Perennials that are good for you
Fresh yound stalks boiled lightly until tender are very tasty, especially when served hot with melted butter. Eating burdock in this way will have the same internal effects as the tea, promoting urination and detoxification, much like asparagus does.
Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia are in the forefront of current research into immunology, having a strong effect on the body resistance to infectious diseases of all kinds, particularly influenza. Their action increases interferon production in the body, thus enhancing our defence systems.
Coneflowers are also very pretty, and easy to grow. They like deep light soil in a sunny position.
To use the Echinacea in your garden, wait until fall; dividing time. Dig up the plants and seek out large roots on growing crowns. You can remove the large roots and leave smaller ones attatched to the crown to grow the following year.
There are several ways to utilize the roots. I chop and macerate the fresh roots and soak them in a jar of cheap whiskey, just enough to cover them. By visiting the mix once a day and further crushing the roots, a weak tincture is produced.
It's important to not overdo echinacea, as its effectiveness can apparently wear off. I take 1/2 a shot glass each day for 1 week, and then rest it for 2 weeks. Because this is an immunity builder, it will build up in your system and as long as you are on a program of it, there is no necessity to take a dose before or after visiting a sick person.
Valerian
Valeriana officinalis is great. It's a very pretty flower. It reduces pain, induces sleep and minimizes feelings of stress and strain. The only problem is that it's product (the root) stinks.
Valerian has very attractive pinnate leaves, and sends up heads of pale-pink to white flowers all summer long. Reaching a height of almost 5 feet tall (150 cm), it looks great at the rear of a perennial border and it's needs suit the average garden as well, preferring moist soil with average fertility.
To make use of Valerians product, dig up the plants in the fall. You will find the plant creates very large roots from each growth crown. Snip these away from the plant and replant the divisions in a cluster for easy harvesting next year.
Soak the roots in enough cold water to cover them for at least 12 hours. Strain and drink two or
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