Plant of Bear's Breech (Acanthus mollis)

Bear’s breech is a popular ornamental element in the art of ancient Rome and Greece. The shrub has beautiful dark green feathery leaves and blooms spectacularly in July and August. Originally from the Mediterranean area it often is found in rocky soils. Because of its resemblance it is often erroneously called Heracleum, but this is a different plant.

Medicinally it is considered to be an appetite stimulant, diuretic and bile stimulator, and all parts of the plant are used.

The Acanto is a hardy plant withstanding temperatures of approx. -15 ° C outdoors. In pots it should be kept cool, with temperatures around 5 ° C.

 Soap Aloe, Zebra Aloe (Aloe saponaria, aloe maculata)

This aloe owes its name to the fact that it is used in South Africa by the local population for laundry, the gel of its leaves can be beaten in water also to wash clothes. On a large scale the gel of this aloe is demanded by the cosmetics industry.

The plant's cultivation is very simple, it is salt-tolerant and can tolerate short-term temperatures around zero degrees.

In addition to its positive cosmetic properties, it also has a great potential as a medicinal plant:

The gel has a bactericidal, antiseptic and anesthetic effect and can therefore be externally caused by joint pain, inflammation and mild

Sunburn use. In local popular medicine it is used internally in arthritis, bronchitis, cellulite, intestinal parasites, ulcers and even in cancer treatment.

Aloe vera (Aloe vera)

Of the approximately 500 aloe species, Aloe vera is probably the most famous. Medicinal effects have both aloe vera and Aloe arborescens.

Aloe Vera is a part of many creams and cosmetic products and is now grown in a large scale.

Aloe can also be used very simply fresh by breaking the leaves and the gel juice directly on the affected skin areas

Uses: Sunburn, skin care products, lubricants

Heartleaf iceplant, baby sun rose (Aptenia cordifolia)

This perennial, succulent plant plant originally originates from South Africa but is now found throughout the Mediterranean region. The perennial iceberg is an excellent traffic light plant, which is particularly appreciated in France as a salad addition and also as a vegetable. When it gets a place in the full sun it grows very fast and shows many about 1.5 cm large, bright red blossoms which are closed again after sunset. The flowering period ranges from spring to autumn and therefore also as bees and bumblebee pasture. As far as the care is concerned, this plant is very unpretentious and can also be cultivated very well in tubs on the balcony where it can grow down nicely. Because of its leaf form, it is also called the heart-leaf flower.

Soil: thrives particularly well in very permeable substrate. If the persistent herb is planted in pots you should be aware that these are quite high, excessive casting should be avoided, possibly some long-term fertilizer with the substrate.

Light: Full sun is preferred, but also grows in half

Aloe arborescens (Aloe arborescens) Plant

Due to the many possible medicinal and cosmetic uses of Aloe arborescens this plant should always have a special place in our garden. As aloe is easy to care for it can be grown well in pots and window boxes so that will survive in a harsh winter. It is very common to find this component in facial and hands creams, shampoos, and sunscreens. It is also recommended as protection against radiation.

The juice can be used in recipes such as that of Father Romano Zago (Jesuit in Brazil), which together with other components, is used as an anticancer remedy, although science has not yet ruled on the matter.

It has been found that aloe arborescens is more effective than aloe vera and it is medically proven that so far this is the aloe with greatest curative qualities. Indeed in Germany it has been recognized as the only aloe plant with high quality medicinal effects. This Aloe can reach a height of up to 3 meters in southern areas. If allowed to grow it becomes a bush and then a tree if you remove the side shoots that. In southern Italy the plant blooms with beautiful red flowers in January and February.

Soil: grows well in rocky but well drained soil. Needs moisture both winter and summer but also tolerates drought periods.

Light: It grows especially well in warm and bright spots

Multiplication: Reproduce planting the side shoots. Seeds can also work but need above 20 ° C to germinate

In winter: they adapt well to windows pots. Withstands temperatures of about 0 ° C but will not survive freezing during a long period of time.

 Uses:

 In the kitchen:

It is claimed that the juice of the plant with corn vodka has a relaxing effect.

  In the home:

Cosmetics: Some juice mixed in the shampoo prevents dryness and itching of the scalp. It is also used as a moisturizer for dry skin.

Medicine & Health:

It is used against sunburn and other minor burns. It also has demonstrated healing effects against dermatitis, eczema and other skin ailments. It is also used in cancer therapy and to reduce side effects of chemotherapy. Used against arthritic rheumatism, liver function regulator. Reduces the level of blood sugar in diabetes Mellitus.

Plant of Aloe Arborescens - BIG (aloe arborescens)

Due to the many possible medicinal and cosmetic uses of Aloe arborescens this plant should always have a special place in our garden. As aloe is easy to care for it can be grown well in pots and window boxes so that will survive in a harsh winter. It is very common to find this component in facial and hands creams, shampoos, and sunscreens. It is also recommended as protection against radiation.

The juice can be used in recipes such as that of Father Romano Zago (Jesuit in Brazil), which together with other components, is used as an anticancer remedy, although science has not yet ruled on the matter.

It has been found that aloe arborescens is more effective than aloe vera and it is medically proven that so far this is the aloe with greatest curative qualities. Indeed in Germany it has been recognized as the only aloe plant with high quality medicinal effects. This Aloe can reach a height of up to 3 meters in southern areas. If allowed to grow it becomes a bush and then a tree if you remove the side shoots that. In southern Italy the plant blooms with beautiful red flowers in January and February.

Soil: grows well in rocky but well drained soil. Needs moisture both winter and summer but also tolerates drought periods.

Light: It grows especially well in warm and bright spots

Multiplication: Reproduce planting the side shoots. Seeds can also work but need above 20 ° C to germinate

In winter: they adapt well to windows pots. Withstands temperatures of about 0 ° C but will not survive freezing during a long period of time.

 Uses:

 In the kitchen:

It is claimed that the juice of the plant with corn vodka has a relaxing effect.

  In the home:

Cosmetics: Some juice mixed in the shampoo prevents dryness and itching of the scalp. It is also used as a moisturizer for dry skin.

Medicine & Health:

It is used against sunburn and other minor burns. It also has demonstrated healing effects against dermatitis, eczema and other skin ailments. It is also used in cancer therapy and to reduce side effects of chemotherapy. Used against arthritic rheumatism, liver function regulator. Reduces the level of blood sugar in diabetes Mellitus.

Mother of thousands, alligator plant, or Mexican hat plant (Kalanchoë daigremontiana)

The succulent plant Kalanchoe of about 150 cm in height, belongs to the family of the Crassulacean. It originally comes from Madagascar, although it is in wild state in many tropical countries and also in the Mediterranean area. They are very curious because on the edge of the leaves there is a row of miniature seedlings that confer a very attractive appearance. The back of the leaves often has a nice grated drawing. Bryophyllum is a plant that lasts several years even in pots. If you want to get high plants should be planted in pots and containers.

Plant snake flower, cat's tail (Bulbine frutescens)

The Cat's tail plant is one of the succulent lily plants and originates from South Africa.

The Bulbine also tolerates dry periods very well, but grows considerably faster with sufficient water supply.

In South Africa, the gel-like juice of the leaves is used externally in sunburn, skin infections, herpes, insect bites, acne, and dry skin.

In the garden (Spanish coast) we were also able to see a great popularity among bees and bumblebees, especially in the early flowering period (Jan.-Mar.), this is probably also a good bee plant. In some cases, a second flowering period was found in the autumn in some specimens.

Bulbine can multiply over division and seed.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Calendula is one of the well known medicinal plants. The yellow to orange petals are used. It is especially useful in treating difficult wounds. It seems to have anti -inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal effects, stimulates tissue regeneration and improves ulcers stomach and intestines.

Also in the garden Calendula officinalis is a very useful plant as its strong odor repels snails. It is also a host plant for many predatory wasps etc.

In the garden it grows without any care and if in the right place adds a touch of color to a garden of herbs.

In the food industry the petals are used as dye and petals and tender leaves of some varieties can be eaten in salads.

  Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum)

The plant has similar grey fuzzy leaves like lavender but especially after a rain a strong curry flavor.

Young leaves are suitable for seasoning sauces and rice.