I love dill. It’s not just for pickles and potato salad and
chip dip. It’s for sniffing and the simple beauty of itself. It grows wild on
the front terrace, in the flower beds and amongst the potatoes. It re-seeds
itself year after year, hurling up its graceful umbrellas rain or shine.
Bee Balm
Bee balm, aka Monarda, aka Bergamont, blooms red, purple,
pink or white. I seem to have the best luck with the pink. In addition to being
a perennial, it will re-seed. Native Americans used it as an antiseptic and
placed poultices containing the plant on wounds to cure or prevent infections.
By accident, I found another use for bee balm. I noticed that when this plant
from the mint family grows next to beans, the Japanese beetles stay off the
vegetable. I make sure my hands are covered with the scent when I pick, further
enhancing the effect.
Black-eyed Susan
This is another beautiful plant that has medicinal
properties. Some say it works even better than Echinacea (coneflower) when it
comes to stimulating the immune system. I have no first-hand knowledge, as I
have never used sweet Susan as medicine. It’s on my list. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy
her flowers this summer. This fall, I intend to find an older plant and harvest
the root to make a tincture.
Calendula
Calendula, aka pot marigold, is grown from seed. Many years
ago, I started a few of these and now they grow “volunteer” all over the
property. If it was once a hybrid, it’s morphed into an old-fashioned heirloom.
Calendula’s specialty is treating skin conditions. I make a tea and soak a soft
towel to place over allergic eyes. The itch instantly goes away. I’ve even used
an eyedropper to wash my eyes with calendula tea. Sure beats those pricy and
stinging eye drops my eye doctor recommended! I’ve also made a medicine for
irritated skin by covering the petals soaked in a jar with olive oil. Any oil
will do, but I always have extra virgin olive oil on hand. Let this sit for two
weeks, strain and voila! Check on the internet for culinary recipes using
calendula. By the way, the flowers are amazing and all summer-long.
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