Photography by Dan Zen

Perennial
Achillea millefolium
Family: Compositae

History

Yarrow has always been considered a plant of great power—and was used by the Chinese as a herb of divination.

In fact, the I Ching (The Book of Changes) is also know as The Yarrow Stalk Oracle.

Its name is said to derive from Achilles who was reputed to have used it to staunch the bleeding wounds of his soldiers.

Uses

Medicinal: Yarrow is a wound herb, astringent and healing, and rich in vitamins and minerals. Bruised, fresh leaves bound to cuts help speed up healing. It is anti-spasmodic, anti-imflammatory, anti-flatulent and a tonic. It is also effective in lowering blood pressure, relaxing spasms, and arresting haemorrhage. A tea restores lost appetite and promotes perspiration during colds and fevers.
Culinary: Finely-chopped leaves added to a salad or sandwiches add a pleasantly sharp taste.
Garden: In the garden, yarrow is said to increase the health of nearby plants. It is also a good compost activator, and its flowers attract many beneficial insects, including ladybirds and parasitic wasps that prey on garden pests, in particular aphids.

Cultivation

A tough adaptable plant that survives in most climates as a perennial weed, it is easy to grow from seed or root.
Divide the roots of mature plants in early spring or autumn.
It can be invasive. Modern cultivars produce fine-coloured flowers on the end of stems.
Harvesting & storage: Harvest leafy stems and flowers on a dry morning when the plants are in the early stages of bloom. Hang upside down in a dark, dry and airy space. To store for teas, wait until the s tems are dry and crumble stem, leaves and flowers and store in airtight jars.

Perennial
Monarda didyma
Family: Labiatae/Lamiaceae

History

A highly scented perennial herb, native to North America, bergamot is found there growing wild in woods, along roadsides and streams.

Also known as bee balm because of its attractiveness to bees. The name bergamot comes from the fact that it has a similar scent to the bergamot orange, a Mediterranean plant.

Native Americans brewed the leaves for Oswego tea.

Uses

Medicinal: Leaves contain antiseptic thymol. Infusion recomended for coughs, sore throats, nausea, flatulence, and menstrual cramps.
Culinary: Young leaves flavour wine, drinks, salad and stuffing. Add fresh flowers and some leaves to salads.
Aromatic: Citrusy fragrance brightens scent of potpourris and sachets.
Cosmetic: Used in baths or lotions, infusions of bergamot stimulate the skin.
Ornamental: Very attractive garden plant. Flower colours range from pink, white, violet, salmon and several shades of red.
Craft: Dried flowers retain their colour well.
Companion planting: Stimulates the growth of tomatoes.

Cultivation

Grows from creeping rootstock; needs plenty of water during hot periods. Prefers light, moist, well-drained position. Morning sun only.
Harvesting & storage: Cut down to 2cm above ground level immediately after flowering.
Strip leaves from stems and dry in a warm, shady place for 2-3 days. A drying period of more than three days may discolour the leaves and produce a less flavoursome tea.

Perennial

Lavandula species
Family: Labiatae/Lamiaceae

History

Lavender’s name comes from the Latin ‘to wash’, and both the ancient
Romans and Greeks scented their soap and bath water with the herb.

Uses

Medicinal: The essential oil has spasmolytic, antiseptic and carminative properties. Warm lavender tea applied as a compress aids chest congestion, bruises and bites. Flower tea treats anxiety, headaches, flatulence, nausea, dizziness and halitosis. Lavender is safe but should be used in moderation.
Culinary: Flowers flavour jams, vinegar, sweets, cream, and can be crystalized.
Aromatic: Dried flowers add longlasting fragrance to sachets and potpourris. The aroma is an insect-repellent—an ideal herb for the linen press, wardrobe and jumper drawer.
Ornamental: With many species to choose from, there is a variety to suit and enhance any herb garden or herbaceous border. A good hedge plant.
Cosmetic: Lavender stimulates and cleanses the skin. Add to the bath.
Craft: Fresh or dried, it can be used in wreaths, arrangements, sprays and decorations. Lavender vinegar, for the dressing table not the dining table, is made by adding rose petals, lavender flowers and jasmine flowers to distilled vinegar. Stores well in airtight bottles.
Companion planting: Attracts bees and other pollinators to the garden.

Cultivation

Propagate from cuttings of side shoots in summer. After rooting, plant in well-drained soil in a sunny position. Drought and frost resistant.
Harvesting & storage: Harvest while in flower. Dry in shade in bunches, or on screens in an airy place.

Perennial

Rosa canina, Rosa rugosa
Family: Rosaceae

History

Also known as dog rose, wild briar or wild rose, it is often found growing wild in woods and shrubland in Tasmania and parts of Victoria.

In the language of flowers, dog rose symbolises pleasure mixed with pain.

Rose hips have been eaten for thousands of years, and the petals were used to scent water potpourris and food.

The hips were either eaten in times of fruit scarcity or used to make wines, syrups, jams and preserves.

Uses

Medicinal: Rosehips have a high vitamin C content—higher even than citrus fruit. They are also high in calcium, phosphorus and iron, which makes them very useful for dealing with coughs, sore throats and bronchial problems.
A popular European cure for headaches caused by sunburn is rose vinegar. To make it, collect enough rose petals in the morning to fill a jar. Cover with quality distilled vinegar and leave to stand in the sun for three weeks. Strain. To use soak a cloth in the liquid and apply to the forehead. It can also be used as a skin lotion, gargle or eyebath.
To make a concentrated general tonic for convalescents, the aged and children, put a handful of dried rose petals into a litre of boiling water and infuse for 10 minutes. Drink two cupfuls a day.
Culinary: Crushed rose petals are used to flavour cakes, jams, wines and sweetmeats. The fruits are used commercially to make syrups as a nutritional supplement, especially for babies. The syrup is also used to flavour medicines such as cough mixtures.
Garden: The briar rose makes a fine hedge, and in large gardens a few allowed to grow wild make a welcome, safe nesting place for small native birds.

Cultivation

Propagate from seed or cuttings. Adaptable to most well-drained soils in an open, sunny position. Frost-hardy but drought tender. Most wild species flower on the previous year’s growth.
Harvesting & storage: Gather hips after the first frosts when they are bright red and slightly soft to the touch. Cut lengthwise and dry rapidly in a well-ventilated site. Store in a cool place.
Do not keep for more than a year as they lose their vitamin C.

Perennial

Aloe vera
Family: Liliaceae/Aloeaceae

History

Aloe vera has a long history as a healing herb, and was used as an embalming ingredient in ancient Egypt.

The gel was applied externally to wounds — especially burns and scalds, and was often used to clear blemishes and maintain a healthy skin.

It has been said that Alexander the Great conquered Madagascar so that his army could have a good supply of the herb for healing wounds.

In the Congo, the Slukari hunters rub the gel over their bodies to remove their scent before they stalk their prey on foot.

Today the gel, obtained by breaking the leaves, is still used for its remarkable healing properties. Applied to wounds it forms a clear protective seal and encourages skin regeneration. It can be applied safely directly to cuts and burns and has an immediate soothing effect.

Extract of aloes has an intensely bitter taste, and has been known to be used as an aid to wean children and to discourage them from thumb-sucking and nail-biting.

Uses

Medicinal: Used internally for chronic constipation, poor appetite, and in colonic irrigation. It also destroys internal parasites.
Not to be given to pregnant women or those suffering from haemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome.
Major use is externally for burns, scalds, sunburn, wounds and eczema.

Cultivation

Easily propagated from suckers or offshoots that grow around the base of the plant.
Drainage is important and they will cope with soil low in nutrients, although they will prosper in fertile soil with limestone added.
Flowers are rare in cultivation.
Harvesting & storage: Leaves are cut as required from two- to three-year old plants and used as is.
The sap can be drained from leaves and evaporated. The leftover brown crystalline solid is used for creams, lotions and tinctures.

Perennial

Sempervivum tectorum
Family: Crassulaceae

History

The Emperor Charlemagne decreed that his subjects should grow houseleeks on their roofs to ward off lightning and protect the inhabitants from witchcraft, and they are still traditionally planted for this purpose.

The herb clings to surfaces with its fibrous roots, producing tiny rosettes.

The centre dies after producing a stem of pink summer flowers.

It is also known as Hen and Chickens.

Uses

Medicinal: The leaf juice applied daily to warts and corns will soften them. The leaf contains tannins and mucilage which heals small burns and stings; it is astringent and cooling. A leaf tea treats septic throats, mouth ailments and bronchitis. It is used internally for skin complaints and haemorrhoids.
Culinary: The leaves can be added to green salads.
Garden: Will grow in the driest spot in the garden.
Cosmetic: Leaves placed in baths will nourish the skin.

Cultivation

It prefers dry, thin, well-drained soil in an open, sunny position. Propagate by division of offsets. Drought and frost resistant. Loves rockeries and stone fences.
Harvesting & storage: Not needed. Collect leaves as required, as houseleeks grow all year.