Seeds of Love and Plants From Our Garden

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we are reminded of love and romance on that special day. At this time of the year, our fields are mostly bare, but our vast collection of seeds from last year’s crops along with numerous preserves from our Larder reminds us that our bounty from the Garden will last for our use until well into the Spring. On Valentine’s Day, I am reminded of a number of legendary powers that some of our seeds were believed to hold, at least in the beliefs of a number of our ancestors.

There are numerous aphrodisiac plants, foods, seeds, etc., that were once considered important agents for the enhancement of one’s love life. The ones mentioned below are varieties that we grow at Blackberry Farm and will be familiar to our readers.

In the herb garden, aniseed are plentiful in the Fall and were highly prized by the Greeks and Romans as an aphrodisiac along with its many culinary uses. Arugula, a highly prized salad green by our chefs, was also considered to be a good aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. Asparagus was also considered to hold special powers, with the belief being that it should be eaten for three days to gain full benefit.

Basil, that wonderful aromatic herb that we all love so much with tomatoes in the Summer, was also considered to enhance … um … one’s drive to take a “roll in the hay.” The ground seeds of the Brassica family were said to increase virility. Coriander (cilantro seed) was once used as an appetite stimulant as well as an aphrodisiac. Garlic has long been considered to be a powerful medicine and was used to heal cuts and infections, as a worming agent and for the maintenance of good health. The heat in garlic was believed to really “heat up” the night … but I have always found the scent to deter any romantic rustlings!

In need to get things “moving”? Use wild ginger. It grows in the woodlands of our area was once highly prized as a stimulant to the circulatory system.

Perhaps this Valentine’s Day, think of some of our favorite herbs and seeds in a different light. Just conjure up hope … often brings the “heat” you seek.

– John Coykendall, Master Gardner