Kitchen herbalism

• Almonds: Useful for convalescence, coughs and colds, strengthening the nervous system and increasing sexual vitality. Externally, sweet almond oil and pastes made from the crushed nuts can help dry skin conditions.

• Basil: Balancing effect on the nervous system and hormones. Useful for headaches, migraines, colds, sinus congestion, coughs, indigestion, wind and cramps. Externally, diluted essential oil can be useful for acne and insect bites. Note: Essential oil is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

• Cranberry juice: Prevents - and aids the cure of - cystitis and other urinary tract infections.

• Cloves: A warming, soothing spice that's antiseptic, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. Helpful for toothache, colds and flu, nausea, hiccups, depression, hay fever and diarrhoea. Clears phlegm, relieves wind. Apply externally for toothache and athletes' foot.

• Egg: Egg white soothes the stomach and bowels and is therefore useful for heartburn, indigestion, diarrhoea and constipation. Externally, egg white (beaten to fluffy stage) is useful for soothing minor burns and inflamed skin.

• Ginger: Has antioxidant, antiseptic and expectorant properties. Promotes perspiration in a fever, cleanses the digestive tract in cases of diarrhoea, lowers blood pressure and thins the blood. Useful for indigestion, nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, coughs, colds and flu.

• Garlic: Antibiotic, anti-microbial, cleanser and antioxidant. Helps combat colds and flu symptoms, sore throats, coughs, candida, worms, high blood pressure and digestive problems. Use externally as an infusion in oil for sprains, joint problems, fungal infections, earache and chest infections. Note: Some may find the odour off-putting.

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