The Romantic and Esoteric Face of Herb Gardens

Anyone seeking help about herb gardens joins a venerable company of historical figures of religious and legendary provenance who have been associated with these sometimes mystical, often sacred but more often revered, cherished and famous plants.

May I present you with a very small taste of this incredibly romantic subject.

Since infamous is always more popular than famous let us start these glimpses with... HEMLOCK - which as we all know caused the death of Socrates. (He was sentenced to death by drinking a mixture containing poisonous hemlock)

A less famous poisonous plant is the castor oil plant, where the leaves are are called 'palmus Christi' after the healing hands of Christ, and are remarkably beneficial in healing - while the seeds are very toxic.

ROSEMARY is one of the most ancient of herbs used by humankind - it's use has been recorded in documents that are venerably old. Many legends abound around rosemary -such as the Virgin Mary being reputed to have taken shelter behind a rosemary bush to escape persecutors. It was burned during ancient religious rites and carried during the great European plague as a ward against sickness. A must for herb gardens.

VIOLET was believed by the Greeks to be an aphrodisiac and so the Romans used it to make wine. (Those Italians!)

ST. JOHNS WORT is imbued with folklore tales; it was used to attract fairies and protect the home against loss and sorrow.

WORMWOOD - John the Baptist wore a woven girdle of wormwood,hence it's other name of St John's girdle. Known as an outstanding healing herb since very early times, it was affixed to the door of a healer as a sort of logo.

THYME was used in the 15th to 17th centuries as a border to narrow paths known as 'thyme walks'. Ladies would walk the paths and their dresses would brush the plants, which would then release their perfume. The name is derived from the Greek word for courage.

SALAD BURNET is a plant famously used by King Chaba of mediaeval Hungary to heal the wounds of many thousands of his men.

SAGE derives it's name from the Latin word 'salvere'- to enjoy good health - reflecting the reputation for bountiful qualities enjoyed by sage from days of yore. (That's very yore) No herb garden should be without it.

TANSY is named for a Greek word meaning 'immortality' - it was used as a strewing herb, for preserving corpses and as a flavoring - but not, hopefully, at the same time.

SORREL was beloved of ancient Greece, Italy and Egypt. A popular choice for herb gardens, it was widely used as an antidote for overeating or too much drinking. (Those old dogs) The high oxalic content caused it's corm to be carried aboard old-time sailing ships and used as an anti-scurvy measure.

RUE was - and may be still be for all I know - customarily used in holy water used to bless repentant sinners. Rue, of course, also means to repent or be sorry.

SOLOMON'S SEAL rootstock was used in the 15th and 16th centuries by women as an application for black eyes and bruises. It was a specific remedy for knitting broken bones and has been used for centuries as a cosmetic to cure freckles and as a skin tonic.

PARSLEY is widely known as the 'king of herbs'. Not my personal choice, but it was held in great esteem by the ancient Greeks who used it who grew it in their herb gardens to decorate tombs as well as in many things culinary.

I hope, dear reader, that this short article will go a long way in stimulating your interest in herbs and inspire you to do some research. Now go  get your hands dirty in some potting soil.