Lavender – Lavandula officinalis

Lavender blossoms

Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates

with choice fruits,

with henna and nard,

nard and saffron,

calamus and cinnamon,

with every kind of incense tree,

with myrrh and aloes

and all the finest spices.

 

Song of Songs 4:13-14

In the Bible ‘nard’ refers to Lavender

 

This popular member of the mint family is a native of the western Mediterranean where it grows on grassy slopes amongst rocks. Lavender makes an excellent companion plant for most garden plants, but most especially cabbages. This highly aromatic shrub blooms from July through August.

The knowledge of its varied uses dates back to at least the ancient Greeks. The Romans shared Lavender with the Europeans, and they themselves used Lavender in the bath, in preparation for childbirth, to expel afterbirth, and to promote menstruation.

 

In magic it has been used for years upon years for its calming scent, its peaceful and sedating effects and to help attract love! Its scent is said to attract men. Keeping this herb in the home ensures peace; joy and healing will always be present!

 

The leaves, petal, and flowering tips can be consumed raw in salads, soups, and stews….it can also be used as a condiment. The flowers can be used to brew a tea, using fresh or dried if fine. Since the flowers have a very aromatic flavor use care in the formulae so that the flavor is not too strong. The fresh flowers can be added to jams, ice-creams, vinegar, and etc as a food flavoring!

 

In Herbal medicine the traditional uses of Lavender include a variety of nervous conditions, including depression and fatigue. It has also been used for headache, rheumatism, and as an antiseptic.

 

On one of the Western Indian reservations there is a major problem with black mold. This mold is a killer, and one of my acquaintances experimented with a strong lavender infusion. The infusion was strained and put into spray bottle. When sprayed on the walls the mold died!

 

Since then I, personally had an issue with mold in the sinuses, and remembering what was discovered out west, I took a single drop of Lavender essential oil in the palm of one hand, rubbed my two palms together, then inhaled deeply. I repeated this 3 or more times a day…within 48 hrs there was a remarkable change in my sinus problem with a complete resolution within 10 days!

Sweet Basil – Ocimum basilicum

Sweet Basil

“A man taking basil from a woman

will love her always.”

Sir Thomas Moore

 

This native of the Old World tropics has the classic square stem of all Mint family plants. It is a great companion in the garden for Tomatoes and Peppers; but grows badly if planted near Rue or Sage. If planted near Raspberries the fruit set may be damaged!

 

Basil has been used by boiling the leaves in water and being given for all obstructions of internal organs, and will help stop nausea and vomiting. The seeds were taken internally and laid upon the wound of poisonous serpent bites. The seeds were also used to cure warts.

 

The smell of basil is also healing, having an awakening aspect that helps refresh you if overworked. It can be used in the treatment of bronchitis, fatigue, colds, migraine, gout, coughs, etc. Place a single drop on your sleeve. When your thinking becomes fuzzy just inhale! The EO can be used in combination with hyssop, geranium and bergamot for a massage oil for use when depressed. 

 

The leaves are used fresh or dried in sauces, stews, salad dressings, on vegetables, poultry, in vinegar, etc. This herb is complimentary to tomatoes, so much so that it has been given the nickname of ‘the tomato herb.’ It also goes well with eggplant, zucchini, and spinach. It is one of the ingredients in Italian Seasoning, which is so commonly available here in the States.

 

To make your own Italian Seasoning blend just take

            2 tablespoons basil

            2 tablespoons marjoram

            2 tablespoons oregano

            2 tablespoons rosemary

            2 tablespoons thyme

            1 tablespoon parsley

            1 tablespoon garlic powder

            1 tablespoon onion powder

            1 teaspoon sage (optional)

 

Mix all ingredients well and store in an airtight container. Preferably use within 6 months for freshness and maximum flavor! (Note: Do not use garlic salt or onion salt!)

Lamb’s ear – Stachys byzantine

Lamb’s Ear flowers

This native of Turkey, Armenia and Iran is one of the few plants that can survive in the shade of a walnut tree. From May through July this short lived perennial puts up flower spikes that are adorned with small velvety purple-pink flowers that put out a fragrance that is reminiscent of bubble gum!

 

During the Middle Ages Woundwort provided bandaging for wound in the battlefield. Even as late as the Civil War it was used in the field to bandage soldier’s wounds. It is a use to remember for emergency first aid when you are out hiking or during a disaster. There is also some speculation that the center of the plant stays warmer during the winter, and therefore you could put your fingers into the center of the plant to avoid frostbite.

 

This plant is an entertaining plant in a child’s garden. Touching the velvety softness is fun! It makes a great edging plant and due to its silvery leaves is oft used in Moon gardens as it will reflect the Moon’s light brightly.

 

This plant of Jupiter was burned at Midsummer (Litha) for purification, protection and psychic awareness. Just burn it on the bonfire, and jump through the smoke to obtain the purification against illness and evil. It was also carried to prevent lover’s quarrels, to prevent intoxification and to prevent ‘elf disease.’

Lyre Leaf Sage – Salvia lyrata

Lyre Leaf Sage flowers

This native perennial herb of the eastern United States is listed as Endangered in New York State. When I first found this herb, I saw tall stalks, with flowers on the ends waving in the breeze beside the road. It took me ages to find out what it was. But when I did, I suddenly realized I was seeing it everywhere!

 

Native Americans used the root in salve form for sores, and used the whole plant in tea form as a treatment for colds and coughs. At one time it was believed that the leaves used as an external poultice was a cure for cancer, and a wart remover.

 

Like its cousin Garden Sage, this form of sage has uses in the kitchen also.  The young leaves have a mild mint flavor and can be used in salads or cooked as a potherb. The entire plant dried or seeds can be used as a tea. And the seeds can be ground and mixed with flour to make breads.

 

To make an enjoyable bedtime tea take 1 cup of boiling water, 1 tablespoon of dried herb, and steep for ten minutes. Sweeten to taste and drink warm at bedtime.

Purple Dead Nettle – Lamium purpureum

Purple Dead Nettle

I seek you in whispers of the wind

and hues of the rainbow till you show up with the Spring

to remind me of your very presence within me.

-  Unknown

This winter annual is one of the first flowers in spring to bloom in my lawn. It was originally a native of Eurasia. Evidence of deadnettle has been found in Bronze Age deposits. It was believed in the old days to be a plague brought onto the fields by the unrighteous. An old name for this plant is ‘Archangels’ and is believed to refer to the Clusters of hooded flowers that surround the top of the plant like a choir of robed people.

The entire plant is astringent, and a decoction of the plant is useful for stopping any type of hemorrage. The fresh bruised leaves can be poulticed to any external cut or wound. The dried plant, made into a tea with honey, encourages perspiration, being useful in cases of chill.

The fresh leaves can be eaten raw or cooked as a potherb. Being high in iron, vitamins and fiber it is very nutritious.

Jagged Lavender – Lavandula buchii

Jagged Lavender

This tropical evergreen lavender is native to the Canary Islands and the Island of Madeira. Seeds and plants are obtained from the Tenerife Botanical Garden. In full sun this plant blooms from spring through fall. L. buchii has violet lavender colored flowers with a pleasant aromatic scent

The ancient Egyptians used lavender in their mummification process, and also to perfume their skin. Decorative urns were found in the pyramids with traces of lavender still within.

Lavender was used during the Renaissance period to protect against the black plague. The plague was transmitted by fleas on rats, and lavender repels fleas!

An interesting note that was found in several sources was that the flowers of this lavender are not for human consumption!

Patchouli – Pogostemon cablin

Patchouli

Patchouli the scent of the 60’s, free love and sit ins. Smelling this essential oil brings back memories of high school and demonstrations, and more recently of pow wows and feathers!

This plant and its essential oil has been used in perfumery for many years…it is a heavy and strong scent. The plant is a native to tropical regions of Asia and is now cultivated in many areas of the orient…China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, the Philippines, Vietnam and even West Africa.

In Asian countries it is used as an antidote for snakebites. In herbal folklore there are many claim benefits, such as treatment of headaches, colds, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pains. The scent also encourages relaxation.

The essential oil has been used in hair conditioning treatment for dreadlocks. It has also been used by Native Americans to treat their feathers to keep mites from eating them. A single drop can be drawn down the quill of the feather; the resulting scent keeps the mites at bay! When you open your feather box, this wonderful scent just wafts out at you stimulating in all kinds of memories for us old, worn out hippies!

Spanish Lavender – Lavandula stoechas

Spanish Lavender

This lavender occurs naturally in the Mediterranean. In Australia, where it was introduced, it has become invasive. Since 1920 it has been declared a noxious weed.

This plant is sometimes known as ‘rabbit-ears’ because of the sterile, purple, bracts sticking up from the pinecone like flower heads

The fragrance of this species is kind of between a true lavender scent and a pungent

Rosemary fragrance. The antiseptic, piney fragrance of Spanish Lavender makes it an exceptionally fragrant landscape plant but not the first choice for use in cooking. The word Lavender has its roots in the Latin word to wash – lavare, partially explaining why Spanish Lavender is probably what the ancient Greeks and Romans used to scent their bath water.

From this lavender is extracted French Oil which is used for air fresheners, deodorants,

disinfectants, and insecticides. A facial wash from lavender flowers stimulates cell growth and helps against acne. Lavandula stoechas (Arabian or French lavender) is used in Unani medicine as a nervine tonic. In Unani medicine the leaves and flowers are used to treat cephalalgia, epilepsy, hemiplegia, Bells Palsy, neurasthenia, melancholia, and debility.

Rosemary – Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary

 ’Down with the rosemary and so,

Down with the baies and mistletoe,

Down with the holly, ivie all

Wherewith ye deck the Christmas Hall.’

—Herrick

 

 

Rosemary has a very old reputation for improving memory, and has been used as a symbol for remembrance (during weddings, war commemorations and funerals) in Europe, probably as a result of this reputation. Many a bride added rosemary to their wedding bouquets.

There are legends that tie Rosemary to the Christmas season. One is that Rosemary was silent underfoot as the Holy Family traveled. The soft leaves muffled the crackling twigs beneath thus preventing detection and ensuring a safe journey to Bethlehem.

Another legend recounts that the white rosemary flower was turned to the color of Mary’s blue cloak when she laid it gently upon the blooming bush as the family was fleeing from Herod’s dreaded soldiers.

Until the Twentieth Century, Rosemary was a much sought-after Christmas evergreen. A gilded Rosemary sprig, for example, was considered to be a treasured gift. The reason for its later loss in popularity is unknown, but it is slowly starting to regain its former favor with the use of Rosemary in holiday wreaths and Rosemary topiaries used as small Christmas trees. According to Medieval legend Rosemary would decorate the alter at Christmas time; it was even used as a strewing herb in churches for the season.

It is said that if a rosemary bush grows vigorously in the garden, the woman is the head of the household.