Growing Sakhalinski

Sakhalinski, also known as Jerusalem Artichoke, sunchoke, and sunroot, with Latin name Helianthus Tuberosus, is a perennial herb, cultivated as an annual root.

Sakhalinski is native to North America, and long used by Native Americans for food. It has been introduced and become naturalized in all temperate regions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

It produces tubers on the ends and branches of underground stems or root stocks and midway on the rootstocks. Tubers are knobby, and can be white, red or purple skinned.

Growing Angelica

Native Americans and European herbalists have been using various varieties of Angelica for ages.

Angelica can be found in wet areas such as marshes, stream and river banks, wet shores, sedge meadows, and along the edges of swamps. It can also be found in openings and wet hollows in mixed woods. It is especially common in cold habitats with springs.

Angelica blooms only once in its life time and then dies, so it is not easy to maintain in a cultivated situation.

Happy Tea

Many chai teas are possible, but this one is truly amazing. I got the basic recipe from Zylah, and then made my own adjustments in the herbs. She and her daughter call it “happy tea” and rightly so.

It makes me doubly happy. I love it, and so do my uncle and cousin. I am happy, and my empath is happy, and it relaxes and works to soothe upset stomachs. As basic tea I use “rooibos” (“redbush”) ~ This is a South African tea prepared from any of several species of Borbonia or Aspalanthus, believed to have tonic properties.

Growing Feverfew

Feverfew is a perennial herb. Feverfew can grow up to two feet. Its leaves are brightly colored and have an aromatic smell, but somewhat bitter taste. The plant will live through a mild winter if placed in a sheltered spot.

Country people have long been accustomed to make curative uses of this herb.

Feverfew has been used as far back as the ancients Greeks. It was listed in their medical literature as remedy for headaches, menstrual discomfort, inflammation, and the reduction of fever. Until the 1700’s, it remained the leading use for headaches, and for rheumatic aches and pains.

Growing Coriander

Coriander is an annual herb. We grow it for both its seeds and leaves for culinary purposes. The leaf tastes totally different from the seeds. It’s seeds are known as coriander and its leaves are known as cilantro. We use the fresh coriander leaf for salads, sandwiches and salsas, in soups and curries.

Coriander flowers belong in the Umbelliferae family (parsley, dill and carrots).

Growing Basil

Basil (Ocimum Basilicum) is an annual herb closely identified with Italian cooking, and many believe it is originally from India. Basil originates from Africa and Asia and is thought to have been another one of the herbs that Alexander the Great brought to Greece in about 350 BC, from where it spread over Europe.

Growing Oregano

Origanum vulgare is a perennial herb and a native of the Mediterranean region. Nowadays, oregano grows throughout most of Europe, South America and North America. Possessing medicinal properties dating back centuries,

Growing Lovage

Lovage, alias maggi or lavas, is a very old herb ~ it was very popular during the Middle Ages when it could be found in almost every kitchen garden.

Every part of the plant – leaves, stems, roots and seed – is edible, and can be used for medicinal, culinary or cosmetic purposes. It’s taste is like celery, but a bit stronger.

Due to its size ~ 1 to 2 m. high ~ and solid green leaves, it needs a roomy place in the garden. One plant is enough for an entire family.

Growing Thyme

Thyme is a woody perennial which grows well in dry, sunny, yet sheltered conditions.

It’s flowers are purple, pink, lavender or white with a tubular form and very popular with bees. It’s itsy-bitsy gray-green leaves are evergreen. Around 350 different species exist.

Thyme holds its flavor in cooking and blends well with other flavors like garlic, olive oil and tomatoes.

Thyme grows low, 10 – 25 cm in height. Some species form an almost flat carpet.

Growing Hyssop

Hyssop is native to Europe and used as early as the seventh century as a purifying tea and for medicine. It is said to cure all manner of ailments from head lice to shortness of breath.

We grow hyssop for its leaves to flavor green salads, soups, and stews.

Hyssop is a perennial that grows 2-3 feet tall and attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds (important pollinators).