The School has a Baby!
- Dr Lucky Herbal Clinic
- Apr 6, 2018
- 3 min read
This, my friends, is the School of Herbal Medicine’s new baby…
It is Buchu [otherwise known as Barosma betulina].
Aymeric, our friendly head gardener at Cannington Walled Gardens [http://www.canningtonwalledgardens.co.uk/ – an offshoot of Bridgwater College] kindly agreed to sow some Buchu seeds for us. This was prompted by:
a] the fact that I personally find it irreplaceable as a part of my cystitis tea protocol [almost guaranteed problem solved in 3 days]
b] the price. Last time I looked it was about £60 a kg. That’s not the most expensive herb out there but still what I call, steep…
Out of all the seeds that were sown only one has germinated, so Aymeric is taking very good care of it and looking after it like a new born baby. I collected some more seeds from the herb that I had bought in, and he is going to have a second shot using a different medium. I shall just leave it up to him as he knows what he is doing.
I also used the opportunity to take him some Leptandra seeds to have a shot at, and to have a look at the orange flower blossom progress which he said I could harvest to use in the the school’s still. We then had a walk round the gardens, glasshouses and polytunnels identifying any plants which we use medicinally, and throwing some ideas around about what else he might be tempted to grow… I think I might have mentioned poisons…
Here are a few of the plants Aymeric showed me:
Houttuynia cordata this herb is commonly found in certain parts of China, Japan and South Asia.
It is broadly used to strengthen the immune and respiratory systems, and it has been described as acting like a natural anti-histamine which makes it good against seasonal allergies.
Plectrantus amboinicus [Cuban oregano] is thought to help soothe digestion, relax spasms, and it has antibiotic, expectorant and laxative effects. The leaf juice is mixed with sugar and given to children for coughs. In Venezuela this herb is taken to expel kidney stones, and in Curacao and Aruba it’s taken to relieve headaches. It is also supposed to contain good levels of Omega 3.
Plants of the Plectranthus genus contain a diterpene called forskolin. Forskolin, (primarily from the herb Indian coleus) has been developed into a drug which combined with the drug rolipram is used to treat heart disease, colon cancer and glaucoma. In recent years forskolin has also been touted as a weight loss aid.
Other compounds identified in the herb have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects that may be useful in the development of treatments for inflammatory diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis.
Cuban oregano leaves also contains volatile oils which have two compounds of particular interest called thymol and carvacrol. Both natural compounds have antibacterial and antifungal properties, and were ingredients originally used in the mouthwash Listerine and also Gold Bond Powder.
Geranium canariense [Canary Island geranium]
Used in the same way as Herb Robert.
Tea tree [Melaleuca alternifolia]
Tea tree oil is distilled from the leaves the plant, and it possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It can be used treat athlete’s foot, contact dermatitis or head lice, but it should never be swallowed.
Rue [Ruta graveolens]
The tops of fresh rue shoots are gathered before the plant flowers, and are used fresh or dry as a home remedy. Rue is valued for its flavonoids, particularly rutin, which strengthens blood vessels. Because of these flavonoids, rue has been used to strengthen the eyes, as an anthelmintic to treat parasitic worms, and as an antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant, hemostatic and stimulant. It is also used to induce vomiting and relieve gas. In large doses, however, rue can be toxic, and it should never be used by women who are pregnant or nursing. To treat coughs and stomach issues such as flatulence, it is given as an infusion. The juice of the rue plant has also been used to treat earaches.
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