7/26/2019 Victorian Herbs at the Hermitage

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/victorian-herbs-at-the-hermitage 1/2

Dutchman ’s breeches Fennel Feverfew Foxglove Garlic Chives Horehound Lady’s Mantle

Anise Hyssop Bee Balm Blue False Indigo Catmint Celandine Chamomile Dill

. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) was used

or a dessert syrup, and has a slightly licorice taste.

The owers, dried, were used to make wreathes.

2. Bee Balm (Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’ ) leaves have a

itrus avor. It was used in teas and medicinally for

olds and chest pains. (“Sweet virtues.”)

3. Blue False Indigo (Baptisa australis) was anornamental plant seen on garden edges; the owers

are a deep blue.

4. Catmint (Nepeta caparia) w as also known as

atnip.Cats are highly attracted to it as a play item..A

bracing tea was made from it. (“Intoxicated with

ove.”)

5. Celandine (Chelidonium majus) is a member of

he poppy family. It was used as a mild analgesic.

”Medicine”)

6. Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) was used by Victo-

i6. ans as a sedative tea. (” I admire your courage.”)

7. Dill (Anethum graveolens) leaves and seeds were

used to avor food; seeds aid digestion. Dill induces

leep. (“To lull, good spirits.”)

8. Dutchman ’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

alled “staggerweed” due to its toxicity. It was anornamental plant in the Victorian garden.

9. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare dulce) l eaves

and seeds were used in culinary preparation; the

seeds are used as a digestive aid. (”Worthy of all

praise.”)

10. Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) was

used as a stimulant,nervous complaints and for

colds. (”You light up my life.”)

11. Foxglove (Digitalis purpura) was used for

heart disorders. It was an ornamental plant. (” A

wish, insincerity, stateliness, South.”)

12. Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) has an

onion-like avoring that was used in recipes.

(“Usefulness, why do you weep?”)

13. Horehound (Marribum vulgare) leaves were

used to make candies and syrups to soothe a

cold and cough. (“Frozen kindness, health.”)

14. Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) was

used to bind wounds and stop bleeding. The

leaves were soaked and placed on a wound.

(“Comfort, protection.”)

15. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina) called “the

bandage plant”, was used to bind wounds. The

velvety leaves were soaked and used like a

band aid.

16. Lavender (Lavendulla augustifolia) was

used as a sachet ller, a mouthwash, a house-

cleaning tool, and to avor sugar. (“Luck, loy-

The Lis o Hb a The Hmitage  Grdn

7/26/2019 Victorian Herbs at the Hermitage

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/victorian-herbs-at-the-hermitage 2/2

Lamb’s ear Lavender Lavender Cotton Lemon Balm Lovage Mint Perilla (Shiso) Rosemar

Rue Sage Senna Sweet Woodruff Thyme Wild Cranesbill Wormwood

7, Lavender Cotton (Santolina chamae ) is also

nown as French lavender, but is not true lavender.was used as an insect repellent by Victorians.

8. Lemon Balm (Mellisa ofcinalis) had many uses,

most notably as a cooling tea, used to bring down

fever. The sweet smell was useful in making pot-

ourris (“Pleasant company of friends.”)

9. Lovage (Levisticum ofcinalis) was a favorite

nglish herb that has fallen into disuse. The leaves

were used to avor confectionery. (“Hidden virtues,

eanliness.”)

0. Mint (Mentha peperita) has been a remedy for

what ails the stomach as well as the main ingredient

or a bracing tea. The mint at the Hermitage is spear-

mint, which has a sweet taste (“Wisdom. eternal

efreshment.”)

1. Perilla (Perilla frutiscens) originated in Asia. One

ariety is known as English perilla. It is a member

f the mint family. Perilla, in its bright showy colors,

was a prominent ornamental in Victorian gardens. 

2, Rosemary (Rosmarinus ofcinalis), t he “dew of

he sea”, was used in cooking as well as to aid in

tomach disorders. It was used to make wreathes

nd bracing teas. (“Remembrance, delity.”)

3. Rue (Ruta graveolens) i s a bitter herb that was

mportant in keeping a house free of pests. It was

trewn on the oor to repel insects and vermin.

Grief, repentance.”)

24. Sage (Salvia ofcinalis) was an antibiotic, a

diuretic, an astringent as well as a culinary herbused to avor meats. The leaves were used

in medical applications. (“Long life and good

health.”)

25. Senna(Cassia marilandica) is used as an

ornamental plant today. In the past, medicinal

teas for stomach ills and fevers were made

from it.

26. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) con-

tains coumarin, used in perfumes. It was usedto disguise other odors, quality favored by

housekeepers.

27. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) i s a versatile

culinary herb that was used to avor eggs and

meat. It was also used as an insect repellent.

(“Thriftiness, Happiness, courage.”)

29. Wild Cranesbill (Geranium maculatum)

was used as a drug, and is an astringent, usedto treat diarrhea, passive bleeding and more. It

was an ornamental plant in the garden as well.

30. Wormwood ( Artemisia absinthium) has

been used as an insecticide. It is a key ingredi-

ent in absinthe and in other bitter drinks. (“Dis-

pleasure.”)

To volunteer to work in The Hermitage Victorian

Herb Garden, contact Kathleen Sullivan,

Hermitage site coordinator 201-934-7595 or emailkmarhc@verizon.net