Making the world a little greener with our spare thyme.
The Sage Page
The Cumberland Herb Association
March 2013
Tuesday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. will be our next meeting at the Miniature Cottage located at 410 E. Iris near 100 Oaks in Nashville.
Seedling, seed, plant and seed catalog swap! This will be the agenda of next Tuesday’s meeting. Also bring your recipe if you’re making something yummy for all to share.
“Ne’er cast a cloot til Mey’s oot”
CHA Newsletter Editor -Michelle Murakami 445-8749 (kitvroom@yahoo.com) If you have any information to include in the newsletter, please contact the editor by the first week of the month
Herb of the month - Hawthorn - (Crateagus)
Crataegus species are shrubs or small trees, mostly growing to 16–49 ft. tall. The hawthorn has been regarded as the emblem of hope, and its branches are stated to have been carried by the ancient Greeks in wedding processions. It is bad luck to cut the Hawthorn tree at any time unless it is blooming. The leaves are edible and, if picked in spring when still young, they are tender enough to be used in salads. The fruits of are collectively known as mayhaws in Southern U.S. and are often made into jellies The wood of some hawthorn species is very hard and resistant to rot. In rural North America it was prized for use as tool handles and fence posts. Hawthorn is high in antioxident properties. It is used to promote the health of the circulatory system and has been found useful in treating angina, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia. It has been found to strengthen the heart and stabilize it against arrythmias. In people with high blood pressure, considerable evidence supports the cardiovascular benefits of this herb. Studies suggest that hawthorn can be taken safely by people with hypertension who are also taking blood pressure medications. A hawthorn tincture (made from the berries) may be a powerful agent for the removal of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol from the bloodstream. The tincture of
hawthorn berries also reduced the production of cholesterol in the liver. Hawthorn can improved heart patients’ ability to exercise and improve symptoms of the disease (such as shortness of breath and fatigue). Hawthorn uses can be found world-wide. Jellies from the fruit are made all over the world. Rielitos made in Mexico are very popular candies. A liquor in South Korea is called sansachun. The snacks, haw flakes and tanghulu, are made in China. On Manitoulin Island in Canada, some redfruited species are called hawberries. They are common there thanks to the island’s alkaline soil. During the pioneer days, white settlers ate these fruits during the winter as the only remaining food supply. People born on the island are now called “haweaters”.
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Hawthorne Schnapps (seems like a tincture to me, but either way it’s good)
For best result, use freshly picked, fully ripe berries. Singleseed hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and also the English hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) are two species that are recommended for this recipe. DIRECTION: Rinse the hawthorn berries and leave them to dry in the shadow - on paper towel. Fill 2/3 of a clean glass jar with berries. Cover well with clear, unflavoured vodka - 40% alcohol content (80 proof). Close the jar with a tight-fitting lid.
INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs hawthorn berries 2 cups pure water 1 tsp lemon juice Sugar or honey
Let the berries steep for 5-6 weeks - in a dark place at room temperature, 18-20°C (64-68°F). Shake lightly and taste it from time to time. Strain & filter your infusion into clean glass bottle or jar with tight-fitting lid, & store (age) it for a couple of months in a dark place at room temperature before serving. Serve your hawthorn schnapps at room temperature in suitable glasses. And remember to keep your schnapps bottle tightly closed and in a dark place before and between servings.
Hawthorne Jelly
INSTRUCTIONS: Clean & wash berried & place in large saucepan with water. Boil, lower heat & simmer until soft. Mash well & allow it to drain through a jelly bag. Measure juice & return to pan. Add lemon juice & the same amount of sugar as the juice then stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves, then boil until jelly sets when tested on cold plate. Pour into hot sterilized jars and seal.
Photos from the 2013 Nashville Lawn and Garden Show from our little shop of goodies.
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Photos from the 2013 Nashville Lawn and Garden Show from our little corner of that world.