The Herbarium
Field entries for the herbs I keep on the windowsill — what they like, what they're good for, and how to brew them. Written for the plant-killers among us.
Calendula officinalis
Cheerful orange petals that dry beautifully — for skin-soothing infusions and golden teas.
Matricaria chamomilla
The gentlest of nightcaps. Steep the dried flowers for a soft, apple-sweet tea before sleep.
Lavandula angustifolia
Loves sun and dry soil. A pinch of buds in tea, or by the bedside, to quiet the evening.
Melissa officinalis
Bright and lemony, it spreads eagerly. A few leaves lift both a tea and a low mood.
Mentha × piperita
Nearly impossible to kill. Fresh leaves settle the stomach and clear a foggy afternoon.
Thymus vulgaris
Small, woody, and hardy through neglect. A warming steam or tea when a cold is circling.