Latin name: Mentha longifolia subsp. capensis
Characteristics: This perennial herb is extremely aromatic with a typical mint flavour. It grows to a height of about 80cm and boasts slender leaves, as well as sprays of fine, pointed, white or purple-pink flowers that appear at the ends of the upright stems.
Growing tips: These plants grow in most climatic
regions but prefer moist soil and full sun or
light shade.
Uses: Fresh leaves are used to make an infusion
to treat lung ailments, insomnia, constipation
and menstrual pain. The leaves can be placed
under the bed linen if someone has difficulty
breathing, while the twigs and flowers are ideal
for flower and herb posies.
Bulbine
Latin name: Bulbine frutescens and
Bulbine logopus
Characteristics: Bulbine frutescens (also
known as creeping copaiba or cat's tail) has
fleshy grey-green leaves and star-shaped
yellow flowers and Bulbine logopus has orange
flowers with fluffy stamens. The flowers are
borne on long stems and protrude from the
tufted plants.
Growing tips: These plants are popular among
gardeners, especially in mass plantings,
because they are hardy, do not need much
water and flower profusely when they are
planted in full sun. Grow the plants from seeds
and cuttings or by dividing existing plants.
Uses: The leaves are filled with a clear sap
or jelly and can be mashed and used as a
hot compress to treat abrasions, wounds
and sunburn. You can also simply break off
a leaf and rub it on chapped lips, mosquito
bites, eczema, pimples and fever blisters.
It also helps stop small cuts or grazes
from bleeding.
Purple wild garlic
Latin name: Tulbaghia violacea
Characteristics: Purple wild garlic grows in tufts
and has grey-green leaves that smell like garlic
when crushed. The purple-pink flower heads
are borne on graceful, long stems. They attract
a large variety of butterflies but repel aphids
and snakes.
Growing tips: The plants are drought and frost
resistant and look lovely in the foreground of
shrub beds, along footpaths, in rose gardens or
in patches in rockeries. They flower all summer
until late in autumn and do best in full sun or
light shade.
Uses: Traditionally, wild garlic is used to treat
asthma, rheumatism, fever, colds, high blood
pressure and TB. The leaves can be eaten in
salads or other dishes and the root tubers are
traditionally carried in a small bag around the
neck, which apparently also keeps vampires
at bay.
Honey everlasting
Latin name:
Helichrysum patulum
Characteristics: This lovely
garden plant has soft, felt-like
aromatic leaves. They are a
deep green on top and covered
with a whitish felt. The large,
flat flower heads consist of a
dense collection of small creamcoloured
flowers with a fresh
honey scent.
Growing tips: Honey everlasting
is extremely hardy, unafraid of
drought or cold, and likes full
sun. Grow it from cuttings and
divide the adult plants.
Uses: In the past, the aromatic
leaves, twigs and dry flowers
were used as bedding because
they repel parasites and insects
and ensure a good night's
sleep. The leaves are boiled
in milk to treat colds and
coughs, while the steam can
be inhaled to relieve pain. Leaf
compresses are also used on
wounds to prevent infection.