• The Herb Handbook

  If you’ve ever entertained the thought of growing your own herbs for cooking and/or improved health.
  
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• 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
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Clove tree – Syzygium aromaticum

Clove tree is a evergreen tree , 20 m in ehight , it has soft grey bark and dark green ovate leaves with shiny , leathery texture. At the beginning of the rainy season fragrant, green buds appear at the end of the branches. They gradually turn red and if left unpicked, develop into pink or crimson flowers.

Clove tree is a tender tropical true which should be grown in fertile soil and require high humidity and minimum temperatures of 15-18 degrees centigrade. Propagated by seeds or cuttings. The cloves are harvested when the tree is 6-8 years old. The crop can be sporadic one year heavy and the next light. Cloves are usually hand picked to avoid damage to the branches which would jeopardize subsequent crops.

Cloves have digestive properties, help relieve nausea, control omoiting and prevent intestinal worms and parasites. Oil of cloves is still used as a dental antiseptic and analgesic. A cotton bud soaked in oil fo cloves and applied directly to the tooth will ease toothache.

Cloves are widely used as a spice in whole or ground form to add flaour to curries, pickles,chutneys and meat dishes. The clove tree is also used in baked apples, applie pie, deserts and cakes and for making mulled wine.

Chickweed - Stellaria media

Chickweed is a spreading , mat forming annual the branched stems grow upto 40cm long, but most are decumbent and creep along the ground. It has small ovae leaves and tiny white star shaped flowers. It propagates quickly reappearing throughout the year and is often seen in the winter months.

Chickweed grows in any reasonable moist soil in sun or partial shade,it is self seeding.

Chickweed is rich in mineral salts including calcium and potassium and has anti-rheumatic properties when taken internally as a juice or infusion. Applied as  a poultice or ointment for eczema,skin irritations and other skin complaints.

Chick weed is a pleasant neutral tasting herb for inclusion in salads or for cooking as a vegetable.It combines well with parsley to make a dip.

Milk thistle- Silybum marianum

Milk thistle is a tall annual or biennial which grows upto 1.2m in height , it has large deeply lobed spiny leaves with white veins and purple thistle flowers in summer.

Milk thistle grow in any well drained soil in a sunny position . It is propagated  by seed sown in spring or autumn and it self seeds prolifically.

Milk thistle is taken as infusion to stimulate appetite and for digestive disorders . Milk thistle contains compounds known as silymarin which are said to be effective as an antidote to toxic substances that cause liver damage.

Milk thistle is also known as Marian thistle.

Purslane – Portulaca oleracea

Purslane is a half hardy annual, with pink prostrate, much branched stems and rounded fleshy bright green leaves. It grows to around 30cm. It has small yellow flowers in late summer which soon fade to reveal the seed capsules with opening lids and filled with numerous black seeds.

Purslane grows in light, well drained soil but requires plenty of water for good leaf development. Purslane propagates from seed sown after danger of frosts in cool temperate regions.

Purslane contains omega-3 fatty acids which are helpful in preventing heart disease and strengthening the immune system. The leaves are also a good sources of Vitamin C and contain calcium, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Purslane is also a diuretic and midly laxative.

Purslane is a popular salad herb and is eaten in the Middle east and India and is as a cooked vegetable and in salads.

Evening Primose – Oenothera biennis

Evening primose is an erect biennial which grows upto 1.5m tall, with a thick, yellowish taproot and a rosette of basal leaves from which the flowering stems arise. These have alternative , lanceolate to ovate leaves and are topped by bright yellow flowers which open at night to release their fragance and are pollinated by moths. Downy pods then follows which contain seeds.

Evening primose grows in open sandy soil . The plant self seeds freely once established, it is propagated from seed sown in autumn or spring.

Evening primose oil benefits the immune system and regulates hormones . It is taken internally for pre menstrual tension,menopausal problems, allergies,skin complaints such as eczema and acne, and to counteract the effects of excess alcohol. It may also be helpful for high blood pressure , arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Evening primose flowers are often made into face masks to improve skin tone. Evening primose oil is an ingriedient in commercial cosmetics.

Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis

Lemon Balm is a vigorous , bushy perennial which grows to  30-80cm tall. It has a strongly lemon scented , rough, ovate, toothed leaves. In  late summer inconspicuous clusters of pale yellow flowers appear in the leaf axis.

Lemon Balm gorws in any soil in sun or partial shade. Spreads and self seeds freely. The easiet method of propagation is by division in spring. The species can be grown from seed, but cultivars must be vegetatively propagated.

Lemon balm has sedative , relaxing digestive properties and infusions are taken internally for nervous anxiety, depression , tension headaches and indigestion. It also has insect repellent properties. is antibacterial and is applied externally , in infusions poultices or ointments for sores, skin irritations, insect bites and stings. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy for anxiety states.

Fresh lemon balm leaves add lemon flavour to salads,soups,sauces,stuffings,poultry game and fish dishes,desserts,cordials,liqueurs and wine cups.

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