CAMPHOR TREE - THE MOTH-BALL TREE: INFORMATION AND USES OF CAMPHOR TREE

CAMPHOR TREE, CAMPHOR LAUREL, CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA

The camphor tree produces a white crystalline substance, camphor, which has been much used as insect repellant. If you have ever smelled a moth ball-that’s camphor. It comes from the wood of the evergreen tree which can grow up to 100 feet and can have a canopy of 6 or 7 feet in diameter. It’s native to the Indian subcontinent, China, Taiwan, Japan and Borneo, and curiously the trees possess different quantities of chemical variants such as linalool and cineole depending on their country or region of origin. Of course it is a relative of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum).

  It is said to kill fleas as well as repel insects such as moths (personally I’d prefer to use patchouli oil to keep moths away!) I remember that my grandmother smelled of mothballs at the change of seasons, and I never liked the smell.

  Camphor is found in other plants, not just in the camphor tree, called kafar in Arabic and Urdu, karpoor in Sanskrit, the English word camphor seems to come from the mediaeval Latin (derived no doubt from the Arabic) camfora. For example dried rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) leaves contain 20 % camphor oil. The Arabs used camphor to flavour both desserts and meat dishes and it is mentioned in the Quran as being added to drinks for flavour. This must be an example of how our preferences for tastes and smells have changed over the centuries, just as the English herbalist Gerard hated the smell of fresh coriander, so we find it pleasant.

  Camphor has been used medicinally in the Indian subcontinent for millennia and has been used to treat Parkinson’s disease, bronchitis, tetanus, liver and kidney diseases, cholera, breast pains, to cure headaches and as an aphrodisiac. It is used externally as a stimulant and muscle relaxant and as a counter irritant to the pains of rheumatism.

  It has diuretic and diaphoretic (sweat-promoting) properties and is anti-microbial and anti-fungal so useful for skin complaints. In the Middle Ages it was used in lozenges for sweetening the breath. It is also supposed to relieve “the Itch” or genital problems. However, if taken to excess it can result in paralysis and coma, and less severe symptoms such as headaches, convulsions, nausea, vomiting and loss of sight. It’s probably best avoided and stick to using it as an insect repellant rather than for any other uses, unless you use the wood for cabinets, in which case, you will never get woodworm in them.

  In India Hindus use camphor as incense (as they do sandalwood Santalum album) although this is not edible camphor. A distinction is made in the subcontinent between that used for culinary purposes and the one used for incense. It can also be used in embalming and has been used in the making of fireworks.

  In a recipe for Zangcha duck in China’s Szechuan province camphor tree branches and twigs are used for smoking the duck. In the 13^th century an Andalusian cookery book has a recipe for meat with apples, flavoured with camphor and musk (still used in Pakistan as a medicine). Another was for Honeyed Dates flavoured with camphor. This demonstrates the Arabic influence on Andalusian cuisine at the time as camphor was widely used in cooking in the Islamic world at that time.

 The Camphor laurel as it is called in Australia was introduced there in 1822 as an ornamental but now it is invasive in New South Wales and Queensland, as its leaves when they fall, prevent other plants from growing. It is also threatening the native eucalyptus trees, which the endangered koalas rely on. The trees’ extensive root systems are wreaking havoc with sewage and drainage systems.

  It was introduced into the USA in 1875 and has become naturalized in the southern states, and is classed as an invasive species in Florida.

  The tree’s essential oils are found in the leaves as well as in the wood, and a few drops of the oil, or camphor crystals mixed with coconut oil and massaged into the scalp strengthens hair and promotes hair growth, allegedly. Camphor is absorbed through the skin and has a cooling effect; or rather it can act as a local anaesthetic. It is one of the ingredients in Vick’s rubs for bronchitis which you might have been subjected to as a child. It is also used in balms for chapped lips, chilblains, skin problems, and a variety of other medications for respiratory problems and is good for colds and coughs as is menthol and eucalyptus.

  In some parts of Asia the old leaves of the camphor tree are dreid and used as a spice and condiment, while the young shoots and leaves are cooked and used as a vegetable. There’s simply no accounting for taste.

  

CELERIAC - LOOKS HIDEOUS BUT TASTES DIVINE: HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF CELERIAC: CELERIAC SIDE DISH RECIPE

CELERIAC, APIUM GRAVEOLANS VAR. RAPACEUM

Celeriac is the unpromising-looking root of celery, which is warty due to the rootlets that stem from it. If you get over its appearance you will find that it combines the flavours of celery and parsley (to which it is also related). It is a member of the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family which makes it a relative of anise, caraway, fennel, dill, carrots and parsnips. It is known by several names such as root celery, knob celery, and turnip-rooted celery, as it does bear some resemblance to a giant turnip, although it is certainly not as attractive.

  It shares the same history as celery but was cultivated for it s root in Italy in the 17^th century. It soon spread to the rest of Europe, and became famous in France in the classic dish, celerie remoulade. To make this cold salad, peel the celeriac, grate it and marinade it in lemon juice to get rid of its ‘raw’ taste. Then dress it with a mustard mayonnaise.

  You can boil it, mash it, bake or roast it and deep fry it - anything you can do with a potato you can do with this unprepossessing vegetable. It’s very good mashed with potatoes and garlic. You can make a creamy vegetable soup with it for winter or use it in salads such as the one above in summer. The recipe given below is a delicious accompaniment to meat and goes well with broccoli.

  Celeriac has been used for its medicinal properties, as it helps with periods, and promoted milk flow in breast-feeding mothers, as well as being a diuretic and good for breaking down and flushing out kidney stones. It has also been used to strengthen the nervous system, as a stimulant and tonic.

  It is fairly low in calories, but contains sodium, so you don’t need to put much salt with it when you cook it. You can bake it whole and then peel it for ease after cooking and to have a low calorie snack. The leaves can be used to flavour soups and stews and they can be eaten raw, but it is better to blanch them at least as they have a strong taste.

Celeriac strips

   When raw the root contains a fair amount of vitamin C and it is potassium and phosphorous rich and also contains many of the B-complex vitamins although not thiamin (B1). It also has the minerals selenium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and magnesium in it. Potassium is good for many reasons especially as it lowers blood pressure and the risk of strokes according to Harvard University Health Professional Study which also found that drinking coffee has benefits. Combined with magnesium, potassium helps men with erectile dysfunctions as it promotes the blood flow and dilates the arteries.

  If you want to grow this in your garden it goes well with French beans (green beans), leeks, tomatoes and the brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts etc.). This root vegetable only arrived in the US in the 19^th century and it is only now that people are realizing its benefits that it is becoming more popular.

CELERIAC SIDE DISH

Ingredients

3 large celeriac, peeled and cut into thin strips

water and lemon juice combined in a bowl

juice of ½ lemon

olive oil

½  cup of any one or two of the following herbs:-

tarragon, parsley, chives, mint, lemon balm, basil

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Parmesan cheese freshly grated to serve

Method

As you peel and cut the celeriac into strips, put them in the bowl of lemon water.

Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and add the celeriac and the juice of ½ lemon. Bring back to the boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until the celeriac is tender, but not mushy.

Remove from the heat and drain and then return the celeriac to the pan along with the olive oil and herbs of your choice and salt if necessary and freshly ground black pepper.

Heat through and serve.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

  

MAST TREE - NOT THE ASHOKA TREE: INFORMATION AND USES OF MAST TREE

THE MAST TREE, POLYALTHIA LONGIFOLIA

The Mast trees Polyalthia longifolia and the variant pendula are native to the Indian subcontinent, and are easy to spot because of their elegant erect appearance. They have long, lance-like glossy pale to dark green leaves, depending on their maturity, and look as though they could walk. They are usually planted as screens and it is a wonderful sight to see them in a line. They can give shade, so are welcome in hot climates. They are members of the Anonaceae family of plants which means that they are related to the custard apple (shareefa) Anona recticula or squamosa and to the American pawpaw, or prairie banana Asimina triloba. The mast tree is also known as the False Ashoka as people frequently mistake this tree for the Ashoka tree, which is not related. The trees in this family typically contain acetogenins which may have anti-cancer and anti-HIV activities.

  In the days of sailing ships the wood from these Mast trees were used for masts, as they are flexible with straight trunks. These days however the pale yellow wood is mainly used to make decorative items such as ornamental boxes. The trees have special religious significance for Hindus and are often planted close to temples. Their branches, leaves and pale green flowers are used in religious ceremonies as decorations.

  The Mast tree is evergreen, with the new leaves being a coppery brown, although they soon turn glossy pale green which darken as they mature. The pale star-shaped green flowers grow on the small branches in clusters but are difficult to spot as they blend in with the leaves so well. They blossom in spring and are followed by small fruit which contain a single seed. Five fruit can come from one flower, and these are much loved by bats that flock to the trees in the evening when they have fruit. The trees can grow up to 12 metres tall and are easy to see on the landscape. The name polyalthia comes from the Greek meaning ‘many cures’ while longifolia means long leaved, and pendulous, hanging.

 In Ayurvedic medicine the bark is used to bring down the temperatureof the body during fevers. It is also used for skin diseases, inflammation, diabetes and to lower high blood pressure. In traditional medicine the seeds are also used to lower the temperature in fevers Ithas been the subject of quite a few research studies and has been shown to have antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It is though that it is the alkaloids found in the stem bark that are responsible for these properties. In 2009 a patent was taken out on an extract of the leaves for anti-inflammatory diseases (rheumatism etc) and its action against cancerous tumours. Just recently, on July 12^th 2011 it was reported that “new antioxidants” had been found in the Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula. Once again it would seem that ancient remedies for diseases often have a sound basis in medical science.

FIELD SOUTHERNWOOD - USED BY THE PHYSICIANS OF MYDDFAI TO CURE INSANITY

FIELD SOUTHERNWOOD, ARTEMISIA CAMPESTRIS

Field Southernwood, unlike southernwood, is a native of the British Isles, although it is not as prolific as it was in Culpeper’s day in the 17^th century, as he reports that it grew everywhere. It grows all over the temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere and can grow to around 30 inches high.

   It is another member of the Artemis genus which includes tarragon, (A dracunculus), mugwort (A. vulgaris), wormwood (A. absinthum) and sweet wormwood (A. annua). It has very similar properties to southernwood but they are not as potent. However if it is easier to come by and you’d like to discover what a tisane of it tastes like, follow the recipe given for southernwood).

  Culpeper believed that it was a good diuretic and advocated a conserve being made from the fresh tops, beaten with twice their weight of sugar and given in cases of hysteria and as a diuretic. He describes the taste as being “…pleasant, warm, aromatic” so unlike its close relative wormwood.

  It was used in poultices for rheumatic joints, eczema, bruises and sores. The tisane or infusion can be applied on the skin for eczema too. An infusion of the roots was used especially for children as a hair tonic and to treat any scalp problems, although these did not include head lice. The roots were also made into an infusion and given as a laxative and diuretic. However if you need a laxative, then senna would be more easily available, I imagine (Jamalgota is far too potent in the normal way of these things.)

  The pulverized roots were often used as perfume in the Middle Ages, to keep away unpleasant odours and diseases.

  The Welsh Physicians of Myddfai used it for palsy and insanity, although these uses seem to be very diverse.

  This is their remedy to cure palsy, although it did have to be taken specifically on Christmas Day.

  “Take the field southernwood, pound it in a mortar, and strain the juice to about a small cupful, and give it the patient to drink, on the dawn of God's day of Christmas.”

This is there remedy for insanity; clearly these are for reference only.

“When a man becomes insane, take daisy, field southernwood and sage, digesting it in wine, and let the patient drink it for fifteen days.”

  In other ways, Field southernwood is little different in properties and uses to the Southern European southernwood.