 Back to the questions . . .
Herbs We're planning to farm organically about 20 minutes from Taihape in
the North Island. The soil is Kiwitea silt loam with volcanic ash.
The area apparently has a high rainfall and a long winter (some snow)
and is at 2000ft altitude.
We would like to grow a crop, medicinal or otherwise suited to this
environment - any suggestions?
The following is a list of suggestions, but make sure a market is available:
- Agrimony - an astringent, diuretic, vulnerary
- Dandelion
- Echinacea
- Gipsywort - thyroids and heart conditions, as sedative and antitussive
- Globe artichoke
- Horse radish - respiratory and digestive systems
- Licorice - demulcent, expectorant, to flavour less palatable herbal combinations
- Our Lady’s Milk Thistle - liver complaints; tea made with the seeds is good for hangovers; stimulates milk flow in nursing mothers
- Parsley
- Pennyroyal - insect repellent
- Peppermint - essential oil
- Salsify - roots and leaves are nutritious, containing calcium, phosphorus, copper and iron; root boiled, grated and formed into patties tastes of oyster
- Soapwort - used as a fabric cleaner by boiling leaves or roots in water, straining the liquid and using the residue
- Spearmint
- Sweet Cicely - enhances flavour of fruit salads, lessens quantity of sugar needed; leaves used to perfume bath water and made into a spring tonic
- Sweet violet - healing and strewing herb; fresh young flowers made into violet tea
- Sweet woodruff - makes a pot pourri, flavours alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks; medicinally as a tea, relieves headaches
- Valerian - antispasmodic; sleep aid; and calmative
|