Rose

A perfumer needs 60,000 rose to procure 1 ounce of pure essential oil. While this statisticcertainly intimidates, at home you can capture the fragrance of the oil from a far lesser number of roses.By soaking petal as in vegetable oil, you can make a rose- scented oil. Make rose water by bruising petals in water, heating the mixture gently for a few minutes, and then leaving it to infuse for a few hours. ( see the entries Scents from Herbs and Lotions from Herbs for information on making fragrant oils and waters.) Of course, pure rose oil can be purchased if you don't have the time or the number of roses to produce your own rose fragrances. (See the entry Scents from Herbs for a list of companies that sell essential oils.) You can also capture the fragrance of rose in potpourris and sachets. In fact, rose are one of the most common ingredients in potpourris. Again, the species mentioned above are considered the most fragrant.

Parsley

Parsley has the misfortune of being a token herb on plant of steak and fish. But that resilient sprig really is edible, and its high chlorophyll content make it a natural breath sweetener.The Romans are said to have used it at orgies to cover up the there's the unflattering remark that was once made about those who looked as if at death's door: ''The man's in need of parsley.'' (Corpses were sprinkled with parsley to deodorize them.) Parsley is most often thought of as a garden plant, but it will do well enough on a windowsill, even in a chilly room, to make a contribution of vitamin C to you when you most need it.

Orris

Orris is the psrt of the florentune iris you don't see-the rhizome. Everyone is familiar with the flower,in its extravgant range of colors and forms. (Thousands of varieties and hybrids have been developed from the 300-odd species.) The rootstock is dried to prepare one of the most potent and enduring voilety fragrances, and it remains an important fixative and scent.The ancient Egyptians and Greeks learned that the bland-smelling orris root woud take on a remarkable fragrrance if dried for at least two years. Medicinally, the root powder and juice were used as a cathartic and diuretic, and to treat convulsions, coughs, upset stomachs, bites, and ''saucie face,'' knoen to us as acne. As its name suggests, however, the florentineiris has deeper roots in Florence, Italy. It was here, during the Middle Ages, that the commercial cultivation of orris root first began;the city remain a center for orris root prodution for perfume making.

Tropical Periwinkle

Tropical periwinkle is a pharmaceuticlly gifted plant, but as herbs go, it is highly powerful and should not be used as a home cure. Enjoy it as a ground cover, edging plant, or cut flower. It is particularly popular where summers are intensely hot and humid.

PLANTS FOR THE FRAGRANCE GARDEN

The bloom season in the fragrance garden extends from the first sweet violets in April until the nasturtiums are killed by late fall frosts. Summer is a blaze of color-blue, white, lavender, apricot, and gold. But fragrant flowers are only half the story. The delightfully scented foliage of rosemary, scented geranium, lemon balm, lavender, cat mint, the thymes, and nasturtiums can be enjoyed all season. The design brings the plants to nose level for a heady feeling when you're sitting on the bench; the violets form a soft carpet underfoot.

Herbs as houseplants

Herbs work hard as houseplants. They're not content to be merely decorative, like a fern or an ivy. In addition to good looks, herbs give you flavor, fragrance, or both. Running your hand over a piny rosemary or pungent, clove-scented thyme as you pass by can bring a room to life. And nibbling a leaf of fresh mint, basil, or chives can bring you to life. Visually, there's an herb for every taste. Some are downringht cute-a little mound of 'Spicy Globe' basil or a mat of fluffy lemon thyme covered with pink flowers.Others are more stately, like a potted bay shrub with its dark, glistening leaves and dignified carriage. Some, like spearmint, with its ramrod stems and crisp, toothed foliage, and chives, with its clump of tubular stems, are positively architectural. And then there are those like rosemary, with fuzzy, white, arching branches covered with dark evergreen, needle like leaves, and parsley, with its mossy curls of foliage, which are simply beautiful.

Crafts From Herbs

The plant that represents the main message is Lane's starting point. This is the flower that will go into the center. She strolls through her garden searching for plants that express her theme, preferably something colorful. Perhaps opal basil flowers for good wishes, a rose for love, or a pair of roses for an anniversary bouquet. She selects other plants with complimentarymeanings, and finally she selects other plants with complementary meanings, and finallyshe just picks anything that is in particularly good condition or would make a good combination for the flowers. These last plants she looks up on returning indoors, and often she discovers that their sentiment would be perfect for the occasion. She has made tussiemussies with as few asw 2kinds of plants and as many as 36. ( The 36 went into a Tessie-mussier for Nancy Reagan to whom Lane had a lot to say.)

GOLDENSEAL FOR MEDICINE

The most active ingredient, and the one that accounts for any chemical effectiveness, is hydras tine. It does exert a minor influence on circulation and on muscle tone and contraction in the uterus and in other smooth muscle areas. However, as a promoter of uterine contractions and for use to reduce uterine bleeding, it is less effective than ergot, a fungus with pharmacological properties. Hydras tine has a mild antiseptic effect. As for golden seal's effect on the nervous system, the evidence is that in small doses a second ingredient, Canadian, is a mild sedative and muscle relaxant, but it is not very useful. A golden seal eyewash has been show scientifically to be mildly antibiotic, especially against Staphylococcus aureus; the eyewash is also astringent and can reduce inflammation. Golden seal extracts seem to lower blood sugar levels, which may make them useful for treating stress and anxiety.

Have you seen a more beautiful Goldenseal?

Find the Elderberry

A BILE GAREN

According to Encyclopedia of Herbs States The Bible is full of references to herb. Myrrh and frankincense were two of the gifts brought to the CHRIST Child by the magi. Mandrake is mentioned in Genesis 30;14 as a plant that would insure conception. Dandelion, endive, chicory, and sorrel are the bitter herbs traditionally eaten during Passover. At the Cathedral of St.John the Divine in New YORK City, these herbs, along with others like coriander, mustard, saffron,and aloes,grow among quince trees, pomegranates, lilies, and various other fruits,flowers,and trees of the Bible. The Bible garden occupies a quarden of an acre. Stone benches provide place where visitors can sit, enjoy the colors, textures, and fragrances of the garden, and be soothed by them. To visit this garden, just walk in. It is open from sunrise until sunset. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is located at Amsterdam Avenue and West 112th Street.

Elderberry

Cosmetic: Elder-flower water as one of those traditional half homespun elegance that belonged on a lady's dressing table along with potpourris and lace-edged handkerchiefs and tortoiseshell combs. Its virtues were vague, but wide-ranging,dealing with all the offenses to femininity, including sunburn and freckles. For a touch of yesteryear, toss a handful of dried elderberry flowers into bathwater. An old-style herbalist would assure the bather that the flower would soften the skin and serve as an excellent remedy for irritable nerves.

The youth can get help this prom season

What type of flowers should the young ladies wear?

Dandelion Wine

Dandelion wine has a taste suggestive of sherry and a reputation as an excellent tonic for the blood. Make it as you would any folk wine. To improve the flavor, add ginger, sliced lemon, and orange rind. Use 1gallon of boiling water and 3.5 pounds of sugar to each gallon of flowers.

Add a wine yeast for best results. In many parts of the world, dandelion roots are roasted as a coffee substitute or as an addition to hot chocolate. Dandelion coffee is prepared from Autumn roots that have been thoroughly cleaned, dried by artificial heat, roasted until they are the color of coffee, and then ground for use. You can mix roasted dandelion root with coffee much as chicory root is. Young, tender dandelion leaves, called greens,taste a lot like chicory.

They are use in salads, and older leaves are steamed or sauteed like spinach. The bright yellow flowers can be minced and added to butters and spreads for color. The flowers are also used as garnishes and to lend color to herb vinegars. (Available commercially ; Dried root.)