1. Purple cone flower
2. Family: Corn positae
3. Species: Echinacea purpurescens Origir North America
4. Plant: perennial
5. Height: up to 60 cm; space 40 cm apart
6. Soil: richly composted, well-dug soil
7. Exposure: full sun
8. Propagation: seed
9. Uses: culinary, medicinal, cosmetic

The world has recently sat up and taken notice of the ancient folklore of the Native Americans who used this beautiful prairie plant to treat everything from colds and influenza to suppurating sores, earache; bladder infections and contagious diseases. Echinacea boosts the immune system so decisively that it is currently being used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and other diseases affecting the auto- immune system. One of its compounds, echinisen, is an anti-viral agent and another compound, echinacoside, has antibiotic properties, which gives the plant its unique healing abilities. Read the rest of this entry »

1. Family: Myrtaceae
2. Species: Eucalyptus globulus Origin Australia
3.  Plant: tree
4. Height: 12-18 m; space 10-15 m apart
5. Soil: any soil
6. Exposure: full sun
7. Propagation: seeds, cuttings
8. Uses: medicinal, cosmetic

Originating in Australia, eucalyptus has found its way into most countries around the world in tropical and subtropical areasn But, because of its huge thirst, careful plant management is necessary to prevent ecological problems. Smaller more manageable varieties are now being developed which can be kept pruned to head height and which will not absorb too much water and the suburban gardener can easily keep them in miniature form. Eucalyptus was first introduced to the Western world in the 19th century because of its insect repelling properties and, as a child, my father, on trips through the country, would point out homesteads surrounded by eucalyptus trees, part of a government project decades before to help to preserve stored grain or the wooden floors of the farm houses, as no ant would cross the eucalyptus barrier. Read the rest of this entry »

1. Family: Com positae
2. Species: Centurea cyanus
3. Origin: temperate regions
4. Plant: winter annual
5. Height: 80 cm; space 50 cm apart Soil well-dug, well-composted soil Exposure full sun
6. Propagation: seeds
7. Uses: culinary, medicinal, cosmetic

The folklore that surrounds the cornflower is fascinating. Painters in medieval times used the brilliant blue crushed petals to mix into oils for painting on murals and parchment, and the monks used the petals crushed and in a type of vinegar mixture with egg whites to give the royal blue colour in their calligraphied parchments and scrolls of prayersn Read the rest of this entry »

An ancient and much revered food, brought to Europe from Asia by the Crusaders, buckwheat has always been one of the world’s most important grains. The monks found it to be an excellent medicinal plant and there are records that go back into the 14th century of its versatility in treating many ailments.

I have a continuous supply of the attractive heart- shaped leaves and sprays of tiny white succulent flowers almost all year through. Sow the seeds all year round and watch the butterflies and the bees all around it. At its full flowering stage dig it back into the soil, first slashing it, and let it break down and lie fallow for 2 months. Then, your vibrant, rebuilt soil will be ready for replanting. The importance of the green manure crop cannot be stressed enough as its high mineral content immediately breaks down the soil and returns vital nutrients to the soil. Read the rest of this entry »

The prolific ‘black seed‘ of Nigella sativa has been used as both food and medicine for over 5 000 years. The earliest reference to ‘black cumin’ is found in the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, and it was found in the tomb of Tutankhamen. Dioscorides recommended taking black seed to treat headaches, nasal catarrh, toothache, chills, scanty menstruation and intestinal worms. Many Eastern and Indian cultures take a few ‘seeds of blessing’ daily to boost energy, fight off toxins, maintain and restore body heat and help recovery from fatigue or dispiritedness. This easily grown annual must not be confused with its altogether prettier cousin, Nigella damascena, commonly grown as the spring annual ‘Love-in-amist’. Its seeds do not have the medicinal value of Nigella sativa, which has smaller blue flowers and is unobtrusive, with the same feathery delicate foliage. Read the rest of this entry »