Dillard Beach Mystery – 30

Chapter Thirty

Early June 1680

Ten days passed before Rebekah saw the Captain again. He had returned to the cottage twice within the week following his visit, but each time she was away, attending to the needs of a woman giving birth. Chapman did not leave a note, but each time he came by he left a small clay jar at her front door so she knew he had been there.

Each of the two expectant women she had delivered, meantime, had given birth without complication. Rebekah gave credit to the mild weather, ease of travel, and the remedies she had made to help ease the births. The tinctures were now at full potency and served their purpose well.

“What is in this small container that eases the pain so quickly?” Emma asked, pointing to a small glass vial. The two women were standing at the small workbench in Rebekah’s shed. The surface was covered with jars and vials and small bundles of dried herbs carefully sorted. Emma had witnessed one patient able to quickly find comfort after sipping the liquid and was curious to know what the vial contained.

“It is a tincture made from skullcap. A few drops in a cup of warm ale will often bring calm to the woman and to the babe soon to be born. It is a common remedy and easy to make. I will show you next time we are preparing remedies. But let me show you one remedy that takes little preparation. You should learn to make this yourself, especially since the fields are now blooming with the plant.” She held out a cluster of small yellow flowers. “This is Lady’s Bedstraw.”

Emma reached out and took the bundle from Rebekah. “When I was a girl we called it Sticky Willy as it has sharp hairy leaves that stick to you. Walk through a field and the plants are soon stuck fast all over your petticoat,” Emma complained.

“You are mistaken. Ladies Bedstraw might look like the plant you call Sticky Willy. But this is that plant’s cousin and has a much happier purpose than sticking to your stockings. It blooms here from late spring into the fall.”

“It smells lovely, like new-mown hay.”

“When a woman’s time is close, I often tell her husband to go out into the fields and gather enough bedstraw to stuff their mattress or at the least, cover his wife’s bed. The bedstraw will ease her pain during childbirth.”

“And do they follow your advice?”

Rebekah smiled at Emma. “I give them little choice. But it is not difficult to persuade them. Most are happy for something to do. As for the rest of the bedstraw plant, I use the dry stems and leaves to make an excellent tea for a mother about to give birth. I have found that a few sips in between contractions will ease her labor.”

“I will try to remember that,” Emma answered.

“You should gather bundles of the plant this month as it is during the early summer that it grows in such abundance. Hang the stems from the rafters in your shed or storage room, give them time to dry out and you will soon have leaves enough for tea to offer your patients.”

“Could I grow the herb in my garden?”

“Of course, Emma. In fact, you should be planting all the herbs we use. That is the best way to learn and you will have your own supply for those times you will need them.” Rebekah paused, then continued. “I am unfamiliar with your garden. We should plan a visit so I can give you advice for where and when to plant your herbs.”

Her apprentice agreed, and on the following Monday the two met at Emma Ballard’s home. Rebekah was impressed with the space. “You have a wonderful area for gardening, Emma. There is plenty of sunshine for all your vegetables and shade enough for those plants that prefer to grow in the shadows.”

Emma walked towards the back fence. “Charles promised to help me build raised beds but as for the design of the garden and where to plant what, I am at a loss.”

Rebekah looked over the property. “Your garden is larger than even my own, but be careful, not to over plan. Remember, what you sow you must harvest, and a good garden requires a great deal of time and effort. More time than you might expect. You may have the time now, but as your practice grows, your time to spend in the garden will lessen. You do not want to neglect what you plant. My advice is to start small with the basic plants you know you will need.”

Rebekah walked to the center of the space, turned, and looked back at the small saltbox. “You should plant the vegetables and herbs you use most in the raised beds near your front door where they will get a lot of sun. Larger vegetables like corn and pumpkins should go in beds towards the back where there is open sky above. Then mix your herbs for cooking and medicines in with the vegetable plantings to make watering simpler.”

“What of flowers, Rebekah? I would dearly like to have a flower garden.”

“Have one if you like but I suggest you plant flowers that have a medicinal purpose as well. Chamomile has a small white and yellow blossom and is a good choice for a calming tea, and the bright orange Calendula serves as a cure against a sore throat. I have often used it to calm monthly cramps in my patients.”

“What about mint? I find the scent most refreshing.”

“Mint is a fine herb to plant and there are many that will grow well. But avoid Pennyroyal. It is an old plant and is easy enough to grow. Many have used it to treat colds but there are better herbs to use for that purpose. I only grow Pennyroyal for its strong scent and to keep the bugs away. I can give you a few sprigs to plant among your vegetable patch but you must be very careful with it. It is not to be used as a remedy.”