Black Cumin, Nutmeg Flower, Roman Coriander
When pepper was unknown in Europe, food was spiced with black cumin, which are the seeds of Nigella sativa. This annual originated from southwestern parts of Asia and was being widely cultivated in Europe during the reign of Charlemagne. The plant grows to about 12 inch high and has pale yellow flowers in July that can be tinged with blue. After flowering, pointed fruits with eight segments are formed containing the seeds. These contain a fragrant oil which is used, among other uses, for making perfume and creams to treat premature wrinkles.
Black cumin is beneficial for gall function and stomach juices so that it aids digestion. Substances within the herb relieve spasms and are useful for diarrhea, wind, period paints and following labor. They also may be beneficial for the skin and undue wrinkling and for the respiratory system, providing relief for asthma suffers.
Catnip, catmint
Catnip has a sedative effect on humans but it excites cats to a frenzy. They can react so strongly to the herb that they wreck the plant while others may eat the leaves and they lay down in the midst of the plant. Humans experience the fragrance of catnip as a mixture of mint with lemon. Under the right circumstances, the fragrance can be detected from some distance. Before real tea arrived from the east, catnip was much more widely used.
Herbal tea was made from the leaves and at the same time the healing properties were enjoyed: treatment for sore throats, colds, bronchitis, asthma and relief for spasms, thereby helping with painful menstruation and stomach or intestinal cramps. The herb was especially given to babies and small children who were restless as a result of colic. Catnip helps restless people to sleep and an infusion or decoction can help with tense headaches.
The fresh leaves can be added in moderation to flavor salads as well to natural home-made face masks that can be used to soften our skin and treat wrinkles. The entire plant is suitable for use to dye wool and other textiles.
Catnip probably originated in Eastern Europe but has grown wild since before anyone can remember in other parts of Europe. Depending on its growing circumstances, the plant reaches either about 12 inches or up to 39 inches and has a strong preference for lime-rich and fertile soil, so that it grows well on chalk. The leaves resemble a large stinging nettle so that the plant tends only to be noticed while flowering, the white flowers with purple streaks from spikes on the steam.
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