Desert Island Herbs
We had a very entertaining meeting discussing what herbs and books we would take to an island of our choice.
Most people opted for an island whose climate would be similar to Britain, perhaps a little dryer.
One or two wanted a warmer climate, even a desert island retreat with their own Man Friday!
Lavender featured on almost everyone’s list and was chosen for many reasons including its relaxing and medicinal properties, as well as the actual plants being colourful and fragrant.
Rosemary was the second most popular herb. Other choices included nettles (cleansing, cosmetic, provide food and fibre for clothing), elderflower (medicine and folklore), Siberian ginseng (provides energy), patchouli (a favourite scent since the 1960’s), chamomile (relaxing and healing), mint (taste and scent, aids digestion), calendula or pot marigold (healing and cheerful to look at) and Vietnamese coriander.
Some people included spices such as garlic(anti-viral and many other healthy properties, add to food), ginger (warming and treats nausea) and cinnamon.
Not surprisingly, books on all aspects of herbs and herb craft were chosen.
These included ‘Bartram’s Encyclopaedia of Herbal Medicine’’ and David Hoffmann’s ‘Complete Herbal’, which covers many ‘wild’ herbs. Collins’ ‘Complete Guide to British Wildlife’ would help with identifying birds, plants, animals and insects and for guidance on surviving,
‘The Complete Guide to Self-Sufficiency’ by John Seymour and ‘Bushcraft’ by Ray Mears were recommended.
Among the books picked for pure entertainment to while away the hours were ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austin, ‘Lord of the Rings’ by Tolkin, Peter Ustinov’s autobiography and the children’s classics Enid Blyton’s Famous Five.
While The Bible,‘The Prophet’ by Kahlil Gibran and ‘The Little
Prince’ by Antoine De Saint-Exupery were books to provide inspiration.