3^ The ^Aromatic Herbs $£ 



queer wedge-shaped leaves, thickly crowded in clusters. 

 The scent of these leaves when crushed is more pleasing 

 than that of southernwood, for it is even more aromatic 

 and sweeter, and after rain it scents the air for yards 

 round. Its silvery sheen in spring is also most attractive. 

 It must be wonderful to see this plant in masses in its 

 native habitats in North- West America, for even a single 

 specimen gives one an impression of primeval arid 

 districts. 



Two of the humblest members of the Artemisia family, 

 wormwood and mugwort, are amongst the bitterest of 

 herbs, but their scent though bitter is pleasingly aromatic. 

 These herbs have been used medicinally in England 

 for at least 2000 years and probably longer. The common 

 wormwood {A. absinthium), which is a native of the 

 greater part of Europe and these islands, is intensely 

 bitter, but Roman wormwood {A. pontica), which is the 

 most delicate of the wormwoods, is supposed to be the 

 best and is the sort still grown by country-folk. I know an 

 old farmer who ascribes his wonderful health to the fact 

 that every spring he takes a course of wormwood tea, but 

 I should imagine it is more likely the result of a healthy 

 active life ! Wormwood was also used formerly to keep 

 moths out of clothes and rooms free from fleas. For 

 the month of July we find in Tusser's Five Hundred 

 Points (1577) : 



' While Wormwood hath seed get a handful or twaine, 

 To save against March, to make flea to refraine ; 

 Where chamber is sweeped and Wormwood is strowne, 

 What savour is better (if physick be true) 

 For places infected than Wormwood and Rue ? 

 It is a comfort for hart and the braine, 

 And therefore to have it, it is not in vaine.' 

 L I45 



