Herbs have long been valued for their culinary and medicinal properties, but perhaps an often over-looked benefit is what might be termed as the spiritual properties of herbs, found in their scent. The practice of aromatherapy has used the oils and other aromatic compounds of herbs for centuries for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood or health. However, just enjoying the fragrance of herbs grown in our gardens can be enough to lift the spirits. Here is a guide to just a few of the many and varied scents to be enjoyed from the herb family.
The dark pink, red and purple flowers of bergamot smell pleasantly of oranges. Positioned in the flower border, bergamot is irresistible to bees. Its fragrance is harnessed through its leaves that are dried and made into a refreshing and relaxing tea. The slightly sweet, calming fragrance of chamomile leaves have been used for centuries as a stress-relieving tea, and its flowers made into soothing ointments for conditions like nappy rash. Scented geranium Attar of Roses has a distinctive rose scent and its leaves can be used in cooking for example, to sweeten cakes. Because of its strong, camphor-like smell, hyssop is known mainly as a cleansing herb. The leaves and flowers of hyssop have a liquorice-minty taste and are often used in poultry stuffing and to make teas.
There are many varied varieties of mint, each with its own distinct scent and use. The fresh menthol taste of peppermint makes it a useful culinary herb, especially for peppermint tea and to flavour ice cream and drinks. Apple mint has a subtle taste of apples and is also a culinary favourite. It is used to compliment meats, vegetable dishes, sweet dishes and drinks. It is also the best variety of mint to flavour new potatoes. Moroccan mint has a similar scent to spearmint and is the best variety for making mint tea. Swiss mint is a strong spearmint with very intense flavour and again a favourite for use in cooking.
Pennyroyal is a member of the mint family and when its leaves are crushed they have a very strong fragrance similar to spearmint. Samphire is a coastal aromatic herb which smells like a combination of liquorice and peas. The crushed foliage of sweet cicely has a very strong aniseed scent. Known as garden myrrh, it was strewn on the floors of medieval churches presumably because of its scent.
The fragrance of these and many other herbs can be enjoyed to the full if positioned in the right places. Grow them along paths so that they can release their scent when brushed against or trodden on. Or grow them in garden planters next to a kitchen door where they fragrance will waft indoors on a warm summer evening.
Jo Poultney is one of two people behind Garden Planters. I have an RHS general certificate in horticulture. Garden Planters source unusual outdoor and indoor planters, and other garden related gifts - whatever your taste, be it traditional, modern or just a bit quirky, we will have something for you. I believe garden planters are an integral part of any garden - they enhance the overall design and say a little something about the person to whom the garden belongs. If you would like to know more about Garden Planters, visit our website at http://www.gardenplantersshop.co.uk
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