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🌱Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)
Welcome, fellow gardeners! Today, we’re exploring Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)—a wonderfully versatile plant often overlooked in the modern garden. Known by many names such as Wild Spinach, Goosefoot, or Pigweed, this annual herb has been valued for centuries as both food and medicine. Originally widespread across Europe, Asia, and North America, it has naturalized worldwide, including South Africa, where it thrives in disturbed soils and gardens. Traditionally, it was a staple leafy green for Indigenous communities, prized for its spinach-like flavor and impressive nutrition. 💊 Medicinal Benefits Lambsquarters is more than just an edible weed—it’s a powerhouse of natural wellness: Rich… Read more…
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🧺Soup Celery (Apium graveolens var. secalinum)
🌱 Introduction and history Meet Soup Celery, also known as Leaf Celery or Chinese Celery (Apium graveolens var. secalinum) — a heritage herb with roots in Europe and Asia. Unlike traditional celery grown for thick stalks, this aromatic variety is celebrated for its intensely flavorful leaves and slender stems. Widely used in Asian cuisine and rustic European soups, it has made its way into gardens worldwide as a compact, culinary all-star. Whether tossed into broths or used fresh in salads, Soup Celery adds an earthy, peppery punch. 💊 Medicinal Benefits Soup Celery isn’t just for flavor — it’s a powerhouse…
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Cannabis Sativa (Cannabis sativa)
🌱 Intro 🌱 Introduction and history Cannabis sativa, often called Marijuana or Hemp, is a remarkable annual herb belonging to the Cannabaceae family. Originating in Central Asia, it is among the oldest cultivated plants on Earth, valued for thousands of years as a source of fibre, food, and medicine. In contrast to its close relative Cannabis indica, Sativa grows tall with narrow leaves and produces uplifting effects when used. Despite its rich heritage, Cannabis sativa became the target of prohibition campaigns in the 20th century. In South Africa and worldwide, strict bans were imposed under pressure from international treaties and…
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🌿 How to Grow and Use Sage Root (Salviae Radix) in South Africa
Sage Root, also known as Salviae Radix, is more than just a fragrant perennial—it’s a powerful herbal ally with centuries of traditional use. From digestive health to respiratory relief, this woody-rooted member of the mint family is a must-have in any Earthborn garden. Whether you’re growing it for its healing properties or its silvery charm, here’s your ultimate guide. 💊 Medicinal Benefits Sage Root contains rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and ursolic acid—compounds known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. Medicinal uses include: Soothing sore throats and oral inflammation (as a gargle or tea) Aiding digestion and relieving bloating Supporting… Read more…
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🌼 Growing Chamomile in South Africa (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile, a dainty annual herb from the Asteraceae family, is treasured not only for its soothing floral scent and pretty white flowers but also for its incredible medicinal benefits. Easy to grow in both garden beds and pots, chamomile brings beauty, wellness, and pollinators into your space. Let’s dive into how to grow and care for this calming herb in South Africa 🌍 💊 Medicinal Benefits Chamomile is best known for its calming effects, often used in herbal teas to ease anxiety, insomnia, and digestive issues. The active compounds chamazulene and apigenin give it anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antioxidant properties. It’s… Read more…