HERBS FOR THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 6 (Supplement)

HERBS FOR THE GARDEN.

EVEN • ROSEMARY HAS A USE. Time was when every real garden had its herb-border or patch. Hyssop, whoso stored and fragrant essence is so good for winter colds, rosemary for headaches, burdock for cooling the blood in springtime, woundwort for healing ointment to go on cuts and bruises, lavender for the linen cupboard, and a dozen other simple medicinc3 and essences, says an overseas writer.

Though love-philtres and the like may have been compounded from the beldame's cottage garden or the heath close by, there is no necessary connection between witches or herbalists. Nor, for that mitter, between herbalists and herb gardens. Most drugs ca.i be found in the vegetable world, and to the vegetablo world those who want them must go. Tim wholesale druggists buy many of their raw materials from small growers of herbs.

One woman herb-grower with an acre of land on the South Coast, is now busy drying and storing her ha.vest of healing. She sells not only to the druggists, but also to a growing private clientele. Jt is a paying hobby, but skill and patience and love of the herbs for their own sake are necessarv.

There is nothing difficult about growing the simpler herbs for household use, and few things look more decorative in the garden. The plants may bo bought from the gardening funis. Some, like rosemary, may be propagated from cuttings. On 'many summer evenings their scent will be heavy on the air, but at all times you will be' able to get their fragrance by rubbing folirge or flowers between your thumb and finger. If bees are kept, hyssop pleases them mightily. Lavender, although even it is sometimes used as a tonic, is by no means tho only plant of this class with a use outsido medicine. Sage, thyme, and similar pot-herbs are invaluable to the housewife. Many folk use the more fragrant herbs in place of bath falls. Essence of rosemary is a good stimulant for the hair. The "herbalist will solemnly tell you that juniper berries mako a decoration of great medicinal value.