Strewing Herbs

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

"A list of strewing herbs from the late medieval/early Renaissance
period...contains many that are familiar to us today: sage, tansy, violets,
roses, mints, pennyroyal, winter savory, marjoram, hops, germander, sweet
fennel, cowslips, lady's-mantle balm, basil, costmary, lavender, juniper,
rosemary, chamomile, 'daisies of all sorts', lavender cotton, and sweet
woodruff.
"Many traditional strewing herbs were valued primarily for their aromas;
others also had cleansing or pest-repelling qualities, either raw or in
various preparations. Herbs of the genus Mentha (mints), particularly
pennyroyal, are flea and tick repellents. Cedar (Cedrus, Thuja, or
Chamaecyparis spp.) shavings or branch tips remain popular as moth and flea
repellents.  Australian gum or eucalyptus leaves, pine needles, and sage
have insecticidal properties. Scented geraniums, rosemary, basil, fir
needles, and bay leaves are said to kill as well as repel insects. Juniper
needles, chamomile, lavender, lemon peel, lemon balm, orange peel, oregano,
thyme, and sweet woodruff are all insect repellents. Perhaps discovered by
accident or trial and error are the disinfectant, antiseptic, or
bactericidal properties of many medieval strewing herbs. Though less
effective than when used in washes or infusions, the salient properties are
found in the raw states of many plants.
"Today, some of us may dimly remember older family members engaging in
_real_ spring and fall cleaning, when virtually everything in a house was
scrubbed, pulled up, laundered, taken down, oiled, put up, painted, washed
out, or taken into the yard and beaten. Strewing herbs came into play as
well: dried southernwood and lavender heads were added to the straw under
the wool winter carpets before they were tacked down, lavender and cedar
sprigs tied up in bags with woolens when they were stored away each spring,
lemon oil used to polish wood floors and furniture."
"You may place dried leaves, blossoms, and branches of favorite herbs under
area rugs, either loose or in large, loose cloth bags - old pillowcases are
ideal. (Don't use fresh herbs, or you may indeed have something to muck
out!)  You may also tuck bagged dried herbs under sofa and chair cushions,
between the mattress and mattress cover of a bed, under the pillows in pet
bedding - wherever their aroma will be released by pressure or warmth. A
thick layer of freshly dried aromatic leaves or branches laid in newspaper
and topped with a small area rug is a delight in closets. Wherever you use
dried herbs, be alert for possible allergic reactions to them; in my
experience, allergies and irritation of mucous membranes are particularly
likely with the insect-repelling herbs, and fine dust may be released when
bagged herbs are sat, stepped, or slept upon.
"Check bagged plant materials frequently if you live in a humid climate.
They are apt to mildew if rugs become damp or if the weather is unusually
muggy.
"Strewing herbs have an attractive outdoor use as well. You may scatter
handfuls of lightly crushed fresh herbs around a patio or lawn just before
a party...Pick the herbs early in the day to maximize their scents, keep
the stems in water until ready to use, and use small stems or finely
chopped larger stems to keep footing safe. Add an extra doormat if your
guests will be coming indoors from the garden: damp herb bits can stick to
shoes."
Excerpts from Robbie Cranch's "Herbs Underfoot: The Many Uses of Strewing
Herbs, Yesterday and Today" article in "The Herb Companion." Dec. 1992/Jan.
1993, Vol. 5, No. 2. Pp. 57-58. Posted by Cathy Harned.
From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini

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