Article by Alice Spenser-Higgs

Fragrance has the ability to instantly lift our spirits or transport us into a calmer space. It is believed that the sense of smell was our first sense; part of our ‘old brain' (that's 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 garden, and even among the veggies.

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, like rosemary and lemon verbena that have either a stimulating or calming effect, depending on what you need.

• Energising herbs include peppermint, rosemary, aromatic sage, pineapple sage, basil, feverfew, Pelargonium citronella, passion fruit daisy, and lemon scented tea tree.
• Calming herbs include lavender, rosemary, bergamot, Lemon verbena, Clary sage, Roman chamomile, and marjoram.

There is a link between colour and fragrance. Hot coloured herbs like Pineapple sage which has red flowers is an invigorating herb that also conjures up the smell of the tropics 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, which are, amongst others, important active constituents responsible for 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 pot pourri.
• Use flowers and leaves to make a fragrant posy, tussie mussie or table arrangement.
• Dry herbs and make a fragrant herb pillow.
• Use energising herbs in hot or cold drinks and inhale their aroma as you drink.
• Apple scented chamomile makes a soothing tea for a good night's sleep.
• 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 your own household cleaner by mixing 1 part vinegar and 9 parts strong herb infusion. It will kill germs, smell good and clean just about any surface.

Five fragrant herbs to add to your herb collection

1. Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla)
   This grows into a large bushy shrub with intensely lemon scented leaves and 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 f ull sun, well drained soil and a sheltered position if grown in areas that receive frost. Cut back hard in spring to encourage new growth off the old wood.
2. Rose scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
   The sweet rose fragrance released from the deep green leaves 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 well drained soil, weekly watering and can be cut back if it becomes untidy.
3. Citronella geranium (Pelargonium citronellum)
   The deeply indented green leaves are pungently aromatic when crushed, releasing lemon scented plant oils. This is regarded as the “mozzie buster' plant, and the leaves should be rubbed over surfaces to keep mozzies away. It can also be used in pot pourri and herb pillows. The plant is frost tender and can be grown in a sheltered garden as well as in containers. It likes sun, well drained soil and weekly watering.
4. Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans)
   This shrubby perennial sage is fast growing and produces a profusion of fiery red flowers and green pointed leaves with a strong pineapple fragrance. It is a very attractive garden plant. It does best in full sun, and moist, fertile soil that drains well. Prune the plant after flowering to keep it in shape, but don't cut into the old wood.
5. Passion Fruit Daisy (Tagetes spp)
   This is a small perennial shrub with leaves smelling 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.