Back Again to Ascutney Project

Ascutney Hospital, Windsor, VT

On Saturday, May 7, when the rain season has stared during the past weeks, we were fortunate that this particular day was cool, pleasant without rain. We started our meeting with Master Gardener Christine Barney and herbalist Sylvia Newberry. It was about an garden orientation organizational, educational interlude, planning the spring garden cleanup.

The table display showed interesting garden books that we can use them as a source to understand the wild life of flowers and herbs. Also there was a bunch of seedling herbs that Sylvia Newberry has stared indoor.

A sign to follow for the Master Gardeners

• Gotu Kola. A tropical plant that grows in India. It has been used as a medicinal herb for thousand years, China and Indonesia specially to heal wounds.
• Spilanthes is commonly called the toothache plant * and with good reason. The leaves and flower heads, particularly the young buds, contain a natural analgesic which numbs the tongue and gums when chewed, thus relieving the pain of toothache.

• Rosemery. Widely used as a spice when cooking, especially in Mediterranean dishes. It is also used for its fragrance in soaps and other cosmetics. Traditionally, rosemary has been used medicinally to improve memory, relieve muscle pain and spasm, stimulate hair growth, and support the circulatory and nervous systems. Sylvia said is we can keep the herb indoors during winter time in a clay pot. 
• Elderberry. Also known as the American Elder, is a small tree that grows to around 10 feet and is native to North America. The tree has been called "the medicine chest of the common people".
  The flowers, leaves, berries, bark and roots have all been used in traditional folk medicine for hundreds of years. The fruits have been used to make wine, and when cooked, can be used in pies and jams. The berries contain more vitamin C than any other herb except rosehips and black currant.
  The herb also has a rich background of superstitions. In the Middle Ages, legend says that the tree was home to witches, and that cutting down one would bring on the wrath of those living in the branches.
  The Russians and the English believe that the trees ward off evil spirits and it was considered good luck to plant a tree near your home. Sicilians think that sticks of the wood can kill serpents and drive away thieves.
  Common use: Topically for infections, inflammations and swelling. As a wash for skin healing and complexion purification. As a tea and cordial to sooth sore throats, speed recovery from cold and flu and relieve respiratory distress. Cooked and used in jams and conserve
• Stevia. Tropical herb. Its natural sweeten is good not only for weight loss and maintenance but also for many health problems (diabetes).-- I asked Sylvia why stevia herb is banned in Germany... she guessed that maybe because the sugar industry doesn't want to have the herb in the business. She was close to the truth. Stevia is a perennial shrub that is native to Paraguay. The Guarani Indians have used it for hundreds of years, mostly to sweeten their herbal mate tea. An Italian botanist “rediscovered” the plant and cultivation soon followed, with the first crop harvested in 1908. When commercial ($$$) possibilities were brought to the attention of the USDA, US sugar producers were no doubt alarmed, just as the sugar industry had felt threatened in Germany when it was introduced there. In 1970 the Japanese learned that stevia could make an ideal sugar substitute. They had already banned or restricted aspartame, along with other harmful food additives. The FDA, however, was getting ready to approve aspartame in the US. -- Stevia it's not banned in Germany, it's just illegal to trade it as sweetener, but it's sold as medicine. 

These were the plants that Sylvia has shown us during the morning, with very valuable information!. 

Chamomile seedling coming back from last year seeds! 

Our tour to the herbal garden continued after the educational interlude. 

This was one interesting day to learn. The time was from 9 to 11 am. Thank you Sylvia and Tina!