Herbs- plants prized for 'special' qualities they supposedly possess. This can involve anything from making food scrumptious and curing us of our ills, to even *gasp* getting rid of bad juju*!!
In the quaint, little herb farm we visited, we saw a many, many, MANY plants so the few covered in this post in no way provides an exhaustive list of the herbs grown there. First up....
In the quaint, little herb farm we visited, we saw a many, many, MANY plants so the few covered in this post in no way provides an exhaustive list of the herbs grown there. First up....
Cat's Whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus)
The beautiful flower above belongs to a plant known as Cat's Whiskers. Usually common names reflect the appearance of the plant or animal. This is, of course, purely subjective. Some person in history decided that the flower of this particular plant looked like a cat's whiskers so there you have it! Frankly, we think it takes a little imagination(or maybe more than just a little...).
The plant is native to Southeast Asia and can even be found all the way in Australia's North Queensland. Tea made from this plant has been used to treat kidney diseases, wasting disease, dysuria(painful or difficult peeing), and kidney/urinary stones or discharge.
And if you're not suffering from any such ailment, grow this plant anyway! It's great at attracting butterflies :)
And if you're not suffering from any such ailment, grow this plant anyway! It's great at attracting butterflies :)
Japanese Pagoda Plant (Clerodendrum paniculatum)
Okay... so this "pagoda" is a little 'senget-ed'; still looks beautiful though. It is native to South, as well as much of Southeast Asia. Do not be deceived by its name. The 'Japanese' here refers to the flowers looking like a Japanese pagoda rather than its origin. This plant grows to be rather large, but do not confuse it with the Japanese pagoda tree. Two completely different trees that are in no way closely related to one another, despite their similar names.
This plant attracts many butterflies too, and over on the other side of the planet, they attract hummingbirds as well. Hummingbirds can't be found in asia of course, since we have sunbirds pretty much taking up their niche over here. Wonder if sunbirds have this same magnetic attraction to this plant as well?
This plant attracts many butterflies too, and over on the other side of the planet, they attract hummingbirds as well. Hummingbirds can't be found in asia of course, since we have sunbirds pretty much taking up their niche over here. Wonder if sunbirds have this same magnetic attraction to this plant as well?
A pretty daisy (Family: Compositae)
This plant wasn't actually being grown, but its flower was just so beautiful we feared karmic retribution had we not taken a photo of it. The group of flowers this daisy falls under encompasses both daisies as well as sunflowers. What's special about these plants? Their 'flowers' have small tiny little flowers(called florets) within them. Flowers within flowers! Only the tiny little florets are truly considered flowers though.
Even these plants are used as traditional medicine. Some believe this plant to have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. As far as we know, no clinical studies have been conducted to test if this is indeed true as yet though.
Note: These are not the only plants which have such "double" flowers.
References
Even these plants are used as traditional medicine. Some believe this plant to have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. As far as we know, no clinical studies have been conducted to test if this is indeed true as yet though.
Note: These are not the only plants which have such "double" flowers.
References
Ayurvedic-medicines.org. (n.d.). Herbal Medicines: Daisy. Retrieved March 10, 2010, from Ayurvedic Medicines: http://www.ayurvedic-medicines.org/
Boo, C. M., & Kartini Omar-Hor, C. L.-Y. (2003). 1001 Garden Plants in Singapore. Singapore: National Parks.
Shipard, I. (n.d.). Free Herb Information: Cat's Whisker's. Retrieved March 10, 2010, from Herbs Are Special: http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au
ZebutionaryBad juju: To be haunted by a bad vibe or aura.
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