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MAN has been harvesting medicinal plants for centuries. It's nothing new, it's just that "modern medicine" has perfected it by identifying their useful components. Each and every plant has its own uses, being roots, bark, leaves, flowers, fruit or berries. We just have to know which parts, when to harvest and how to prepare them. Do yourself a favour and take a stroll in your garden and you will be amazed to see what leaves, flowers and seeds are just there for the taking.

If you don't have any "herby" plants, then don't waste any time and go to your local garden centre and stock up.

First on the list is something we always keep at home: Garlic - Alliaum sutivan, one of nature's most potent anti-microbial and antibiotic plants. Garlic is capable of killing a range of bacteria, fungi and viruses and wards off infections, helps with cough and bronchial diseases. It is also used as a wound dressing.

Make up a "cough mixture" but beware, you may loose a few good friends in the process because most people are offended by the smell. Chew some parsley after using. Mix together four cloves of chopped garlic, cover with 100 ml honey and put in a screw top glass jar. Take one teaspoon every two hours. If you feel a sore throat coming on, chew the tips of a sour fig. A word of caution: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should rather get medical advice before trying this remedy.

Second is something we all use in our kitchens for most dishes - onions. Onions are also a good antibiotic and antiviral. They can also be cut, covered with 25 ml honey and taken a teaspoon at a time.

Why not grow Aniseed (Pimpenella Anisums)? It helps get rid of phlegm, having expectorant properties, making it useful in treating bronchitis. Sow fresh seeds in early spring. Aniseed is a hardy plant that likes sun or light shade and rich, well-drained soil. Infuse 1 g dried seeds with one cup of boiling water. Stand for five minutes, strain and drink when necessary.

Ginger (Zingibar officinale) is a tall, slender perennial with lance shaped leaves and orchid like flowers. It will grow in frost-free areas and spring is the best time for planting. Buy a piece of fresh ginger; the peal should be smooth and slightly shiny and full of fat greenish eyes similar to those on potatoes. Plant rhizomes in a semi-shady facing position. Besides helping to sweat out a cold, it is also an antiseptic expectorant, helpful for treating catarrhal coughs. Use fresh or dried in powder form. Why not make ginger beer with Jamaican ginger? It tastes so good because it is so good.

Number five on the list is parsley. This is something we should all grow in the garden or in a pot, not just for garnishing, because it is rich in iron, vitamin A, C and E. Chew two tablespoons fresh parsley a day to boost your immune system.

Another well used herbs we all have in the garden is Thyme. It is mostly used as a culinary herb and few of us know about its medicinal properties. One of its medical powers includes soothing a cough. It can help to treat respiratory infections and relieves nasal congestion due to colds, hay fever and asthma. Grow from seed or fully-grown plant. It loves a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Infuse the leaves and flowers (dried or fresh) in a cup of boiling water. Seep for five minutes, strain and drink three cups a day for best results

One of the most important immune system boosters ever known to mankind is Echinacea purpurea, available in health shops in syrups, capsules, lozenges, tenures and teas. It can be grown from seed in spring. Sow in a warm place and never allow seeds to dry out. It's a hardy perennial that dies down in winter. The leaves, petals, stems and roots (except the cone) are used. Add one cup boiling water and infuse for five minutes. Strain and sip slowly. Honey may be added as a sweetener. Drink one cup daily for two weeks, take a week's break and continue throughout winter. Remember to pick plant parts before the plant dies down in winter and dry. How about some Elderberry (Sambucas nigra) cough mixture: Use berries only. Pick ripe and clean, then simmer in a double boiler with honey to cover for 20 minutes. Strain and use if needed. A tea of the berries acts a tonic to fight anaemia, flu, coughs, and sore throats, mouth infections and dried skin. Never use the leaves internally as they have insecticidal properties. The tree itself is very easy to grow. They love lots of sun and a twice weekly watering in summer. A light pruning in mid winter will be beneficial. The white flowers that look like a lace doily can also be eaten as a dessert. Rinse and dry the flower head, dip into a light batter and fry in oil, drain and drench in icing sugar. Delicious.

Another simple remedy to ward off infections is nasturtium leaf. It has a mild peppery flavour and is excellent for using in salads and soups and is rich in vitamin C.

There are so many more useful plants, for example sage for sore throats. Rose hips, the egg-shaped fruits formed after autumn, have a high content of vitamin C, about ten times more that oranges. It also makes a soothing cough syrup. Be adventurous and healthy this winter.

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