Most of our South African herbs are used for their medicinal properties and now, fortunately, more information has become available through the efforts of many dedicated people and from a grateful, now more enlightened public, we thank you.  This has meant that many indigenous plants and their usefulness are now available to the gardener.

Need a bandage … take a leaf out of nature’s book.  We are fortunate to have growing prolifically on our property various types of the Hermaniaspecies.  Commonly known as the  plaster bush, this low growing indigenous plant has our utmost respect.  A few plucked leaves are rolled between the fingers and placed over a cleansed and disinfected wound, (an infusion of the leaves can be used externally to do this and also eases rashes and wounds) held for a few moments, then bandaged and the healing allowed to take place.  During the dry summer months the “steekgras” becomes a menace and many a deep dog wound has been healed by these heady scented bushes.  In the evenings the scent is all pervasive and slows the mind into a wonderfully relaxed state.  The tiny yellow/orange flowers make an excellent addition to pot pourri mixes, but care should be taken to allow seeding to take place for the first few seasons.

Heard of Arctotheca calendula (the dune calendula)?  This little yellow daisy type flower is regarded as a weed and grows in open spaces, especially where the ground has been disturbed.  Don’t throw them away.  The petals make a wonderful infusion or tincture to disinfect wounds, bites, rashes, eczema, acne and general skin irritations.  Fill a third of a jar with freshly plucked petals and cover with a 50/50 mix of water and good quality vodka.  Leave in a sunny spot for at least 2 months.  Shake once a day.  During personal emotional upsets I have found a flower essence made from the petals uplifting and able to diminish mental anguish.

Sutherlandia frutescens (Cancer bush) has a variety of uses.  The red flowers and leaves are used to make an infusion for fevers and the washing of wounds. A highly effective tincture can be made from these aerial parts to aid digestion, ulcers, colds, flu, coughs, asthma, kidney ailments, rheumatism and stress.  I use this mixed with Rooiwortel to fight infections in both humans and animals with great success.

The little Agathosma’s (wild Buchu’s) send out pompons of tiny white or pink flowers.  These fragrant little shrubs scent the air with a deliciously wild aroma, attracting hundreds of bees.  The leaves of these little bushes are used in oil extractions to treat rheumatic and arthritic pains.  Infusions can be added to the bath for the same relief. The leaves can be rubbed over insect bites.  These plants were once used (and probably still are!) mixed with fat to make a wonderful perfume.

Another plant growing in our gardens is the Blou Blom Salie (Salvia africana-coerulea).  Similar in medicinal properties to northern hemisphere Sage, this attractive sky reaching bush eases coughs, colds, stomach ailments, diarrhoea, colic, heartburn and indigestion.  To one cup of boiling water add a tablespoon of fresh leaves. Cover the cup and allow to draw for 5 minutes.  Strain, cool slightly and sip. A fresh leaf chewed helps ease a sore throat.  A good cough mixture is made from 1 heaped tablespoon of leaves mixed with 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.  Take 1 teaspoon every hour until finished.  Plant at the back of your garden bed or place in the middle with lower growing plants around.  As this plant requires minimum watering it is ideal for water wise gardening.

Rooiwortel (Bulbine natalensis) has proved to be a highly effective blood cleanser and infection fighter.  The sap from the leaves is squeezed onto wounds, burns, rashes, ringworm and cracked lips.  The root is dug up in part and used in tincture form (use brandy) for diarrhoea, rheumatism, blood disorders and assists the immune system in fighting off infections.  A piece of root roughly 8 cm in length, cut up into thick pieces is enough to make about 1 litre of tincture, which turns quite red, hence the name.

Kattekrui (Ballota africana) is another valuable indigenous herb.  An infusion of the leaves helps to break fevers, ease colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis and headaches.  An infusion applied externally is most helpful in relieving haemorrhoids.  Steep a heaped teaspoon of fresh or a flat teaspoon of dried herb for 10 minutes in boiling water (remember to cover the cup so as to keep all the medicinal properties from steaming away), strain and sip.  This can be used 3 times a day.  Stop after the third day for a 2 day break before continuing.

Another sun loving plant is Bulbine.  This herb has juicy leaves which when snapped open produce a thick juice that is used on insect bites, sunburn, rashes, cracked lips (the taste isn’t great, but the cure is effective and the relief instantaneous), cracked feet, eczema etc. I have planted this all over the garden so that wherever I am I can avail myself of the leaves as the insects gather for blood tasting contests. The flowers are a delight in the garden and are often flowering when all else is hiding.

 A plant that has medicinal qualities, but is much maligned, is Cannabis.  The leaves are not only a source of drug intoxication, but are a truly beneficial part of the garden first aid box.  The leaves can be harvested to make an outstanding fertilizer.  I saw off the root part of the plant and then tear the leaves and cut the stems and place this in a bucket, which is then topped up with water.  This is covered and allowed to stand for at least a year.  The resulting liquid is used diluted with mixtures from other herb prunings as a soil food and pest “confuser”.  Each year I plant a salad bed – tomatoes, lettuce, spring onions, green peppers, chillies, basil, parsley and celery.  They thrive on this fertiliser and I find that the insects are brought under control. Unfortunately banned in many countries, this wonderful plant is a medicine chest on its own. The medicinal properties of this plant are endless treating such conditions as flu, colds, coughs, bronchitis, asthma, TB, indigestion, insomnia, eczema, shingles, allergies, arthritis, rheumatism, childbirth, inflammation, fevers, relieves chronic pain, stimulates the appetite, prevents nausea, reduces blood pressure, alleviates depression etc. etc…..  Tinctures can be made and will last up to 2 years if kept at a fairly constant temperature.  Flower Essences can be made from the flowers to aid first time mothers prepare for childbirth.

Helichrysum Petiolare  (Koeigoed)   - Most of the species of helichrysum are aromatic and have woolly leaves and the ends of the straggling branches are covered in a white/gold flower, which blooms for a good length of time.  The H. petiolare scents the air during late spring and early summer with a delicious curry flavour.  This scraggly shrub or creeper tends to sprawl all over the garden, climbing into other trees and over shrubs without smothering the host plant. The leaves, roots and twigs are used to treat coughs, colds, flu, fever, chest complaints, headaches, menstrual pain, asthma, stress, backache, kidney ailments and high blood pressure.  The leaves can be used as a wound dressing and a steam bath is used to treat fevers and associated nightmares. The ash from the burnt plant is mixed with vegetable or animal fat to make an effective ointment for bruises. The lovely scented flowers make an unusual addition to pot pourri and should you have an invasion of insects, try placing some of the leaves and flowers around your sleeping area for relief.  The leaves dried and powdered can be sprinkled in the house for general insect control. Oil can be made from the aerial parts and used to treat muscular aches and pains.