Herb Garden Botanical Gardens, Singleton Park
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Bed 1. A collection of lavenders Lavenders can be used for medicinal, culinary and economic uses. Beds 2-8. Contain a mixture of herbs
My Swansea Fy Abertawe
City and County of Swansea Dinas a Sir Abertawe
Achillea ageratum (Garden Mace) - aromatic leaves used in soups and potato salad. Once used medicinally as a liver and gall bladder remedy. Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) - used internally for colds, flu and measles. Used externally for wounds, nose bleeds and ulcers. Acorus gramineus (Japanese Rush) - An important herb in Chinese medicine also used as a culinary herb (sekisho) in Japan. Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop) - used in the traditional medicine of several North American tribes. Flowers may be added to salads and the leaves used in teas.
Allium schoenoprasum Commonly known as ‘chives’ this herb is mainly used for culinary purposes. Anthemis tinctoria (Dyer’s Chamomile) - an important dye plant used for dying Turkish carpets before synthetic dyes became popular. Armoracia rusticana - a very pungent herb that controls bacterial infection and lowers fever. Mainly known by its common name of ‘Horseradish’ and its culinary uses. Baptisia australis (False Blue Indigo) - used in the traditional medicine of several North American tribes.This plant was once used in Witchcraft in spells of protection. Keep a leaf in your pocket or add to an amulet for protection. Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile) - a bitter, aromatic anti-inflammatory herb with relaxant properties that acts mainly on the digestive system. Flowers used to make tea and flavour ‘manzanilla’ sherry in Spain. Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) - a sweet, aromatic herb with an anise-like scent. Besides its many medicinal uses it has long been used as a vegetable in many dishes. Fennel oil is also widely used as a flavouring in the food industry, and to flavour liqueurs such as ‘Sambuca’. Also used in toothpastes, soaps, air fresheners and perfumes.
Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile) Inula helenium (Elecampane) - Medicinally used as an expectorant, diuretic and antiinflammatory drug, also effective against bacterial and fungal infections. Once popular as a flavouring for desserts and fish sauces. Also used as an ingredient in Vermouth and Absinthe. Iris germanica var. florentina (Orris) - Added to dental preparations and breath fresheners. Used as a fixative in perfumery. Essential oil used to flavour soft drinks, gin and chewing gum. Also used in the treatment of coughs & catarrh. Isatis tinctoria (Woad) Fermentation of the foliage produces a blue dye. Also used in traditional Chinese medicine since the 1600’s to produce ‘quing dai’. Juniperus communis (Common Juniper) - Berries used to flavour pickling brine, sauerkraut and meats. Juniper oil used to flavour gin, beers and liqueurs. Also used in herbal remedies.
Lavandula varieties (Lavender) - Some medicinal uses but mainly grown for their essential oils to be used in perfumery & aromatherapy. Marrubium vulgare (Horehound) - Mainly used medicinally for chest complaints such as asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough etc.The leaves are used in making herbal beer and for flavouring liqueurs. Rumex acetosella (Sheep’s Sorrel) - Fresh, young leaves added to salads, sauces, soups, soft cheese and egg dishes. Juice can be used to remove rust moulds and ink stains from linen, wood, silver and wicker. Also has some medicinal properties. Salvia officinalis (Common Sage) - Used to flavour meats, sauces, soups and stuffings; also used to make herbal teas. Sage oil used as a fixative in perfumes; also added to toothpastes and cosmetics. Herbal remedies also utilise this plant.
Solidago virgaurea (Golden Rod) - A bitter, astringent, relaxant herb that reduces inflammation and stimulates the liver and kidneys. It is also an expectorant, improves digestion and has anti-fungal effects. Tanacetum cinerariifolium (Pyrethrum) - An aromatic herb with strong insecticidal properties. Verbena officinalis (Vervain) - Vervain was revered in both Celtic and Germanic cultures and was held sacred by both Druids and the Romans. It also had magical associations and was often carried as a talisman. Nowadays it’s used in both Western and Chinese medicine. Leaves can be added to salads and dried leaves made into a tea. An extract of this plant is used to flavour the French liqueur ‘Vervaine du Velay’.
There are many other herbs within this herb garden which we do not have room to describe here and hundreds of other herbs used throughout the world which are not grown here. We hope this small brochure has been of some use to you in the explanation of the uses of some of these herbs. www.breatheswansea.com 01792 298637 If you require this brochure in a different format please contact Marketing Services on 01792 635478. All details correct at time of going to print.
Salvia officinalis (Common Sage)