A GARDEN OF HERBS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 109, 1 February 1930, Page 20

A GARDEN OF HERBS

SOME OLD-FASHIONED RECIPES

A. herb garden sounds a very attrac- , tire , thing and.brings to one’s mind the vision of da vender walks, prim bushes of ' rosemary, and clumps, of aromatic sage, 'and'thyme and mint. There is an oldworld flavour about the very names that iavery fascinating, and we ■ think of dainty .ladies of bygone days superintending ’the ■ planting and growing of their favourite herbs,. then the gathering of ■ them, the drying and' the making-up by famous family; recipes into medicines, ointments,-,-washes and perfumes. ■ | Those days are gone; nowadays we mostly grow herbs in small quantities for flavourings.’ Medicines and face creams are bought from the nearest chemist, and in many cases we pay very heavily for things' that we could make much more ’ cheaply' and with safe and more whole; . some-results.- ■ ■ ' ■ 1 • • The trouble is that many of us don t know what can.be.done with home-grown herbs, or-what a source of pleasure and . health ,they could be to us. Take sage, for instance, that we mostly grow for a flavouring to enhance the delights ot goose’or 'pork,’bu t there are many other uses for-sage. Sage ’tea is; one of the very best spring tonics available. The way to’ make it is to take two handfuls of young ■ sage leaves and pour over it one pint of boiling water. If dried leaves are used, one teaspoonful will be enough for., the -pint of water. Drink' a wineglassful ‘ every morning each day. _ Fresh sage,tea'in the'month, of May is most beneficial. ' . Sage leaves are excellent for cleaning and whitening the teeth, and one hears . of old-fashioned nurses who used to take. their'.charges down to the herb-bed and-there-pluck fresh leaves and.wi,th them rub the children's teeth. . i Peppermint is another herb that is not* valued : as it should be —not mint, and not the wild peppermint which is found in the, hedges, but real peppermint which can be obtained from any nurseryman. Peppermint tea. is excellent for cO.lds, influenza, chills, neuralgia and is a ' wonderful pick-up for wearied nerves or over-fatigue. ■ : To make'it,-scald two handfuls of fresh - or one tablesnoonful of dried leaves with a pint of boiling water, strain and bottle; ’ sweeten to drink, especially for children. This is very good for indigestion, when half a cupful should be taken after meals. Yarrow is another useful herb, and tea- made from it is’ very' good for rheumatism. It is satisfactory because you can use the whole of it, root, stalk, leaves and flower. These you put all together, cover with water, bring to the boil, and simmer for half an hour. '■ Rosemary makes a very good hairwash. Its name, which means dew of the sea, is in' itself attractive, and many people ’think' its smell resembles that of the sea. Its country name, “fairies’ cradles,” is also .very sweet. The hairwash can be made by covering as much as your saucepan will hold with, cold water and simmering for half an hour. 'Then it should be strained and bottled. So made it will keep for n year, but if you want to use it at once, scald two or three handfuls in a pint of water.- strain and use; The elder tree can hardly be called

a herb, but its flowers and fruit are so common and so useful that one.or two recipes may as, well be given here. Elder ointment is made from the flowers, of which you put as many as you can in a casserole (a jam jar would do, but don’t use a metal pan). The flowers should be perfectly fresh, and if possible have pollen on them. To them add two pounds of lard. Simmer until the flowers turn brown—about half an hour — strain, and pour into a jar to set. The ointment will be found to be very good for sunburn, rough skin, chapped hands, etc. Elderberry tea, which is so good for colds and sore throats, can be made by boiling the’berries in a pan with no water. When they have gone soft and mushy, strain, and to every pint, of liquid add one pound of sugar, boil .up together, then cool and bottle. For use dilute with hot vtater. Delightful face-washes ■ can be made with any" scented flowers, such as roses, jasmine, syringa. A great quantity of flower petals are needed to make a small quantity of the wash. Exact quantities cannot be given, but place as many flowers as possible in a pan. cover with cold water, bring to the boil, and simmer for half-an hour; strain and use as required, This is’the time of the year when all these flowers and herbs ca-n be obtained, so it is to be hoped some of these recipes will be useful; certainly they are cheaper than many things bought at the chemist’s.