HERBS • GROWING

• HISTORY & MEDICINAL USES • CULINARY

• FOR POLLINATORS • AROMATHERY

• HERB COMPANIONS • HERBS and VEGETABLE COMPANIONS

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM YOUR HERBS?

DO YOU WANT TO: Smell ‘em?

Eat ‘em? Cook with ‘em?

Dry ‘em Use in crafts?

Grow ‘em just look? Use medicinally? – BE CAREFUL – know what you are doing!!!

YOUR HERB GARDEN

• Start small • Consider design • Most herbs are not too particular about the soil. • Most do not like wet feet. • Many herbs either spread or re-seed • Pick before they flower • Smallest leaves are the most flavorful • Earliest leaves are usually more flavorful that late season ones.

GROWING HERBS IS: EASY!

Just like any type of gardening, successful HERB gardens begin with decent soil and decent drainage.

Herbs can be some of the most forgiving plants to grow. Planning before planting is always advised.

Know what you are planting – some herbs are amazing travelers!

Many herbs make wonderful container plants.

MODERN USES FOR HERBS

Cooking, Medicinal, Teas, Oils, Rubs, Cleaners, Butters, Jellies, Candles, Insect Repellents, Vinegars, Aromatherapy, Wreaths, and on and on.

20 EASY TO GROW ZONE 5 PERENNIAL HERBS

LAVENDER

SAGE

THYME

MINT

Beware: Mint can be VERY invasive!

WINTER SAVORY

CHIVES

FEVERFEW

TARRAGON

LOVAGE

SWEET MARJORAM

RUE

ANGELICA

CHAMOMILE

LEMON BALM

SQUARE STEM = BEWARE!

COMFERY

ECHINACEA

OREGANO

SORREL

ANISE HYSSOP

SALAD BURNETT

EASY ANNUAL HERBS

Parsley (actually biennial) Basil

Rosemary Dill (re-seeds)

Cilantro/Coriander Fennel (re-seeds)

Calendula (re-seeds)

PARSLEY

BASIL

ROSEMARY

DILL

CILANTRO / CORRIANDER

FENNEL

CALENDULA

HERBS CURE EVERYTHING!!!

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

The sole purposes for today’s presentation about historical medicinal use of herbs is for information and entertainment purposes only. Before beginning use of ANY herbal product or herbal ‘medicine’ you should always talk with your medical professional. Herbs self administered alone, in combinations, or taken with pharmaceuticals can be very dangerous.

A LITTLE HERB HISTORY

• CHAMOMILE – Anxiety/ fear, agitation, stomach issues, mouth sores, inflammation, and headaches. “the magical herb”. Carry for luck, wash hands in it for good luck at a gaming table. Purification. (P)

• CLARY SAGE – Aphrodisiac, stress relief, kidney problems, to draw splinters and thorns. Relief of female issues. (A)

• DILL – Pain killer, laxative, diuretic. Egyptians used it to ward off witches, Greeks – a sign of wealth. Hung over door way and baby’s cradle protection (self seeds)

• Dandelion – used to treat gout, to treat ‘liverish’ people, those who where irritable, resentful, and had dark spots. (self seeds)

• Echinacea – good for immune system, flu, respiratory infections, and urogenital problems. (P)

SOME ANCIENT USES FOR HERBS

Before ‘modern’ medicine herbs were about all that was available for treatment of most afflictions. Also luck, evil spirits, etc.

• ALOE – for burns, wounds, constipation, embalming, and perfume. • ANISE – Coughs, prevent bad dreams, insomnia. Broke cake at weddings. • BASIL – Treat heart issues, nausea, constipation. Greeks believed a sprig in

the hand of the dead would open the gates of heaven. Guarantee fidelity or lack of it. Strewn on floor to purify home. Used in making Holy Water. A pot by the entrance of your home would bring you good luck and money.

• BERGOMOT (Bee Balm) – stress relief, sadness, fatigue,

ANCIENT USES

• LEMON BALM – Nervous disorders, hyperthyroidism, palpitations. Shakespeare thought it signified sympathy. (P)

• LOVAGE – malaria, boils, gas, circulation. (P) • MINT- fatigue, flu, back pain, sinus, headache. Used to ‘freshen’ the

home before company arrived. (P) • MARJORAM – edema, newlyweds wore a garland as a symbol of love

and happiness, growing it on a grave meant the departed would have a pleasant afterlife. (P)

ANCIENT USES

• NUTMEG – toothache, eczema, prevent gas, anti-inflammatory (P) • OREGANO – stimulant, nervous headache, asthma, internal cleansing,

vertigo. If worn on the head said to promote psychic dreams, used for good luck and good health. (P)

• PARSLEY – Greeks associated it with death. Never served at the table. Romans wore garlands to ward off intoxication. Thought to cause epilepsy of the baby if nursing mothers touched it. Antidote for poison. Inhibit tumor cell growth, ease muscle spasms, relieve itching. (A / Bi)

ANCIENT USES

• PACHOULI – Love, wealth, sexual power. Piece of paper, make dollar sign with oil, then carry in paper in wallet to draw money to you. Antidepressant, sedative, diuretic, deodorant. (A)

• ROSEMARY – Burned in the home of someone who died of an illness. Placed in coffins, burned to prevent negative thoughts. Hang a bundle at your door to keep away harmful people, like burglars. Anxiety, used in shampoos, creams. (A??)

• SAGE- Boost brain power, preservative, Treat TB, preserve meat, deodorant. (P)

• ST. JOHN’S WORT- Depression, Pulmonary problems, worms, hysteria (P)

BIBLE HERBS

• Aloe • Dill • Flax • Garlic • Hyssop • Mint • Rue • Wormwood

• Frankincense • Milk Thistle • Rose • Bedstraw • Leeks • Bay • Chervil several spices mentioned

ARAOMATHERAPY

GROWING HERB COMPANIONS Rosemary & Sage do well together Thyme and Marjoram “ Garlic and roses “

NOT SO MUCH!

Dill & Caraway do not like FENNEL Thyme does NOT like Rosemary Basil and Rue do NOT get along Sage & Savory are not happy being close. Oregano & Mints do not like each other!

GROWING VEGGIES & HERBS TOGETHER

• Tomatoes like Basil, Mint, & Bee Balm (Bees!!!) but not Sage. • Cucumber likes Oregano – but not Sage • Potatoes like Horseradish • Beans like Rosemary

• Strawberries & Borage get along well.

PERSERVING HERBS

A. Tie small bunches and hang to dry. When dry crush and store in glass – never metal or plastic

B. Possible to dry in oven or microwave C. Freezing – leaves in ice cube trays or make small bunches

(bouquets) to use in soups or broths. D. OR – if you have a sunny window, grow them inside year around.

HERBAL WREATH & TUSSIE MUSSIE

CULINARY HERBS The difference between an ordinary meal and an

outstanding meal = HERBS!

SEE HANDOUT

PLANT HERBS FOR POLLINATORS