Close the shutters, turn up the lights, and gather round. Listen to the wind… or is it? It’s almost Halloween, the time of the year when goblins and imaginations run wild… and when gardeners can learn some interesting facts about herbs that have long been said to possess special qualities, aside from being lovely in our gardens and delicious in our kitchens!
One of my most favorite herbs, sage, was long believed to bring wisdom and even good luck. Let’s put a sage leaf in our pockets, legend has it that we will find money (something every gardener would like to buy more plants next spring!) Sage is said to have cleansing properties, not only for health, but also to remove negative thoughts.
Beautiful rosemary is the plant of remembrance. We have a sprig of it in a vase in our kitchen, and when I look at it, I regularly remember all our dear family and friends who are no longer with us. If we would bathe in it, rosemary is said to enhance our memory. Rosemary is another herb that is said to bring positive energy and remove negative. That’s a good thing!
Fragrant chamomile will bring us positive vibes and relaxation; it will soothe us and bring luck. And, it makes a delicious cup of tea! The ancient Egyptians treasured chamomile, believing it was a gift from Ra, the Sun God. And if we see any mummies trudging along on Halloween, chances are chamomile was used when they were being mummified.
Mighty garlic brings us protection; in the movies it protects from those troublesome, toothy men in black capes, but also has the reputation of strength and healing. Who hasn’t been told about the power of eating a clove of garlic or two to prevent a cold?
Mint is the refresher of the herb patch; it energizes and revitalizes, and if you need a lift on a tiring day, peppermint tea seems to give a boost. Think about how many products use mint as a flavoring or scent. It’s amazing. Long ago, mint was called the herb of hospitality, because it gave a fresh and clean scent to a room, (back in times before plug-in air fresheners!), very nice and welcoming for any visitors who dropped in! In folklore, mint also brings wisdom.
One of our most favorite kitchen herbs, parsley, was thought to represent victory, because in ancient times the Greeks crafted parsley into wreaths and placed it around the necks of athletic victors. Parsley is rich in antioxidants, great for freshening the breath, and one of the most flavorful herbs for cooking. Can you imagine chicken soup without a generous sprinkle of parsley?
A clump of thyme has a long story to tell. Thyme was considered an herb that brings courage. Picture it: a knight going off to battle, his girlfriend standing at the sidelines waving goodbye; she may have given him one of her scarves for him to remember her, but she also may have given him a clump of thyme for courage in facing the enemy. Thyme was burned like incense for courage; used at funerals as a token that would take one safely into immortality; and tucked under pillows at bedtime to chase those scary dreams away.
Hippocrates, known as the “father of medicine”, said “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” Good advice, maybe encouraging us to get in touch again with the delicious flavors that often grow right at our fingertips. And think about the interesting history, and the special powers, of so many of our plants!
The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be holding their AGM and supper meeting on Wednesday, November 20. This meeting is for members only and their guests.
Visit us at www.yorktonhort.ca and have a great week!
