Rocalba : Hobby Catalogue

AROMATIC ANDMEDICINAL DESCRIPTION VARIETY DESCRIPTION USES AND PROPERTIES FENNEL Measures around 50 cm in height and has finely divided leaves. The petioles swell and lie on top of one another to form a soft and aromatic bulb, which is used in salads. The whole plant is used as a seasoning. CULTIVATION: light, fertile soil in a sunny position. Cover the base with earth to blanch the bulb. The tender leaves, stems and bulb are edible as an aromatic herb or as a vegetable. The dried seeds are also used as a spice. It has diuretic and carminative properties. In external applications, it relieves eye irritations and conjunctivitis. HYSSOP Perennial plant measuring between 20 and 50 cm in height, with a lar- ge number of branches growing from the stem. Spear-shaped, sessile leaves, laid out in opposing pairs, and Violet flowers that form spikes. Has a strong aroma and a slightly bitter, but pleasant taste. Used as seasoning and in the perfume and liquor industries. In household re- medies it is used in antispasmodic preparations and to treat asthma and catarrh. CULTIVATION: light, limy soils, facing south. The leaves are used as an aromatic condiment, they have a slightly bitter taste. As a medicinal plant, it has balsamic and antitussive properties, as well as antiseptic. It is a stimulant of digestion. LAVENDER Perennial plant, very decorative due to the long blossom of its blue- violet florescences that stand in spikes. The whole plant is very aro- matic. As a spice, the leaves and flowers are used in salads and for meat dishes. Has antiseptic diuretic and antispasmodic properties. CULTIVATION: prefers well-drained ground and sunny environments. As a condiment, its leaves and flowers are used in salads and meats. The essential oil it contains has properties against insomnia, treats wounds, burns and eczema. It is also used in inhalations against sinusitis. It also has antiseptic virtues. LOVAGE Perennial plant. A furrowed stem emerging from a rosette of leaves, 1.5 to 2 m in length with yellow flowers in umbels. Scented tap-root, the scent being similar to celery. It is used as seasoning to give flavour to meat, soup or vinegar. The root has sedative, expectorant and an- ticonvulsive properties. CULTIVATION: full exposure to sun. Rich and well-drained ground. The whole plant has a strong odor and is used as a condiment. It flavors dishes, meats, soups, vinegar. The root has anticonvul- sant, sedative and expectorant properties. MARSHMALLOW Perennial plant. 1m high when blooming. Oval, serrated, tomentous leaves. Eye-catching pink or white melliferous flowers. Fibrous, coni- cal, yellow root, with white flesh. Roots and flower buds are harvested. Properties: expectorant, anti-inflammatory for mucous and respira- tory systems, helps with gastrointestinal disorders. The root is used to make candy. CULTIVATION: mediterranean species. Humid ground. Needs heat in summer. Leaves, flowers and roots have medicinal properties. Qualities: ex- pectorant, anti-inflammatory of mucous membranes and respira- tory tract, gastrointestinal disorders. The root contains mucilage with anti-inflammatory and emulsifying properties, it is also used in confectionery to make sweets. CAMOMILE Annual, herbaceous plant measuring around 25 cm in height, has thread-like leaves, flowers form a head. The dried inflorescence is used to make infusions. It has recognised medicinal properties, inclu- ding sedative, digestive, antirheumatic and antineuralgic properties and can be used as a germicide and for ophthalmic preparations. CUL- TIVATION: light, unspoiled soils in a sunny position. Vigorous plant which requires little attention. The inflorescences and dried tender stems are used in infusion, it is aromatic and slightly bitter. It has recognized medicinal pro- perties, such as soothing, digestive, antirheumatic, antineuralgic, bactericidal, ophthalmic, and others. The infusion of flowers applied to the hair increases the golden color. ROMAN CAMOMILE Perennial plant. Small size. Reptant and ramified stems ending in scented inflorescences. Blooms in summer. Open flowers are collec- ted in warm and dry weather. Infusions of this plant have anti-inflam- matory and disinfecting properties and relax the nervous system. Used in cosmetics for skin care and washing blond hair. CULTIVATION: dry, sandy and calcareous grounds, exposed to sun. The open flowers are used, collected in hot and dry weather. In- fusions are indicated as anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and cal- ming the nervous system. In cosmetics it is used for washing blond hair and skin care. MARJORAM Perennial plant, very ramified, measuring around 40 cm in height. Has oblong, oval-shaped, hairy leaves and inflorescences that form short spikes. Used as seasoning in a wide range of dishes and acts as a stimulant and tonic. Also used to make aromatic essences. CULTIVATION: warm climates and moist, soft soil. The leaves and inflorescences of this aromatic herb are used as a culinary condiment of very extensive application. It has stimulant and tonic properties. It is also used to obtain aromatic essences. BALM Perennial plant, very ramified, measuring around 70 cm in height. Has straight, hairy stems, oval-shaped leaves and pink flowers grouped in axillary bands. Very pleasant aroma and slightly sour flavour. Leaves are used as seasoning, in perfumes and liquors. CULTIVATION: cool, shady environment. To harvest, cut the stems before flowering. The leaf is used as a condiment. It is also used in the manufacture of perfumes and liquors. It has antispasmodic, tranquilizing and antiseptic properties. It is an effective mosquito repellent. CAT'S MINT Perennial plant, 0.5 to 1 m high. The leaves are used in infusions and, although they grow for most of the year, they should be harvested in summer, just before flowering. Calming effect on the nervous system, stimulates digestion. GROWING: fertilise in spring. Sunny or semi-shaded exposure. Mental stimulant and relaxing for felines. In humans, it has an- tibiotic, antiseptic and expectorant properties, with a sedative effect; so it helps us to treat bronchitis, to fight coughs, heada- ches and relieves muscle and joint pain. It also reduces hemorr- hoids and regulates menstruation. APPLE MINT Perennial plant. 30 - 80cm high. Creased, sessile and round leaves, arranged in opposing pairs. Plant covered with white hair, soft to the touch. White or pink flowers, in whorls, growing out of leaf axils. Spreads rhizomes. The plant is mint and apple scented. Used to fla- vour dishes and in infusions. Medical properties: tonic, antispasmodic, eupeptic. CULTIVATION: humid places. Exposed to sun and shadow. It is used to flavor dishes and in infusions. Medicinal properties: tonic, antispasmodic, eupeptic. Infusions have analgesic and an- tiseptic qualities. PEPPERMINT Perennial plant with rhizomes and a straight stem measuring around 60 cm in height. Has spear-shaped sessile leaves. Its aromatic essen- ces are used in the perfume and liquor industries. In household reme- dies it is used as a tonic, sedative and digestive. CULTIVATION: soils with decomposed organic fertiliser. Requires intense watering. Its leaves give off an intense fresh aroma very characteristic. They are widely used in cooking to flavor all kinds of dishes. Its infusions are appreciated and have properties as antispasmodic, antiseptic, carminative, stimulant and analgesic. MINT Perennial plant, approximately 30 cm in height, with shiny lanceolated leaves and purple flowers arranged in spikes. Has a particularly plea- sant and fresh aroma. Used as a fragrant condiment with stimulating, exciting and antispasmodic properties. CULTIVATION: fertile, fresh soil. Leaves are used green or dried in the shade. It is used as a flavoring condiment. It has stimulating, exciting and antispasmodic properties. Its infusions are beneficial in digestive and hepatic disorders, helping digestion. WHITE MUSTARD Annual plant with grooved stems and a large number of branches, measuring between 50 and 80 cm in height, with peripterous lea- ves and yellow flowers forming spikes. Mainly grown for its seeds and young shoots, which are used in salads or as cooked vegeta- ble. CULTIVATION: fertile soils in kitchen gardens. Harvest as a vegetable in spring, or seeds in summer. It is cultivated to obtain seed, for table mustard, its flavor being less strong than that of black mustard. The tender plant is also used for salads or cooked vegetables. 158 TECHNICAL INFORMATION Aromatic and Medicinals