and antiseptic. Essential oil can be applied direct to the skin to treat burns, bruising and aching or tense muscles. In skincare the oil can be used to alleviate dry skin conditions, acne, dermatitis and rosecea. It stimulates cell renewal and healing so is a useful ingredient in many skincare preparations.
Grow Sow seeds under cover in spring. Germination takes around three weeks. Take softwood cuttings in late spring. Once these take root they can be planted up on the drier, southern side of the herb spiral.
Harvest Cut flowers in summer just as they open.
Uses Make a scented oil that can be used to relax and soothe tired bodies and minds. Place sachets of dried lavender leaves and flowers in wardrobes to deter moths or under pillows to aid sleep.
Rosemary
A hardy perennial evergreen with flower spikes of tiny violet blooms starting in early spring to early summer. Needle shaped green leaves.
Grow Sow under protection in early spring – germination takes 7 to 14 days – or take cuttings of new growth in summer after flowers have finished. Pot-up when well rooted and plant out on the southern banks of the herb spiral the following year.
Harvest Pick leaves throughout the year.
Uses As well as aiding memory retention and recovery from long-term illness, this herb can make a good insect repellent. Rub leaves into temples to alleviate headaches. A hair rinse can be made from the leaves.
Camomile
This hardy evergreen perennial produces large single white daisy-like flowers throughout the summer. Leaves are green and sweet-smelling.
Grow Start off in early spring under cover. Germination usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. Take cuttings or divide plants in the spring, to start new plants. They can then be planted-up on the eastern side of the herb spiral to catch the early morning sun.
Harvest Pick flowers as they open and dry them or use fresh.
Uses Due to the plant’s sedative properties the dried flowers are used to treat insomnia, digestive disorders and travel sickness. A hair rinse can be made for fair hair. Tea made from the dried flowers can also be used to make a rinse for use in homemade baby wipes and as a treatment for irritated skin.
Borage
A pretty flowering hardy annual that originates from the Mediterranean. Also known as starflower this herb was traditionally given to Roman soldiers for courage and comfort. The plant has several culinary and medicinal uses. Blue star-shaped flowers bloom from early summer to the first frosts. The mild green leaves are bristly, oval and succulent.
Grow Sow seeds into pots in early spring under protection. Germination takes from 5 to 14 days. When ready to plant out, position on the western side of the slopes of the herb spiral.
Harvest Pick fresh flowers just as they begin to open fully. You can preserve them in ice cubes. The leaves taste good in soups and salads.
Uses A facial steam for dry sensitive skin can be made with borage leaves as well as the flowers.
Wild strawberry
A hardy perennial with small white flowers that give way to tiny red fruit in the summer months. Leaves are also edible.
Grow Pick fruit, dry them on cloth and then rub off seeds into a tray of moist compost in the autumn. Germination takes 6 to 10 weeks. Cover with a plastic bag to protect and keep warm. Plant out on the western side of the spiral when large enough to handle. The mature plants produce runners that can be trained into pots to make new plants. Place a pot full of compost under the green shoot at the end of the runner. Cut away from the main plant once rooted.
Harvest Pick ripe fruit from summer through to early autumn.
Uses Can be made into a treatment to prevent discolouration of teeth.
Other possibilities for the herb spiral
Sweet violet This creeping evergreen perennial grows to approximately 15 cm (6 in). Both the leaves and flowers are tasty in winter salads. It can be used as a gentle expectorant and is excellent for breast health. Can be made into a poultice to treat breast lumps and mastitis.
Sorrel This native perennial will reach a mature size of 60 cm (24 in) high and 30 cm (11¾ in) wide. It is very tolerant of a range of conditions, and is easily grown. Delicious when eaten in salads and a good source of nutrients.
Lemon balm At maturity, this herb is 70 cm (27½ in) tall and 40 cm (16 in) wide. It is very tolerant of a range of conditions and will succeed in light shade. The lemon-flavoured leaves can be used to make a refreshing tea that is uplifting and often used in treatment of depression or anxiety.
Wild garlic Grows well in wet soils and will reach a height of up to 30 cm (11¾ in). The garlic-flavoured leaves are available in late winter/early spring and can be used in place of garlic in cooking.
Treating ailments
The following pages include many common ailments, illnesses and medical conditions that can be successfully treated or soothed using natural remedies. The ailments are grouped by bodily systems but you may find that you need to look in more than one section to find the selection of treatments that will work for you.
Mind and emotions
Mentally, we are all affected by the situations that surround us. Sometimes this can become overwhelming and we can suffer from stress. If you regularly suffer from insomnia, depression, anxiety, feeling foggy-headed, dizziness, nausea, feeling drained of energy, or suffer from persistent bacterial and viral infections, it’s time to take action. These symptoms of exhaustion are now widespread and can, at worst, lead to physical collapse.
Diet and physical exercise are both vital for mental health. We really are what we eat. Caffeine, sugar and fats can play havoc on our bodies and affect our well-being, so think carefully about what you’re eating. If you are having persistent problems then a food sensitivity test might be a good idea, and an experienced nutritionist may be able to help. You may find that some foods are not being processed effectively, which can cause you to feel both mentally and physically out of balance. Wheat, yeast, dairy and sugar are the usual culprits. Try eliminating these from your diet one at a time over the course of a week to check how your body reacts to these foods. Be sure to include plenty of fresh greens, nuts, seeds and protein to help keep your body healthy whilst eliminating toxins.
Introducing regular, gentle exercise is another important step towards a happier, healthier mind. Aerobic exercise releases feel-good hormones – known as endorphins – which leave you feeling much brighter after a burst of activity. Be aware that the information we feed ourselves with affects us too – if you can, avoid the newspaper and news programmes full of doom