Good King Henry Herbs, Seeds and Plants

Good King Henry comes from a genus (Chenopodium spp) that is distributed all over the world and is found growing in all climates. This species (C. bonus-henricus) is native to Europe.

Good King Henry was popular from Neolithic times until the last century. Its curious name is taken not from the English king, Henry VIII, as might be expected, but from King Henry IV of Navarre, and to distinguish it from the poisonous Bad Henry (Mercurialis perennis).

Gerard in the 17th Century observed that Good King Henry grew in untilled places and among rubbish near common ways, old walls, hedges and fields, and it still does - colonies of the herb can be found on many mediaeval sites.

Species

Chenopodiaceae, the goosefoot family, includes 1,500 rather unattractive plants, some of them important edible plants, for example, spinach and beet.

Chenopodium bonus-henricus

Good King Henry

Perennial. Ht 60cm (24in), spread 45cm (18in). Tiny greenish-yellow flowers in early summer. Leaves green and arrow-shaped {below right). Very occasionally a variegated form is found: but the yellow variegation will be difficult to maintain.

Chenopodium album

Fat Hen

Also known as Lambs' Quarters, White Goosefoot, Common Pigweed, All flood and Muckweed Annual. Ht 60cm-lm (2-Sft). Flowers small, greenish-white, summer to mid-autumn. Green lance-shaped leaves. Its seeds have been identified at Neolithic villages in Switzerland and in the stomach of the Iron Age Tollund Man. Rich in fat and albumen, it appears to have been a food supplement for primitive man.

Chenopodium ambrosioides var. anthelmintium

American Wormseed

Also known as Mexican Tea, and in China as Fragrant Tiger Bones Annual. Hi 60cm-1.25m (2- 4ft). Small greenish flowers from late summer to late autumn. Green lance-shaped leaves. This is native to tropical Central America. Introduced through Mexico, it has become naturalized as far north as New England in the USA. It was introduced into Europe in the 18th century. Mexican Tea was once included in the United States pharmacopoeia but is now restricted to American folk medicine and mainly used for its essential oil, Chenopodium oil, against roundworm and hookworm.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seeds

Sow the fairly small seeds early in spring in prepared seed or plug trays for an early crop. Use the bark, grit, peat mix of compost and cover with Perlite. No extra heat required. When the seedlings are large enough to handle and after hardening off, plant out in the garden 25cm (l0in) apart. Can be sown direct.

Division

Divide established plants in the spring. You will find even small pieces will grow.

Pests and Diseases

Does not suffer from these.

Maintenance

Spring: Lift and divide established plants. If you wish to grow as an asparagus, blanch the shoots from early spring onwards. As they emerge, earth up with soil. Divide and re-pot container-grown plants.

Summer: Give a liquid feed if a second crop of leaves is requited.

Autumn: Cut back dying foliage and give the plant a mulch of compost.

Winter: No need for protection.

Garden Cultivation

Good King Henry will tolerate any soil, but if planted in a soil rich in humus, dug deep and well drained in a sunny position, the quality and quantity of the crop will be much improved. Sow directly into prepared soil in the garden in late spring in 1cm (0.5in) drills. Allow 45cm (18in) between rows. Cover the seeds with 6mm (¼ in) soil. Germination in warm soil, 10-14 days. When large enough to handle thin to 25cm (l0in) apart.

Keep well watered in dry months. In autumn cover beds with a thin layer of manure. Beds should be renewed every 3 to 4 years.

Harvest

Allow plants 1 year to develop before harvesting. From mid-spring the young shoots can provide an asparagus substitute crop. They should be cut when they are about 15cm (6in) long. Harvest the flowering spikes as they begin to open. Later in the season gather the larger leaves as a spinach substitute as required. Freeze only when used as an ingredient in a cooked dish.

Medicinal

The seeds have a gentle laxative effect making them suitable relief for a slightly constipated condition especially in children. A poultice (or ointment) cleanses and heals skin sores.

Culinary

The leaves of Good King Henry and Fat Hen are rich in iron, calcium and Vitamins B: and C, and are particularly recommended for anemic subjects.

Like all low-growing leaves, Good King Henry must be washed with great care; the slightest suspicion of grit in the finished dish will ruin the meal. Use 2 or 3 changes of water.

Other uses

Good King Henry is used as a cough remedy for sheep. Whole plant used to fatten poultry.

Seed is used commercially in the manufacture of shagreen, artificially granulated untanned leather, often dyed green.

The whole plant of fat hen can be used as a red or golden dye (above).

Container growing

Can be grown outside in a large container, in a rich compost of a bark, peat, grit mix. Needs to be kept well watered throughout the summer and fed once a week to maintain a supply of leaves. Divide each spring and re-pot in fresh compost.

Steam flower spikes and toss in butter like broccoli. Eat young leaves raw in salads. Cook in casseroles, stuffing, soups and purees and savory pies. They are more nutritious than spinach or cabbage.

Blanch shoots - dip in hot water, rinse immediately under cold water. Alternatively cut shoots 15cm (bin) long. Steam or boil very quickly. Peel if necessary. Serve hot with melted butter, or cold with vinaigrette.

The seed of Fat Hen can be ground into flour and used to make into gruel.