Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis). A bee attracting herb with leaves having a musky lemon scent. It is a vigorous, leafy plant from southern Europe, very common in gardens and often found as an escape in shady spots. Leaves should he collected before flowering. An infusion would help ease stomach cramps, vomiting and insomnia. It is very soothing and helps in relaxation. The leaves arc very tasty in China tea, cold drinks, salads and omelettes. A soothing bath herb for aching joints. Grows up to 3 ft.
Bay
Bay can be grown into a handsome, evergreen tree or can easily be kept as a standard bush or, if trimmed, is suitable for small pots in window boxes and on patios. The leaves can be picked and dried throughout the year and add a distinctive flavour to bouquet garnis, preserves, marinades, soups, stews, and curries. The dried leaves have a better, sweeter flavour than fresh ones. The leaves contain a volatile oil that can I rubbed into rheumatic joints. A decoction of the , works as a general stimulant and helps settle gastric upsct«
Celery
(Apium graueolens). An annual herb with a I flavour. It is eaten raw in salads and can be dried and 1 in casseroles, soups, curries, sandwiches etc.
Feverfew:
Attractive daisy-like flowers adorn the throughout the seasons. The fresh leaves when chewed reputed to alleviate migraine. Leaves can also be used sparingly in mixed salads.
Marjoram:
A perennial in the northern plains, this bushy plant has small leaves which add flavour to fish, meat :1I1d tomato dishes. It can also be sparingly used in mixed salads The lilac flowers attract butterflies. Grows up to 2 ft.
The Mints
There arc many different species and varieties of mint with quite different flavours. till, biennial tends to grow vigorously and spreads by runners. So I it is advisable to separate different mints by barriers I sunken slates, or by planting them in pots. The leaves taste best if grown in semi-shade. Mint is an excellent appetizc: arid digestive. In the kitchen, mint is indispensable especially in salads, curd or raita, sauces, cold drinks and tea.
Oregano
A bushy plant with oval leaves which adds flavour to meat dishes, pizzas, tomato dishes and bouquet garnis. Their purple flowers attract bees and butterflies.
Parsley
(Petroselinurn crispurn): A farniliar and universal herb, it probably originated in the eastern Mediterranean. It is very easy to grow, even in a small pot on the kitchen window sill and can be used to flavour a wide variety of dishes. The leaves can be used fresh in sauces, salads, mayonnaise, soups and I garnishing. They dry or freeze well. Parsley in a white sauce i.-, excellent with fish, parsley butter or curd is very good ill baked potatoes. Leaves are best dried in a hot oven and Stored in airtight jars. There are many varieties such as curly and fern leaved parsley. Parsley leaves are rich in vitamins A Band C .ind iron. Parsley tea, made from dried leaves, is a mild diuretic and will soothe rheumatic pains.
Peppermint :(Mentha piperita), Ideal herb for digestive problems, cold and blocked sinuses. It makes the best mint dry easily and can be crunched up and stored 111 airtight jars.
Rocket: This annual salad plant grows upto 2 ft. 111 is also known as Italian cress. It prefers :1 rich SOIL I he fresh, green, crisp leaves are used in salads.
Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis). An essential bush in ev:ry herb garden which flourishes best in a light, sandy, dry soli. It has a spicy, piney, gingery taste and can be used also as an air-freshener and a moth repellant. Rosemary is excellent with roast chicken or game and also in jams, custards and biscuits. It is said that it aids in the improvement of memory.
Sage
(Salvia officinalis), There are an enormous number of different sages, all with aromatic properties. The familiar broad-leaved English sage grows into a bush 2 feet tall and likes a yght chalky soil in a dry sunny position. It has a very good flavour and dries well. It can be used sparingly in cheese, herb butter and to flavour pickles. Sage cures gastric upsets and has antiseptic properties.
Spearmint
(Mentha spicatei. It is the common garden mint. Can be added to vezetables and salads and crushed and stored.
Thyme
(CThymus vulgaris): A biennial edging herb known to be one of the most important culinary herbs used for stock auces, soups etc. Thyme aids the digestion of fatty meats: such as mutton and pork, and is very good in cottage and cream cheese and in bouquet garnis as it dries easily. It is also known to treat gastric upsets and bronchial ailments. Thyme soup was once used as a cure for shyness!