Sunday the 28th March dawned bright and clear, a fitting setting for the day’s workshop of “Health from the garden”.

Our Mentor for the day Roisin Malone spoke with a maturity way beyond her years, and with a passion that comes from a firmly held belief in her topic. The strength of the turnout (34 people) was evidence that she is not alone in her passion.
Roisin has gained Accreditation in Permaculture through study with Geoff Lawton at Byron Bay, and is now backing that up with further studies in Naturopathy.

Permaculture uses as a basis the belief that good foods abound all around us, but that the convenience and demands of modern life have caused us to lose contact with that abundance. We have become accustomed to consuming foods that are highly processed, available year round from foreign sources, and of uncertain age.
To demonstrate the great abundance even within our own Organic gardens, Roisin led us through the Permaculture and Native areas, discussing many of the plants as we went.
Brief notes of the topics discussed follow, but should only be considered a pointer to the depth of knowledge imparted.

Passionfruit (Passiflora spp.):
The stem and flower can be used. Sedative properties among others. Often mixed with Kava.

Citrus (lemon, lime and mandarin):
Well known for Vitamin C properties

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis):
Used for its flower and as a garnish.
The Greeks believed it aids brain concentration.

Loofah/Luffa (Luffa cylindrica):
Must only be eaten when small to avoid diarrhea.
Used in Asian cooking , often with coconut.
Old ones can be processed for use a skin defoliant
[Ed: see Plant fact file for Luffa]

Weeds in General:
Weeds are valuable indicators to the health or otherwise of a soil. They are nature’s attempt to heal the soil.

Cobbler’s Peg (Bidens pilosa) for example acts as a soil binder to bind loose soil and prevent it being blown away. The young leaves can be chewed on as a natural preventative of dental caries. Slashing the weeds prior to seeding is the preferred control measure.

Sow thistle (Sonchus L.):
can be used as liver tonic* by eating the young leaves and flowers, but older leaves must be blanched first to remove the higher oxalic acids which will otherwise cause nausea. The deep tap root helps to decompact the soil, so thistles tend to be early adoptees of fire ravaged land.
[Ed: There seems to be some confusion here between true Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) and Sow Thistle which is commonly called Milk Thistle in this area. While Sow Thistle has been attributed with some healing properties in folk useage it is the seed of Silybum marianum that is used as a liver tonic.]

Arrowroot (Canna indica):
is best known as a source of arrowroot flour. It makes wonderful cow and chicken food, but its nutritive value in terms of protein is minimal. It makes a great meal extender. Does best in wet ground.

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum sp.):
have edible leaves and flowers, the flower nectar being particularly sweet. They have useful antibiotic properties, but unlike commercial antibiotics, nasturtiums differentiate between good bugs and bad. The seeds can be ground and turned into a peppery spice, whilst the leaves steeped in hot water produce a wonderful natural aphid spray that needs only a natural soap surfactant to complete the mix.

Bamboo:
Occurs as clumping or spreading types. The giant bamboos overseas make wonderful building materials, whereas the young shoots are commonly found in Asian cooking.

Mulberry (Morus L.):
Very hardy and cold tolerant. The fruit is tasty and nutritious, and the use of their leaves for silk worm cultivation is well known.

Warrigal greens (Tetragonia tetragonioides):
An Australian native widely used by Aboriginals as we would use spinach, but with a higher nutritional value. Seeds can be ground to a paste, but beware oxalic acids (blanch prior to use)[Ed: blanch in boiling water for three minutes then discard the water and rinse the greens before consumption]. They make a wonderful ground cover.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas):
Makes wonderful ground cover, but frost susceptible. First used by Monks.

Saltbush (Atriplex spp.):
A native plant with edible leaves. Likes the association with arrowroot in our gardens.
[Ed: As per the name it is salty in taste. It is also an excellent fodder crop for animals and it apparently results in a higher Vitamin E level in the meat (of sheep at least)]

Water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis):
Found in ponds. Edible tubers due for harvest around mid April.

Kang kong (Ipomoea aquatica):
A high protein pond grower sold commercially. The roots and stems are common stirfry ingredients.

Kaffir Lime (Citrus hystrix):
Use both the leaf and the fruit in cooking.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale):
The deep tap root brings the nutrients to the surface, and the leaves can be prepared as a liver stimulant.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium):
A small bushy plant with a white flower that looks like a chamomile. It can be used as a migraine treatment and for arthritis.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare):
Similar to aniseed. The leaves and seeds are useful.

Borage (Borago officinalis):
The purplish flowers and young leaves (look a little like comfrey leaves) make a nice garnish to rice dishes. Said to increase confidence and courage.

Lavender (Lavandula L.):
A wide variety of use other than the aromatherapy arena. The oil has antiflammatory and antiseptic properties, but caution is needed.

Mint (Mentha L.):
Likes moist conditions. Clears the mind, and widely used for coughs, catarrah, and herbal teas.

Strawberries and Tomatoes:
Widely known and used.

Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans):
Small red flowers attract butterflies.

Radium weed (Euphorbia peplus):
An Australian native. The milky sap is said to heal skin cancers – reddens the area, causing scarring and flaking of the affected area. Medical industry is trying to commercialise its properties.

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica):
A small kidney shaped leaf ground cover. 2 leaves per day are said to keep you young. Good for kidney function. (Leaf shape is reputed to be an indicator of the body organ any particular plant is good for).

Davidson’s Plum (Davidsonia spp.):
A native tree with a purple fruit (red inside) said to slow cancerous growth. High in antioxidants, but without the undesirable side effects of alcohol (compare with the antioxidant lobby promoting red wine). Eggplant, another purple fruit, has similar anti-oxidant properties.

Wattle (Acacia spp.):
Seeds ground to a gum make a good coffess substitute.

Pigweed/Purslane (Portulaca oleracea):
Widely maligned but the whole plant is truly valuable as a source of Omega 3.

Finger lime (Citrus australasica):
Does especially well in the Byron Bay area. Known as Hawaiian caviar due to he lovely taste and characteristic sago style nodules in the fruit. Gourmet potential.

Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia):
Native fatty nut tree with medicinal properties due to high Omega 6 and 9.

Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora):
Intense source of Citrol essential oil widely recommended as a treatment for Candida imbalance. Also effective against the bacteria that predispose to stomach ulcers.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis):
The young spears are reputed to be good for women especially in the areas of hormones, fertility and kidneys.

Garlic (Allium sativum):
Easy to grow. Antibiotic properties. Crush and leave for 10 minutes before eating.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale):
High in iron. Deep rooting to aid soil turnover. A lot of scaremongering (unwarranted) regarding its (powerful) properties. Makes useful tea or fertilizer, and contains natural ingredients identical to mothers’ milk, and embryonic fluid. The leaves can be used in sandwiches or eaten fresh.

Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus):
A yellow flower not unlike sunflower, but a tuber not unlike potato. The tubers are used commercially as a source of fructose, and are better steamed than boiled to avoid mushiness.

Aloe (Aloe spp. most commonly Aloe vera):
The plant of immortality according to the Egyptians. The gel from the leaves is useful as a directly applied burn treatment. Proper preparation of the gel can aid in kidney and liver function and for irritable bowel. Older leaves are more beneficial in this regard by creating oxygen in the cells.

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum):
The leaves and flowers are a natural source of Germanium, which is otherwise an illegal substance in Australia. Has repute as an anti-cancer agent.

Pot Marigold/Calendula (Calendula officinalis):
High in Vitamin C. Contains lutein, and an extract of marigold is a possible remedy for macular degeneration

Conclusion:
After the walk around of the gardens was complete, Roisin led a foraging expedition for ingredients, including Rocket and Kale, for the tasty (and no doubt therapeutic / nutritious / tasty) lunch that ensued.

Many thanks to Roisin for a most informative morning.

by
Rod Lemin

[Ed: Many thanks to Rod for this wonderfully comprehensive summary!]