Okay...now that the disclaimer is out of the way...let's talk herbs. We have a wonderful herb garden here at the Village, and an even MORE WONDERFUL group of people who manage it: The Greater Fort Worth Herb Society. Why herbs at a frontier Texas living history museum, you ask? Herbs played very important roles in the lives of our ancestors. Early Texans used them for cooking, cleaning, and healing. Although we are still unraveling the mystery of "natural" healing, we can acknowledge that the pioneers were definitely on to something.
We love the annual "Thyme for a Cure" event for a few reasons. It gives us a chance to collaborate with our Herb Society volunteers and highlight their hard work. It allows us to illustrate different aspects of health and medicine. And finally (and perhaps most importantly), it gives us the opportunity to make all sorts of goofy puns using the word "thyme" (this is second only to the pun chances with "corn" and "Maize Days" in the fall).
Just for fun, here's a list of herbs and other plants early Texans may have used (and why) in everyday life:
Lamb’s Ear (aka "woundwort") – may have been used as a bandage
Lemon Balm – This herb was used to make tea, and the leaves were put in bath water. Pioneers also chewed the leaves to help get rid of a headache. Insomnia, bacterial infections, cold sores, calms nerves
Feverfew—fever—Native Americans used it for burns
Artemisia (Wormwood) —“mountain” fever
Lemon Verbena—well-being/love (aromatherapy), tea, lemonade
Lemon Balm – This herb was used to make tea, and the leaves were put in bath water. Pioneers also chewed the leaves to help get rid of a headache. Insomnia, bacterial infections, cold sores, calms nerves
Feverfew—fever—Native Americans used it for burns
Artemisia (Wormwood) —“mountain” fever
Lemon Verbena—well-being/love (aromatherapy), tea, lemonade
Lemon Balm--sedative, inhibit growth of fungi and bacteria
Rosemary – Pioneers burned the plant to make the air smell nice, and to keep the bugs away, nervousness
Mint – This herb was used in cooking, and to make tea. Pioneers also chewed on the leaves to cure bad breath. They also thought it could cure hiccups, upset stomach.
Oregano – Pioneers used this herb in their bath, to make tea, and they made it into a lotion that they used for pain and swelling.
Sage—cough and cold, upset stomach
Cat Mint – Today called “Catnip,” the dry leaves of this herb were burned to put a calming scent in the air, fever, babies with colic or colds
Lavender – Pioneers would rub the leaves on their body to keep the bugs away. They also used it to make tea to soothe headaches and make their breath smell nice.
Marjoram—asthma
Basil—nausea
Parsley—upset stomach, diuretic, vitamin C
Tansy—vegetable dye, leaves collected for food
Rosemary – Pioneers burned the plant to make the air smell nice, and to keep the bugs away, nervousness
Mint – This herb was used in cooking, and to make tea. Pioneers also chewed on the leaves to cure bad breath. They also thought it could cure hiccups, upset stomach.
Oregano – Pioneers used this herb in their bath, to make tea, and they made it into a lotion that they used for pain and swelling.
Sage—cough and cold, upset stomach
Cat Mint – Today called “Catnip,” the dry leaves of this herb were burned to put a calming scent in the air, fever, babies with colic or colds
Lavender – Pioneers would rub the leaves on their body to keep the bugs away. They also used it to make tea to soothe headaches and make their breath smell nice.
Marjoram—asthma
Basil—nausea
Parsley—upset stomach, diuretic, vitamin C
Tansy—vegetable dye, leaves collected for food
Thyme--deodorant, local anesthetic, antiseptic
Skullcap—relaxation, exhaustion
Trumpet vine--Brought from the East Coast and grown for home beautification
Hollyhock--Cultivated for home beautification
Clove Currant--Fruit and leaves collected for food
Soapwort--Leaves and stems collected for making soap
Wild Onion--Leaves and bulbs collected for food
Prairie Sage--Leaves collected for making tea
Mexican Plum--Fruit collected for food
Crested Iris--Collected and grown for ornamental value
Wild Ginger--Roots collected and used for seasoning
Passion Vine--Fruit collected for food
Harison’s Yellow Rose--Brought from the East Coast and grown for home beautification
Butterfly Weed--Roots collected for food
Sassafras--Roots and bark collected for making tea
Beebalm--Leaves collected and used for seasoning
Wild Garlic--Roots collected and used for seasoning
Redbud--Native tree grown for home beautification
Blackberry--Fruit collected for food
Wild Plum--Fruit collected for food
Yucca--Roots collected and used for making soap
Sunflower--Seeds collected for food
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