Sheena Patterson of Oxford Garden Design looks at herbal remedies to beat a range of ills

Last Monday was Blue Monday, traditionally the most depressing day of the year, and for most of us January is definitely the worst month of the year, a time for feeling a bit under the weather with sniffles and snuffles adding to the misery. But I am not one to sit and suffer, instead I am a great believer in self-help, and as a horticulturalist I look to the garden for my remedies. Earlier this autumn we worked on a wonderful medieval garden just south of Oxford. Growing medicinal herbs, often in a herb wheel was hugely important in the medieval garden.

The herb wheel can be an attractive feature of the modern garden too, so I set about finding out how we could apply our wider variety of plant knowledge to grow.

For example, the attractive flower Echinacea pupurea (Purple Cone Flower) has become very popular for boosting immune capability and helping to limit cold and flu symptoms. Echinacea has been clinically proven to have a significant effect in limiting the duration of cold symptoms. Originally from North America, Echinacea was widely by Native Americans as a general ‘cure all’. Echinacea seeds can be purchased online, just sow seeds in late spring and harvest in the second year of growth.

Making your own tincture is simple. You simply fill a jar 2/3 full with washed and chopped roots and flowers. Cover with strong alcohol like vodka, shake and leave in a darkened room for two weeks. Then strain through muslin cloth and voilà – your very own cold cure. Of course, you might reconsider, drink the vodka, cover yourself with a warm blanket and lie down in a darkened room for two weeks (preferably with something good to read, a big box of chocolates and a few of your favourite old movies) until you are better. But back to my theme and a look at other grow-your-own remedies. I am afraid to say that some of these highly regarded health-giving herbs are more widely thought of as weeds, for example, the Ribwort Plantain and Plantago major, so common that you probably see it every time you go out for a walk, but so inconspicuous you probably don’t notice it.

However, they are both highly regarded by herbalists for their potency. If we get stung by a stinging nettle the plant we are told to look for is dock, but really Plantain (especially Ribwort Plantain) is the one we should be looking for. Simply crush the leaves and squeeze some of its juice onto the sting – it really works. Plantain is fantastic for cuts, bites and many skin conditions.

The other herb which I would recommend is Yarrow, Achillea millifolium, so-called because Achilles supposedly carried it into battle to treat wounds.

Indeed, its astringent properties means that when the flowers are crushed into a wound, it will help staunch the blood flow, which explains why one of its common names is Nosebleed.

So, you see there really are some good remedies to be found in the old medieval medicine cabinet.