Grow your own drugs: a medicine cabinet in your garden

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/features/article5817587.ece

Sage honey for sore throat

Pungent sage leaves (Salvia officinalis) contain antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties. The herb that it takes its name from the Latin verb “to save”. Combined with the antibacterial and healing properties of honey, this makes a great soother.

Ingredients

1 large bunch fresh sage leaves

Enough runny honey (buy sage honey if you can) to cover the leaves

Method

1. Wash and dry the sage leaves and place in a small pan with enough honey to cover. Simmer gently for 1 hour. Allow to cool to a temperature you can handle. (Be careful; sugar solutions and honey can become very hot and cause scalding.)

2. Strain the honey into a sterilised jar containing a sprig of sage, if desired.

Use

Take 1 tsp whenever needed to soothe a sore throat. You can also use to sweeten and medicate hot lemon drinks for colds and flu; take 3-4 times a day when needed.

Neem nit treatment for head lice

This recipe, free of organophosphates, uses plant extracts with known insecticidal properties to kill lice and nits.

Ingredients

20 tbsp (100g) fresh rosemary leaves

20 tbsp (25g) fresh lavender flowers

200ml neem oil

200ml almond oil

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp tea tree oil

Method

1. Strip the leaves and flowers from their sprigs.

2. Combine the neem and almond oil in a measuring jug.

3. Crush half the rosemary and lavender with a mortar and pestle with a little of the oil. Place the mashed-up herbs in a saucepan. Repeat with the second half of the herbs, again adding oil for crushing.

4. Place the crushed herbs, neem and almond oil in the pan, and add the chopped garlic. Heat gently for about 20 mins.

5. Strain through a sieve lined with muslin. Add the tea tree oil to the reserved oil, stir, then filter into a sterilised 500ml bottle.

Use

Apply to dry hair, making sure that the hair is covered and that the oil penetrates to the scalp. Cover with a towel and leave on for at least 1 hour, or overnight if possible. Then wash off with two applications of shampoo. Apply conditioner and comb through with a nit comb. Use the next application 7 days later to deal with any new nits.

Goji Berry and Shitake Soup to boost your immune system

In China, soups rather than teas are the traditional way of administering health-giving herbs. This one is packed with nutrients that help to boost immunity and generally ease the symptoms of colds and flu. Eat this soup as soon as you feel a cold coming on.

Ingredients

2 tbsp dried Echinacea root

200 ml water, freshly boiled

5 tbsp goji berries, fresh or dried

2 litres chicken stock (homemade or from stock cubes)

3 chicken thighs or drumsticks (preferably organic)

2 large onions, peeled and sliced

12 shitake mushrooms, thinly sliced

10 cm root ginger, peeled and shredded

2 fresh medium-sliced chillies, finely sliced

8 garlic cloves, chopped

Extra sliced ginger and chillies, to serve

Method

Combine the dried echinacea root with the water in a bowl to make a simple infusion. In another bowl, pour just enough cold water over the goji berries to cover, and leave to rehydrate. Set the echinacea and goji berries aside and leave to stand.

Place the stock and chicken pieces in a large pan or slow cooker. Add the sliced onions, mushrooms, ginger and chillies and place around the chicken in the pan. On a very low heat, simmer gently for 1½ - 2 hours, or until the chicken is tender and falls apart. Take off the heat.

Five minutes before serving, add the goji berries and chopped garlic. Finally, strain the Echinacea infusion and add this to the soup, reheating if necessary.

Use

Serve by ladling into bowls and garnishing with sliced ginger and chilli for an extra kick.