BY SUE MAYFIELD GEIGER

or thousands of years, cultures worldwide have used herbs for � avorings, medicines, food,

aromatic scents and even currency. Romans and Greeks crowned their leaders with dill and laurel. During the Middle Ages, herbs were often used to help preserve meat, and Native Americans tanned and dyed leather with herbs. With over 10,000 herbs in existence today (over 90 varieties of rosemary alone), the business of growing herbs is booming. Consumers are searching for a more natural and healthy lifestyle thereby putting herbs in their food, and using them for medicinal purposes, both internally and externally. Herbs like basil, ginger and turmeric are good for digestion and others have remarkable results when used on the skin, like chamomile, which reduces the appearance of � ne wrinkles. Witch hazel, aloe vera and lavender are also very soothing to the skin.

Imagine how bland a pot of simmering soup would taste without the added ingredients of sage, garlic, thyme or oregano. The next time you get a bee sting, a poultice of comfrey, slippery elm and white oak bark leaves will ease the pain and promote healing. If the in� ammation of arthritis is playing havoc with your joints, try alfalfa or kelp in capsule or natural form.

Commercial herbal preparations come in many forms: bulk, medicinal blends, teas, oils, tinctures, � uid extracts, and tablets or capsules. Herbal oils are highly concentrated and their therapeutic properties help remedy aliments from insomnia to respiratory disorders.

Herbal extracts are concentrates mixed with a solvent, like alcohol or water, and have a longer shelf life than concentrates. Poultices are made by moistening herbs, placing them on the skin, and holding them there with a bandage. Powders, salves, ointments and creams all come in herbal form as do teas and infusions. To make an infusion, you merely boil water, add herbs, then steep and strain.

Always buy herbs from a reliable outlet. The American Herbal Products Association (www.ahpa.org) is a good resource. But if you want to get up close and personal with herbs, pay a visit to an herb farm where they are grown, harvested and sold. There are several in Texas and many are close to the Bay Area. From small independent growers to large commercial farms, herbs exist in many forms: soaps, lotions, shampoos, candles and, of course, their natural state. From herbs in pots to dried and tied, they are in abundance.

Bluebonnet Herb Farms, Hempstead, TX (bluebonnetherbfarms.com)

About an hour’s drive from Houston, is Bluebonnet Herb Farms and the Garden Café. Stroll through the gardens, shop for plants and herbs, visit the gift shop and have lunch on the outdoor patio.

The Herb Cottage, Hallettsville, TX (theherbcottage.com)Owner Cindy Meredith o� ers a variety of herb plants, seasonal vegetable seedlings, succulents and cacti, and even olive trees. She uses no chemical fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, or GMO seeds, and only buys seeds from reputable sources. Cindy loves to give presentations on herbs, herb growing, and o� ers simple, every day ways to incorporate herbs into your cooking or canning.

Fredericksburg Herb Farm, Fredericksburg, TX (fredericksburgherbfarm.com)Under new ownership, this is a magical place with � elds of aromatic herbs nestled amongst a spa, restaurant and cottages. Plan to spend the weekend and partake of herbal-infused spa treatments and dine at the Farm Haus Bistro that uses edible � owers in many menu items.

Piney Woods Herb Farm, Kennard, TX (pineywoodsherbfarm.com)Located in the Davy Crockett National

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Forest, Piney Woods o� ers a wide variety of unusual herb plants, like bay leaf trees, Cuban oregano, and passion� ower vines. Also available are native plants and wild� owers. Herbal luncheons are the specialty here with goodies like Classic Chicken Salad with Mexican Mint Marigold and Shrimp Salad with French Sorrel.

Lavender Ridge Farms, Gainesville, TX (lavenderridgefarms.com)Ah, the fragrance of lavender. Although the blooming season is not until mid-May, lavender products galore are available in the gift shop. A screened-in patio café overlooks the lavender � elds and makes a perfect setting to enjoy treats like lavender cheesecake and lavender brownies.

Hummingbird Farms, Johnson City, TX (hummingbirdlavender.com)Owners Jack and Debi Williams are also big lavender lovers. So much so that they purchased a historic farm in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Debi is passionate about creating natural and elegant body care products so she developed her own formula and o� ers aloe-based lavender products scented with essential oils.

The Sacandaga Herbalist, College Station, TX (wendytheherbalist.com)Dr. Wendy Keeney-Kennicutt not only teaches chemistry at Texas A&M, she is a passionate herbalist who o� ers herbal advice and sells products on her on-line store. She uses ingredients from her personal herb garden to make her products. Dr. Wendy’s Wrinkle Warrior is a top seller. Clients swear by her Sacandaga Balm Squad for cuts and burns.

FIVE MOST COMMON MEDICINAL PLANTS AND HERBS

BASIL Used to treat stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, colds, � u, headaches, whooping cough, and menstrual pains. It is also used to reduce stomach acid. The oil from basil leaves is useful for treating acne.

OREGANO Promotes perspiration as a treatment for colds, � u and fevers. Internally and externally, it can help alleviate dry itching skin. The essential oil is used to treat viral infections, respiratory ailments, and muscle aches.

PEPPERMINTPeppermint tea helps with indigestion and relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract, relieves colon spasms and helps to cure ulcers and eases headaches. Its main menthol has antibacterial properties.

ROSEMARYIs a stimulant of the circulatory system. It is used to treat bites and stings externally. Internally, it is used to treat migraines and bad breath. Used as an antiseptic gargle, it relieves sore throat, gum problems and canker sores. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy as an inhalant and decongestant, and to enhance memory. Rosemary is also used in lotions to ease arthritis and muscle pain.

TARRAGONIs widely used as an herb in cooking. While tarragon stimulates the digestion, it is reputed to be a mild sedative and has been shown to aid sleep. Its root has traditionally been applied to aching teeth.

For a complete guide, go to anniesremedy.com

Try the following recipes made with fresh, nutritious herbs:

Fresh Herb Vinaigrette½ clove garlic, peeled 1 medium shallot, peeled ¼ cup water 1⁄3 cup white wine vinegar Sea salt and ground pepper to taste 2⁄3 cup extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup loosely packed fresh tarragon leaves 1 cup loosely packed � at-leaf parsley leaves 1 T. thyme leaves 1⁄3 cup loosely packed oregano leaves 1⁄3 cup loosely packed basil leaves

In a blender or food processor, place garlic, shallot, water, vinegar, salt and pepper and blend for a few seconds. Restart blender at a medium to low speed and with blender running, slowly trickle half of the olive oil into the blender. Stop blender, add all the fresh herbs and blend once more. Add leftover oil while machine is running for a few seconds longer. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

White Bean Hummus with Fresh Thyme & Basil 2 cups cooked white kidney beans (drained and rinsed if using canned beans)1 T. fresh squeezed lemon juice2 T. tahini1 small to medium clove garlic, sliced1 to 2 T. extra-virgin olive oil 2 T. red wine vinegar ½ t. Dijon mustard½ t. sea salt2½ to 3 T. fresh thyme, roughly chopped¼ cup fresh basil, torn or roughly chopped1 to 2 T. water (if needed)freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a food processor, combine all ingredients except water, thyme, and basil. Purée until smooth, gradually adding water as desired to thin dip and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add thyme and basil and purée brie� y to incorporate ingredients.

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