Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.
Issue link: https://wellesleywestonmagazine.epubxp.com/i/819093
Many herbs are high in vitamins and rich in minerals with versatile properties that promote health. Gardening has many positive benefits and growing herbs could enhance your well being, bringing you closer to the earth and improving health. Don't miss out! Get out and plant an herb garden for the well being of your body and spirit. FOR MORE INFORMATION about herbs, visit the New England Unit of The Herb Society of America's Teaching Herb Garden at the Gardens at Elm Bank, home to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Wellesley. A natural companion to thyme is sage, Salvia officinalis. During the Middle Ages, monks concocted a soothing syrup of sage, honey, and apple cider vinegar for colds, coughs, and sore throats. All the herbs men tioned here are high in antioxidants that help protect the body's cells from damage, with sage being the highest. Perhaps that is why it is associated with longevity. Many of you will be familiar with rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis. Like sage, it is rich in potent oils. A stimulating herb, it is said to clear the mind and improve circulation. Perhaps the best known herb is peppermint, Mentha x piperata. With its distinctive smell and taste, it is found in many household products. Menthol gives it its bracing flavor that is purportedly good for digestion. If you choose to grow it, make sure its growth is restricted as it spreads. Lastly is an unsung hero often just used as a garnish but full of goodness — parsley, Petroselinum crispum, a biennial grown as an annual. Unlike its Mediterranean cousins it prefers a rich, moist soil, and its flavor improves when the weather cools. It takes up minerals and vitamins and concentrates all this goodness in its leaves. It's also a good breath freshener. RUTH FURMAN is a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist (MCH). She trained in horticulture in England and spent many happy years working and gardening there. To reach Ms. Furman, email her at: Ruth@wellesleywestonmagazine.com. 23 W e l l e s l e y W e s t o n M a g a z i n e | s u m m e r 2 0 1 7