Cabbage
Thought to be an omen of good luck, particularly if a 'double' is found growing in the garden (a double being a cabbage that has two shoots from a single root).

Caraway
Using this apparently staves off any prospective burglar when placed amongst your valued possessions. If the thief did manage to get in the house apparently the caraway would transfix the person until rescue arrived. For women worried about their husbands wandering off with other women, placing some in the pocket would do the trick - same principle as with pigeons - a little in their food and they'll never want to find another coop.

Carrots
There is some truth in the belief that eating a lot of carrots will improve the eyesight as they contain medicinal salts (although the story of WW2 British RAF pilots being fed on a special diet of carrots is false but typical of the claims made of this vegetable). Eating large quantities of boiled carrots was thought to help asthmatics (by relieving constriction of the bronchial tubes). Also thought to be an aphrodisiac.

Catmint
Believed to chase away nightmares when jelly conserve was made from the young tops and eaten. Also it was once placed in wine to treat bruises. It has grey-green leaves and pink, white or lilac flowers which bloom from midsummer. Viewed with some suspicion as cats are heavily attracted by its aroma - hence its name.

Chamomile
Said to aid stomach upsets and indigestion, and help those who suffer from insomnia. In Ancient Egypt it was dedicated to the Gods and highly revered for its medicinal qualities and healing powers. The oil is still used and can be used to increase the shine on fair hair. It is an annual with small yellow and white flowers.

Chervil
Served on Holy Thursday as it is said to represent new life and rebirth and was therefore heavily used during Lent. It is also reputed to have been used to heal the blood by having cleansing qualities. Pale green leaves and small white flowers this plant was also used to cleansed the skin.

Chicory
Need the powers of invisibility - here's the plant for you. Perhaps you'd prefer to open a locked chest - here too chicory could help you but only on July 25 (St. James's Day). By holding a gold knife and chicory leaves against the lock, the lock picker would be successful, but only if working in silence - or death would soon be upon him if a word was spoken. Credited with opening locks and removing obstacles. Reputedly the early American settlers and prospectors would carry a piece of this with them for good luck.

Clover
A four leaf clover would bring good luck but also had an added bonus as it was believed it would provide the owner with second sight - the power to see witches and fairies. The three leaf clover has been linked to the Holy Trinity since St. Patrick used it when explaining his doctrine on the subject (although some also believe he used a piece of wood sorrel). In some parts of Britain finding a four-leaf clover also heralds the possibility of meeting your true love on the same day. Enhancing your good luck it is said can be achieved by passing the lucky clover to someone else. Possessing a four leaf clover was also supposed to help those trying to avoid military service. "One leaf for fame, one for wealth, one leaf for a faithful lover, And one leaf to bring glorious health - All are in the four-leaf clover".

Coriander
The Chinese in ancient times believed that one of the powers of this plant was immortality, whilst the Anglo-Saxon's used it as an ingredient in a hand cream to remedy chapped skin. In Peru soap was made from the leaves which are similar to the flat-leafed parsley with small pinkish-white flowers.