Welcome to Wise Gals Organics
Wise Gals Organics - Folklore
Welcome to our Folklore page!
Here you will find lots of interesting stories, anecdotes, tall tales, and legends. Let's start with some herb history by Diana.
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Herb Lore
Herbs have a long history, handed down from wise women to wise women. Women were the healers of the house hold. This is not to say that men didn’t partake in the knowledge. Here is a list of herbs and their uses handed down from the ages, some are from the Farmer’s Almanac just to get us started. (FYI, a great resource book for gardeners, I use it daily). Please feel free to submit any lore, stories, unique uses for herbs, etc.
Anise - Romans paid taxes with anise, and it was used in cough drops.
Basil - Precious to lovers in Italy and considered sacred in India. Many years ago, Italian men wore a sprig of basil to indicate their intended marriage. A cup of basil tea after dinner helps digestion. Ease a headache by drinking tomato juice blended with fresh basil.
Borage - The Romans believed the herb to be an antidepressant and ancient Celtic warriors took it for courage
Caraway - Caraway was used to scent perfumes and soaps. The Greeks used it for upset stomachs.
Chervil - Eating a whole plant would cure hiccups; chervil was said to warm old and cold stomachs.
Chives - Bunches of chives hung in your home were used to drive away diseases and evil.
Dill - Romans made wreaths and garlands out of dill. Dill keeps witches away.
Fennel - Cherokee used this to repel evil energies. In Europe bunches of fennel were used to drive off witches. It was used in love potions and as an appetite suppressant.
Garlic - Was thought to give strength and courage. Aristotle noted garlic's use as a guard against the fear of water. It's also been widely used against evil powers.
Lovage - Chewing on a piece of the dried root will keep you awake. Lovage warms a cold stomach and helps digestion. Added to bathwater, it was believed to relieve skin problems.
Marjoram - The Greeks believed it could revive the spirits of anyone who inhaled it. At weddings wreaths and garlands were made of marjoram.
Mint - Was believed to cure hiccups and counteract sea-serpent stings. The Romans wore peppermint wreaths on their heads.
Mullein - Used by Cherokees to heal damage created by humans.
Oregano - Used for "sour humours" that plagued old farmers. Also used for scorpion and spider bites.
Parsley - Used for wreaths and in funeral ceremonies. Believed to repel head lice and attract rabbits.
Rosemary - Rosemary in your hair will improve your memory. It will protect you from evil spirits if you put a sprig under your pillow.
Sage - Cherokee use this to clear energies from self and tools. Sage was thought to promote strength and longevity and believed to cure warts. American Indians used it as a toothbrush. Anyone who has sage planted in the garden is reputed to do well in business.
Summer Savory - Was believed to be an aphrodisiac. Some thought it was a cure for deafness.
Tarragon - Put in shoes before long walking trips to give strength. It has been used to relieve toothache and as an antifungal.
Thyme - Burning thyme gets rid of insects in your house. A bed of thyme was thought to be a home for fairies.
Valerian - It is said that the Pied Piper of Hamelin carried pockets full of the stinky feet smelling herb to draw away the furry little critters.