The Citizen (KZN)

TEA INFUSIONS

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Honeybush

A sweet general health tea that is anti-carcinogen­ic and helps oestrogeni­c activity. Buchu

An antiseptic tea that also disinfects your urinary tract. It has a bold flavour. Snow Bush

An aromatic tea reminiscen­t of wild rosemary that soothes stomach aches and is linked to the treatment of heart disease. Rose pelargoniu­m

With a wonderful rose intensity, this floral tea eases kidney and bladder ailments helps ease nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and flatulence. Cancer Bush A bitter antistress tea with analgesic properties. EDIBLE PLANTS Sour Fig

This fleshy, finger-like plant can be eaten raw or used in jams and chutney. It has a mild, slightly sour taste that pairs well when dipped in a vinaigrett­e. But that’s not all. The juice is antiseptic and highly astringent (rub it over your lips if they’re dry). The leaves are equally useful. Pulp it and apply to insect bites, blue bottle stings or use it to treat wounds. Spekboom

With a flavour that closely resembles rocket, the plant also gives a unique texture. The leaves are high in vitamin C and can be eaten raw or steamed. It pairs extremely well with salt and vinaigrett­e. TINCTURES Alcohol extracts the essence of fynbos well and can help preserve it for a couple of years. To make exciting tinctures, insert a sprig of fynbos in choice grade (leave the good stuff for another day) alcohol and let it infuse for a couple of weeks. Buchu Brandy

Use this as a digestive after a meal - it has many of the same benefits as a tea infusion. Rhino Bush Gin

Also a great after dinner digestive, rhino bush is a great anti-inflammato­ry which was used as a remedy during the 1918 influenza epidemic. Snow Bush Vodka

This heady blend is quite herbal and another great digestive for after a meal. Once you have the taste for fynbos, Courtney also presents a fynbos apothecary workshop that teaches you ways to use these plants as facial toners, beard oils, scented oils, lotions, creating invigorati­ng salt scrubs, salts and bath infusions.

 ??  ?? EXPERIMENT. The Cape Town Fynbos Experience includes a deft introducti­on to various Fynbos herbs and their uses.
EXPERIMENT. The Cape Town Fynbos Experience includes a deft introducti­on to various Fynbos herbs and their uses.

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