PTEROSPERMUM ACERFOLIA - THE DINNER PLATE TREE: USES AND BENEFITS OF PTEROSPERMUM ACERFOLIA TREE

THE DINNER PLATE TREE, MAPLE LEAFED BAYUR TREE, KARNIKARA TREE, PTEROSPERMUM ACERFOLIA, KANAK CHAMPA TREE

This tree has a number of names in many languishes, and it resembles a fig tree. The immature fruit look a little like figs, although as they mature they become more elongated, until they finally split open to release the myriad winged seeds they contain. The name Ptero means winged in Greek, and spermum means seeds, so it’s easy to see how this tree got its name. The seeds pods take a year to become mature, so can be seen on the tree along with the flowers, which give off their fragrance at night. Like some honeysuckles and night-flowering jasmine, the flowers come into their own in the evening and leave a wonderful aroma on the air. There are about 40 species of Pterospermum which live in the Eastern Himalayan area, West Malaysia and South East Asia. They belong to the Malvaceae family or the Sterculiaceae one. It gets its English name from the fact that its leaves are the size of dinner plates and food is sometimes served on them.

  Pterospermum acerifolia (also known as Pentapetes acerifolia Linn.) is native to India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Thailand and is cultivated in Pakistan and North America, grown on roadsides and as a garden ornamental. There is a huge old tree of this variety in the Pearl Continental Hotel grounds in Rawalpindi. The wood from this tree is used to make packing crates and cases, for planks and ply wood and decorative items.

   It is used in folk medicine for a number or purposes; the under part of the leaves are used to staunch bleeding from skin wounds, and the flowers act as mothballs, repelling insects from cloth where they have been laid. A tonic is made from the flowers, which is also used for inflammation, ulcers, tumours, blood problems and leprosy. The bark and leaves have reportedly been used to treat small pox. The bark is used as an anthelmintic to get rid of intestinal parasites.  It has been found that the stem bark has antimicrobial properties, while the leaves contain boscialin glucosides which seem to be liver protective. It is thought that they might be useful for sufferers of Type 2 diabetes. The leaves have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties possibly because of the phenolic compounds they contain, and researchers are continuing their research into the medicinal value of this tree.

GOLDENROD - TOUCHED BY MIDAS? HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF GOLDENROD: GOLDENROD TISANE RECIPE

GOLDENROD, SOLIDARE VIRGAUREA

Goldenrod has been given a bad press because people confuse it with the yellow ragwort which flowers at the same time and causes hay fever in some people. Goldenrod is a healing herb and has been used for centuries to heal wounds, as its Latin name, Solidare (to make whole) suggests. Virgaurea basically means “pure gold” which refers to the colour of the flowers and to the fact that it is a very useful medicinal plant. Its colour is one that might have been given it by the Midas of Greek legends, who had the unhappy gift of having everything he touched turn to gold. It is native to Europe, and is the only one of the Solidare family to be native to Britain. It grew in the garden when I was a child, but got removed after someone was repeatedly stung by the bees that swarmed to the flowers. The plants grow to around 3 feet high, but the Canadian variety can grow higher.

  Goldenrod cross-breeds easily, to the extent that there are now at least 130 species in North America alone. It has spread from Europe to Asia, North and South America and the Azores.

  In Europe it can be found in the ingredients of cough medicines and arthritis medication, but not much research has been done into its properties. Because it has been used since time immemorial for a number of ailments it is generally considered safe for human consumption.

  Goldenrod contains the bioflavonoids kaempferol and quercetin among others and phenolic glycosides which have anti-inflammatory actions. It is generally thought to have a diuretic action, and be anti-inflammatory. The tisane prepared from the plant can be used both internally for dispelling kidney and gall bladder stones, as well as for rheumatism, a general tonic, and urinary tract and yeast infections. The tisane may be drunk three times a day, a cupful each time, or applied to eczema and other skin irritations. It is believed that it might also have anti-spasmodic actions, and it is known to stimulate the functions of the liver and kidneys. It can also be used as a gargle for sore throats, and mouth infections.

  Goldenrod is also known as Woundwort in the UK because the tisane can also be applied to old wounds as well as fresh ones to heal them. The tisane can be made from the flowering tops or from the whole plant which is above ground. It should be harvested just before it is in full flower and hung in an airy room until dry, then it can be crumbled or reduced to a powder and stored for later use. (Wear gloves to handle it as some people get allergic dermatitis from it.) Some people swear that it keeps colds and flu at bay if the tisane is drunk at least once a day during the winter. You can take ½ tsp of the powdered Goldenrod in a glass of water, as a general tonic, as well as for any of the ailments mentioned above. For ulcerous colitis and other stomach problems, you can chop a whole plant and boil it in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes, then allow to steep for another 15 mins before straining and drinking. This is good for hay fever and other seasonal allergies as it soothes the mucous membranes in the lungs.

  Goldenrod has been used in folk medicines around the world to treat the following ailments: - TB, diabetes, gout, enlargement of the liver, haemorrhages of all kinds, menstrual problems, piles and asthma.

  After the Boston Tea Party in 1773 there was a shortage of tea, so Americans made a substitute with equal parts of Goldenrod, betony, red clover and New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus Americana). Later Goldenrod was exported to China where it commanded a high price as a tea substitute.

    In some European countries Goldenrod is thought to point to riches, whether in the form of treasure which you can find if you hold the flowering tops in your hand as you will have visions of where treasure is hidden, or point to hidden springs (close to where it grows wild) which were equally valuable in ancient times.

 

GOLDENROD TISANE

Ingredients

2-3 tsps dried whole herb, chopped

1 cup boiling water

Method

Put the herb in a cup and pour boiling water over it. Leave it to steep for 15 minutes then strain and drink.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

EYE - CATCHING SILK OAK TREE (GREVILLEA ROBUSTA) - INFORMATION AND USES

BAHEKAR, BEKKA, SHAHBLOOT, SILKY OAK, SOUTHERN SILKY OAK, GREVILLEA ROBUSTA

Grevillea robusta is a member of the Proteaceae family and as its name suggests is a hardy member of that genus, which is why it is used as rootstock for the less hardy types of grevillea. It has many names in many languages; the ones given above are its Urdu names. In English it is also known as River oak, Silk oak, Silver oak and Southern Silky oak. It gets the oak name because the wood from it looks like oak wood. It also has Latin synonyms: - Grevillea umbratica and Grevillea pectinata. It was names by Allan Cunningham after Charles F. Greville (1749-1809) who was one of the founders of the Royal Horticultural Society, London; because of its hardiness it got the Latin name robusta (robust).

  In Uganda and East Africa generally, as well as in Brazil, India and Hawaii, it is used for shade in coffee plantations, and for the same purposes in tea plantations in India and Sri Lanka as it protects not only the coffee and tea plants but also the workers. It can grow to heights of between 25 and 40 metres and is very beautiful when in flower. The flowers look like huge furry orange-gold caterpillars crawling across the branches. They are full of nectar and the Aborigines in Australia to which it is native, drink it straight from the flowers, or make a drink from them. The flowers are said to be very rich in vitamin C, and attract honeybees. Because it sheds its leaves and flowers, a thick layer of leaf mulch can build up in the soil around the tree, and as this may go to a depth of 30-40 centimetres, it protects the soil and maintains its temperature. The leaves and twigs ar said to be rich in aluminium.

  I came across this species of tree in Rawalpindi and it was clearly an old tree that had been planted many years ago. Bees are attracted to the flowers, but the flowers, fruit and seeds of the tree can cause skin irritation because of the cyanogenic compounds found in them; the leaves can also irritate the skin. Despite this, in Kenya the natives of the Kakamega Forest use the tree for medicinal purposes, which is a little unusual given that it is a non-native species. They use it to cure sore throats, earache, chest problems, flu and toothache, and there are also superstitions regarding it. However in Hawaii where it was also introduced it has come to be seen as invasive.

  The wood from Grevillea robusta is used in parts of the world for fuel as it makes good charcoal and firewood, as well as being used to make furniture. It is thought that the gum which exudes from the tree when it is cut could be used for industrial purposes. Yellow and green dyes can be made from the leaves, and the flowers are used for their fragrance.

   Some research has already been done on this tree and its properties but there is a lot more to be done before scientists can determine what it can be used for in terms of medicine. So far they have isolated his-resorcinols from it, striatol being the most potent, which may be a potential help for the cardiovascular system. The tree also contains grevillol a phenolic which resembles uroshiols the skin irritant in poison ivy. It also contains 5 alkylresorcinol glycosides, names Grevillosides G and H which are also being investigated. Who knows in what ways this tree can help us? Until we find out, I’ll continue to admire its beauty.

AMERICAN LOTUS - USES IN FOLK MEDICINE AND CUISINE

AMERICAN LOTUS, WATER CHINQUAPIN, NELUMBO LUTEA

There are only two species of lotus in the Nelumbonaceae family, one being the pink sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera which is native to Asia and the other the American lotus. It is native to the south-eastern part of the USA but can be found in many states now having been cultivated by the Native Americans. They planted the American lotus or chinquapin or yangupin as they migrated. Its tuber can be used as food, and baked like a potato, as it is starchy. It can be steamed too, and boiled, just like an ordinary potato tuber. The young leaves can also be eaten and cooked like spinach, as they can be boiled or steamed. The immature seeds of the seed pod can be eaten raw and the mature seeds can be roasted after being extracted from the pod and eaten, or you can grind them into flour and make bread with them. They can also be used to thicken soups. You should steep the root in water before cooking to remove the bitterness.

  The Native Americans believed that their lotus, like the pink Asian one was a sacred plant with mystical powers. The American lotus, unlike its Asian relative is yellow or white.

  An interesting phenomenon of the leaves of the American lotus is that they can’t get wet. Water forms a droplet and slides off the leaf. They can be used medicinally as the root can be pounded to a pulp and used as a poultice to relieve the pain of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. It is thought that a decoction of the flowers and leaves can be used for ailments such as ringworm as it might have antifungal properties. There is not as much medical research so far into the properties of the American lotus as there has been into those of Nelumbo nucifera, which has been used in traditional medicines for centuries.

   The dried seed pods can be used as an attractive natural decoration. Its flowers are fragrant and bloom in late spring and then throughout the summer. The flowers can grow up to a foot in diameter, and the stems can sometimes be seen rising out of the water. It is classed as invasive in Connecticut where selling its seeds is prohibited. However it likes shallow water and can happily grow in garden ponds and shallow lakes. Be careful when handling it though as it can cause skin irritation and the plant has sharp edges, so it’s best to wear gloves if you are thinking of harvesting it.

  You may hear a lot more of the American Lotus as it is a candidate for commercial cultivation, for food and bio-fuel purposes.

GRAPEFRUIT - HISTORY, MEDICINAL USES, HEALTH BENEFITS: HOW TO MAKE GRAPEFRUIT MARGARITA

GRAPEFRUIT, CITRUS x PARADISI

The grapefruit’s history is tied to that of the Shaddock or pomelo and it was first referred to as “the forbidden fruit” of Barbados by Griffith Hughes in 1750. Later Patrick Browne reported it in much the same way as growing in Jamaica; writing of it as “the smaller shaddock” in 1814. In the same year, John Lunan described it in this way in his “Hortus Jamaicensis” (Plants of Jamaica) "a variety of shaddock, but the fruit is smaller, having thin, tough, smooth, pale yellow rind." It is thought that it got the name grapefruit because of the way it grows, hanging in clusters like grapes from the tree. It is believed that it was a natural cross between an orange and a pomelo.

  Grapefruits come in three colours, yellow or blond, pink and red, the colours describing the flesh and not the rind. The best in terms of medicinal value for prevention of prostate health for men is the red grapefruit which contains lycopene which has been hailed as a natural Viagra. It seems to help men who have erectile dysfunction as well as maintaining the health of the prostate gland. Lycopene is also found in watermelons, apricots, tomatoes, papaya and guava. For men any of these fruit eaten every day will be beneficial especially if they drink green tea too. Grapefruit of all descriptions contain a lot of vitamins C, E and A as well as B-complex ones and minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorous, selenium and zinc. They also contain some Omega -3 and -6 fatty acids and 16 amino acids. They have potent antioxidant properties and are good to ward off and help cure colds and flu as well as having anti-inflammatory properties so good for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. They are cardiovascular protective and protect against strokes and cancers too. Grapefruit also contains the phytonutrients, limonoids as do citrons and lemons which are believed to inhibit the growth of tumours. In vitro they have killed cancer cells of the lungs, colon, breast, prostate, skin, stomach and mouth. The pulp of citrus fruit including grapefruits contains glucarates, compounds which may help to prevent breast cancer. The bioflavonoid naringen in grapefruit repairs damaged DNA in human prostate cancer cells, so men really should add grapefruit to their diets.

  In Pakistan and India the pulp is believed to prevent and cure dysentery, diarrhoea enteritis, typhus and other digestive tract disorders, and a glass of equal parts of lemon juice and grapefruit juice banishes fatigue after a day’s work. Grapefruit juice is also an effective diuretic, and may also help eczema sufferers when it is drunk. Grapefruit also lowers cholesterol levels.

  Grapefruit stimulate the appetite so are good for appetizers; try segments of grapefruit on a bed of Cos/Romaine lettuce with prawns and avocados and a simple lemon dressing.

  If you like Margaritas try this one with grapefruit instead of lemon juice.

GRAPEFRUIT MARGARITA

Ingredients

grapefruit segments cut into quarters

salt

¾ cup of grapefruit juice

6 oz tequila

2 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec

2 cups cracked ice

Method

Rub the cut grapefruit segments around the rim of cocktail glasses then swirl them in a mound of salt to coat the rims.

Blend the liquids until smooth.

Pour into cocktail glasses and garnish with a grapefruit quarter on each rim.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

MONKEY POD TREE OR RAIN TREE - HISTORY, USES AND INFORMATION

MONKEY POD TREE, RAIN TREE, ALBIZIA SAMAN

The Monkey Pod tree is very distinctive with its huge canopy which can grow if unobstructed to 200 feet. It can reach heights of 100 feet, so is an impressive tree. In Venezuela it is said that Simón Bolívar (1783-1830) once camped his whole army under a Monkey Pod tree near Maracay. This tree is native to Central and South America but has spread to some Caribbean Islands where it has become naturalized as it is believed to have been taken these in the 16^th century. It is also naturalized in Hawaii where it was grown from a seed in 1847 and it is thought that this original plant is the ancestor of all Monkey pod trees on the islands. It can also be seen in parts of Florida. It was introduced to Fiji and Vanuatu, but is regarded as an invasive pest there. It also grows in Thailand where it is host to the lac insect from which we get shellac. In the Philippines it is known as mimosa because it is in the Mimosoideae family, while it is known as saman in Latin America from the alternative Latin name for this tree, Samanea saman. The flowers look like pink and white powder puffs.

  It is related to Albizia lebbeck which grows in Asia, and is a member of the Fabaceae or Mimosaceae family so is related to other pod bearing trees such as carob and the neem tree. The long pods (4 – 8 inches long) contain a sweet sticky pulp and seeds, all of which have a liquorice flavour. It is known as the liquorice tree in parts of the Caribbean. However it is not advisable to eat more than one pod because of their astringency.

  The Monkey Pod tree is called this perhaps because monkeys are fond of the pods and sit in the trees eating them. The tree’s name in Greek, Pithecellobium means “monkey earring” and is one of the tree’s botanical names. It is called the Rain tree perhaps for several reasons; one might be that any grass or vegetation under the tree is lush and green even in times of drought. This is because the tree has nyctinastic leaf movements like Choi-Moi or the Tickle Me plant; its leaves close and curl up at night so that any rain that falls hits the ground more easily than it would under a tree with ordinary leaves. The pods and flowers are nitrogen rich and when they fall and decay, the nitrogen goes into the soil. Plants need this to make chlorophyll which gives them their green colour, so perhaps this is why there is lush vegetation under the Rain tree. Farmers like the trees because they are nitrogen fixers and they also grow quickly, the durable, hard wood is sustainable and eco-friendly so can be used for furniture and hand-carved bowls and decorative pieces. In Thailand the tree is host to the lac insect from which we get shellac.

  The seeds and pods can be fed to animals and the contents of the pods are made into a refreshing soft drink something like tamarind water in the West Indies. The seeds are washed to remove the sticky pulp, and dried then used to make jewellery such as necklaces and other decorative items.

  Modern medical research has shown that the Monkey Pod tree has antibacterial and anti-fungal activities and can fight Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and E. coli infections. An alcohol extract of the leaves may inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but more research is needed.

  In the West Indies the leaves are chewed to relieve toothache, and a root decoction is used in hot baths in Venezuela for stomach cancer. An infusion of the leaves is given for constipation and in the Philippines a decoction of the inner bark and the fresh leaves is given for diarrhoea. A boiled bark poultice is used to cure constipation too.

It's my tree

  The flowers attract honey bees as well as birds, moths and other insects, and locals enjoy the honey produced from the nectar, but it is only consumed in the locality of the growing trees.

  It is another of Nature’s wonderful health-giving trees.

PEAR OR NASHPATI - HISTORY: HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF PEAR FRUIT: ROQUEFORT, PEAR AND WALNUT SALAD RECIPE

PEAR, NASHPATI IN URDU, PYRUS COMMUNIS

It is believed that pears originated in Western Asia and in south-eastern Europe in the Caucasus mountain region. The wild pear was small and hard and gritty, but was probably found by the Neolithic hunter-gatherers. Pears have certainly been around for millennia, and were cultivated in western Asia at least 3,000 years ago. The Himalayan wild pear still grows in the subcontinent and wild pear trees can be found still in Europe.

  Homer speaks of pears in his epic poem “The Odyssey” and pears were sacred to the Greek and Roman goddesses Aphrodite or Venus, Hera or Juno and the Roman goddess of the harvest and gardens Pomona. The Romans ate them at the end of their meals along with other fruit such as pomegranates, figs and walnuts, and the Greek Theophrastus (371-286BC) suggests that pear cultivation was common in his day. Pliny, writing later says that Falerian pears were the best for making wine and others were good only when boiled with honey. He didn’t recommend them to be eaten raw. This was the same as later writers in Britain as a 16^th century manuscript written by monks in Worcestershire says “Peres causeth ye colyck passion in ye bowelles…” and Gerard the 16^th century herbalist suggests that English Perry (a drink like cider which is made from apples) made from pears was good for the stomach as it “comforteth and warmeth” it although it purged people who were not used to drinking it. However he recommends it as being good for digestion. Gerard and his friend Sir Thomas Hanmer were the first in England to propagate pears by grafting them onto quince stock. This was done in France and Belgium at the time, and the practice continues today. Quinces are closely related to pears.

  The Roman historian Tacitus writes that pears were being cultivated at the time of the Roman occupation of Britain, and there were several varieties of pear growing there at that time. In the Domesday Book of 1086, pear trees were mentioned as forming boundaries which illustrates their use as hedges.

  Pears are members of the rose family of plants and are also closely related to apples and more distantly to loquats, plums, apricots and peaches. They were taken to America by the colonists and the first pear tree was planted on American soil in 1620. All the pears we have today are believed to come from Pyrus nivalis and Pyrus caucasia, but there are thousands of pear varieties grown around the world.

  Pears have diuretic properties and are useful for expelling stones especially from the kidneys. They are good for cystitis and inflammation of the prostate gland. A tisane can be made from dried pear leaves for these problems. Take 20 grams of dried pear leaves and macerate in ½ litre of boiling water for 20 minutes. And take two cups of this a day one before each main meal. A decoction of the bark (boil 25 grams of the bark in ½ litre of water for 20 minutes) is useful to apply to sprains and bruises, as it will reduce swelling. Pears protect the bladder against cancer, as well as the colon (they are full of fibre) and have astringent qualities so are useful for mild diarrhea and colitis. They have some pain relieving properties, and can help to lower blood pressure. They also promote cardiovascular health, lower cholesterol levels and are good for the eyesight (it’s not just carrots that are good for it.) They are rich in vitamin C and the minerals potassium and copper as well as containing vitamins A, K, E, folate and some of the B-complex ones. They also contain several valuable amino acids, and the minerals manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, chloride, iron, zinc and traces of selenium. They also have potent antioxidant properties, as they contain beta-carotene and ascorbic acid.

  Until the 18^th century pears were not the juicy fruit we have today. These were cultivated from then onwards and the Conference pear was first introduced in Britain at the National British Pear Conference in Hertfordshire in 1885. This pear was awarded the Royal Horticulture Society’s Award of Garden Merit, and is probably the favourite British pear.

  Pear trees attract bees because of their nectar, but the trees in Europe are suffering from European Pear Rust. The Royal Horticultural Society and sylva.org. launched a Tree Watch in 2011 and are asking people to adopt a tree or as many as they’d like to and monitor it for signs of this disease.

  We all know the meaning of “going pear-shaped”, when a project doesn’t go well this is what we say in English, and clearly this relates to the bottom heaviness of the fruit. However in Pakistan, pears look like russet apples almost round, so this phrase has to be explained. “Apples and pears” are stairs in Cockney rhyming slang too, and of course there is the Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” in which “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me/ A partridge in a pear tree.” Pears are certainly part of British popular culture.

ROQUEFORT, PEAR AND WALNUT SALAD

Ingredients

6 oz Roquefort/creamy Gorgonzola/ goat’s cheese, crumbled

1 head lettuce, torn into bite size pieces

1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced

⅓ cup walnuts, chopped

3 pears, peeled, cored and chopped

½ cup spring onions sliced finely

Dressing

 ⅓ cup olive oil

3 tbsps red wine vinegar

1½ tsps sugar

1 clove garlic, chopped

½ tsp salt

1 tsp whole grain mustard (or Dijon)

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method

 Place all the salad ingredients into a bowl and blend the dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the salad, toss well and serve.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

CANNONBALL TREE ( COUROUPITA GUIANENSIS) - INFORMATION: THE BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING TREE

CANNONBALL TREE, NAGALINGAM, COUROUPITA GUIANENSIS

The Cannonball tree is native to the tropical parts of South America and held in high regard by the shamans of the Amazon region. They call it “head of spirit” or Ayahuma. It is sacred to Hindus who call it Nagalingam, as it has what resembles the sacred serpent on the large Shiva lingam in the centre of the flower and there are other Shiva lingams around this. The flowers bloom for just one day but smell amazing when in bloom, like an expensive exotic perfume. In the Amazon all parts of the tree are used medicinally by the shamans who also eat the fruit, although this is not recommended for ordinary mortals who probably have allergic reactions to it. Peccaries eat it and disperse the seeds through their faeces. It can grow to heights of 115 feet and the trunk can have a diameter of 2½ feet. Old trees can have the lower parts of their trunks completely covered with fruit and flowers.

  The fruits and flowers appear on the tree trunks together, protruding from the trunk on short stalks. The fruit contains seeds surrounded in a white edible jelly-like pulp which turns blue-green when exposed to air, and then it exudes an unpleasant smell. This occurs naturally when it falls from the tree and breaks open. As the fruit can be up to 20 cms they could cause damage to anyone they fall on, so when the trees are in public places they come with a “caution!” sign.

  The Cannonball tree is a member of the Lecythidaceae family so it is related to the Brazil nut tree. The wood from the tree can be used to make furniture and the empty fruit shell is used for kitchen utensils and decorations.

   The leaves have antibiotic, antifungal and antiseptic properties as well as bringing pain relief and are chewed to relieve toothache. In Ayurvedic medicine the leaves are used as an anti-inflammatory, and for alopecia, skin diseases and fevers. In folk medicine the tree and its parts are said to bring someone who is mad back to sanity. In the Amazon, the flesh of the fruit is used to clean wounds, and other parts are used for colds, stomach aches and malaria.

This is one of Natures truly amazing trees.

SEVILLE ORANGES OR BITTER ORANGES - FACTS: MEDICINAL BENEFITS AND USES OF BITTER ORANGES

SEVILLE ORANGES, BITTER ORANGES, CITRUS AURANTIUM

If you’ve ever been to the Spanish city of Seville or Athens, Greece, then you will have seen these bitter oranges trees lining the streets. Unfortunately although they look edible, you have a nasty shock if you eat them, as Norah Jones found out on her trip to Athens to sing at the Herodion in 2008. They are mainly used for making marmalade and the peel is used for its oil, as are the flowers, which is valuable to the food and perfume industry.

  Bitter oranges have become popular as a herbal remedy since 2004 when the US Food and Drug Administration banned Ephedra sinica products. It will no doubt come as a relief to the industry that in March 2011 HerbalGram, the quarterly Journal of the American Botany Council. A not for profit research and educational organization announced “based on current research as well as the extensive ingestion of bitter oranges and p-synephrine…the data demonstrate that bitter orange extract is safe for human consumption.” The press had seemingly confused m-synephrine which can have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system with the p form; m-synephrine is not present in bitter oranges.

  Bitter oranges are also called sour oranges and bigerades, and it is believed that they originated in South East Asia  and at some time in prehistory found their way to the Pacific Islands, notably Fiji, Samoa and Guam. The Arabs took them to the Arabian Peninsula and from there they found their way into Europe. They were being cultivated on the Italian island of Sicily by 1002 AD and were being grown in southern Spain by the 12^th century. One tree dating back to 1421 is still growing in a tub at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris, and in Seville, in Spain there are trees that are reputedly 600 years old. The trees are evergreen and in the Rutaceae family along with lemons, kinnow, citron and other citrus fruits. For 500 years they were the only orange trees that were grown in Europe. The Spaniards took them to North America where they were adopted readily by the Native Americans in the Florida region, and by 1763 they were being exported from Saint Augustine to Britain, where they had failed to thrive due to the cold weather. The orange known as the Bergamot orange is one of these bitter orange varieties.

  Seville oranges are most usually found in marmalade but in Spain they are used in sauces to go with such dishes as suckling pig, as the citrus taste cuts through the fat of the young pig, and with salt cod. In Mexico these oranges are cut in half and salted then spread with a paste made with chilli peppers and eaten. They are also used in cordials and in Yucátan, Mexico they are used like vinegar. In the Pacific Islands, the crushed fruit and macerated leaves are used as a substitute for soap to wash clothes and for shampoo. Petitgrain oil is used to enhance the flavours of other fruit such as apricots, blackcurrants, gooseberries and peaches in food products. Neroli oil and “orange flower absolute” is used in the perfume industry and the fruit is also used in the making of liqueurs such as orange curaçao and Triple Sec. The honey from the nectar of these orange flowers is delicious and the wood is valuable in carpentry and turning. In Cuba baseball bats are made from it.

Athens, Greece

  In traditional Chinese medicine the small, dried, immature fruit are used for ailments which include indigestion, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation and as an expectorant. In Africa the cut fruit is applied to sores and ulcers on the skin and research seems to have shown that the fruit and leaves have antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, although more research needs to be done. In folk medicines the leaves have been used for centuries as antispasmodics, for stomach problems and as a general tonic.  The flowers are often boiled to a syrup and used as a sedative to promote sleep in people suffering from nervous disorders. An infusion of the flowers, an ounce of flowers to a pint of boiling water left to steep for some hours, is said to be a mild stimulant. The oil from the peel has been used in cases of chronic bronchitis, and the dried powdered peel is considered a general tonic.

  The leaves have a high vitamin C content in the form of ascorbic acid, and the fruit is full of this too. The fruit also contains flavonoid-glycosides such as aldehytes, ketone-free acids, esters, coumarins and tetranotriterpenoids (limonin). Synephrine is the main chemical constituent in the fruit flavones naringin and neohesperidin. The fruit contains vitamin A and some B-complex vitamins, with the minerals calcium, iron and phosphorous; amino acids are also present.

  Below is a recipe for orange and ginger marmalade which is one of my favourites.

SPICY SEVILLE ORANGE MARMELADE

Ingredients

16 Seville oranges, finely sliced

5 large lemons, finely sliced

4 inch piece of ginger root finely minced

2 sticks of cinnamon

16 cloves

sugar

24 cups water

Method

Put the fruit into a non-corrosive pan along with the spices and simmer until tender, for about ½ an hour.

Measure the fruit and juice in cups and add 1 cup of sugar to each cup of fruit and liquid.

Pour everything into the pan again and cook the boiling mixture until it reaches setting point. This is reached when two big drops slide together and hang from a metal spoon (rather like honey does).

Pour the marmalade into sterilized jars and seal.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

BLACKBERRIES OR BRAMBLES - SUPERSTITIONS, FOLK REMEDIES AND HEALTH BENEFITS: BLACKBERRY AND APPLE CRUMBLE RECIPE

BLACKBERRIES OR BRAMBLES, RUBUS FRUTICOSUS

Blackberries or brambles grow on thorny bushes wild throughout the UK. If you’ve never picked blackberries then you can’t imagine how good they are when you’ve been pricked by the thorns on the bushes because you just had to get at the ripe, plump, juicy blackberry that was almost out of your reach. To go home and make your own pie, tart or crumble and have it with double cream, ice cream or custard is a wonderful experience and one to be recommended. However, these days with all the pollution around, you need to wash them thoroughly before eating unless you have a wood near you which is “far from the madding crowd”. Apart from the thorns, you should be careful not to get the juice on your clothes as it stains badly - wear old ones to go brambling. The fruit, like that of raspberries is made up of small fruitlets, each bearing a seed.

   Blackberries are close relations of raspberries (the same Rubus name) and are in the rose family so are related more distantly to loquats, quinces, plums, peaches, strawberries, apples and pears. The brambles flower from May to September and the berries are ripe from August through to November, but are best picked early in the season despite a superstition in some parts of England that they shouldn’t be gathered before St. Michael’s Day which is late in September (29^th). Country folk once believed that when the Devil was cast out of Paradise, he fell into a bramble bush and cursed it. If you ate the fruit before the Saints Day it was cursed. In Ireland it is said that the Devil stamps on the bush and throws his cloak over them so that they are inedible after the 19^th of October, which is when you can see the slimy marks of a parasite which attacks them in the autumn. In fact there are other superstitions surrounding blackberries, such as one in Cornwall in the south-west of England that children could be cured of ruptures and hernias if they were passed through a looped bramble. This is formed when a barren shoot curls away from the plant and then goes back to the ground and roots. In the same county this was also believed to be a cure for warts. To heal scalds and burns 9 blackberry leaves had to be dipped in spring water and then this charm was said three times, “There came three angels out of the East. One brought fire, and two brought frost, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” It was also believed that warts could be cured with the first blackberries of the season, whether these were eaten or the juice was rubbed on the warts I’m not sure. If blackberries flower early, then this is supposed to be a sign of an early harvest.

  At one time it was believed that the berries could drive away snakes, and if you dreamed of going through a blackberry thicket, or a place that was covered with brambles, then misfortune would befall. If you were pricked by their thorns in your dream, this would mean that your reputation would be damaged, and if you bled you would lose money. If you got through the bramble patch unscathed though, you would triumph in your current endeavours.

  Blackberries are black because of the anthocyanins present in them and these are also present in the black or Virginian raspberry, blackcurrants and wimberries. These have powerful antioxidant properties and help, along with those of vitamins C and E and the polyphenols present in blackberries, to make the berry one of the top fruits in the antioxidant stakes. This means that they can help prevent some cancers, including colon cancer, and the stave off the risk of strokes and heart disease. As for minerals, they contain calcium, manganese, iron, phosphorous and magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and traces of selenium. Some of the B-complex vitamins are also present as is vitamins K.

  In traditional medicine blackberry leaves and roots have been used for their astringency to help in diarrhea and dysentery, the dried fruit, reduced to a powder is also useful for these complaints. Make a tisane with 1 oz of dried leaves crumbled and pour a pint of boiling water over them. Leave this to infuse until it is cold, then strain and drink cold, one tea cup at a time every 2 or 3 hours for dysentery. You can dry blackberries in a moderate oven and then crumble the berries and save in an airtight jar. An ounce of the bruised root can be infused in 1½ pints of boiling water and left to steep until cold, then drunk as above. Apart from being good for diarrhea, this is good for spasms from whooping-cough.

  A rather tasty general tonic can be made by pressing the juice from the berries and adding a pound of sugar to every pint of juice, ½ oz of grated nutmeg and the same of cloves. Put all these ingredients into a non-corrosive pan and boil gently for 15 minutes, removing any scum as it rises to the surface. Leave the liquid to cool and then add brandy to taste ¼ bottle to 2 pints should be fine.

  Blackberry vinegar is also good for colds and mild fevers, and to make this you steep blackberries in enough malt vinegar to cover them in a non-corrosive pan for 3 days to draw the juice out of the blackberries. Strain the blackberries through a nylon sieve or muslin and leave them to drip for the day. Measure the juice and add a pound of sugar to each pint. Boil in the pan gently for 5 minutes then leave to cool, and bottle with a tight top. One teaspoon in a glass of water will quench your thirst and is excellent during fevers.

   At one time the whole plant was used medicinally for a variety of ailments and as a charm to ward off evil. It was believed that if blackberries were picked at an auspicious time of the moon, they would protect from evil spells and charms. The flowers and fruit were used for poisonous bites, and the young green shoots were eaten as salad vegetables, although I think they may have had to be blanched before eating. They were also said to fasten loose teeth in the gums, although John Gerard (writing in the 16^th century) rather judiciously points out that they should be boiled with a little alum for this purpose. He regarded the plant as being valuable for its astringent qualities both eaten and the juice used on the skin to treat piles, sore mouths and throats and diarrhea and small kidney and bladder stones. The ancient Greeks believed that blackberries were effective for gout, and Pliny refers to them as Rubus rusticanus a bramble of the countryside.

  These days of course you can buy cultivated blackberries in supermarkets, but the fun of making a blackberry pie or jam is to pick them yourself in the countryside.

BLACKBERRY AND APPLE CRUMBLE

Ingredients

8 ozs-1 lb blackberries, cleaned and washed

1 or 2 cooking apples depending on the size, peeled and sliced

2 tbsps sugar

Topping

5 ozs flour

3½ ozs butter

a little extra butter

5 ozs sugar

2 ozs rolled oats or crushed almonds

Method

Pre-heat the oven to Gas Mark 4 or 180°C.

In a mixing bowl mix together the flour, butter and sugar until it looks like fine breadcrumbs. Add the oats or almonds and mix well. You can do this in a food processor or blender.

Put the blackberries mixed with the apple slices in a high cake tin or equivalent and pour over the topping. Dot with a little extra butter and bake for 40 mins.

Serve hot or cold with custard, whipped cream or ice-cream.

This has Taste and is a Treat.