Lovage (Levisticum officinale) . . .

One of the lovage plants will find a new home thanks to a customer visiting the North Shore from Florida!

Lovage is a lofty perennial aromatic plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. Also in the same family are angelica, anise, caraway, carrot, celery, chervil, coriander/cilantro, cumin, dill, fennel, Queen Anne's Lace, parsley and parsnip.

This perennial herb has green leaves and greenish yellow flowers. All parts of the plant are highly perfumed. Its scent and flavor is similar to celery. The tall stems have long, flattish leaf stalks that are eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable. Leaves of lovage are commonly used for adding flavor and zing, particularly in soups

In May I added lovage and Egyptian onion to a lamb stew to improve its flavor. The cilantro family made itself known.

Plant Sale!

Angelia Seed Heads

Clary Sage Blossom

The Annisquam Sewing Circle will be holding its

Annual Plant & Bake Sale

Saturday, 26 May 2012, 8 am - 11 am

Annisquam Village Hall, Leonard Street, Gloucester MA

I have dug the following for the plants sale!

• Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
• Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
• Boxwood (Buxus)
• Italian or Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum)
• Clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
• Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) aka kow choi
• Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

Angelica . . .

Angelica archangelica Family: Apiaceae


Angelica is a striking addition to the garden growing to 3.3 ft the first year and 8.25 ft the year when it blooms. The blossoms look like fireworks! It is considered a biennial/perennial. The first year it produces leaves, the second year blossoms. The whole plant is used in herbal medicine.

Angelica, which is related to carrots, dill and fennel, contains chemicals which have been shown to be effective against various bacteria, fungal infections and viral infections according to Wikipedia. Chewing on angelica or drinking tea brewed from it may heighten the immune system. Parts used stems, seeds, and root.

Harvest the leaves before the plant flowers. Angelica tea can be made by adding one cup of boiling water to one teaspoon of dried angelica root or 3 teaspoons of crushed fresh leaves. Steep for at least 10 minutes. The seeds can be used as a substitute for juniper berries.

Pregnant women should not use angelica. People consuming angelica should avoid excess sun exposure since angelica can increase the sensitivity of skin to sunlight.

The seed heads can be used in dried arrangements.

A limited number of seedlings available in pots @ $4. For pick up only. No shipping.

Angelica . . .

Angelica archangelica:

This Angelica grew to well over six feet tall in my garden. Angelica attracts bees and predator insects to the garden. The stalks become a deep purple with seed-heads of beautiful shades of green to lime green. They could make a good backdrop to a garden bed.

Excerpt from musings of a kitchen witch:

Medicinal Properties:

"Angelica is said to have antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic, and tonic properties. . . . The leaves of angelica can be prepared as a tincture or tea and used to treat coughs, colds, bronchitis, and other respiratory complaints."

From Mountain Rose Herbs:

"Medicinal gardens crave the presence of this, the official species. Bitter aromatic, antimicrobial and carminative."

Click here for more information on Angelica from WikiPedia:

I have angelica plants available if anyone would like to dig a few!

Medicinal non-hybrid seeds

Information provided by Heirloom Seeds

Package includes one pack each of the following 15 herbs (all seeds are non hybrid) and the booklet, NATURAL AND HERBAL FAMILY REMEDIES by Cynthia Black

For centuries, herbs and other natural products have been used as health aids and remedies. This booklet explains how to make various creams, infusions, ointments and poultices to help relieve many common ailments. Sections on skin care, sore throats and colds, herbal teas, hair care, healing soups and soothing aches and pains.

Complete package - $20 - available at: Heirloom Seeds

ANGELICA - Dried leaves are used to make an infusion (tea) to improve energy, stimulate circulation and reduce flatulence. Has antibacterial and antifungal qualities.

SWEET BASIL - Steep leaves in water for a few minutes to make a tea to help indigestion. Make a cold-oil infusion to massage sore muscles.

CALENDULA - Flowers make a healing mouthwash for the gums. Mix a cream using calendula petals and plantain leaves for healing of cuts.

CATNIP - Make a tea to to relieve colds and fevers. Also used to treat headaches and upset stomachs. Has mild sedative qualities.

CHAMOMILE - Use in a tea as a mild sleep aid or to aid digestion. Make a cream to treat dry, rough skin.

COMMON YARROW - Infused tea fights colds and fevers. Make a cream with its flower petals to use on cuts and burns.

CORIANDER (cilantro) - Chew leaves or infuse as a tea to relieve upset stomachs. Also used as a mild sedative.

FEVERFEW - Eat three to five leaves daily to reduce migraine headaches. Infuse as a tea to relieve muscle spasms or reduce fever.

HOREHOUND - Make a tonic of chopped horehound leaves and honey to treat sore throats. A cold infusion will help relieve heartburn.

HYSSOP - Make a cream to treat bruises and burns. Infuse as tea to treat colds, flu, bronchitis and sore throats.

PURPLE CONEFLOWER (Echinacea Purpurea) - Drink a hot infusion to stimulate the immune system.

ST JOHN'S WORT - Infuse as tea to treat depression or as a mild sedative. Makes a cream to treat bruises and skin inflammation.

SUMMER SAVORY - Hot infusion is gargled to treat a sore throat. Also drink as a tea to treat diarrhea and indigestion.

THYME - Make a tea sweetened with honey to help relieve sore throats and coughs. Infusion used to relieve hangovers.

VALERIAN - Roots used to relieve nervous tension, anxiety, insomnia and pain. Roots used in a cream to treat acne or skin rashes.

The information on this page is for reference and education. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advise of a physician. We do not advocate self diagnosis or self medication. Be aware that any plant substance used externally or internally may cause an allergic reaction in some people. We will not be responsible for any problems that arise from using herbs medicinally.

A new Victory Garden . . .

I have always enjoyed growing vegetables and fruits. The first garden was on Goose Lane in the mid 1960's. The owner had used organic gardening techniques which appealed to me and suggested I read Ruth Stout's book, No Work Garden Book which is still available! I figured if Ms. Stout could have a big garden at 80 I could too.

I don't remember what we planted only that I loved working in the soil, watching seeds sprout into plants and enjoyed the fruits of our labors.

This winter the house was filled with flats of seedlings. As the weather moderated the flats were moved into the greenhouse then back in the afternoon. Now the plants are all in the gardens.

The Victory Garden which gets a lot of sun and has tomatoes, cantaloupe, squash, pumpkins and companion herbs.

The Back Forty (feet) is home to potatoes, carrots, beets, peas (which are ready to pick), beans, cabbage, cauliflower and companion herbs.

The Upper Great Wall of Annisquam Garden which gets lots of sun is home to lavender, feverfew, chamomile, pennyroyal, yarrow, bergamot, beebalm and a few flowers. The lower garden has more tomatoes, companion herbs and peony.

The Old Kitchen Garden has a wonderful clump of rhubarb in the center which has yielded several pies and sauce. it is surrounded by lemon thyme, a variegated thyme, arnica, angelica, st. johnswort, clary sage, german thyme, sage, dill, hyssop, basil, horseradish, wild onion, globe thistle, valerian, greek oregano and calendula.

And below the well: celery, leeks, several kinds of lettuce and meclun greens.