The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 10 Spring 2014 | Page 27

Healing herbs

Peppermint
Used to treat digestive
disorders, including irritable
bowel syndrome and flatulence.
It also improves mental
alertness and concentration.
Growing tip
This easy-to-grow plant
loves to take over and might
become a nuisance if you
don’t watch over it - cut it back
every now and again. This
will also help it to branch out
more. Always a good idea to
plant it under the garden taps
in the sun, as it thrives there
and needs no further watering.

Lemon Grass
How to dry herbs
A wonderfully aromatic and
refreshing herb for colds, flu
and fever. It also improves
blood circulation, so is
beneficial in times of stress.
Add a few stalks to your pot of
black tea for a zingy cup of tea.
Growing tip
This sun-loving herb multiplies
quickly and can be easily
propagated by division.

It is very easy to dry and
preserve herbs for future use:

•

Tie them up in small bunches
and hang them in a warm, dry
and dark area, which has good
air circulation. Hanging herbs
in a dark area will preserve the
colour.
Avoid sunlight, as it will destroy
the flavour and the taste.
Once dry, place in airtight
containers.

Petalilli Herbal Teas

Nettle
A wonder herb for treating
arthritis and gout.
Growing tip
Grow this perennial herb
in an area with rich, moist
conditions a little away from
your other herbs. Watch out
for the sting when you harvest
the leaves - wear gloves!

Lemon Balm
Natures calming remedy for
our stressful lifestyle today.
Use for insomnia, restlessness
and anxiety - suitable for
hyperactive children too.
Leaves are best picked in the
cooler times of the day.
Growing tip
Take cuttings in mid-summer
to propagate quickly as
growing from seed is slow. It
likes a moist soil in a position
well shaded in the hotter
hours of the day, yet sunny for
the rest.

If you don’t have the space, time or
inclination to grow and make your
own herbal teas there is a beautiful
range of certified organic, locally
grown herbal tea blends on the
market called Petalilli Herbal Teas.
There are 8 varieties, 4 simple magic
herbs- Chamomile, Peppermint,
Lemon Verbena, Rose Geranium, and
4 blends - Innocence, Lemon Zen,
Clear the Clutter and Healing Warrior.
These are available from the Vitamin
Bar at the Bridge Spar or on Hurworth
Road, Highlands.
All these herbs are available from
Environment Africa,
Queen Elizabeth Ave, Greendale.

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