Chamomile Instead of Herbicide and Pesticide
© Traute Klein, biogardener
Herbicides have eliminated the herbs which used to keep the neighboring plants healthy. German farmers are now reintroducing into their grain fields the chamomile which eliminates the need for herbicides and pesticides. This article grew out of a guest lecture which I gave to the Manitoba Herb Society September 13, 2001 on the topic of "Herbs as Companion Plants." I really wanted to call it "Herbs yes, Herb Gardens no," but I did not want to offend my listeners. Future articles will look at the function of each herb in keeping other plants healthy. I will talk mainly about the herbs which grow in my zone 3 garden and zone 2 field, because my knowledge is derived from experience rather than from books. The articles will be linked below as they become available.
Herbs in Nature
Have you ever seen herbs growing wild the way in which nature planted them? If you are a hiker or mountaineer, I am sure that you have. Most of the sightings are removed from civilization, because intensive herbicide spraying has eradicated most of the herbs and wildflowers which used to line roads and highways of North America when my family first arrived here 49 years ago. In Germany, the pungent aromas of herbs still wafted through the air when I last hiked there 18 years ago, and I expect that the still do. Country roads were lined with sweet wild thyme, wet ditches filled with refreshing peppermint, and sandy spots overgrown with naturalized comfrey.
Herbs in Fields
My favorite herbs and wildflowers, however, have disappeared from the German landscape. All through my childhood, I enjoyed the brilliant primary colors of the countryside. Every grain field was liberally sprinkled with 4 flowers. Three of them I used to pick into bouquets of flowers: red poppy, blue cornflower (bachelor button), and white and yellow daisies. I drew them and my mother embroidered some of my designs onto our dresses. Of the fourth one, we picked enough flower heads for tea to last us all winter, and that was chamomile. It was our everyday tea. Basswood blossom, "Lindenblüten," was our Sunday tea, and that one we picked off the trees which lined some of the streets of our city.
Herbs Naturally
Yes, I am used to herbs in the great outdoors, but I cannot remember ever seeing more that one herb in one spot. Each herb has a specific function where nature has placed it, and it can only fulfill that function when it does not have to compete with other herbs.
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The copyright of the article Chamomile Instead of Herbicide and Pesticide in Natural Health is owned by Traute Klein, biogardener. Permission to republish Chamomile Instead of Herbicide and Pesticide in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
