I’ve received a flood of emails regarding my previous article about comfrey speeding up the healing of a fractured finger. Most people were concerned about the safety and legality of comfrey. So in this article, I’ll try and debunk some of these safety issues. Comfrey is Banned in Foodstuffs Let’s start with comfrey’s status as a banned herb […]
9 Tulbaghia Species Used As Muthi In southern Africa
A condensed materia medica of the 9 members of the genus Tulbaghia [tul-BAG-ee-ah] used as muthi plants in southern Africa. – The Muthi Flora of southern Africa Tulbaghias belongs to the Alliaceae family. They are herbaceous, often clump-forming perennials with compact tuberous rhizomes bearing thick roots. Leaves are long and narrow and have an aroma […]
December Regional Herb and Veggie Sowing Guide
For southern Africa (Revised and updated December 2019) December Food Gardening Activities in a Nutshell There is much to enjoy in the garden in December. The second flush of roses and the early summer flowering annuals are just beginning to open, promising a beautiful summer garden. Christmas hydrangeas, liliums and daylilies add their enchantment to […]
The Top Traded Medicinal Plants of southern Africa
The trade in the medicinal plants of southern Africa is a vibrant and growing industry. It is an important livelihood option for rural women, and for those involved, it is a major contributor to household incomes. It is valued at R2.9 billion annually in South Africa and at least 133 000 households in South Africa […]
11 Hypoxidaceae (Star Lilies) Used As Muthi Plants
A condensed materia medica of the 11 members of the Hypoxidaceae family used as muthi plants in southern Africa. – The Muthi Flora of southern Africa The Hypoxidaceae family is relatively small with six of its nine genera occurring in southern Africa – the area south of the Kunene, Okavango and Limpopo Rivers, and includes […]
November Regional Herb and Veggie Sowing Guide
For Southern Africa (Revised and updated November 2019) November Food Gardening Activities in a Nutshell Unless you’ve planned ahead this month can be a bit of an anti-climax after the glamour of October. Hardy summer flowering herbs cheer the otherwise rather quiet period. Oriental poppies, in particular, add a brilliant splash of colour. icon-check Continue […]
October Regional Herb and Veggie Sowing Guide
For Southern Africa October Food Gardening Activities in a Nutshell This is the loveliest month in the garden and another very busy month in the herb and veggie garden. icon-check Sowing herbs and veggies, and summer flowering companion plants is now a priority. This is also a good month to propagate herbs from softwood cuttings. icon-check Transplant […]