The use of herbs as medicinal plants goes back centuries, and that includes our own indigenous medicinal herbs. Starting with the Khoisan, herbs like wormwood (Artemisia afra), the cancer bush (Sutherlandia frutescens or Lessertia frutescens), wild rosemary (Eriocephalus africanus) and bulbinella (Bulbine frutescens) have a long history within all indigenous societies, used for treating winter-related ailments, healing wounds and building immunity.
Herb gardeners may be more familiar with herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley and garlic as winter healing herbs, but there is a fascinating world of medicinal plants on our doorstep waiting to be discovered.
According to Medicinal Plants of South Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk, Bosch van Oudtshoorn and Nigel Gericke (Briza), there are some 3 000 species of plants that are used medicinally in South Africa, and of these 350 are commonly used and traded as medicinal plants.
The Briza book is an invaluable guide to this world, giving detailed information on each medicinal plant as well as a list of plants according to ailments. Another resource is SANBI’s PlantZAfrica website, which celebrates the plants of Southern Africa (www.pza.sanbi.org)
Not all of our indigenous medicinal plants are easily available, unless you like hiking though the veld and know your plants. That said, more are finding their way into garden centres, onto herb stands and into indigenous nurseries to satisfy adventurous herb growers.
Good to know when to use medicinal herbs
Medicinal herbs should not replace medical treatment. Pregnant women and people suffering from chronic or serious conditions should first consult their doctor.
Esta historia es de la edición May 2021 de The Gardener.
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Esta historia es de la edición May 2021 de The Gardener.
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FIRE AND Feathers!
On a dreary winter's day, a screen of fiery and feathery leaves puts up a fight against dullness!
GET THE ladies in!
At this time of year, early-flowering shrubs vie with each other to get the most attention. We say: Trust those with female names for frills and butterflies. They go the extra mile to flower their hearts out.
Vegetable Soups and dumplings
Vegetables make the most delicious soups and classic combinations are always a winner.
Yummy sweet potatoes for your good health
Boiled, baked or braaied, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a delicious and healthy winter comfort food. Just a dollop of butter, a little seasoning and you are good to go.
Pretty and functional
If cooking is your main thing, you would probably be more interested in the culinary value of the three herbs and some of their varieties we are describing.
Dried Seedheads & Pods
Autumn and winter are the best times to see what flowers produce the best seedheads that can be left on the plants to feed the birds and bugs and for harvesting for dried arrangements.
SO MANY FACES and so many choices...
Whoever associated a Cotyledon orbiculata (pig's ear) with the ear of a pig obviously did not know about all the varieties and cultivars this species in the genus Cotyledon has.
COLOURFUL Cold Weather WINNERS!
If it comes to a vote, these dependable shrubs will be the top candidates for prime performance in winter and in other seasons...
What makes a garden sustainable?
It is interesting to note that the United Nations defines sustainable development as: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Nurturing NATURE-The Story of Kraal Garden's Transformation
Nestled within Prince Albert's rustic embrace lies a gem that is a testament to the transformative power of human vision and nature's bounty.