Kitchen herbalism

• Honey: Acts as an expectorant for coughs and catarrh, sinusitis and hay fever. Antiseptic and preservative properties help prevent food poisoning and relieve diarrhoea and vomiting. Externally, honey is a wound and burn healer, and has the ability to draw out bacteria and pus. It soothes mouth ulcers and is reputed to bring a boil to a head.

• Lemon: Anti-acid in digestive problems, liver tonic, antiseptic, anti-fungal, cleanser and diuretic. Helpful for hiccups, heartburn, nausea, constipation and worms. Externally, it can help stop bleeding, is useful for rebalancing greasy skin and, as an essential oil, is recommended for verrucas.

• Lettuce: Cooling, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and expectorant. Useful for ulcers, gastritis, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, insomnia and anxiety. Externally, use as a poultice for swellings and bruises.

• Mint: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and stimulant for the heart and circulatory system. Useful in chills, fevers, coughs, colds, flu, hiccups, colic, wind, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. Use externally for cuts, grazes and sores, and the oil can help in toothache. Mint vapours can be inhaled to relieve the effects of a cold.

• Oats: Thought to help reproductive disorders, high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, varicose veins, haemorrhoids and low blood sugar. Helpful in convalescence, may help prevent bowel cancer, and calms the nerves. Apply externally for soothing inflamed, itchy or cracked skin.

• Parsley: Tonic, blood purifier, diuretic, appetite stimulant and breath freshener. Helps alleviate wind, fluid retention, colic, indigestion, cramps, eczema and anaemia. Use externally on abscesses, wounds, cuts, toothache and head lice.

• Potato: Useful for easing indigestion, colic, gastritis, ulcers, and constipation. Externally useful for minor burns, sunburn, inflamed skin, skin infections, chilblains and even headaches.

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