A variety of plants known to relieve problems such as cuts, rashes, sunburn and mosquito bites are being trialed on the farm. These include Aloes from South Africa as well as native Eremophilas or Emu bushes that have a reputation for healing skin injuries.

Medicinal Plants Are Adapting To My Hobby Farm

Native to dry regions these plants are able to tolerate extended drought conditions – making them likely to be successful on the farm. Winter frosts have caused some damage to young plantings giving an unsightly look, but they should improve with age.

Currently these small plants are slowly adapting to heavy soils, pests and diseases. Having ornamental appeal they also add colour, mostly flowering in winter and spring.

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Acacia species have a variety of uses by indigenous Australians

Australian gums species yield the versatile eucalyptus oil

Eremophila longifolia develops into drought tolerant medium shrub

Olive leaf extract is has been promoted as a health promoting tonic

She-oak needles have been used in insecticide preparations

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Learning Herbal Applications

A quick search on the net uncovers a wide range of Australian native and exotic plants with some medicinal use. Most would require careful preparation and caution should be taken before use.

Herbal applications can occupy a lifetime of study requiring an understanding of a wide range of plant materials. In my case a few generally well known and widely used species are enough to satisfy my interest in medicinal plants.

My Interest In Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants would appear to be a growing industry as new species and applications are regularly announced. Scientific research is gaining a better understanding of active constituents, leading to a bigger range of modern drugs or synthetic versions for use in human health and agriculture.

I am however keen to trial plants that can be used as natural insecticides and insect repellents. A cheap alternative to commercial products needed to fight off mosquitoes in warm weather would be worthwhile.

Satisfaction in Producing Specimens

An opportunity to develop skills in the care and propagation of selected medicinal plants is now available. Trial and error should eventually yield some useful and attractive specimens.

A few failures is a small price to pay for the satisfaction of producing some healthy and handsome specimens – always a good talking point for visitors.