Treasures in Your Garden
Article by:
Erin Green & Tina Johnson
Treasures in Your Garden: Cilantro, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
I am a foodie and “agriphile” while on the other hand, my mother is a fiend for all ornamental's and pretty things in her yard.
So every time we start clearing a space, it is quickly filled with cacti, orchids and a series of bulbs waiting to surprise us.
To protect or reclaim our ‘farmland’ we have to convince the landlord of the necessity purpose or benefit of our labour.
Here are four herbs that are worth replacing ornamentals and non-edibles in your yard/garden.
CILANTRO
Coriander, also known as cilantro, Chinese parsley or dhania, is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. Coriander is native to regions spanning from southern Europe and North Africa to southwestern Asia. Coriander is the seed of the plant and fresh coriander or cilantro is the leafy part of the plant. Cilantro is a pungent herb, used in Mexican and Asian cooking…
It is referenced in the book of exodus in the bible…
Cilantro can be used for relief from insomnia and is hailed as one of nature’s best detoxifiers, cleansing heavy metals and toxins from the body. You can juice the leaves and stem to produce 1oz of juice per dose.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/A_scene_of_Coriander_leaves.JPG/220px-A_scene_of_Coriander_leaves.JPG
SAGE
Salvia officinalis has numerous common names. Some of the best known include sage, common sage, garden sage, golden sage, kitchen sage, and broadleaf sage. Sage has a multitude of medicinal uses, since ancient times It has been recommended at one time or another for virtually every ailment by various herbalists. Contemporary research shows possible uses as an anti-sweating, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal treatment.
As a child, sage tea on summer mornings was standard fare in my grandmother’s house. Sage is also used in meditation and cleansing rituals. Houses are blessed and people saged as a method of purification and to bring peace.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Salvia_officinalis0.jpg/220px-Salvia_officinalis0.jpg
ROSEMARY
Rosemary is a wonderful herb. Primarily used in cooking, it is also used in cosmetics and to improve memory, stimulate hair growth and relieve muscle spasms. It is a natural insect deterrent and is a wonderful woody evergreen to have just outside a door or near a window where the wind can waft the fragrance inside on a balmy evening. I like rosemary as a component in lemonade and sorbet or as a part of a bouquet garnier in a light soup.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Rosemary_bush.jpg/220px-Rosemary_bush.jpg
THYME
Thyme is perhaps the most popular Bahamian cooking herb. Every cook worth their salt has some in their pantry. Thyme comes in so many varieties- Cuban thyme, chocolate thyme, lemon thyme, we could go one. Each one imparts a distinct yet clearly thyme flavor to many dishes. Thyme is so beloved in Bahamian cooking that without it many dishes will go unmade without a source of thyme to flavor the dish. Thought to bring courage to those who wore it in medieval times, thyme has had a long medicinal history with mankind. Thymol is the main active ingredient in Listerine and thyme will help with bronchitis and respiratory issues. Did you know that you can replace your lawn with thyme? Thyme is hardy and durable. It will require less maintenance than grass and will mostly take care of itself. Actually, if left alone thyme will take over and choke out weeds and other undesirables and is a natural insect repellent.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Thyme-Bundle.jpg/250px-Thyme-Bundle.jpg