Soothing Herbs - Guest Post

Susanna Reppert and Guest Post author Lorraine Kiefer at  her business Triple Oaks Nursery.  Lorraine wrote today's guest post on:

 

 

Soothing Herbs

As the holidays approach, people find added stress in their lives and hope to eliminate the adverse feelings that go with it. Lavender, Peppermint, and many other plants can help! Many are learning that aromatherapy, the therapeutic use of pure essential oils extracted from plants, can definitely have an effect on emotions. According to the aromatherapy literature, lemon stimulates one's sense of humor and sense of well being, Lavender eases nervousness and insomnia, and Jasmine and Peppermint soothes a headache.

Many of the same plants that feed us, make clean air, beautify our lives, enhance our health and can even soothe us! Besides eating them, drinking teas made from them, bathing in them and enjoying their fragrance, we can use them as a form of aromatherapy.

Ever since the first early man touched a fragrant leaf or bloom and enjoyed its scent, plants have soothe and healed those who used them. Lavender was a favorite in the baths of the early Greeks and Romans, and they carried it wherever their troops went. Even then they knew the value of this plant to soothe and relax a weary, stress-filled person.

Today people are again realizing that plants can help with one of the worst problems of modern man, stress. I have always found gardening to be the most relaxing form of activity I know. In the winter a garden is in the window with the fragrance of the herbs and blooming plants that grow there.

In winter, plants such as Sweet Olive, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, and scented Geraniums take up on the window sill where the frost left off outside. Tending these plants is half the reward, with their beauty and aroma being the rest.

Essential oils, made with extracts of the fragrant plants can be used in baths, teas, or as a rub to soothe or stimulate one's personality. Many good aromatherapy tools are available. Little clay "dip sticks" that can be hung in cars and homes can be saturated with the oils that will then permeate the air surrounding them. I have found that little clay pots can also be saturated with oil and then even filled with dried herbs or potpourri for an attractive source of fragrance. Dabs of oil can also be placed on light bulbs, heater vents, neat wood stoves of fireplaces on pine cones, and in little simmer pots. Heat releases the oil into the air.

A small pot filled with dry Lavender blossoms (pictured) and saturated with the oil can be placed near the bed for a relaxing sleep aid. This technique can also be used with other herbal fragrances. Although there is more interest in Europe about aromatherapy, it is also starting to become known and used here.

So I guess when we were told to "take time and smell the flowers" there was something in that old word of wisdom! Take time to smell the evergreens!

Soft Herb Butter

This herb butter recipe stays nice and soft and is easily spreadable on rolls or bread.  It also readily accepts the flavor of fresh herbs from your garden and is quite easy to make.

Incredible Butter
2/3 C oil, light
1 1b margarine (softened)
2/3 C Buttermilk
3 T dried herbs or 6 T fresh herbs,  your choice

Whip the oil, margarine and buttermilk with a heavy-duty mixer until very light and fluffy. Add the herbs. Chill.  This butter remains soft and spreadable.

Thyme, Basil, Parsley, Chives, Onion or Garlic powder are all good choices of herbs to use in this recipe. Mix them together in any combination, or simply use one herb. It's also fun to divide the mixed butter into three portions and then flavor each portion with a different combination of herbs. 

Herbal Luncheon - Triple Oaks

One of the highlights of our recent Traveling Herb Seminar to Cape May was the herbal luncheon at Triple Oaks Herb Shop and Nursery in Franklinville, NJ.   They squeezed our large group into their workshop/crafting room. We loved the pretty dried flowers hanging over head and the perfect herbal tablecloths and herb dishes that were used.

Already on the table were fresh flowers from the garden and a soft herb flavored butter.


This bountiful feast began with a variety of fresh greens and homemade salad dressing.  We were also offered some sangria and a fresh mint tea.
 













It was a cozy and relaxed setting that everyone enjoyed.

A rich mushroom soup was served next.  This had a 8 different mushrooms in the soup and was very flavorful.

After being served the salad and soup we rose table by table to go to the bountiful buffet. Scalloped potatos, Red Beets with orange rind, Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli, Rosemary Green Beans, Pulled Pork, Chicken and much more was offered to us.

Everyone could choose what appealed to them.  Many on our Traveling Herb Seminar felt this was the best meal of the trip. 

 Dessert was also offered and included a wide selection to choose from:  cakes, pies, tarts, and cookies all made with fresh herbs or spices. 

Triple Oaks Nursery & Herb Garden, NJ

Triple Oaks Nursery in Franklinville, NJ is owned by Lorraine Kiefer and her husband.















Lorraine is a fabulous herb grower and has had this nursery since 1976. She has lots of gardens, herb gardens, wetland gardens and more.  She also has a full scale florist shop and gift shop and seasonal workshops.

Lorraine's son, Joe is also active in the business and gave one of our garden tours through the property.  Fall color, garden sculpture and unique and unusual plants were part of the highlights here!  

Hidden Treasures in Private Gardens, Cape May

Part of our recent Traveling Herb Seminar in Cape May, NJ included a morning tour of some of the environmentally friendly local gardens.  Cape May is a stopping point for many of the Monarch Butterflies as they travel up and down the east coast to Mexico. Therefore, many residents have gardens with butterfly friendly host plants (host plants are for the caterpillars to feed) and nectar plants (for the butterflies to feed on).   

We loved all the cheerful, beachy garden art.

The environmentally friendly gardens give the birds a colorful place to live as well.

This vertical garden was made from a repurposed wooden skid.
















This little layered sedum garden (R) on the corner of the brick wall added a section for additional plantings, but doesn't block the driver's view while repurposed pans (L) provide the perfect container for plants.

Carriage House Cafe & Tea Room

Located on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate is the Carriage House built in 1876. The Carriage House now houses the gift shop, changing exhibits, and a Café and Tea Room that offers Lunch and Afternoon Tea. Just FYI, this tea room was originally called the Twinings Tea Room, and is still listed under that name on Tea Map. After making our purchases in the gift shop, we headed outside for our scheduled tea.

On a beautiful September day, our group gathered under a large patio tent where we enjoyed dining al fresco. We were offered an iced Raspberry tea, said to be sourced from Harney & Sons. Teapots with hot water and an assortment of Harney tea bags were provided to each table.

A fresh salad was served quickly and efficiently.

Individual sandwich plates included a Cucumber Sandwich with seasoned cream cheese, Roasted Vegetables with savory hummus, and Chicken Salad on Raisin Bread. The sandwich plate also held a slice of Red Velvet tea bread and a Cranberry Scone. The scone was flavorful, but no cream or jelly was offered.

And dessert was an individual serving of a Chocolate Fudge cupcake with a chocolate drizzle, cream and berry garnish. Yummy!

The trolley took the group back to the pedestrian walkway in central Cape May where everyone had the remainder of the day to explore Cape May on their own. Many went shopping, others strolled the beach, some walked briskly to the lighthouse, a few relaxed back at the hotel, and even others visited with friends that have summer homes in Cape May.

Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May, NJ

 Another stop on our Cape May journey included a house tour at the Emlen Physick Estate located at 1048 Washington Street.

This 18-room Victorian mansion was built in 1879 for Dr. Emlen Physick, Jr. His widowed mother and maiden Aunt Emilie resided in the home also. Dr. Physick's great grandfather, Dr.Philip Syng Physick is known as the Father of American Surgery. Young Dr. Physick followed in the family tradition of studying to become a physician. However, upon achieving his medical license, he immediately retired to live the life of a country gentleman.

The good Dr. is known for being the first to own a vehicle in Cape May.

American architect Frank Furness is said to have designed the stately mansion. Photographs are not allowed inside the mansion, but interior photos may be viewed on this Cape May Times website, along with additional information pertaining to the history of the family and their home.

Butterfly Tea Room, Cape May, NJ

One of our excursions on the Traveling Herb Seminar included an evening tea at the Butterfly Tea Room. Peg Wolfe is the owner of the tea room, and she graciously welcomed us to her business.

Our group filled the tea room and excitement was high for our first tea while in Cape May, NJ. Butterflies abound in the room, tucked on the walls, on the shelves in between tea cups, on the tablecloths, even the salt and pepper shakers. Cape May is a resting stop for the annual 2,000 mile Monarch migration, where the butterflies eventually end up at their final destination in Mexico.

Hot pots of tea were offered including Earl Grey, Peppermint, and Ginger Peach. In addition, these flavors were offered iced as well. The little dangling tag on the tea pot labeled the flavor of the pot.

A warm Cranberry Scone with Southern Devonshire Cream and jelly was the first course. Tomato Florentine Soup followed the scone course.

A heavily laden three tiered tray was presented next that included the sandwiches and the wide variety of assorted desserts.














Sandwiches included Chicken Salad on a half croissant, a Cucumber Round, Blue Cheese Spiral, and Cream Cheese with Asparagus on Pumpernickel and Rye Bread. The desserts featured a Caramel Apple Crumb (gooey and yummy), Raspberry Cheesecake, a Chocolate Chip Bar, and Poppyseed Tea Bread. After tea, we headed back to the Inn of Cape May.
Many thanks to Peg for accommodating our group on a Sunday evening when they are normally closed.

Inn of Cape May

The Rosemary House recently hosted a three day Traveling Herb Seminar to Cape May, NJ. Our overnight lodging was at this stately Victorian mansion, the Inn of Cape May, located at 7 Ocean Street. This was the perfect location for our group. A simple walk across the street and you were at the famous Cape May Promenade and another few steps had you walking the beach or a few blocks in the opposite direction took you to the pedestrian walkway lined with a nice assortment of shops and eateries.

Established in 1894, it was originally a four story boarding house known as the Colonial. The Menz family purchased the property in 1986 and changed the name to The Inn of Cape May. Retaining its old Victorian charm, amenities for your comfort have been added, including air conditioning and televisions. 

Every room is unique in size, bedding and décor. Susanna and I stayed in a room with white wicker furniture on the third floor. The original elevator serves the hotel and must be operated by management only. We made sure we took at least one journey in the iron gated lift, otherwise we choose the stairway.

The weather was perfect for our stay and the large wrap around porch featured comfortable rocking chairs and distant views of the ocean where you could sit and while away the days. Each day started with a hearty breakfast at Aleathea's Restaurant which also offers contemporary America cuisine for lunch and dinner. Most evenings ended with a single glass of wine and shared laughter.