Herb Garden

Herb gardens were a common feature on plantations during the eighteen and nineteenth century. Often these gardens were located near the kitchen of the main house for convenience. Long recognized in North America by Native Americans for their healing powers, herbs were valued for their savory, aromatic, as well as their medicinal qualities. They were used to flavor and preserve food, in religious ceremonies, to heal wounds, and to bury the dead. Herbs were also enjoyed for their beauty in the garden and use in flower arrangements., An herb is defined as a plant used for a specific purpose other than nourishment. As a plant group, herbs are categorized as non-woody annuals, perennials and biennials. They contain chemicals in their seeds, flowers, leaves, fruits or roots that enhance their flavor or aroma. , According to tradition, Mary Overton, wife of Judge John Overton, was a talented herbalist. All of her eight children lived to adulthood, a rare occurrence in the early 19th century considering the constant threat from disease. Mary probably learned about the medicinal use of herbs growing up in East Tennessee as the daughter of James White, the founder of Knoxville, as well as from her first husband, Dr. James May. , Feverfew - a hardy perennial used as a folk medicine to relieve headaches and arthritis, and to repel insects, Yarrow - proven mosquito repellent, tea of yarrow has a long history of use for stomach ailments, St. John's Wort - oil of the herb is good for stomach ailments, while the oil made from the exterior part of the plant is good for wounds, sores, bruises, and skin problems, Sage - leaves are brewed for tea to treat colic, Purple Coneflower - extract has shown to stimulate the immune system and as an external antiseptic, Catnip - has been used as a remedy for toothache and to treat colic in children