Body, soul and gardening - medicinal plants
Plants have long been used for medicinal purposes, helping with a range of ailments from coughs and colds to wounds and stings. These are five plants to grow in your house and garden.
CALENDULA (Calendula officinalis) - This joyful garden annual has many healing properties and is a go-to remedy for an open wound as it’s antiseptic as well as healing, You can make a balm by infusing the flower heads in vegetable oil, to soothe skin irritations and skin infections. The balm can also be used on wounds and can even help with eczema and fungal infections such as athletes’ foot. Infuse the flowers in water to make a tea to add to a bath or footbath or simply apply to the affected skin.
YARROW (Achillea millefolium) - Yarrow leaves are especially good to stop blood flow on fresh cuts and will heal deep wounds. You can apply the leaf on the wound either by making an ointment or by chewing the leaf and pressing the pulp onto the cut. It also works on nose bleeds. Yarrow has many other uses: as a tea (made from the leaves and flowers), it helps reduce fevers and when mixed with peppermint leaves and elderflowers, yarrow makes a traditional remedy for colds and flu.’
ALOE VERA (Aloe barbadensis) - This is an excellent plant to have in your house, noted by experts for reducing skin inflammation. The clear gel straight from the plant, smoothed onto the skin, is excellent for sun burn. Aloe vera is used commercially in many products for skincare and the juice, which you can buy from health food shops, has anti-inflammatory properties, helping with digestion and gut problems
LEMON BALM. (Melissa officinalis) - A few fresh leaves of this lemon-scented herb makes a delicate tea. Lemon balm’s uplifting and calming effect makes it a good choice of herbal tea if you’re stressed. It can also help with poor memory, and adding rosemary, another memory booster, will make it more interesting and stimulating. Davina makes a lip balm for cold sores using lemon balm infused oil as lemon balm (and melissa essential oil), has anti-viral properties and can also help fight the herpes virus that causes lip sores.
THYME. (Thymus vulgaris) - This popular culinary herb contains thymol, which is strongly antiseptic and antibacterial. Thyme is good for chest infections and coughs. The most effective way to use it for this purpose is to make a tea with the leaves and flowers. Ideally pick and dry it when the plant is in flower in the summer months. You could also try mixing it with sage, which is drying and helps with sore throats.
Note: Herbs can be potent so it’s worth consulting a qualified herbalist for treating something you’d usually go to the doctor for or if you’re are already taking medication.
