Week 5
Week 5 at the 1812 Garden. Please notice how bushy the potatoes are, as well as how tall the corn is.
Week 4: Herb Garden
In addition to using herbs in remedies and cooking, many 19th Century Americans valued the ornamental and fragrant nature of herb plantings in gardens. As herbs not only filled the spice racks but also the medicine cabinets, the herb patch was most important part of a kitchen garden. Many herbs were employed in both areas; for example sage was reputed as being the best spice for stuffing and broths, and sage tea was a popular cure for digestive ailments. Below is a map of the 1812 Garden’s herb patch and I’ve highlighted some of my favorite herbs growing there.
The Herb plot at the 1812 Garden.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Comfrey’s genus name, Symphytum, translates to “coming together” in Greek and refers to the medicinal use of comfrey in healing salves. (Comfrey was traditionally known as "Knitbone,” in reference to its healing properties ). Comfrey has been used medicinally since 400 B.C. In the early 19th Century it was applied externally to stop bleeding, heal wounds, and even mend broken bones. Comfrey was ingested to cure ailments ranging from internal bleeding to stomach aches. Many of these internal uses have become heavily contested, as comfrey is now a recognized carcinogen. In the United States the FDA has issued warnings against the consumption of comfrey, and has even advised comfrey products to be “removed from the market” (FDA). Additionally, comfrey contains “hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can lead to liver failure or even death” if over consumed (Yeong).
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Historically lemon balm has been used for a menagerie of medicinal purposes ranging from wound dressings to curing depression and anxiety and preventing baldness. Unlike many other historically used medicinal herbs, lemon balm is still used medicinally today. The herb works as a useful astringent, and recent studies have shown the herb having a “sedative effect on the nervous system” of mice (Racz-Kotilla).
Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita)
Costmary is best known for its minty smell and astringent taste. Traditionally, costmary has also gone by the name ‘bible leaf’ as 19th century women would slip its leaves into the pages of their bibles. During long (and presumably boring) prayer meetings the leaves would provide a refreshing snack. Medicinally a costmary infusion was used to treat burns, rashes, bruises and bites. Today, costmary can still be safely used (unlike comfrey) although herbalists recommend it primarily for use topically to ease bruising and skin inflammations. Costmary’s popularity and prevalence has however, declined.
"FDA Advises Dietary Supplement Manufacturers to Remove Comfrey Products From the Market." FDA / CFSAN. 06 July 2001. U. S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. 14 Apr 2008 <http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/dspltr06.html>.
Yeong M.L., et al. "Hepatic veno-occlusive disease associated with comfrey ingestion." Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 1990 5(2): 211-4.
Racz-Kotilla, E., Racz, G., & Jozsa, J., Activity of some species belonging to the Labiatea on the central nervous sytem of mice (Acta Hort. 1980) 49 – 53.
