Tina van Nispen - SACRED HERBS

Grow herbs in your garden and reap the benefits.

Herbs are easy to grow whether in the ground or in pots, most are easy maintenance and most of the plant is useable(depending on each species).

HERBS AS GROUND COVERS (all perennial):

ALEHOOF: Glechoma Hederacea Edible, medicinal, eye wash. Is a great alternative to growing grass.

Dense foliage, produces runners with upright stems & leaves, height up to 10cm, small blue flowers. Thrives in the shade and in moist conditions, grows slowly in dry, sunny positions.

BRAHMI: Bacopa Monniera Edible, medicinal. Sensitive ground cover, small leaves, creeping stems. Prefers moist, shady positions, spreads delicately, height of 2cm.

BERGAMOT: Monarda didyma   Edible, medicinal. Upright plant, up to a height of 1m, flowers during summer. Thrives in the shade, with well drained soils.

BROOKLIME Veronica baccabunga   Edible, Medicinal. Small leaves creeping stems, height 2cm, thrives in wet conditions.

LOVAGE: Levisticum officinalis Edible, medicinal. Moderate sized leaves, extends out via runners. Full sun or part shade, adaptable to soil conditions but drought sensitive.

PENNYROYAL: Mentha pulegium Strong creeping stems, small leaves, upright purple flowers up to a height of 15cm. Thrives in damp conditions, adaptable though. Great to walk on as the scent deters flies, mosquitos and fleas.

PEPPERMINT: Dies down over winter, in spring / summer spreads easily and is adaptable. Is of benefit to the digestive system.

SELF HEAL: Prunella vulgaris
Dark green leaves 2-5ch long with flowers up to a height of 12cm. Thrives in shady damp conditions, adapts to all conditions but drought sensitive.   Flowers have high antioxidant properties, ingest in a herbal tea.

YARROW: Medicinal, garden uses, compost, etc. Benefits fruit trees as a ground cover, height 40cm. Is adaptable to most conditions.

EDIBLE & MEDICINAL:

BRONZE FENNEL: Foeniculum vulgare Root, leaves, seeds can be used to flavour an assortment of meals. Benefits vary as to what part of the Fennel you use. Hardy plant, adapts well, height of 1m.

FEVERFEW: Chrysanthemum parthenium Fresh is best, nibble straight out of garden or put in salads, sandwiches. Has a strong bitter taste but is one of the strongest pain killing herbs. Attractive plant, with flowers similar to chammomile, height 40cm, adaptable to most conditions.

GOTU KOLA: Centella asiatica Fresh is best, nibble straight out of garden or put in salads, sandwiches. Part shade, moist soils. Long stem with leaf, height 15cm, multiplies by runners.

HERB ROBERT: Geranium Robertianum Fresh is best, nibble straight out of the garden or add to salads, sandwiches or use as a foot bath . Depending on the conditions and time of year as to how this plant will grow, whether leaves from one central point (summer) or branches of stems spreading out (winter), this herb is definitely worth eating regularly to increase or maintain your health.

LEBANESE CRESS: Aethionema cordifolum Fresh is best, nibble straight out of garden or add to salads, sandwiches. Easy growing salad plant, crispy and pleasant to eat.   Semi shade, moist alkaline soil, the more you eat the more it grows.

LEMON BALM: Can add to various meals to enhance flavours. Other uses: skin toner, clothes rinse, pot pourri. Easy plant to grow, adaptable yet drought sensitive.

HERBS WITH OTHER USES:

CATNIP: Deters mosquitos, sparingly with food, medicinal. Branches out easily, 1.5m x 1m, use leaves, branches sap, to rub on yourself to deter mosquitoes.

LAVENDER: Prefers full sun, poor well limed soil. Deters insects, can be used as a disinfectant, flowers can be used to make a strong infusion, then add to the rinse cycle of clothes for scent, freshness and as an insect repellent.

MUGWORT: Artemisia vulgaris Medicinal, culinary. In the ground it will spread easily, in a pot it will be contained. Thrives in part shade, composted soil but is adaptable. Place a sprig under your pillow to enhance the imagery and memory of your dreams. A Mugwort foot /bath will relieve tired muscles, gout, rheumatism.

We have over 120 medicinal herbs growing during spring, summer, amongst other edible plants. There is a diverse selection of plants available to purchase that are not listed here.   Also available is the Sacred Herb, medicinal herb uses book, outlining 21 herbs for health, happiness and easy maintenance in the garden.   Please contact us for further details.

CULINARY SUGGESTIONS WITH HERBS:

ALEHOOF: Young leaves in salads, soups, savoury dishes, stuffing’s, egg dishes, steamed like spinach.
Minerals: calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iodine, iron.

BERGAMOT: Young leaves chopped sparingly in salads, flowers to garnish with.

BORAGE: Flowers and leaves in salads, soups.   Flowers are great for decorating desserts with.
Vitamin ABC Minerals: calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, silica.

BRAHMI: eat fresh constantly, in salads and /or sandwiches.

CATNIP: Sparingly in salads, season meats.
Vitamin A,B.C Minerals: Calcium, chromium, iron, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, zinc, potassium, magnesium, manganese, cobalt, sulphur.

CHICKWEED: Whole aerial plant, leaves, stems, flowers, one-two cups a day in salads.
Vitamins: A.B.C   Minerals: chromium, molybdenum, sodium, selenium, silicon, magnesium, potassium, iron, sulphur, silica, manganese, zinc, cobalt, phosphorus, copper.

CNIDIUM: Seeds flavours meats, savoury dishes, ferry leaves garnish.

DANDELION: Young leaves in salads, steamed or and added to Asian meals, (stir fries etc).
Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E Minerals: Rich in calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, selenium, silicon, zinc, boron.

FEVERFEW: Young leaves sparingly in salads, sandwiches.
Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C Minerals: calcium, cobalt, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, chromuim, selenium, silicon, sodium, zinc, very high in iron.

HERB ROBERT: leaves, flowers eat fresh constantly, in salads and /or sandwiches.
Vitamins A,B.C. Minerals calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, germanium, manganese, sodium.

LEMON BALM: leaves and flowers to flavour meat, savoury, sweet dishes, soups and salads.
Vitamin ABC.

PARSLEY: salads, garnish, sauces, stuffing’s, just about everything.
Vitamins: A, B, B2, B3, C, E Minerals: calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, iodine, sodium, phosphorus

YARROW: finely chopped leaves sparingly added to salads, garnish on soups. Leaves can be steamed like spinach. Leaves can be dried and powdered to use as a pepper like flavouring.
Vitamins A.B1, B2, B3, C Minerals: calcium, chromium, cobalt, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, sulphur.

For all enquiries,etc please feel free to contact me for more information relating to this workshop or anything else on this website. Thank you.

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