| White Wagon Farm Herbal Hints from our Newsletters |
ROSE
We don't often think of roses as herbs, but their uses in the medicine cabinet, at the table, and in
the perfumery are many.
Thought to have originated in Persia, the rose appears in text and image from as early as 2000
BC. It has been part of liturgical oils and fragrances in Islam and Christianity. In fact, the earliest
rosaries (and the source of their name) were made from beads of dried rose petal paste.
Rose hips (the seed pods) contain high concentrations of Vitamin C, and tea made from these
hips was used to protect World War II British sailors from scurvy.
Roses have played roles in magical spells, fertility potions, cosmetics, and desserts. You can
even add rose water (made from soaking clean rose petals in boiling water) to such comfort foods
as pancakes.
We don't often think of roses as herbs, but their uses in the medicine cabinet, at the table, and in
the perfumery are many.
Thought to have originated in Persia, the rose appears in text and image from as early as 2000
BC. It has been part of liturgical oils and fragrances in Islam and Christianity. In fact, the earliest
rosaries (and the source of their name) were made from beads of dried rose petal paste.
Rose hips (the seed pods) contain high concentrations of Vitamin C, and tea made from these
hips was used to protect World War II British sailors from scurvy.
Roses have played roles in magical spells, fertility potions, cosmetics, and desserts. You can
even add rose water (made from soaking clean rose petals in boiling water) to such comfort foods
as pancakes.
STEVIA
Sugar leaf or sweet leaf is a perennial herb indigenous to the highland areas of Paraguay. In the
South, it needs afternoon filtered shade. It is a pretty plant, with narrow leaves and tiny white
and purple flowers.
It has been used medicinally to help lower blood-sugar levels, and cosmetically to make a
cooling, tightening facial mask.
But its real value is its calorie-free sweetening capability. Both the fresh and dried herb may be
used for sweetening teas and other drinks. The crystallized extract of the plant, however, has
received the most attention as a substitute for sugar. The leaf is about 10 times sweeter than
sugar, while the powder if about 300 times more so.
There are limitations to using stevia to replace sugar: it does not have the same bulk as sugar; it
will not activate yeast; it won't caramelize like sugar; it won't counteract acidity, as in tomatoes;
and it doesn't taste like sugar.
An easy liquid sweetener can be made by steeping a tablespoon of leaves in boiling water,
allowing it to cool, straining it, and placing it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Two drops
of liquid sweetener are equal to the sweetness of a teaspoon of sugar. Be careful about adding
too much without tasting, since stevia can cause bitterness if used in abundance
Sugar leaf or sweet leaf is a perennial herb indigenous to the highland areas of Paraguay. In the
South, it needs afternoon filtered shade. It is a pretty plant, with narrow leaves and tiny white
and purple flowers.
It has been used medicinally to help lower blood-sugar levels, and cosmetically to make a
cooling, tightening facial mask.
But its real value is its calorie-free sweetening capability. Both the fresh and dried herb may be
used for sweetening teas and other drinks. The crystallized extract of the plant, however, has
received the most attention as a substitute for sugar. The leaf is about 10 times sweeter than
sugar, while the powder if about 300 times more so.
There are limitations to using stevia to replace sugar: it does not have the same bulk as sugar; it
will not activate yeast; it won't caramelize like sugar; it won't counteract acidity, as in tomatoes;
and it doesn't taste like sugar.
An easy liquid sweetener can be made by steeping a tablespoon of leaves in boiling water,
allowing it to cool, straining it, and placing it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Two drops
of liquid sweetener are equal to the sweetness of a teaspoon of sugar. Be careful about adding
too much without tasting, since stevia can cause bitterness if used in abundance
PANSIES & VIOLAS
One of my favorite things about Fall is the coming of the pansies. More than the overblown
cushions of mums or the sweet scent of pinks, pansies make me smile. It’s hard to look at their
little clown faces without thinking about balloons, sunshine in February, and bright spots
peeking through snow.
Pansies are short-lived perennials in our climate. They are typically planted in the fall and
removed when the weather gets hot, sometime around June. Many of the older varieties will self-
sow, often popping up in unexpected places. Andfor this reason have been called Johnny-Jump-
Ups.
Pansies are edible, although their petals have almost no flavor. The sepals do taste slightly of
wintergreen, but their primary culinary use is for decoration on cakes, in punches, and in salads.
Medicinally, they have been used for treating skin eruptions, as an anti-inflammatory
expectorant for coughs, and to treat cystitis and other urinary problems.
The name “Pansy” comes from the French pensée, thought. I’m not sure that does justice to
this cheerful little bloom. I prefer the term arrived at by pairing the most common colors of
pansies in the Victorian Language of Flowers: purple for memories, white for loving thoughts,
and yellow for souvenirs. Heartsease.
One of my favorite things about Fall is the coming of the pansies. More than the overblown
cushions of mums or the sweet scent of pinks, pansies make me smile. It’s hard to look at their
little clown faces without thinking about balloons, sunshine in February, and bright spots
peeking through snow.
Pansies are short-lived perennials in our climate. They are typically planted in the fall and
removed when the weather gets hot, sometime around June. Many of the older varieties will self-
sow, often popping up in unexpected places. Andfor this reason have been called Johnny-Jump-
Ups.
Pansies are edible, although their petals have almost no flavor. The sepals do taste slightly of
wintergreen, but their primary culinary use is for decoration on cakes, in punches, and in salads.
Medicinally, they have been used for treating skin eruptions, as an anti-inflammatory
expectorant for coughs, and to treat cystitis and other urinary problems.
The name “Pansy” comes from the French pensée, thought. I’m not sure that does justice to
this cheerful little bloom. I prefer the term arrived at by pairing the most common colors of
pansies in the Victorian Language of Flowers: purple for memories, white for loving thoughts,
and yellow for souvenirs. Heartsease.
MINT
What do a candy cane, a thin chocolate Girl Scout cookie, and a bourbon drink served at the
Kentucky Derby have in common? Mint. It's hard to imagine candies or teas without the
cooling flavors of mint. Although there are many varieties of mint, two in particular stand out:
peppermint (Mentha piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata).
Peppermint, or my favorite, chocolate mint, has shiny green leaves and reddish stems. Think
Girl Scout Thin Mints.
Spearmint has rougher and slightly hairy leaves, smells like Wrigley's Spearmint Gum (in the
white package), and is a natural accompaniment for bourbon. Kentucky Colonel is a great
cultivar.
Both are best grown in pots to prevent them from naturalizing in your garden, especially in
shady, moist areas where they can be very hard to contain. Cut them back twice each summer
and use their leaves for flavoring for teas, tisanes, and other drinks: mint juleps and mojitos
both need fresh mint.
Brew some peppermint then serve it iced. Cool doesn't begin to describe it.
What do a candy cane, a thin chocolate Girl Scout cookie, and a bourbon drink served at the
Kentucky Derby have in common? Mint. It's hard to imagine candies or teas without the
cooling flavors of mint. Although there are many varieties of mint, two in particular stand out:
peppermint (Mentha piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata).
Peppermint, or my favorite, chocolate mint, has shiny green leaves and reddish stems. Think
Girl Scout Thin Mints.
Spearmint has rougher and slightly hairy leaves, smells like Wrigley's Spearmint Gum (in the
white package), and is a natural accompaniment for bourbon. Kentucky Colonel is a great
cultivar.
Both are best grown in pots to prevent them from naturalizing in your garden, especially in
shady, moist areas where they can be very hard to contain. Cut them back twice each summer
and use their leaves for flavoring for teas, tisanes, and other drinks: mint juleps and mojitos
both need fresh mint.
Brew some peppermint then serve it iced. Cool doesn't begin to describe it.
MARJORAM
Often confused with its near relative, oregano, marjoram is sweeter and milder in flavor, and
shorter in height.It is a tender perennial that is sensitive to cold weather, wilting under a
frost.Grow it in morning sun and keep it rather dry for best results.
In the kitchen, it is used most frequently with meats, but may be added to anything but sweets.
Dried, it retains its flavor better than many other herbs.
It was used by the Egyptians to appease the gods in the embalming process. Today, it is an
underused herb with a lot of potential for flavoring soups, steamed vegetables and egg dishes.
Often confused with its near relative, oregano, marjoram is sweeter and milder in flavor, and
shorter in height.It is a tender perennial that is sensitive to cold weather, wilting under a
frost.Grow it in morning sun and keep it rather dry for best results.
In the kitchen, it is used most frequently with meats, but may be added to anything but sweets.
Dried, it retains its flavor better than many other herbs.
It was used by the Egyptians to appease the gods in the embalming process. Today, it is an
underused herb with a lot of potential for flavoring soups, steamed vegetables and egg dishes.
CATNIP
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a tough perennial plant with small white or lavender flowers. It grows in
sun to part shade and can reach two to three feet high.
As a member of the mint family, it has square stems and a minty-medicinal smell. People have
used it for years as a calming tea, a cure for stomach ache, and a charm to turn women into cats at
night.
Speaking of cats, catnip is enjoyed by at least half of our cat friends. Effects can range from
sleepiness to drooling, to purring and rolling on the plants. Grow some catnip if you have a cat or
want to be one.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a tough perennial plant with small white or lavender flowers. It grows in
sun to part shade and can reach two to three feet high.
As a member of the mint family, it has square stems and a minty-medicinal smell. People have
used it for years as a calming tea, a cure for stomach ache, and a charm to turn women into cats at
night.
Speaking of cats, catnip is enjoyed by at least half of our cat friends. Effects can range from
sleepiness to drooling, to purring and rolling on the plants. Grow some catnip if you have a cat or
want to be one.
OREGANO
Origanum vulgare hirtum (Italian oregano, Greek oregano) When soldiers returned from WWII
with samples of a "pizza herb" in their knapsacks, America's infatuation with oregano began.
Used for pizzas, spaghetti with meat sauce, and chili, oregano lends its distinctive warm flavor to
these "American" favorites. Its flavor is stronger when used dried than when used fresh.
A hardy perennial in Arkansas, Greek oregano is a low growing ground cover with small pink
flowers. Grow it with other Mediterranean herbs in a sunny spot with good drainage.
Medicinally, oregano has been used as an anti-bacterial, a cure for sore throat, and as an immune
system enhancer.
Origanum vulgare hirtum (Italian oregano, Greek oregano) When soldiers returned from WWII
with samples of a "pizza herb" in their knapsacks, America's infatuation with oregano began.
Used for pizzas, spaghetti with meat sauce, and chili, oregano lends its distinctive warm flavor to
these "American" favorites. Its flavor is stronger when used dried than when used fresh.
A hardy perennial in Arkansas, Greek oregano is a low growing ground cover with small pink
flowers. Grow it with other Mediterranean herbs in a sunny spot with good drainage.
Medicinally, oregano has been used as an anti-bacterial, a cure for sore throat, and as an immune
system enhancer.
THYME
Probably the most punned of the herbs, thyme is a useful culinary and medicinal herb with tiny
leaves and woody stems. In its native Mediterranean cultures, the scent of thyme came to indicate
elegance and courage. Roman soldiers bathed in water scented with it before battle. It has been
used to prevent nightmares, embalm the dead, treat leprosy, kill mosquito larvae, and see fairies on
Midsummer Night’s Eve.
Today, its primary medicinal use is to treat coughs and sore throats. Thymol, its main
pharmaceutical constituent, is used in many mouthwashes and cough syrups, including Listerine.
Many of the 200 – 400 varieties of thyme are useful as ground covers and bee plants. Their tiny
white to pink blooms work well with other Mediterranean herbs such as lavender, sage and
rosemary.
But to our way of thinking, thyme is best used with meat, eggs, and cheeses, in soups, stews, or
omelets, or in inventive cookies and cakes.
White Wagon Farm has several varieties of thyme available. If you’ve got the money, honey, we’ve
got the thyme.
Probably the most punned of the herbs, thyme is a useful culinary and medicinal herb with tiny
leaves and woody stems. In its native Mediterranean cultures, the scent of thyme came to indicate
elegance and courage. Roman soldiers bathed in water scented with it before battle. It has been
used to prevent nightmares, embalm the dead, treat leprosy, kill mosquito larvae, and see fairies on
Midsummer Night’s Eve.
Today, its primary medicinal use is to treat coughs and sore throats. Thymol, its main
pharmaceutical constituent, is used in many mouthwashes and cough syrups, including Listerine.
Many of the 200 – 400 varieties of thyme are useful as ground covers and bee plants. Their tiny
white to pink blooms work well with other Mediterranean herbs such as lavender, sage and
rosemary.
But to our way of thinking, thyme is best used with meat, eggs, and cheeses, in soups, stews, or
omelets, or in inventive cookies and cakes.
White Wagon Farm has several varieties of thyme available. If you’ve got the money, honey, we’ve
got the thyme.
LEMON GRASS (Cymbopogon citratus)
Planted around villages in India to keep the tigers away, Lemon Grass has proved similarly
effective in Arkansas. We have not had a single tiger invade the nursery since planting this tall
stately herb nearly twenty years ago.
Lemon grass is used extensively in Thai cooking where young shoots are chopped and added to
soups, stews, and curries. A refreshing lemon-flavored tea can also be made from the dried leaves.
Medicinally, it is used for headache and digestive problems as well as in treating ringworm and
other fungal diseases. It is also used for both aromatherapy and as a major scent component in
cosmetics.
Planted around villages in India to keep the tigers away, Lemon Grass has proved similarly
effective in Arkansas. We have not had a single tiger invade the nursery since planting this tall
stately herb nearly twenty years ago.
Lemon grass is used extensively in Thai cooking where young shoots are chopped and added to
soups, stews, and curries. A refreshing lemon-flavored tea can also be made from the dried leaves.
Medicinally, it is used for headache and digestive problems as well as in treating ringworm and
other fungal diseases. It is also used for both aromatherapy and as a major scent component in
cosmetics.
