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  • Clove tree – Syzygium aromaticum
  • Chickweed – Stellaria media
  • Milk thistle- Silybum marianum
  • Purslane – Portulaca oleracea
  • Evening Primose – Oenothera biennis
  • Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis
  • Tea tree – Melaleuca alternifolia
  • Lavender- Lavandula
  • Elecampane – Inula helenium
  • Hops- Humulus lupulus
  • Ginkgo – Ginkgo biloba
  • Sweet woodruff – Galium odoratum syn Asperula odorata
  • Goat’s rue – Galega officinalis
  • Meadowsweet – Filipendula ulmaria
  • Fig – Ficus carica

Papaya – Carica papaya

Papaya is a small evergreen tree , up to 6m in height with deeply cut, palmate leaves, forming an umbrella-shaped crown. The large, avoids fruits have dark-green , leathery skin, ripening to yellow, containing sweet orange-yellow flesh and numerous tiny black seeds surrounding a central cavity.

Papaya is native to South and Central America, occurs widely in tropical zones in temperatures below 13 degrees centigrade. Papaya requires rich ,moist soil and a sunny humid climate.

Papaya is one of the best natural digestives, containing enzymes similar to pepsin.Juice is applied externally to destroy warts for skin eruptions and irritations. Seeds and papain are used in propagations to expel intestinal worms.

Papaya is high in vitamin C and minerals and is eaten resh,canned or made into ice creams and desserts.

Papaya juice smooths skin,removes freckles and reduces sun damage.

Mustard – Brassica nigra

Mustard is an erect annual,1-1.2m high with narrow, lobed leaves and racemes of bright yellow flowers, followed by pods containing reddish-brown seeds.

Mustard requires rich, well dressed soil and full sun and is propagated by seed sown in spring.

Mustard has warming and antibiotic  properties and is applied externally in poultices,baths or footbaths for rheumatism, aching muscles and chilblains. Mustard is also a good remedy for colds.

Mustard ground seeds mixed into a paste make a hot flavoured condiment. Young leaves are eaten with cress or added to salads and whole seeds are added to curries,soups,stews,pickles and sauces.

Barberry- Berberis vulgaris

Barberry is a  shrub which grows to 2m with sharp spines on the stems and small oval leaves.Clusters of yellow flowers in late spring are followed by shiny red fruits.

A wild plant, it grows on any soil in sun or partial shade.It is propagated by  layering or by taking cuttings in early autumn and can also be grown from seed sown in spring or autumn.

Barberry contains anti-bacterial alkaloid,berberine and is used in the treatment of tropical diseases, including dysentery and malaria. It has also been found to contain anti-cancer compounds and is included in chemotherapy drugs. Used in Ayurvedic medicine for liver complaints and as an anti-inflammatory .

Barberry berries are very bitter, but in high in Vitamin c. At one time they were made into jams. jellies and tart

Neem tree – Azadirachta indica

Neem is a common tree of Southern Asia, it has played an important role in Ayurvedic medicine, and in agriculture and domestic life as an insect repellent since earliest times.

The Neem tree is a large, evergreen tree 12-15m tall, it has dense pinnate leaves. Clusters of small white flowers appear in spring to be followed by long greeny-yellow fruits each containing a seed. The wood secretes resin, and margosa or neem oil is made from the seeds.

The Neem tree will not grow in temperatures below 15 degrees centigrade . It requires sun and tolerates poor dry soil.

Neem has anti-inflammatory and insecticidal properties, reduces fever, acts as a tonic and detoxicant, increasing vitality. It is used in the treatment of malaria and has been found to be effective against leprosy. Neem is also used externally for skin disorders and irritations,especially boils and ulcers, and in eye and ear complaints. Twigs can be used to clean teeth, prevent breath odour and protects from infection.

Neem can be used to prevent hair loss if a decoction of the leaves are applied as a rinse. The oil is used in hair and skin lotions, toothpaste and soap.

Neem makes an effective mosquito and insect repllent , and insecticide for crops.

Neem is also known as Margosa.

Asparagus – Asparagus officinalis

Asparagus a perennial whose fleshy shoots are eaten as a delicacy.If left uncut it develops feathery leaves to a height of 1-1.5m with small greeny-white flowers followed by red berries.

Asparagus is native to costal,sandy areas and woodlands of Europe and Asia, now widely cultivated throughout the world.

Asparagus requires rich, well drained loam and a sunny position. Asparagus may be propagated from seed, but beds are usually established from brought one year old crowns.It takes three years to rpdouce the vegetable beds then last 10-12 years.

Asparagus has cleansing, restorative properties , combats acidity and is taken for rheumatism,sciatica and gout as either a food or infusion. It also has diuretic and laxative properties and is taken for urinary infections, but it should be avoided where there is kidney disease. An important medicinal herb in India, where it is considered to be a good aphrodisiac, helpful in treating impotence.

Asparagus is high in vitamins A and C and minerals, including calcuim , phosphorus iron. Young shoots, lightly steamed are served as a vegetable with melted butter or a vinaigrette sauce or pureed to make soup.

Asparagus is also known as Sparrow-grass.

Asparagus should not be taken by anyone with kidney disease.

Rooibos – Aspalathus Linearis

Rooibos is a small shrub upto 2m in height with bright green, thin linear leaves, bearing short, leafy shoots in their axils. Small yellow pea flowers are followed by long pods. The leaves turn a reddish brown during processing.

Rooibos is native to dry mountainous areas of Cape Province, South Africa.

Rooibos is a frost-hardy bush – It cannot tolerate  temperatures below -5 degress centrigrade or prolonged severve weather. Rooibos requires dry,sandy soil and sunlight.It is propagated by seeds sown in spring,pinch out shoots, as it grows to encourage bushiness.

Rooibos is high in vitamin C and mineral salts.It is taken internally for digestive disorders and to relieve allergies and is applied externally for skin irritations.

Rooibos has a refreshing flavour, is low in tannins and makes a great caffeine-free substitute for Asian tee. It is sometimes used as  flavouring herb in sauces and soft drinks as an ingredient of a local alcoholic liquor.

Rooibos is also known by the following names:Red bush tea .

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