Plants to lift spirits in winter gloom

KEEPING your herb bed going through autumn and winter will help you power through the chilly months.

For suffering bodies after Christmas parties, make the most of your fresh mint. It can be made into tea to aid digestion.

Simply dig up some mint root from the garden now and pot it up, water well and place on a warm, welllit windowsill indoors. Within two to three weeks, you will notice new shoots.

Or tie eau de cologne mint under the tap when drawing a bath to revive spirits at the end of a stressful day.

Use regular mint for making mojito cocktails and chew a few leaves to get rid of garlic breath. Or even chocolate dip the fresh leaves for an original take on after-dinner mints. Outside, in a sheltered spot close to the back door, keep a bay tree in a container. Leaves can be used fresh when roasting gammon or make a bouquet garni to add flavour to soups and stews. Bundle sprigs of bay, parsley and thyme together along with a leek and pop in a simmering pan. Bay leaves are also useful popped inside a jar of rice or flour to keep weevils away. Lemon thyme is great for winter. The leaves make a warming infusion to relieve colds and exhaustion. Adding it to your bath will also ease aches and pains after digging.

Because lemon thyme has so many uses, it is a good idea to pot up two plants – one to grow on the kitchen windowsill and one to keep outside.

By rotating them, you should have a constant supply. Keep compost almost dry in winter, watering only when absolutely necessary.

Rosemary is known as the remembrance herb, due to its alleged ability to boost the memory.

Rosemary tea is excellent for headaches and hangovers. When chilled, it can be used as an antiseptic gargle and breath freshener.

Sage tea is another good remedy for indigestion and sore throats and is said to combat the effects of old age.