Many Botanicals have medicinal uses that we are unaware of, and by simply adding them to your diet, you are offering nutrient rich and healing properties to your body.

Essential oils are distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, and roots of many of these plants and offer healing through the wonderful therapy known as Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy works by stimulating the smell receptors in the nose, which then send messages through the nervous system to the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions. Furthermore, the medicinal properties offered by the plant will impact on the various areas of the body.

Here is a list of some common herbs used in the culinary world by using parts of the plant and are used to distil essential oils.

Mint ​

Uses: Rich in nutrients, improves digestive complaints, may help relieve indigestion, ​could improve brain function, improves cold, symptoms.​

Easy to add to your diet. ​

Make tea with fresh leaves, and use leaves in salads or salad dressings.

Rosemary ​

Uses: The herb has been hailed since ancient times for its medicinal properties. Rosemary was traditionally used to help alleviate muscle pain,

improve memory, boost the immune and circulatory systems, and promote hair growth.

Rose Geranium ​

Uses Antioxidant & anti-ageing properties, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, analgesic and anti-anxiety properties.

Helichrysum​

Uses: Allergies​

Colds and cough​

Skin inflammation​

Wound healing​

Muscle and joint inflammation

Fennel ​

Uses: Fennel is used for various digestive problems including heartburn, intestinal gas, bloating, loss of appetite, and colic in infants. It is also used for upper respiratory tract infections, coughs, bronchitis, cholera, backache, bedwetting, and visual problems.​

Make teas and salad dressings with fresh leaves.

Basil​

Uses: Basil is used for stomach spasms, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, kidney conditions, fluid retention, head colds, warts, and worm infections. It is also used to treat snake and insect bites. ​

Make pesto, and eat the fresh leaves.

Artemisia Afra – Named after the Greek goddess Artemis, this soft aromatic shrub is one of the most popular medicinal plants in South Africa. Easy to grow, Artemisia is an essential part of the herb garden, and with its silver-grey foliage, it makes a striking display in any garden. Uses: coughs, colds, fever, loss of appetite, colic, headache, earache. ​

Make a cough syrpy by boiling the leaves for 10 minutes. Add lemon, honey and ginger to hide the bitter taste.

Eucalyptus ​

Uses: ​Mosquito repellent, clear stuffy nose, eases arthritis pain, household grime fighter.​

Opens airways and helps with congestion.

Gardenia​

Uses:​ Fragrance, anxiety, well-being.

Lemon Verbena ​Uses: Digestive Health​

Lemon Verbena tea has a long history of use to promote digestion and relieve digestive complaints. It has anti-spasmodic qualities which can relieve symptoms of indigestion, digestive cramp, bloating and flatulence. Treats insomnia and muscle pain.​

​Need a lemony bite in your dish? Add chopped fresh lemon verbena leaves. Fresh leaves are also especially useful in salad dressings, marinades, and herb pastes. Even better, try adding a tablespoon of chopped fresh lemon verbena leaves to a fruit salad​

Make tea with the fresh leaves.

Lavender :

Uses: Anxiety, Insomnia, Burns, Insect bites,​ Antiseptic, Anti-inflammatory.

^{Artemisia afra – Named after the Greek goddess Artemis, this soft aromatic shrub is one of the most popular medicinal plants in South Africa. Easy to grow, Artemisia is an essential part of the herb garden, and with its silver-grey foliage, it makes a striking display in any garden. Uses: coughs, colds, fever, loss of appetite, colic, headache, earache.} ​

^{Make a cough syrpy by boiling the leaves for 10 minutes. Add lemon, honey and ginger to hide the bitter taste.}