Herbs Used in Medicine and Confectionery.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 8, 22 February 1908, Page 36

Herbs Used in Medicine and Confectionery.

Angelica is a plant that thrives best in a moist, cool situation, ami, although a biennial, it will last for several years if the seed stalks be cut over before thev emne into flower. Seeds should be -own in spring, and. when the seedlings rae large enough, thin out or transplant finally to a distance of 2 feet apart, as the plant is a very strong growing one, and. when established, grows several feet high. In some parts the leaves ami stalks are eaten raw or boiled with meat ami fish, and the seeds, being powerfully aromatic. are used in flavouring. Anise is an annual, and likes a light -oil. Sow seeds in September where they are to grow. and. when large enough to handle, thin out to 4 inches apart. I'hc >eeds are used in confectionery ami for distillation, ami the young leaves are used for garnishing and flavouring. ( oriamler is an annual. Sow seeds in October in a light, warm soil, where it is to grow in drill- 9 inches apart, ami, when large enough, thin out to about fi inclhs between the plants. Ihe leaves when young are used in soupsand salads. :Hid the seeds are also used in soups, but chiefly in confectionery and in disguising the taste of medicines. Caraway is a biennial plant, but is be>t -own annually in September in rows 9 inches apart, ami. when huge enough, thin out to a similar distance, as. sown at this s<*a-on. the plants will not flower until the next sea-on. and, when the seed is ripe, the plant may be wholly taken up. The young leaves an* sound lines used in soups, but the plant is chiefly grown for its seeds, which are used in confectionery and medicine, as well as for giving a perfume to soap. In former

times the roots were used as Parsnips, to which some gave them the preference. Rue is an evergreen shrub, and may be grown from seeds or cuttings. It thrives best on a rather poor soil, and in such lasts much longer. The leaves are at times used as a garnish, and given to poultry having the croup. It was called in former times the “herb of grace,” owing to its having been used in small bunches by the priests for distributing holy water among the people. Hyssop is a hardy evergreen shrub. Sow seeds in September in drills 6 inches apart, and, when large enough, plant where they are to flower, although the seed may he sow n where they are to remain. or the plants may be grown from cuttings. The plant thrives best in a rather poor s. il, although it delights in moist ure. The leafy tops and flower -pikes are made into an infusion which is used as an expectorant. Chamomile is a hardy perennial. While there are both single and doubled flowered, 1 he latter is the best to grow, as it produces the greatest number of flowers. It grows best in rather a poor -oil. and is propagated by breaking up the plant or by offsets, which should he planted 9 inches apart. The flowers, when just opened to their fulness, should he gathered and dried, then put in paper bags, and stored till required for use. The flowers are made into a tea, which is a safe hitter and stomachic, and also acts as an emetic when made info a strong infusion and taken warm. Liquorice is a hardy perennial plant, and. owing to its deep-rooting powers, it requires a very deep soil, which in autumn should be trenched to a depth of nearly 3 feet deep, and in spring roots should Im* planted about 3 feet apart between the rows and 18 inches between the plants. The roots will be ready for

lifting after three or four years’ grow th. In winter, after the sap has descended, a trench should be taken out alongside the row of roots and carefully lifted as one would extra good Parsnips or other roots, after which store in sand or same as Potatoes. The roots are cultivated for brewers and druggists, and the saccharine juice obtained from the roots by decoction used as an emollient in colds, fevers, etc. Wormwood is a perennial plant, and thrives best in a calcareous soil, and the growth of the plant should be encouraged in poultry runs, it being beneficial to the birds; it has been used by’ distillers in place of hops, and an infusion of the leaves and tops is used as a stomachic, tonic, and a vermifuge. It may be raised from seeds, but propagation by dividing the roots is the better plan, and pieces should be planted 1 foot apart, and some shoots, when coming into flower, may be cut and dried for winter use. Balm is a hardy perennial, its shoots at times being used in salads in place of parsley and tor making balm tea, which affords a grateful diluent drink in fevers, and forms an agreeable beverage under the name of Balm wine. Parting the roots is a common method of propagation, which should be done in spring, and a patch once formed will last many years. When the foliage is quite dry 7 tKe stems should be cut and dried in the shade, and kept in paper till wanted for use in a thoroughly dry’ place. This article would be incomplete without Rhubarb being mentioned in the list of foregoing plants, as it is used as a medicine, in tarts, as a vegetable, and, besides, makes a most wholesome and palatable preserve, and, as it is found in every garden, from the largest to that of the most humble cottager, little else may be said regarding it. Rhubarb delights in a rich soil where is is well drained, and the plant rejoices in plenty’ of moisture, and in spring during showery weather it makes very rapid growth indeed. The production of seed stalks should never be encouraged, but removed on first appearing. A?