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 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 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 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 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 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.

Tea tree is a half hardy to tender evergreen tree, 15-40m tall with thin peeling corky bark and narrow pointed leathery leaves. Its flowers are bottle brushed shaped.

Tea tree grows in moisture retentive to wet soil in full sun. They must be grown as conservatory plants in cool, temperature regions. Tea tree is propagated by seed or by semi ripe cuttings.

Tea tree is strong antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal. Tea tree is used for acne ,athlete’s foot, warts,verrucas and head lice eggs.

Lavender has short , fat spikes of dark purple flowers topped by butterfly wing cracts and grows upto 90cm tall.

Lavender requires very well drained soil and plenty of sun. Lavenders hybridize easily , most do not come true from seed and they are propagated through heel cuttings taken in mid to late summer.

Infusion of lavender may be applied as a compress to ease headaches and are sometimes take internally for anxiety and nervous exhausition. Lavender essential oil is applied to sunburn, burns and scalds or used as a massage oil for tension headaches, migraine and muscular aches and pains. Inhaling the the fragance of lavender flowers or oil can be very calming, anti-depressive and may help relieve insomnia. The oil is applied to prevent and relieve insect bites and discourages head lice.

Lavender  flowers are used to flavour sugar for making cakes, biscuits,meringues , ice creams and desserts. They can be added to vinegar ,marmalade or jam or cooked with blackcurrants or soft fruit mixtures.

Elecampane is a hardy perennial, with tall erect hairy stems which grow upto 2m in height.It has ovate,pointed leaves which are toothed at the edges and terminl yellow flower heads, shaped like shaggy daisies, in late summer.

Elecampane grows in rich ,moist soil in a sunny position. It is propagated by division of roots in spring or autumn or by seed which can be slow to germinate.

Elecampane is used to treat coughs, hayfever,asthma,catarrh and respiratory infection taken as infusions or decoctions. Elecampane is also beneficial on the digestive system when taken internally.When applied exernally it is said to relieve many skin inflammations and irritations and is used as an embrocation or rub for the relief of sciatica and neuralgia.

Hops is a hardy twining, herbaceous climber. Hops has clinging hair stems with 3-7 lobed palmate leaves.Male and female flowers are borne in different on different plants. The male flowers are in small inconspicious clusters. The female flowers are conelike, pale green inflorescences which are the hops used in beer making.

Hops is a vigourous plant that grows under most conditions . It is propagated by softwood cuttings in spring.

Hops has sedative and antibacterial properties and is taken internally as a infusion or tincture for insomnia,nervous tension and anxiety. It is applied externally for skin complaints.

Young hop shoots can be cooked and eaten like asparagun. Dried flowers are added to pillows, essential oil are included in rejuvenating baths and hair treatments.

Hops are used to flavour ales, distilled oil and extracts used in the food industry.