From the Herb Basket – 18

Fresh lemon balm leaves were once used to polish oak furniture. The lemon essence preserved the wood and kept it light in color.

In Medieval times, children were not allow sweet cakes [ gingerbread men today ] as it was thought that fresh ginger would produce bad dreams.

Mace is the outer covering for nutmeg that is produced on the nutmeg tree. The favored color is pale gold, and this bark will last for years if kept in glass containers.

Quick cure for bad breath: Chew on fresh parsley, or add 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley to a cup of boiling water. Drink while hot.

Add 2 tablespoons of the following herbs to your daily diet: garlic, rosemary, thyme and oregano. By adding these fresh herbs to cooking and salads, you cut your risk of sore throats and sinus problems by as much as 43%. The flavonoids in these herbs strengthen airways so viruses can’t invade. These herbs also speed healing of inflamed mucus membranes.

If you find yourself surrounded by sick people, drinking licorice root tea cuts your risk of catching the flu and cold bug by 25%. Licorice root kills germs on contact, and calms a sore throat. Simmer a licorice root tea bag in a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes. Check health food stores for the tea bags.

Days of wine and rosemary. Next time you’re serving white wine, stir in a rosemary branch in each glass. The refreshing pine scent of the rosemary will enhance the flavor of the wine.

Rue was often called “herb of grace” because it was added to the holy water in the font during mass.

An independent study by an European hospital suggests that a daily dose of peppermint tea can calm IBS [ irritable bowl syndrome ] in as little as 4 weeks of treatment.

People who sniffed peppermint several times each day consumed fewer calories at each meal.

~ Blessed Be, sweet ones.

The road less traveled is less traveled for a reason. And, the question we might ask is this: Do we want to know the reason? Of course we do.

Meadow Walker