The fascination of herbs is a
potent one and once one is charmed, it is hard to prevent them taking over one’s
life. They romp through the garden and take root in all sorts of unexpected places;
they turn up in previously sedate and well-tried recipes, provide remedies for
long standing aches and pains and have uses for the household and its pets.
The invasion is practically always
a beneficial and harmless even stinging nettles have their uses as the invading
Roman soldiery found when they tried to find ways of keeping warm in the chilly
offshore islands of Britain. Moreover you know, practically always because a
few herbs are harmful if used indiscreetly. In medically prescribed quantities
such plants do nothing but good nut in amount larger than these they can be
harmful, even lethal. If an herb mentioned in anywhere can be poisonous, the
fact is noted under its description in the alphabetical list.
Herbs are almost certainly more
popular now than they have ever been partly because a certain air of mysticism
and legend surrounds them, gathered in the course of centuries and partly
because there’s tremendous surge towards using natural and unadulterated food
and medicine, and towards ornaments and clothing hand made from natural
materials. Products synthesized in the laboratory turned out on the factory
bench, manufactured in fast food kitchen or fabricated from the byproducts of
fossilized fuels are no longer universally acceptable. The herbal plant can
supply substances flavors colorants and aromas naturally, often in combination
with other ingredient which enhances their activity.
It must be said that reputation which
herbs have thus gathered is not unfounded. They can add a great deal to the flavor
of food, and they do act effectively as anti-pest deterrents. A great deal of
good for health, whether human or animal, is possible and they’re of
considerable cosmetic and household use. In fact, we’re merely at the beginning
of the herbal turn round nine tenths of the iceberg of herbal use has yet to be
discovered, and it is only, even now, a small percentage of population for whom
herbs have everyday use. The time is certainly coming when herbs will
automatically be part of the garden or household stores, to be used daily in
one capacity or another.
The history of herbs is an
intricate one, reaching back to the most ancient civilizations, and accounts
show that their herbs usage still has relevance for us, even in our nuclear
age. Indeed a great deal can be learnt from such records, and it is well worth
reading the ancient herbals which are presently in use.The uses to which herbs can be
put are described in some detail; with summarize these uses for quick reference.
There’re designs for herb gardens, and ideas for places to use herbs in the
garden.
Growing one’s own plants is the
most satisfactory way to obtain the leaves seeds or whatever part of the herbs
is required so information on cultivation is supplied. Several herbs are plants
which are native, growing wild in fields and woods, and kept rigorously out of
gardens, on the grounds that they are weeds. Others are plants introduced from
overseas often from warmer climates, which have nevertheless naturalized
themselves in the countryside as escapes from cultivated areas and become weeds
in their own right. So it is worth remembering before you conscientiously
remove every last scrap of a weed from a flower border that it is more than
likely to be of some considerable service. Horsetail may flourish like dragon’s
teeth, but its silicon content ensured that it did wonders for scouring out
cooking pots, and it is said to be a collector of gold as well. 
Not surprisingly, in view of the
above most herbs are easily grow, though there is generally some special need
peculiar to each herb which must be catered for to ensure satisfactorily
healthy growth. Sometimes they need actual confinement of roots or climbing
shoots. Difficulty is occasionally experience with seed germination herbs which
flowers and set seed in July August often have a short viability, and need to
be sown as soon as ripe, rather than in the following spring. Other methods of
propagation such as cuttings and divisions are standard gardening practice at whatever
method of increase is suitable to a herb will be found in its description and
specification in the alphabetical list.
The right methods of harvesting
and preserving are important and “smell” whether fragrance or aromas, is
discussed several times and one of the main attributes of herbs for instance it
can be an attractant or repellent for numerous insects beneficial or otherwise.
There is also descriptive alphabetical list of 59 herbs, with notes on
cultivation, specific to each herb, its botanical characteristics and a recipe
which may be medical, culinary or whatever aspect is particularly appropriate
to that herb. There are lists of herbs for special purposes and uses in the
garden, and addresses of established herb gardens to visit.
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