CARAWAY ==========================

     CULTIVATION:  ============  Caraway  is  a  biennial  herb  with an erect,
     slender,  and  branched stem. It grows to  about 2 feet in height, bearing
     parsley  like  feathery leaves, and  small white umbrella-like clusters of
     tiny white flowers.

     Caraway  needs full sun or light shade, and a rich soil. Sow seeds outside
     in  late  spring or in early autumn. Seed  should be put in a shallow hole
     and  in  permanent position. Germination time  is about 14 days, and plant
     matures  in about 70 days. Grows in zone 3-10. Thin to 8 inches apart when
     large  enough  to  handle. Caraway can be  grown  indoors so long as it is
     placed in a sunny position.

     Gather leaves when young, and pick seed heads in late summer or when seeds
     are  brown. Dig up roots during the second year. Dry seeds by hanging seed
     heads upside down over open container.

     CULINARY  USES: ============== Caraway seeds can be added to flavor soups,
     bread,  cake, cookies, apple pie, baked  apples, and cheese. Sprinkle over
     rich meats, pork, goose and Hungarian beef stew to aid the digestion.

     Add  seeds  to  cabbage water to reduce  the  cooking  smell. Roots can be
     boiled as vegetable.

     If  you  buying seeds in the store  look  for the dark seeds from northern
     Europe, especially from Holland, there said to be the best.

     Chop  young  leaves  into salads and soups,  and  roots can be cooked as a
     vegetable.

     MEDICAL  USES:  =============  A pinch (  about  1/2 teaspoon ) of caraway
     seeds  can  help settle the stomach  and relieve flatulence. Because it is
     the volatile oil in the seeds that give you the desired effect, eating the
     seeds themselves will give you the greater amount of the oil.

     Researchers  have discovered that two  chemicals called Carvol and Carvene
     in caraway seeds sooth the smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract and
     help expel gas.

     Caraway  is also a powerful appetite stimulant and a standard infusion can
     be drunk half an hour before a meal.

     For a pleasant-tasting infusion that might help aid digestion, relieve gas
     or  menstrual  cramping, use 2-3 teaspoon  of bruised or crushed seeds per
     cup  of  boiling water. Steep for 10-20 minutes,  and drink up to 3 cups a
     day.  Caraway appears to have antispasmodic properties and might relax the
     uterus.  Pregnant  woman  should  exercise caution  and  not  use the herb
     medicinally.

     WARNING:  ======== Pregnant woman should exercise  caution and not use the
     herb medicinally.

     OTHER  USES: =========== Planted in your garden, it will attract bees. Use
     well  dried lemon balm in potpourris and pillows. It is used frequently in
     French liqueurs.

     COSMETIC  USES:  ============== When crushed,  the  leaves smell and taste
     like  lemon, and from them is produced a volatile oil used in perfumes and
     cosmetics.









     Lemon  balm  can  be  used for an  aromatic  and  stimulating  bath, or to
     condition  greasy hair. Tie 1/4 cup of crushed balm leaves into a bag. Let
     the water run through the bag until the tub is filled.

     HERBAL BATH INFUSION : Infuse 10 ounces of the dried herb, or a handful of
     fresh  herbs  to 2 1/2 cups of  boiling  water. Leave for 10 minutes, then
     strain and pour into the tub.