Nepeta Cataria

AKA: Catnip

Planting: Moist well drained soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, 1’-3’. Plant in Mid-March, grows easily and germinates in 2-4 weeks. Plant out in May. Likes moist areas with sun, but will grow in partial shade. Grows and spreads fast like mint

Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Perennial

Harvest: Plants are cut when in bud and dried for use in infusions. Leaves are picked when needed for culinary purposes, and used fresh or dried.

Culinary: Leaves are infused for a mint-like tea, and also added to salads, sauces, an stews.

Medicinal: A bitter, astringent camphoraceous herb . It lowers fever, relaxes spasms, increases perspiration, and has sedative effects.

Third Eye Vision:

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Alliaria Petiolata

AKA: Garlic Mustard, Hedge Garlic, Jack-by-the-hedge

Planting: Moist soil in sun or shade, fully hardy biennial, 1’-4’.

Harvest: Leaves and stems are cut before flowering for use fresh as a juice, and fresh or dried as an infusion or poultice.

Culinary: Young leaves add a mild garlic flavour to salads, sandwiches, and soups. Traditionally made into a sauce with mint leaves as a sauce for lamb or mutton (England).

Medicinal: A pungent stimulant herb that clears infection, encourages healing, and is expectorant and anti-inflammatory.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in A8

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Galium Odoratum

AKA: Sweet Woodruff

Planting: Moist well drained neutral to alkaline soil in shade, fully hardy perennial, 4’.

Harvest: Plants are cut when flowering and dried for infusions, extracts, and tablets.

Culinary: Sprigs are soaked in white wine to make Maitrank or Maibowle (Alsace), and added to fruit cups.

Medicinal: An astringent, slightly bitter herb , aromatic when dried, with tonic, diuretic, and sedative effects. It improves liver function, relaxes spasms, strengthens capillaries, and reduces blood clotting. Used internally for thrombo-phlebitis, varicose veins, hepatitis, jaundice.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 Transplanted to North of trash house

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Cymbopogon Citratus

AKA: Lemon Grass

Planting: Well drained soil in sun with humidity, minimum 45 degrees perennial, 5’.

Harvest: Stems are cut at ground level and used fresh for oil extraction, dried for powder, and either fresh or dried for infusions. The leaf blades may be removed and the lower 3-4” used as a fresh herb.

Culinary: Leaves are used as a flavoring herb, and infused for tea.

Medicinal: A bitter, aromatic cooling herb that increases perspiration and relieves spasms. Also has a sedative action and is effective against fungal and bacterial infections. Used internally for digestive problems. used externally for ringworm, lice, athlete’s foot, arthritis, and scabies.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Transplanted to pot Spring 2009.

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

AKA: Myrtle

Planting: Well drained soil in sun, hardy perennial, 5’ bush.

Harvest: Plants are cut with or without flowers and distilled for oil. Leaves are picked as required and used fresh, or dried for us in infusions. Flower buds are picked before opening and dried. Fruits are collected when ripe and dried for use whole or ground.

Culinary: Leaves, flowers, buds, and fruits are used to flavor dishes of port, lamb, and small birds, sauces, and liqueurs. Oil is used in soups, skin care products, and perfumery, and as a food flavoring.

Medicinal: An aromatic astringent herb that is antiseptic and an effective decongestant. Used internally for UTIs bronchial congestion, sinusitis, and dry coughs. Used externally for acne, gum infections, and hemorrhoids.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Transplanted Spring 2009


Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Coriandrus

AKA: Coriander, Cilantro, Chinese Parsley

Planting: Well drained fertile soil in sun, hardy annual, 1’-2’. Plants grown for leaves are more productive if grown in partial shade, as it tends to bolt if too dry or overcrowded.

Harvest: Leaves are gathered when young and used fresh. Seeds are harvested when ripe and are used whole or ground for culinary purposes. Roots, leaves, seeds and oil are used.

Culinary: Roots are used in Thai cuisine. Leaves and leafstalks are used to flavour soups, salads, beans, and curries.

Medicinal: . Leaves and seeds are rich in volatile oils that act mainly on the digestive system, stimulating the appetites, and relieving irritation. They are also expectorant. Oil is fungicidal and bactericidal. Used internally for minor digestive problems. Used externally for hemorrhoids and painful joints (seeds).

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in E3

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Satureja Montana

AKA: Savory, Winter

Planting: Well drained soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, 9” high, spreads wide.

Harvest: Leaves and shoots as needed.

Culinary: Leaves are used as seasoning. Used to flavor legumes, sausages, meat stuffings, and marinades (especially for olives). An ingredient in “Herbes de Provence”. Has a more pungent flavor than S. Hortensis (summer savory)

Medicinal: An antiseptic , astringent, warming, expectorant herb with a peppery flavor and high carvacrol content. It improves digestion, increases perspiration, stimulates the uterus and nervous system, and is reputedly aphrodisiac. Used internally for indigestion, nausea, colic and more.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Live transplant Spring 2009

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Satureja Hortensis

AKA: Savory, Summer

Planting: Well drained soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, 9” high, spreads wide.

Harvest: Leaves and flowering tops as needed.

Culinary: Leaves are used as seasoning. Used to flavor legumes, sausages, meat stuffings, and marinades (especially for olives). An ingredient in “Herbes de Provence”. Has a less pungent flavor than S. Montana (winter savory)

Medicinal: An antiseptic , astringent, warming, expectorant herb with a peppery flavor and high carvacrol content. It improves digestion, increases perspiration, stimulates the uterus and nervous system, and is reputedly aphrodisiac. Used internally for indigestion, nausea, colic and more.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Summer 2008 in E6, Spring 2009 in B7

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Chaenomeles Contorta

AKA: Flowering Quince, Japonica, Japanese Quince

Planting: Well drained soil in sun or partial shade, fully hardy perennial tree, 3’-8’.

Harvest: Fruits gathered when ripe.

Culinary: May be used as substitute for Cydonia Oblonga (quince) in jams and jellies, and for flavouring apples and other stewed or baked fruit. Unpleasant to eat raw. More vitamin C than lemons.

Medicinal: An anti inflammatory and anti spasmodic herb that acts mainly as a circulatory and digestive stimulant.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Transplanted spring 2009 driveway left, next to rock pair

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Eletaria Cardamomum

AKA: Cardamom

Planting: Rich moist well drained soil in sun or partial shade, 50 degrees minimum, evergreen perennial, 10’.

Harvest: Fruits are collected during the dry season and dried whole. Seeds are removed for oil extraction or used in infusion, extracts, powders, and tinctures.

Culinary: Seeds are used to flavour baked goods, coffee, curries, pickles, mile-based desserts, fruit compotes, and mulled wine. The essential oil is used in perfumery.

Medicinal: A pungent, warm, aromatic herb that has stimulating tonic effects, especially on the lungs and kidneys. It relaxes spasm, is expectorant, and improves digestion. It also detoxifies caffeine and counteracts mucus-forming foods, such as dairy produce. Used internally for indigestion, nausea and vomiting, enuresis, and pulmonary disease with copious phlegm.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Transplanted to pot, Spring 2009

Experience: I bought a live plant in 2009 and it still lives. It grows very slowly and is a green ornamental that I keep in my house, and thankfully the cat doesn't poop in the pot. It seems relatively healthy and is decent looking. However, based on posts, I now suspect that it may not be a true Elletaria, but instead Cinnomon Ginger, Alpinia nutans. It looks good anyway. So I am going to try from seed, which is difficult to propagate, and there is not much consistent germination information that I can find. My plan: January 15 pot it, keep moist, and look for germination by April 1.

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Glycyrrhiza Glabra

AKA: Liquorice

Planting: Deep rich sandy soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, 3’-4’.

Harvest: Roots and stolons are lifted in early autumn, 3-4 years after planting, and dried for decoctions extracts, pastilles, and powder, or crushed and boiled to produce juice.

Culinary: Roots are chewed as sweets, used as flavoring. Also used in herb tea.

Medicinal: An adaptogen. A sweet, soothing herb that is anti inflammatory and expectorant, controls coughing, and has hormonal and laxative effects. It detoxifies and protects the liver.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in B6

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Calendula Officinalis

AKA: Calendula, Marigold

Planting: Well drained to poor soil in sun, hardy self-sowing annual, 20”-28”.

Propagation Zone 6/7: Self-sowing

Harvest: Flowers are used, cut in dry conditions and used fresh or dried.

Culinary: Petals are used as a substitute for saffron in rice and soup, and infused to give color to cheese, butter, milk desserts, and cakes. Also added fresh to salads. Used fresh or dried in tea infusions, extracts, tinctures, and for culinary purposes.

Medicinal: A major herb with excellent healing, antiseptic, and detoxifying properties, combined with low toxicity. It stimulates the liver, gall bladder, and uterus, soothes the digestive system, supports the heart, and clears infections. Used internally and externally for many complaints.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in garden; Orange in F7

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Santolina Chamaecyparissus

AKA: Cotton Lavender

Planting: Light well drained to dry soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, 24”

Harvest: Leaves are picked as needed, flowering stems in summer.

Culinary: Leaves used to flavour meat and fish dishes, grains, soups, and sauces.

Medicinal: A bitter, stimulant herb with a strong, chamomile like aroma. It reduces inflammation, improves digestion, stimulates the uterus and liver, and expels intestinal parasites. Used internally for digestive and menstrual problems, worms in children, and jaundice. Used externally for stings, bites, minor wounds, and skin inflammations.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 live transplant to SW corner of barn;, and seeded in C5.

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Monarda Fistulosa

AKA: Lavender Bergamot, Horsemint, Wild Bergamot

Planting: Rich moist soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, propagate by seed, 4’.

Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Perennial

Harvest: Whole plant used.

Culinary: Leaves are used to flavour meat and beans, young shoots and leaves are infused for tea.

Medicinal: An aromatic stimulant herb that aids digestion and increases perspiration. Used internally for colds, sore throats, catarrh, headaches, fevers, and gastric disorders. Used externally for skin eruptions.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in B7

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

AKA: Basil (Genovese)

Planting: Rich, well-drained soil in sun, hardy annual to 50 degrees, propagate by seed, 12”-30”.

Harvest: The whole plant can be used including the roots.

Medicinal: Basil is mildly sedative, and is good for lowering fevers, improving digestion, bacterial infections and intestinal parasites. Medicinal uses include helping with fevers, nausea, cramps and more.

Culinary: An important and prevalent seasoning herb in a variety of recipes across many cultures. Best know as the main ingredient in Pesto.

Third Eye Vision:

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Lamium Atropurpureum

AKA: Archangel

Planting: Moist well drained soil in sun or partial shade, fully hardy perennial, propagate by seed, 6”-24”.

Harvest: Pick flowers and young leaves as needed.

Medicinal: A slightly bitter, astringent decongestant herb that checks bleeding and reduces inflammation.

Culinary: Flowers are used for herb tea. Young leaves are cooked as a pot-herb and are mixed with sorrel (rumex acetosa) as an ingredient of the French eel dish “anguille au vert a la flamande”

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Pimpinella Anisum

AKA: Anise

Planting: Rich well drained soil in sun, half-hardy annual, 20”. It needs a hot summer to thrive and for seed to ripen.

Harvest: Plants and leaves are cut in summer and used fresh. Seeds are collected as they ripen and used for oil or dried and used whole, ground, or in distilled water and infusions.

Culinary: Fresh leaves added to salads, vegetables, soups.

Medicinal: A sweet, warming herb that improves digestions, benefits the liver and circulation, and has expectorant and estrogenic effects. Used internally for dry coughs, whooping, cough, asthma.

Links:
Wiki Pimpinella Anisum

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Angelica Archangelica

AKA: Angelica

Planting: Rich moist soil in sun or partial shade, fully hardy, self-sowing perennial, 3’-8’.

Harvest: All parts used.

Culinary: Foliage is eaten like celery in Greenland and Scandinavia. Young stalks are candied, or may be added to stewed rhubarb, jams, and marmalade. Flower buds, which are enclosed by sheaths, are eaten raw in salads or cooked. Essential oil from roots uses for flavouring of ice cream confectionaries, liquor. It gives the characteristic flavour to Benedictine.

Medicinal: Used internally for digestive problems.

Historical: Medieval belief that it would protect against evil and cure all ills. Connected with the Feast of the Annunciation and the Archangel Michael. Important in 15th century.

Third Eye Vision:

Links:
Wiki Angelica

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Hedeoma Pulegioides

AKA: American Pennyroyal, Squaw Mint

Planting: Rich, sandy soil in sun or partial shade, hardy reseeding annual, 4”-15”.

Harvest: Whole plant used, cut when flowering and dried for use in infusions and liquid extracts.

Culinary: Use fresh or dried leaves for herb tea, or as a culinary flavoring. A popular digestive tea.

Medicinal: A pungently aromatic herb that stimulates the uterus, induces perspiration, improves digestion, and ie expectorant. Used internally for colds, whooping cough, indigestion, wind, nausea, painful menstruation, and childbirth.

Third Eye Vision:

Date: Seeded Spring 2009

Links:
Wiki American Pennyroyal

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)