Strewing herb facts for kids

Strewing herbs are special plants that people used to scatter on the floors of their homes and other buildings. These plants often had nice smells. Many of them also helped to keep bugs away or clean the air. People in England used strewing herbs a lot from the Middle Ages up until the 1700s.

Why People Used Strewing Herbs

In the early Middle Ages, people in England didn't bathe as often as we do today. Because of this, houses could get quite smelly! So, using plants with good smells became very popular. People would spread these herbs on the floors in kitchens, dining rooms, and bedrooms.

The herbs were laid down with reeds, rushes, or straw. When people walked on them, the nice smells would be released. Some plants also helped to keep away annoying pests like fleas. For example, in a medieval monastery, the sleeping areas would have rushes on the floor. These were usually swept and replaced once or twice a year.

Both rich and poor families used strewing herbs. Even kings and queens enjoyed them! Queen Elizabeth I especially loved a plant called meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria).

'Queene Elizabeth of famous memory, did more desire it than any other herb to strew her chambers withall.'

—John Gerard, Gerard's Herbal

In 1660, King Charles II even created a special job called the Royal Herb Strewer. This person's job was to make sure the royal floors always smelled fresh!

Common Strewing Herbs and Their Uses

Many different plants were used as strewing herbs. Here are some of the most common ones and what they were good for:

• Lady's bedstraw: This herb was known to kill fleas. People also used it to stuff mattresses.
• Sweet flag: It has a lovely sweet smell and looks a bit like a rush.
• Pennyroyal: Also called "fleabane," it was great for killing fleas and keeping ticks away.
• Lavender: This plant is famous for its calming scent. It also helps to repel insects like moths. People put it in mattresses and pillows too.
• Hyssop: A fragrant herb that was also mentioned in old texts about cleanliness.
• Mint: Different types of mint were used for their fresh smell.
• Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria): This plant has a very sweet smell, which Queen Elizabeth I loved.
• Chamomile: Known for its calming tea, chamomile also helped to keep insects away.
• Southernwood: Also called "lad's love," this herb was often used in bedrooms.
• Sweet woodruff: This plant was used as an insect repellent.
• Thyme: Various kinds of thyme were used to repel insects.
• Rue: This herb was used to keep cats away.
• Rosemary: Often scattered in churches, rosemary helped to kill and repel insects.
• Rose: Only the petals of roses were used for their beautiful scent.
• Camphor laurel: Also known as Mawdelin, it was named after Mary Magdalen from the New Testament.
• Cotton lavender: This plant was used to repel insects.
• Sage: Another popular insect repellent.
• Tansy: This herb was also used to keep insects away.
• Basil
• Costmary
• Cowslips
• Daisies (all kinds of)
• Sweet Fennel: This plant was good for repelling fleas.
• Germander
• Spike Lavender
• Marjoram
• Oregano
• Sweet maudelin: This herb was an insect repellent for moths, lice, and ticks.
• Winter savory: Used to repel insects.
• Hops
• Violet