What are herbs?
A herb is a useful plant. Some that we now consider weeds, such as Devil's-Bit Scabious, were once looked upon as healing plants, food or dyestuff. The great thing about growing herbs is that most of them are pretty indestructible and will grow in a scrappy bit of soil in any old tub on your window ledge.
Information about the seventeenth century
The first, and most essential reference, is Culpeper. Modern editions of Nicholas Culpeper's “English Physician” are being re-printed all the time. He's a fascinating bloke in his own right, a maverick apothecary who had a strong social conscience. He believed in giving the poorest folk of London access to herbal knowledge, so that they weren't bound to pay great sums of money to doctors and quacks. His book mainly consists of descriptions of the plants, their uses and significances, but he also weaves in rants about the system and the politics of the day. Although I wouldn't recommend following his recipes - I'm doubtful about the efficacy of spearing a black snail on a thorn bush to cure your warts, for example - he opens a window into the social situation of the time.
Beyond healing
Herbs were used for more than just ridding you of warts. For a contemporary overview, Gervase Markham's “The English Housewife” is a great book to dip into. Plants were used for flavouring food, for flavouring wine and beer, dyeing cloth (often a long and smelly process), and strewing on the floors to deter pests and scent the rooms. They were used in beauty products, charms and spells, household cleaning and pot pourris.
For re-enactors
If you are involved in historical displays and events, consider the prevalence of all kinds of plants and herbs. Think about reading up about some herbs and their uses, and having a few on display. Often there are interesting folk tales associated with them. I mentioned Devil's-Bit Scabious above - its bizarre name comes from the story that the Devil grew jealous of its healing properties. In an effort to destroy the plant, he pulled it from the soil and bit off the roots. If you pull it up, you'll see its short roots, just like the story says. If you don't have a garden - or you don't have green fingers! - you could even drop into a supermarket or shop on your way to an event and buy a tub of parsley from the fresh produce section. Why not? (Peel the labels off before you set up your display though!)
