Page 10 - FEB2020

herb guru - wild mint, feverfew & horehound

One of my most inspiring herbal trips was to Margaret Roberts’ nursery in de
Wildt. I had written to her before visiting, explaining the need for phyto-
sanitary certificates and the like, and I had a list of plants on my import
permit, and could she help me? Well on arrival, I felt a little like Charlie might
have in Willy Wonka’s factory. The gardens were immaculate and full of
treasures, and on meeting her, she passed me a bag full of seeds and
cherished plants that she thought I might like too, such as the Pachira nut and
Giant granadilla. Her knowledge passed on through books and to all those
who met her, will be a legacy long remembered. S.C (Text & photos)

Mentha longifolia -Wild mint - While many
different species of mint exist, only Mentha aquatica and
Mentha longifolia are indigenous to the southern african
region. Wild mint is a fast-growing, perennial herb that
grows like most mints, it needs lots of water and sun.
As a tea, it is drunk as a tension reducer for indigestion,
stress, colic, flatulence and heartburn. Externally, wild
mint has been used to treat wounds and swollen glands.
In her book ‘Indigenous healing herbs’, Margaret Roberts
mentions its different uses.
Medicinal, edible - Tanacetum parthenium or feverfew,

is native to Eurasia. The plant is a perennial, with pretty daisy-like flowers,
that has been used to treat fever and headaches for centuries. It should be
used sparingly, and James Wong has a good recipe of blending it with
butter, to reduce the bitter taste. It makes for a good container plant, does
well in sun, is fairly drought tolerant, and readily self seeds, so watch out
it doesn’t take over your garden. The whole stem is an insect repellent, and
planted near roses, helps deter aphids.

Repellent - Marrubium vulgare or white horehound
is native to Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern and central Asia. It is
a perennial plant that has been used medicinally since the 1st century BC,
as an expectorant, antiseptic, and treating a variety of disorders, though no
studies have proved its efficacy. The leaves and flowering tops are used as
flavouring, and leaves infused in milk are reportedly an efficient fly killer,
and grasshopper repellent. It is currently growing in my garden and although
supposedly drought tolerant, it prefers regular watering, and does very well.

pg10
**When taking herbs, one should always consult one’s health practitioner for the safe and appropriate use of that herb.**