Herbs Are Useful.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 118, 21 May 1928, Page 13

Herbs Are Useful.

The herbalist is still an important person on tlio Continent, and in 'franco tho "tisane" is frequently used ,-is a drink as well as a cure. On tho farms the picking of limo to make hot drinks is a recognised occupation,- and while the outsider is apt to find the "tisane" too reminiscent of boiled hay, its medicinal qualities inspire a firm faith all over France.': In England the herb habit seems to be coming in. again (says an English exchange). With new ideas concerning food values, the herbalist ■ijiTs'o appears on the scene, and the time may come when the housewife, if she does not actually grow her own herb supply and make her own decoctions, will bo constrained to keep the requisite herbs by her for other purposes than seasoning. Herb baths, have conic in -.fashion.again, and to them: aromatic • trees alicl plants add their savour;l 'JPine Baths, geranium'bathsi; linie 'bath'sj. areall in request, and they are again being considered to have wonderful medicinal qualities for the treatment of such ills .as rheumatism, sleeplessness, and tho like. The "baths" can bo bought in boxes, each containing a certain number of metal tubes. In these is a brightly coloured powder which is sprinkled in the hot waters The'bather is supposed to lie in the mixture for a quarter of. an hour or twenty minutes .'in order to get the £ull value. Women are beginning to make a profession of,, growing and purveying herbs, and not t<ie least feature of the latter part of tho business is their presentation in an agreeable form. Very pretty boxes are used, fitted up with great neatness and precision. The1 rediscovery of herbs is in accordance. With tho tendency to simplify medicines generally and to prefer the natural remedy, instead of having recourse, to'drugs. The School Journal. The May number of the Xew Zealand School Journal is one of special merit and contains stories from -tho past of living interest which should appeal to most of the older pupils in •the. schools. The first article, deals with perils and adventures under the sna, illustrated with pictures of diving. A quotation from a. formerly well-known writer, "Ouida," is "A Dog of Flanders," the story being delightfully told. Joan of Are is brought to mind with her beautiful life and "heroic death, and some well-selected poetry completes the number. Cloves and nutmeg form the subjects of an mis good, while the selections for the next standard, and there is a good account of the camel taken from "With Lawrence in Arabia," which should inspire the young ones with a. wish to read the rest of the book. The poetry is good, while the selections for the little-ones arc of equally good taste and value. ' Wedding. The wedding was solemnised at Christ Church, Wanganui, recently by tho Eev. Mr. Weller, of Gertrude Florence, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Gibbard, Bapanui, to Cyril Henry, only son of Mr. and Mrs."P. D. Mitchell,-Lower Hutt. Tho bride, who was accompanied by her father, wore a frock of cream ntariettc, with a flouncing- of silver lace round the skirt, and a silver panel fastened with rosebuds fell from tho waist. Her lace veil was arranged iv mob cap style and. held in place with sprays of. orange blossom and silver leaves;, she carried a, shower bouquet of pink chrysanthemums, roses, and maidenhair fern. Miss Nancy Skelton, of New Plymouth, was bridesmaid, wearing a frock of rose pink crepe de chine, and a crinoline hat to tone. Her bouquet was of autumn tints. Mr. Robert Harris (Wellington) was best man. After the ceremony a reception was held at the "Boy.ile Willows," Mrs. Gibbard, in a winc-eol- ; oured channelaine frock,- with hat to tone, receiving the guests. Mrs. Mitchell (the bridegroom's mother) wore a black brocade frock, trimmed with hejiotrope and gold lace, and hat to match. The bride and bridegroom left later by motor-car for tho North, Mrs. C. H. Mitchell travelling in a beige repp frock, with hat to match, and a smart saxe blue coat trimmed with fur.