Jekka’s recently appeared on ITVs Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh to talk about herbs for love this valentines from Bay (Laurus nobilis) to Nettles (Urtica dioica).
Legend has it that if you take five Bay (Laurus nobilis) leaves and pin them to your pillow on the night before Valentine’s Day, then you will dream of your future partner, and be married within the year. Want to know more? Read Jekka's blog: All about Bay.
Nettles (Urtica dioica) with their stinging hairs, prickles or thorns have played an important role in plant-lore. These plants were seen as a remedy against demons. Another wonderful fact dated 1952 was that in Hampshire, Nettles were used as a contraceptive. This method was for use by a man, they lay a thick layer of nettle leaves in the sole of their socks , they were then wore for 24 hours before intercourse! Apparently this worked!
Want to know more? Read Jekka's blog on the myth, magic and folklore of herbs.
Herbs for love this valentines, as mentioned on ITVs Love Your Weekend, included:
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare) - seeds available.
- Bay (Laurus nobilis)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - seeds available
- Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
- Balm of Gilead (Cedronella canariensis)
- Nettles (Urtica dioica)
Find the recipes for Mirto (Myrtle) liqueur, Jekka's Oregano hot toddy and a winter herb salad below.
Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
Myrtle (Myrtus communis) has been used for over 2,000 years as a flavouring, a perfume and as a medicine. Myrtle was sacred to the goddess of Love, known as Venus and Aphrodite. Venus’s head was crowned with a wreath of myrtle leaves and she was sometimes call Murtia, Myrtea. The plant was reputed to make love grow and also to preserve it. Hence todays fashion of Brides carrying a sprig of Myrtle in their bouquets to symbolises love and consistency.
Want to know more? Read more about Myrtle, in Jekka's blog: All about Myrtle.
Mirto (Myrtle) liqueur
Ingredients:
- 1.5kg myrtle berries
- 1L of vodka (or alcohol of your choosing)
- 1.5kg sugar (or to taste
- 1L of water
Steps:
- Place Myrtle berries into a large, sterilised container that can be sealed tightly.
- Cover berries with the vodka or the alcohol of your choosing.
- Allow to steep for up to 45 days. The length of time is dependent on the strength of flavour of the berries. They can be steeped anywhere between 15-45 days. the longer you steep the deeper the colour.
- Once the berries have infused, strain the mixture through a cloth and squeeze as much juice out as possible.
- Mix the sugar and water in a large pan and heat gently on the hob without boiling. Once heated and all the sugar has dissolved, leave to one side to cool. You can use less sugar and water for a more alcoholic flavour.
- Mix the sugar water mixture in with the Mirto infused alcohol and allow it to sit for a further 30 days.
- Sieve anymore leftover solids from the mixture and place your finished Mirto into sterilised bottles.
- Makes a lovely digestive after a meal.
Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
The ancient Greeks believed Oregano (Origanum vulgare) to be a favourite of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. The plant has been associated with love potions, spells, and protection from unwanted attention. In the Middle Ages, Wild Marjoram was used in weddings to bring luck and happiness to the couple.
Want to know more? Read more in Jekka's Guide to Oregano.
Jekka's Oregano hot toddy
Ingredients:
- 750 ml bottle red wine
- 200 ml oregano syrup
- 1 star anise
- 2 cloves
- zest of half tangerine
- I tangerine juice
- 50ml Brandy optional
Steps:
- Put all the ingredients in a sauce pan, cook on a low heat for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, leave to cool and infuse for roughly 30 minutes.
- Strain and either:
- Put into a sterilised bottle and store in the fridge for up to three days or;
- Add to saucepan and heat slowly, but do not boil. Serve by pouring into heatproof glasses or mugs with a slice of tangerine.
Italian Marjoram (Origanum x majoricum)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
There is an old superstition, which apparently still lingers in remote parts of Britain and the United States, concerning Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). It is said that if young girls tickles their nostrils with sprays of Yarrow and their nose starts to bleed the fidelity of their lovers was proved.
A rhyme that went with this weird way of finding ones true love was "Yarrow away, Yarrow away, bear a white blow? If my lover loves me, my nose will bleed now."
Winter herb salad
Ingredients
- Baby Yarrow leaves,
- Baby Sorrel leaves
- Young Salad Burnet leaves
- Lettuce
For the Mint dressing:
-
- 3 tbs olive oil
- 1 tbs balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbs finely chopped fresh mint.
- Salt and pepper to taste
Steps:
- Prepare the leaves by washing and tearing up as required
- Mix all the leaves in a bowl
- Prepare the Mint dressing by whisking the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and fresh mint together in a small bowl and seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with a Mint dressing.
Winter herb salad
Want to know more?
You can find more about herbs in Jekka’s blog, our past newsletters and videos as well as Jekka's new book '100 Herbs to Grow' and Jekka's existing books, namely 'A Pocketful of Herbs' or Jekka's Complete Herb Book, and also by browsing Jekkapedia and exploring our herb based recipes.
Alternatively, come and visit the herb farm in South Gloucestershire at one of our Herb Days, Open Days, Master Classes or Herb Experiences.
For advice on growing and maintaining herbs, check out ‘Jekka’s Seasonal Tips’ blog series, which includes what to do in your herb garden in early spring, late spring, summer and autumn & winter. Together they form the basis of Jekka’s guide on how to grow herbs.
Please also see Jekka's herbs of the month blogs: Bay (January), Rosemary (February), Salad Burnet (March), French Tarragon (April), Angelica (May), Alliums (June), Lavender (July), Basil (August), Mint (September), Szechuan Pepper (October), Thyme (November) and Curry Tree (December)
Herb plants are available and you can organise a collection from our herb farm in South Gloucestershire or at one of our Open Days. Please see our 'Looking Good List' for availability and use our webform or email your list directly to us (sales@jekkas.com). We no longer offer a general mail order service for our plants but we do offer an occasional limited selection of Jekka's Culinary Herb Boxes.
Jekka's Herb Garden