• Recent Posts

  • 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

Greater burdock – Arctium lappa

Greater burdock is a biennial or short-lived perennial which grows to 1.5m
tall.It has long, ovate leaves covered in down and thick, hairy stems. Purple thistle-like flowers apppear in mid to late summer, followed by fruits made up of hooked spines.

Greater burdock is native to temperate regions of Asian and widely distributed throughout Europe and North America, found on roadsides, waste ground and in nitrogen-rich soil.

Greater burdock is usually collected from the wild, but a cultivated species is grown in Japan. Prefers a moist soil, sun or partial shade and it self-seeds quite freely.

Greater burdock has antibacterial and fungicidal properties and is used as a decoction or poultice for inflamed skin,sores,boils and disorders such as eczema and psoriasis.Greater burdock is also taken for gastric ulcers and said to increase resistance to infection. It is also used in tradional chinese medicine.

Greater burdock is cultivated in Japan for the roots which are eaten as vegetables. The stalks, before flowering can be chopped and added to salads or cooked as a celery-like vegetable.

Greater burdock leaves are infused to make a tonic skin freshner or hair rinse for dandruff.

Greater burdock is also known by the following names: Lappa and beggar’s buttons.

Wild Celery- Apium graveolens

Wild Celery is an aromatic biennial with a bulbous, fleshy root. Grooved stems grow from 30-90cm high in the second year. It also has pointed divided leaves and umbels of sparse, greenish white flowers in late summer, followed by small ridged seeds.

Wild Celery is found in marshy, often salty ground in Europe, Asia, northern Africa, North and South America.

Wild Celery prefers rich, damp soil, sun or partial shade and tolerates saline conditions. Wild Celery best in a sheltered positions and bears flowers for seed production in warm climates. Wild Celery propagates by seed down in spring, but needs a minimum temperature of 13-16 degrees centigrade to germinated.

Wild celery has digestive,anti-inflammatory properties and is also a diuretic. Wild celery is used in the treatment of arthritis,rheumatism and is an Ayurvedic nerve tonic.

Parsley piert – Aphanes arvensis

Parsley piert is a prostrate annual with small fan-shaped leaves and inconspicuous green flowers in summer.Parsley piert is found in dry places and wastelands, it is native to Britain and widely distributed throughout the world.

As Parsley piert is a wild plant, it grows best in well drained soil, in sun or partial shade, and tolerates gravelly, stony soilds. Propagated by seed sown in spring.

Parsley piert is a diuretic which also soothes irritated and inflammed tissues. It is used for painful urination and in the treatment of kidney and bladder stones.

Dill-Anethum graveolens

Dill an aromatic annual, 1m tall with a single stem and feathery leaves. It has terminal umbels of tiny yellow flowers in midsummer and elliptic, flatten fruits. Resembles fennel, but it shorter and has a subtler,less strongly aniseed flavour.

Dill orginated from southern Europe and Asia, now widely grown in herb gardens worldwide.

Dill thrives in well-drained but nutrient rich soil, in full sun.It Requires adequate moisture as it bolts in poor, dry soil.Dill is best propgated from seed sown in spring, straight into the ground where it is to grow, as it does not take well to being transplanted.Should not be grown near fennel as the two plants crosspollinated.

Dill is a cooling, soothing herb which aids digestion, prevents constipation and is an ingredient of gripe water given to babies for indigestion. In indian herbal medicine dill is  included in preparations for diarrhoea and dysentry. Poultices of the leaves are applied to boils and to reduce swelling and joint pains. Seeds are chewed to cure bad breath.

Dill leaves and seeds add a caraway-like flavour to fish, seafood and egg dishes and go welll with bland-tasting vegetables, especially cucumber and potatoes. Widely used in Scandinavian cuisine.In Indian cookery, it is added to curries, rice dishes, soups, pickles and chutneys.

Aloe Vera – Aloe vera syn. A barbadensis

The medicinal value of this plant was recognised by the egyptians and used as an embalming ingredients. Aloe vera is tender,succulent at 40-60 cm  tall, with clusters of elongated, very fleshy,green-grey leaves, spiked at the edges.

Aloe vera is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions in dry sunny areas.

Aloe vera needs a well-drained soil, full sun and a minimum temperature of 5 degree centigrade. In cold climates it can be successfully grown as a conservatory or house plant. Pot up in gritty compost (soil mix) so not overwater, and allow to dry out completely between waterings.

Aloe vera leaves are cut and the sap is used fresh, preserved and bottled or dried to a brown crystalline solid for use in creams, lotions and medicinal preparations.

Aloe vera has exceptional healing properties. It contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents, long-chain polysaccharides which boost the immune system, minerals, antioxidant vitamins C,E,B12 and beta-carotene.

Aloe vera gel  from the leaf is applied externally to promote the healing of woundsl,burns,sunburn,eczema and skin irritations. It is taken internally for digestive tract problems and there is also evidence that it helps auto immune conditions. It also has laxative properties .

Aloe vera is also an ingredient of many commerical cosmetic products.

Aloe vera is also known by the following names :  Aloes, Barbados aloe, Cape aloe and Curacao aloe.

Garlic – Allium sativum

Garlic is a hardy perennial , it is often cultivatd as a annual. Bulbs are made up of cloves or bulblets, in a paper, white or pinkish white casing. The clump of flat leaves grows to 60 cm.

Garlic is originally from indian and Central Asia, are now grown worldwide but doesnt flourish in cold northern climates.

Garlic bulbs should be planted in autumn or winter in rich soild and a sunny position. Lift in late summer and dry in the sun before storing . Increase by dividing bulbs and replanting.

Garlic helps lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol,inhibits blood clotting,reduces nasal congestion and eases cold symptoms.

← Previous Page — Next Page →