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People everywhere are hungry for clear, practical, scientifically-validated information about how to make safe and simple use of herbs in their day to day lives. I too was once hungry for this kind of information. I discovered that working (and playing) with herbs did not need to be complex and confusing. It could be sheer pleasure. For me it was like walking down a path where a wonderful surprise is revealed at every turn. |
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In my view, the right place for insects is outside the house. Since humans began living indoors, herbs have been used to keep them there.
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INSECT REPELLENTS Everything in the universe has its proper place and function. Even maggots. Without them decaying matter would not be broken down to make new life possible. It is only when something is out of place that things go wrong and a sense of the sacred is lost. After all, who wants maggots in their bed? In this age of toxic, chemical, sprays we can learn a lot from our ancestors about how to make our homes comfortable for humans yet uncomfortable for our companion pests. They used strewing herbs sage and pennyroyal, tansy and lavender and spread them on beaten earth floors. We can use the same herbs in dried bunches, in sachets and in sprays.
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ELIMINATE INSECTS In summer it can sometimes feel as though humans have no place in the kitchen. Flies perform intricate dances in the middle of the room, ants form queues to raid the shelves, and weevils quietly carouse in bags of flour and rice. I hate using chemical sprays anywhere. I would certainly never use them near food or anywhere in the vicinity of where I am going to prepare it. I rely on herbs. Generally herbs repel insects, letting them know that they are not welcome in your home. I have discovered for instance that ants dislike sage, catnip, peppermint, pennyroyal, rue and tansy. Flies hate mint, cloves, eucalyptus and shoofly plant. Weevils don’t like bay. Pennyroyal is hard to beat for getting rid of insects. It is one of very few herbs that can actually kill them. Armed with this knowledge it’s a simple matter to claim your home as your own and banish unwanted squatters.
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MINIMIZE MOTHS Herb sachets are an excellent way of keeping moths out of your clothes. If you prefer you can sprinkle the crushed, dried herbs into the bottom of drawers then lay a piece of muslin or linen over the top. Every year you just vacuum out the old herbs and add fresh. Rosemary is the herb traditionally placed in chests of books and clothing to keep away moths but there are many herbs which moths don’t like. The secret to repelling moths is to use herbs which you like the smell of on your clothes, rather than having to put up with the lingering smell of moth balls. There are many traditional recipes for moth-repelling herb sachets. Here are a few to get you started.
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The classic definition of a herb is a non-woody plant which dies down to its roots each winter. This definition is far too limiting. It was probably made up by 19th Century European botanists who had never seen the rainforest in which, of course there is no winter to die back in. Neither had they ever heard of woody trees and shrubs such as hawthorn and ginko and elder which are some of the best selling herbs on the market these days. I define a herb as a medicinal plant. It can come from any climate and be a leaf, a bark, a flower or a root. It can be home-grown or wild, a weed, a spice, a plant which is used for its healing or culinary or beautifying properties. Once you discover the power of herbs it is easy to become so enthusiastic about them you go overboard trying to use them for everything. It is not wise to take lots of different plants all at the same time. Or you might start to think that since a small amount of something is good for you, taking twice or three times that amount will be even better. It isn’t. If you want safe and sane herbal help here are a few guidelines to follow:
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