Herbs have been mentioned in early writings since the beginning of recorded history. Each one seems to have its own association, coriander with immortality, mint hospitality, rosemary and sage the memory and brain, basil love, dill passion, thyme bravery, and so on

Coriander is also credited with aphrodisiac properties; angelica fennel and basil would protect you against witches and garlic hung above your door would keep the werewolves at bay.

Herbs were used to mask the smell of off meat (a chronic problem before refrigeration) and Marie Antoinette and Cleopatra had herbal perfumes and cosmetics, and the Egyptians used herbs in their mummification brews.

There seems no end to the folklore surrounding herbs. I have included just a few tit-bits about each one in my herb history pages.

Do you have an interesting or amusing anecdote from your reading. I'd love to hear it. I might start a folklore page with readers' contributions, just for fun. If you have something to contribute, just type it in the box below and send it to me. Can I ask for your