It’s funny how things go round in circles. As recently as 100 years ago, plants from gardens and the wild were routinely used to help alleviate illness and injury – it was as accepted a wisdom as wearing extra woollies on a cold winter’s day. With the advent of man-made pharmaceuticals, this ancient knowledge began to slip away – but now we’re turning once more to nature’s own remedies.
Fears about the effects of artificial chemicals and resistance to drugs ranging from antibiotics to head-lice lotions have led us to reconsider the medicinal properties of our plant life. And a growing body of scientific research is proving what our great-grandparents took for granted – that the natural chemicals in herbs and roots can do us a power of good.
A word of caution: unlike medicines that come in measured quantities, herbs do not, and too much of anything may not agree with you, especially if you are pregnant. So start off small.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Everyone can have a pot of basil growing indoors, and no one needs reminding that the aromatic leaves and tomatoes are a partnership made in heaven.
- According to ancient lore, basil placed by an open window can repel insects – and, says the Herb Society of America, the leaves can be rubbed on insect bites and stings to take away the pain.
- Basil is also known to improve digestion, and a drop of basil oil on a hankie held up to your nose is said to stimulate the brain.
- Recipes with basil.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Garlic has been used since records began for its health-giving properties, and its powers are legendary. Egyptian pyramid builders and Roman soldiers were fed garlic regularly to help keep them fit – not surprising, when you consider that it contains iron and vitamins and is mildly antibiotic. During the First World War, French doctors had great success treating gunshot wounds with garlic-impregnated dressings.
- Recent studies at the University of Munich indicate that garlic can indeed help ward off the common cold.
- Recipes with garlic.
Ginger (Zingiber offininale)
- According to recent research at Exeter University, ginger can soothe the symptoms of coughs, colds and influenza.
- Traditionally, ginger is used to treat motion sickness when travelling and morning sickness in pregnancy.Recipes with ginger.
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)
- The volatile oil is sharp and pungent and is released by grating the root. It evaporates quickly, so grate at the last minute into a freshly made sauce or, if you believe ancient folk lore, stick your nose in it and clear your sinuses.Good for digestion, too.
- Plus, if your chilblains are playing up, your rheumatism is getting you down or your muscles are just plain stiff, a poultice made with grated horseradish root applied to the spot will ease the discomfort.Recipes with horseradish.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
- The leaves are covered in boiling water and infused as a tea, and a few drops of the oil can be used to clean oily skin or make a hot bath even more relaxing.
- A comparatively new addition to the medicinal armoury, lemongrass is also said to have toning and antiseptic properties.
- Recipes with lemongrass.
Mustard (Brassica)
In the first century AD, Pliny listed 40 remedies, all with mustard as the main ingredient.
- A mustard poultice is said to draw blood to the skin or lungs and relieve pain from arthritis, rheumatism and chilblains.
- Mustard plasters have been used to combat chest congestion for over 2,000 years
- Although not as popular in the West as they once were, they are still used in many parts of the world to treat bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, pleurisy, lumbago and sciatica.
- Recipes with mustard.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
- The oil of this blue-grey leaved shrub is strongly antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and said to strengthen the memory: ancient Greek students wore garlands in examinations to help them do well. Queen Isabella of Hungary – 72 and crippled with gout and rheumatism – started taking a mixture of rosemary tips and alcohol, which is said to have restored her beauty to such an extent that the King of Poland proposed to her!
- More recently, the extract rosmarinic acid has been used in trials in the USA as a treatment for Alzheimer’s sufferers.
- Recipes with rosemary.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
- Chinese herbalists believe sage aids digestion, and has antiseptic and antifungal properties, which is why they use it to sort out all sorts of complaints from diarrhoea, excessive sweating, coughs and colds.
- Fascinatingly, they also think it contains oestrogen, so sage is used to treat menopausal symptoms.
- Recipes with sage.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
- Ancient Egyptians prized the preservative properties of thyme and used it to embalm their rulers, Roman soldiers put it in their baths for vigour, and the ancient Greeks added it to massage oils to ease headaches.
- It was valued against the plague, still reflected in today’s Maundy Thursday posies. Infuse with boiling water as a tea to help with digestion and, if you’ve overdone it the night before, a hangover.
- Recipes with thyme.