Fragrant Herbs

It is believed that the sense of smell was our first sense; part of our ‘old brain’ (that has hopefully since evolved) and it is not controlled by will or reason. Like the fight or flight response, what we smell triggers an instant, automatic response in our bodies, affecting heartbeat, body temperature, appetite, digestion and memory. That is the theory behind aromatherapy, which uses fragrant essential oils because they have the power to make us feel good. Most of the fragrances associated with aromatherapy are herbal ones, testifying to the healing, calming and life-giving energies of herbs.

Becoming aware of the power of fragrance adds another dimension to the herb garden and multiplies the pleasure of growing herbs. Aromatic herbs don’t have to be confined to the herb garden either. They can be used throughout the flower and vegetable garden.

Aromatic plants, like lavender, rosemary, lemon verbena and scented geraniums, need to be touched to release their fragrance so they can be used as borders, along paths, in containers, or next to benches where you can easily brush against them or rub the leaves with your fingers.

Types of fragrance


Broadly speaking, fragrant herbs can be divided into two groups – those that have an energising or invigorating effect and those that are calming and soothing. There are some herbs, including rosemary and lemon verbena, which can have both. Other energising herbs include peppermint, aromatic sage, pineapple sage, basil, feverfew, citronella geranium and lemon-scented tea tree. Calming herbs include lavender, bergamot, clary sage, Roman chamomile and marjoram.

There is a link between colour and fragrance; ‘hot’ coloured herbs, like pineapple sage (it has red flowers), are invigorating while the colour and fragrance of purple herbs, like lavender, is calming.

One can also make a connection between the healing actions of herbs and their fragrance. The scent of the herb comes from its volatile oils; these oils are important active constituents in the therapeutic actions of plants.


Using fragrant herbs


Using the herbs can be as simple as just picking them and inhaling their aroma but there are many more ways of infusing their perfume into your life:

• For a soothing bath, put the leaves and flowers of calming herbs in a muslin bag or old stocking and hang it under the hot water tap when running a bath. You can also make
• a strong infusion and add it to the bath water.
• Use the dried herbs in spicy or sweet potpourri.
• Use flowers and leaves to make a fragrant posy, tussie-mussie or table arrangement.
• Use energising herbs in hot or cold
• drinks and inhale their aroma as you drink.
• Make your own household cleaner by mixing one part vinegar and nine parts of a strong herb infusion. It will kill germs, smell good and clean just about any surface.
• Depending on the effect you want, make a strong infusion of a calming or energising herb and use it as a hair rinse, foot bath, or mix it with aqueous cream to make a scented body cream.
• Make a fragrant pillow from dried herbs.
• Apple-scented chamomile makes a soothing tea for a good night’s sleep.

5 fragrant herbs to add to your herb collection

Lemon verbena ALOYSIA triphylla
Lemon verbena grows into a large bushy shrub with intensely lemon scented leaves. It produces sprays of small white flowers in summer. It has calming and digestive properties but also acts as a tonic that helps to lift the spirits and counter depression. It needs full sun and free-draining soil; if grown in areas that receive frost it must be planted in a sheltered position. Cutting it back hard in spring will encourage new growth off the old wood.

Rose-scented geranium PELARGONIUM graveolens
The sweet rose fragrance released from the deep green leaves of P. graveolens is unsurpassed. It grows into a compact garden shrub that also does well in containers. It grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. It needs free-draining soil and weekly watering, and can be cut back if it becomes untidy.

Citronella geranium PELARGONIUM citronellum
The deeply indented green leaves of P. citronellum are pungently aromatic when crushed, releasing lemon-scented plant oils. It is regarded as a ‘mozzie buster’, with its leaves being rubbed over surfaces to keep mosquitoes away. It can also be used in potpourris and herb pillows. It is frost tender and can be grown in a sheltered garden as well as in containers. It likes sun, free-draining soil and weekly watering.

Pineapple sage SALVIA elegans
This shrubby perennial sage is an attractive garden plant. It is fast growing and produces a profusion of fiery red flowers and green pointed leaves with a strong pineapple fragrance. It does best in full sun and moist, fertile soil that drains well. After it has flowered it can be pruned to keep it in shape, but one must avoid cutting into the old wood.

Passion fruit daisy Tagetes species
The leaves of this small perennial shrub smell strongly of passion fruit. It bears golden yellow daisies most of the year, especially in winter. It grows in sun or part shade and is drought tolerant but does best with regular watering and feeding. It is frost tender but rebounds quickly.