In general terms herbs are defined as any plants with leaves, seeds or flowers that are used in the preparation of food, medicines or perfumes. For centuries herbs have been valued for their culinary, medicinal and even spiritual properties. We are all aware of the most commonly used herbs such as lavender, rosemary, mint and thyme, but there are literally hundreds of species of plant under the general term herbs, lots of which are rarely heard of but no less interesting as plants and in their uses.
Balm of Gilead or Cedronella canariensis, is an interesting American herb with a strong tangy scent of eucalyptus balsam. Balm of Gilead is an excellent remedy for sore throats, coughs and laryngitis. It is also used externally to ease inflammations due to rheumatism and arthritis. The leaves should be picked for drying before the flowers open as this is when they are at their most aromatic. Lady's Bedstraw or Galium verum, is a British native plant that produces a mass of honey scented flowers in summer. It was once used to curdle milk and colour cheese. It was also used to stuff mattresses as it has a restful scent of new hay when it is dried and the scent is said to have killed fleas.
Lesser Calamint or Calamintha nepeta, is a very aromatic bushy plant with small purple flowers. The leaves have a smell that is a mixture of mint and oregano and are used to make a pleasant tea used for soothing stomach complaints. It is also used in Italian cuisine. Dittander or Lepidium latifolium, is a long forgotten native herb of damp coastal soils. It was once used as an herbal treatment for leprosy and in cooking, as a hot condiment before the introduction of horseradish. Indeed, the young leaves have a taste of creamy horseradish sauce.
Red Orach or Atriplex hortensis, is an annual herb with arrow shaped crimson leaves that are used in salads or cooked as spinach. It is also a useful plant for flower arranging. Skullcap or Scutellaria galericulata, is a native wildflower of wet meadows. The variegated blue and white flowers have cap-like calyces that give the plant its gruesome name. It is still used today in medicine to treat nervous disorders. Viper's Bugloss or Echium vulgare, is a bristly wild flower with lovely flowers that open with a hint of pink before turning a brilliant blue. A stunning specimen plant for garden planters, it is an ancient medicinal herb, also thought to cure snake bites. It is also very attractive to bees.
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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