The Rural Voice, 2002-02, Page 34Gardening
February's for herb `lovers'
By Rhea Hamilton -Seeger
February is usually a cold and
miserable month best spent curled up
with a good book or seed catalogue
close to a roaring fire. Tantalizing
thoughts of skiing around the bush
have been dashed with sloppy snow
or no snow at all this winter.
But thanks to commercialism
February has a different face, one of
love and lace and sweet nothings.
Fancy red hearts are blazing from
every store window and chocolates
and flowers are flaunted at every
turn.
It was not that long ago that
thoughts of romance were
synonymous with herbs. Some were
considered aphrodisiacs and many
may well influence us today as in the
past, due to the strong belief that they
work. If we believe that something
will make us feel a certain way, we
very well may feel it.
The power of suggestion accounts
111
ni
for such a huge range of experiences.
We have a simple fruit in this
category. In the sixteenth century the
pomme d'amour or love apple was
introduced to Europe from Mexico.
Although considered deadly if eaten
whole, small quantities were believed
to have qualities of a fine
aphrodisiac. We know this amorous
fruit as the tomato.
Herbs have been used in
cosmetics, medicines and in recipes
all to make us feel good and if you
feel good, you are just more
attractive.
There are a number of herbs that
appear again and again in many of
these recipes: parsley, carnations,
nasturtiums, lady's mantle, celery,
ginger, juniper, ginseng, cloves, and
laurel. Ginseng is reputed to be a
whole-body health enhancer like
garlic. Garlic as an aphrodisiac has its
own drawbacks: both partners must
enjoy it.
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30 THE RURAL VOICE
Ginger was once thought to be so
powerful an aphrodisiac that it would
make even a faithful wife go astray if
she drank an infusion of it while her
husband was away.
Plants have been eaten not only to
satisfy hunger or for flavour but also
for their health -giving virtues. They
were designated as hot, cold, moist or
dry. Hot plants or seasonings were
those considered to have stimulating
qualities. Watch out for the chilies.
The best aphrodisiac is of course a
healthy body and a happy heart.
Do you remember the games you
played as a child where flowers or
herbs played a part in determining
your life's mate. Many of us have
learned to pick off daisy petals while
chanting "He loves me. He loves me
not".
When I was a teenager we would
turn the stem of an apple while
reciting the alphabet. When the stem
drops off that is the first letter of your
beloved's name. My apple stem
always came off at K. and yes I
married Klaus. Coincidence? I think
not
Flowers and herbs were symbols
of the stages of courtship. Daffodils
were for regard, carnation for
admiration, mistletoe meant I
overcome difficulties and tulip for
ardent love, rose for love, celadine
for joys to come and rosemary for
remembrance, fennel for strength,
olive for peace, sage for domestic
virtues, ivy or fir for fidelity, violet
for steadfastness and lavender for
loyalty.
So from all this mid -winter
romantic musings you may be
inspired to make a new spicy dish,
served with a bouquet of sweet
scented herbs on the table or take a
long soak in a bath laced with
lavender oil while enjoying a glass of
tomato juice. Happy February.0
Rhea Hamilton -Seeger and her
husband raise two children at their
home near Auburn. She is a skilled
cook and gardener.