Embracing the Enchanting Lily of the Valley: A Tribute to one of Nature’s Loveliest Flowers

By Beth Schreibman Gehring

“White coral bells upon a slender stalk,

Lilies of the valley dress my garden walk.

Oh, don’t you wish that you could hear them ring?

That will happen only when the fairies sing.”

– Traditional Folk Song

Surely, many of you cherish this beautiful children’s round, its authorship lost to time; its timeless melody, ethereal in nature, much like the lily of the valley itself. As a child, I sang this with my siblings, and now, I eagerly anticipate singing it with my grandson, Wolfie, for the very first time in my garden. When the lilies bloom, I’ll beckon my husband outside with his guitar, and together, the three of us will serenade these delicate blossoms.

Within the lush tapestry of nature’s bounty, few flowers evoke the same sense of delicate beauty and timeless elegance as the lily of the valley. With its dainty bell-shaped blossoms and intoxicating fragrance, this enchanting flower has captivated hearts and minds for centuries. Join me on a journey as we explore the rich history, cultural significance, and historically medicinal qualities of the lily of the valley.

Originating in Europe and Asia, the lily of the valley holds a special place in French culture, celebrated annually on May 1st during the “La Fête du Muguet” or Lily of the Valley Festival. Picture yourself strolling through the cobbled streets of a quaint French village, where the air is alive with the sweet scent of lily of the valley blossoms. “La Fête du Muguet” is a cherished tradition where these delicate blooms dance in the breeze, carrying whispers of luck and joy to all who encounter them. It’s a time of celebration, of gathering bouquets to share with loved ones, and of honoring the timeless magic of spring’s arrival. This tradition dates back to the Renaissance era when King Charles IX of France began the custom of presenting lily of the valley flowers to the ladies of his court as a special token. Legend has it that one of his knights, a gentleman named Louis de Gerard de Maisonforte, gave it to him as a token to bestow good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. Today, the tradition endures, with streets and markets adorned with fragrant bouquets of these delicate blooms symbolizing hope, happiness, and the arrival of spring.

In Great Britain, the lily of the valley is often associated with May Day festivities, where it symbolizes the arrival of spring and the promise of new beginnings. Traditionally, people would gather bouquets of lily of the valley to adorn their homes or to give as gifts to friends and family, much like in France. Additionally, in some parts of the country, it is believed that carrying a sprig of lily of the valley brings good luck and protection against evil spirits.

The lily of the valley is still celebrated for its beauty and fragrance. Many gardeners cultivate these charming flowers in their yards, relishing in their sweet scent and delicate appearance. Some may even incorporate them into wedding bouquets or floral arrangements, adding a touch of timeless elegance to special occasions. My son used to pick them for me every Mother’s Day, and who could forget the beautiful wedding bouquet carried by Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, that was dripping with hundreds of these beautiful blooms. It was absolutely breathtaking.

Just as important as its cultural significance, the lily of the valley boasts a rich history as a medicinal herb and is found in many historically accurate herb gardens, although rarely used in the present day. Revered for its therapeutic properties, this humble plant had been used for centuries in traditional folk medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Historical records indicate its use in remedies for heart conditions, headaches, and even as a diuretic. However, caution must be exercised, as the lily of the valley contains potent cardiac glycosides, which can be toxic if ingested, and in fact, it is considered one of the most poisonous plants in many parts of the world. The leaves, flowers, and berries of the lily of the valley contain these toxic compounds, which can cause symptoms ranging from nausea and vomiting to irregular heartbeat and even death. 

It’s crucial to exercise extreme caution when introducing lily of the valley to children and to avoid ingesting any part of the plant, even in small quantities. In my experience, teaching children about the plants in your garden early on can be incredibly beneficial. Children are naturally curious and eager to learn about the natural world, and with proper guidance, they can develop a deep respect for plants and their safety. Sadly, many beautiful native plants and flowers are being uprooted from gardens where they should thrive. By instilling plant safety knowledge in your children from an early age, you can ensure they understand how to interact safely with the flora around them, giving you peace of mind when they’re exploring outdoors.

Despite its potential for toxicity, the lily of the valley continues to hold a special place in the hearts of herbalists and gardeners alike. In my own gardens, the lily of the valley holds a cherished place every spring, its presence weaving a tapestry of memories and musings. I recall tender moments spent tending to its delicate blooms, inhaling the intoxicating scent that can only be captured by nature herself. In my own gardens, this delightful flower evokes cherished memories of days spent amidst its fragrant blooms, a sanctuary of tranquility and nostalgia.

Its exquisite beauty and captivating fragrance serve as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between nature’s gifts and her potential dangers. This May as we marvel at the timeless allure of the lily of the valley, let us also heed the warnings and respect the potent powers of this enchanting flower. Whether adorning a bridal bouquet, gracing a May Day celebration, lending its glorious scent to perfumes, or simply brightening a corner of the garden, the gossamer lily of the valley serves as a reminder of some of the most profound mysteries and wonders of the natural world.

Tending to lilies of the valley is a labor of love that rewards both the gardener and the senses. They thrive in cool, shaded areas with well-drained soil rich in organic matter. When planting, ensure the rhizomes are spaced about 6 to 8 inches apart and buried just below the surface, as they prefer shallow planting depths. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells, but be cautious not to overwater as they are susceptible to rot. Mulching around the plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds while providing insulation during winter. Pruning spent flowers and yellowing foliage encourages new growth and keeps the plant looking tidy. With proper care and attention, lilies of the valley will grace your garden year after year.

As I anticipate the arrival of spring and the blossoming of my beloved lilies, I am filled with a sense of anticipation and gratitude. My father tended to them lovingly in our yard, and as a child, I reveled in the simple joys of gathering bouquets and basking in their delicate scent. I loved to take a book outside with a mug of tea and read, nestled within a patch of those beautiful and fragrant blooms. Now, as I prepare to welcome Wolfie into my gardens, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to share these precious moments with him, passing down the tradition and the love for nature’s gifts.

As we marvel at the timeless allure of the lily of the valley, let us also heed the warnings and respect the potent powers of this enchanting flower. It invites us to embrace the profound mysteries and wonders of the natural world, one delicate white blossom at a time.

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Photo Credits: 1) Lily of the Valley flowers (Author’s photo); 2) Vintage postcard of Muguet Lily of the Valley Guerlain launch of Millesime perfume (Public Domian); 3) Kate Middleton with her wedding bouquet (dailymail.co.uk); 4) Vintage postcard of Lily of the Valley (Public Domain); 5) Lily of the Valley in vase (Unsplash, Dmitry Bukhantsov).

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Beth Schreibman Gehring is a lover of all things green, delicious, growing, beautiful, magical, and fragrant. She’s also a lifestyle blogger, storyteller, and occasional wedding and party planner who uses an ever-changing seasonal palette of love, life, and food to help her readers and clients fall madly in love with their lives! Beth lives and works with Jim, her husband of 40 years, and is owned by 17 full sets of vintage dishes, hundreds of books, two cats, one dog, a horse, a swarm of wild honeybees, a garden full of herbs, fruit, vegetables, and old rambling roses, too many bottles of vintage perfume and very soon, a flock of heirloom chickens! She is the author of Stirring the Senses: How to Fall Madly in Love with Your Life and Make Everyday a Day for Candles & Wine (available on Amazon) and is currently working on a new book, Roses for Beauty, Flavor, and Fragrance. Join her in her gardens at https://bethschreibmangehring.substack.com/, or contact her at beth.gehring@stirringthesenses.com.

A History of the Fuchs Herbal Project

By Dr. Frederick Meyer (deceased) and Jo Sellers

(Editor’s Note: The complete article was originally published in The Herb Society of America’s The Herbarist, 1999.)

In 1967, the Potomac Unit of The Herb Society of America initiated a project to publish a facsimile of one of the most significant herbals of the sixteenth century, De historia stirpium, or History of Plants, published by Leonhart Fuchs in 1542. The work, titled The Great Herbal of Leonhart Fuchs (De historia stirpium commentarii insignes) consists of two volumes. Volume one is an interpretive commentary based on three decades of research by the late Dr. Frederick Meyer, the late Dr. Emily Emmart Trueblood, and the late Dr. John L. Heller. Volume two is a facsimile of the Latin edition of the herbal.

At its inception, the project was under the leadership of Dr. Trueblood, a Potomac Unit member noted for her publication of the Badianus Manuscript, an Aztec herbal written in 1552, translated from Latin into English. As originally planned, Volume I was to include a life of Fuchs, a translation of Fuchs’ introduction, the contents of the herbal, and the botanical names for the woodblock figures of the plants in the herbal.

To help Dr. Trueblood, Dr. Meyer, a retired botanist at the U.S. National Arboretum, was invited as a consultant and advisor on botanical matters. After Dr. Trueblood suffered a heart attack and stroke making it impossible for her to continue, Dr. Meyer assumed full responsibility for the project. He was assisted by Dr. Heller, a Latinist and expert on Linnaeus at the University of Illinois, and with the continued support of the Potomac Unit members, the project moved forward. The sixteenth century was a period during which herbalism flourished and the illustrated herbal reached its maximum development. Of all the fine herbals that appeared at that time, the monumental work of Leonhart Fuchs, a folio with 511 beautiful woodcuts of plants, was one of the finest. The herbal was both an important medical document and a history of botany that enjoyed wide popularity throughout Europe for a long period. The last commentary on the herbal was published in France in 1862.

Leonhart Fuchs, born in Bavaria in 1501, became one of the leading physicians of Europe. As a Renaissance humanist, philologist, Greek and Latin scholar, administrator, professor, and author, he may be considered the equal of Copernicus and Vesalius. In addition to his great herbal that went through 39 imprints during his lifetime (including German, French, Dutch, and Spanish translations), Fuchs published about 20 books on Galen and Hippocrates, and his anatomy treatise was second only to that of Vesalius. Fuchs was professor of medicine at the University of Tubingen for 35 years and was rector of the same university seven times. In addition to his writing and teaching responsibilities, he had a private medical practice and was father of ten children. He admonished medical men of his day for their botanical ignorance, writing that “one can find scarcely one in a hundred who has an accurate knowledge of even a few plants.”

Evidence of his skill as a field botanist is found throughout his herbal. To illustrate his great herbal, Fuchs retained three artists. Albrecht Meyer drew the plants from life; Heinrich Füllmaurer transferred the drawings to the woodblocks; and Viet Rudolf Speckle did the cutting of the wood blocks. The illustrations produced by these artists, praised for their “simple elegance and naturalness of form” are among the finest produced in any sixteenth-century herbal. Of the many books authored by Fuchs, De historia stirpium was unquestionably his greatest love, his magnum opus. The fine printing and methodical layout, the organization of the subject matter, and the elegant illustrations make the herbal a real treasure.

There are many reasons for the significance of the Fuchs herbal. It is the first treatise on plants that can be called scientific. As one of the German fathers of botany, Fuchs is considered one of the founders of the sixteenth-century plant iconography. The 511 illustrations, all drawn from living specimens and nearly all identifiable to species, are a starting point for modern taxonomic botany, more than 200 years before Linnaeus. Fuchs’ illustrations were extensively borrowed, copied, or adapted for more than 458 years. Because of the excellence of the illustrations, it was possible to make the first accurate identification of many medicinal plants known from earlier periods. Many of the figures may be considered as historic types of plants figured by Fuchs and later accepted by Linnaeus. More than 100 plants are illustrated for the first time, including chile pepper, corn, French marigold, pumpkin, and kidney bean. The foxglove, a well-known cardiac plant, was first named and depicted by Fuchs in 1542.

Fuchs aimed to include the complete history of every plant illustrated in the herbal, and for this reason, more than 40 Greek, Latin, and post-Roman authors were cited as sources for plant names. He also drew information on medicinal uses from the leading ancient sources, especially Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen. Fuchs, himself, contributed additional information on medicinal use derived from local sources, which he included in a special appendix. The herbal also contained the first published glossary of botanical terms. An English translation is included in the new publication.

Scholars have praised the herbal of Fuchs as one of the most significant landmarks of pre-Linnaean herbal-botanical literature. [This] publication, The Great Herbal of Leonhart Fuchs, will be of value for scholars and students interested in the history of botany, medicine, pharmacy, Renaissance history, history of science, gardeners, herbalists, and others. Today, [over four and a half centuries] after De historia stirpium was published, it still has relevance as a medical reference. Over 80% of the plants illustrated in Fuchs’ herbal have relevance as medicaments in modern medicinal usage.

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Photo Credits: 1) Renaissance painting of Leonhart Fuchs by Heinrich Füllmaurer (Public Domain); 2) Inside cover of De historia stirpium (Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University); 3) Illustration of Heinrich Füllmaurer and Albrecht Meyer (Glasgow University Library); 4) Botanical illustration of Capsicum (Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University); 5) Botanical illustration of Acanthus (Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University).

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Dr. Frederick Meyer was a member of The Herb Society of America. An accomplished botanist, Dr. Meyer was both widely traveled and widely published. He wrote many taxonomic articles and books, including on the flora of Japan, the flora of Chile and the Juan Fernandes Islands, as well as publications on the cultivated plants of Europe. He studied the plants of Tierra del Fuego, as well as the ancient plants of Pompeii, and was the first to collect and study the cultivated plants growing along the Riviera in southern France.

Jo Sellers is an active member of the Potomac Unit of The Herb Society of America. She has served in various capacities for HSA, the National Capital Area Federation of Garden Clubs, and the National Council of State Garden clubs. During her career, Jo was a fourth-grade teacher in Virginia where she incorporated herbs and herb gardening in her outreach efforts. She continues to learn and teach about herbs every chance she gets.

Remember Rosemary – Herb of the Month

By Maryann Readal

Rosemary, The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month for November, is going through an identity crisis. Since the mid-18th century, the botanical name for rosemary has been Rosmarinus officinalis. However, after DNA research on the plant, scientists at the Royal Horticultural Society in London have decided that the characteristics of rosemary are more closely aligned with the Salvia genus and have, therefore, reclassified rosemary as Salvia rosmarinus. The common name will continue to be rosemary, however. John David, Head of the RHS Taxonomy Group, stated that “we cannot ignore what science is telling us, and clarity on a plant’s DNA helps us better understand its growth habits and cultural needs” (RHS, N.D.). Along with rosemary, Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, was also reclassified as a Salvia, as well as a few other garden plants.

But whether rosemary is classified as salvia or as rosemary, it will always be considered a rosemary to today’s gardeners. It will always have the same medicinal and culinary uses. It will always have the same stories and legends associated with it. This new identity challenge will only add another interesting chapter to its history. 

The first mention of rosemary was found on cuneiform tablets in 5000 BCE. Early Egyptians used it for embalming. Since Greek times, rosemary has been considered the “brain herb,” one that could increase memory and alertness. For that reason, Greek students wore crowns of rosemary when taking their exams. The historic Queen of Hungary Water, or Hungary Water, an infusion of rosemary in alcohol, was created by a monk to cure the headaches and joint pain of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary in the 14th century. The Queen claimed that it worked!

Religious lore also includes stories about rosemary. Since early times, rosemary has been associated with the Blessed Mother, who supposedly threw her cloak over a white-flowered rosemary bush while escaping Herod with her family. Legend has it that when she picked up her cloak, the white flowers had turned to blue. And there is an old belief that a rosemary bush could never grow higher than 6 feet in 33 years, because it could not stand taller than Christ (Kowalchik, 1998).

During the Middle Ages, people believed that rosemary could protect them from evil spirits. So, they placed rosemary under their pillows and hung branches outside their doors. The herb did double duty when people placed rosemary branches on their floors in order to keep their houses fragrant and insect-free. During the times of the plague, branches were burned in the home because it was thought that it would keep sickness away. 

Rosemary was, and still is, considered to be the herb of remembrance. Sprigs were placed in wedding bouquets as a symbol of fidelity. Historically, a sprig of rosemary was placed on a coffin or given to those attending a funeral (Brown, 2023). (Editor’s Note: For a reference to this practice in an important archaeological discovery at Historic St. Mary’s City, Maryland, see The Lead Coffins Project Collaboration – Research – Historic St. Mary’s City – A Museum of History & Archaeology at Maryland’s First Capital “Understanding What You Have” section.) Shakespeare’s works contain many references to herbs, rosemary being one of them. In Act IV of Hamlet, the unbalanced Ophelia opens her speech at her father’s funeral with “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray you love, remember.” There have been many interpretations of these nine words: Was Ophelia asking for remembrance of her father or was she foreshadowing remembrance of herself after her untimely death? (Christianson, 2023; Isabel, 2022).

Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean area, where it thrives in well-draining, sandy soil and plenty of sunshine. Its name means “dew of the sea,” recalling its native habitat. It is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8-10, although recent cold winters in Zone 8 make hardiness in that zone questionable with the exception of the ‘Arp’ cultivar, which can withstand lower temperatures. Rosemary is an evergreen plant with very fragrant, needle-like, gray-green leaves. It blooms December through April, although its blue-white flowers may appear throughout the summer as well. It is deer resistant. There are many varieties of rosemary, including a prostrate variety, which looks great cascading over a wall or in a container or hanging basket. Prostrate or upright rosemary can be grown in a container and overwintered inside in colder climates. However, the roots are susceptible to root rot if the soil does not drain well.

Rosemary is also a culinary herb that can be used fresh or dried. It accents the flavor of meats, fish, and vegetables, and is a great addition to stews, stuffing, vinegars, herbal salts, and butters. Its essential oil is used in perfumes, soaps, lotions, and shampoos, while the fragrant flowers and leaves are used in sachets and potpourris.

For more information about rosemary, please see The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month : Herb Information : Learn and follow postings about the herb on The Society’s Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest social media.

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Photo Credits: 1) Rosemary plant (Salvia rosmarinus syn. Rosmarinus officinalis) (M. Readal); 2) St. Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary (Public Domain); 3) Salvia rosmarinus ‘Tuscan Blue’ (M. Readal); 4) Prostrate rosemary in container (M. Readal); 5) Galician Garbanzo soup with rosemary (Ruthie Hansen, Creative Commons).

References:

Brown, Barbara. 2023. Rosemary. Texas Gardener: November/December 2023, pg. 20-21.

Christensen, Tricia. 2023. What does “rosemary for remembrance” mean? https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-does-rosemary-for-remembrance-mean.htm

Kovalchick, Claire and William H. Hylton, Editors. 1998. Rodale’s illustrated encyclopedia of herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press. 

Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder. N.D. Salvia rosmarinus. Accessed 10/12/23. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=444418&isprofile=1&basic=rosemary

Royal Horticultural Society. N.D. Rosemary becomes a sage. Accessed 10/12/23. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/articles/misc/rosemary-becomes-a-sage

Steven, Isabel. 2022. Rosemary for Shakespeare. Accessed 10/12/23. https://rosenbach.org/blog/rosemary-for-shakespeare/.

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Maryann is a board member of The Herb Society of America and a Texas Master Gardener. She is a member of The Society’s Texas Thyme Unit in Huntsville, TX. Maryann is also a certified Native Landscape Specialist. She lectures on herbs and plants and does the herb training for several Master Gardener programs. She gardens among the pines in the Piney Woods of East Texas.

Sassafras: Beauty and Utility

By Cat Gavin and Chrissy Moore

When European explorers arrived in the Americas, they were greeted by Native Peoples with a beverage that existed nowhere else in the world – sassafras tea. For many generations, the local tribes harvested the sassafras (Sassafras albidum) tree root and created an infusion by steeping the root in hot water, as they believed it calmed the stomach. 

Sassafras tea was a big hit in Europe when the explorers took it back to their homeland, and soon sassafras root bark was one of the most traded commodities across the Atlantic! For 300 years in America, the tea remained a popular and renowned beverage, especially because it is the original flavor of root beer!

Then, in 1960, the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA, CFR 2023) determined that safrole, an oil found in sassafras, is a carcinogen (MBG, N.D.). Ironically, there are small amounts of safrole in many other plants that we consume as well, including nutmeg, black pepper, and cinnamon. Nevertheless, sassafras was banned as a food ingredient.

In 1962, a gentleman named Hermie “Pappy” Kerner thought people would still want and need sassafras tea, so he worked to create a safe, safrole-free version of the famous, but besmirched, drink. Per his recipe (used to this day), the root bark is sustainably harvested in the Appalachian and Ozark Mountain regions, where the sassafras tree grows. People familiar with these regions will likely have encountered sassafras on multiple occasions, but for those outside its range, it’s worth sharing some of its many virtues (Gavin, pers. comm.).

The name “sassafras,” applied by botanist Nicolas Monardes in 1569, likely “comes from an American Indian name used in Florida,” while the “specific epithet, albidum, means white” (MBG, N.D.). Like avocado (Persea spp.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.), and bay leaf (Laurus nobilis), sassafras is in the Lauracaeae family. It is fairly easy to identify since its closest relatives are tropical trees (Encyclopedia.com, N.D.). The simplest way to identify sassafras is by its unique leaves: There are three types on one tree!

Sassafras can reach a height of 30 ‒ 60 feet and can have a 25 ‒ 40 foot spread, but some have grown as tall as 80 feet in ideal conditions. It keeps a shrubby form in the north and reaches its tallest in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina (Sievers, 1930). It is often found in open woodlands, along fence rows, old fields, forest edges, or dry ridges and upland forests, including pine woodlands following fire. Clearly, it is very adaptable, tolerating virtually all soil types within its range, including clay and dry soil, and has a high tolerance for drought, but it grows best in moist, well-drained, sandy loam soils. It also tolerates a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade (MBG, N.D.; USFS, N.D.).

Sassafras’s leaves are generally three to seven inches in length and may be lobed or entire (having no lobed margins). Some of the lobed versions look like mittens–a telltale trait! One of the nicest features of sassafras is the fall color of its leaves, which can turn orange, red, yellow, or even purple! It can be a real show stopper in autumn. It blooms in early spring, either before or as new leaves emerge, each flower having six yellowish petals. It’s important to note that sassafras are dioecious, meaning the male and female flowers appear on separate trees (USFS, N.D.).

Maturing in early summer, the fruit–a dark blue drupe–sits atop a red cup-like structure called a pedicel, which makes for a striking contrast. The fruit, which is eaten by birds, small mammals, or is carried away in waterways, assists with seed dispersal. If you encounter dense thickets of sassafras in wooded openings or in old fields, it is likely these have developed from root sprouts rather than seeds (USFS, N.D.). The trees do like to sucker (LBJWC, N.D.), especially if the root zone has been disturbed.

Sassafras flowers are attractive to bees for whom they provide nectar and pollen. The leaves are a larval food source for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly, the tiger swallowtail butterfly, and the spicebush silkmoth (LBJWC, N.D.). Sassafras is also important to wildlife as a browse plant: The berries are relished by black bears, wild turkeys, and many songbirds; deer and porcupines feed on twigs and leaves; and rabbits nibble on bark in winter (USFS, N.D.).

Sassafras was used extensively for food and medicine by Native Americans long before European colonizers arrived. It was also used by the Cherokee as a blood thinner to purify blood, to treat skin diseases, and rheumatism, among other ailments (LBJWC, N.D.; MBG, N.D.). The bark was one of the first exports of the New World. In Europe, sassafras was used to “cure” syphilis, although this was later determined to be ineffective. In the southern United States, the roots were boiled, then combined with molasses, and allowed to ferment into the first root beer. A cup of sassafras root tea has been a traditional spring tonic in the South for hundreds of years.

The fragrant oil distilled from the root bark is used in the manufacture of some kinds of perfume and soap, while the wood of sassafras is used in the manufacture of rails, cabinets, buckets, furniture, and as a firewood. The wood and bark of the tree furnish an orange dye (LBJWC, N.D.). Sassafras has been used medicinally in many ways, including: to strengthen immunity, prevent cancer, detoxify the body, relieve pain, increase energy, alleviate inflammation, treat kidney ailments, purify the blood, and treat malaria, scurvy, rheumatoid arthritis, gonorrhea, herpes, shingles, and measles. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, “culinary uses have included sassafras tea (root bark), root beer flavoring (root oil), and a gumbo-thickening agent called filé made popular in Louisiana Creole cuisine (Atlas Obscura, 2020; MBG, N.D.).

Ornamentally, sassafras boasts great beauty, but its worth is not just skin deep; it has also provided great utility through the centuries. If you’re lucky enough to have it growing near you, take a moment to appreciate its multifaceted contributions and share its virtues with those around you!

Editor’s Note: As one reader has commented below, Laurel Wilt (Raffaelea lauricola sp. nov. T.C. Harr. Fraedrich & Aghayeva), a fungal pathogen primarily of species in the Lauraceae family and transmitted by the introduced (non-native) redbay ambrosia beetle, has caused considerable damage and/or death to plants in the United States, particularly in the southeastern U.S. In light of this, landowners would do well to keep an eye on their woodlands/landscape plantings and report any unusual occurrences to their local cooperative extension agency. The USDA Forest Service, Southern Region, has stated the following regarding laurel wilt:

Laurel wilt is a disease of woody plants in the laurel family (Lauraceae). Hundreds of millions of redbay (Persea borbonia) trees have been killed by laurel wilt in the southeastern Atlantic Coastal Plain region of the United States (US). The disease has also killed large numbers of sassafras (Sassafras albidum) trees in forests and landscapes, and avocado (Persea americana) trees in commercial production. As of October 2019, laurel wilt was known to occur from Texas to North Carolina, south through Florida and north to Kentucky. Laurel wilt is expected to continue spreading through sassafras in the eastern US, and is a potential threat to California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) in the western US and to lauraceous species elsewhere in the world. See Region 8 – Forest & Grassland Health for more information.

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Photo Credits: 1) Sassafras albidum tree (pverdonk, CC BY-NC 2.0); 2) Ancient Infusions sassafras tea concentrate (Cat Gavin); 3) Sassafras leaves (Cat Gavin); 4) Map of Sassafras albidum‘s native range (US Forest Service); 5) Sassafras fall color (Chrissy Moore); 6) Sassafras flowers (Chrissy Moore) and sassafras fruit (amy_buthod, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0); 7) Dried sassafras root (Public Domain); 8) Gumbo filé (Public Domain).

References

Atlas Obscura. 2020. The Native American Origins of Gumbo. Accessed 8/27/2023. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/native-american-gumbo

Encyclopedia.com. N.D. Laurel Family (Lauraceae). Accessed 2020. https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/laurel-family-lauraceae

Gavin, Cat. 2023. Personal Communication.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database. N.D. Sassafras albidum. Accessed 2020. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=saal5

Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder. N.D. Sassafras albidum. Accessed 8/26/2023. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=i820

Sievers, A. F. 1930. American medicinal plants of commercial importance. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Miscellaneous Publication 77. Washington, DC. 72 p.

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. N.D. Sassafras albidum. Accessed 2020 & 8/26/2023. https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/sassafras/albidum.htm

United States Food and Drug Administration. N.D. CFR – Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. Current as of 6/7/2023. Accessed 8/27/2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=189.180

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Cat Gavin attends Ohio University as a plant biology student. Her undergraduate work has included ecological and dendrological research in temperate and tropical systems, in both field and lab. During the summer of 2023, Cat completed a research internship with the U.S. National Arboretum’s Woody Landscape Plant Germplasm Repository where she worked on projects involving tissue culture, viability testing, and seed ecology. Cat’s family has a close connection with sassafras as the owners of Ancient Infusions®, a small-batch tea company.

Chrissy Moore is the curator of the National Herb Garden (NHG) at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC. Aside from garden maintenance in the NHG, Chrissy lectures, provides tours, and writes on various herbal topics. She is a member of the Potomac Unit of The Herb Society of America and is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist.

Love That Lovage

By Maryann Readal

Lovage, Levisticum officinale, is The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month for June. It can be a difficult herb to find in nurseries where I live in Texas. This spring, though, I did find a nice-looking lovage plant and decided to give it a try. After doing some research, I learned that lovage is native to the Mediterranean area and Southwest Asia. It is an easy-to-grow perennial that can reach a height of six feet and a width of three feet. Needless to say, I had it planted in the wrong place, and I had to move it to give it more room to grow. It dies back in the winter, but returns in the spring. It can be cut back in midsummer to control its height. Lovage thrives in sun or partial shade and needs well-watered soil. If it does not receive enough water during the growing season, the leaves tend to become bitter (New York Botanical Garden, 2022). The flowers are yellow umbels, which appear at the end of their tall stalks, and each flower contains two seeds (Harlos, 2011). As a bonus, goldfinches love the seeds. It is a host plant for swallowtail butterflies, and honeybees love the flowers, too. Lovage can be grown from seed or propagated by dividing the crown in the spring.

The leaves of lovage look and taste like celery but with a spicier flavor. Some say that it has anise and citrus undertones. The stems and leaves can be chopped into salads, soups, meatloaf, or sauces. Only a leaflet or two is needed to flavor a soup or stew. The hollow stems can be blanched and eaten like asparagus. They can also be candied using simple syrup or make a convenient addition to a Bloody Mary. Lovage seeds can be ground or used whole in pickling brines, cheese spreads, salad dressings, and sauces. Some chefs say that celery seed found on grocery store shelves is actually lovage seed (McCann, 2021). The roots, which are rhizomes, are used to make a tonic tea. Lovage leaves, stems, and seeds can be dried for use during the winter (Tucker and Debaggio, 2009).

Lovage was used by the Greeks and Romans as a seasoning and as a medicine. The Greeks and later, Benedictine monks, chewed lovage leaves to help with digestion. The Romans brought lovage to England, where it was grown in kitchen and pharmacy gardens during the Middle Ages. Early use of the plant’s roots was as a diuretic, to relieve gas, and as a cure for rheumatism, jaundice, malaria, sore throat, and kidney stones (Kowalchick, 1998). Leaves were placed in bath water for a cleansing and deodorizing effect on the body. Lovage did have a reputation as an aphrodisiac and as a love herb. It is said that Charlemagne grew lovage in his gardens and that Queen Victoria snacked on candied lovage seeds and had pockets sewn into her clothing to hold the seeds (Specialty Produce, N.D.). Lovage was grown in monastery gardens because of its medicinal uses. Celtic travelers put lovage into their shoes because they believed that it helped with weariness and muscle aches. The British brought lovage to North America, where it is still grown in places like the Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA (Tirrell, 1975). Colonial women used lovage to cure sore eyes and upset stomachs. They used the fresh leaves in summer salads and the dried roots in winter soups. It was also used by the Shakers as a medicinal herb. 

Today, lovage seems to be more popular in Europe, particularly in Central Europe and England, but its use has declined there as well. Interestingly, lovage is not very common in the United States, even though it is easy to grow and has culinary uses. For more information about lovage, please visit The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month webpage. 

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Photo Credits: 1) Lovage flowers (Wikimedia Commons, H. Zell); 2) Lovage leaves (Wikimedia Commons, Mikrilot); 3) Lovage seeds (spadefootnursery.com); 4) Lovage roots (specialtyproduce.com).

References:

Burlew, Rusty. 2023. Lovage: how to use this all-purpose pollinator plant. Accessed 5/20/23. https://www.honeybeesuite.com/lovage-an-all-purpose-pollinator-plant/

Harlos, Carol Ann. 2011. Lovage an herb to love. The Herbarist. Issue 77.

Homegrown Herb Garden. N.D. Differences between lovage & celery–perfect substitutes. Accessed 5/20/23.  https://homegrownherbgarden.com/2021/04/17/differences-between-lovage-celery-perfect-substitutes/

McCann, David. 2021. Everything you need to know about cooking with lovage. Accessed 5/20/23. https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-lovage/

New York Botanical Garden. 2022. Herbal Handbook. Clarkson Publishing.

Specialty Produce. N.D. Lovage. Accessed 5/19/23. https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Lovage_8473.php#:~:text=Lovage%20is%20native%20to%20the,America%20by%20early%20English%20colonists

Tirrell, Ruth. 1975. Lovage, an herb of many uses. New York Times. Accessed 5/20/23.https://www.nytimes.com/1975/06/22/archives/lovage-a-herb-of-many-uses.html

Tucker, Arthur and Thomas Debaggio. 2009. Encyclopedia of Herbs. Portland, OR: Timber Press, Inc.

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Maryann is the Secretary of The Herb Society of America and a Texas Master Gardener. She is a member of The Society’s Texas Thyme Unit in Huntsville, TX. Maryann is also a certified Native Landscape Specialist. She lectures on herbs and plants and does the herb training for several Master Gardener programs. She gardens among the pines in the Piney Woods of East Texas.

“There is a power in eternity, and it is green!”

Hildegard of Bingen, Medieval Herbalist

By Shanon Sterringer

Photo taken from an herb garden along the Hildegard Trail in Germany, 2019

The works of Hildegard of Bingen have become quite popular in the last few decades after they were unearthed by musicians and scholars following centuries of dormancy. Who was this 12th century German Benedictine nun and why is she emerging as one of history’s most interesting and brilliant women?

The extent of her genius stretches beyond her skills as an herbalist to include musician, artist, preacher, healer, politician, philosopher, theologian, storyteller, and creative leader, to name a few of her gifts.  She was deeply rooted in the Benedictine tradition of ora et labora (prayer and work) which included working in the monastery gardens and infirmary.

Hildegard of Bingen has been credited with creating the term, “viriditas” which translated from the Latin means, “greening power” because of the way she used it in her writings to describe the primordial energy that not only created this earth but sustains and enlivens it. The term actually predated Hildegard (she picked it up from earlier writers), but she gave it a much deeper and profound meaning. The sacred greenness referred to by Hildegard exists not only in the material form, but spiritually and intellectually. It is the very essence of life and the energy that draws so many to find peace and healing in nature, especially in our gardens.  

Photo taken from the ruins at Disibodenberg, Germany in 2015. This is believed to have been the infirmary at the male Benedictine monastery where Hildegard was tithed as a young child. She lived here for almost forty years, so it may be the space where she learned how to use herbs for healing.

Hildegard’s two works on herbs and healing include Physica and Causae et Curae, but her use of natural images including gardens, bees/honey, and viriditas permeate many of her other writings. She used natural images as metaphors, at times even parables, to teach and preach. For example, she wrote the following in a letter to Philip, Archbishop of Cologne, offering what we would refer to today as spiritual direction:

In a vision, I saw as it were, the sun shining with excessive heat upon mud filled with worms, and these creatures stretched themselves out in joy of the heat, but, eventually, not being able to bear the excessive heat, they hid themselves away, and the mud sent forth a noisome stench. I saw also that the sun shone in a garden, in which roses and lilies and all kinds of herbs grew, and the flowers grew abundantly by the heat of the sun, and the herbs sent forth innumerable roots and gave forth an exceedingly delightful odor, so that many people, suffused with this lovely fragrance, rejoiced in the garden as if it were paradise. And I heard a voice from above saying to you: Make your decision, O human, whether you wish to remain in this garden of delights or to lie with the worms in their stinking excrement. 

The photo of the apothecary is an example of how Hildegard’s herbal remedies are still being used in Germany today.

As gardeners, we have all experienced the beautiful fragrance, as well as the noisome stench, of our gardens, so this image resonates. Hildegard lived close to the earth, and therefore, was able to weave into her spiritual, political, and theological writings these powerful and relevant metaphors that speak to us on a soul level.

Her work, Physica, is a practical guide to using herbs for holistic health. It consists of nine books describing the benefits and cautions of certain herbs, trees, precious gemstones, and so on. The work has been translated into English by Priscilla Throop (1998) and is available at most online bookstores. There is an abbreviated version of it, which includes only the chapter on plants published by Beacon Press (2001). 

Today, many are finding creative ways to bring Hildegard’s work on herbs and the natural world back into use. Hildegardens (Hildegard-inspired herb gardens) are sprouting up across Germany, and even in the U.S., for example, we are developing one here at the Hildegard Haus in Fairport Harbor! 

Photo from a Hildegarden in Germany, 2019

The works of Hildegard of Bingen, including her love for the natural world, blossomed in her day. For centuries, the seeds of her genius lay dormant, buried deep within the earth, until the conditions were right for new sprouts to emerge. Today, these seeds are blowing far and wide producing rich and abundant fruit as her charism and wisdom speak boldly to our contemporary context. 

Photo from the Hildegarden in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, 2022

How can you bring a bit of Hildegard into your daily experience? Of course, you can plant some of the herbs she refers to in her works, thus creating a Hildegarden of your own! You can also bring her into your life in simpler ways. For example, you could keep a jar of her “Spices of Joy” (equal parts cinnamon and nutmeg, with clove to taste) on your counter to mix into your oatmeal, coffee, or maybe even into your next apple cake! You could mix up a batch of her “Cookies of Joy” (recipe to follow) or simply brew a cup of fennel tea (fennel for Hildegard is a super-herb) to sip while listening to one of her mesmerizing chants. Personally, I love to create beeswax balms and salves infused with the herbs she grew.

Hildegard died in 1179 at the age of 81 years old. Her sisters recorded a vision of a brilliant cross-shaped light in the sky as her soul departed her physical body. Almost nine-hundred years later, she continues to invite us into her garden. I believe she would rejoice at being invited into ours! 

Recipe from the Healthy Hildegard website:

• 12 Tablespoon Butter for mixture
• + 1 T Butter to grease cookie sheet
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 4 egg yolks
• 2 ½ cups spelt flour
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 rounded T Spices of Joy

Melt butter under low heat, add sugar, honey, egg yolks, beating lightly. Add flour, salt, and combine gently. Refrigerate dough after mixing for 1 hour. Remove, roll out on floured surface, cut with cookie cutter. Bake on sheet 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.

You might enjoy scrolling through the Healthy Hildegard website (www.healthyhildegard.com) based in Colorado and founded by Josh Cashman. It is filled with information on Hildegard’s use of herbs and recipes.

Join Shanon on Tuesday, May 16, at 1pm Eastern for her webinar: Hildegard of Bingen: Medieval Herbalist. Our webinars are free to The Herb Society of America members and $7.50 for guests. Become a member today, and enjoy all of our webinars for free along with access to the webinar library with over fifty program titles. To register, visit https://www.herbsociety.org/hsa-learn/herb-education/hsa-webinars/

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. The information in this presentation is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Photo credits: All photos courtesy of the author.

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Shanon Sterringer holds a PhD in Ethical and Creative Leadership (focused on the model of St. Hildegard of Bingen); a DMin, two master’s degrees (MA in theology and MA in ministry), and a BA in Medieval History. She is the founding pastor of the Hildegard Haus in Fairport Harbor, OH, and the owner of The Green Shepherdess Fair-Trade shop and local art studio, also in Fairport Harbor. She has traveled to the Rhine Valley several times since 2015 (most recently in January 2023) to walk in the footsteps of St. Hildegard. She has dedicated the last ten years of her life to studying Hildegard’s charism, most particularly as it relates to holistic health and spirituality. While on sabbatical in 2019, Shanon spent most of the year learning about herbs while working for a local herbalist, Lynn Abbey, at Blue Lake Botanicals in Willoughby, Ohio. Shanon is married and the mother of three adult daughters and has published two books on the topic of Hildegard (Forbidden Grace and 30 Day Journey with St. Hildegard). A third book (focused on the material recorded in Physica) is in process. Shanon has offered many retreats and educational presentations on the topic of Hildegard and Herbs, including a variety of online classes/seminars and a presentation at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens for the Western Reserve Herb Society.

2023 HSA Notable Native™ Shrub or Tree: Juniperus communis

By Katherine Schlosser

Though declared the most widespread of juniper species and appearing widely across the United States, there are eighteen states in which Juniperus communis does not grow as a native: NJ, DE, MD, WV, KY, MO, IA, NE, KS, OK, AR, TN, AL, MS, LA, TX, or HI. Those states may have other juniper species, or cultivated plants, but Juniperus communis is not native to their soil (Flora of North America)

Robert P. Adams identifies 18 Juniperus species in the continental U.S. with an additional five varieties and three forma (Adams, 2019). The Flora of North America includes 13 species. Globally, the number is higher, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere.

These perennial evergreens grow from one to four feet tall, generally in a shrub-like form sprawling across rocks or soil and occasionally—especially in the northeast—growing upright to as much as 30 feet tall or more. Seed cones mature in one to two years and will last for several months beyond maturity. Each cone bears 1‒13 wingless seeds.

Well-known to us as the flavoring in gin, juniper species have been known in this country for many years for a multitude of purposes, from culinary, medicinal, and insect control to ceremonial and utility uses.  

Several Indigenous Peoples tribal groups tied boughs of juniper to the tops of their homes to discourage lightning strikes (Murphey, 1990). Juniper bark and leaves were considered sacred and used ceremonially (Kavasch, 2005).

Medicinal uses were broad, including for treatment of high blood pressure, as a diuretic, and to improve the appetites of the elderly (Garrett, 2003). A salve was made of the oil from the cone, mixed with fat, to protect wounds from flies. Smoke from the burning wood or leaves was inhaled to treat colds and to repel insects. Tea was given to induce a speedy delivery, and in 14th-century Europe, in the midst of Black Death (bubonic plague), juniper tea was used to sterilize bandages (Harrington, 1967). 

We have learned from history; and studies on the properties and efficacy of juniper essential oils continue, looking particularly at the antiseptic and antibiotic possibilities. The Food & Drug Administration has approved an oral medication to treat fungal infections (Cabello et al., 2010).

There are many recipes for using juniper berries, which can now be found in the spice section of many grocery stores. While some may find the taste a bit strong or resinous, others find it adds wonderful flavor to meat dishes, vegetables, and even baked goods.  

The scent of gin is prominent in crushed berries, which blend well with cheese and fruit. The berries (actually cones) can be eaten raw, but are most often dried. Even then, it is suggested that not too many be eaten at one time. Just a few will flavor enough meat or game for four people.

The essential oil of juniper is composed primarily of monoterpene hydrocarbons such as α-pinene, myrcene, sabinene, limonene, and β-pinene, lending some familiar lemony, spicy, and piney scents.

We learned from Indigenous Peoples to dry, then powder, the fruits, using the powder much as we do black pepper. Others teach burning the leaves, pouring boiling water over the ashes, straining the liquid, and using it as a flavoring.

The wood of juniper trees is strong and has been used, in spite of its often small size, for long-lasting craft items for household and kitchen use.

There was a time, prior to my HSA membership, when I dismissed Juniperus communis for landscape use, seeing it most often used commercially where it seemed to attract trash. I know better now that, in well-kept landscapes, it is lovely, its history is interesting, and its culinary uses delightful. I no longer have need for contraceptives or speedy deliveries, but a bit of gin once in a while might be good for aching knees after a day in the garden.

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. The information in this presentation is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Photo Credits: 1) Juniperus communis, Londonderry, New Hampshire (K. Schlosser); 2) Gin and tonic (cyclonebill, Openverse); 3) Juniperus communis cones (MFP, Wikimedia Commons); 4) Crushing juniper berries (far closer, Openverse).

References

Adams, Robert P. 2019. Juniperus of Canada and the United States: Taxonomy, Key and Distribution. Lundellia 21(1), 1-34. https://doi.org/10.25224/1097-993X-21.1

Cabello, Peláez F., et al. 2010. The discovery of enfumafungin, a novel antifungal compound produced by an endophytic Hormonema species biological activity and taxonomy of the producing organisms. Syst Appl Microbiol. 23 (3): 333–343. doi:10.1016/s0723-2020(00)80062-4  

Flora of North America, Juniperus communis Linnaeus, Sp.Pl. 2: 1040. 1753 FNA, Family List, FNA Vol. 2, Cupressaceae, Juniperus. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200005424 

Garrett, J. T. 2003. The Cherokee Herbal: Native Plant Medicine from the Four Directions. P. 79. Bear & Company, Rochester, VT.

Harrington, H.D. 1967. Edible Plants of the Rocky Mountains. P. 242. University of New Mexico Press.

Kavasch, E. Barrie. 2005. American Indian Wild Foods and Recipes. Dover Publications. Reprint of Native Harvests: Recipes and Botanicals of the American Indian, Random House, 1975.

Murphey, Edith Van Allen. 1990. Indian Uses of Native Plants. Meyerbooks, IL. Reprint of 1958 publication by Mendocino County Historical Society. Pg. 50.

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In her 32 years of HSA membership, Kathy has served in positions at the local, district, and national levels. While on the National Herb Garden Committee, she spearheaded the NHG fundraising project with the publication of The Herb Society of America’s Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking with Herbs (LSU Press, 2007). As the initiator of the Native Herb Conservation Committee, she oversaw the establishment of GreenBridges™, the Notable Native Herb™ project, and the HSA Fuzzy Butts Bee Observation Day. She has been awarded the Gertrude B. Foster Award for excellence in herbal literature and the Helen De Conway Little  Medal of Honor. She has been involved in plant conservation in North Carolina for 35 years and has written for local and national publications. She is currently working on a second book.

When It Comes to Women’s History Month, The Herb Society of America Could Write Volumes

By Bonnie Porterfield

Of course, there are The Herb Society of America (HSA) founders, but let’s fast forward to those women instrumental in doing the arduous work of jumping through civic, political, and legal hoops to get the National Herb Garden in Washington, DC, started. We have a number of members to thank for doing this work. From the idea first being presented by Edna Cashmore in her 1966 President’s Report for a national garden, to the work on potential sites, garden designs, legal aspects, and fundraising, this was a monumental project.

When Genevieve Jyurovat assumed the HSA Presidency in 1974, legal oversight of a major endeavor was already part of her skill set. In 1966, as Chairman of the Western Reserve Unit (WRU) of The Herb Society of America, Genevieve worked with attorneys, personnel at the Garden Center of Cleveland (now Cleveland Botanical Garden), and City of Cleveland officials to negotiate a long-term agreement for a property to be developed as an herb garden on city property. She successfully navigated the legal maze to establish permanency for an herb garden funded with private donations but located on public land.  

Then, as HSA President, she made almost weekly trips from Hudson, Ohio, to Washington, DC, to consult with attorneys and federal officials on behalf of The Society. According to a tribute to Genevieve written by Past President Madalene Hill,

“These many trips resulted in an agreement between The Society and the Arboretum which in turn culminated in a bill being sent to Congress which would permit the United States Department of Agriculture to accept gifts on behalf of the U.S. National Arboretum. This bill passed the Senate on July 25 and the House on November 4, 1975. The agreement was signed between the Agricultural Research Service and The Herb Society of America in February 1976. Genevieve Jyurovat, with her quiet, soft voiced, low key manner and the iron fist enclosed in a silken glove, had achieved a landmark decision.

Genevieve was the one with the foresight and the will to see that before a penny was raised for the garden, there must be legal underpinnings established to protect such an endeavor. Genevieve was the one with the bulldog tenacity to persevere until her goal was reached. Without her quiet, but persistent efforts to successfully negotiate with the Federal Government, we were in danger perhaps, at some future date of having the National Herb Garden destroyed to provide space for public parking or a building named for the political figure of the day. How could The Society have been so fortunate to have had Genevieve in the right place at the right time?” (The Herb Society of America Newsletter, Volume 4, Issue 9, Fall 2000).

Can you imagine in today’s world how this could be accomplished?

Once Genevieve secured this agreement, she called upon her old friend, Kathrine Patch, for fundraising help. Katherine had assisted Elsetta Barnes, ASLA (one of the first women landscape architects and designer of the current WRHS herb garden), in raising funds for the WRHS herb garden. As the story goes, Elsetta asked Katherine to be the treasurer of this project. “But,” exclaimed Katherine, “I’ve never been treasurer of anything in my life.” “Don’t you pay your bills?” responded Elsetta. “I guess I do,” replied Katherine. And suddenly, Katherine had a new job!  Katherine used this experience to raise the initial funds for the National Herb Garden.

With initial funding secured, together with a matching government contribution of $200,000, it was up to HSA President Betty Rea to lobby Congress to have these matching funds restored when budget cuts threatened the project. (That’s the short version of this part of the story.)

On June 12, 1980, the National Herb Garden was dedicated with Mrs. Albert C. Burrage, one of the founding members of The Herb Society of America, presenting the garden and Joan Mondale, the Vice President of the United State’s wife, accepting on the behalf of the American people.  

From a single idea of a national herb garden to its dedication, the women of The Herb Society of America got the job done. Cheers to these women as we celebrate Women’s History Month.

Photo Credits: 1) National Herb Garden circa 1980 (US National Arboretum archives); 2) Genevieve Jyurovat (The Herb Society of America archives); Katharine Patch (HSA archives); 3) Dr. John Creech (National Arboretum Director), Betty Rea (HSA), Hon. Robert Bergland (USDA Secretary), Eleanor Gambee (HSA), Rubert Cutler (US National Arboretum archives); 4) Mrs. Joan Mondale, Eleanor Gambee, and Anne Burrage at National Herb Garden dedication, June 12, 1980 (US National Arboretum archives).

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Bonnie Porterfield is a forty-three year Life Member of The Herb Society of America and a member of the Western Reserve Unit. She has served in many roles during that time including two terms as Great Lakes District Delegate, Unit Chair, Co-Chair of the Western Reserve Unit’s first symposium and member of the GreenBridges™ and Library Advisory Committees. She is an avid herb gardener, reader, learner, and supporter of local efforts in re-establishing natural areas that promote native plantings.

Lost in the Sods

By Chrissy Moore

I have a bumper sticker on my car that reads: “I’d rather be lost in the Sods than found in the city.” A friend introduced me to the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in West Virginia back when I was in college (and back when few people ever ventured that far outside of Washington, DC), and I have been hiking in the West Virginia mountains ever since. They are truly special in so many respects.

One of the main reasons I consider the WV mountains so special is because of the abundant, and often unique, native plants found on the mountain tops and down in the hollers. I am one of those plant nerds that can’t stop hunting for plants, even while on vacation. (What can I say? It becomes an obsession after a while.) Identifying plants in the wild is entertaining enough, but as an herb gardener, I’m always rooting around for the plants’ uses as well to round out the botanical adventure. Many of these plants have been used by the Indigenous Peoples and mountaineers for centuries as medicine, for beverages, for utility, for charms…you name it. Discovering those native gems is often more thrilling than…hmm, can’t think of anything.

While not terribly unique in mountain locales, I always love to see Gaultheria procumbens (American wintergreen; Eastern teaberry) dotting the forest floor. As heretical as this may sound, I actually dislike the taste of wintergreen, but I find the scent uplifting and enjoy crushing a leaf to release its heavy perfume. The leaves’ fall color is also some of the most beautiful I have seen. Historically, American wintergreen has been used as a flavoring for teas and even chewing gum. According to Foster and Duke (1990), “Traditionally, leaf tea [was] used for colds, headaches, stomachaches, fevers, kidney ailments; externally, wash [was used] for rheumatism, sore muscles, lumbago.” But, care must be taken when consuming Gaultheria. Its essential oils are very toxic when ingested internally.

Vaccinium macrocarpon (American cranberry) is especially exciting, because it grows in very specific conditions that you don’t often encounter during everyday hikes—acidic wetland bogs, usually alongside carnivorous plants and sphagnum mosses at higher altitudes. There are a number of formally recognized bogs or botanical areas in West Virginia, but I stumbled upon my latest find in an off-the-beaten-path trail where a boggy area was the last thing I thought I’d find. It was a small “hidey-hole” of a place, so it was a wonderful botanical surprise.

Cranberries are well-known for their more modern uses in fruit juices, in Thanksgiving side dishes, and medicinally to treat urinary tract infections, though the efficacy of this use remains in question. Many American Indian tribes used cranberry as part of their diet. They used the fruit or made a leaf tea for purifying the blood, as a laxative, and for treating fever, stomach cramps, and colic, or inhaled smoke from burning flowers for “madness” (Foster and Duke; Powwows.com).

Downy rattlesnake-plantain (Goodyeara pubescens) is a member of the Orchidaceae family and a native herb that I have encountered only once, despite it being a common species of orchid in the mountains of the eastern United States. I spotted it during my recent foray into the southern WV mountains, where it was sparsely distributed amongst the leaf duff under a stand of varying oak (Quercus) species. It is a rather unique-looking plant that I might have missed had I not been tuned into the forest floor. Goodyeara has dark green leaves with pronounced light-green to white venation arranged in a basal rosette, and the white flowers are born on tall, slender stalks.

Though not used anymore, particularly because it is too infrequent to collect (not that you should collect from the wild anyway!), but doctors would use the leaves to make a poultice for tuberculosis swellings and also as a tea. American Indians used it to treat snakebites, colds, burns, skin ulcers, and more (Foster and Duke, 1990).

Getting “lost in the Sods” (or anywhere in between) is easy when you have an obsession with the plants those mountains support. Fortunately for me, there are endless hollers and high places yet to explore. So, don’t look for me in the city for a very long time!

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Photo Credits: 1) Dolly Sods Wilderness Area; 2) Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) leaves and fruit; 3) Gaultheria procumbens fall color; 4 & 5) Vaccinium macrocarpon (American cranberry) leaves and fruit; 6) Goodyeara pubescens (downy rattlesnake-plantain) leaves; 7) Goodyeara pubescens flowers. All photos courtesy of the author.

References/Works Cited

Foster, Steven and James Duke. 1990. Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants. Peterson Field Guides. Houghton Mifflin. New York, New York.

North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Gaultheria procumbens. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/gaultheria-procumbens/. Accessed 20 January 2023.

Powwows.com. 2013. “Cranberries were a Native American superfood.” https://www.powwows.com/cranberries-were-a-native-american-superfood/. Accessed 22 January 2023.

United States Forest Service. “Cranberry Glades Botanical Area.” https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recarea/?recid=9913. Accessed 22 January 2023.

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Chrissy Moore is the curator of the National Herb Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC. Aside from garden maintenance in the NHG, Chrissy lectures, provides tours, and writes on various herbal topics. She serves as co-blogmaster of The Herb Society’s blog, is a member of the Potomac Unit of The Herb Society of America, and is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist. When not doing herbie things, she can be found looking after many horses.

Herb of the Month: Ginger – An Ancient Spice

By Maryann Readal

Ginger, Zingiber officinale, is The Herb Society of America’s Herb of the Month for January. The English botanist, William Roscoe (1753-1831), gave ginger its name, which was derived from the Sanskrit word sryngaveram, which means “horn root.” However, ginger is not a root; it is a rhizome, which is an underground stem from which the roots grow. Ginger is an excellent spice to feature in January, because when infused into warm water, its spiciness warms the body on a cold winter day. Its medicinal qualities also help to relieve a sore throat or other cold symptoms that are more common in the winter.

Ginger is a very old spice. The Indians and the Chinese used ginger as a medicine over 5000 years ago to treat a variety of ailments (Bode, 2011). It was also used to flavor foods long before history was even recorded. The Greeks and the Romans introduced ginger to Europe and the Mediterranean area by way of the Arab traders. It became an important spice in Europe until the fall of the Roman Empire. When the Arabs re-established trade routes after the fall, ginger found its way back into European apothecaries and kitchens. It is said that one pound of ginger cost the same as one sheep in the 13th and 14th centuries (Bode, 2011). (It’s hard to imagine something that is so common today was so expensive many years ago.) The Arab traders were also good marketers. They brought with them claims that ginger was a reliable aphrodisiac. As late as the 19th century, it was claimed that rubbing your hands in ground ginger would assure success in the bed chamber (Laws, 2018). Perhaps it was their successful marketing that created the demand for the rhizome, driving up its price.

Today, growing culinary ginger is not limited to the hot, humid areas of Southeast Asia and India as it was long ago. Anyone living in southern growing areas (USDA Hardiness Zones 8 – 12) can grow it as a perennial. In colder areas, it can be grown in pots and brought indoors for the winter or grown in the ground, but dug up before frost and potted up for overwintering indoors in a cool location. It prefers a rich, moist soil, good drainage, and shade in the south, but full sun in the north. If starting plants from store-bought ginger rhizomes, the rhizome should be first soaked in water to remove any growth retardant that may have been used. Each rhizome can be cut into sections with at least two eyes and planted in soil. Harvest the rhizomes when the leaves begin to fade. 

There are many beautiful ornamental gingers that are in the Zingiberaceae family that are easy to grow in warm climates. There are shell, butterfly, spiral, hidden, and peacock gingers, each with a unique bloom and bright color. All provide tropical accents in the garden.

Savory Asian and Indian cuisines would be unthinkable without ginger, but in Europe, it is added to puddings, cakes, and drinks. Ginger is used in teas in many countries as well. In some parts of the Middle East, it is added to coffee. On the Ivory Coast, ginger is ground and added to juiced fruit. And how much more tasty Japanese sushi is with those slices of pink, pickled ginger! Here in the U.S., we have ginger ale and ginger beer, gingersnaps, and gingerbread. In Hawaii, ginger flowers are one of the flowers used in making leis. Googling ginger and cooking will find many, many interesting recipes using ginger in some form: fresh, ground, crystallized, pickled, preserved, or dried. 

Ginger is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some medicinal applications of ginger that are supported by contemporary research are for the treatment of motion sickness, nausea, osteoarthritis, and muscle pain reduction (Engels, 2018). According to Bohm, “ginger also appears to reduce cholesterol and improve lipid metabolism, thereby helping to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.” It also shows promise as an anti-cancer agent against colon cancer.

Unfortunately for ginger, there is a dark side to its history. Throughout the 19th Century, a patent medicine, Ginger Juice (also Jamaica ginger), or “Jake” as it was popularly called, was widely sold on street corners and in pharmacies in the U.S. It contained alcohol and a ginger extract and was used as a treatment for headaches, upper respiratory infections, menstrual disorders, and intestinal gas. Even though it had a pungent ginger flavor, it became a sought-after alcoholic drink in U.S. counties where alcohol was prohibited. When Prohibition came along in 1920, medicines with a high alcohol content, such as Ginger Juice, became especially popular. The U.S. government put in place measures to control inappropriate use of these patent medicines; alcohol-based medicines were only available with a prescription. The Prohibition Bureau (naively) considered Ginger Juice to be non-potable and too pungent and possibly did not think people would misuse it. However, Ginger Juice continued to be a popular and inexpensive “drink.”

To circumvent the government’s restrictions/regulations placed on Ginger Juice, one manufacturer began adulterating the medicine by adding the compound tri-orthocresyl phosphate to its product. This created the illusion of pure Ginger Juice to fool the government officials, but ultimately resulted in a very toxic drink for the consumers. Soon, Ginger Juice users began reporting that they lost control of their hands and feet. They developed a peculiar walk, where their toes would touch the ground before their heels. It was called the Jake Walk or Jake Leg. Between 30,000 – 50,000 (some even estimate up to 100,000) people (Fortin, 2020) were affected before the government could remove the contaminated product from the market. Some recovered, but many did not.  This unfortunate event has been the subject of many blues songs and some books and movies. This incident contributed to the passage of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938, which prohibited the marketing of new drugs that were not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

This winter, warm up with ginger. For more information and recipes for ginger, please see The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month webpage.

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Photo Credits: 1) Ginger inflorescence (Maryann Readal); 2) Arab merchants trading ginger (public domain); 3) Growing ginger (Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder); 4) Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’  (variegated shell ginger) and Curcuma petiolata (hidden ginger) (Maryann Readal); 5) Japanese sushi with pickled ginger (Creative Commons, wuestenigel); 6) 19th-century Jamaican juice (Wikimedia Commons, public domain); 7) Washington Post article about Jamaican Juice lawsuit (Wikimedia Commons, public domain).

References

Bhatt, Neeru, et al. 2013. Ginger : a functional herb. Accessed 12/1/22. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257416254_Ginger_A_functional_herb

Bode, Ann. 2011. The amazing and mighty ginger.  Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press/Taylor Francis. Accessed 12/11/22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/

Engels, Gayle. 2018. The history and mystery of the Zingiberaceae family. Round Top, TX, Herbal Forum.

Fortin, Neal. 2020. Jamaica Juice paralysis. Accessed 12/9/22. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/jamaican-ginger-paralysis 

Ginger, Zingiber officinale. 2018. Accessed 12/1/22. https://mastergardener.extension.wisc.edu/files/2018/02/Zingiber_officinale.pdf

Ginger. 2022. Accessed 12/25/22. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger

Laws, Bill. 2018. Fifty plants that changed the course of history. Ohio: David & Charles Books. 

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Maryann is the Secretary of The Herb Society of America and a Texas Master Gardener. She is a member of The Society’s Texas Thyme Unit in Huntsville, TX. Maryann is also a certified Native Landscape Specialist. She lectures on herbs and plants and does the herb training for several Master Gardener programs. She gardens among the pines in the Piney Woods of East Texas.