Helpful to people trying to reduce there sugar (Myrrh)

Member Name: enlightened_one

Product:	Myrrh
Date:	30/01/07 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A good plant for cooking

Disadvantages: Not much medicinal properties

Myrrh is probably better known as Sweet Cicely, but it is also known as Roman plant, Sweet brachen, Sweet fern, and switch.

It was believed in the 16th century, if you boiled up the roots it was used as a pick me up, the roots where thought to prevent infection of the plague.

The plant can be found in the Lake District and in Wales, in the Lake District they use to use it in puddings and also to make polished wood shine better and smell nice.

***The Plant***

Sweet Cicely - Myrhhis odorata

A perennial plant, that grows to a height of 18-36 inches. A white flower appears in spring and its one of the first nectar plants to appear, and can be found to be growing near bee keepers, and is valuable to the bee keeper.

The leaves are oval to oblong, the whole plant has an aniseed odour, and the roots can be nibbled at like a liquorice stick.

(See Picture)

***Cultivation***

Sow the seeds in autumn in pots or plugs; because the seeds are so big only place one per plug or pot, then cover with compost. Then cover with glass and leave outside over the winter as this help to germinate. Keep a eye on the compost so it doesn't dry out, when germination starts bring into a cold frame or cold greenhouse.

You can sow in spring, but you must put the seeds mixed with damp sharp sand in a plastic bag and placed in the fridge for about 4 weeks, then sow as above.

When the seedlings are big enough to handle, after the risk of frost had passed, transplant to a prepared site in the garden about 2 feet apart.

Doesn't like being planted in a container.

***Maintenance***

Spring - Take root cuttings.

Summer - Cut back after flowering to help produce new growth and to stop seeding.

Autumn - As above - Sow seeds - Divide plants - Take root cuttings.

Winter - No protection needed

If you are gong to get rid of the plant or move it, make sure you take all the roots as it's very long and even a very small amount left will grow into a whole new plant.

***Harvest***

Pick the leaves young at anytime, dig up the root for drying.

***Medicinal***

The plant isn't used much nowadays medicinally, but it was used as a tonic for teenagers and the elderly.

***Culinary***

This is the best use for the plant. The root can be cooked as a vegetable and served with butter, or leave to cool and then chop and used in salads, it can also be eaten raw or peeled and grated.

The taste is like a parsnip with a hint of aniseed, I have been told it makes an excellent wine :) and of course ill give it ago sometime. The seeds can be crushed and used as a topping on ice-cream, whole seeds can be used as flavouring in an apple pie.

The leaf's having an aniseed taste can be used in soups and stews, and its very helpful to Diabetics or people who are trying to reduce there sugar intake, and helps to save half the sugar needed.

Think that just about covers everything, thanks for reading.

Thanks for reading my reviews, and thankyou for rating them.

Tashi Delek (May everything be well)

enlightened_one © 2007

Summary: A ideal plant for people who like there sugar but are tryinh to cut it out