoul d al so keep each bunch of her bs separ at e at al l t i mes Whi l e you won ! t have any t r oubl e t el l i ng mi nt f r om l emon bal m when you' r e har vest i ng, af t er t hey ar e dr i ed, one her b l ooks much l i ke anot her . The same i s t r ue of some seeds. I f you' r e dr yi ng smal l - l eaved her bs- t hyme, savor y, and t ar r agon, pi ck br anches i nst ead of l eaves and dr y t hem i n bundl es. Once t hey ar e dr y i t i s easy to st r i p t he l eaves f r om t he st ems by run ni ng your f i nger s gent l y down ei t her si de. Ot her her bs t hat dr y wel l i n bunches ar e l emon bal m, hor ehound, mar j or am, and or egano. Lar ger l eaves mi nt , sage, and basi l - ar e bet t er i f pi cked separ at el y f r om t he br anches bef or e dr yi ng. Be sur e each l eaf i s per f ect , wi t hout spot s or bl emi shes. Leaves gat her ed when t he moon i s wani ng t end t o dr y most r api dl y, si nce t hey r et ai n l ess sap i n t hei r l eaves and st ems. Needl ess t o say, you shoul d car ef ul l y avoi d pi cki ng l eaves t hat have been exposed t o weed ki l l ers , car exhaust ( especi al l y i f you' r e gat her i ng wi l d her bs f r om t he si de of t he r oad) , or excessi ve dust . Once gat her ed, t he l eaves shoul d be washed qui ckl y i n cool wat er t o r emove any t r ace of dust and i nsect s. Herbs t hat gr ow cl ose t o t he gr ound- such as mar j oram, par sl ey, and t hyme- r equi r e car ef ul handl i ng when bei ng washed, because t hey ar e l i kel y t o have gr eat er deposi t s of soi l on t hei r l eaves. Gent l y t owel - dr y t he l eaves af t er washi ng. To driynher bsow qui ckl y,set sprat ead100º t he tloeaves esh r ack and pl ur ace r ack a sl oven, 125º or F ( br 38ºanches t o 51ºon C) .a (m Hi gher t em perat es t he may unf avor abl y i nf l uence t he vol at i l e oi l s i n t he pl ant s. ) Leave t he oven door open and st and nearby, because t he l eaves wi l l be chi p- dr y i n j ust a f ew mi nut es. For even gr eat er speed you may use a mi cr owave oven, set ver y l ow, f or 1 mi nut e or l ess. Ti mi ng wi l l var y wi t h t he herb and t he amount bei ng dr i ed, so exper i ment wi t h each her b and wat ch car ef ul l y, or you may end up wi t h a pi l e of ashes. I f you pr ef er t o use a dehydr at or , check t he her bs f r equent l y t o det er mi ne how l ong t hey shoul d r emai n i n t he uni t . I f you do want t o ai r - dr y her bs and have t he space, avoi d pl aces t hat coul d be at t acked by i nsect s or r odent s. Ver mi n ar e especi al l y t r oubl esome i n hot cl i mat es. I n col d cl i mat es, mi l dew i s a bi g danger . The dr yi ng ar ea shoul d be dr y, wel l vent i l at ed, and out of di r ect l i ght . I n damp weat her or col d cl i mat es, some ar t i f i ci al heat wi l l pr obabl y be necessary t o suppl ement t he nat ur al dr yi ng pr ocess. Out door sheds can be used i n ver y dr y weat her, but t here i s al ways t he danger of moi st ur e seepi ng i n at ni ght , whi ch wi l l r et ar d t he dr yi ng pr ocess. Her bs t hat dr y wel l hangi ng i n bunches f r om a r af t er or wi r e i ncl ude sage, savor y, mi nt , or egano, mar j or am, basi l , l emon bal m, and horeh ound. Keep bunches of basi l smal l t o pr event t he l eaves f r om t ur ni ng bl ack. The f l avor wi l l r emai n even i f t hey do tur n, as l ong as t hey do not mol d,
but t he t ea wi l l be unat t r act i ve. Di l l may be dr i ed t hi s way, t oo, i f t he gr een l eaves ar e desi r ed rat her t han seeds. You can al so hang ai r - dr yi ng her bs i nsi de br own paper bags t o keep t he dust of f . Punch many hol es i nt o t he bags t o l et ai r i n and keep moi st ur e out . Her bs t hat dr y wel l on t r ays, or on br own wr appi ng paper spr ead on boar ds, i ncl ude cher vi l , l emon ver bena, par sl ey, t hyme, and r osemar y. Par sl ey l eaves ar e so t hi ck t hat t hey can be spr ead onl y one l ayer deep. Thyme, however , hol ds so l i t t l e moi stu r e t hat an ent i r e basket may be f i l l ed, and i t wi l l sti l l dr y wel l i n any pl ace t hat i s not damp. I n a war m, dr y spot , most her bs wi l l ai r - dr y i n 2 days, some as qui ckl y as overni ght . Cer t ai n heavy- l eaf ed her bs, t hough, may t ake sever al weeks t o dr y t hor oughl y. Even i f her bs f eel dr y t o t he t ouch, make sur e t hey' r e r eal l y f r ee of moi st ur e by checki ng t hem f r equent af t er you ' ve st ored t hem. Gat her i ng and dr yi ng seeds Seeds, t he tast i est par t s of many her bs, wi l l r emai n vi t al f or year s si nce t hey ar e nat ur al l y wr apped i n st ur dy cover s t hat r et ai n t he f l avor f ul oi l s. To har vest t he seeds of her bs such as cor i ander , car away, di l l , f ennel , and ani se, t he key wor d i s vi gi l ance. Seeds must be gat her ed when t hey ar e bar el y r i pe- as soon as t hey begi n t o l ook br owni sh- - because i n a day or t wo t he seeds wi l l begi n t o dr op. Then i f you di st ur b t hem even sl i ght l y, t hey wi l l f l y i n al l di r ecti ons, and i nst ead of gat her i ng t hi s f al l ' s har vest , you wi l l have pl ant ed next spr i ngs gar den. The best t i me of day t o pi ck seeds i s t he ear l y mor ni ng, af t er t he dew has evapor at ed but whi l e the ai r i s r el at i vel y cal m. Sni p of f ent i r e seed heads wi t h a shear s, dr oppi ng t hem i nt o a paper bag as you go; or cut t he whol e pl ant , i f you can, and pl ace i t , seed heads down, i n a paper bag. Punct ur e hol es i n t he si des and t op of t he bag, but n. . ) Y t he bot t om. Then hang i t i n a warm, ai r y, shady pl ace. Once t he pl ant s have dr i ed, t he seeds wi l l usual l y f al l t o the bot t om when you shake t he bag. The seeds of some pl ant s do not r i pen si mul t aneousl y; i n t hi s cas e you may have t o pi ck seve r al cr ops of seed heads over a week or mor e. El i mi nat i ng i nsects I f you di sco ver t i ny i nsect s cl i ngi ng t o t he seeds af t er you' ve gat her ed t hem, si mpl y dr op t he seedheads i nt o boi l i ng wat er f or an i nst ant . Ski m of f t he dead i nsect s on t he sur f ace of t he wat er , t hen dr ai n t he seeds. Spr ead t hem i n a si ngl e l ayer on t i ght l y woven cl ot h t owel s, and put t hem i n an ai r y, shady pl ace t o dr y. Some seeds have t i ght pods or husks a nd do not r el ease easi l y. Leave t hem f or 2 weeks, or unt i l you can separ at e t he seeds f r om t he pods or husks by r ubbi ng t hem bet ween your hands. When t he seeds have been l oosened, pour t he t hr ough a si eve or col ander t o separ at e t hem f r om t he chaf f . Gat her i ng and dr yi ng roo t s Tr y t o gat her r oot s when t he moon i s waxi ng, si nce al l r oot s t ender est at t hat t i me. Di g or pul l up t he pl ant , shake of f excess di r t , cut of f t he par t of t he pl ant whi ch was above t he soi l l i ne, and wash t he r oot s i n cool wat er . Tr i m of f si de r oot s, whi ch dr y qui ckl y and gi ve woody f i ber but l i t t l e f l avor . Spl i t t he r oot s i n hal f l engt hwi se; i f t hey' r e par t i cul ar l y l ar ge, spl i t each pi ece l engt hwi se agai n. That way t hey' l l dr y mor e qui ckl y. I f you ar e ai r - dr yi ng r oot s, pr ocess t hem as you woul d l eaves. I n col d cl i mat es, damp weat her , or when you don' t have adequat e space t o ai r - dr y, you wi l l want t o
oven- dr y. Keep t he t emper at ur e 100º t o 125º F ( 38º t o 51º C) so t he vol at i l e oi l s won' t be af f ect ed unf avor abl y. To pr eser ve f l avor , keep t he r oot s i n l ar ger pi eces unt i l you' r e r eady t o use t hem. At t hat t i me, gr i nd, powder , or pound t hem t o hel p r el ease t he f l avor s. Gat her i ng and dr yi ng f l ower s Of cour se, har vest i ng of f l ower s must coi nci de wi t h t he f l ower i ng of t he pl ant . Pi ck f l ower s when t hey ar e at t hei r l ovel i est and most f r agr ant . I f t hey' r e past t hei r pr i me, t hey won' t be as aromat i c. Use t he same di r ect i ons f or pr ocessi ng and dr yi ng f l ower s as f or l eaves. St or i ng her bs Once you' ve pr ocessed t he l eaves, f l ower s, r oot s, and seeds, you' l l want t o st or e t hem pr oper l y to k eep t hem as l ong as possi bl e wi t hout det er i or at i on. Whol e l eaves, r oot pi eces, and seeds r et ai n t he gr eat est scent and f l avor . I f space per mi t s, t her ef or e, st or e t he her bal t ea i ngr edi ent s whol e i n ai r t i ght bot t l es or met al cont ai ner s. I f t hat i s i mpossi bl e, br eak t hem i nt o smal l er pi eces, keepi ng i n mi nd t hat t he smal l er t he pi eces, t he mor e l i kel y i t i s t hat ar omat i c oi l s may escape. Her b l eaves and f l ower s must be bone- dr y when t hey ar e st or ed. I f you pr ocessed l eaves st i l l at t ached t o t he st ems, you can t r i m t hem of f now, st or i ng t he l eaves and di scar di ng t he st ems. Once t he l eaves ar e t hor oughl y dr y, t hey must be st or ed i mmedi at el y t o pr eser ve t he essent i al oi l t hat det er mi nes f l avor . Seeds and r oot s al so shoul d be st or ed as soon as you det er mi ne t hey ar e t hor oughl y dr y. The t wo bi ggest danger s i n st or age ar e excess moi st ur e, whi ch pr oduces mol d, and i mpr oper seal i ng of st orag e cont ai ner s, whi ch al l ows ver mi n t o cont ami nat e your har vest . The best cont ai ner s f or st or i ng her bs ar e j ar s or bot t l es of dar kened gl ass f i t t ed wi t h gl ass st opper s or screw caps. I f you can' t f i nd dar k gl ass bot t l es, cl ear ones wi l l do, but st or e t hem i n a dar k spot . You may al so use cans, al t hough t hey ar e mor e di f f i cul t t o check. Som garbs deners st ore paper s t the e met hod. Theeher ar e not onlhyerbs di f fi i ncul t t o bags, check but whent histsori ed hi sl east way, desi but r abl unexpect ed dampness can r ui n the ent i r e har vest . Bag, ar e al so easi l y i nf est ed by ver mi n. Be cer t ai n t o keep t he her bs sep ar at e, wi t hout any possi bi l i t y of one mi xi ng wi t h anot her . St or age cont ai ner s sh oul d be cl ean, and cl ear l y l abel ed i n i ndel i bl e i nk. Gl ue- on l abel s of t en peel of f i f t he moi st ur e i n t he ai r changes, so use sel f - adhesi ve l abel s. I f you i nt end t o pr eser ve her bs r egul ar l y, dat e t hem as wel l , so you' l l know whi ch ar e t he f r eshest and whi ch may have l ost t hei r f l avor . Leaf and f l ower her bs ar e best i f used wi t hi n 1 year , al t hough t hey wi l l keep some f l avor f or as l ong as 3 year s. Seeds and r oot s keep l onger , seeds al most i ndef i ni t el y. J ar s or cans shoul d be st or ed i n a cool , dr y, and dar k pl ace. Wat ch cont ai ner s car ef ul l y f or si gns of condensat i on. I f moi st ur e appear s, empt y t he cont ai ner s at once and dr y t hem and t he her bs t o pr event mol d f r om f or mi ng. Usi ng dr i ed herbs When you' r e r eady t o use herba l l eaves, br eak t hem wi t hout powder i ng t hem i n or der t o r el ease t he maxi mum amount of oi l s. You can do t hi s by r ubbi ng t he
l eaves bet ween your hands- i f t hey have been pr oper l y dr i ed, t hey shoul d cr umbl e easi l y. Some her bs, l i ke r osemar y, t hat have shar per l eaves may scr at ch your hands i f cr umbl ed, so r un t hem t hr ough a cof f ee gr i nder i nst ead. They wi l l emer ge at j ust about t he r i ght si ze f or use i n t ea. You cal l el i mi nat e t he r esi due of her bal odor by wi pi ng t he cof f ee gr i nder wi t h t he r emai ns of a squeezed l emon or wi t h a t i ssue soaked i n a f ew dr ops of l emon j ui ce. J ust bef or e br ewi ng r oot t ea, br eak or gr i nd t he r oot s i nt o smal l pi eces, or powder t hem. To pr epar e seeds, powder or cr ush t hem j ust bef or e usi ng. Gr ound seeds, l i ke cor i ander an d car away, det eri or at e r api dl y when cr ushed: i f t hey r emai n whol e, however , t hey keep i ndef i ni t el y. And i f you have l ef t over s, r emember al most al l her b seeds wi l l ger mi nat e i f you pl ant t hem t he f ol l owi ng spr i ng. Ext r a seeds al so make excel l ent bi r d f ood dur i ng t he wi nt er . ====================== 5. How t o br ew her bal t eas Ther e’ s a knack t o br ewi ng t he per f ect cup of her bal t ea- t ea t hat t ast es l i ke ambr osi a i nst ead of l ast ni ght ' s di shwat er , and has t he st r engt h t o r ef r esh you wi t hout cal l i ng t o mi nd a dose of dr ai n cl eaner . Packaged Chi na ( Thea si nensi s) t eas, wi t h cl ear l y spel l ed- out di r ect i ons, don! t pose much of a pr obl em. But because her bal t eas ar e br ewed f r om pet al s, r oot s, seeds, or f l ower s, as wel l as l eaves- al one or i n combi nat i on- t hey r equi r e mor e know- how. Once you mast er a f ew si mpl e met hods, t hough, i t ' s easy t o br ew a cup of her bal t ea wi t h appeal i ng ar oma and sat i sf yi ng t ast e. The f i r st t hi ng you need i s pat i ence. I f you don' t al l ow ampl e t i me f or br ewi ng, you' l l end up wi t h f ai nt l y f l avor ed hot wat er i nst ead of t ea. Second, you' l l need t o make use of your sense of t ast e. Unl i ke Thea si nensi s t eas, her bal t eas do not dar ken as t hey become st r onger , but r emai n l i ght gr een or amber . The exper t t ea- br ewer gauges t he st r engt h or weakness of her bal t ea by t ast e r at her t han si ght . Thi r d, you' l l need t he pr oper br ewi ng ut ensi l s. Basi cal l y thi s means a pot ( pr ef er abl y an enamel l ed one wi t h no chi ps) f or boi l i ng wat er , a tea pot , a tand eacup, f or , i m ng roo the t ts ea i nseeds the wjatust er , bef a st and am m pest an l e, i nf or user gr i nder tm oercrsiush and or reaibrner ew,i ng the . or t ar An i nf user i s a devi ce t hat hol ds t he t ea i ngr edi ent s, keepi ng t hem cont ai ned whi l e boi l i ng wat er i s pour ed over t hem, so t hey do not f l ow i nt o t he t eacup. I nf user s ar e usual l y bal l - shaped, wi t h pi n- si zed hol es al l over t hei r sur f ace, and t hey unscr ew or unhi nge t o open, enabl i ng you t o l ock t he t ea i ngr edi ent s i nsi de t hem. Most i nf user s co me i n t wo si zes- one- t o- t wo cup or si x- t o- ei ght cup. I f you pr ef er , you can pl ace l oose i ngr edi ent s i nt o t he t eapot , add boi l i ng wat er , and pour t hr ough a st r ai ner t o keep t ea i ngr edi ent s out of each cup. The best t eapot s ar e made of chi na, ear t henwar e, gl ass , si l ver , or st ai nl ess st eel . Some t eapot s have st r ai ner s bui l t i n over t he base of t he spout , so you can use l oose i ngr edi ent s and t he pot wi l l st r ai n t he t ea as you pour . Avoi d t i n or al umi ni um pot s- t hey t end t o i mpar t a met al l i c t ast e to t he t ea- and never heat a t eapot di r ect l y on t he st ove. Dependi ng on t he t ype of herba l t ea you' r e br ewi ng, you' l l use one of t wo met hods, i nf usi on or decoct i on. Br ewi ng by i nf usi on
Most t eas made f r om l eaves, pet al s, and f l ower s ar e pr epar ed by i nf usi on. I nf usi on al l ows t he oi l s i n t hese par t s of t he her b t o be r el eased gent l y; i f t he her bs wer e boi l ed, t he oi l s woul d evapor at e. I nf usi on of l eaves, pet al s, or f l ower s: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed her bs, or 3 t easpoons of f r eshl y pi cked her bs t o 1 cup boi l i ng wat er To i nf use t ea, r i nse t he t eapot wi t h boi l i ng wat er ( t o heat i t ) and dr y i t t hor oughl y. Pl ace t ea i n t he pot , ei t her l oose or i n i t s i nf user , pour boi l i ng wat er over t he t ea, and al l ow t he mi xt ur e to st eep f or 3 t o 5 mi nut es, or unt i l t he del i cat e f l avors ar e r el eased. Then st r ai n and ser ve. You may add or subt r act her bs acco r di ng t o your per sonal pr ef er ence. I f you' r e usi ng f r eshl y pi cked her bs, br ui se t he l eaves gent l y by crus hi ng t hem i n a cl ean cl ot h. Thi s wi l l hel p t o r el ease ar omat i c oi l s. Some her bal t ea exper t s s ay i nf used her bs shoul d be r emoved and di scar ded as soon as t he t ea i s made. Ot her s bel i eve t he t ea can st eep f or as l ong as a day or t wo. I f t he her bs are a l l owed t o si t , use boi l i ng wat er t o war m up t he col d t ea and/ or di l ut e i t i f i t has become t oo st r ong. A wor d of caut i on: i f her bs ar e al l owed t o st and mor e t han a day or t wo, t hey r el ease t anni c aci d i nt o t he t ea. Tanni c aci d i s gr eat f or cur i ng l eat her , but i sn' t good f or del i cat e st omach l i ni ngs. As one expert advi ses, " I f you want your t ea t o be st r onger, use more t ea, not mor e t i me. " Br ewi ng by decoct i on The decoct i on met hod i s used mai nl y f or seed and r oot t eas, whose oi l s ar e mor e di f f i cul t t o r el ease. Her bal t eas pr epar ed by decoct i on gener al l y t end t o st ay f r esher t han t eas pr epar ed by ot her met hods. Decoct i on of seeds: I t abl espoon of seeds t o 1 pi nt ( 2 cups) of boi l i ng wat er Br i ng wat er t o a boi l i n an enamel l ed pan pl aced over a hi gh heat . Add t he seeds, r educe t he t emper at ur e, and al l ow t he mi xt ur e t o si mmer gent l y f or 5 t o 10 mi nut es. Then qui ckl y st r ai n t he t ea and ser ve i t . Seeds shoul d be wel l cr ushed t o br i ng out t hei r oi l s. A mor t ar an d pest l e do t he j ob ni cel y, or you can wr ap t he seeds i n a cl ean cl ot h and cr ush t hem wi t h a wooden mal l et or r ol l i ng pi n. You can al so gr i nd t hem i n t he t ype of smal l el ect r i c gr i nder used f or gr i ndi ng cof f ee beans. Decoct i on of r oot s: 1/ 2 ounce of dr i ed r oot s t o 1 pi nt ( 2 cups) of boi l i ng wat er Add t he powder ed, gr ound, or cr ushed dr i ed r oot t o boi l i ng wat er, r educe t he t emper at ur e, and si mmer f or as l ong as i t t akes t o br ew t he t ea t o your t ast e. Or di nar i l y, decoct i on of r oot s t akes about 20 mi nut es, and l ess i f you' ve powder ed t hem. A good r ul e of t humb i s t hat t ea wi l l pr obabl y be r eady when t he wat er has been r educed t o 1/ z pi nt ( 1 cup) . Remove t he r oot at t hi s t i me. I ced t eas To make i ced t eas, pr epar e t hem as out l i ned above, t hen cool t hem i n t he re f ri gera t or.
To make a gal l on ( 20 ser vi ngs) , pour 1 quar t of boi l i ng wat er over 2 ounces of dr i ed herba l t ea ( about 3/ 4 cup) , or ov er 6 ounces of br ui sed f r esh l eaves. Br ew 5 or 6 mi nut es. St i r and st r ai n i nt o 3 quar t s of col d t ap wat er . Ser ve over i ce cubes. Her bal t ea concent r at e f or a cr owd I f you want t o make l eaf , f l ower, or pet al t ea f or a cr owd, you can make a concent r at e i n advance, t hen di l ut e i t when you' r e r eady t o ser ve. Here' s how: For 40 t o 45 cups, br i ng 1 1/ 2 quar t s of col d wat er t o a f ul l r ol l i ng boi l . Remove f r om heat . I mmedi at el y add 1/ 4 pound of l oose, dr i ed her bal t ea l eaves, pet al s, or f l ower s, or 3/ 4 pound of f r esh her bs. St i r wel l t o i mmer se t he l eaves, t hen cover . Let t he br ew st eep f or 5 or more mi nut es. St r ai n t he concent r at e i nt o a t eapot . When you are r eady t o ser ve, boi l wat er and add i t t o t he concent r at e i n cups, pr epar i ng i t t o t ast e. Sun t ea For hundr eds of year s, Amer i can I ndi ans have used t he sun as a so ur ce of heat t o br ew her bal beverag es wi t hout boi l i ng away t he nat ur al f l avor . The sun' s i nf r ar ed and ul t r avi ol et r ays heat t he wat er but keep i t bel ow t he boi l i ng poi nt . Fl avor i s r el eased f r om t he her bs, but not f r om t he oi l s and aci ds t hat can gi ve t ea an acr i d t ast e i f i t i sn' t dr unk soon af t er br ewi ng. Thi s met hod al so saves energy. Take a l ar ge gl ass bot t l e, pr ef er abl y one wi t h a gl ass cover t hat enabl es t he sun' s r ays t o rea ch t he cont ent s easi l y ( an ol d- f ashi oned canni ng j ar wor ks wel l ) . Fi l l t he j ar wi t h wat er , and add t ea l eaves. Set t he j ar i n t he sun f or 3 t o 6 hour s, dependi ng on t he i nt ensi t y of t he r ays ( af f ect ed by t i me of day) and t he t i me of year . Remove t ea r esi due f r om t he wat er as soo n as you br i ng t he j ar i n f r om t he sun. Thi s met hod doesn' t wor k f or see ds and r oot s, whi ch r equi r e boi l i ng wat er t o r el ease t hei r f l avor s. Enhanci ng t ea' s t ast e Most her bal t eas ar e br ewed t o be dr unk wi t hout sugar , honey, or mol asses, whi ch mask t hei r del i cat e f l avors . But some herbs ar e more t ar t t han ot hers , and you m t o. add a sweet ener . El l eaves f r uipeel t sweet ent and niay cewfant l avor So does a bi t of l i der corber i cer yr oot . Dr ior ed cut or ange s and angeradd i nea r i nds can al so be used. Teas can al so be sweet ened or f l avor ed wi t h ot her t eas. Af t er you' ve been exper i ment i ng wi t h her bal bl ends f or a whi l e ( see chapt er 6, " Cr eat i ng Tea Bl ends" ) , you' l l f i nd you can cr eat e and br ew your f avor i t e her bal t eas qui ckl y and easi l y. ====================== 6. Cr eat i ng tea b l ends Her e comes t he f un par t - when you can combi ne t wo, or t hr ee, l f or many her bs t o cr eat e t eas t hat wi l l del i ght your t ast e buds. Si ngl e- her b t eas ca n be l ovel y, but you wi l l be del i ght ed wi t h t he r esul t s i f you experi ment by combi ni ng a f ew l eaves of one her b and a f ew of anot her , j ust as peopl e have been doi ng si nce t he begi nni ng of t i me. You may not be ambi t i ous enough t o bl end t went y- f i ve or t hi r t y her bs and spi ces as commerci al herba l t ea packager s of t en do. They ar e t r yi ng t o crea t e t ast es t hat wi l l appeal t o t he wi dest segment of t he mar ket , and t hey do an admi r abl e
j ob. These pr epar ed t eas, however , of t en cont ai n exot i c t r opi cal her bs or spi ces t hat can’ t be gr own i n your gar den. But wi t h what you can gr ow you can cr eat e some pr et t y speci al bever ages. And t hey wi l l have t he di st i nct i on of bei ng your cr eat i ons, br ewed f r om pl ant s you' ve gr own and pr ocessed your sel f . The Chi ppewa I ndi ans ar e sai d t o have i nvent ed t he f i r st t ea bag. They woul d t i e some her bal l eaves i nt o a l i t t l e packet , usi ng a l ong st r i p of bar k t o hol d ever yt hi ng t oget her , and the n dunk i t i nt o boi l i ng wat er unt i l t hey had br ewed pal at abl e tea . Today, i f you' d l i ke t o mi x el abor at e bl ends and st or e t hem i n bags f or conveni ent use, you can buy empt y bags t hat ar e seal ed wi t h a hot i r on af t er you' ve dol ed out 1 t easpoon of your magi c mi xt ur es f or each cup of t ea. You can al so buy or make l i t t l e cl ot h bags wi t h dr awst r i ngs t o st or e measur ed por t i ons of your speci al bl ends. Thi s guar ant ees consi st ency i n t he her bal br ews, because t he bl ends don' t set t l e as t hey woul d i n a cani st er . Two- her b bl ends I n J anuary 1 774, a mont h af t er t he Bost on Tea Par t y, one " Phi l o Al et hei as" wr ot e i n t he Vi r gi ni a Gazet t e, " I f we must t hr ough Cust om have some war m Tea once or t wi ce a day, why may we not exchange t hi s s l ow poi son whi ch not onl y dest r oys our Const i t ut i ons but endangers our Li bert i es and dr ai ns our Count r y of so many t housands of Pounds a Year f or Teas of our own Amer i can Pl ant s, many of whi ch may be f ound pl easant t o t he t ast e, and ver y sal ut ar y . . . . " He t hen r ecommended sevent een di f f eren t her bal t eas, i ncl udi ng t hese t wo- herb bl ends: Sweet marj or am and a l i t t l e mi nt ; mot her of t hyme and a l i t t l e hysso p; r osemar y and l avender ; cl over wi t h a l i t t l e chamomi l e; sage and l emon bal m l eaves ( "j oi ned wi t h a l i t t l e l emon j ui ce") ; gol denr od and bet ony ( wi t h honey) These wer e al l good her bal t eas f or t he Col oni st s, and ar e good t oday. ( They al so dr ank Chi na t ea t ast e- al i kes- Labr ador t ea, bee bal m, and New J er sey t eawhi ch were pr ef err ed by l ess advent ur ous t ea- dr i nker s who want ed t o st i ck wi t h f ami l i ar t ast i ng bever ages. ) Al l t woherb ends shoul mi xed di ngl it ke o per pr efbl eren ce,out usil ing equal part s ofb l each her b, dorbemore o f accor one you betsonal t er . The ends ned her e shoul d be br ewed by i nf usi on ( 1 t easpoon of dr i ed herb, or 3 of f r esh her b t o I cup of boi l i ng wat er ) unl ess t he i ngr edi ent s used ar e ent i r el y seeds or r oot s. I f t hi s i s t he case, br ew by decoct i on ( 1 t abl espoon of cr ushed or gr ound seeds or r oot , pl aced i n 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er and si mmer ed unt i l t he wat er has been r educed t o 1 cup) . Ot her t wo- herb b l ends whi ch have st ood t he t est of t i me i ncl ude: Agr i mony wi t h l i cor i ce; al f al f a seed wi t h mi nt ; al f al f a l eaf wi t h l emon ver bena; al f al f a l eaf wi t h r ed cl over bl osso ms; angel i ca r oot wi t h j uni per ber r i es; col t sf oot wi t h hor ehound; chamomi l e wi t h hi bi scus f l ower s; di l l seed wi t h chamomi l e f l ower s; el der f l ower s wi t h pepper mi nt ; el der f l ower s wi t h yar r ow; f enugr eek wi t h al f al f a; f enugr eek wi t h mi nt hi bi scus f l ower s wi t h r ose hi ps; l i cor i ce r oot wi t h any ot her her b; mar i gol d pet al s wi t h mi nt ; mul l ei n wi t h sage; mul l ei n wi t h mar j or am; mul l ei n wi t h chamomi l e; pennyr oyal wi t h any of t he ot her mi nt s; peppermi nt wi t h spearmi nt ; r osemary wi t h hi bi scus f l ower s; st r awber r y l eaves wi t h woodr uf f , sage wi t h l emon ver bena; yar r ow wi t h pepper mi nt I f you' d l i ke t o exper i ment wi t h t hese bl ends but don' t have al l t he i ngr edi ent s, you mi ght consi der buyi ng l oose dr i ed herbs an d t est i ng t hem bef ore yo u deci de
whet her t o i ncl ude t hem i n your gar den. Or buy t hose t hat won' t gr ow i n your ar ea and combi ne t hem wi t h t hose you can gr ow. Thr ee- her b bl ends I t was onl y a mat t er of t i me bef or e mor e advent ur ous t ea- br ewer s began bl endi ng t hr ee her bs. Successe s i ncl uded t hi s bl end, sai d t o be an ef f ect i ve r emedy f or hangover s and ni ght mar es: 3 par t s t hyme; I par t r osemar y; I par t spear mi nt Anot her go od t ea, whi ch combi nes f r ui t y and woodsy t ast es, i s t hi s: I par t st r awber r y l eaves; I par t bl ackber r y l eaves; I par t woodr uf f For an at t r act i ve pi nk t ea wi t h a l emon- spi ce ar oma and t ast e, t r y: I par t hi bi scus pet al s; I par t r ose hi ps; I par t l emon ver bena Add a t ouch of ci nnamon t o gi ve a spi cy accent . Toby Chamber l ai n of Cal i f or ni a, a di st r i but or of l i t t l e vel l um t ea bags f or her bal ent husi ast s who gr ow and package t hei r own t eas, r ecommends t hi s bl end: I par t dr i ed al f al f a l eaves; I par t dr i ed pepper mi nt l eaves; 1/ 2 par t cr ushed car away seeds Mul t i - her b bl ends Gr adual l y your t ast e wi l l begi n t o devel op so you can j udge how her bs wi l l wor k t oget her . Soon you' l l know whi ch ones enhance or compl ement each ot her , and whi ch i mpar t sweet ness or ext r a t ang. Her e' s a good seed bl end. The ani se and f ennel gi ve i t a l i cor i ce t ast e, whi l e t he cor i ander and caraway add an ext r a t ang- r ef r eshi ng, wi t h a pl easant af t er t ast e. ( I have one of t hose smal l cof f ee gr i nder s t hat gr i nd enough beans f or a si ngl e ser vi ng. I t wor ks per f ect l y on her bs t hat need pul ver i zi ng t o br i ng out th ei r ess ent i al oi l s. ) For t hi s one, I measure 1 / z t easpoon of each i ngr edi ent i nt o t he gr i nder, powder t he seeds, and t hen i nf use the r esul t i ng mi xt ur e: I par t f ennel seeds; I par t ani se seeds; I par t cor i ander seeds; I par t car away seeds Measur e 1 t easpoon of t he seed mi xt ur e, i nf use i n 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er , cover , and l et cool . Thi s one comes cl ose t o t ast i ng l i ke Chi na t ea, because of t he bee bal m and bi rch : I par t gr ound bi r ch l eaves and t wi gs; I par t pepper mi nt ; I par t savor y; I par t bee bal m ( ber gamot ) I nf use 1 t easpoon of t he mi xt ur e i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . For a mi nt y and sweet mul t i - her b bl end combi ne t hese: I par t cat ni p; I par t chamomi l e; I par t mar j or am; I par t spear mi nt I nf use I t easpoon of dr i ed her b mi xt ur e i n 1 cover ed cup of boi l i ng wat er f or 10 mi nut es. Sweet en wi t h honey i f desi r ed. Thi s ar omat i c bl end has a woodsy, bi t t er sweet sc ent and t ast e t hat makes a r ef r eshi ng i ced t ea as wel l :
I par t sage; I par t r osemar y; I par t hysso p; I par t pepper mi nt ; I par t mar j or am; 2 par t s t hyme I nf use i n boi l i ng wat er , l et st and a f ew mi nut es, t hen enj oy. Exper i ment at i on r esul t ed i n t hi s t ast y combi nat i on, a t angy br ew si mi l ar t o Chi na t ea: I par t r ose hi ps; I par t hi bi sc us; I par t al f al f a l eaf ; I par t bl ackber r y l eaves I gr i nd t he rose hi ps and hi bi scus, t hen add t he ot her i ngr edi ent s, and i nf use I t easpoon of bl end f or each cup of boi l i ng wat er . A mul t i - her b bl end wi t h a ci t r us- l i ke t ast e, t hi s tea i s especi al l y r ef r eshi ng when you add a t ouch of dr i ed or ange peel : I par t chamomi l e; I par t r ose pet al s; I par t spear mi nt ; 2 par t s l emon ver bena I nf use, usi ng 1 t easpoon of t he mi xt ur e t o each cup of boi l i ng wat er . A t ouch of or ange peel and ci nnamon enhance t he f l avor s of t hi s t ea: I par t hi bi scus f l ower s; I par t r ose hi ps; I par t l emon ver bena; I par t pepper mi nt I nf use t o t aste. When combi ni ng f r esh and dr i ed i ngr edi ent s, I use t hi s r ul e of t humb f or bul k: 1 par t dr i ed equal s 3 par t s f r esh. Wi t h t hi s t ea, f or exampl e, I use 1 t easpoon dr i ed hi bi scus, and 1 t easpoon dr i ed r ose hi ps ( bot h of whi ch I gr i nd t o hel p r el ease t he t ast es qui ckl y) . Then I add about 3 t easpoons of f r esh l emon ver bena f r om my gar den. and 3 t easpoons of f r esh pepper mi nt . Si nce t hi s adds up t o 4 t easpoons of dr i ed i ngr edi ent s, I i nf use t he mi x i n 4 cups of boi l i ng wat er . Her e' s anot her bl end tha t i s f ound i n ol d- t i me her bal s: I par t meadowsweet ; I par t bet ony; I par t r aspberr y l eaves; I par t agr i mony I nf use. Sweet en t hi s one wi t h honey or sugar . To exper i ence an ol d- f ashi oned r oot beer t ast e, t r y t hi s combi nat i on: I par t sassa f r as bar k; I par t l i cor i ce r oot ; I par t sar sapar i l l a r oot ; 1/ 2 par t wi nt er gr een l eaves Gr i nd t he bark an d r oot s. Add t he wi nt er gr een, and st eep f or 10 mi nut es i n boi l i ng wat er. Sweet en wi t h honey or sugar . My f avor i t e cr eat i on i s t hi s appl e t ea, whi ch pr ovi des a medl ey of t ast es: I t sp. gr ound dr i ed r ose hi ps; I t sp. gr ound dr i ed hi bi scus f l ower s; I t sp. dr i ed chamomi l e f l ower s; 4 l arge f r esh appl e ger ani um l eaves Whi l e t he mi xt ur e i s st eepi ng i n 4 cups of hot wat er , I add a pi nch of nut meg and a pi nch of ci nnamon. The appl e ger ani um gi ves a sl i ght l y t ar t t ast e, so I al so add honey t o sweet en. I t r y al l ki nds of her bal combi nat i ons, maki ng one t eacupf ul at a t i me, t hen r ef i ni ng, sweet eni ng, addi ng an i ngr edi ent her e, or subt r act i ng one t her e, unt i l t he br ew seems j ust r i ght . I wr i t e down t he pr opor t i ons of each i ngr edi ent .
You can do t hi s, t oo. Soon you' l l have many f avor i t e her bal t ea r eci pes, wi t h at l east one f or each f r i end or f ami l y member . Her bal t eas wi t h spi ces, f r ui t , and l i quor s Her bal t eas go wel l wi t h many spi ces, f r ui t s, and l i quor s, and have been ser ved t hi s way over t he cent ur i es. Her e ar e a f ew ol d- t i me reci pes: Cl oves and r ose hi ps gi ve a sl i ght l y bi t t er t ast e t o t hi s bl end: I t sp. r ose hi ps; 3 cl oves; 3 t sp. dr i ed l emon bal m I nf use i n 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er , and st eep f or 10 mi nut es. Sweet en wi t h honey or , f or a t angi er t ea, add l emon j ui ce. Si mpl e, sweet , and l emony, t hi s bl end i s ver y soot hi ng: 2 t sp. dr i ed l emon bal m; 2 cl oves; I t sp. honey I nf use i n 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er f or 10 mi nut es. A combi nat i on whi ch has a l avender ar oma and mi nt y t ast e when you' r e dr i nki ng i t , but an af t er t ast e r emi ni sce nt of a Chi na t ea: I t sp. r osemar y; I t sp. l avender ; I t sp. l emon bal m; I t sp. spear mi nt ; I t sp. , cl oves Mi x t he i ngr edi ent s, and i nf use 1 t easpoon of t he bl end f or each cup of boi l i ng wat er . Mace gi ves t he usual l y soot hi ng val eri an t ea a shar per, al most peppery t ast e: I t sp. val er i an r oot ; I pi nch of mace I nf use t o t ast e i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . A combi nat i on t hat ' s good when f l avor ed wi t h oran ge peel i s t hi s bl end: I t sp. wood bet ony; I t sp. dandel i on l eaves; I cl ove I nf use i n 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er . Her bal t ea i ngr edi ent s sp i ce up al cohol i c dr i nks a s wel l . Over t he cent ur i es many her bs have been added t o wi ne- woodr uf f , f or exampl e, gi ves May wi ne i t s di st i nct i ve t ast e. By exper i ment i ng, you can cr eat e st r awber r y and bl ackber r y f l avor ed wi nes, as wel l as ot her s. Cr ushed hawt hor n ber r i es ar e good addi t i on i n wi ne or br andy. Her e' s a cool i ng t ea and l i quor combi nat i on: Br ew hi bi scus t ea unt i l i t i s r i ch r ed. Then add i ce unt i l t he mi xt ur e becomes l i ght r ed. When t horou ghl y cool ed, add a j i gger of ani set t e t o each gl ass. An angel i ca l i queur can be made by choppi ng up and st eepi ng 2 ounces of f r eshl y gat her ed angel i ca st ems and l eaves i n 2 pi nt s of good br andy f or 5 days. Then add 1 t abl espoon of ski nned bi t t er al monds grou nd t o a pul p, st i r , and st r ai n t he l i qui d. Add I pi nt of syr up made by boi l i ng 2 cups of sugar i n I cup of wat er f or 5 mi nut es. Fi l t er and bot t l e. Tar r agon l i queur can be made by st eepi ng 4 t easpoonf ul s of f r esh t ar r agon l eaves i n I pi nt of br andy f or 5 days. Then make a syr up of - 3/ a cup of sugar bo i l ed i n j ust enough wat er t o di ss ol ve i t , and add t o t he bl end. Bef or e bot t l i ng t hi s mi xt ur e, add I ounce of oran ge f l ower wat er.
Pur i st s may ar gue some of t hese combi nat i ons ar en' t t r ul y t eas, because t he her bal i ngr edi ent s ar e not i nf used i n hot wat er . However , di ct i onar y def i ni t i ons of i nf usi on and t ea of t en ment i on her bs bei ng st eeped "i n l i qui ds. " Whi l e t he semant i ci st s argu e, you can t r y t hem out . These reci pes ar e sl i ght l y mor e ambi t i ous, and t hei r success depends on l ong per i ods of st eepi ng. Dandel i on t ea becomes a t ast y wi ne wi t h t hi s r eci pe: 16 cups of dandel i on f l ower heads; I gal l on wat er ; 2 or anges; I l emon; I oz. gi nger r oot ; 4 pounds su gar ; ' / z oz. yeast ; I egg whi t e ( opt i onal ) Use onl y f r esh dandel i on bl ossoms f r om whi ch you have r emoved al l st ems ot her wi se t he wi ne wi l l be bi t t er . Sl i ce t he or anges and l emon. Pl ace dandel i on heads, wat er , or anges, l emon, and gi nger ( cr ushed and t i ed i n a musl i n bag) i n a pan, and br i ng t he mi xt ur e to a b oi l . Boi l f or 20 mi nut es. St r ai n and add t he sugar . I f t he mi xt ur e i sn' t cl ear , add t he whi t e of an egg. Pl ace t he yeast i nt o t he mi xt ur e, and l et set f or a week. Then st r ai n and bot t l e, cappi ng t he bot t l es l oosel y f or a f ew days, t hen mor e t i ght l y. Let t hi s bl end st and f or 6 mont hs bef or e usi ng. I f you st ar t el der f l ower wi ne t oday, you can enj oy i t 6 mont hs f r om now: 4 cups f r esh el der f l ower bl ossoms; 3 gal s. wat er ; 9 l bs. sugar ; 2 t sp. l emon j ui ce; I yeast cake; 3 l bs. r ai si ns Boi l t he wat er and sugar t oget her , t hen pour over t he bl osso ms. Al l ow t o cool , t hen add l emon j ui ce and yeast . Put t he mi xt ur e i nt o a cr ock, and l et i t st and 9 days. St r ai n t hr ough cheesecl ot h, and add the r ai si ns. Put t he mi x back i nt o t he cr ock, and al l ow i t t o st and f or 6 mont hs. Then st r ai n and bot t l e. Her bs wi t h Chi na t ea You can exper i ment wi t h al l her bs i n combi nat i on wi t h t he Chi na t eas. Her e ar e a f ew f avor i t es: I bag of Chi na t ea; 3 cl oves; 2 r ose ger ani um l eaves St eep i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . Honey and mi nt gi ve a sweet , cool t ast e t o t hi s combi nat i on: I t sp. gr een t ea; 3 t sp. f r esh mi nt ( or I t sp. dr i ed mi nt ) ; I t sp. honey I nf use i n 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er . Raspber r y l eaves gi ve a t ar t , f r ui t y t ast e t o t hi s combi nat i on, so you may want t o sweet en i t wi t h honey or sugar : I t sp. Chi na t ea; I t sp. dr i ed r aspber r y l eaves I nf use i n 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er . Bee bal m makes t hi s bl end ar omat i c and t ast y: 1 par t Chi na t ea; 1 par t bee bal m ( berga mot ) I nf use 1 t easpoon of mi xt ur e t o each cup of boi l i ng wat er . A war m, sweet , and sl i ght l y l emony t ast e char act er i zes t hi s t ea: 1 par t Chi na t ea; 1 par t hi bi scus f l ower s I nf use. Thi s bl end i s par t i cul ar l y good when i ced. Cof f ee subst i t ut e For t hose who want t he t ast e of cof f ee but no caf f ei ne, her e' s an ol d- t i me subst i t ut e, used when i mpor t ed cof f ee beans were no t avai l abl e: 1 t sp. gr ound r oast ed dandel i on r oot ; 1/ 2 t sp. chi cor y
I nf use i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . Thi s co mbi nat i on t ast es a l ot l i ke cof f ee and i s good ei t her bl ack or wi t h cr eam and sugar . Her bal punches Her e ar e t wo f avor i t e punches made f r om herba l t eas: Lemon Bal m Punch: Pour 2 quar t s of boi l i ng wat er over 2 bi g handf ul s of f r esh l emon bal m l eaves. Al l ow t o st eep f or 20 mi nut es, t hen st r ai n. Add 2 t abl espoons of honey and al l ow t he mi xt ur e to co ol . J ust bef or e ser vi ng, add i ce and 1 quar t of gi nger al e. Fl oat sprays o f mi nt on t op. Serves a bout 15. Mi nt al e ( a popul ar punch wi t h t he Fr ench) : 1 cup equal part s or ange mi nt , appl e mi nt , and spear mi nt ; 2 cups boi l i ng wat er ; 2 t bsp. sugar ; 1 l ar ge bot t l e of gi nger al e; j ui ce of 1 or ange and 1 l emon I nf use t he mi nt i n t he 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er . Cool and add t he ot her i ngr edi ent s pl us i ce. Fl oat spr i gs of appl e mi nt on t op of t he punch. As you can see, you can make endl ess number s of cr eat i ve and t ast y bever ages wi t h her bal t eas. Tr y t hese and concoct your own! ====================== 7. Compendi um of her bs Thi s compendi um of her bs i s desi gned t o pr ovi de t he i nf or mat i on you' l l need t o gr ow and br ew each of sevent y her bal t ea pl ant s. The char t at t he end of t hi s chapt er gi ves capsul i zed dat a on t hese her bs f or qui ck r ef eren ce or compar i son. I n gat her i ng t hi s dat a, I dr ew on my own exper i ence and on t he r esear ch of hor t i cul t ur i st s, hi st or i ans, and medi cal speci al i st s over t he cent ur i es. Of t en t here were sha r p di f f er ences of opi ni on among t he expert s about such det ai l s as soi l , sunl i ght , and appl i cat i ons. I n t he end, I l et t he pr eponder ance of opi ni on and my own good sense be my gui de. That ' s what you' l l have t o do, t oo. The her bs you wi sh t o gr ow may pr ef er an envi r onment you can' t pr ovi de, but t hey may be maver i ck enough t o t hr i ve i n what you of f er t hem. At l east gr ower i nsi s l ti hat must al kmust t o her r egul f you t hem t o r one espond. Anot herstbe evesyou t hat he rtbs be bs pl ant ed ar wi ltyh iser i ouswant r egard f or t hei r ast r ol ogi cal si gns. What seems r i ght t o you i s pr obabl y best . I f i t wor ks, f i ne. I f i t doesn' t , t r y somet hi ng el se. When i t comes t o br ewi ng i ndi vi dual t eas, t her e ar e al so di f f er ences of opi ni on. Tast es var y, and you shoul d exper i ment unt i l you f i nd what sui t s you. Some of t he herbs i n t he book are con t r overs i al . They wer e on t he FDA' s " hi t l i st , " publ i shed a f ew year s ago, of her bs sai d to b e har mf ul t o humans. But , some of t he di sput ed her bs ( sassaf r as, cat ni p, and val er i an, f or exampl e) cont i nue t o be ver y popul ar . To omi t t hem f r om t he compendi um woul d be l i ke el i mi nat i ng l i pst i ck f r om a book on cosmet i cs. ( Remember a f ew year s ago, t he FDA announced t hat l i pst i ck may cause ca ncer ! ) So t he cont r over si al her bs ar e i ncl uded her e wi t h appr opr i at e caut i ons. As wi t h any f ood or bever age, i t i s not onl y wi se, but al so mor e exci t i ng, t o t r y many t eas i n moderat i on r at her t han one or t wo i n excess. I f you do, you wi l l embar k on an odyssey of di scover y t hr ough t he wi de wor l d of her bal t eas. ---------------Agr i mony ( Agr i moni a eupat or i a)
Agr i mony' s common names i n Br i t ai n ar e St i ckl ewor t , Cockl ebur r , and Chur ch St eepl es ( because of t he her b' s yel l ow spi r e- l i ke f l ower s) . Pron ounced wi t h emphasi s on t he f i r st syl l abl e, i t s generi c name comes f r om t he Gr eek wor d arge mone ( meani ng " a pl ant t hat heal s t he eyes" ) , and eupat or i a f r om Mi t hr i dat es Eupat or , ki ng of Pont us, who pr act i ced i mmunot her apy. Agr i mony and r el at ed speci es ca n be f ound wi l d t hr oughout Eur ope, i n Canada, and i n t he Uni t ed St at es, where i t s nat ur al habi t at s ar e woods, f i el ds, and hedger ows. The t ea was once used as a su bst i t ut e f or Thea si nensi s, and i t i s a f avor i t e bever age i n Fran ce. Agr i mony t ea i s bel i eved t o al l evi at e gout , and i t makes a good gar gl e f or mout h and t hr oat i nf l ammat i ons. I t i s sa i d t o r el i eve chr oni c gal l - bl adder pr obl ems and const i pat i on and t o st r engt hen t he l i ver . Dur i ng t he Mi ddl e Ages, agr i mony was t hought t o have magi c power s and was pl aced under t he pi l l ow t o i nduce deep sl eep. PLANT: A har dy per enni al . I t s r eddi sh, cr eepi ng roo t s prod uce a st em cover ed wi t h f i ne si l ky down and wi del y spaced opposi t e l eaves si mi l ar t o t hose of a wi l d r ose. Smal l yel l ow f l ower s bl oom at t he t op of t he st em f r om J une t o Sept ember , and t he f r ui t i ng f l ower t ubes have hooked br i st l es. HEI GHT: To 5 f eet , usual l y about 3 f eet . SOI L: Wel l - dr ai ned, or di nar y soi l on t he dr y si de. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun or l i ght shade. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed i n spr i ng or f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Al so by roo t di vi si on. Agr i mony' s se ed pod, a br i st l y bur r , i s di st r i but ed when i t cat ches t he f ur of ani mal s or cl ot hes of passe r s- by. I t ger mi nat es easi l y and, once est abl i shed, sows i t sel f . CARE: Space mat ur e pl ant s 7 t o 10 i nches apar t . PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s, l eaves, and st ems har vest ed when t he pl ant i s i n f l ower . When cr ushed, t he f l owers an d l eaves gi ve of f a f ai nt l emony scent . TASTE: Remi ni scent of apr i cot s. Good when f l avor ed wi t h l i cor i ce or honey. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: St eep 1 t o 2 t easpoons of dr i ed her b i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er , or 3 t easpoons of f r esh her b, gent l y cr ushed. ---------------Al f al f a ( Medi cago sat i va) Al f al f a i s al so k nown as Lu cer ne, Buf f al o Her b, and, because of i t s bl ui sh or pur pl e f l ower s, Pur pl e Medi ck. A l egumi nous pl ant , wi t h r oot s t hat go deep i nt o t he soi l , i t i s a r i ch sour ce of f our t een of t he si xt een pr i nci pal mi ner al el ement s, par t i cul ar l y i r on, phosphor us, pot assi um, and magnesi um. Al f al f a al so cont ai ns vi t ami ns A, D, E, G, and K. The her b i s sai d t o gi ve r ace hors es speed and at hl et es st ami na. I t i s al so bel i eved t o r el i eve ar t hr i t i s and ot her t wi nges and pai ns, t o st i mul at e appet i t e, t o bui l d t he body, and t o hel p i n t he t r eat ment of al cohol and dr ug addi ct i on. Al f al f a i s t hought t o ai d di gest i on and el i mi nat i on and t o hel p cur e pept i c ul cer s. PLANT: A har dy per enni al , t he cl over- l i ke pl ant has an er ect smoot h st em, whi ch gr ows f r om an el ongat ed t apr oot . Obl ong l eaf l et s gr ow i n gr oups of t hr ee arou nd t he st em. The pl ant i s f ound on t he bor der s of f i el ds and i n l ow val l eys, and i t i s wi del y cul t i vat ed f or f odder and as a soi l bui l der ( i t i ncrea ses t he ni t r ogen cont ent of t he soi l wi t h t he hel p of ni t r ogen f i xi ng bact er i a, whi ch ent er t he r oot hai r s and f or m nodul es t hat nur t ur e t he pl ant and sur r oundi ng soi l ) .
Pur pl i sh f l owers gr ow i n r acemes- many smal l f l ower s gr owi ng of f t he st em - and bl oom f r om J une t o August . Spi r al l y coi l ed seed pods f ol l ow. HEI GHT: 1 t o 3 f eet . SOI L: Wel l - dr ai ned soi l of r easonabl y good f er t i l i t y, sl i ght l y aci d. EXPOSURE: Ful l or par t i al sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds s own i n ear l y spr i ng or l at e summer dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. CARE: Space pl ant s 8 t o 10 i nches apar t . Make sur e t her e i s no har dpan or under l yi ng r ock l ayer wher e you pl ant i t , because al f al f a sends i t s r oot s down deep. Resear cher s have t r aced t hem f or wel l over 100 f eet - 20 t o 30 f eet i s averag e. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves and seeds. TASTE: Bl and, t ast es l i ke newl y mown hay. I t i s usual l y bl ended wi t h mi nt , l emon ver bena, r ed cl over , or honey. How t o br ew LEAVES, BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed her b or 3 t easpoons of f r esh cr ushed her b, t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. SEEDS, BY DECOCTI ON: Cr ush 1 t abl espoon of seeds, and add t o 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er . Reduce t emper at ur e and al l ow mi xt ur e t o si mmer gent l y f or 5 t o 10 mi nut es. ---------------Angel i ca ( Angel i ca ar changel i ca) Angel i ca i s al so commonl y known as Mast er wor t , Ar changel , Hol y Ghost Pl ant , and St . Mi chael ' s Pl ant , si nce i t bl ooms on hi s day ( May 8) i n many par t s of t he wor l d. Bel i eved t o be nat i ve t o Syr i a, angel i ca i s sa i d t o be a r emedy f or col ds, coughs, pl eur i sy, f l at ul ence, r heumat i sm, and f ever s. I n t he f i f t eent h and si xt eent h cent ur i es, her bal i st s t hought a bag of angel i ca l eaves t i ed ar ound a chi l d' s neck woul d pr ot ect agai nst wi t chcraf t and evi l spel l s. PLANT: Angel i ca i s co nsi der ed a bi enni al , but i t wi l l cont i nue to l i ve sever al year s i f t he f l ower st ems ar e cl i pped of f bef or e t hey bl oom. The st em i s r ound, hol l ow, and gr ooved, br anchi ng near t he t op, wher e i t i s t i nged wi t h bl ue. The br own t o r ed- br own r oot s have a spi cy, agr eeabl e odor and t ast e t hat i s sweet at f i r st , t hen bi t t er and shar p. The seeds and an oi l made f r om t he st ems and r oot s ar e used as a f l avor i ng i n many l i queur s. Leaves grow f r om di l at ed sheat hs t hat sur r ound t he st em. Gr eeni sh- whi t e honey- smel l i ng f l owers gr ow i n umbr el l a- shaped bunches, f l ower i ng f r om J une t o August . The f r ui t i s obl ong, and br eaks apar t when r i pe i nt o a pai r of yel l ow wi nged seed- cases, commonl y cal l ed seeds. HEI GHT: 4 t 0 6 f eet . SOI L: Moi st,
ri ch soi l , sl i ghtl y aci d.
EXPOSURE: Pr ef er abl y part i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed i n f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d or f our t h l unar phase. Seeds must be sown wi t hi n a f ew weeks
af t er r i peni ng; ot her wi se, t hey l ose t hei r abi l i t y t o ger mi nat e. They se l f - sow as wel l . Angel i ca can al so be pr opagat ed f r om r oot cut t i ngs. CARE: Space about 3 f eet apar t . I t i s best t o har vest l eaves bef or e t he pl ant f l ower s, whi l e t hey ar e sti l l t ender . PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves, seeds, somet i mes r oot s. TASTE: Resembl es Chi na t ea i n f l avor , wi t h a sl i ght cel er y t ast e. I f seeds or r oot s ar e used, t hey' r e of t en boi l ed al ong wi t h j uni per ber r i es. Leaf t ea i s good wi t h honey or l emon. How t o br ew LEAVES, BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed her b, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh cr ushed her b, t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. SEEDS OR ROOTS, BY DECOCTI ON: Cr ush or gr i nd 1 t abl espoon of seeds, or 1 ounce of r oot , and add t o 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er. Reduce t emperat ur e and al l ow t he mi xt ur e t o si mmer gent l y f or 5 t o 10 mi nut es or l onger t o t ast e. ---------------Ani se ( Pi mpi nel l a ani sum) Pron ounced wi t h emphasi s on t he f i r st syl l abl e, ani se i s somet i mes cal l ed Ani seed, and was wi del y used i n t he si xt eent h cent ur y as mouset r ap bai t , si nce mi ce coul d not r esi st i t . Many humans f i nd i t i r r esi sti bl e, t oo. Or i gi nal l y f r om Gr eece and Egypt , ani se t r avel ed wi t h t he Romans t o Eur ope and Engl and and was one of t he f i r st her bs t o be br ought t o Amer i ca. I t i s wi del y cul t i vat ed. Ani se t ea i s co nsi der ed hel pf ul i n t he t r eat ment of ast hma, col i c, br onchi t i s, and nausea. I t i s al so bel i eved t o pr omot e mi l k pr oduct i on i n nur si ng mot her s, t o i nduce sl eep, and t o br i ng on menst r uat i on. I t i s wi del y used as a f l avour i ng agent i n candi es and l i queur s. PLANT: Annual . Ani se has t wo t ypes of l eaves: t hose t hat gr ow t hi ckl y at t he base of t he st em and ar e br i ght gr een, oval , and t oot h- edged, and t hose on t he st ems, whi ch are smal l er, el ongat ed l eaves, each di vi ded i nt o t hr ee segment s. Ti ny whi t e f l ower s gr ow i n t hi ck, umbr el l a- l i ke cl ust er s at t he t ops of t he st s. tSeeds ar af e tl er i ght - col ored cl em i ngs o th em har vesti ng.and cr escent shaped, and a smal l pi ece of st em HEI GHT: 2 f eet . SOI L: Li ght , f ai r l y wel l - wor ked soi l , enr i ched wi t h compost . EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seed, sown i n spr i ng dur i ng t he f i r st or second l unar phase af t er t he days and ni ght s ar e f r ost - f r ee. Ani se needs 70º F ( 21º C) t emper at ur e t o ger mi nat e and 120 days of f r ost - f r ee weat her t o mat ur e. I t shoul d be sown wher e i t i s t o gr ow because t he pl ant has a t apr oot and doesn' t t r anspl ant wel l af t er i t i s est abl i shed. CARE: A sl ow- gr owi ng pl ant , whi ch t ends t o l i e down, ani se r equi r es con t i nual weedi ng. Pl ant s shoul d be spaced 8 i nches apar t . Thi n out seedl i ngs or pi nch of f at t he gr ound. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves and seeds.
TASTE: Ar omat i c and sweet wi t h a l i cor i ce- l i ke t ast e. Good br ewed wi t h war m mi l k and dr unk j ust bef or e goi ng t o bed. How t o br ew LEAVES, BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaf , or 3 t easpoons of f r esh, cr ushed l eaf , t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . Al l ow t o st eep. SEEDS, BY DECOCTI ON: Cr ush or gr i nd 1 t abl espoon of t he seeds, and add t o 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er . Reduce t emper at ur e and al l ow mi xt ur e t o si mmer gent l y f or 5 t o 10 mi nut es. ---------------Bal m ( Mel i ss a of f i ci nal i s) Ot her names f or t hi s her b ar e Lemon Bal m, Bal m Mi nt , Bl ue Bal m, Cur e- Al l , Dr opsy Pl ant , Honey Pl ant , Mel i ssa, and Sweet Bal m. Bal m i s a symbol of sympat hy and gent l eness. Li nnaeus named i t Mel i ssa, t he Gr eek wor d f or " bee, " because of bees' at t r act i on t o i t . Common i n t he Medi t err anean ar ea and t he Near East , i t i s al so nat ur al i zed i n some par t s of t he Uni t ed St at es, wher e i t gr ows wi l d i n f i el ds and gar dens and al ong r oadsi des. The anci ent s bel i eved bal m t ea woul d ensur e l ong l i f e. I t i s al so t hought t o r el i eve col i c, cramps, br onchi al cat ar r h, dyspepsi a, and some f or ms of ast hma. As a warm i nf usi on, i t i s used f or mi gr ai ne and t oot hache, and f or t he headaches and di zzi ness of pr egnancy. And bal m t ea i s al so sai d t o di spel mel anchol y and sadness. PLANT: Per enni al , har dy t o - 20ºF ( - 29ºC) . The l i ght gr een l eaves ar e heavi l y vei ned, 2 t o 3 i nches l ong, wi t h scal l oped edges. The l eaves are i nt ensel y f r agr ant , wi t h a l emony smel l . Smal l whi t e f l owers gr ow al ong t he st ems, but t hey ar e not numer ous. HEI GHT: 1 I / z t o 4 f eet . SOI L: Medi um- dr y, poor , l i ght sandy soi l i f you don' t want l ot s of spr eadi ng; moi st , r i cher soi l i f you want t o encour age wi de spr eadi ng. EXPOSURE: Sun or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: By roo t di vi si on or cut t i ngs i n spr i ng or f al l . Al so by seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Seeds are vi abl e f or 3 or 4 year s, but t hey t ake 14 t o 21 days t o ger mi nat e. CARE: Space mat ur e pl ant s 18 i nches apar t . Pi nch t ops back t o i ncr ease f ol i age and t o keep f l ower s f r om goi ng t o seed. Keep weeded. I f pl ant s spr ead out t oo much, shear t hem back t o cont ai n t hem. Smal l pl ant s can be t r anspl ant ed. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Lemony, r ef r eshi ng. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: Pi ck l eaves t hat have not set f l ower buds. Do t hi s ear l y i n t he day, whi l e t he l eaves ar e st i l l r i ch wi t h ar omat i c oi l s. Use 2 t easpoons of dr i ed l eaves or 4 t easpoons of cr ushed f r esh l eaves. Pl ace i n a war med por cel ai n pot , pour i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er , and st eep t o t ast e. Can be f l avor ed wi t h sugar , honey, and/ or a t wi st of l emon. ----------------
Basi l ( Oci mum basi l i cum) Basi l , al so known as Common Basi l , St . J osephwor t , and Sweet Basi l , i s f ound wi l d i n t r opi cal and subt r opi cal r egi ons of t he wor l d. I t i s t he f ocus of a cent ur i es- ol d cont r over sy: some at t r i but e evi l power s t o i t , and ot her s hol d i t as an obj ect of sacr ed wors hi p. I t s name, whi ch r hymes wi t h " dazzl e, " der i ves f r om basi l eus, t he Gr eek wor d f or "ki ng, " and i t i s hi ghl y est eemed i n t he East , wher e i t i s pl ant ed out si de Hi ndu t empl es. I n Cr et e, however , basi l i s consi der ed an i l l omen and an agent of t he Devi l . The her b' s usef ul ness i s gener al l y assoc i at ed wi t h t he st omach and r el at ed or gans. Basi l i s bel i eved t o r el i eve st omach cr amps, ent er i t i s, const i pat i on, vomi t i ng, and gast r oi nt est i nal cat ar r h. I t i s al so bel i eved t o pr omot e l act at i on i n nur si ng mot her s. PLANT: Annual . Basi l ' s shi ny gr een l eaves ar e 1 t o 2 i nches l ong, and smal l whi t e f l ower s gr ow i n spi kes at t he ends of t he st ems. HEI GHT: 1 t o 2 f eet . SOI L: Moder at el y ri ch, moi st , wel l - compost ed. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun or semi - shade. PROPAGATI ON: Fr om seeds sown i n l at e spr i ng, dur i ng t he f i r st or s econd l unar phase, at a mi ni mum t emperat ur e of 60ºF ( 15º C) . Germi nat i on i s qui ck, especi al l y at hi gher t emper at ur es. Seedl i ngs t end t o "damp of f " i f pl ant ed t oo t hi ckl y, so sow seed t hi nl y. Al so a l i ght cover i ng of cl ean sand spr i nkl ed over t he soi l wi l l absor b excess moi st ur e. I f you' r e st ar t i ng seeds i ndoor s, use a f ungi ci dal powder di ssol ved i n t he wat er you use t o sat ur at e t he pl ant i ng mi xt ur e. CARE: Don' t t r anspl ant seedl i ngs st ar t ed i ndoor s t o the gar den unt i l t he days and ni ght s ar e war m. Mat ur e pl ant s s houl d be 12 i nches apar t , and t hey shoul d be pi nched back f r equent l y t o pr omot e bushi ness. Al so, pi nch of f f l ower buds t o keep t he pl ant f r om becomi ng t ough. Basi l shoul d not be f er t i l i zed, as i t s f l avor i s l i kel y t o be af f ected . I t ' s a popul ar choi ce f or pl ant i ng near pa t i os because i t s sce nt r epel s f l i es and mosqui t oes. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Spi cy, cl ove- l i ke f l avor . How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: Use 1 t easpoon of dr i ed her b or 3 t easpoons of f r esh, cr ushed her b. Cover wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er and f l avor wi t h honey i f desi r ed. ---------------Bay ( Laur us nobi l i s) Bay i s known by many ot her common names: Laur el , Gr eci an Laur el , I ndi an Bay, Sweet Bay. I t i s an ever gr een bush or t r ee, f ound bot h wi l d and cul t i vat ed ar ound t he Medi t er r anean Sea. I n anci ent Gr eece, l aur el l eaves wer e used t o make cr owns f or Ol ympi c her oes and poet s, and t he t r ee was consi der ed sacr ed t o t he god Apol l o. Bay gr ows wi del y i n t he Paci f i c Nor t hwest and i n ot her war mt emper at ur e and subt r opi cal cl i mat es. I t i s not wi nt er har dy, and i t must be gr own as a pot pl ant i n col der cl i mat es and t aken i ndoor s dur i ng t he col d seasons. Bay t ea i s used as an ast r i ngent , and i t i s sa i d t o ai d di gest i on, r el i eve f l at ul ence, and st i mul at e appet i t e. I t i s al so bel i eved t o pr ot ect t he user f r om wi t chcraf t and t o ease t he pai ns of chi l dbi r t h.
PLANT: Tender, per enni al t r ee wi t h smoot h- barked t r unk, and t hi ck, smoot h, dar k ever gr een l eaves. Whi t i sh f l ower s ar e smal l , gr ow i n cl ust er s, and ar e sel dom seen i n col der cl i mat es. Fl ower s appear i n Apr i l and May and devel op i nt o bl ack, egg- shaped ber r i es. HEI GHT: 3 t o 6 f eet when cul t i vat ed as a pot shr ub. Up t o 30 f eet when gr own out doors i n t emper at e cl i mat e. SOI L: Sandy, wel l - dr ai ned. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun or par t i al shade. Pr ot ect f r om col d wi nds. PROPAGATI ON: By st em cut t i ngs. Take 3- t o 4- i nch- l ong shoot s of hal f - r i pened st ems, and pl ace t hem i n soi l of sand and peat moss i n a shady pl ace out door s. Or , shoot s may be l ayer ed. Al l ow 6 mont hs or mor e f or r oot i ng. Sucker s- shoot s r i si ng f r om a subt er r anean st em or r oot - devel op a good r oot syst em mor e qui ckl y. CARE: I f usi ng as a bush out doors , pl ace pl ant s 4 f eet apar t , and pr une t o desi r ed hei ght . As a pot pl ant , pr une t o pr omot e bushi ness, and br i ng i ndoor s dur i ng col der weat her. Bay gr ows ver y sl owl y, so bay t r ees ar e sel dom i nexpensi ve. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Pungent , al most bi t t er . Can be sweet ened wi t h honey. CAUTI ON: Onl y Laur us nobi l i s and Magnol i a gl auca var i et i es ar e used as f oodst uf f s, and bot h ar e sai d t o have nar cot i c pr oper t i es, so t hey shoul d be used spar i ngl y. Nat i ve l aur el s are p oi sonous and shoul d not be used at al l . How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: Use 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves or 3 t easpoons of f r esh cr ushed l eaves. Cover wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er , and st eep t o t ast e. ---------------Bee Bal m ( Monar da di dyma) Bee Bal m i s known by ot her names: Ber gamot , Oswego Tea, Monar da, Bl ue Bal m, Scar l et Monar da, Hi gh Bal m, Low Bal m, Mount ai n Bal m, and Mount ai n Mi nt . The genus name Monar da honor s t he si xt eent h- cent ur y Spani sh bot ani st and physi ci an Ni col as Monarde s, who wr ot e about medi ci nal and usef ul herbs. Bee bal m i s a t r ue Am wi l and df l ow andbanks, a member nt f am l y.Georgi I t s nat i veTennessee habi t at s ar e moieri st can ar eas ster r eam andofi t t he i s fmiound f r iom a and nor t hwar d and as f ar west as Mi chi gan and Ont ar i o. The r ed- f l ower ed monar da was known t o t he Amer i can I ndi ans and ear l y set t l er s, who made a hot bever age of t he l eaves and f l ower s. I t became a speci al f avor i t e af t er t he Bost on Tea Par t y, si nce i t was t he cl osest t ast e subst i t ut e f or Chi na t ea. Bee bal m i s sa i d t o r el i eve nausea, vomi t i ng, and f l at ul ence. Because i t i s r i ch i n a subst ance cal l ed t hymol , whi ch has a pungent t ast e and odor, t he herb i s use d ext ensi vel y i n moder n medi ci ne and dent i st r y as an aromat i c ant i sept i c. PLANT: Per enni al . I t s har d, squar e, gr ooved st ems have 3- t o 6- i nch r ough, dar k, pai r ed l eaves br anchi ng of f f r om t hem. The del i ght f ul , scar l et , t wo- l i pped f l ower s ar e bel oved by l ong- t ongued bumbl ebees and but t er f l i es but ar e t he despai r of honeybees, who cannot r each t he nect ar deep i n t he f l ower s. Fl ower s bl oom i n sol i t ar y t er mi nal heads, J ul y t o Sept ember . HEI GHT: I t o 3 f eet . SOI L: Moi st , swamp- t ype soi l ; moder at el y aci d. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun or pa r t i al shade.
PROPAGATI ON: By seeds, st em cut t i ngs, or r oot di vi si on. Seeds shoul d be pl ant ed dur i ng t he thi r d l unar phase; r oot di vi si ons sh oul d be made i n t he spr i ng. I f t he pl ant s ar e di vi ded l at er , t hey' r e apt t o wi nt er ki l l . CARE: Mat ur e pl ant s shoul d be spaced 18 i nches apar t . Pl ant s spr ead qui ckl y so t hey shoul d be t aken up every 3 y ears , di vi ded, and r eset . Repl ant onl y t he out si de, newer r oot s; di sca r d exhaust ed cent r al pl ant s. To i ncr ease f l ower si ze, do not l et pl ant s f l ower t he f i r st summer . I n successi ve year s, cut back t he pl ant af t er i t bl ooms, and i t wi l l f l ower agai n i n ear l y aut umn. Lat e i n aut umn, cut down t he st al ks, and cover t he r oot s wi t h enr i ched soi l . PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves, f l ower s. Be sur e t o wash f l ower s wel l i n or der t o f l oat out i nsects l ur ki ng i n t he deep cor ol l as. TASTE: Ar omat i c, mi nt y. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: St eep 1 t easpoon dr i ed l eaves or f l ower s i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er f or 15 mi nut es. St r ai n. Add honey t o f l avor . ---------------Bet ony ( St achys of f i ci nal i s) Pr onounced wi t h emphasi s on t he f i r st syl l abl e, bet ony al so goes by many ot her common names: Lousewor t , Bi shopwor t , Pur pl e Bet ony, and Wood Bet ony. The bot ani cal word f or t hi s her b comes f r om t he Gr eek word st achys, meani ng " spi ke, " because of t he ar r angement of i t s bl ooms. Bet ony i s nat i ve t o open woodl ands and heat hs f r om Scot l and t o t he Medi t er r anean and f r om Spai n t o t he Caucasus. Si r Wi l l i am Hooker s ( t he f i r st di r ect or of t he Royal Bot ani cal Gar dens, Kew, Sur r ey) cl ai med t he Engl i sh name bet ony i s a co r r upt i on of t he Cel t i c wor ds bew ( " head" ) and t on ( " t oni c") ; t he her b' s t ea i s bel i eved t o rel i eve ner vous headaches and t ensi on. Ol der her bal s cl ai m bet ony pur i f i es t he bl ood and i s a f i ne, nat ur al pai nki l l er . I n Eur opean monast er i es, i t was used t o tr eat shor t ness o f br eat h. The Saxons bel i eved chewi ng bet ony l eaves bef or e a par t y woul d pr event dr unkenness , and an i nf usi on was supposed t o pr event bad dr eams. PLANT: Har dy per enni al . The hai r y, unbr anched, or sl i ght l y br anched st ems have opposi t e l eaves t hat ar e obl ong at t he bot t om of t he pl ant and l ance- shaped cl oser t o t he t op. Whor l s of r ed- pur pl e f l ower s bl oom f r om J ul y t o August . The pl ant has a musky odor . HEI GHT: 8 t o 24 i nches. SOI L: Deep, f er t i l e, wel l - dr ai ned. Moder at el y moi st . EXPOSURE: Ful l sun or pa r t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds or " nut l et s" t hat f al l f r ee ar ound t he pl ant ar e sown i n f al l , or i n spr i ng dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Al so by r oot cut t i ngs. CARE: Bet ony i s a sl ow gr ower . The pl ant s may benef i t f r om di vi si on and r epl ant i ng ever y t hi r d or f our t h year . However , i f t hey' r e thri vi ng and bl oomi ng wel l , l eave t hem al one. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Pl easant , war m, ast r i ngent . Sl i ght l y bi t t er , so you may want t o sweet en wi t h honey. How t o br ew
BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaf or 3 t easpoons of cr ushed f r esh l eaf . Pl ace i n a por cel ai n pot , cover wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er , t hen st eep t o tast e. Don' t over i ndul ge - bet ony t ea made f r om f r esh l eaves ca n have a r at her i nt oxi cat i ng ef f ect! ---------------Bi r ch ( Bet ul a al ba) Thi s her b i s al so cal l ed Cher r y Bi r ch, Sweet Bi r ch, or Whi t e Bi r ch. The wor d bi r ch i s sai d t o come f r om t he Sanskr i t bhur ga meani ng " t r ee whose bark i s wr i t t en on. " Bi r ches have l ong been a symbol of t he r et ur n of spr i ng, and sever al speci es ar e f ound t hr oughout cool er part s of t he Nort hern Hemi sphere. Col er i dge cal l ed t he bi r ch "La dy of t he Woods. " The oi l i n bi r ch t ea i s bel i eved t o pur i f y t he bl ood, r el i eve r heumat i sm, and expel wor ms. A st andar d i nf usi on i s used t o t r eat ski n compl ai nt s, i ncl udi ng st ubbor n cases of acne, i t chi ng, and ecz ema. PLANT: A deci duous t r ee. Young bi r ches have dar k bar k; t hey do not devel op t he char act er i st i c whi t e bar k unt i l t hey ar e sever al year s ol d. The t r ee has dr oopi ng br anches, and t he whi t e bark pe el s of f easi l y. The br anches pr oduce cat ki ns cont ai ni ng ei t her mal e or f emal e f l ower s. HEI GHT: To 60 f eet . I t i s a sl ow gr ower . SOI L: Dr y or moi st sandy soi l . EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: Fr om seeds s own i n sandy soi l dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase or by gr een st em cut t i ngs. CARE: I f you buy a t r ee at a nur ser y, be sur e to wat er i t t hor oughl y at l east once a week. Don' t l et t he soi l become dr y because wat er al l ows t he r oot s t o t ake up moi st ur e and send out new gr owt h. Bi r ches i mpr ove soi l , r est ori ng f er t i l i t y to b ar r en ar eas. However , i n t he f or est, t hey ar e f er t i l i zed by ri ch or gani c mat er i al t hat i s co nst ant l y r epl eni shed by humus f r om decayi ng l eaves. To make up f or t hi s l ack of soi l f er t i l i t y i n a gar den si t uat i on, and t o ensur e moi st ur e, t he t r ee shoul d be mul ched wi t h l eaf compost . Ever y 2 or 3 year s, i t shoul d be f er t i l i zed wi t h a sol ut i on of ni t r at es, phosphat es, and pot ash. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves, t wi gs, or bar k. TASTE: Li ke wi nt er gr een i n f l avor , ver y ar omat i c. Bi r ch t ea can be sweet ened wi t h honey. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: I f usi ng l eaves, 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves, or 3 t easpoons of cr ushed f r esh l eaves, t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. I f you' r e usi ng t wi gs or bar k, measur e 3 t easpoons of f r esh or dr i ed her b, cr ush i t , and al l ow mor e t i me f or st eepi ng, so oi l s can be r el eased f r om t he t ougher f i ber . ---------------Bl ackber r y ( Rubus speci es) Common names f or t hi s her b al so i ncl ude Br ambl eber r y, Cl oudber r y, Dewber r y, Gout berr y and Thi mbl eberr y. One bot ani st t er med t he bl ackberr y "t he pl ant of Venus i n Ar i es, " and sai d, "I f any ask t he rea son why Venus i s so p r i ckl y, t el l t hem ' t i s because she i s i n t he house of Mar s. " Bl ackber r y bushes are f ound
wor l dwi de and ar e of t en cul t i vat ed. Rubus vi l l osus, t he t ype of pl ant most commonl y used f or t ea, i s a s hr ubby vi ne f ound wi l d i n hedger ows, woodl ands, and by st r eams. The t anni c qual i t i es of t he l eaves have made i t a l ong- st andi ng home r emedy f or di ar r hea. The t ea i s bel i eved t o r el i eve i nf l ammat i on of t he i nt est i nes and cat ar r hal di sor der s, and i t i s popul ar l y used as an ast r i ngent or t oni c. Ot her s f eel i t hel ps t o pur i f y of f ensi ve sal i va, cool t he bl ood, and cur e anemi a and gener al debi l i t y. PLANT: A t ender per enni al . I t i s di sti ngui shed by i t s sl ender , t r ai l i ng, pr i ckl y br anches and l eaves cover ed wi t h f i ne hai r s. The I - i nch br oad, whi t e, r ose- f or m f l ower s appear f r om May t o J ul y, f ol l owed by bi g, j ui cy, bl ack f r ui t s f avor i t es f or eat i ng and f or maki ng wi ne and br andy. HEI GHT: The shr ub ( not count i ng t he l ong t r ai l er s) gr ows f r om 3 t o 6 f eet . SOI L: Dr y, sandy. EXPOSURE: Di r ect sun, or pa r t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase, st em cut t i ngs, or r oot cut t i ngs. I t can al so be pr opagat ed by l ayer i ng. CARE: Space pl ant s 3 t o 5 f eet apar t al ong r ows t hat are 6 f eet apart . I n nor t her n ar eas pr ot ect wi t h l eaves or soi l i n col d weat her . Keep wel l pr uned f or good ber r y yi el d and a mor e compact pl ant . Rubus f l ower s appear on t he wood of second- year gr owt h. ( Fi r st - year st ems are st er i l e. ) Remove ol d canes af t er t he f r ui t has been har vest ed. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Tangy and pl easant wi t h a cool , r ef r eshi ng af t er t ast e. Commonl y sweet ened wi t h honey. A f avor i t e combi nat i on i s equal par t s of t he l eaves of bl ackber r y, st r awber r y, and woodr uf f . How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: Cover 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh l eaves, wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. ---------------Bor age ( Bor ago of f i ci nal i s) Pr onounced t o r hyme wi t h "por r i dge, " bor age i s al so commonl y cal l ed Bur r age and Common Bugl oss. Bor age gr ows wi l d i n t he Medi t er r anean count r i es. I t once had a r eput at i on f or di spel l i ng mel anchol y and gi vi ng cour age, so t he anci ent Gr eeks put i t i nt o t hei r wi ne. I t i s al so bel i eved t o have some cal mi ng ef f ect s, usef ul f or t r eat ment of ner vous co ndi t i ons, and t he l eaves are sa i d t o st i mul at e l act at i on i n nur si ng mot her s. Bor age i s t hought good f or r educi ng f ever and r est or i ng vi t al i t y dur i ng r ecover y f r om i l l ness. Because i t enhances per spi r at i on, i t i s al so cred i t ed wi t h some ant i dot al ef f ect agai nst poi sons. Ast r ol oger s pl ace bor age under J upi t er ' s r eal m and under t he zodi ac si gn of Leo, t he l i on. PLANT: Annual . Bor age i s a sp r eadi ng, br anched pl ant cover ed wi t h sharp, whi t i sh br i st l es. The l eaves are o val or obl ong, and bl ue f l ower s wi t h dar k ant her s nod downwar d i n l eaf y cl ust er s at t he t i ps of t he st ems. Bor age i s i deal pl ant ed i n bor der s and i n cont ai ners where i t s l ovel y f l owers can be seen cl ose up. HEI GHT: I t o 3 f eet . SOI L: Dr y, somewhat poor .
EXPOSURE: Sun or f i l t er ed shade. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds pl ant ed i n spr i ng dur i ng t he f i r st or second l unar phase. They ger mi nat e qui ckl y. Bor age sel f seeds easi l y, and i t can become a pest i n mi l d cl i mat es. CARE: The pl ant s t ake up a l ot of r oom. Because t hey have a t apr oot , t hey don' t t r anspl ant wel l . They shoul d be pl aced at l east 1 f oot apar t or t hi nned. Pl ant i ng t hem near t omat oes i s sai d t o cont r ol t omat o wor ms. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves, f l ower s. TASTE: Pl easant , cucumber - l i ke. Some say i t i s cool i ng, ot her s t hat i t ' s spi cy hot . Tr y i t your sel f t o j udge. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: t easpoons of pl ant s, when hel p r el ease
1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves and/ or f l owers or , pr ef er abl y, 3 f r esh her b gat hered i n t he morni ng j ust af t er t he dew i s of f t he t he oi l s ar e st r ongest . Cr ush t he f r esh her b wi t h a cl ean cl ot h t o ar omat i c oi l s. Add 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er , and st eep t o t ast e.
---------------Bur net ( Sangui sor ba mi nor or Po t eri um sangui sor ba) Bur net i s pr onounced wi t h emphasi s on t he f i r st syl l abl e. There' s some conf usi on about t hi s her b, wi t h many bot ani st s r ef er r i ng t o t wo cousi ns, Sal ad Bur net an d Gar den Bur net , by t he same names. Bot h var i et i es have been val ued f or t hei r heal i ng qual i t i es. Gr owi ng i n shel t er ed val l eys i n Eur ope, Nor t h Amer i ca, and Asi a, bur ner i s su pposed t o sl ow t he f l ow of i nt er nal and ext er nal bl eedi ng, and l egend says Ki ng Csaba of Hungar y used i t t o hel p heal t he wounds of 15, 000 sol di er s af t er a gr eat bat t l e. Bur net t ea i s al so rep ut ed t o have been dr unk by Ameri can sol di er s dur i ng t he Revol ut i onary War on ni ght s bef ore t hey were t o ent er bat t l e t o hel p keep t hem f r om bl eedi ng t o deat h i f t hey wer e wounded. The her b i s al so bel i eved t o be an ai d i n r el i evi ng dysent er y. At one t i me, i t was used t o f l avor wi ne. PLANT: Per enni al , har dy t o - 30ºF ( - 34ºC) . Bur net has smal l , near l y ever gr een, com pound tl e eaves consi of sever al pai shar pl y clser r at eaftl he et sends set i n opposi pai r ts hat al ong t hest l eaf st al ks. Ther sf lof ower s are ust ered ed l at of st ems r i si ng above t he l eaves. They are t i ny, t hi mbl e- shaped, and deep r ed or pur pl e i n col or . HEI GHT: 1 t o 2 f eet . SOI L: Aver age, wel l - dr ai ned, sandy or chal ky. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds pl ant ed 1/ z i nch deep dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase i n f al l , as so on as t hey ar e ri pe, or dur i ng t he thi r d l unar phase i n ear l y spr i ng. Ger mi nat i on i s sl ow. The pl ant sel f - sows f r eel y, and seedl i ngs can be moved when smal l . Once est abl i shed, bur net can al so be pr opagat ed by r oot di vi si on. CARE: Pl ace pl ant s 12 i nches apar t . They make an at t r act i ve gr ound cover , and cont i nue t o suppl y gr eens i f t he f l ower st ems and l eaves ar e cont i nual l y cut back. Bur net begi ns gr owi ng i n Mar ch and can be har vest ed unt i l af t er t he f i r st snowf al l . I t s abi l i t y t o r emai n gr een t hr oughout t he wi nt er , even when gr owi ng i n poor soi l , at one t i me made bur net a popul ar f odder pl ant i n Gr eat Br i t ai n. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves.
TASTE: Cucumber - l i ke ( si mi l ar t o bor age) i f f r esh, new l eaves ar e used; l ess cucumber - l i ke and nut t i er i f l eaves have been dr i ed. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves, or 1 t abl espoon of f r esh cr ushed l eaves, st eeped i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . ---------------Car away ( Car um car vi ) Of t en cal l ed by i t s Ger man name, Kummel or Kuemmel , t hi s pl ant ' s cr escent - shaped seeds ar e r eput ed t o st r engt hen t he memor y and t o pr event l over s f r om bei ng f i ckl e. The anci ent Gr eeks pr escr i bed car away t ea f or pal e young gi r l s, i n t he bel i ef i t woul d br i ng col or t o t hei r cheeks. Car away se eds f l avor kummel l i queur s, whi ch many peopl e make t hemsel ves by st eepi ng 2 t abl espoons of cr ushed car away seeds and 1 cup of powder ed sugar i n 1 pi nt of br andy. Thi s mi xt ur e i s shaken dai l y f or a week, af t er whi ch i t i s st r ai ned and used. Car away t ea i s bel i eved t o st i mul at e appet i t e and di gest i on, t o pr omot e t he onset of menst r uat i on, t o r el i eve ut er i ne cr amps, and t o i ncr ease l act at i on. I t has al so been used f or f l at ul ent col i c i n i nf ant s and as a st omach set t l er f or t hose who have t aken nauseous medi ci nes. PLANT: Bi enni al , har dy t o - 30ºF ( - 34 ºC) . I t has del i cat e, l acy f ol i age, si mi l ar t o t hat of t he car r ot , whi ch gr ows on a hol l ow st em. The whi t e car r ot shaped r oot i s somet i mes eat en as a veget abl e. Fl at , umbr el l a- l i ke cl ust er s of gr eeni sh- whi t e f l ower s appear i n May and J une on st ems t hat r i se above t he f ol i age. The seeds ( f r ui t ) ar e dar k br own, obl ong, and f l at t ened, and t hey must be gat hered af t er t hey have r i pened but bef ore t hey f al l t o t he gr ound. HEI GHT: 2 f eet . SOI L: Neut r al , wel l - dr ai ned. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds, pl ant ed 1/ 4 i nch deep dur i ng t he t hi r d or f our t h l unar phase i n f al l or sp r i ng. Ger mi nat i on i s s l ow. Fal l pl ant i ng wi l l yi el d pl ant s t he f ol l owi ng year . Spr i ng pl ant i ng wi l l del ay seed f or mat i on unt i l t he second year . CARE: Keep pl ant s 8 i nches apar t . The seeds r i pen unevenl y, and car e must be t aken t o har vest t hem r egul ar l y. I n col d cl i mat es, pr ot ect t he pl ant s wi t h mul ch i n wi nt er. PART USED FOR TEA: Seeds. TASTE: War m, sweet , bi t i ng. How t o br ew SEEDS, BY I NFUSI ON: Gr i nd or cr ush 1 t easpoon of seed. Cover wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. SEEDS, BY DECOCTI ON: Use 2 t easpoons of gr ound or cr ushed seeds t o 1 cup of wat er . Boi l br i ef l y, t hen cover and st eep f or 10 mi nut es. St r ai n. ---------------Cat ni p ( Nepet a cat ar i a)
Somet i mes cal l ed Cat mi nt , Cat nep, Cat r up, Cat swort , Fi el d Bal m, and Ni p, t hi s her b, as we al l know, i s i r r esi sti bl e t o cat s. They wi l l sear ch i t out , r ol l over an d over i n i t , and ecst at i cal l y spr ead i t ever ywher e. A member of t he mi nt f ami l y, cat ni p, when br ewed i n t ea, i s t hought t o rel i eve upset st omachs, br onchi t i s, col i c, spasms, f l at ul ence, and aci di t y. I t has al so been used t o t r eat hyst er i a, nervou sness, and headaches, and as an enema. Or i gi nal l y nat i ve t o Eur ope, cat ni p i s now f ound wi l d i n many part s of t he Uni t ed St at es. PLANT: Per enni al , har dy t o - 30ºF ( - 34ºC) . I t s erec t , squar e, br anchi ng st em i s hai r y, wi t h poi nt ed scal l oped l eaves t hat have gr ay or whi t i sh hai r s on t he l ower si de. Fl ower s ar e whi t e wi t h pur pl e spot s, and gr ow i n spi kes f r om J une t o Sept ember . The pl ant ' s odor i s mi nt - l i ke, bi t t er , and pungent . HEI GHT: 2 t o 3 f eet . SOI L: Moi st,
r i ch.
EXPOSURE: Sun or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: Sow seeds 1/ 4 i nch deep i n spri ng or f al l , dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Pl ant s wi l l sel f - sow. They can al so be r epr oduced by roo t cut t i ngs, st em cut t i ngs, and l ayer i ng. CARE: Thi n pl ant s t o 12 i nches apar t . They t end t o become scr aggl y, so cut back af t er t hey f l ower t o keep t hem l ooki ng neat , and t o pr event t hem f r om spr eadi ng. I f t her e ar e cat s ar ound, you' l l want t o pr ot ect young seedl i ngs unt i l t hey ar e l ar ge enough t o r esi st damage by ent husi ast i c f el i nes who rol l i n and eat t hem. I t ' s sa i d cat s won' t t r oubl e a seeded bed, but wi l l go f or t r anspl ant ed seedl i ngs. Most gr ower s, however , mai nt ai n t hat t hei r cat s don' t seem t o sense t he di st i nct i on and get t o t he cat ni p no mat t er how i t has been pl ant ed. Cul t i vat ed near eggpl ant , t omat oes, t ur ni ps, and/ or r adi shes, cat ni p i s sa i d t o di scour age th e f l ea beet l es t hat at t ack t hese pl ant s. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Ar omat i c, mi nt y. CAUTI has been t edi al kcii nal n som quar t er st t bel hat i eves cat ni tphat t eacat shoul be ai drns unka spar i ON: ngl y.Ther At el east one m - pleant exper ni p dcont hal l uci nogeni c subst ance t hat af f ect s humans as wel l as cat s. The Food and Dr ug Admi ni st r at i on, however , does not i ncl ude cat ni p on i t s "h i t l i st . " How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: Use 1 t easpoon of dr i ed her b, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh her b, wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . Make sure t he mi xt ur e i s st eeped onl y and not al l owed t o boi l . ---------------Chamomi l e ( Ant hemi s nobi l i s) Ot her names f or Ant hemi s nobi l i s i ncl ude Roman Chamomi l e, Gar den Chamomi l e, Gr ound Appl e, Low Chamomi l e, Whi g Pl ant , Manzani l l a, and Mayt hen. Roman or Engl i sh chamomi l e i s t he pl ant most of t en used i n herb g arde ns. I t i s t he embl em of t he sweet ness of humi l i t y. Pr onounced " kamomeel , " t he wor d chamomi l e comes f r om t he Gr eek kamai , meani ng "on t he gr ound, " and mel on, meani ng "appl e, " f or gr ound appl e. The Spani sh wor d, manzani l l a, al so means " l i t t l e appl e. " When br ui sed or wal ked on, chamomi l e pr oduces a del i ght f ul appl e- l i ke odor , maki ng i t
one of t he ol dest f avor i t es among her bs. Shakespear e' s Fal st af f sai d of i t , "The mor e i t i s t r odden on, t he f ast er i t gr ows, yet yout h t he mor e i t i s wast ed, t he sooner i t wear s. " Thi s, per haps, der i ves f r om t he anci ent Egypt i an bel i ef t hat chamomi l e pr event ed agi ng. Tea pr epar ed f r om t he f l ower s i s t hought t o be a moder at e sedat i ve. I t i s al so soot hi ng f or i ndi gest i on and good f or f l at ul ent col i c, f ever , and r estl essn ess i n chi l dr en. PLANT: Per enni al , har dy t o - 26ºF ( - 29ºC) . An ever gr een, i t s aromat i c l eaves ar e l i ght , br i ght gr een, and f i nel y cut . Chamomi l e i s f ound wi l d i n dr y f i el ds and ar ound gar dens and cul t i vat ed gr ounds. The sol i t ar y t er mi nal dai sy- l i ke f l ower heads wi t h t hei r yel l ow, di sc-l i ke cent er s and si l ver whi t e pet al s, r i se above t he pl ant i n J une and J ul y. HEI GHT: 3 t o 12 i nches. SOI L: Moi st,
wel l - dr ai ned soi l .
EXPOSURE: Sun or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds or r oot di vi si on. Sow seeds 1/ 4 i nch deep i n spr i ng or f al l dur i ng t he thi r d l unar phase. The seeds, however , ar e sl ow t o ger mi nat e. You can al so t ake r oot di vi si ons or r oot ed pi eces of f est abl i shed pl ant s and r epl ant t hese. CARE: Pl ant s s houl d be 6 i nches apart , i n a cl ean, weed f r ee ar ea. Chamomi l e i s a cr eepi ng her b, and t he st ems r oot t hemsel ves as t hey spr ead. When mowed, chamomi l e makes a good l awn subst i t ut e. I t can al so be used as a gr ound cover . I n reg i ons wi t h dr y, hot summer s, i t di es and must be est abl i shed agai n by r epl ant i ng. PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s. TASTE: Li ght , appl e- l i ke. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 1 t abl espoon of f r esh f l owers or 2 t easpoons of dr i ed f l ower s t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep f or 1/ z hour or t o t ast e. ---------------Chr ysant hemum ( Chr ysant hemum speci es) The name chr ysant hemum comes f r om t he Gr eek wor ds chr ysos, meani ng " gol d, " and ant hos, meani ng "f l ower . " Nat i ve t o Chi na, t he or i gi nal wi l d, del i cat e whi t e or yel l ow bl osso ms were a bout t he si ze of a di me bef ore h ybr i di zat i on and sel ect i ve cul t i vat i on made possi bl e t he many showy var i et i es we associ at e wi t h t he pl ant t oday. Cul t i vat i on of t he chr ysant hemum began mor e t han 2, 000 year s ago i n Chi na, wher e i t i s co nsi der ed t he f l ower of i mmor t al i t y. Tea made f r om dr i ed f l ower s was ser ved t o Chi nese emper or s, and t oday t he best gr ade t ea f l ower s go f or as much as $30 a pound. The chr ysant hemum i s al so t he i mper i al embl em of J apan. The f l ower was not i nt r oduced i nt o Eur ope unt i l t he mi ddl e of t he ei ght eent h cent ur y. I t was br ought t o Amer i ca i n 1798. The Chi nese and J apanese cul t i vat ed t he per enni al var i et i es, and i t i s t hese t hat ar e used f or t ea. PLANT: Per enni al . The pl ant has er ect , usual l y hi ghl y br anched st ems. Leaves ar e al t er nat e, l obed, and t oot hed or somet i mes smoot h- edged. Fl ower s appear on st em ends i n l at e summer and consi st of many f l or et s, some of whi ch ar e di sc f l or et s l i ke t hose t hat compose t he eyes of dai si es. These are general l y enci r cl ed by a r ow of t oot hed or t oot hl ess p et al l i ke r ay f l or et s. The f r ui t s ar e har d and oneseeded.
HEI GHT: Fr om l ess t han 1 f oot t o 5 f eet , dependi ng on var i et y. SOI L: Sandy, wel l - dr ai ned, r i ch. EXPOSURE: Ful l or par t i al sun. PROPAGATI ON: Sow seed i ndoor s, and pl ace seedl i ngs out si de when danger of f r ost has passe d. Root di vi si ons i n spr i ng. Al so cut t i ngs t aken i n f al l and r oot ed i ndoor s f or out door pl ant i ng i n spr i ng. The soi l ar ound r oot s sh oul d be f i r m. CARE: Space pl ant s f r om 1 f oot apar t t o 3 f eet or more, dependi ng on t he var i et y. The usual har dy " mum" f or gar den cul t i vat i on shoul d be kept pi nched back t o about 6 i nches unt i l t he mi ddl e or end of J ul y. Thi s pr omot es bushi ness a nd f l ower i ng. Al so, wat ch out f or nemat odes. Pl ant mar i gol ds near t he mums; a chemi cal exuded f r om mar i gol d r oot s keeps nemat odes away. Cut t he pl ant s down t o 9 i nches af t er t hey have f l ower ed. Fer t i l i ze wi t h manur e f r om t i me t o t i me. PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s. For a sweet t ea, use onl y pet al s. TASTE: Tangy, ar omat i c, si mi l ar t o t he t ast e of ar t i choke hear t s. Sweet en wi t h honey or sugar . How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: Cover 2 t easpoons of dr i ed pet al s, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh pet al s, wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . Cover , and st eep t o t ast e. ---------------Ci cel y (Myrr hi s odor at a) Pron ounced l i ke "Si ci l y, " t hi s her b goes by ot her names as wel l : Sweet Ci cel y, Myr r h Fl ower , Sweet Chervi l , Ani se Fe r n, and Shepher d' s Needl e. Thr oughout Eur ope, ci cel y i s f ound i n hedges, on t he edges of woods, and on mount ai nsi des. I t s bot ani cal name, Myr r hi s, comes f r om t he Gr eek and means " per f ume. " However , t hough t he pl ant i s st r ongl y sc ent ed, t her e i s no r ecor ded hi st or y of i t s bei ng used f or i t s scen t . Ol d her bal s do ment i on t hat ci cel y l eaves can enhance a sal ad. Medi ci nal l y, i t i s bel i eved t o be a gener al t oni c and appet i t e st i mul ant , and i s c onsi der ed y l axat i ve.decoct I t i si on al so ul adm i n itni r eat i ng coughs. I n anci ent mit li dl mes, a r oot boi bel l edi eved i n wi hel ne pf was st er ed i n case of bi t es by poi sonous snakes, spi der s, and mad dogs. PLANT: Har dy per enni al , t o - 20ºF ( - 29ºC) . The l ong, t hi ck roo t s sen d up l acy, del i cat e, gr een l eaves wi t h f i nel y cut pai r s of l eaf l et s r esembl i ng t hose of a f er n or t ansy. Whi t e f l ower s, whi ch appear i n l at e May and ear l y J une, ar e f ol l owed by dar k br own seeds about 1 i nch l ong. HEI GHT: 2 t o 3 f eet . SOI L: Ri ch, moi st , wel l - dr ai ned. EXPOSURE: Shade or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed i n aut umn dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase, whi l e t hey are st i l l f r esh. The seeds t ake up t o 8 mont hs t o germi nat e, pr oduci ng seedl i ngs by t he f ol l owi ng spr i ng. The pl ant sel f - sows f r eel y. Root s of mat ur e pl ant s can be di vi ded i n f al l or ear l y spr i ng. CARE: Tr anspl ant seedl i ngs t o t hei r per manent posi t i ons i n
spr i ng, spaci ng t hem 2 f eet apar t . Ci cel y i s a good pl ant f or a shady f l ower gar den. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Sweet , ani se- l i ke. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh l eaves, t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. ---------------Cl over ( Tr i f ol i um Pr at ense) Cl over goes by many ot her names: Red Cl over , Wi l d Cl over , Br oad- l eaf ed Cl over , and Pur pl e Cl over . I n anci ent t i mes, i t was bel i eved t hat t hose who car r i ed a t r i pl e- l eaf cl over shoul d be abl e t o det ect wi t ches, sor cer er s, and good f ai r i es. Chr i st i ans t hought t he t hr ee- part l eaf a symbol of t he Tr i ni t y and desi gned many of t hei r chur ches and chur ch wi ndows i n t hat shape. The bl ossoms ar e bel i eved t o be a cough r emedy. The t ea i s al so bel i eved t o st i mul at e t he l i ver and gal l bl adder, and peopl e wi t h const i pat i on or a sl uggi sh appet i t e have been advi sed t o t ake i t i n some cases. Chi l dr en pl uck t he bl osso ms and suck t he sweet j ui ce out of t hem, and i n Shakespeare' s t i me t he f l owers wer e cal l ed " honey st al ks" because t hey wer e l i ked so much by bees. Cl over i s f ound t hr oughout meadows al l over Nor t h Amer i ca and Eur ope. PLANT: Shor t - l i ved per enni al , r egar ded as an annual or a bi enni al as a r esul t . The t r i f ol i at e l eaves spr i ng upwar d f r om t he r oot on l ong r eddi sh st ems cover ed wi t h cl ose- pr esse d whi t i sh hai r s. Pi nk, pur pl e, or r ed f l ower heads bl oom i n J ul y and August . HEI GHT: To 2 f eet . SOI L: Moder at e f er t i l i t y. Neut r al or al kal i ne. EXPOSURE: Sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds sown i n spr i ng, or i n l at e summer and f al l f or t he f ol l owi ng spri ng. Cl over i s of t en used as a cover cr op by f ar mers , so seeds can usual l y be f ound t hr ough f ar m seed- suppl y st or es. CARE: Space 8 i nches apar t . Easy car e; t hr i ves i n common gar den soi l . Good i n r ock gar dens. PART USED FOR TEA: Bl ossoms, usual l y dr i ed. Ai r - dr yi ng r at her t han oven- dr yi ng i s r ecommended. TASTE: Del i cat e, sweet . How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: Add 1 t easpoonf ul of t he dr i ed f l ower i ng t ops, cut smal l , t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. Cl over t ea i s good wi t h some dr i ed r ose hi ps, l emon, wi l d mi nt , or , of cour se, cl over honey. ---------------Col t sf oot ( Tussi l ago f ar f ar a) Common names f or t hi s her b i ncl ude Br i t i sh Tobacco, Bul l sf oot , But t er bur , Coughwor t , Fl ower Vel ur e, Foal ' s Foot , Hor se Foot , Hor se Hoof , Bul l ' s Foot , Gi nger Root , Donnhove, and Fi l i us Ant e Pat r em. Nat i ve t o Eur ope and Asi a, but nat ur al i zed el sewher e, i ncl udi ng t he Uni t ed St at es, col t sf oot i s f ound i n past ur es, al ong st r eam banks, and on embankment s. I n t he ei ght eent h cent ur y, col t sf oot pa ncakes wer e a popul ar del i cacy, part i cul ar l y on Shr ove Tuesday. A f ew t abl espoons of dr i ed l eaves wer e soaked i n wat er f or about 5 mi nut es, dr ai ned, and added t o t he pancake bat t er . Col t sf oot t ea i s bel i eved t o be a
cough r emedy and t o r el i eve cases of br onchi al cat ar r h, br eat hi ng passa ges. Her bal i st s as f ar back as Pl i ny and as t he best her b f or l ung and t hor aci c compl ai nt s. I n ti i t was al so smoked. The her b i s r i ch i n cal ci um, pot assi C.
hoars eness, and cl ogged Di oscor i des r egar ded i t mes of t obacco shor t ages, um, sul f ur , and vi t ami n
PLANT: Per enni al . Br i ght yel l ow f l ower s appear on sca l y, bar e st al ks. When t he f l ower s have bl oomed, t he pl ant sends up l ong- st emmed, hoof - shaped, ser r at ed l eaves, whi ch ar e wool l y whi t e on t he unders i de. Thi s unusual gr owi ng pat t er n gave col t sf oot i t s Lat i n name, f i l i us ant e pat r em, or "son bef or e f at her . " HEI GHT: Less t han 1 f oot . SOI L: Damp, l i my. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase, or by r oot di vi si on. CARE: Space mat ur e pl ant s 6 t o 8 i nches apar t , but wat ch t hem, or t hey' l l spr ead wi del y. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves and f l ower s. TASTE: Fr agr ant , st r ong, somewhat l i ke sweet pot at oes. How t o br ew LEAVES OR FLOWERS, BY I NFUSI ON: Bl oss oms shoul d be col l ect ed as soon as t hey open, l eaves when t hey r each f ul l si ze. Use 1 t easpoon of dr i ed, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh, l eaves or f l ower s. St eep t hem i n boi l i ng wat er f or 30 mi nut es. The tea i s especi al l y good when br ewed wi t h hor ehound or mar shmal l ow. LEAVES, BY DECOCTI ON: For col ds and ast hma, 1 ounce of dr i ed l eaves i n 1 quar t of wat er , boi l ed down t o 1 pi nt . St r ai n, and sweet en wi t h honey. ---------------Comf r ey ( Symphyt um of f i ci nal e) Some common names f or t hi s pl ant ar e Heal i ng Her b, Bl ackwor t , Kni t bone, Wal l wor t , Kni t back, Consound, Ass Ear , Yal l uc, Boneset , Gum Pl ant , Br ui sewor t , Sl i pper y Root , Sal si f y, and Common Comf r ey. I n t he Mi ddl e Ages, comf r ey was used mai nl y as a poul t i ce bel i eved t o heal - hence i t s names " boneset " and " br ui sewor t . " The Cr usader s bel i eved i t woul d r epai r br oken bones and bat t ered bodi es. A r oot st ock decoct i on i s bel i eved t o make good gargl e f or hoar seness, i nf l ammat i on of t he t hr oat , and bl eedi ng gums. As a t ea, i t i s al so consi der ed benef i ci al f or di gest i ve and st omach pr obl ems, excessi ve menst r ual f l ow, and i nt est i nal di f fi cul ti es. PLANT: Per enni al . Har dy t o - 40ºF ( - 40ºC) . The j ui cy r oot i s bl ack out si de, f l eshy and whi t e i nsi de, and of t en gr ows t o 1 f oot i n l engt h and 1 i nch i n di amet er . The st em i s hol l ow, angul ar , and hai r y. Lar ge, obl ong l ower l eaves- up t o 10 i nches l ong- r esembl e a donkey' s ear s, gi vi ng t he pl ant one common name: " ass ea r . " Leaves get smal l er t he hi gher up on t he pl ant t hey ar e. Whi t e, pi nk, or pal e pur pl e bel l - l i ke f l ower s hang i n cl ust er s, appear i ng i n Apr i l or May, and cont i nui ng t o f l ower unt i l t he f i r st f r ost . The pl ant has a medi ci nal smel l . HEI GHT: To 3 f eet . SOI L: Moi st , any t ype.
EXPOSURE: Sun or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: By seed pl ant ed i n f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d or f our t h l unar phase, or by ro ot di vi si on. I t i s a di f f i cul t pl ant t o erad i cat e; l i ke horse r adi sh, i t s r oot s pr oduce new pl ant s f r om any sl i ver l ef t i n t he gr ound. CARE: Wat er r egul ar l y. Space 3 f eet apar t , and keep weeded. PART USED FOR TEA: Root s and l eaves. TASTE: Sl i ght l y bi t t er . Lemon bal m, appl e mi nt , or ho ney ar e usual l y used t o sweet en. How t o br ew ROOTS OR LEAVES, BY I NFUSI ON: Use 2 t easpoons of gr ound or cr ushed r oot st ock i n 1/ z cu p of boi l i ng wat er , or 1 t easpoon dr i ed ( 3 t easpoons f r esh) l eaves i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. The roo t s can al so be br ewed wi t h an equal par t of dandel i on roo t t o make an her bal " cof f ee. " ROOTS, BY DECOCTI ON: Boi l 2 t easpoons of cr ushed or gr ound r oot st ock i n 1 cup of wat er . ---------------Dandel i on ( Tar axacum of f i ci nal e) Ot her popul ar na mes f or t hi s wi despr ead pl ant ar e Pr i est ' s Cr own, Swi ne' s Snout , Bl owbal l , Canker wor t , Li on' s Toot h, Whi t e Endi ve, Dent - de- Li on, Wet - a- Bed. Consi der ed a weed by f ar mer s and gar dener s, i t i s f ound t hr oughout t he Nor t her n Hemi sphere, gr owi ng i n meadows, f i el ds, di t ches, and t he most f ast i di ous gar dener ' s l awn. The name dandel i on ar ose f r om t he pl ant ' s deepl y i nci sed l eaves. I n Fren ch, dent de l i on means " l i on' s t oot h. " Dandel i on t ea i s sa i d t o hel p pr event and expel ki dney st ones, and i t i s al so take n t o st i mul at e l i ver and gal l - bl adder acti vi t y. The r oot i s bel i eved t o af f ect al l f or ms of secreti on and excr et i on f r om t he body, r emovi ng poi sons, and act i ng as a t oni c and st i mul ant as wel l . Dandel i on t ea i s al so bel i eved t o al l evi at e r heumat i sm. PLANT: Per enni al . The st ake- l i ke, mi l ky r oot bor es deep i nt o t he ear t h. Ser r at ed l eaves gr ow i n a r oset t e f r om t hi s t apr oot . I n spr i ng and f al l one or mor e hol l ow naked f l ower st ems cul mi nat e i n a si ngl e composi t e gol den f l ower head. The fdel amii lght i ar ofpufchi f bal of seeds t t edsoar wi t hi fnuzzy e par achut e tt uf t s blarow e ton he l drl en, who watout chf ti hem al l w dihir tect i ons when hey t hem. HEI GHT: Less t han 1 f oot . SOI L: Dr y or wet , poor or r i ch ( t o t he gar dener ' s di smay) . EXPOSURE: Sun, par t i al shade, or shade. PROPAGATI ON: Seed. I n some ar eas, dandel i ons ar e speci al l y cul t i vat ed f or t he r oot s or sal ad gr eens. But most of us know a near by f i el d or gar den wher e t hey can be had f or t he aski ng. I f you' r e gr owi ng dandel i ons wi t t i ngl y, however , you may want t o pl ant t hem i n r ows ( as t hey ar e pl ant ed when cul t i vat ed) , so you can keep t hem weeded. Thi s i s a most r ewar di ng pl ant t o tr y t o gr ow, si nce f ai l ur e i s al most i mpossi bl e. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves and r oot . The l eaves s houl d be gat her ed when young and t ender . TASTE: The l eaf has a r obust , gr ass y ar oma and a bl and t ast e. I t i s good when bl ended wi t h mi nt , or when ser ved col d.
The r oot i s bi t t er , wi t h a cof f ee- l i ke t ast e. Roast ed and mi xed wi t h gr ound chi cor y, i t i s so met i mes used as a caf f ei ne- f r ee cof f ee subst i t ut e. How t o br ew LEAVES, BY I NFUSI ON: St eep 1 t easpoon of dr i ed, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh, l eaves i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . Or t ake 2 t easpoons of l eaves and r oot , and st eep t o t ast e i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . ROOTS, BY DECOCTI ON: 4 ounces of f r esh r oot or 1 ounce of dr i ed r oot br ui sed or gr ound, and pl aced i n 2 pi nt s of wat er . Boi l down t o 1 pi nt , and st r ai n. ---------------Di l l ( Anet hum gr aveol ens) Di l l , whose ot her names are Di l l weed, Di l l y, and Gar den Di l l , r ecei ved i t s name f r om t he Nor se wor d di l l a, whi ch means "t o l ul l . " Magi ci ans used i t t o cast and war d of f spel l s. I t was ca l l ed t he "meet i ng- house se ed" by Amer i can col oni st s, who ni bbl ed i t t o pr event hunger whi l e t hey spent l ong hour s i n chur ch. Dur i ng t he Mi ddl e Ages, a bi t of di l l dr unk i n wi ne was bel i eved t o enhance passi on. Di l l t ea i s a popul ar r emedy f or an upset st omach, and i t i s al so used to st i mul at e t he appet i t e. A decoct i on of t he seed i s sai d t o over come i nsomni a and pai ns caused by f l at ul ence. Chewi ng t he seeds i s t hought t o get r i d of hal i t osi s. Nat i ve t o west er n Asi a, di l l now gr ows weedi l y i n t he gr ai n f i el ds of Spai n, Por t ugal , and I t al y. PLANT: A har dy annual , somet i mes cl assed as a bi enni al . I t s si ngl e r ound st al k has sh i ny gr een f eat her y l eaves, and di l l i s of t en conf used wi t h f ennel , t hough di l l ' s spi ndl y t apr oot i s not usabl e. Fennel commonl y shows many st ems f r om a si ngl e r oot , but di l l sel dom has mor e t han one. Numer ous yel l ow f l ower s bl oom i n f l at t er mi nal umbr el l a- shaped cl ust er s whi ch appear f r om J ul y t o Sept ember . Seeds f ol l ow. HEI GHT: 3 t o 4 f eet . SOI L: Aver age, wel l - dr ai ned. EXPOSURE: Keep out of wi nd so seeds won' t di sper se pr emat ur el y and pl ant s won' t bendSun. t o t he gr ound. PROPAGATI ON: By seed sown 1/ 4 i nch deep i n spr i ng or f al l dur i ng t he f i r st or second l unar phase. CARE: When seedl i ngs ar e about 2 i nches hi gh, t hi n t hem so t he pl ant s s t and about 12 i nches apar t . I f gr owt h seems weak when t he pl ant s ar e 1 f oot t al l , f er t i l i ze wi t h an al l - pur pose mi xt ur e. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves gat her ed ear l y i n summer or seed gat her ed i n l at e summer and ear l y f al l . TASTE: Seed t ea- shar p, pungent ; l eaf t ea- mi l der . How t o br ew SEEDS, BY I NFUSI ON: St eep 2 t easpoons of cr ushed seeds i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er f or 10 t o 15 mi nut es. LEAVES, BY I NFUSI ON: Add 1 t easpoon of dr i ed, or 3 t easpoons of cr ushed f r esh, l eaves t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o tast e.
---------------Ear ( Sambucus ni gr a) Common names f or t hi s her b i ncl ude Bl ackber r i ed Eur opean El der , Boor Tr ee, El l anwood, Eur opean El der , Bl ack El der, Bount r y El l hor n, and German El der . I n t he past , t hi s shr ub or t r ee was r egarde d as magi cal and was bel i eved t o di spel demons. Undert aker s once car r i ed pi eces of el der t o pr ot ect t hem agai nst t he numer ous spi r i t s t hey mi ght encount er i n t he cour se of t hei r wor k. I n Eur ope, men dof f ed t hei r hat s i n the t r ee' s prese nce and of f er ed pr ayer s t o t he el der " mot her " bef or e gat her i ng her ber r i es. Chr i st i ans bel i eved el der t o be t he wood of t he Cr oss. I t s honey- scent ed f l owers were co nsi dered sacr ed t o t he Scandi navi an goddess of l ove, Hul da. I n the ear l y her bal s, hot el der t ea was l i st ed as a mi l d st i mul ant , di spel l i ng col ds, cat ar r h, and f l at ul ence, and pr omot i ng per spi r at i on. When ser ved col d, i t was con si der ed a di ur et i c. The Nor t h Amer i can El der , wi despr ead i n t he Uni t ed St at es, i s si mi l ar i n appear ance and pr oper t i es. PLANT: Per enni al . A shr ub or smal l t r ee, i t i s f ound wi l d i n Eur ope i n moi st , shady pl aces. The bark i s l i ght br own near t he bot t om of t he st ems, gr ay- whi t e and wart y hi gher up. The l eaves ar e composed of several pai r s of oval , opposi t e dar k gr een, and f i nel y ser r at ed l eaf l et s. Whi t e t o yel l ow whi t e f l ower cl ust er s appear i n J une and J ul y, devel opi ng i nt o gr een ber r i es t hat subsequent l y t ur n r ed- br own, t hen shi ny bl ack. HEI GHT: 10 t o 30 f eet . SOI L: Fer t i l e, damp. EXPOSURE: Sun or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: By cut t i ngs, r oot di vi si on, or seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he thi r d l unar phase. CARE: Rampant and f ast gr owi ng, t he el der can become wi l d l ooki ng i f not pr uned ever y dor mant season t o keep i t dense and shr ubby. New gr owt hs spr out r eadi l y f r om t he st umps. PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower heads. TASTE: Sweet , honey f l avor ed. Of t en combi ned wi t h Thea si nensi s, pepper mi nt , yar r ow, or ot her her bs. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: Add 2 t abl espoons of f l ower s t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. ---------------Fennel ( Foeni cul um vul gar e) Common names f or Fennel ar e Wi l d Fennel , Sweet Fennel , Fenkel , and Lar ge Fennel . Fennel gr ows wi l d i n t he Medi t err anean area and i n Asi a Mi nor , but i s ext ensi vel y nat ur al i zed and cul t i vat ed i n t he Uni t ed St at es. Li ke i t s cl ose cousi n di l l , i t was al so used i n medi ci ne and sor cer y, and i t was ment i oned f r equent l y by Pl i ny. Bot h t he seed and r oot ar e consi der ed excel l ent st omach and i nt est i nal r emedi es. Fennel i s bel i eved t o ar ouse appet i t e, t o rel i eve spasms, f l at ul ence, col i c, and abdomi nal cr amps, and t o expel mucous accumul at i ons. The seeds have been a symbol of her oi sm. Seed t ea boi l ed i n bar l ey wat er i s t hought t o st i mul at e t he f l ow of mi l k i n nur si ng mot her s.
PLANT: Per enni al , but most garde ner s gr ow i t as an annual or bi enni al . The l eaves ar e f eat her y and gr ow on hol l ow, f l eshy st ems. Fl at umbel s of yel l ow f l ower s gr ow at t he ends of st ems t hat r i se above t he f ol i age. The vul gar e var i et y i s gr own f or i t s se eds and l eaves. Ot her s ar e gr own f or t hei r r oot s ( f i nocchi o) or stems ( car osel l a) . HEI GHT: To 5 f eet . SOI L: Li ght , wel l - dr ai ned, good gar den soi l , pr ef er abl y l i me- r i ch. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds sown i n spr i ng dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase f or a f al l seed har vest. Al so, by ro ot di vi si on. CARE: Thi n seedl i ngs t o about 1 f oot apar t . Fennel does not t r anspl ant easi l y. Tal l pl ant s must be shel t er ed f r om t he wi nd or st aked when 18 i nches t al l . PART USED FOR TEA: Seeds, pi cked bef or e t hey scat t er at t he t ouch. Al so, l eaves pi cked bef or e t he pl ant s have bl ossomed. TASTE: Del i ght f ul , r emi ni sc ent of ani se, pepper mi nt , and l i cor i ce. How t o br ew LEAVES, BY I NFUSI ON: Pour 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er over 2 t easpoons of dr i ed l eaves or 3 t easpoons of f r esh l eaves. St eep t o t ast e. SEEDS, BY DECOCTI ON: Cr ush 1 t abl espoon of seeds, and add t o 2 cups of boi l i ng wat er . Reduce t emper at ur e, and al l ow mi xt ur e t o si mmer gent l y f or 5 t o 10 mi nut es. ---------------Fenugr eek ( Tr i gonel l a f oenum- gr aecum) Al so c al l ed Bi r d' s Foot or Gr eek Hay- Seed, t hi s her b i s one of t he ol dest - known medi ci nal pl ant s. I t s use dat es back t o t he anci ent Egypt i ans and Gr eeks. I t was bel i eved t o st r engt hen t hose r ecover i ng f r om an i l l ness or suf f er i ng f r om tconsi uber cul t was al soThe t aken or br t i s, col ds, f ever der osi i t s,anand aphri odi si ac. I ndi fans calonchi l t he f enugr eek or l eaf met s. hi Som ande use i t i n t hei r cooki ng. Heal t h- f ood ent husi ast s f i nd t he seeds excel l ent f or spr out i ng. And, i n Gr eece, t he seeds ar e boi l ed and eat en wi t h honey. Fenugr eek i s bel i eved t o gi ve st r engt h t o pr egnant women and t o i ncr ease l act at i on. The seeds of t hi s l egume are p l ent i f ul : each pod cont ai ns si xt een of t hem. PLANT: Annual . A l ong t apr oot sends up a r ound st em. The pl ant r esembl es an al most - br anchl ess sweet cl over wi t h t r i pl e l eaves. Yel l ow, r i chl y sc ent ed, pear shaped f l owers ap pear i n J une and J ul y, f ol l owed by t he si xt een- seeded, compr essed l egume, whi ch l ooks l i ke an el ongat ed st r i ng bean. The seeds ar e ver y r i ch i n mi ner al s. I n chemi cal composi t i on, t hey ar e cl ose t o cod l i ver oi l . HEI GHT: 15 t o 18 i nches. SOI L: Sandy, dr y. EXPOSURE: Di r ect sunl i ght . PROPAGATI ON: By seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he f i r st or second l unar phase.
CARE: Space pl ant s 4 i nches apart . Di g soi l deepl y, and make sure i t i s kept wel l dr ai ned and weeded. PART USED FOR TEA: Seeds or l eaves. TASTE: Pl easant , bi t t er , r emi ni sc ent of mapl e and vani l l a. How t o br ew LEAVES, BY I NFUSI ON: Cover 1 t easpoon dr i ed, or 3 t easpoons f r esh cr ushed l eaves wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . Al l ow t o st eep. Dr i nk by i t sel f or wi t h ot her her bs such as al f al f a or one of t he mi nt s. SEEDS, BY DECOCTI ON: 1 t easpoonf ul of seeds t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er , boi l ed unt i l t he seeds ar e t ender . For ext r a nut r i t i on, don' t st r ai n t he t ea, and eat t he seeds. Thi s t ea i s ver y good wi t h honey or l emon. ---------------Fl ax ( Li num usi t at i ssi mum) Fl ax al so goes by t he names Li nseed, Common Fl ax, Mar y' s Li nen Cl ot h, Fl ax Seed, and Li nt Bel l s. The sour ce of l i nen, f l ax i s nat i ve t o al l Medi t er r anean count r i es and i s wi del y cul t i vat ed i n t he Uni t ed St at es and Canada. I t i s al so f ound wi l d al ong r oadsi des and i n wast e pl aces. The cr ushed seed i s of t en used i n gr anol a- l i ke cer eal s and br eads; t he seeds ar e qui t e hi gh i n nut r i t i on. Fl ax seeds have been consi dered ef f ect i ve i n t r eat i ng coughs, cat arr h, and l ung and chest pr obl ems, as wel l as di gest i ve and ur i nar y di sor der s. I n t he past , t he f r esh herb was appl i ed as a poul t i ce f or r heumat i c pai ns and f or sof t eni ng har d swel l i ngs. An ai l i ng baby woul d somet i mes be l ai d upon t he gr ound i n a f l ax f i el d and spr i nkl ed wi t h f l ax seeds. The seeds wer e t hen pl ant ed wher e t he baby had l ai n, and i t was bel i eved he or she woul d reco ver as t he seeds spr out ed. PLANT: Annual . The er ect , wi l l owy st ems ar e bl ue- gr een, wi t h f ew br anches and si mpl e, al t er nat e, obl ong l eaves. Fr om J une t o August , each br anch has one or t wo bl ue or bl ue- vi ol et f i ve- pet al ed f l ower s. The smoot h, f l at t ened, shi ny l i ght br own seeds ar e borne i n an ei ght - t o t en- seeded capsul e. HEI GHT: 1 t o 2 f eet . SOI L: Wel l - dr ai ned al kal i ne soi l , made por ous by gr avel and r ocks. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds sown i n t he spr i ng dur i ng t he f i r st or second l unar phase. Sow wher e t he pl ant s ar e t o gr ow. They wi l l ger mi nat e i n 8 days. CARE: Space mat ur e pl ant s 12 i nches apar t . Fl ax pl ant ed near pot at oes hel ps di scour age pot at o bugs. PART USED FOR TEA: Seed. TASTE: Soot hi ng, gel at i nous. CAUTI ON: Seeds t hat ar e goi ng t o be br ewed shoul d be t hor oughl y r i pe and shoul d be soaked over ni ght i n wat er t hat i s t hen di scar ded. I mmat ur e seed cont ai ns some i r r i t ant pr oper t i es and can cause poi soni ng. How t o br ew
BY DECOCTI ON: Cr ush or gr i nd I t abl espoon of t he seed, and boi l i n 1 quar t of wat er unt i l 1/ z quar t r emai ns. St r ai n. Add honey and mol asse s t o t ast e. ---------------Fr axi nel l a ( Di ct amnus al bus) Al so cal l ed Gas Pl ant , Bast ar d Di t t any, Bur ni ng Bush, Di pt am, Di t t any, Fal se Di t t any, and Whi t e Di t t any. Fr axi nel l a i s nat i ve t o Eur ope and Asi a and i s f ound as f ar east war d as Chi na. I t i s somet i mes cul t i vat ed as a gar den or nament al i n t he nor t her n Uni t ed St at es. The vol at i l e, scent ed oi l of t he f l ower s gi ves of f a vapor on summer eve ni ngs, and i f a mat ch i s l i t near by, t he vapor wi l l f l ash. A decoct i on of t he r oot i s bel i eved t o rel i eve f ever and st omach cr amps, and a decoct i on of t he r oot an d seed i s used t o t r eat ki dney and bl adder s t ones, t o br i ng on menst r uat i on, and t o al l evi at e hyst er i a. Tea br ewed f r om t he r oot , l eaves, or seed was popul ar wi t h t he Ameri can col oni st s. PLANT: Per enni al . A knobby, whi t i sh r oot sends up r ound, downy, gr een and pur pl e st ems. The l eaf l et s of dar k gr een, shi ny compound l eaves ar e al t er nat e, oval , and cover ed wi t h gl andul ar dot s. The l ar ge, showy, r ose, whi t e, or r ed- pur pl e f l ower s appear i n J une and J ul y. HEI GHT: 3 f eet . SOI L: Moder at el y ri ch, somewhat l i ght soi l , deepl y dug. EXPOSURE: Sun or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: Newl y r i pe seeds pl ant ed 1 i nch deep i n f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d or f our t h l unar phase. The f ol l owi ng spr i ng, seedl i ngs wi l l appear . Al so can be pr opagat ed by 3- i nch r oot cut t i ngs i n spr i ng, al t hough t hi s i s usual l y not as successf ul . CARE: Keep seedl i ngs wel l weeded. When t hey ar e 2 year s ol d, t hey may be t r anspl ant ed. Fl ower s wi l l not appear unt i l t he f our t h year . PART USED FOR TEA: Root , l eaves, seed. TASTE: The whi t e- f l ower ed var i et y has a l emony f r agr ance and t ast e. The pi nkf l ower ed var i et y i s l ess l emony but has an added t ast e of al mond and vani l l a. CAUTI ON: Cont act wi t h t he f r axi nel l a pl ant can cause ski n i r r i t at i on i f t he ski n i s exposed t o sunl i ght af t er cont act . How t o br ew LEAVES, BY I NFUSI ON: The l eaves ar e best when dr i ed, usi ng 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaf t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. Ref r eshi ng. SEEDS OR ROOTS, BY DECOCTI ON: Use 1 t abl espoon of cr ushed or powder ed seed or r oot t o 2 cups of wat er . Boi l down t o 1 cup. Thi s met hod pr oduces a mor e medi ci nal t ea. ---------------Ger ani um ( Pel ar goni um speci es) Scent ed ger ani ums of t he genus Pel ar goni um, al so cal l ed St or k' s Bi l l , wer e f i r st br ought t o Engl and f r om t he Cape of Good Hope ar ound 1632. By t he l at e 1700s, Dut ch and Engl i sh navi gat or s had i mpor t ed count l ess va r i et i es f or ent husi ast i c gar dener s. Shor t l y af t er 1795, t he Fr ench di scover ed t hat oi l f r om some
var i et i es of r ose- scent ed ger ani ums coul d be used as a l ess expensi ve subst i t ut e f or at t ar of r oses i n per f ume maki ng. To t hi s day, r ose ger ani ums ar e gr own i n l ar ge amount s f or t hi s pur pose- appr oxi mat el y 1 pound of l eaves pr oduces 1 gr am of oi l . Not much has been wr i t t en about t he medi ci nal qual i t i es of t he pel ar goni ums, whose name means " st ork' s bi l l " and deri ves f r om t hei r el ongat ed seed cases. Most have ast r i ngent pr oper t i es. One her bal says t hey ar e val uabl e i n t r eat i ng dysent er y and st omach and i nt est i nal ul cer s. PLANT: Ver y t ender per enni al . The basi c scen t ed geran i um i s t he r ose geran i um, a l ar ge pl ant wi t h deepl y cut gr ay- gr een l eaves, l avender f l ower s, and a r ose- l i ke f r agr ance. Ot her s of t he mor e t han ei ght y var i et i es of pel ar goni um have t hei r own di st i nct i ve l eaf shape, sce nt , and bl osso ms. HEI GHT: Var i es accor di ng t o var i et y and wher e gr own. I n t emper at e cl i mat es t hey can r each 5 f eet . SOI L: Wel l - dr ai ned, l oose soi l . EXPOSURE: Sun or par t i al sun. PROPAGATI ON: By cut t i ngs cut st r ai ght acr oss t he st em and pl aced i n cl ean, shar p sand. Wat er spa r i ngl y unt i l good gr een gr owt h shows. Pl ant out doors i n l at e spr i ng or ear l y summer when danger of f r ost has passed. Al so can be gr own f r om seed. CARE: Pl ant scent ed ger ani ums 36 i nches apar t . Be sur e t hey' r e br ought i ndoor s wel l bef or e t he f i r st f r ost . ( See addi t i onal i nf or mat i on on car e i n chapt er 3. ) They can al so be gr own i n pot s or t ubs. Ger ani ums ar e i nsect r esi st ant , and whi t e- f l ower var i et i es ar e sai d t o at t r act J apanese beet l es, whi ch eat t he f l ower and di e bef or e doi ng any f ur t her damage. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Depends on var i et y wi t hi n t he f ami l y, each of whi ch has i t s own t ast e and sce nt . Favor i t es ar e apr i cot , st r awber r y, appl e, r ose, peach, l i me, l emon, oran ge, nut meg, al mond, l i cor i ce, and coconut . How t o br ew BY ON: Fr of eshdrl ieaves have mor ore3 f tl easpoons avor , but ofmost var i et fi res dr lyeaves, wel l , it n oo.1 UseI NFUSI 1 t easpoon ed l eaves, cr ushed, esh cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o tast e, and enj oy. ---------------Gi nseng ( Panax qui nquef ol i um) Ot her names f or t hi s pl ant ar e Amer i can Gi nseng, Tar t ar Root , Man' s Heal t h, Ni nsi n, Fi ve Fi ngers , Seng, Fi ve- l eaf ed Gi nseng, and Redber r y. Amer i can Gi nseng i s occasi onal l y f ound wi l d i n t he r i ch, cool woodl ands of Nor t h Amer i ca. I t was pr eval ent t her e unt i l i t was deci mat ed by avi d hunt er s of t he sought - af t er r oot . Much gi nseng i s now gr own under cul t i vat i on i n Wi sconsi n. Gi nseng i s a pl ant of myst er y and supers t i t i on, evoki ng l egends of f or t unes made and l ost overni ght . Si nce bef ore 3 000 B. C. , t he Chi nese have val ued t he roo t as a cur e- al l . They have used ext r act s as a gener al t oni c, cur at i ve, st r engt h bui l der , and- most i mpor t ant l y - an aphr odi si ac and sexual r ej uvenat or . I ni t i al l y, onl y t he emper or , hi s househol d, and hi s f avored f r i ends wer e al l owed t o use t hi s her b. The name gi nseng comes f r om t he Chi nese j en shen, meani ng " man- r oot , " and der i ves f r om t he r oot ' s r esembl ance t o t he human shape.
PLANT: Per enni al . The ar omat i c r oot can gr ow t o a l engt h of 2 f eet or mor e and i s of t en di vi ded at t he end. At t he t op of a si mpl e st em ar e f i ve obl ong, f i nel y ser r at ed l eaf l et s. A sol i t ar y umbr el l a- shaped cl ust er of gr eeni sh- yel l ow f l ower s appear s f r om J une t o August , f ol l owed by smal l , r ed, edi bl e ber r i es. HEI GHT: Less t han 1 f oot . SOI L: Ri ch, l oamy, wel l - dr ai ned, under f or est t r ees or a wooden l at h f r ame, const r uct ed over t he pl ant i ng ar ea t o pr ot ect t he her b f r om di r ect sunl i ght . EXPOSURE: Shade. PROPAGATI ON: By seed, pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d or f our t h l unar phase, seedl i ngs, or r oot st ock. Gi nseng r equi r es f r om 5 t o 7 year s t o mat ur e f r om seed, 3 t o 4 f ro m ro ots. CARE: Root s can be pl ant ed bet ween Oct ober and Apr i l , 2 i nches deep, and 8 i nches apar t . Cul t i vat i on i s di f f i cul t . Gar dener s sh oul d seek compl et e gr owi ng i nf or mat i on when t hey obt ai n seeds or r oot s. PART USED FOR TEA: Root , usual l y dug i n f al l . TASTE: Par sni p- l i ke. Bl and; sweet en wi t h honey or sugar . How t o br ew Pl ace gi nseng roo t ( most ar e 4 t o 6 i nches l ong) and 1 quar t of wat er i nt o a cl osed gl ass or ear t henwar e ( not met al ) cont ai ner . Pl ace t hi s cont ai ner i nt o anot her pot t hat i s al so f i l l ed wi t h wat er , and boi l t he r oot sl owl y f or 2 t o 3 hour s, unt i l t he wat er i n t he out er gi nseng pot has been r educed by hal f . St r ai n and dr i nk i mmedi at el y. Do not st or e t he t ea f or mor e t han a day, as i t l oses i t s pot ency. Use t he roo t sever al t i mes unt i l you f eel i t has l ost i t s power . Then pl ace i t i n a j ar of honey f or several weeks unt i l you have gi nseng honey and a candi ed r oot you can chew on, f or t he l ast bi t of f l avor . ---------------Gol denr od ( Sol i dago odora) Thi s pl i s alod, so Boheaknown tas ue MW ount ai W need. Tea, Mor Sweeet scent ed yGol denres od,ofAni sescent edant Gol denr ea,Bl and ound t han ei ght speci gol denr od ar e f ound i n t he Uni t ed St at es, and whi l e sever al ( i ncl udi ng S. vi r gaur ea and S. canadensi s) make good t ea, i t i s Sol i dago odor a tha t sacr i f i ces t he showi ness of t he ot her gol denr ods' bl osso ms f or i t s st r ong scent , maki ng i t bot h t ast y and f r agr ant . The bot ani cal name Sol i dago comes f r om t he Lat i n sol i dus, whi ch means " whol e, " and ager e, whi ch means " t o per f or m, " a r ef er ence t o t he heal i ng power s of t he her b. Amer i can I ndi ans made good use of t hese qual i t i es: t he Zuni s chewed t he bl osso ms and sl owl y swal l owed t he ast r i ngent j ui ce t o al l evi at e sor e t hr oat s; ot her t r i bes used i nf usi ons of f l ower s and l eaves f or f ever s and chest pai ns. Ear l y whi t e set t l er s i n Nor t h Amer i ca bel i eved gol denr od t ea woul d r el i eve ur i nary ob st r uct i ons and dr opsy, and woul d st i mul at e per spi r at i on. PLANT: Har dy per enni al . The cr eepi ng r oot s pr oduce a si mpl e, sl ender st em. The dar k gr een l eaves ar e t hi n, l ance shaped, and covered wi t h t r anspar ent dot s. The l eaves have no st ems. Gol den- yel l ow f l ower s pi r es appear on t he ends of t he st al ks f r om J ul y t o Sept ember . HEI GHT: 2 t 0 4 f eet . SOI L: Dr y, sandy.
EXPOSURE: Ful l or par t i al sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Al so by r oot di vi si on. The pl ant sel f - sows r eadi l y, once i t i s est abl i shed. CARE: Space pl ant s 1 f oot apart . Gol denr od i s easy t o f i nd by r oadsi des and si mi l ar envi r onment s, and i t wi l l t r anspl ant wel l i f you choose bl oomi ng pl ant s, cut t hem back, and car ef ul l y di g and r epl ant t hem at t hat t i me. Gi ve t r anspl ant s mor e f er t i l e soi l t han you f ound t hem i n. Di vi de and r epl ant ever y 2 or 3 year s, so pl ant s don' t choke one anot her out . Soi l t hat ' s t oo r i ch wi l l st unt t he pl ant s. Remove f aded f l ower s pr ompt l y t o pr event t oo much se l f - seedi ng. PART USED FOR TEA: Young l eaves and f ul l y opened f l ower s. TASTE: Ani se- l i ke. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: Cover 1 heapi ng t easpoon of dr y her b, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh her b, wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep f or at l east 10 mi nut es. St r ai n and sweet en t o t aste . ---------------Hawt hor n ( Cr at aegus speci es) Hawt hor n' s ot her names i ncl ude Maybl ossom and Thor nappl e. A symbol of hope, t he hawt horn shr ub or t r ee i s consi dered sa cr ed by some, and i t i s bel i eved t o have f or med Chr i st ' s cr own of t hor ns. The bot ani cal name comes f r om t he Gr eek wor d kr at os, whi ch means "s t r ong, " and was gi ven because of t he har dness of hawt hor n wood. The Pi l gr i ms' shi p Mayf l ower was named f or t hi s her b. Hawt hor n has al ways been especi al l y r egarde d as a heart t oni c, and i t s val ue i s now under medi cal i nvesti gat i on, par t i cul ar l y i n r egar d t o i t s ol d r eput at i on as a r el i ever of angi na pect or i s and abnor mal hear t act i on. Hawt hor n has al so been consi der ed an ar t er y s of t ener , hel pf ul i n t r eat i ng ar t er i osc l er osi s. Ear l y Amer i can set t l er s used t he t ea t o rel i eve ki dney ai l ment s and ner vous co ndi t i ons, i ncl udi ng i nsomni a, gi ddi ness, and st r ess. PLANT: Perns enni al . mIade t gri ow ei ti her a shr ub al l and t r ee. t s sh ar pt he 1- tf loow 5-er s i nch t hor have t sa as f avor t e hedger owor i n sm Engl and I Eur ope; and f r ui t must be har vest ed wi t h car e because of t hem. The t r unk or st ems ar e spi ny, wi t h har d, smoot h, ash- gr ay bar k. The smal l , dar k gr een l eaves are l i ght bl ui sh- gr een on t he under si de and have t hr ee i r r egul ar l y t oot hed l obes. Whi t e f l ower s wi t h r ound pet al s appear i n cl ust ers dur i ng May and J une. The egg- shaped ber r y, or ha w, t hat f ol l ows i s a t wo- or t hr ee- seeded pome ( t he hawt horn i s a cl ose r el at i ve of t he appl e) , sca r l et on t he out si de, yel l owi sh and pul py i nsi de. HEI GHT: 3 t o 15 f eet . SOI L: Any wel l - dr ai ned soi l , wi t h good l i me cont ent . EXPOSURE: Ful l or par t i al sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seed pl ant ed i ndoor s i n spr i ng or i n f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Sl ow t o ger mi nat e. Al so st em cut t i ngs. CARE: I f you' r e gr owi ng hawt horn as a t r ee, r emove sucker s f r om t he t r unk and arou nd t he base. I f you' r e gr owi ng i t as a hedge, space pl ant s 3 f eet apar t , and keep t hem t r i mmed. Pr une af t er t he hawt horn has f l owered . The deci duous hawt hor n r equi r es l i t t l e car e, havi ng a nat ur al l y dense gr owt h. However , somet i mes t he t ops become t oo dense, and an annual t hi nni ng wi l l mi ni mi ze t he danger of t he pl ant ' s bei ng upr oot ed by wi nd.
PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s, ber r i es. TASTE: Fl ower s ar e sweet - scent ed and bl and. The ber r i es ar e t ar t and f r ui t y ( si mi l ar t o a cr ab appl e) . How t o br ew FLOWERS, BY I NFUSI ON: St eep 2 t easpoons of her b i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . FRUI TS, BY DECOCTI ON: Use 2 t easpoons of cr ushed f r ui t wi t h 1 cup col d wat er . Let st and f or 7 or 8 hour s, t hen br i ng qui ckl y t o a boi l and st r ai n. Sweet en bot h t eas wi t h honey. ---------------Hi bi scus ( Abel moschus moscheut os) Common names f or t hi s pl ant ar e Musk Seed Pl ant , Muskmal l ow, and Tar get - l eaved Hi bi scus. Hi bi scus f l ower s ar e a f avor i t e f or cooki ng pur poses i n Af r i ca, t he Far East , t he Car i bbean, and ot her t r opi cal ar eas. Af r i cans al so make " kar kade, " a pl easant , t art bever age, by st eepi ng 1 t easpoon of hi bi scus f l owers and 2 cl oves i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er , t hen dr ai ni ng and addi ng honey t o t ast e. Egypt i ans chew t he seeds t o r el i eve st omach pr obl ems, sweet en t he br eat h, and soot he t hei r ner ves. They al so co nsi der hi bi scus t o have aphr odi si ac power s. PLANT: Annual or bi enni al . Whi l e i t gr ows wi l d i n t r opi cal ar eas, i t i s not wi nt er har dy and must be pot gr own or pr ot ect ed i n col d ar eas. Hi bi scus st ems bear al t er nat e- l obed and i r r egul ar l y t oot hed l eaves, si mi l ar t o t hose of a mapl e t r ee. Bot h si des of t he l eaf ar e t hi nl y hai r y. The l ar ge f l ower s ar e yel l ow wi t h r ed cent er s. Ki dney- shaped, gr ayi sh- br own seeds f ol l ow i n obl ong, hai r y capsul es t hat ar e up t o 3 i nches l ong. HEI GHT: 2 t o 6 f eet . SOI L: Loose, l oamy so i l , kept moi st . EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds sown ( i ndoor s or out door s, dependi ng on weat her zone) i n J anuar y or Febr uar y f or f l ower s t he same year. I n col d- weat her area s pl ace out doors when danger of f r ost has passed. CARE: Space pl ant s 2 t o 3 f eet apar t . Fer t i l i ze wel l . Mul ch heavi l y i n wi nt er , or gr ow i n pot s and br i ng i ndoor s. Pr une i n spr i ng and f al l as needed. PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s. TASTE: Tar t and sl i ght l y l emony. The t ea has a pal e, r uby col or . How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: Measur e 1 t easpoon of dr i ed f l owers or 3 t easpoons of f r esh f l owers . Cover wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er , and st eep t o t ast e. The l onger you st eep, t he r edder t he t ea wi l l become. Thi s br ew i s ver y good i n combi nat i on wi t h r ose hi ps. Can be ser ved hot or col d. ---------------Hol l yhock ( Al cea rose a) Common names f or t he Hol l yhock ar e Al t hea Rose, Mal va Fl ower s, Rose Mal l ow, Pur pl e Mal va. The f l ower of t he hol l yhock i s cul t i vat ed f or i t s beaut y as wel l as i t s medi ci nal qual i t i es. The pl ant i s not known i n t he wi l d and i s t hought t o
have ar i sen i n cul t i vat i on. The Egypt i ans used t he l eaves i n cooker y. Hol l yhocks wer e br ought t o Eur ope at t he t i me of t he Cr usades, and wer e cul t i vat ed i n Fr ance by t he Duke of Or l eans, and i n Engl and by Lor d Bur l i ngt on. Tea made f r om t he bl ossoms i s bel i eved t o soot he i nf l ammat i on of t he mout h and t hr oat , and a vapor bat h of i t i s t hought hel pf ul f or ear aches. The t ea i s al so sai d t o be benef i ci al f or chest compl ai nt s and an ai d t o di gest i on. PLANT: Bi enni al . Bot h l eaves and f l ower s co ver t he l engt h of t he tal l , hai r y unbr anched st em. The 3- t o 4- i nch br oad f l ower s appear f r om J ul y t o Sept ember and come i n shades of r ed, pur pl e, whi t e, yel l ow, mar oon, and sal mon. They may have one or t wo set s of pet al s. HEI GHT: Usual l y 5 t o 6 f eet t al l , but can r each 15 f eet . SOI L: Deep, r i ch, wel l - dr ai ned. EXPOSURE: Ful l or par t i al sun. Pr ef er s a war m l ocat i on shel t er ed f r om t he wi nd. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d or f our t h l unar phase ger mi nat e easi l y i n about 5 days. Or , sucker s ca n be t aken f r om near t he roo t s. Hol l yhock sel f - seeds easi l y. CARE: Space mat ur e pl ant s about 2 f eet ap art . I f pl ant ed i n unpr ot ect ed spot s, st al ks sh oul d be suppor t ed. Pl ant s pr opagat ed f r om sel f - seedi ng can be moved t o a per manent pl ace i n spr i ng. I f not bei ng gr own as annual s, mound up soi l ar ound t he pl ant s t o pr event wi nt er ki l l . PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s. TASTE: The whol e- f l ower t ea can be t ar t and bi t t er . Pet al t ea, however , i s t angy wi t hout bi t t er ness, and most r ef r eshi ng. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed f l ower s or pet al s, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh f l ower s or pet al s, t o each cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. ---------------Hop ( Humul us l upul us) The Hop, commonl y named Nor t her n Vi ne and Bi ne, has been used si nce t he f our t eent h cent ur y, chi ef l y t o br ew beer . Bef ore t hen, peopl e dr ank mead or al e bever ages made f r om f er ment ed honey or bar l ey and f l avor ed wi t h gr ound i vy, yar r ow, br oom, wor mwood, and ot her her bs. The hop gr ows wi l d i n Eur ope and west er n Asi a, and i s cul t i vat ed i n t he Uni t ed St at es. I n Spani sh t he pl ant i s cal l ed Fl or es de Cer veza, meani ng "f l ower s of beer . " The Romans at e young hop shoot s l i ke aspar agus. The cones f ound on f emal e pl ant s ar e used t o make beer , t he pul p i s used t o make paper, and t he f i bers of t he pl ant are made i nt o l i nen. Femal e- f l ower ho ps t ea i s bel i eved t o i nduce sl eep, i mpr ove t he appet i t e, and ai d agai nst al cohol i sm. I t i s al so r ecommended f or ner vous di ar r hea, f l at ul ence, and i nt est i nal cr amps. Hops' nar cot i c qual i t i es ar e al so consi der ed a cur e f or uncont r ol l ed sexual desi r es and a quarr el some nat ur e. PLANT: Per enni al . The vi ne, a twi ni ng cl i mber , has a t ough, f l exi bl e st em gr owi ng f r om a br anched r oot . The t hr ee t o f i ve- l obed, opposi t e, dar k gr een l eaves ar e hear t shaped. Mal e f l ower s gr ow i n l oose bunches. The f emal e f l ower s ar e smal l yel l ow- gr een cones ( hops) t hat cont ai n a r esi nous dust cal l ed l upul i n, whi ch gi ves t he her b i t s di st i ncti ve ta st e and medi ci nal qual i t i es. HEI GHT: To 20 f eet .
SOI L: Ri ch, l oamy, wel l - wat er ed. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. They are no t ordi nari l y car r i ed by r egul ar nur ser i es but can be f ound at seed compani es t hat suppl y f ar mer s. You can al so pur chase hop r oot s. St em cut t i ngs ar e succ essf ul once pl ant s ar e est abl i shed. CARE: Space 2 f eet apar t . Keep spr out i ng seeds and r oot s wel l wat er ed. The vi ne does wel l on t r el l i ses. Twi ni ng st ems sh oul d be t r ai ned by hand i n J une and J ul y. Cut st ems t o t he gr ound af t er f r ost t ur ns t hem br own. PART USED FOR TEA: Femal e f l ower s ( hops) , l eaves. TASTE: Sl i ght l y pepper y, yet mi l d. The t ea i s l i ght yel l ow. CAUTI ON: Because of l upul i n' s nar cot i c qual i t i es, dr i nk hops f l ower t ea i n moder at i on, and avoi d pr ol onged use. How t o br ew LEAVES, BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon dr i ed l eaves, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh cr ushed l eaves, i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. FLOWERS, BY DECOCTI ON: Pl ace 1 heapi ng t abl espoon of hops f l ower s ( cones) i n 1/ z pi nt of col d wat er , br i ng t o a si mmer f or 2 or 3 mi nut es. St eep wel l . St r ai n. Hops qui ckl y l ose t hei r ef f ect i veness when st or ed, so use t hem f r esh. ---------------Hor ehound ( Mar r ubi um vul gar e) Hor ehound i s al so cal l ed Hoar hound, Mar r ubi um, and Whi t e Hor ehound, and anci ent Egypt i an pr i est s ca l l ed i t t he Seed of Hor us, Bul l ' s Bl ood, and Eye of t he St ar . Recommended i n J ohn Ger ar d' s Her bal l of 1597 as an ant i dot e f or " t hose t hat dr unk poyson or have been bi t t en of ser pent s, " hor ehound t ea i s al so suggest ed f or pul monar y af f l i ct i ons and as a usef ul st andby f or br onchi t i s, coughs, and col ds. I n' Wal es, i nf usi ons ar e used ext er nal l y and i nt er nal l y t o cur e eczema and shi ngl es. Because of i t s bi t t er ness when unsweet ened, hor ehound i s s omet i mes tas hought o be t he fri. ve bi t t er her bs ment i oned i n ear l y wr i t i ngs bei ngt eat enmar byr ob, J ewsone at of Passove PLANT: Per enni al . Supposedl y har dy t o - 30ºF ( - 34ºC) , but of t en subj ect t o wi nt er ki l l . Some gar dener s t r eat i t as a bi enni al . A f i br ous, spi ndl e- shaped r oot sends up bushy, square, downy st ems. Ar omat i c, wr i nkl ed, oval , gr ay gr een l eaves are t oot h- edged and cover ed wi t h whi t e hai r . A r el at i ve of mi nt , hor ehound has smal l cr eamy- whi t e f l ower s f r om J une t o Sept ember . HEI GHT: 1 t o 3 f eet . SOI L: Sandy, not over l y r i ch; dr y and wel l - dr ai ned. EXPOSURE: Sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Ger mi nat es i n 2 t o 3 weeks. Al so by r oot di vi si on or cut t i ngs. CARE: Pl ant s s houl d be pl aced 12 i nches apar t . Keep pi nched back t o pr event weedi ness, unl ess you want seeds - t hen l et hor ehound go t o bl oom. I n aut umn, cut of f ol d sta l ks.
PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. Pi ck on a cl ear , dr y day bef or e t he sun get s t oo hot and bef or e bl oss oms have f or med. TASTE: Bi t t er sweet , musky. Combi nes ni cel y wi t h col t sf oot . Usual l y sweet ened wi t h honey or some gr ound gi nger r oot . How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves- or 3 t easpoons of f r esh her b, cr ushed t o r el ease ar omat i c oi l s- t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. ---------------Hysso p ( Hyssopus of f i ci nal i s) Nat i ve t o sout hern Eur ope and r angi ng east ward i nt o cent r al Asi a, hysso p i s al so cal l ed t he Sacr ed Herb. I t s name i s s ai d t o come f r om t he Gr eek wor d azob, meani ng " a hol y her b, " because i t was used t o cl ean t empl es and ot her sacr ed pl aces. I t i s al so sai d t hat an ci ent Egypt i ans and Hebr ews used hysso p t o cl eanse l eper s and t hat a pr ayer of Ki ng Davi d was, " Pur ge me wi t h hyssop, and I shal l be cl ean. " Some schol ar s bel i eve hysso p was di pped i n t he l amb' s bl ood t hat mar ked t he door post s on Passo ver eve. Ot her s, however , t hi nk t hat a var i et y of mar j or am or savor y may have been used, r at her t han what we cal l hyssop t oday. Thr ough t he ages, hyss op has been a popul ar r emedy f or coughs, consumpt i on, ast hma, and pul monar y compl ai nt s. A decoct i on i s supposed t o f ade bl ack eyes and br ui ses, and hysso p t ea i s t hought t o cal m t he ner ves and r egul at e bl ood pr essu r e. PLANT: Per enni al , hardy t o - 35ºF ( - 37º C) . Si mi l ar t o boxwood i n appearan ce, hysso p' s downy, woody st ems s port smal l , nar r ow, poi nt ed, dar k gr een l eaves. Rose- col or ed, whi t e, or bl ue f l ower s grow i n whor l s at t he t ops of t he br anches and st ems. They bl oom f r om J une t o Oct ober . HEI GHT: 11/ 2 t o 2 f eet . SOI L: Li ght , dr y, wel l - dr ai ned. Pr ef er abl y al kal i ne. EXPOSURE: Ful l or par t i al sun i n shel t er ed posi t i on. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds sow n sprl iyng ngs tsl heow t lhiy.r dAll so unar st on ar tied i ndoor s. Hysso p ger mi nat esn ri eadi butdurgri ow by phase, roo t dior vi si n spri ng or f al l . CARE: I f usi ng as a hedge, space pl ant s 12 i nches apar t . An al most - ever gr een subshr ub, hysso p can be t r i mmed l i ke box, but i t wi l l not f l ower i f t he t ops ar e cut of f . So i f you wi sh t o r epl ace pl ant s t hat di e, al l ow pl ant s at t he ends of t he hedge t o bl oom and sel f - sow. Or you mi ght pl ace a coupl e of hysso p pl ant s i n a gener al pl ant i ng ar ea, 2 f eet apar t , and al l ow t hem t o gr ow f r eel y. PART USED FOR TEA: Gr een t ops of t he her b- l eaves, st ems, and f l ower s. TASTE: Bi t t er and mi nt y, wi t h a sl i ght musky odor . How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: Add 1 t easpoon dr i ed hyssop t ops and/ or f l ower s t o 1 cover ed cup of boi l i ng wat er f or 10 mi nut es, or l onger t o t ast e. St r ai n and sweet en wi t h honey. ---------------J asmi ne ( J asmi num of f i ci nal e)
Somet i mes cal l ed Poet ' s J asmi ne, t hi s vi ne- l i ke pl ant wi t h i t s capt i vat i ng sce nt i s nat i ve t o war m part s of t he East er n Hemi spher e. I t can be gr own out door s i n t he sout hern Uni t ed St at es, but must be t aken i ndoor s i n wi nt er i n col d weat her ar eas. The name i s der i ved f r om t he Per si an yasmi n, and t he summer j asmi ne of our garde ns i s a speci es nat i ve t o Per si a and nort hern I ndi a. When i t was i nt r oduced t o Eur ope i n t he mi d- si xt eent h cent ur y, i t was graf t ed ont o a har di er Spani sh var i et y. Many t hi nk t he sce nt of j asmi ne ar ouses er ot i c i nst i nct s, and a f ew dr ops of j asmi ne oi l , massaged on t he body al ong wi t h al mond oi l ar e bel i eved t o over come f r i gi di t y. The esse nt i al oi l of j asmi ne i s used i n t he per f ume i ndust r y, and t he her b i s gr own ext ensi vel y near Cannes and Gr asse i n t he sout h of Fr ance. I n I ndi a, j asmi ne i s bel i eved a remedy f or snakebi t e. An i nf usi on of t he l eaves i s t hought t o al l evi at e eye pr obl ems. PLANT: Tender peren ni al . A vi ne- l i ke semi - ever gr een pl ant , j asmi ne has many dark gr een l eaf l et s ar r anged i n opposi t e r ows al ong t he st em. Cl ust er s of r i chl y scent ed whi t e f l ower s bl oom over a l ong peri od f r om J une t o Sept ember . The f r ui t s ar e t wo- l obed ber r i es co nt ai ni ng t wo t o f our seeds. HEI GHT: To 30 f eet i n war m cl i mat es. SOI L: Moi st , wel l - dr ai ned gar den soi l . EXPOSURE: Sun or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: By st em cut t i ngs of moderat el y f i r m shoot s. Al so by seeds and l ayeri ng. CARE: Pl ant ed out si de i n t emper at e cl i mat es, j asmi ne shoul d be car ef ul l y t r ai ned agai nst a wal l or on a t r el l i s. I n col der cl i mat es, j asmi ne can be pot t ed wi t h a t r el l i s su ppor t , and br ought i ndoor s i n wi nt er . No sy st emat i c annual pr uni ng i s r equi r ed, but t he pl ant i s mor e l i kel y t o f l our i sh i f ol der , cr owded st ems ar e t hi nned out occasi onal l y. PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s. TASTE: Fr agr ant , sweet . How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed f l ower s, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh f l owers , cover ed wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er and st eeped t o t ast e. Because of t he euphor i a ar oused by j asmi ne' s di sti ncti ve sc ent , i t ' s har d t o t el l i f i t i s t he t ast e or t he odor of t hi s t ea t hat makes i t so del i ght f ul . ---------------J uni per ( J uni per us communi s) J uni per i s al so cal l ed Mel mot Ber r i es, Hor se- Saver , and Bast ar d- Ki l l er . Legend has i t t hat i t was a j uni per bush t hat hi d t he i nf ant J esus f r om Her od' s ar my. Thi s i s possi bl e, si nce t he st r ongl y ar omat i c shr ub i s f ound i n dr y, r ocky soi l i n Eur ope and Asi a, as wel l as i n Nor t h Amer i ca f r om t he Ar ct i c Ci r cl e t o Mexi co. I f you cr ush a j uni per ber r y, you wi l l smel l t he odor of gi n and, i ndeed, t he maki ng of gi n i s t he mai n commer ci al use of t hi s her b. The wor d gi n comes f r om t he Fren ch wor d f or j uni per , geni evre. J uni per t ea i s sai d t o r el i eve di gest i ve pr obl ems r esul t i ng f r om an under pr oduct i on of hydr ochl or i c aci d, and i t i s al so bel i eved t o be hel pf ul f or gast r oi nt est i nal i nf ecti ons, i nf l ammat i ons, and cr amps. J uni per i s al so c onsi der ed a di ur et i c. PLANT: Per enni al ever gr een shr ub wi t h many ver y cl ose br anches. The bark i s cho col at e br own wi t h r ed t i nges. Needl es have whi t e st r i pes on t op, and are shi ny yel l ow- gr een under neat h. Fr om
Apr i l t o J une, yel l ow mal e f l ower s occ ur i n whor l s on one pl ant , gr een f emal e f l ower s on anot her . Gr een ber r y- l i ke cones appear af t er t he f l ower s, and i t i sn' t unt i l t he second year t hat t hey r i pen i nt o bl ui sh- bl ack or dar k pur pl e f l eshy f ru i t. HEI GHT: 4 t o 12 f eet . SOI L: Li mest one, chal ky. EXPOSURE: Sunny. PROPAGATI ON: By seed, but ext r emel y sl ow; seeds won' t ger mi nat e unt i l t he second or t hi r d year . A f ast er way i s t o t ake cut t i ngs i n August , 4 t o 6 i nches l ong, st r i pped t o 1 i nch or so f r om t he but t , and t hen pl ace t hem i n a shaded col df r ame bed of sand. They wi l l be r oot ed by t he f ol l owi ng summer . CARE: I f you' r e pl anni ng t o har vest t he berr i es, keep pr uni ng t o a mi ni mum, t hough you can t r i m a f ew st r aggl y or l opsi ded br anches by cut t i ng t i ps of br anches back t o t he f i r st f or k i n spr i ng. I t ' s usual l y bet t er t o r epl ace j uni per s when t hey' ve out gr own t hei r space, r at her t han pr uni ng t hem dr amat i cal l y and sacr i f i ci ng t he ber r i es and heal t h of t he shr ub. PART USED FOR TEA: Ri pe f emal e ber r i es. TASTE: Spi cy, bi t t er sweet , f r agr ant wi t h an al pi ne- l i ke t ang, si mi l ar t o t hat of gi n. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: St eep 1 t easpoon of dr i ed, or 2 t easpoons of cr ushed f r esh, ber r i es i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er f or 5 t o 10 mi nut es. St r ai n, and enj oy. ---------------Labr ador Tea ( Ledum l at i f ol i um or L. gr oenl andi cum) Ot her names f or t hi s pl ant ar e Cont i nent al Tea, Swamp Tea, Mar sh Tea, Bog Tea, Hudson' s Bay Tea, and Mot h Her b. Dur i ng t he Revol ut i onar y War , t hi s her b was a popul ar subst i t ut e f or Chi na t ea. Nat i ve t o Canada and Gr eenl and, where i t gr ows pr aninor calt her nam gr oenl al so f ound n a. colofd,usel moiyst( hence pl acesone i nbot t he n e, ar eas of andi t he cum Uni )t,edi tStcan at es, Eurbe ope, and i Asi Eski mos and t he I ndi ans of east er n Canada used t hi s t ea ext ensi vel y, as di d expl or er s, t r apper s, and set t l ers who f ound i mport ed t eas har d t o come by. An unt i dy- l ooki ng shr ub, Labr ador t ea i s si mi l ar i n appear ance t o a st r aggl y r hododendr on. I t s t ea st i mul at es t he ner ves, and i s bel i eved t o al l evi at e t he pai ns of r heumat i sm, gout , and ar t hr i t i s. PLANT: Per enni al . Rust - col or ed wool l y br anches bear ar omat i c, al t er nat e, f ol dedback, l eat hery l eaves t hat ar e gr een on t op, r ust - col ored and downy under neat h. Cl ust er s of scent ed whi t e f l ower s appear on t he st em ends f r om May t o J ul y. HEI GHT: 1 t o 3 f eet . SOI L: Moi st,
peat - l i ke.
EXPOSURE: Par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: By r oot di vi si ons t aken i n mi d- aut umn, or , l ess succe ssf ul l y, by seeds.
CARE: Labr ador t ea i s har d t o cul t i vat e unl ess yo u have a pr operl y col d, damp, exposed si t e i n whi ch t o gr ow i t . PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves gat her ed t hr oughout t he year , except when t he pl ant i s f l ower i ng. Fl ower s. TASTE: Del i cat e, f r agr ant . Si mi l ar t o Chi na t ea. CAUTI ON: Mor e t han 1 or 2 cups of t hi s t ea can cause dr owsi ness an d possi bl e poi soni ng. How t o br ew FLOWERS, BY I NFUSI ON: St eep 1 t easpoon of dr i ed f l ower s, or 2 t easpoons of f r esh f l ower s, i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . LEAVES, BY DECOCTI ON: Cr ush 1 t abl espoon of dr i ed l eaves, and add t o cup of boi l i ng wat er. Cover and si mmer f or 5 t o 7 mi nut es. ---------------Lavender ( Lavandul a Ver a, L. si l i ca, and ot her speci es) The name of t hi s popul ar pur pl e f l ower comes f r om t he Lat i n wor d l avar e, meani ng " t o wash. " The anci ent Gr eeks and Romans used l avender i n t hei r bat h wat er because of i t s f r esh, cl ean sce nt . The at t r act i ve l avender f l ower s ar e al so used i n pot pour r i s, sachet s, and f l ower ar r angement s. The bi t t er but ar omat i c l eaves are use d as s easoni ng i n sout hern Eu r opean cooki ng. As a medi ci nal pl ant , l avender i s bel i eved t o hel p cur e i nsomni a, ner vousness, hear t pal pi t at i ons, and hal i t osi s. I t i s al so used t o al l evi at e f l at ul ence, f ai nt i ng, and di zz i ness . Or i gi nal l y nat i ve t o t he Medi t er r anean, t he l avender shr ub i s cu l t i vat ed t hr oughout t he Uni t ed St at es and Eur ope. PLANT: Per enni al , hardy t o 0º F ( - 18ºC) , except Lavandul a dent at a ( Fr ench l avender ) , whi ch i s har dy onl y t o 15º F ( - 9ºC) . Woody, upr i ght st ems have gr ay, nar r ow l eaves up t o 2 i nches l ong, wi t h smoot h mar gi ns. Lavender- col ored f l owers r i se above t he pl ant i n shor t , cl ust er ed spear s or on br anched f l ower st al ks, dependi ng on t he var i et y. Fl ower i ng t i me i s f r om J ul y t o Sept ember . HEI GHT: 11/ 2 t o 3 f eet . SOI L: Dr y, wel l - dr ai ned, chal ky. Not t oo r i ch. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds, di f f i cul t t o get st ar t ed, wi l l ger mi nat e i n 2 t o 3 weeks i f kept moi st and shaded. Al so cut t i ngs. CARE: Space pl ant s 3 f eet apar t , t o avoi d f ungus di seases cau sed by i nadequat e vent i l at i on. Pr une when bl oomi ng ends i n l at e aut umn. Keep gr ound f ai r l y dr y i n wi nt er t o avoi d i nj ur y. PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s. Pi ck when bl ossoms ar e at t hei r pr i me, and st r i p t hem f r om t hei r stems. TASTE: Cool i ng, sweet l y ar omat i c, exot i c f l avor . How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed bl ossoms, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh bl ossoms, t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e.
---------------Lemon Ver bena ( Al oysi a t r i phyl l a, f or mer l y Li ppi a ci t r i odor a) Al so cal l ed Verbe na, Lemon- scent ed Verbe na, Vervei ne Ci t r onel l a, and Herb Lo ui sa, Lemon Ver bena i s nat i ve t o Per u and Chi l e- t he Spani sh c al l i t Yer ba Lui sa- but i t was i nt r oduced t o Engl and and Nor t h Amer i ca by t he Spani sh dur i ng t he ei ght eent h cent ur y. I n Fran ce, i t i s popul ar l y ser ved as t i sane de ver vei ne. Ver bena' s esse nt i al oi l s ar e consi der ed benef i ci al as a mi l d sedat i ve and cool i ng bal m t hat wi l l hel p dr i ve away f ever . Ver bena i s al so bel i eved t o ai d di gest i on. PLANT: Tender per enni al . Thi s i s a pot pl ant i n col d- weat her cl i mat es, wher e i t must be wi nt er - pr ot ect ed. A hi ghl y scent ed deci duous shrub , i t bear s narr ow, l ance- shaped, yel l ow- gr een l eaves- usual l y i n set s of t hr ee- on l i ght - col or ed, woody st ems. I n August , f i l my spi kes of t i ny whi t e or pal e l i l ac f l ower s appear . HEI GHT: To 6 f eet under i deal condi t i ons. SOI L: Li ght , wel l - dr ai ned soi l . EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seed f ormat i on i s i nf r equent , so pr opagat i on f r om cut t i ngs i s pr ef er r ed. Mat ur e pl ant s t end t o wi l t t empor ar i l y af t er cut t i ngs are made. Once r oot ed, cut t i ngs ar e easy t o gr ow and r each mat ur i t y i n one season. Root s can al so be di vi ded i n spr i ng. CARE: Space mat ur e pl ant s about 2 f eet apar t . Br i ng l emon ver bena i ndoor s bef or e t he f i rst f r ost. Once i t i s i nsi de, f eed i t wel l - r ot t ed compost or manur e r egul ar l y, and mi st i t s l eaves wi t h t epi d wat er . I f i t mai nt ai ns i t s l eaves, t hey wi l l pr obabl y t ur n dar ker gr een. However , don' t despai r i f al l l eaves dr op of f , and t he pl ant appear s dead. Cut i t back i n Febr uar y, and i n spr i ng i t wi l l come t o l i f e agai n wi t h l uxur i ant new f ol i age. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves, pr ef er abl y gat her ed when t he pl ant i s bl oomi ng. TASTE: War m, l emony. Of t en added t o bl ack Thea si nensi s t eas, and al so combi nes ni cel y wi t h al f al f a. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: Put 1 t easpoon of dr i ed ver bena l eaves and t ops, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh her b, i n 1 cover ed cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep f or 15 mi nut es. St r ai n. Fl avor wi t h honey i f you l i ke. Good hot or i ced. ---------------Li cor i ce ( Gl ycyr r hi za g l abr a) Ot her names f or t hi s pl ant ar e Li cor i ce Root , Bl ack Sugar , Sweet Li cor i ce, and Sweet Wood. The bot ani cal name comes f r om t he Gr eek gl ukus ( " sweet " ) and r hi za ( "r oot ") . I t i s sa i d t hat chewi ng on l i cor i ce r oot i nst ead of candy has hel ped many peopl e t o st op smoki ng wi t hout gai ni ng wei ght ; l i cor i ce cont ai ns no sugar . Babi es have been gi ven a har d ( but not f i br ous) pi ece of washed r oot t o hel p t hem cut t eet h. Li cor i ce i s f ound on dr y, st ony l and; i t gr ows wi l d i n sout her n and cent r al Eur ope and par t s of Asi a. Spai n i s t he pr i nci pal expor t er of st i ck l i cor i ce. I n Ar abi a, f i nel y powder ed r oot i s used t o dr y up di schar gi ng par t s of t he ski n, t o dr y bl i st er s, and t o absor b al l ki nds of wat er y f l ui ds. Li cor i ce
t ea i s al so a f avor ed r emedy f or br onchi al and st omach pr obl ems - coughs, mucous congest i on, and pept i c ul cer s- as wel l as f or bl adder and ki dney ai l ment s. PLANT: Per enni al . The 3- t o 4- i nch f l exi bl e and br own on t he out si de, and br i ght yel l ow i nsi de, st em bear s al t er nat e l eaves wi t h t hr ee t o seven Yel l owi sh or pur pl i sh f l ower s appear f r om J une
f i br ous t apr oot i s wr i nkl ed and wi t h r eddi sh f i l ament r oot s. The pai r s of dar k gr een l eaf l et s. t o August .
HEI GHT: 1 t o 3 f eet . SOI L: Deep, cr umbl y, wel l - cul t i vat ed. I t must be st one- f r ee so t he t apr oot s can gr ow st r ai ght , even t hough l i cor i ce l i kes t o gr ow i n st ony ar eas. EXPOSURE: Di r ect sun. PROPAGATI ON: By st em or r oot cut t i ngs. The r oot pi eces, 3 or 4 i nches i n l engt h i ncl udi ng buds, ar e r ed f i l ament r oot s t aken f r om t he pl ant i n Mar ch or Apr i l . CARE: Cut shoot s or canes t o soi l l evel each year i n November . By t he t hi r d aut umn, t he mai n r oot wi l l be mat ur e and can be har vest ed. PART USED FOR TEA: Root. TASTE: Sweet , ani se- l i ke. Thi r st - quenchi ng. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON OR DECOCTI ON: Use 1 t easpoon cr ushed or powder ed r oot st ock t o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep, or si mmer t o tast e. Ser ve hot or col d. Added t o ot her her bal t eas, l i cor i ce wi l l sweet en t he br ew nat ur al l y. ---------------Li nden ( Ti l i a eur opaea and ot her speci es) Li nden, al so cal l ed Li me, Eur opean Li nden, Eur opean Li me Tr ee, Basswood, and Wi nged Fl owers , i s one of t he best known and - l oved herbs f or t ea. I t i s f ound wi l d i n f orest s and on mount ai n sl opes i n Eur ope. Now cul t i vat ed i n Nor t h Amer i ca as wel l as Eur ope, i t i s popul ar l y used f or l i ni ng st r eet s and dr i veways because of iand t s uni y. s.The i nf l uenza, sor feort m hri toat I t t ea is pr obl ems. Li nden t ea i s sai d t o be and wr i nkl es f r om appear i ng. I t i s t he ner ves, and pr omot e sl eep.
i s so consi dert o edr el usef ul m i inl tdr bl eatadder i ng col ds,ki dney al used i eve and good f or t he ski n, hel pi ng t o keep f r eckl es al so supposed t o st i mul at e hai r gr owt h, cal m
PLANT: Per enni al . Thi s deci duous t r ee' s br anches, whi ch spr ead out at t he bot t om, bear br i ght gr een, 4- t o 7- i nch, hear t - shaped l eaves t hat ar e coar sel y doubl et oot hed. An abundance of smal l , f r agr ant , whi t e- t o- yel l ow f l ower s appear s i n J une and J ul y, at t r act i ng bees who make a f i ne honey f r om t he bl oss oms. The peasi zed seeds t hat come af t er t he f l owers ar e of t en cal l ed " monkey nut s. " HEI GHT: 50 t 0 100 f eet . SOI L: Ri ch, wel l - dr ai ned, moi st . EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds sown dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. They r equi r e 2 year s t o ger mi nat e. Al so by l ayer i ng or cut t i ngs, ei t her of whi ch i s much qui cker .
CARE: Be sur e t o space t r ees wi t h consi der at i on f or t hei r f i nal si ze. These t r ees ar e easy t o gr ow and ar e among t he f ew t hat t ol er at e t he smoke and f umes of t he ci t y. However , young t r ees do need st aki ng and shapi ng, and i f you have t r anspl ant ed one, be sur e t o keep i t wel l wat er ed unt i l i t i s est abl i shed. Ol der t r ees need onl y cor r ect i ve pr uni ng. PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s, whi ch shoul d be gat her ed when t hey smel l st r ongl y of honey. Once t he scent f ades, t hey ar e t oo ol d t o use. TASTE: Si mi l ar t o chamomi l e, wi t h a sweet , war m, appl e l i ke t ast e. Hi ghl y ar omat i c. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: St eep 2 t easpoons of f r esh f l ower s i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er f or up t o 10 mi nut es. Or use 1 t easpoon of dr i ed f l ower s. ---------------Mar i gol d ( Taget es sp eci es, al so Cal endul a of f i ci nal i s) Thi s common pl ant has been cal l ed many ot her names: Cal endul a, Gol den Fl ower of Mar y, Marybu d, Gol d, Summer ' s Br i de, Sun' s Br i de, Sol sequi a, Hol ygol d, and Pot Mar i gol d. The pl ai n mar i gol d or Fr ench mar i gol d ( Taget es spe ci es) i s t he f l ower we see i n such abundance of var i et y i n hot sunny gar dens t hr oughout t he Uni t ed St at es, whi l e the pot mar i gol d or cal endul a i s a si mpl er f l ower whi ch t hr i ves i n cool weat her . Accor di ng t o l egend, t hi s was t he f l ower f avored a nd worn b y t he Vi r gi n Mar y. Thi s mar i gol d of ol d was a si ngl e f l ower , pr obabl y pal e yel l ow. Today hybr i di st s have pr oduced a f ant ast i c r ange of doubl e- f l ower ed and mul t i col or ed var i et i es, par t i cul ar l y of t he pl ai n mar i gol d. I n Br i t t any, i t i s bel i eved t hat a gi r l who wal ks bar ef oot over mar i gol ds wi l l l ear n t he secr et l anguage of t he bi r ds. Gypsi es bel i eve mar i gol ds t o be one of t he i ngr edi ent s necessa r y to se e f ai r i es. Mar i gol d t ea i s r i ch i n phosphor us and vi t ami n C. I t i s ast r i ngent and i nduces per spi r at i on. Many bel i eved i t t o be usef ul i n t r eat i ng gast r oi nt est i nal pr obl ems- ul cer s, st omach cr amps, and col i t i s- and to br i ng down f ever , pr event vomi t i ng, and heal boi l s and abcesses. PLANT: Annual . A br anched st em suppor t s unst al ked pal e t o deep gr een l eaves t hat have wi del y spaced t eet h. Lar ge yel l ow or or ange f l ower s appear on t he t er mi nal st ems f and r om fJ lune Octve ober I nbit he var et i es, cul ars l m y,any boti nsect h t hes. A l eaves owert o s gi of f. a t t erTaget , ar es omat i ci sce nt t par hat t ri epel chemi cal pr oduced by t he r oot s r epel s nemat odes. These qual i t i es make t he mar i gol d a f avor i t e bor der pl ant ar ound veget abl e garde ns. HEI GHT: Fr om 6 i nches t o 3 f eet , dependi ng on var i et y. SOI L: Not t oo r i ch or moi st . EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds sown i n ear l y spr i ng dur i ng t he f i r st or second l unar phase. For a head st ar t , mar i gol ds ca n be pl ant ed i n f l at s i ndoor s; t hey t r anspl ant t o t he out door s easi l y, once danger of f r ost has passed. Seeds ger mi nat e i n about 10 days. CARE: Space or t hi n pl ant s t o about 1 f oot apart ; cr owded seedl i ngs don' t f l ower as wel l ; nor do t hey make shapel y pl ant s. I n ar eas wher e rab bi t s eat t he f ol i age, dust t he pl ant s wi t h dr i ed bl ood powder t o r epel t hem. PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s, gat her ed i n t he mor ni ng af t er t he dew i s of f . Pet al s can be used al one f or a mor e del i cat e t ea.
TASTE: Sl i ght l y bi t t er and saf f r on- l i ke. Pet al t ea i s not as bi t t er . Sweet en wi t h honey t o tast e. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 2 t easpoons of dr i ed f l ower s or pe t al s, or 4 t easpoons of f r esh her b, t o each cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep f or 5 t o 10 mi nut es. The tea i s br i ght yel l ow. ---------------Mar j or am ( Or i ganum mar j or am) Mar j or am i s al so cal l ed Or egano, Sweet Mar j or am, Knot t ed Mar j or am, and Gar den Mar j or am. I t gr ows wi l d i n t he Medi t err anean ar ea and i n Asi a. Gr eek l egend has i t t hat marj or am' s sweet scent comes f r om t he t ouch of t he goddess Aphr odi t e, who f i r st cul t i vat ed t he f l ower . As a symbol of happi ness, marj or am was f ormed i nt o gar l ands t o crown br i des and br i degr ooms. I t was al so pl ant ed on gr aves t o ensur e et er nal bl i ss f or t he depar t ed. And, i n t he Mi ddl e Ages, mar j or am was consi der ed a magi c char m agai nst wi t chcr af t . Cl osel y r el at ed t o t r ue mar j or am ( or egano, Or i ganum vul gar e) , sweet mar j or am ( O. mar j or ana) i s mor e del i cat el y f l avor ed. I t s camphor - l i ke and t anni c pr oper t i es ar e bel i eved hel pf ul f or gastr i t i s and f or ch i l dren ' s col i c. PLANT: Per enni al , har dy t o 15ºF ( - 9ºC) , cul t i vat ed as a bi enni al i n col der cl i mat es wher e i t somet i mes wi nt er ki l l s. The squar e, downy st em has wi r y, si de br anches cover ed wi t h shor t - st emmed, smal l , el l i pt i cal , vel vet y, gr een- gr ay l eaves. Cl ust er s of pal e red or whi t e f l ower s appear on spi kes at t he ends of t he br anches f r om J ul y t o Sept ember . HEI GHT: I t o 2 f eet . SOI L: Moi st,
al kal i ne, l i ght or medi um- r i ch soi l .
EXPOSURE: Sun, but shel t er ed. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds sown out door s i n spr i ng dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Sl ow t o ger mi nat e. Al so by roo t di vi si ons and cut t i ngs i n spr i ng. Mar j or am i s i ncl i ned t o spr awl and l ayer i t sel f . CARE: Space pl ant s 10 t o 12 i nches apar t . Keep seedl i ngs i n shade unt i l t hey ar e wel l st ar t ed. Al l var i et i es ar e sl ow gr owi ng, so cul t i vat e and weed f r equent l y unt i l t hey ar e est abl i shed. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Sweet , war m, mel l ow. A f l avor t hat r esembl es a bl end of t hyme, r osemar y, and sage. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: 2 t easpoons of f r esh her b, or 1 t easpoon of dr i ed her b, i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. ---------------Meadowsweet ( Fi l i pendul a ul mar i a) Al so ca l l ed Lace- maker s- her b, St eepl ebush, Br i dewort , Dol l of , Meadsweet , Meadow Queen, Pr i de of t he Meadow, and Meadowwor t , Meadowsweet i s f ound wi l d i n damp woods and f ens, and on wet r ock l edges and r i ver banks, i n Asi a and Eur ope. Thi s
sweet - scent ed f l ower was t he f avori t e of Queen El i zabet h I , who had i t scat t er ed over t he f l oor s of her pr i vat e apar t ment . I n Br i t ai n, i t was al so a cust om t o st r ew houses wi t h t he her b f or weddi ng f est i val s. Her bal i st J ohn Ger ar d bel i eved t hi s pr act i ce wi se, sayi ng, " f or t he smel l t her eof makes t he hear t mer r i e and j oyf ul and del i ght et h t he senses. " However , because t he per f ume of meadowsweet i s so h eavy, i t was bel i eved i n ot her count r i es t hat t he her b had sopor i f i c power s associ at ed wi t h deat h, and i t was consi der ed unl ucky t o br i ng meadowsweet i nt o t he house. The her b has been used t o t r eat di ar r hea and col i c. Because i t cont ai ns sa l i cyl i c aci d, i t i s sa i d t o be a r emedy f or i nf l uenza, r espi r at or y t r act pr obl ems, gout , r heumat i sm, f ever , and ar t hr i t i s. I t i s al so reco mmended f or dr opsy and bl adder and ki dney ai l ment s. PLANT: Per enni al . I t s cr eepi ng roo t sends up a r eddi sh, angul ar st em. Lar ge t hr ee- t o f i ve- l obed, ser r at ed t er mi nal l eaf l et s ar e sl i ght l y hai r y under neat h. Smal l yel l owi sh or whi t e f l ower s appear i n dense c l ust er s f r om J une t o Sept ember . HEI GHT: 5 t o 6 f eet . SOI L: Ri ch, moi st . EXPOSURE: Par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d or f our t h l unar phase. Root cut t i ngs ar e al so easy t o obt ai n, si nce t he r oot st ock cr eeps t hr ough t he wet swampy gr ound, adds a new pi ece each year , and sends shoot s upwar d. CARE: Space mat ur e pl ant s 10 t o 15 i nches apar t . Keep moi st . PART USED FOR TEA: Young l eaves gat her ed bef or e f l ower buds appear . Al so f l ower s and r oot s. TASTE: Sweet and del i cat e, ver y ar omat i c. How t o br ew LEAVES OR FLOWERS, BY I NFUSI ON: Pl ace 2 t abl espoons of t he f r esh l eaves or f l ower s, or 1 t abl espoon of dr i ed her b, i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t aste . ROOTS, BY soak DECOCTI 2 t st ablock espoons of dr oot6sthour ock s,i nbr1i cup wat er . Or t heON: dr iBoi ed l r oot i n 1 cup ofi ed, col dcrwushed at er f ror ng i of t t o a boi l , and st eep f or 1 or 2 mi nut es. ---------------Mi nt ( Ment ha speci es) Ther e ar e about t hi r t y var i et i es of mi nt f ound i n t emper at e cl i mat es t hr oughout most of t he worl d. These i ncl ude spearmi nt , pepper mi nt , oran ge mi nt , appl e mi nt , and pi neappl e mi nt . Each speci es i s char act er i zed by i t s soo t hi ng, ar omat i c, r ef r eshi ng, and di st i nct i ve odor and t ast e, and each has i t s own degr ee of bi t e. Pepper mi nt , f or exampl e, i s one of t he st r ongest , and t he ar oma of i t s cr ushed l eaves s ymbol i zed hospi t al i t y i n anci ent Gr eek and Roman homes. Accor di ng t o Gr eek myt hol ogy, t he nymph Mi nt he was di scover ed i n t he ar ms of Pl ut o by hi s wi f e, Per sephone, who cr ushed t he l i t t l e cr eat ur e savagel y under her f oot . Pl ut o t hen met amor phosed Mi nt he i nt o a sweet - smel l i ng pl ant . Anci ent Hebr ews cover ed t hei r synagogue f l oors wi t h mi nt l eaves, and at hl et es per f umed t hei r bodi es wi t h t he l eaves t o gi ve t hem power . Mi nt t eas ar e bel i eved to r el i eve cr amps, coughs, poor di gest i on, nausea, heart bur n, and abdomi nal pai ns, as wel l as headaches, vomi t i ng, and ot her ai l ment s at t r i but ed t o ner ves.
PLANT: Al l are p er enni al s. Square, br anchi ng st ems bear op posi t e obl ong, ser r at ed or scal l oped dar k l eaves. The st ems ar e t opped by l eaf l ess spi kes of whi t i sh, vi ol et , r ed- l i l ac, or pur pl e f l ower s t hat gr ow densel y and bl oom f r om J ul y t o Sept ember . HEI GHT: Fr om 18 i nches t o 4 f eet , dependi ng on speci es. SOI L: Moi st,
r i ch.
EXPOSURE: Par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds or new shoot s i n spr i ng dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Root di vi si on i n f al l . Runner s and shoot s ar e easi er ways t o pr opagat e. CARE: Space f r om 10 t o 15 i nches apar t , dependi ng on var i et y. Unl ess yo u want seeds, keep mi nt cut back t o i mpr ove i t s gr owt h. Keep weeded. Ever y 3 or 4 year s, r enew beds by cho ppi ng up t he t angl ed mass of r oot s wi t h a shar p- edged t ool . Wat er wel l , cover wi t h a t hi n l ayer of enr i ched soi l , and new pl ant s wi l l soon appear . PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Cl ean, r ef r eshi ng, del i cat el y f r ui t y. Ar omat i c. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves, or 3 t easpoons of cr ushed f r esh l eaves, i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. Mi nt i s a popul ar addi t i on t o l ess t ast y her bal t eas- al f al f a, f or exampl e. Al l t he mi nt t eas ar e good ei t her hot or col d. ---------------Mugwor t ( Ar t emi si a vul gar i s) Of Mugwor t , whose ot her names ar e Fel on Her b, Sai l or ' s Tobacco, Smot her wood, Appl e- pi e, and Ol d Uncl e Harr y, J ohn Ger ar d' s Herba l l of 1597 says, " The t r avel er or wayf ar i ng man t hat hat h mugwor t t i ed about hi m f eel et h no wear i ness at al l . " The Pi l gr i ms bel i eved t hi s, t oo, and i t was sa i d t hat a man who kept m ugwiort t t he l eaves nsi Chi de rhion s sho es coul wal k f oroft yhunt mi l es a day. Gr eekt he l egend has cent iaur t aught t hedgoddess i ngi n and t he m oon uses of mugwor t , and she was so pl eased wi t h t he her b t hat she gave i t her name- Ar t emi s. A st r ong t ea made f r om t he f l ower s and t op l eaves i s t hought t o di ssol ve gal l st ones, r egul at e t he menst r ual cycl e, and pr omot e appet i t e and di gest i on- al l because of mugwor t ' s benef i ci al ef f ect on bi l e pr oduct i on. PLANT: Per enni al . Thi s pl ant has a f i r m, downy, gr ooved, br own st em, wi t h al t er nat e, coars el y t oot hed, gr een l eaves, whi ch are whi t e and downy under neat h. Smal l gr eeni sh- yel l ow t o r ed- br own f l ower s appear on spi kes f r om J ul y t o Oct ober . HEI GHT: 2 t o 5 f eet . SOI L: Any moi st soi l . Thi s pl ant i s consi der ed a weed and can be f ound i n di t ches, i n wast e pl aces, or al ong roa dsi des and f ences t hr oughout Eur ope, Asi a, and t he Amer i cas. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar ph ase. Al so r oot di vi si on; mugwor t ' s cr eepi ng roo t s cause i t t o spr ead qui ckl y.
CARE: Pl ace pl ant s 2 f eet apart . However , mugwor t ' s r eput at i on as a weed i s wel l deser ved, and you' l l want t o gi ve i t pl ent y of space- per haps gr ow i t as a l ar ge shr ub, f or exampl e- i f you dar e t o i nt r oduce i t i nt o your gar den. Each year , t he ci r cl e of r oot s i ncr eases, and i t i s necessary t o cut away many r oot s and seedl i ngs t o keep t he pl ant f r om get t i ng out of cont r ol . PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s, l eaves. Some peopl e br ew a r oot decoct i on as wel l . TASTE: Tangy, r ef r eshi ng. I t was a f avor i t e i n Engl and bef or e Or i ent al t ea was i nt r oduced. CAUTI ON: Dr i nki ng mor e t han 1 or 2 cups can l ead t o sympt oms of poi soni ng. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves or f l owers , or 3 t easpoons of f r esh herb, cover ed wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. ---------------Mul l ei n ( Ver bascum t hapsus) Pr onounced t o r hyme wi t h " sul l en, " t hi s popul ar pl ant has about t hi r t y common names- i ncl udi ng Gr eat Mul l ei n, Lady' s Foxgl ove, Vel vet Pl ant , Shepher d' s Her b, Ol d Man' s Fl annel , J upi t er ' s St af f , Aar on' s Rod, Candl ewi ck, J acob' s St af f , and Wi t ch' s Candl e- possi bl y because i t s t ower i ng hei ght , somet i mes 8 or 9 f eet , makes i t har d t o i gnor e. Gener al Agr i ppa, who ser ved under Caesar August us, wr ot e t hat t he over power i ng f r agr ance of t he pl ant was a det er r ent t o demons. Ear l y Gr eeks and Romans di pped f l ower heads of t he dr i ed st al ks i n t al l ow and used t hem as t or ches. The t ea i s consi der ed benef i ci al f or pul monar y di st ur bances- coughs, ast hma, br onchi t i s, and hay f ever . I t i s al so used f or sedat i on and pai n r el i ef and al l evi at i on of cr amps and gast r oi nt est i nal cat ar r h. PLANT: A har dy bi enni al . The t al l , st out , si ngl e st al k bear s 10- t o 16- i nch, al t er nat e, f el t - l i ke, l i ght gr een l eaves. These di mi ni sh i n si ze t owar d t he t op of t he pl ant , whi ch i s cr owned by a spi ke of f i ve- pet al ed yel l ow f l ower s f r om J une t o Sept ember . HEI GHT: To 9 f eet . SOI L: Poor , dr y. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seed sown i n spri ng or f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d or f our t h l unar phase. Sel f - sows f r eel y. CARE: Pl ace pl ant s 3 f eet apart . Cut t he seedheads i n f al l unl ess y ou want t he gr ound mat t ed wi t h seedl i ngs t he f ol l owi ng spr i ng. PART USED FOR TEA: Fl ower s, l eaves. TASTE: Tea f r om t he f l ower s i s sweet ; f r om t he l eaves, sl i ght l y bi t t er . Bot h ar e hi ghl y ar omat i c. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: St eep 1 t easpoon of dr i ed, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh cr ushed l eaves or f l ower s i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . Be sur e t o st r ai n t hi s t ea wel l i n or der t o el i mi nat e t he f i ne hai r s t hat cover t he pl ant . Sweet en t o t ast e.
---------------Net t l e ( Ur t i ca di oi ca) Thi s pl ant i s al so cal l ed Common Net t l e, St i ngi ng Net t l e, Gr eat St i ngi ng Net t l e, I ndi an Spi nach, Bad Man' s Pl ayt hi ngs, and Hoky- Poky. Nat i ve t o t he Nort her n Hemi sphere, i t i s now f ound al l over t he wor l d i n wast e pl aces and r oadsi des. I n Scandi navi an myt hol ogy, net t l es wer e sacr ed t o t he god Thor , so f ami l i es t hr ew t hese pl ant s on t he f i r e dur i ng t hunder st orms t o keep t hei r homes f r om bei ng dest r oyed by hi s l i ght ni ng. Despi t e t he hazar ds i nvol ved i n har vest i ng i t , t he r i ch i r on, pr ot ei n, and vi t ami n cont ent of t he net t l e makes t he ef f or t wor t hwhi l e. The t ea i s bel i eved t o st i mul at e t he di gest i ve syst em and i ncr ease l actati on i n nur si ng mot her s. I t s ast r i ngent qual i t i es ar e sai d t o r el i eve ur i nar y di sor der s, r heumat i c pr obl ems, and col ds. PLANT: Per enni al . Net t l e' s st out st em i s densel y cover ed wi t h st i ngi ng hai r s t hat cont ai n a venom of f or mi c aci d. Ser r at ed, opposi t e, gr ay- gr een l eaves ar e hear t shaped and downy under neat h. Smal l , gr eeni sh f l ower s appear i n br anched cl ust er s f r om J ul y t o Sept ember . HEI GHT: 1 t o 8 f eet . SOI L: Ri ch, moi st , f ul l of or gani c mat t er . EXPOSURE: Sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase, or new shoot s t aken i n spr i ng. PART USED FOR TEA: Young l eaves, dr i ed. TASTE: Bl and, but good wi t h a l i t t l e mi nt or ot her sweet ener . The t ea i s l i ght gr een. CAUTI ON: When handl i ng or har vest i ng net t l e pl ant s, be sur e t o wear gl oves i n or der t o pr event sever e st i ngi ng, i t chi ng, and bl i st er i ng wher e t he pl ant t ouches t he ski n. Once t he gr eens ar e cooked or dr i ed t hey l ose t hei r poi sonous qual i t y, but never use ol d l eaves uncooked, f or t hey i nduce sympt oms of poi soni ng and can cause ki dney damage. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: Use 2 t easpoons of dr i ed, cr umbl ed net t l e l eaves per cup of wat er . St eep 5 t o 10 mi nut es. ---------------New J er sey Tea ( Ceanot hus amer i canus) Al so cal l ed Li bert y Tea, Redr oot , J er sey Tea, Mount ai nsweet , Wal pol e Tea, and Wi l d Snowbal l , t hi s pl ant i s t he sour ce of a good caf f ei ne- f r ee t ea t hat t ast es l i ke Thea si nensi s. New J er sey t ea i s commonl y f ound i n dr y, sandy, or gr avel l y soi l i n woods and t hi cket s r angi ng f r om Mai ne sout hwar d t o Fl or i da and Texas. Af t er t he Bost on Tea Part y and dur i ng t he Amer i can Revol ut i on, i t was one of t he t eas f avor ed by set t l er s and sol di ers who were bo ycot t i ng Chi na t eas because of t he pr ohi bi t i ve t axes t he Br i t i sh had pl aced on t hem. The t ea i s bel i eved t o r el i eve chest pr obl ems - br onchi t i s, whoopi ng cough, consumpt i on, and ast hma. I t i s al so used as a gar gl e t o al l evi at e t hr oat and mout h i r r i t at i ons. PLANT: Har dy per enni al ; a deci duous shr ub. The l ar ge r oot i s cov ered wi t h br owni sh or r eddi sh bar k, and i t i s r ed i nsi de Sever al upr i ght st ems r i se f r om t he roo t cl ust er . They have al t er nat e, egg- shaped, f i nel y se r r at ed l eaves t hat ar e dul l gr een on t op and f i nel y hai r y under neat h. On about t he f i r st of J une,
dense gr oups of smal l whi t e f l ower s appear on t he ends of t he br anches. Fr om t hen unt i l August , t hi s beaut i f ul bl oomi ng shr ub at t r act s a wi de var i et y of bees and but t er f l i es. HEI GHT: To 3 f eet . SOI L: Poor , dr y, wel l - dr ai ned. EXPOSURE: Sun. PROPAGATI ON: By cut t i ngs t aken i n summer and pl aced i n moi st , sandy soi l i n a col d- f r ame pr opagat i ng bed. Al so by seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase, l ayer i ng, or r oot d i vi si on ( f r om si de shoot s). CARE: Pl ace pl ant s 4 f eet apar t . Pr une i n l at e wi nt er or ear l y spr i ng, cut t i ng br anches back sev er el y, cl ose t o t he base, and r emovi ng unwant ed shoot s f r om t he pr evi ous year ' s gr owt h. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Si mi l ar t o Or i ent al t eas made f r om Thea si nensi s. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: St eep 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves, or 1 t abl espoon of cr ushed f r esh l eaves, i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . The dr i ed l eaves gi ve mor e of t he Or i ent al t ea f l avor . Cr eam and sugar i mpr ove t he tast e. ---------------Or egano ( Or i ganum vul gare) Or egano i s al so ca l l ed Wi l d Mar j oram, Wi nt er sweet , Mount ai n Mi nt , and Wi nt er Mar j or am. Or i ganum i s t hought t o be t he ol d Gr eek name f or t he pl ant , and means " del i ght of t he mount ai ns. " Cl osel y rel at ed t o mar j or am, t her e i s conf usi on as t o whi ch of t he t wo i s act ual l y t he " r eal " or egano. Ol d her bal s don' t of f er much hel p; t hey t end t o r ef er t o al l speci es of t he genus as "o r gany " Nat i ve t o t he Medi t er r anean r egi ons, or egano i s cu l t i vat ed i n t he Uni t ed St at es, Mexi co, and Eur ope. I t i s bel i eved t o cal m upset st omachs, headaches, i ndi gest i on, and ot her ner compl ai nt s, and iand t has an anci ent r eput at i on as an ant i dot e t o nar cot i c poi vous soni ng, convul si ons, dr opsy. PLANT: Per enni al , hardy t o - 30ºF ( - 34ºC) . The r ounded, gr een l eaves ar e opposi t e f r om one anot her on squar e, pur pl i sh st ems t hat r i se f r om cr eepi ng r oot s. The l eaves ar e of t en l ar ger and coars er and have a dar ker col or t han t hose of sweet mar j or am. Pur pl i sh- pi nk bl ossoms appear at t he ends of t he st ems f r om J ul y t o Octo ber . HEI GHT: 2 t o 21/ 2 f eet . SOI L: Aver age, wel l - dr ai ned, l i my. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds, cut t i ngs, r oot di vi si ons. Pl ant seeds i n spr i ng or f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Cut t i ngs are ea sy t o r oot , or new pl ant s ca n be st ar t ed by l ayer i ng. Easi er yet , "i nst ant pl ant s" ca n be obt ai ned by r oot di vi si on i n ear l y spr i ng, si nce t he cr eepi ng r oot s r un r ampant and ar e of t en i nvasi ve.
CARE: Space 11/ z t o 2 f eet apar t . Keep pl ant s cut back t o encour age bushi ness and t hi ck f ol i age. St ar t new pl ant s f r om ol d ones about every 3 years , when t he ol d ones become woody. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Si mi l ar t o mar j or am, but mor e i nt ense and st r onger i n t ast e and ar oma. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon dr i ed l eaves, or 3 of f r esh cr ushed l eaves, st eeped t o t ast e i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . ---------------Par sl ey ( Pet r osel i num cr i spum) Thi s wi despr ead her b i s al so cal l ed Cur l y Fr ench Par sl ey, Car um, Rock Par sl ey, and Common Par sl ey. I t i s s ai d t hat gar l ands of par sl ey wer e wor n at Gr eek and Roman banquet s t o absor b t he f umes of wi ne and t o hel p pr event i nt oxi cat i on. Ri ch i n chl or ophyl l cont ent , par sl ey was al so eat en af t er di ni ng t o remove oni on and gar l i c odor s, a use t hat i s sti l l popul ar t oday. Or i gi nal l y nat i ve t o sout heast er n Eur ope, par sl ey i s now cul t i vat ed al l over t he wor l d. One f ol k l egend connect s par sl ey wi t h deat h- pr obabl y because par sl ey gar l ands wer e gi ven as pr i zes f or Gr eek and Roman publ i c i mpor t ant peopl e. Thi s omi nous associ i t was bel i eved par sl ey' s wi ckedness Good Fr i day under a r i si ng moon. The of ast hma, coughs, dr opsy, menst r ual
f uner al games t hat honor ed t he deat hs of at i on cont i nued i nt o t he Mi ddl e Ages, when coul d be over come i f t he her b was sown on t ea i s bel i eved benef i ci al i n t he t r eat ment di f f i cul t i es, and ur i nar y di sor der s.
PLANT: Bi enni al , usual l y cul t i vat ed as an annual . Tuf t ed, f i nel y cut , br i ght gr een l eaves wi t h ser r at ed or t oot hed edges r i se f r om a t apr oot much l i ke a t hi n car r ot ; t he pl ant comes f r om t he same f ami l y. Gr eeni sh- yel l ow or whi t e f l ower s appear f r om J une t o August of t he second year, f ol l owed by egg- shaped, gr ayi shbr own seeds. HEI GHT: 6 t o 12 i nches. SOI L: Moi st,
f ai rl y ri ch.
EXPOSURE: Shade or par t i al sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds. Ger mi nat i on i s s l ow and uncer t ai n; f ol k l egend has i t t hat t he seeds go t o t he Devi l and back sev er al t i mes bef or e t hey sprou t . Germi nat i on i s hast ened i f seeds ar e soaked i n war m wat er f or 24 hour s bef or e pl ant i ng. CARE: Thi n bushi ness. i nt o a new t r anspl ant
seedl i ngs 6 t o 8 i nches apar t . Keep pl ant s wel l t r i mmed t o encour age I t ' s su pposed t o be unl ucky t o t r anspl ant par sl ey f r om an ol d gar den one, but t hi s may be because t he t apr oot of pars l ey j ust doesn' t wel l .
PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves har vest ed bef or e t he pl ant s f l ower . TASTE: Ref r eshi ng, wi t h a cool i ng t ast e l i ke t hat of f r esh par sl ey. Ri ch i n vi t ami ns A, B, C, and K. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh cr ushed l eaves wi t h 1 cup of wat er t hat has st opped boi l i ng. St eep f or 20 mi nut es. Don' t boi l t he f r esh l eaves.
---------------Pennyr oyal ( Ment ha pul egi um) Ot her names f or t hi s her b ar e Engl i sh Pennyr oyal and Puddi ng Gr ass. A member of t he mi nt f ami l y, t hi s mor e popul ar s peci es of pennyr oyal ( t here i s an Amer i can annual ver si on, Hedeoma pul egi oi des, commonl y cal l ed squawmi nt ) seems t o have t he power t o r epel f l ea, mosqui t oes, and ot her i nsect s when i t i s r ubbed on t he ski n. Li nnaeus con si der ed t hi s power when he named t he pl ant ; pul ex i s t he Lat i n wor d f or " f l ea. " The her b' s odor and medi ci nal vi r t ues come f r om pul egi um, a power f ul l y ar omat i c esse nt i al oi l . Despi t e i t s name, Engl i sh pennyr oyal i s nat i ve t o t he Near East , t hough i t i s now cul t i vat ed t hr oughout Eur ope and Nor t h Amer i ca. Ol d Engl i sh her bal s sa y i t hel ps di spel f l at ul ence, pr oduce per spi r at i on, and pr omot e menst r uat i on. I t i s al so bel i eved t o r el i eve spasms and st i mul at e di gest i on. PLANT: Har dy per enni al . Cr eepi ng r oot s s end up many st ems cover ed wi t h deep gr een, hai r y, oval l eaves about 1/ z i nch l ong. Ti ny l i l ac- col or ed f l ower s appear i n whor l s f r om J une t o Oct ober . Pennyr oyal makes a good gr ound cover i n moi st soi l s. HEI GHT: St ems up t o 14 i nches l ong hug t he gr ound and r i se f r om 4 t o 7 i nches. SOI L: Cl ay, moi st soi l . EXPOSURE: Sun or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds sown i n spr i ng or f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Al so st em cut t i ngs. Ti ny, r oot ed st ems ca n be r eset i n spr i ng or f al l . CARE: Space mat ur e pl ant s f r om 5 t o 6 i nches apar t . Keep t r i mmed t o pr event st r aggl y st ems. Br ought i ndoors , pennyr oyal makes a good, aromat i c, t r ai l i ng housepl ant . PART USED FOR TEA: Tops and l eaves ( bef or e f l ower i ng) . TASTE: St r ongl y mi nt y, sweet , ar omat i c. The t ea has an amber col or . How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed pennyr oyal t ops and l eaves, or 3 t easpoons i f usi ng f r esh her b, i n 1 cover ed cup of boi l i ng wat er . St r ai n, and f l avor wi t h honey i f desi r ed. Good i n combi nat i on wi t h ot her mi nt t eas. ---------------Raspberr y ( Rubus st r i gosus or R. i daeus) Thi s shr ubby pl ant , whi ch i s al so cal l ed Wi l d Red Raspber r y, i s nat i ve t o t he r egi on f r om Newf oundl and t o Mani t oba, and i s f ound sout hwar d as f ar as New Mexi co i n t he west and Nor t h Car ol i na i n t he east . Hi st or i cal l y, t ea f r om r aspber r y l eaves was gi ven t o pr egnant women because f r agr i ne, an act i ve subst ance f ound i n t he f ol i age, af f ect s t he f emal e or gans of r epr oduct i on, especi al l y t he muscl es of t he pel vi c r egi on and ut er us. Raspber r y- l eaf t ea was al so bel i eved t o r el i eve mor ni ng si ckness a nd ease chi l dbi r t h. The r ed edi bl e f r ui t f ound on wi l d pl ant s i s smal l er t han t hat f r om cul t i vat ed pl ant s, but j ust as t asty. PLANT: Bi enni al . A dur abl e r oot sends up t hor ned, pr i ckl y canes, wi t h cl ust er s of i r r egul ar , oval , saw- t oot hed, gr een l eaf l et s t hat ar e whi t i sh and downy
under neat h. Whi t e or gr eeni sh- whi t e 1/ z- i nch f l owers appear i n spr i ng or summer of t he second year , f ol l owed by cr i mson f r ui t s made up of many t i ny pl ump ker nel s. Each ker nel cont ai ns an edi bl e seed. The ri pened f r ui t i s j ui cy and t ast y. I t appear s f r om J ul y t o Sept ember . HEI GHT: TO 7 f eet . SOI L: Deep, l oamy, wel l - dr ai ned. Moi st . Less d esi r abl e soi l s wi l l yi el d smal l er and f ewer ber r i es and l ess l uxur i ant f ol i age. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds, pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d or f our t h l unar phase, or, more r el i abl y, sucker s t aken f r om pl ant s i n spr i ng bef or e second- year gr owt h begi ns. CARE: Set sucker s or seedl i ngs 3 t o 4 f eet apart , wi t h 6 t o 8 f eet bet ween r ows. Cut back t r anspl ant ed pl ant s t o 12 i nches, and set t hem 3 i nches deeper t han t hey wer e f ormer l y gr owi ng t o pr ot ect t he roo t s f r om dr ought . Pr une canes back t o a hei ght of 31/ 2 t o 4 f eet bef or e gr owt h begi ns i n spr i ng. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Ast r i ngent , soot hi ng, f r ui t y, and ar omat i c. CAUTI ON: Because of t hei r ef f ect on t he f emal e r epr oduct i ve syst em, t he l eaves have acqui r ed t he r eput at i on of bei ng aphr odi si ac. The t ea shoul d be t aken i n moder at i on. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh l eaves, t o each cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. Can be sweet ened wi t h sugar or honey. ---------------Rose ( Rosy speci es) Ther e ar e mor e t han 10, 000 var i et i es of t he r ose- t he f l ower of l ove- because t hi s showy, ar omat i c, f l ower i ng her b has l ong been t he f avor i t e of hybr i di zer s w r i of t im sost gr ow n. i et Swieet el l ri ose ng her eae can beder made f r omftor he pet petal al st ea, and r hereve ose hi ps var es.- sm Red petbal al s tar consi ed best and t he most sought af t er r ose hi ps come f r om wi l d var i et i es f ound on sandy beaches, r oadsi des, wast e pl aces, and f i el ds t hr oughout t he t emperat e zones. Legend has i t t hat al l r oses wer e whi t e unt i l Aphr odi t e pr i cked her f oot on a r ose t hor n, col or i ng t he f l ower wi t h her bl ood. The Per si an phi l osopher Zar at hust r a cl ai med t he r ose hi p was mot her of al l nut r i t i ous f r ui t s. Hi ps ar e not ed f or t hei r hi gh concent r at i ons of vi t ami ns A, B, E, K, P, and especi al l y Ca cup of r ose hi ps i s sai d t o cont ai n as much vi t ami n C as 150 or anges. Fl ower t ea i s bel i eved t o f or t i f y the hear t and br ai n and t o r el i eve f emal e ai l ment s, st omach di sor der s, and cat ar r h. The genus name Rosa comes f r om t he Gr eek wor d r odon, whi ch means " r ed. " PLANT: Per enni al or t ender per enni al , dependi ng on t he var i et y. Roses have t hor ned, er ect st ems bear i ng t oot hed, al t er nat e l eaves. Wi l d f l ower s ar e usual l y si ngl e wi t h f i ve pet al s i n shades of whi t e or r ed, but cul t i vat ed var i et i es can be doubl e and mul t i - pet al ed and come i n a wi de r ange of col or s. Bl ossoms ar e f ol l owed by t he smoot h r ed or oran ge hi ps ( f r ui t s) . HEI GHT: Sever al i nches t o sever al f eet , dependi ng on t he var i et y. SOI L: Most r oses r equi r e a f i r m, wel l - enr i ched, and wel l dr ai ned soi l . EXPOSURE: Ful l sun.
PROPAGATI ON: Wi l d var i et i es can be gr own f r om seeds pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Hybr i di zed var i et i es r equi r e ei t her cut t i ngs or gr af t i ngs t o r oot st ocks of st r onger va r i et i es. CARE: Spaci ng, pr uni ng, and car e depend on t he var i et y and t he cl i mat e wher e gr own. Consul t a book on r ose cul t ur e t o det er mi ne what you need. PART USED FOR TEA: Pet al s gat her ed bef or e t he f l ower unf ol ds or hi ps gat her ed i n ear l y aut umn. TASTE: Hi ps- f r ui t y, ar omat i c, pl easant t ast i ng. Pet al s - del i cat e, exot i c, f r agr ant , l i ke si ppi ng a cupf ul of f l ower s. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon dr i ed, or 2 t easpoons f r esh pet al s f or each cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. Or gr i nd dr i ed hi ps i nt o powder , and use 1 t easpoon per cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep f or about 5 mi nut es, and add a l i t t l e honey. Bot h t eas ar e good hot or col d. ---------------Rosemar y ( Rosmar i nus of f i ci nal i s) Rosemar y i s al so cal l ed Dew of t he Sea and Mar y' s Mant l e. The symbol of f r i endshi p and r emembr ance, t hi s ever gr een shr ub i s sai d t o br i ng l uck and pr event wi t chcr af t . I t or i gi nat ed i n t he Medi t er r anean and i s wi del y cul t i vat ed. Legend has i t t hat r osemary f l owers wer e whi t e unt i l t he Vi r gi n Mar y hung her bl ue cl oak over a r osemar y bush; f r om t hat t i me on, t hey wer e bl ue. I t i s sai d t he gener i c name der i ves f r om t he Lat i n r os, " dew, " and mar i nus, "of t he sea. " Ear l y herba l i st s bel i eved weari ng a spri g of r osemar y coul d cur e nervou s ai l ment s and r est ore y out h, and t he f r agr ant t ea was t hought t o r el i eve f l at ul ence, st i mul at e t he hear t , i nduce sl eep, and al l evi at e headaches. I t s ri ch scent makes i t a f avor i t e compani on pl ant i n veget abl e garde ns wher e i t cont r ol s cabbage mot hs, bean beet l es, car r ot f l i es, and mal ar i a mosqui t oes. PLANT: Tender per enni al . A pi ny- l ooki ng, sl ow- gr owi ng bush, r osemar y' s many sca l y br anches are co ver ed wi t h opposi t e, dar k gr een, nar r ow, needl e- l i ke l eaves, whi ch ar e ashy- whi t e under neat h. Pal e bl ue, l avender , or whi t e f l ower s rdur esem bl Apr i ngi lt i and ny or chi ldsgr ow st er emsclt ihat r i se above t he pl ant . They bl oom i ng Mayat er i n on cool mat es. HEI GHT: 3 t o 6 f eet . SOI L: Li ght , war m, dr y, wel l - dr ai ned soi l wi t h pl ent y of l i me cont ent . EXPOSURE: Ful l sun or par t i al shade, i n a shel t er ed spot . PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed i n spr i ng or f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. They ar e sl ow t o ger mi nat e- t hey t ake 3 weeks or so- and the r esul t i ng pl ant s wi l l t ake 3 year s t o bl oom. Qui cker ar e st em cut t i ngs or 4- t o 6- i nch r oot cut t i ngs f r om new wood or heal t hy end t i ps. These r oot easi l y when pl aced i n sand, ver mi cul i t e, or wat er . CARE: Space mat ur e pl ant s 3 f eet apar t . I n cool cl i mat es, r osemar y must be pr ot ect ed wi t h heavy mul ch or br ought i ndoor s i n wi nt er. The roo t s ar e t ender and must n' t f r eeze. Rosemar y can be gr own as a pot pl ant . The shr ub wi l l gr ow qui ckl y i f i t i s gi ven l i me and f er t i l i zer sever al t i mes a season. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves, f l ower s.
TASTE: Pi ny and ar omat i c, l i ke a f i ne i ncense. Good i n combi nat i on wi t h t ansy. How t o br ew FLOWERS, BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed her b, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh her b, t o each cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. LEAVES, BY I NFUSI ON VERY STRONG: 1/ 2 t easpoon of dr i ed or f r esh herb f or each cup of boi l i ng wat er . Good wi t h a l i t t l e l emon or honey. ---------------Sage ( Sal vi a of f i ci nal i s) Al so cal l ed Garde n Sage and Pur pl e Sage, t hi s f r agr ant herb i s an anci ent symbol of wi sdom. I t gr ows wi l d i n sout her n Eur ope and t he Medi t er r anean, and i s wi del y cul t i vat ed. Sage comes i n 700 var i et i es, i ncl udi ng pi neappl e sage, l avender sage, and ot her s. A member of t he mi nt f ami l y, i t s gener i c name comes f r om t he Lat i n sal vi a, meani ng " heal t h. " Sage i s r i ch i n a hydr ocar bon known as sa l vene, as wel l as i n ot her esse nt i al oi l s. I t i s astr i ngent , ar omat i c, sti mul at i ng, and bi t t er . Ear l y her bal i st s bel i eved sage t o be of val ue i n cal mi ng ner ves, al l evi at i ng ner vous headaches, and soot hi ng sor e t hr oat s. I t has l ong been r eput ed t o r et ar d agi ng, enhance memor y, and pr event hands f r om t r embl i ng and eyes f r om di mmi ng. An anci ent Lat i n pr over b t r ansl at es, " How can a man di e when sage gr ows i n hi s gar den?" PLANT: Har dy per enni al . Sage' s st r ongl y br anched r oot pr oduces square, hai r y st ems. Gr ay- gr een, 1- t o 2- i nch, opposi t e l eaves ar e shaped l i ke el ongat ed oval s and have a coars e sur f ace cover ed wi t h smal l bumps. Pur pl e, bl ue, or whi t e f l ower s appear on t al l spi kes i n J une and J ul y. Pl aced near t he veget abl e gar den, sage cont r ol s ca bbage mot hs, car r ot f l i es, and t i cks. HEI GHT: 2 t o 3 f eet . SOI L: Dr y, wel l - dr ai ned, sandy or l i my soi l . EXPOSURE: Ful l sun or pa r t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed i n spr i ng dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Cut t i ngs. Layer i ng. Root di vi si on. Sage al so sel f - sows f r eel y. CARE: Space pl ant s 18 i nches apar t . Cut back st ems af t er bl oomi ng, and f er t i l i ze i f you cut t he l eaves f r equent l y. Over wat er i ng can cause mi l dew. Renew pl ant s ever y 3 or 4 year s, when t hey become woody. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Ar omat i c, camphor - l i ke, hear t eni ng, f ai nt l y bi t t er . How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: Cover 1 t easpoon of dr i ed or f r esh chopped l eaves and t ops wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep f or 10 mi nut es. St r ai n. Sweet en wi t h honey. ---------------Sar sapar i l l a ( Ar al i a nudi caul i s) Al so cal l ed Amer i can Sar sapar i l l a, Wi l d Gi nseng, Wi l d Sar sapar i l l a, and Wi l d Spi kenar d, Ar al i a nudi caul i s i s a nat i ve Amer i can pl ant . Pr onounced "sassp ar i l l a" or "sarspa r i l l a, " i t was used by the I ndi ans t o make a soot hi ng, per spi r at i on i nduci ng t ea t hat was bel i eved t o al l evi at e rhe umat i sm, gout , and
ski n di seases. The her b t hr i ves i n t he moi st , shaded f or est s of sout her n Br i t i sh Col umbi a and nor t heast ern Washi ngt on. Amer i can sar sapari l l a t ea i s t hought t o pr omot e heal t hy t i ssue gr owt h f or i nt er nal and ext er nal ul cer s and wounds. Some peopl e used t o bel i eve t he t ea woul d cur e syphi l i s. A Sout h Ameri can cousi n, Smi l ax or nat o, i s t he ever gr een vi ne used to make t he sar sapar i l l a dr i nk t hat was so p opul ar i n the l at e ni net eent h cent ur y. PLANT: A t ender , deci duous per enni al . The l ong, yel l ow t apr oot i s si mi l ar t o t hat of gi nseng. A si ngl e stem br anches i nt o three par t s, each havi ng f i ve 2- t o 5- i nch, f i nel y t oot hed, l ance- shaped l eaves. The f l ower i ng st al k t hat comes f r om t he r oot i s over shadowed by t he l eaf st al k. Cl ust er s of gr eeni sh f l ower s, whi ch bl oom f r om J une t o August , ar e f ol l owed by whi t i sh ber r i es t hat become pur pl e or al most bl ack when t hey mat ur e. HEI GHT: 8 t o 12 i nches hi gh. SOI L: Moi st , l oose, wel l - dr ai ned. EXPOSURE Par t i al shade or shade. PROPAGATI ON: Seeds sown as soo n as t hey ar e r i pe. Or , i f t hat ' s not possi bl e, t hey can be mi xed wi t h sl i ght l y damp peat moss and st or ed i n pl ast i c bags f or 3 t o 5 mont hs bef or e bei ng sown. Al so by roo t cut t i ngs of 1 t o 11/ z i nches, pl aced i n sandy, moi st soi l i n a pr opagat i ng t r ay t hat i s bot t om heat ed. Be sur e t hat t he par t of t he cut t i ng t hat was near est t he st em i s pl aced poi nt i ng upwar d i n t he soi l . Al so by di vi si on of t he l ong hor i zont al r oot s i n spr i ng. CARE: Thi s her b gr ows f r eel y and t hr i ves wel l wi t h r out i ne management . I t i s best adapt ed f or semi - wi l d and i nf or mal pl ant i ngs. PART USED FOR TEA: The r oot , dug i n aut umn. TASTE: A bi t t er l i cor i ce f l avor . Ref r eshi ng, f r agr ant . The t ea has a r eddi sh- br own col or . How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: St i r 2 t easpoons of gr ound f r esh r oot , or 1 t easpoon of dr i ed cr ushed or powdered r oot , i nt o 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er. St eep t o t ast e. Sweet en wi t h honey or sugar , i f desi r ed. Good hot or col d. ---------------Sassa f r as (Sa ssa f r as var i i f ol i um or S. al bi dum) Ot her names f or t hi s pl ant ar e Ague Tr ee, Ci nnamon Wood, Saxi f r as, and Smel l i ng St i ck. A member of t he l aur el f ami l y, t he sassa f r as i s nat i ve t o Nor t h Amer i can woods. I t was used by t he I ndi ans l ong bef or e t he f i r st whi t e set t l er s appear ed, and i t was one of t he f i r st expor t s f r om Ameri ca. When t he Spani ards r et ur ned f r om t hei r 1512 voyage t o Fl ori da, t hey br ought back news of sassa f r as, and t he Spani sh doct or Monar des wr ot e of i t as a medi ci ne and t ea as ear l y as 1569. I n t he past , i t was t hought i nf usi on of sassa f r as bar k cr eat ed a "bl ood pur i f i er , " causi ng per spi r at i on and ur i nat i on. I t was al so bel i eved t o ai d i n t he tr eat ment of gout , ar t hr i t i s, r heumat i sm, and dysent er y. PLANT: Per enni al shr ub or t r ee. The st em i s cover ed wi t h t hi ck, r ough, r eddi shbr own bar k. The al t er nat e l eaves ar e downy on t he under si de and may appear i n t hr ee f or ms- one si mpl e, one mi t t en- l i ke, one t hr ee- l obed- on one t wi g. Smal l , yel l owi sh- gr een f l ower cl ust er s b l oom f r om Apr i l t o J une bef or e the l eaves appear , f ol l owed by pea- si zed, yel l ow, gr een ber r i es, each of whi ch cont ai ns a si ngl e seed. The t r ee at t r acts t he beaut i f ul t i ger - swal l owt ai l but t er f l y, whi ch l ays her eggs on t he l eaves.
HEI GHT: Fr om 15 f eet i n t he Nor t h t o as t al l as 100 f eet i n t he Sout h. SOI L: Dr y or moi st sandy l oam. EXPOSURE: Sun or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds, pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d or f our t h l unar phase, or st em cut t i ngs. CARE: Keep soi l wel l dr ai ned, and pr une t he young her b f r equent l y unt i l i t i s t r ai ned. When i t i s mat ur e, pr une onl y as req ui r ed f or shape. Sucker s t end t o pop up i f r oot s ar e cut i n cul t i vat i ng. They shoul d be r emoved when t hey appear. Thi s t r ee has f i ne aut umn col or at i on. PART USED FOR TEA: Bar k of t he r oot ; l eaves. TASTE: Root - beer f l avor ed. CAUTI ON: The maj or chemi cal const i t uent of t he aromat i c oi l i n t he sassa f r as r oot bar k i s saf r ol e, whi ch has been known t o cause l i ver cancer i n r at s. Despi t e the cont i nued popul ar i t y of sassa f r as t ea, t hose who dr i nk i t shoul d be awar e t hat , unt i l f ur t her r esear ch has been conduct ed on t he ef f ect s of saf r ol e on humans, t hey may be doi ng so at t hei r own r i sk. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of r oot bar k i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . Or 1 t easpoon of dr i ed, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh c r ushed l eaves st eeped i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e i n ei t her case. Good wi t h sugar and cr eam, hot or col d. ---------------Savor y ( Sat ur ej a speci es) Ther e ar e sever al var i et i es of savor y, i ncl udi ng Summer Savor y ( S. hor t ensi s) , Wi nt er Savor y ( S. mont ana) , Yer ba Buena ( S. dougl asi i ) , Bean Herb, and Bohnenkr aut . Savor y was bel i eved t o be t he f avor i t e herb of sat yr s because of i t s pl easant peppery t ast e. Wi nt er and summer savory ar e t he t wo f avori t e var et i es,f l and, mer are savory i sy m e at popul because i t cont has ai an st r ionger avor. ofBott hese, h, howsum ever, d eepl arorom i c, ar because t hey car acol , a vol at i l e oi l . Savor y i s a popul ar condi ment f or l ess e asi l y di gest i bl e f oods such as cucumber s, t ur ni ps, and par sni ps. The anci ent Gr eeks cal l ed savor y i sope, and many wonder whet her Ol d Test ament r ef er ences t o hyssop wer e act ual l y t o savor y. The t ea i s bel i eved a r emedy f or di arr hea, ast hma, col i c, and di gest i ve di st ur bances. I n 1653, one her bal i st , Ni chol as Cul peper , r ecommended i t t o r educe deaf ness . PLANT: Summer savor y: annual ; wi nt er savor y: per enni al . Summer savor y has a bushy, hai r y st em t hat di vi des above t he gr ound, and i t has dar k gr een, wi de, ' / z- i nch- l ong, needl e shaped l eaves. Li ght pi nk t o vi ol et f l ower s appear i n bunches f r om J ul y t o Oct ober, f ol l owed by nut - shaped, dar k br own or bl ack seeds. Wi nt er savor y i s a har dy, l ow- gr owi ng shrub , woodi er and more b r i st l y t han summer savor y. I t f l ower s a mont h ear l i er t han summer savor y, and i t s bl ossoms ar e whi t e or pal e l avender . HEI GHT: Summer savor y: t o 12 i nches; wi nt er savory: f r om 6 t o 16 i nches. SOI L: Summer savor y: r i ch, dr y; wi nt er savor y: poor , dr y, wel l - dr ai ned, chal ky. EXPOSURE: Ful l sun f or bot h var i et i es.
PROPAGATI ON: Seeds or r oot di vi si on. Summer savor y seeds ger mi nat e easi l y. Wi nt er savor y seeds have sl ow, uncer t ai n ger mi nat i on, so t he herb i s usual l y r epr oduced by spr i ng cut t i ngs, si de shoot s, or l ayer i ng. CARE: Pl ace su mmer savory pl ant s 6 i nches apar t ; wi nt er savor y pl ant s, 1 f oot apart . Summer savo r y i s bel i eved t o cont r ol bean beet l es. Keep bot h var i et i es weed f r ee, and hi l l t he pl ant s sl i ght l y to k eep t hem upr i ght . PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves gat her ed bef or e t he pl ant bl ooms. TASTE: Tangy, mar j or am- l i ke. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon dr i ed, or 3 t easpoons of cr ushed f r esh l eaves t o each cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. ---------------Speedwel l ( Ver oni ca of f i ci nal i s) Speedwel l i s al so cal l ed Ver oni ca, Common Speedwel l , Gypsy Weed, Fl uel l i n, The de L' Eur ope, Gr oundhel e, Paul ' s Bet ony, and Low Speedwel l . Thi s pl ant i s supposedl y named f or St . Ver oni ca. When she wi ped t he f ace of J esus wi t h her vei l as he wal ked t he r oad t o Cal var y, i t i s sa i d an i mpr essi on of hi s t hor ncr owned head appear ed on t he scar f and on t he f l ower s s he was wear i ng. The pl ant i s est abl i shed i n dr y meadows, woods, and f i el ds i n t he east ern Uni t ed St at es as f ar sout h as Nor t h Car ol i na and Tennesse e. I n Eur ope, wher e i t i s nat i ve, speedwel l has a r eput at i on f or bei ng a uni ver sal heal er , but i n ot her ar eas i t i s best known as a r emedy f or r espi r at or y pr obl ems and st omach ai l ment s. The t ea i s used t o ease mi gr ai ne headaches and as a gar gl e f or mout h and t hr oat sor es. I t i s al so used as a t oni c t o cur e coughs, cat ar r h, and ski n di seases. Speedwel l i s used i n t he manuf act ur e of ver mout h. PLANT: Per enni al . Speedwel l ' s st ems are a l most pr ost r at e, t ur ni ng up onl y t oward t he ends. I t s opposi t e, sof t , hai r y, gr ayi sh- gr een l eaves have f i nel y t oot hed mar gi ns. Br i ght bl ue f l ower cl ust er s appear f r om May t o August , f ol l owed by hai r y capsul es co nt ai ni ng t he seeds. HEI GHT: St ems gr ow t o about 16 i nches, but because t hey cr eep, t he pl ant r i ses onl y f r om 3 t o 10 i nches. I t makes a good gr ound cover . SOI L: Dr y, al most any ki nd. EXPOSURE: Sun, par t i al shade, shade. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds sown dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase or by r oot di vi si on. CARE: Space mat ur e pl ant s 1 f oot apar t . The pl ant gr ows al most anywher e, and i t i s usef ul i n r ock gar dens or f l ower bor der s. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves or whol e her b. TASTE: Bi t t er , t angy. I t was once a uni ver sal subst i t ut e f or Chi na t ea. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: Cover 4 t easpoons of t he f l ower i ng her b, or 2 t easpoons of t he dr i ed her b, wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep t o t ast e. ----------------
St r awber r y ( Fr agar i a vesca) Ot her names f or t hi s f r ui t - bear i ng pl ant are Wi l d St r awberr y, Haut boy, Wood St r awber r y, Woodman' s Del i ght , and Mount ai n St r awber r y. I t i s sai d tha t t hi s pl ant i s t he symbol of f or esi ght . I n anci ent t i mes, peopl e tho ught t he wi l d st r awber r y had power s agai nst demons, but t oday we t hi nk of i t pr i mar i l y f or i t s abundant al kal i and vi t ami n C cont ent . The Okanagon I ndi ans of t he Paci f i c Nor t hwest used dr i ed, pul ver i zed l eaves t o pr omot e heal i ng of t he navel of newbor n babi es. Li nnaeus wr ot e t hat he cur ed hi s gout wi t h f r esh wi l d st r awber r i es. I t i s bel i eved a tea made f r om t he l eaves r el i eves anemi a, l ack of appet i t e, and undue sweat i ng, and pr event s mi scar r i age and menst r ual i r r egul ar i t i es. I t i s al so t hought t o r el i eve di ar r hea and j aundi ce. PLANT: Per enni al . Sever al st ems r i se f r om t he r oot , each bear i ng t hr ee f anshaped, shar p- t oot hed, dar k gr een l eaves. Smal l , whi t e, r ose- f or m f l ower s wi t h f i ve pet al s and pr omi nent yel l ow cent er s appear i n cl ust ers dur i ng May and J une, f ol l owed by th e seedy, pea- si zed, j ui cy r ed f r ui t s. HEI GHT: About 8 i nches. SOI L: Wel l - dr ai ned, r i ch, moi st . EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds or berr i es pl ant ed dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase i n spr i ng or f al l . Or by r unner s- an easy met hod because t hey r oot t hemsel ves or can be r oot ed by l ayer i ng. CARE: Pl ace pl ant s about 8 i nches apart . Keep wel l weeded. The t i ny, ext r a- sweet ber r i es ar e del i ci ous but so smal l t hat many must be pi cked t o sat i sf y even t he dai nt i est appet i t e. Our l ar ge, cul t i vat ed st r awber r y var i et i es wer e devel oped f r om t hi s Eur opean pl ant , hybr i di zed wi t h st r awber r i es f r om Nor t h Amer i ca and Chi l e. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Cool i ng, st r awber r y f l avor . Good i n combi nat i on wi t h woodr uf f . How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: Cover 3 t easpoons of cr ushed f r esh l eaves, or 1 t easpoon of dr i ed l eaves, wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep f or about 5 mi nut es. The f r ui t s al so f or m t he basi s of a ref r eshi ng hot or col d summer dr i nk. Cr ush 1 t abl espoonf ul of ber r i es i n a cup, and add boi l i ng wat er . ---------------Tansy ( Tanacet um vul gar e) Thi s her b i s al so cal l ed St i nki ng Wi l l i e, Tr avel l er ' s Rest , But t ons, Al ecost , Wi l d Agr i mony, Goose Gr ass, Par sl ey Fer n, and Hi ndheal . Tansy' s bot ani cal name comes f r om at hanasi a, t he Gr eek wor d f or " i mmor t al i t y, " and i t i s one of t he bi t t er her bs t he J ews wer e or der ed t o eat at Passove r . Puddi ngs and cakes made wi t h t ansy wer e al so t r adi t i onal l y eat en t o cel ebr at e t he end of Lent , and t he her b was use d by t he anci ent s f or embal mi ng. Tansy gr ows wi l d al l over Eur ope and t he Uni t ed St at es, and i t cont ai ns t anni n, r esi n, t huj one ( a chemi cal component of sage) , and t anacet i n, whi ch gi ve i t i t s own tast e. Her bal i st s use d i t t o expel wor ms f r om t he i nt est i nes, pr oduce per spi r at i on, and pr omot e menst r ual di scharge .
PLANT: Per enni al . Hardy t o - 30ºF ( - 34º C) . Much- di vi ded, r i ch gr een l eaves gr ow al t er nat el y on t he pur pl i sh- br own st em. Cl ust er s of smal l , but t on- l i ke, br i ght yel l ow f l owers appear f r om J ul y t o Sept ember . The seed i s a har d, one seeded fru i t. HEI GHT: 3 f eet . SOI L: Any wel l - dr ai ned chal ky soi l . EXPOSURE: Ful l Sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds pl ant ed i n spri ng or f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Or by r oot di vi si on. Sel f - sows f r eel y. CARE: Space pl ant s 4 f eet apart . St ake agai nst wi nd and r ai n i f t hey ar e i n an unpr ot ect ed spot . Cut of f dead st ems i n f al l ; t he pl ant wi l l r eappear i n spr i ng. Don' t al l ow t ansy t o become t oo wet , and t hi n each year t o pr event r api d spr eadi ng. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves and t ops. TASTE: Bi t t er , l emony. Can be sweet ened wi t h honey. Good i n combi nat i on wi t h r osemar y. CAUTI ON: I n moderat e doses t he herb h as a mi l d, t oni c ef f ect , but i n l arge r quant i t i es- mor e th an 1 or 2 cups- i t can be vi ol ent l y i r r i t at i ng and nar cot i c. Use wi t h caut i on - t ansy can be poi sonous! How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon of dr i ed, or 2 t easpoons of f r esh cr ushed l eaves and t ops. Cover wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er , and st eep f or a shor t per i od onl y. Ser ve t ansy t ea weak, and dr i nk i t i n moderat i on. ---------------Thyme ( Thymus vul gar i s) Pr onounced " t i me, " t hi s popul ar her b i s al so cal l ed Common Thyme, Br oad- l eaf Engl Thym e, ofBl tack Thym e,biGar e, sm Shepher Thym e, Par and ot her Thym Ki pl ii sh ng w r ot e he "wi ndt tden hymeThym t hat el l s ofd' sdaw n in adiMse, " but hee. was har dl y t he f i r st t o si ng i t s pr ai ses. Thyme was a f avor i t e of t he ear l y Gr eeks and Romans, and t he Roman poet Vi r gi l pr ai sed honey dr awn f r om t hyme, sayi ng t he mount ai ns " Hymet t i s i n Gr eece and Hybl a i n Si ci l y wer e so f amous f or bees and honey because t her e gr ew such a st ore of t hyme. " Chr i st i an t r adi t i on hol ds t hat t hyme was among t he her bs i n t he manger bed wher e t he Chr i st chi l d l ay. Her bal i st s consi der ed t hyme a st r ong ant i sept i c and t hought i t coul d cal m t he nerves, al l evi at e i ndi gest i on, and cl ear t he mucous membr anes. I t was al so t hought t o over come shyness- t he gener i c name Thymus i s bel i eved t o be a der i vat i on of t he Gr eek t hymon, whi ch means " cour age. " PLANT: Per enni al , har dy t o - 20º F ( - 29º C) . Ther e ar e many speci es, but common t hyme ( T vul gar i s) i s t he one usual l y used f or t ea or seasoni ng. I t i s semi woody, shr ubby, and cover ed wi t h 1/ 4- i nch- l ong, oval , gr ay- gr een l eaves. Smal l cl ust er s of bl ui sh- pur pl e f l ower s appear at t he ends of t he st ems f r om May t o Sept ember. Seeds f ol l ow. HEI GHT: 6 t o 12 i nches. SOI L: Dr y, l i ght , l i my.
EXPOSURE: Ful l sun. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds pl ant ed i n spr i ng and f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. They t ake about 2 weeks t o ger mi nat e i f kept at exact l y 70º F ( 27º C) , whi ch i sn' t easy t o do. Al so by st em cut t i ngs, l ayer i ng, or di vi si on of r oot s, whi ch i s much easi er . CARE: Space pl ant s about 11/ z f eet apart . Thyme can' t t ol er at e dampness, so be sure t he si t e you choose i s wel l dr ai ned. Rock gar dens ar e an i deal spot . Thyme i s cal l ed t he " poor man' s her b" because i t needs no added nut r i ent s asi de f r om t hose i n t he soi l i t ' s pl ant ed i n. Do keep i t weeded, t hough. Thi s her b i s of t en compani on- pl ant ed near cabbage because i t s s cent hel ps cont r ol cabbage wor ms. Repl ace t he pl ant wi t h a younger one ever y 3 or 4 year s, when i t get s woody. PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves. TASTE: Pungent , spi cy. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon dr i ed l eaves and t ops, or 3 t easpoons of f r esh cr ushed her b, i n 1 cover ed cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep f or 10 mi nut es. St r ai n and f l avor wi t h honey. A pi nch of r osemar y i n t he br ew gi ves added zest . ---------------Val eri an ( Val eri ana of f i ci nal i s) Val er i an i s al so cal l ed Gar den Hel i ot r ope, Al l - Heal , Set wal l , Capon' s Tai l , Phu, Vandal Root , and St . Geor ge s Her b. Whi l e t he f l ower s of t hi s her b ar e pl easant l y f r agr ant , t he r est of t he pl ant i s not . Her bal i st s Gal en and Di oscor i des apt l y cal l ed i t " phu, " because of i t s pungent , unpl easant ar oma. Cat s and r at s, however , del i ght i n val er i an' s odor . I t i s su ggest ed t hi s her b was t he secr et power t he l egendar y Pi ed Pi per of Hamel i n used t o r i d t he t own of i t s r at s. Her bal i st s have rec ommended t hi s t r anqui l i zi ng her b f or al l ner ve r el at ed ai l ment s- mi gr ai ne headaches, hyst er i a, ver t i go, anxi et y, i nsomni a, hypochondr i a, and ner vous convul si ons. The name val er i an i s bel i eved t o come f r om t he Lat i n val er e, meani ng "t o be power f ul " or "of wel l - bei ng. " Nat i ve t o Eur ope and Asi a, i t i s r epr esent ed near l y t hr oughout t he wor l d by r el at ed speci es. PLANT: Per enni al . The shor t , t uber ous r oot sends up a rou nd, hol l ow, gr ooved st em wi t h l i ght gr een l eaves t hat gr ow i n pai r s and t hat ar e f ur t her di vi ded i nt o ei ght t o t en pai r s of nar r ow l eaf l et s. I n J une, whi t e, pi nk, or l avender - bl ue f l ower s appear i n cl ust er s at t he ends of t he st ems. Thei r st r ong sce nt i s l i ke t hat of hel i ot r ope. Because of i t s hi gh phosphor us co nt ent , val er iabl aneatgar t r act hwor m maki f avor i t eheavy, pl ant m toi o st pl,ace nearEXPO t heSURE: veget den.s ear HEI tGHT: 4s,f eet . ng SOI iL:t a Som ewhat r i ch. Ful l sun or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds pl ant ed i n spr i ng or f al l dur i ng the t hi r d or f our t h l unar phase. J ust pr ess t hem i nt o t he soi l , don' t cover . They ar e sl ow t o ger mi nat e. Al so by roo t ( r hi zome) di vi si on i n spr i ng or f al l . CARE: Space pl ant s about 2 f eet apar t . Because val er i an s cr eepi ng r oot s spr ead qui ckl y, di vi de t he pl ant ever y ot her year . Enr i ch t he soi l wi t h manur e bef or e r epl ant i ng. PART USED FOR TEA: Root , har vest ed i n f al l . TASTE: Soot hi ng, st r ongl y scent ed. CAUTI ON: The sedat i ve qual i t i es of t hi s t ea make i t a t i me- honor ed ant i dot e f or i nsomni a when t aken i n smal l doses. However , i f mor e t han 1 or 2 cups ar e dr unk dai l y, i n l ar ge or f r equent doses, t he her b i s danger ous, pr oduci ng r ever se ef f ect sner vous agi t at i on, ver t i go, muscl e spasms, even hal l uci nat i ons. I t shoul d be used spar i ngl y. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: 1/ z t easpoon of gr ound or powder ed dr i ed val er i an r oot i n 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep f or 10 mi nut es or t o t ast e. St r ai n. Fl avor wi t h honey or an ar omat i c spi ce - mace i s a good one.
---------------Wi nt er gr een ( Gaul t her i a pr ocumbens) Al so cal l ed Par t r i dge Ber r y, Per i wi nkl e, Spi ceber r y, Checker ber r y, Deer ber r y Teaber r y Boxber r y, Wax Cl ust er , Canada Tea, and Mount ai n Tea, t hi s smal l , cr eepi ng ever gr een i s a nat i ve of sout her n Canada and t he Uni t ed St at es. The l eaves co nt ai n oi l of wi nt er gr een and ar e shar pl y ast r i ngent and ar omat i c, maki ng t hem a f avori t e f l avor i ng agent ; wi nt er gr een i s a common i ngr edi ent i n home- made r oot beer . The common names " deer ber r y" and " par t r i dge ber r y" wer e coi ned because deer and par t r i dge al so know a good t hi ng and l ove t o eat t he pl ant ' s ber r i es. I t ' s sai d wi nt er gr een t ea i s good f or many ki nds of aches and pai ns, f r om headaches t o r heumat i sm. I t i s al so used t o al l evi at e col ds and f ever. PLANT: Per enni al . An ever gr een shr ub. Wi nt er gr een' s st ems cr eep on or beneat h t he sur f ace of t he gr ound, r oot i ng t hemsel ves and sendi ng up er ect br anches. Young l eaves ar e l i ght er gr een, of t en wi t h a r eddi sh t i nge. Si ngl e, noddi ng, bel l - shaped, whi t e f l ower s gr ow near t he t ops of t he br anches f r om May t o Sept ember , f ol l owed by sc ar l et ber r i es, whi ch ar e about I / 3 i nch i n di amet er . HEI GHT: 2 t o 6 i nches. SOI L: Aci d, sandy, r i ch, and wel l - dr ai ned. EXPOSURE: Shade or par t i al shade. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds pl ant ed dur i ng spr i ng or f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Al so by di vi si on of t he r oot ed st ems i n f al l or spr i ng. The her b can be l ayer ed as wel l . CARE: Wi nt er gr een makes a good gr ound cover . I t s i deal l ocat i on i s i n pi ne woods, and i t i s a f avor ed wi l d gar den pl ant . I t i s di f f i cul t t o estab l i sh pl ant s t aken f r om t he woods; nur ser y- gr own pl ant s t ake bet t er . Pl ant t hem on a shady sl ope, and mul ch t hem wi t h 2 t o 4 i nches of pi ne needl es. PART USED FOR TEA: Young l eaves. TASTE: Wi nt er gr een f l avor , cool i ng and r ef r eshi ng. How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: Cover 1 t easpoonf ul of cr ushed or chopped l eaves wi t h 1 cup of boi l i ng wat er. Al l ow t o st eep f or a f ew mi nut es t o r el ease t he maxi mum amount of oi l of wi nt er gr een. ---------------Woodr uf f ( Asper ul a odor at a) Ot her names f or t hi s pl ant ar e Sweet Woodr uf f , Mast er of t he Woods, Mot h- her b, Wood- r ose, Woodwar d, Wood Rova, and Muge- de- boi s. The f r esh, woodsy odor of woodr uf f , st r ongest when t he pl ant begi ns t o di e away af t er f l oweri ng, has gi ven i t many of i t s c ommon names. For exampl e, t he ol d Fr ench name- muge- de- boi s- means " wood musk. " Ger man May wi nes ar e st eeped i n woodr uf f t wi gs and owe t hei r f i ne aroma and t ast e t o t he chemi cal coumari n, i n whi ch t he herb i s r i ch. I n medi eval t i mes, woodr uf f was hung i n bunches wi t h r oses, box, and l avender on t he f east days of St . Pet er an d St . Bar nabas. The herb i s supposed t o r epel i nsect s, whi ch i s why i t i s somet i mes ca l l ed mot h- her b. Her bal i st s bel i eve t he t ea i s a good r emedy f or ki dney and bl adder t r oubl es ( especi al l y obst r uct i ons and st ones,
l i ver congest i on, and gal l - bl adder di f f i cul t i es. I t i s al so r ecommended i n cases of dr opsy and i nsomni a. PLANT: Har dy per enni al . I t s deep gr een, st ar r y whor l s of si x t o ei ght shi ny, l ance- shaped l eaves sur r ound t he er ect st em. The pl ant sends up l eaf whor l af t er l eaf whor l , f i nal l y top ped wi t h a f l at - t opped f l ower cl ust er of smal l whi t e st ar - shaped f l ower s t hat bl oom i n May and J une. HEI GHT: 8 t o 10 i nches. SOI L: Sl i ght l y aci d, wi t h hi gh humus cont ent , pr ef er abl y beech- l eaf compost . Moi st. EXPOSURE: Shade. PROPAGATI ON: By seeds pl ant ed i n f al l dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Ger mi nat i on t akes 200 days, but t hi s met hod i s uncer t ai n. Woodr uf f can al so be pr opagat ed by di vi si on of t he cr eepi ng r oot syst em once t he herb h as covered an area of 2 squar e f eet . Thi s i s more d ependabl e. CARE: Space pl ant s 12 i nches apar t . Weed when necessar y. Don' t hoe, t hough, or you' l l dest r oy t he spr eadi ng r oot syst em. Fer t i l i zat i on i s unnecessa r y i f t he pl ant i s gr owi ng i n t he r i ght soi l . PART USED FOR TEA: Dr i ed l eaves. TASTE: Resembl es Dar j eel i ng t ea. Mi l d, sweet , wi t h a woodsy t ast e. Good i n combi nat i on wi t h st r awber r y. How t o br ew By I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon dr i ed l eaves i n 1 cover ed cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep f or 15 mi nut es. St r ai n and sweet en t o t ast e wi t h honey. ---------------Yar r ow ( Achi l l ea mi l l ef ol i um) Yar r ow i s al so cal l ed Ol d Man' s Pepper , Kni ght ' s Mi l f oi l , Sol di er ' s Woundwor t , Nosebl eed, Devi l ' s Pl ayt hi ng, Bl oodwor t , Hemmi ng and Sewi ng, St aunchweed, Car pent er ' s Weed, Thousand Seal , and Sangui nar y. Yar r ow' s Lat i n name, Achi l l ea m i l lr ef i um der li lves f r om eek ogy: e t he ofd Tr oy,i tt he Chi onolt ol d , Achi es of t heGrpl antm 'yt s hol heal i ng Bef vi ror t ues so si heege coul use on cent hi s aur war r i or s' bat t l e wounds. Mi l l ef ol i um means "a tho usand l eaves, " and r ef er s t o yar r ow' s f i nel y cut f ol i age. An i mpor t ant f i r st - ai d t r eat ment t hr ough t he cent ur i es, yar r ow' s ast r i ngency i s t hought t o st em t he f l ow of i nt er nal and ext er nal bl eedi ng. Her bal i st s al so have f ai t h i n yar r ow t ea to i nduce per spi r at i on, cl eanse t he syst em, and cur e a bad col d. St r ai ght dr i ed yar r ow st ems ar e "t hr own" by Chi nese f or t une- t el l er s bef or e consul t i ng t he I - Chi ng- t he Book of Changes, an anci ent gui de t o or acul ar wi sdom. PLANT: Per enni al , hardy t o - 30ºF ( - 34º C) . The cr eepi ng r oot st ock se nds up cl umps of gr ayi sh- gr een st ems, whi ch br anch t owar d t he t op and bear al t er nat e, f eat her y, deepl y cut l eaves. Fr om J une t o November , gr ayi sh- whi t e, pal e l avender , or yel l ow f l ower s appear at t he st em ends i n f l at - t opped cl ust er s. HEI GHT: 3 f eet . SOI L: Aver age or poor. Wel l - dr ai ned. Moder at e moi st ur e. EXPOSURE: Sun or par t i al shade.
PROPAGATI ON: Seeds pl ant ed i ndoor s i n Mar ch dur i ng t he t hi r d l unar phase. Mor e commonl y, by r oot di vi si on i n spr i ng or f al l or t r anspl ant of sel f - sown seedl i ngs. CARE: Pl ace pl ant s 12 i nches apar t . I f t hey ar e cut back af t er t he f i r st f l ower s f ade, t hey may bl oom agai n i n f al l . Di vi de cl umps ever y ot her year . PART USED FOR TEA: Leaves and/ or f l ower s gat her ed dur i ng summer and f al l . TASTE: Mi l dl y ast r i ngent . Somewhat l i ke a mi l d sage t ea. Pal e yel l ow i n col or . How t o br ew BY I NFUSI ON: 1 t easpoon dr i ed yar r ow l eaves and f l ower s, or 1 t abl espoon of t he f r esh her b, i n 1 cover ed cup of boi l i ng wat er . St eep f or about 10 mi nut es. St r ai n. Sweet en wi t h honey t o t ast e. ====================== Gr owi ng herba l t eas ( Ref eren ce Char t ) [ I nser t Pi ct ur es p208, p209, p210, p211] ====================== Met r i c- I mper i al Equi val ent s [ I nser t Pi c p216] ====================== Sour ces f or seeds, pl ant s, and equi pment ( r emoved) I ndex ( r emoved) End.
