Guide to the Herbs in the Herb Garden and Brightspot Garden with Ethnobotanical Commentary   Bed 1 against Willard & Jean Garvey Dome Lemon Grass : Tangy enlarged leaf bases are essential in Thai and Vietnamese dishes. Leaves are used to flavor fish, soups, curries and sauces and to make a pleasant tea, consumed hot or cold. Hollyhock : Edible flowers. Millet, Ornamental : A tropical grain. In the U.S., used primarily for birdseed. Black Amber Sorghum : Juice of cane boiled down to make Black Strap Molasses. Bed 2 Lemon Verbena : Strong lemon-flavored leaves used in teas and salads. Peppers, Tri-colored Varigata & Marbles : Used medically for capsaicin and culinary. Bee Balm, Bergamot : Lemon Mint or Lemon Bergamot: Lavender Bergamot : Bergamot leaves & flowers used to make Oswego tea with the flavor of Earl Gray tea. Bed 3 Begonia semperflorens : Edible flowers Wooly Thyme : Its virtues are mainly visual and tactile, lacking scent or flavor. Sage Extrakta : Commercial sage with high essential oil content Catmint : Smaller ornamental form of catnip, does not attract cats Thyme : Culinary and medicinal value. Appropriate seasoning for rich meats and fish, improving their digestibility. Essential in bouquet garni. Clary Sage : Seeds soaked in water produce mucilaginous eye bath, which removes particles. Used as a fixative in potpourris. Tricolor Sage : A color form of garden sage. Thyme, Silver Posey : color form. Culinary and medicinal value. Apple Mint, Variegated : Variegated form of apple mint. Carnation (Clove drops) : Once though to have tonic properties, but of little medicinal uses today. Fresh flowers may be added to salads, floated in drinks or crystallized for garnishing cakes and desserts. Before culinary use remove the bitter petal base. Flower petals can be used to make clove-scented vinegar or jelly. Geranium, Apple : Scented like sweet, ripe apples. Orange Mint : Its hint of citrus is tantalizing in fruit punches, teas, and potpourris. The oil is an ingredient in chartreuse and perfumes. Thyme : Culinary and medicinal value. Appropriate seasoning for rich meats and fish, improving their digestibility. Essential in bouquet garni. Apple Mint : Soft gray-green round leaves have an apple-menthol fragrance. Delightful for tea. Vanilla Grass : European grass with a sweet vanilla aroma, similar to woodruff. Pollen causes hay fever, but a tincture of its flowers in wine is said to give immediate relief from hay fever. Geranium, Apple : Scented like sweet, ripe apples with a bit of cinnamon. Perilla : Cinnamon-scented leaves used for oriental pickling. Salad Burnet : The leaves have a mild, cucumber flavor, make a pleasant addition to salads and are floated in drinks. Oregano, Golden : Golden foliage with mild oregano flavor. Lion’s Tail : It is native to southern Africa where it is used for epilepsy, headache, hypertension, and for stomach and bronchial problems. It is used like marijuana by Hottentot tribesmen as the resinous tops and leaves have an euphoriant effect. ‘Dagga’ is a local name for marijuana in southern Africa, hence then name ‘wild dagga.’ Sweet Grass : Traditional American Indian ceremonial grass used in peace and healing rituals. Vanilla-like scent. Oregano : Indispensable in Italian, Spanish, and Mexican cookery. Hot, spicy flavor complements almost all tomato dishes. Desirable in beef or lamb stew, gravies, soups, salads or casseroles. Thyme : Culinary and medicinal value. Appropriate seasoning for rich meats and fish, improving their digestibility. Essential in bouquet garni. Chocolate Mint : Striking ‘peppermint patty’ scent. Gillyflowers : Once thought to have tonic properties, but of little medicinal uses today. Fresh flowers may be added to salads, floated in drinks or crystallized for garnishing cakes and desserts. Before culinary use remove the bitter petal base. Flower petals can be used to make clove-scented vinegar or jelly. Lavender Thyme : Thyme with strong lavender scent. Grapefruit Mint : This beguiling mint has a spearmint flavor with a strong grapefruit overtone. Doone Valley Lemon Thyme : Gold-variegated creeping form of lemon thyme. Peppermint(Black Stem) : Peppermint tea is an old favorite. Excellent for stomach indigestion. Lends its spiciness to many dishes, especially sweets. Lime Thyme : Thyme leaves scented with hint of lime. Geranium, Lemon Balm : Deeply cut leaves with a lemon scent. Geranium, Apple : Scented like sweet, ripe apples with a hint of cinnamon. Bed 4 Bee Balm : Bergamot leaves & flowers used to make Oswego tea with the flavor of Earl Gray Tea. French Tarragon : Piece de resistance of all culinary herbs. None has a more enticing. And distinctive flavor suggestive of anise or licorice. Horseradish : Widely known condiment plant. Horehound : Horehound candies, once the sovereign remedy for coughs, are still remembered by some. Infusion is useful for weak stomach, lack of appetite and persistent bronchitis. Bronze Fennel : Highly decorative form of fennel, whose leaves can be used like green fennel. Lemon Balm : Fresh leaves burst with lemon when squeezed. A truly delightful tea made from the dried leaves. The tea stimulates the heart and calms the nerves. Fresh chopped leaves are also interesting in salads, soups, and stews. Proven effective against herpes. Chives : The most delicate member of the onion family. Chamomile “Lutea” : High essential oil cultivar. Chamomile, German : The most prolific producer of flowers. Chamomile teas is made from the flowers, which is used as a digestive aid and for general soothing. Lavender, Lady : For centuries the fragrant flowers have been used in dried sachets, scented soaps, perfumes and potpourris. Also, used to flavor confectionaries. AAS Winner in 1994. Sage, Purple : A color form of the garden sage and useful for flavorings. Lemon Catnip : Lemon scented catnip. What a wonderful way to sip tea before bedtime to help you sleep. Rosemary, ARP : A winter hardy (Zone 6) strain. A little freshly chopped rosemary is interesting with orange sections, appealing in dumplings, biscuits, preserves, and has few equals for poultry stuffings. Most notable with lamb and pork. Excellent homemade shampoos, hair and skin rinses are made with rosemary tea. Oregano, Italian : Strongly flavored. Indispensable in Italian, Spanish, and Mexican cookery. Hot, spicy flavor complements almost all tomato dishes. Desirable in beef or lamb stew, gravies, soups, salads or casseroles. Echinacea angustifolia : Highly regarded blood purifier used in the treatment of diseases caused by impurities. Said to increase bodily resistance to infection by strengthening the immune system. Estafiate : A Mexican favoring Tarragon, Russian : Beautiful plant, but lacks the odor and flavor of French Tarragon. Savory, Winter : Often called the bean herb because of the compelling character they add to a dish whose base is peas, beans, or lentils. Also excellent in chilled vegetable juices and meatloaf. A perennial form with very strong , pungent flavor. Mint, Lime : Lime scented mint. Evening Primrose : Oil in seeds contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)—Evening Primrose Oil. Roots can be eaten as a vegetable; shoots as a salad. Hibiscus, Rose Mallow : Petals are used in teas and as edible garnishes. Pennyroyal : A mint with strong minty aroma used to repel insects. Oil is an abortifacient. Not recommended for pregnant women. Still used in teas to treat headaches. Rau Ram : Vietnamese culinary coriander with a lemon-cilantro aroma. Mullein : Good remedy for coughs, hoarseness and bronchitis. All plant parts can be used to produce yellow, bronze and gray dyes. Geranium, Apple : Delightful apple and cinnamon fragrance when the leaves are touched. Milk Thistle : Seeds are used as a tonic for the liver. Toothache Plant : Australian aborigines chewed leaves to relieve the pains of a toothaches. Antibiotic against candida. Eaten fresh like cress. Curry Plant : Essential oil is used to enhance the fruit flavors in perfumes. Echinacea, Yellow : Traditionally used for it’s antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting effects. Soapwort : Excellent shampoos, skin rinses and washes for delicate fabrics are made by steeping roots in water. Lathers like soap when agitated. Skin rinse helps to relieve itchiness. Feverfew : Leaves used in teas for the relief of pain from arthritis and migraines. Vick’s Plant : The scent of the leaves resembles that of the chest cold remedy, and is used as such also. Thyme, Orange Balsam : Sensational orange scent and flavor. Yarrow : Impressive all-round natural remedies without equal. Owing to their bitter principles, they have the reputation as general fortifiers, helping to build the body’s natural resistance. They improve digestion, circulation, and the functions of the liver, gall bladder, and kidneys. They are valuable wound herbs for cuts and make excellent cosmetic lotions for cleansing and beautifying the skin. Self-Heal : Flowering stems are dried for use in infusions and medicinal preparations. It has antibacterial properties and is used externally to soothe burns, skin inflammations, bites and bruises, sore throats and inflamed gums. Sorrel, French : Used in the famous sorrel soup. Small leaves with concentrated flavor. Balm, Lime : Very similar to lemon balm in appearance and growth but the scent is closer to lime. Uses in tea and medicine are much the same. Dittany of Crete : Similar scent and uses as oregano. The pink flowers are also used for tea. Lavender, Munstead : For centuries the fragrant flowers have been used in dried sachets, scented soaps, perfumes and potpourris. Also, used to flavor confectionaries Bed 5, Upper Side Germander : Promotes appetite while quieting upset stomachs. Stevia : Herbal sugar substitute. Catnip, Archer’s Variegated : Variegated form of catnip. Lovage : Leaves have excellent flavor for soups, stews and casseroles. Flavor is reminiscent of celery, and the famous yeast extract, Maggi. Can replace meat and bone stock in soups. Sage, Golden : Culinary and teas. Geranium, Attar of Roses : Wonderful rose scent that is used as a perfume. Basil, Purple Ruffles : Purple form of Genovese Lavender, Munstead : For centuries the fragrant flowers have been used in dried sachets, scented soaps, perfumes and potpourris. Also, used to flavor confectionaries. Basil, Genovese : The classic Italian basil used in pestos, marinara sauces and teas. Begonia semperflorens : Edible flowers Oregano, Hot & Spicy : Oregano with a spicy kick. Blue Vervain : A native North American wildflower that is helpful to those who suffer from insomnia and other nervous conditions. Licorice, Chinese : The most commonly used Chinese medicinal herb (Gan-cao), occurring in almost all prescriptions, its use being associated with longevity. The sweet tonic herb is an expectorant, neutralizes toxins and balances blood sugar levels. The roots are the useful plant part. Hyssop : Decorative plant with a refreshing aromatic scent. Slightly bitter leaves are finely chopped on salad, game meats, soups and stews. Helps digestion. Essential oil used in perfumery. Basil, Mammoth : Has a licorice or anise overtone, used as a culinary herb and in teas. Epazote : Also called Wormseed. Strong scented foliage highly esteemed in Mexico and Guatemala for seasoning corn, black beans, mushrooms, fish and shellfish. Wormseed oil is prescribed frequently to expel intestinal parasites. Clover, Red : Many herbalists assert that the flowers taken as an infusion help prevent and even cure cancer. Red Clover is also efficacious for bronchial troubles, whooping cough, gastric troubles and ulcers. Basil, Sweet Dani : Lemon-scented basil. Agrimony : Tea has great reputation as a wash for healing wounds and skin eruptions. Internally, tea is useful for liver, kidney and bladder problems. Produces yellow, gold and green dyes. Angelica : Has anti-inflammatory properties, lowers fevers and acts an expectorant. Infusions of the root are used to aid digestive disorders and bowel complaints. A poultice of the leaves has been known to soothe sunburn, but should be used with caution. Furcoumarin content increases skin photosensitivity and may cause skin irritation in susceptible people. In Europe young stems are candied, cooked with rhubarb, tart fruits and berries to reduce acidity. It can be added to jams or marmalade, seeds are added to cookies. Seeds and roots are constituents of Benedictine, Chartreuse and other liqueurs. Marshmallow : Up to 10% in medicinal mucilage. Noted for soothing irritations and inflammations of the skin, throat, eyes, lungs and urinary organs. Flowers, roots, and leaves are used to create salves. 1 Valerian : Excellent sedative action. Widely used to allay pain, nervous unrest, migraine, and insomnia. Roots are the part used. The essential oil is used in perfumery, and extracts as a flavoring in the food industry. Begonia semperflorens : Edible flowers Bed 5, Lower Side Basil, Genovese : The classic Italian basil used in pestos, marinara sauces and teas. Basil, Purple Ruffles : Purple form of Genovese Chives : The most delicate member of the onion family. The blossoms brighten up any green salad. Pineapple Sage : Fabulous pineapple scent, culinary Rue : Pungent bitter leaves used sparingly in stews, salads, sandwiches and vegetable juice. Two chewed will quickly relieve nervous headache. In early times judges relied on fresh sprigs of rue to repel fleas brought into court by prisoners. Roots produce rose colored dye. Contact with fresh foliage can cause contact photodermatitis in some. Elecampane : Dried root preparations quiet coughing, stimulate digestion, and tone the stomach. Flowers yield yellow and orange dyes. Begonia semperflorens : Edible flowers Sweet Annie : Sweet-scented Chinese herb (Qing-guo). Antimalarial properties, attributed to the compound artemisinin. Excellent for dried herb arrangements. Lion’s Tail : It is native to southern Africa where it is used for epilepsy, headache, hypertension, and for stomach and bronchial problems. It is used like marijuana by Hottentot tribesmen as the resinous tops and leaves have an euphoriant effect. ‘Dagga’ is a local name for marijuana in southern Africa, hence then name ‘wild dagga.’ Basil, Cinnamon : Basil with a cinnamon flavor and fragrance. Southernwood : Leaves can be used in sachets and potpourris, and as a moth repellent. Try a leaf in salads or throw on the fire to refresh the air. Garlic chives : Flat leaved variety of chives from Japan. Irresistible combination of garlic and chives. Has become popular wherever regular chives are used. Showy white flowers. Mugwort : Bitter flower buds improve digestibility of rich meat, poultry, or fish dishes. Used in Japan for moxibustion. Anise Hyssop : Attractive honey plant; produces abundant nectar which yields a light fragrant honey. Strongly anis-scented; delightful for tea or as culinary seasoning. Chervil : Luscious green leaves have special subtle flavor. Traditionally used in all spring soups and salads. Can improve every dish in which parsley is used. Mild parsley flavor with an anise tone.