What can be better than the smell of homemade chicken soup simmering on the stove? One of my favorite additives to chicken soup is the herb thyme. Thyme is an herb that can be used with so many things and in so many different ways it is a must have for your garden. Many have said, “When in doubt, use thyme.”

Examples

Many different kinds of thymes can mimic the taste and smell of other herbs. There are two main types of thyme. Thymus vulgaris, common thyme, is an upright plant that has many different varieties such as Thymus citriodorus, lemon thyme and Thymus citriodorus ‘Argenteus, Silver Thyme. Thymus praecox is a creeping thyme also with many varieties such as Thymus praecos articus, Mother of Thyme and Thymus pseudolanuginosus, Woolly Thyme.

Intro/Brief Description

Catnip

Family: Lamiaceae

When you look outside and see those dreary cold days, doesn’t a hot cup of tea sound tantalizing? Ahhhh! A warmth you can feel all the way to your toes—a feeling that warms you from the inside out. And it’s even better when it is an herbal tea, with a little taste of honey thrown in.

Chamomile

Family Anthemis

Genus Chamomilla

Walk with me through the garden. Do you smell that wonderful aroma…that faint scent of apples? Look down, it’s the Chamomile. The more you walk on it, the more scent will be released. Roman Chamomile has been a favorite of lawns and gardens in Great Britain for centuries because of the sweet smell and the ease of growth of this herb. Whether Chamomile of the German variety or the Roman, it is a favorite of herbalists.

Saffron

Family: Iridaceae

Genus: Crocus

Species: Sativus

Intro/Brief Description

The origination of the word is unclear. Some believe the name saffron is an Arabic word meaning “be yellow” while others credit it as a French word derived from the Latin word safranum.

Although not a vegetable, saffron corms are eaten by villagers in some parts of the world. It’s often used in sweet breads and desserts. Saffron is the most expensive herb in the world. It takes 75,000 plants to produce one pound of saffron. The three stigmas are gathered as the flower opens and are then carefully dried. During the drying process the stigmas lose 80% of their weight. It’s hand harvested because the stigmas are tiny and delicate, making this a labor intensive project.

Basil

Genus: Ocimum basilicum
Family: Labiatae

Introduction

Basil is one of every herb gardener’s favorites. Easy to grow and full of flavor, who can resist this fragrant herb? While basil is a favorite herb today, it hasn’t always been so everywhere. Different areas of the world had vastly different opinions of this herb and its properties.

Capers

Species: Capparis

Family: Capparidaceae

Intro/Brief Description

The absolute origin of capers is uncertain. Some believe it originated in Asia while others believe it is from the Mediterranean. Either way, capers surely originated in a warm, dry, sunny location, probably beside the sea or ocean. The oldest reference to capers dates back to 2700 BC, to a Sumerian clay tablet. Ancient Greeks used capers for medicinal and culinary purposes. Capparidaceae is related to the cabbage family.

Rosemary

Genus: Rosmarinus officinalis
Family: Labiatae

Introduction

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) originated in the Mediterranean. Rosemary is the herb of friendship, love and remembrance. In Ancient Greece it was common for the men to give rosemary to their ladies. Tapping someone with a rosemary branch in bloom was said to make them fall in love with you. Many brides in Europe still wear the traditional sprigs of rosemary in their hair on their wedding day as a sign of love and fidelity.

Lavender

Genus: Lavendula
Family: Labiatae

Who can resist the wonderful fresh smell of the lavender plant or the folklore surrounding it? Lavender is a favorite among herbalists and the general public alike.

Lavandula is believed to have originated in Mesopotamia and many believe it has been with us since time began in the Garden of Eden. It is also believed that lavender appeared in India and southern France shortly after its Mesopotamian origins.

Feverfew

Intro and History

Borage

Borage officinalis
Boraginaceae. Borage Family.

Introduction and History

If only the Cowardly Lion had known about Borage, perhaps he could have saved himself the trouble of venturing down that yellow brick road Soldiers going into battle in ancient times partook of wine seeped with borage to shore up their nerve. According to the sixteenth-century British herbalist John Gerard, Roman soldiers used to say "Ego borago gaudia semper ago.; Gerard translated this as "Borage always brings me courage, but this is a pretty loose translation; gaudia means delight, not bravery.