Tiger Swallowtail butterflies
Asclepias tuberosa, Butterfly milkweed, is native in the US from Maine to Florida and west to the Rocky Mountains. It has a long history of usefulness to Indigenous Peoples across the country, including its value for making cords, ropes, and cloth. Its history for medicinal uses by Indigenous People included Cherokee, Delaware, Iroquois, Menominee, Mohegan, Navajo, Omaha, Ponca, and Rappahannock. Uses included for treating pain, as an antidiarrheal, and an expectorant. It was also determined helpful as a gynecological, pulmonary and dermatological aid. We now know that milkweed species contain cardiac glycosides that are poisonous both to humans and to livestock. Symptoms of poisoning by the cardiac glycosides include weakness, bloating, inability to stand or walk, high body temperature, rapid and weak pulse, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, spasms, and coma. It is a beautiful plant in our gardens and useful for attracting pollinators. It does well in sun full or part-shade and withstands dry spells. Information from: Butterfly Milkweed Plant Guide, USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_astu.pdf Male Tiger Swallowtail on Butterfly milkweed by Elaine C. Female Tiger Swallowtail on Butterfly milkweed by Kathy S. |
There are still many herbs in your garden that are lovely as tea, and easy to make. Among them are:
Chamomile German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is favored by many for tea, as it has a slightly sweeter taste. Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is bolder with a hint of apple flavor. It is generally the flowers that are harvested and easily dried for use through Fall and Winter. Mints Most mints are good for tea, but especially if you are blending it with another herb, peppermint works well (Mentha x piperita). Lemongrass Harvest Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) with care as the edges of the strap-like leaves can cut into your hand. The most flavorful part is the lower end of the stalk, which is whitish. Cut that up and steep a cup of tea, or dry and keep for winter. |
Lemon verbena
This is one of the best of the lemon scented herbs (Aloysia citriodora). It is shrub-like in appearance with leaves that require no guessing to determine what it is. Harvest the leaves and use fresh or dried. There are no worries with tea, but if you use in other dishes, chop the leaves FINELY, as they are similar in strength to bay leaves, and can cut a tongue if too large. Bee balm (Monarda didyma) Known as Liberty Tea after the events at Boston Harbor many years ago as Tea was no longer readily available. This plant was one of the substitutions, often mixed with a variety of other plants. You can use a few dried flowers and leaves, which have a minty-citrusy flavor. For the adventurers, consider: Thyme (Thymus, select a species by fragrance) Sage (Salvia species) Basil (Ocimum species) Rose hips (unsprayed) Rosemary Pine (steep the needles) Winter savory (Satureja montana) |
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The North Carolina Unit is a member of the Herb Society of America, Inc. Visit the national organization at www.herbsociety.org |