A look back on the year 2022 at Jekka’s

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Looking back at the past year, we can see that 2022 was a year of positive planning and forward-looking.

Highlights for 2022:Marcus Wareing, Jekka’s culinary herb garden at Riverstone, How to Use Herbs master class, Sarah Eberle’s Chelsea Flower Show Garden and the Bristol Putting Down Roots gang.

Everyone knows that what has happened in the past few years, whether it be directly or indirectly, has affected everyone. Many, especially small businesses, will feel the impact of COVID-19, and subsequent lockdowns, for many years to come. We discussed our plans for Jekka's over mince pies at the end of 2021. In 2022, we began putting them into action. This blog looks at the year of 2022, which was unlike any other, but in the same vein uncertainty is now certain. Who could have predicted what happened in the year? The herbs will grow forever!

Spring at Jekka's

Sweet Cicely

Mac drew the paths and beds on the hardstanding as a first step to realising Jekka’s future. Then we laid out the steel edging, which was made by Steel Landscaping Co. A drone flew over in the early stages and you can see this on Jekka’s Herb Garden. The design is an infinity symbol that creates two flowers. Each petal represents a different herb bed.

Laying the Steel for Jekka’s Herb Garden

We welcomed Marcus Wareing on the farm the summer before for his show based on the homestead. The show was broadcast at the beginning of March 2022, and it sparked a renewed interest for herbs. Especially the Chinese Schezuan Pepper. You can still watch it on BBC's iplayer, Marcus Wareing’s Tales from the kitchen garden.

Marcus Wareing’s Tales of a Kitchen Garden

Do you want to learn more? Read Jekka’s blog on Marcus Wareing’s Herb Kitchen Garden and create your own.

We will also be running our Master Classes in spring 2022: Herb Garden Design and How to Use Herbs. We were delighted to welcome attendees who booked the Master Classes in winter 2019. The participants shared in our passion for herbs. It was a day filled with food and herbs.

Jekka 2022 Master Class

Do you want to attend a master class? Check out our Spring 2023 Master Classes.

The Chelsea Flower Show is held at the end of spring and beginning of summer. Jekka supported and grew a number gardens, but especially for Sarah Eberle. Sarah is a Jekka friend and one of America's top landscape architects. Sarah's Chelsea Flower Show Garden had the title "MEDITE Smartly Building the Future". The natural rock strata was created using MEDITE (a sustainable building material). It was then topped off with a green sloped roof. The waterfall that cascaded over the rock strata to the pool below was impressive.

Sarah's Chelsea Flower Show Garden

Would you like to know more? Check out our Newsletter for details.

Summer at Jekka's

Jekka's Herbetum

Jekka feels honoured to be part of Riverstone. As you may have read on various blogs and newsletters Riverstone offers exceptional London living options for over 65s. Jekka will design and plant a culinary kitchen herbs garden at their Kensington home in summer 2022. Andy Sturgeon designed this herb garden as part of a communal garden that residents and visitors can enjoy.

Jekka’s Riverstone Culinary Kitchen Gardens in Kensington and Fulham

Would you like to learn more? Check out Jekka's blog on her Riverstone kitchen herb garden.

Richard Rickitt, the owner of the herb farm where we held our first Friends of Jekka Introduction to Bee Keeping Masterclass was also very pleased. The day was filled with fascinating information about bees. We learned everything from their types, how to take care of them, and where to keep them. We also got to see a hive up close.

Alistair at Cheltenham Food Festival

Alistair, Jekka’s son, was delighted to be invited to give a cooking demonstration at the Cheltenham Food Festival. He made herb bruschettas and herbal syrups. Make a cocktail using Jekka’s herb syrups. Find the recipe online.

Since 2001, Jamie Oliver and Jekka have been friends. The teaching team from Jamie Oliver's Cookery School visited the farm in conjunction with a group. Jekka took them to Jekka's Herbetum, where they learned about herbs and tried some of her 400 varieties.

Do you want to arrange a group tour? Learn more here .

Jekka’s Open Days 2022

We have run and organised several Jekka’s Open Days throughout the year. We have limited the coupons to 4 sessions due to lockdowns and maintaining safe distances. This is the way we have always operated, as it allows us to help everyone. The tours, talks and café are also not overcrowded. It is a fun experience for all. Jean Vernon was a regular at our open days and gave bee tours and walks. You can order both of her books online: Secret Lives of Garden Bees, and Bringing Garden Pollinators. St Mungo's RSPB, Woodland Trust and St Mungo's also had stalls.

Do you want to learn more? Check out Jean Vernon’s guide on how to get your garden buzzing with bees and pollinators!

We are looking forward to welcoming people to Jekka's Herb Garden next year. Our dates can be found in our event calendar if you're already planning the year.

Autumn & Winter at Jekka's

Chinese Szechuan Pepper

We were honored to have been shortlisted for the Bee Bold Award - Space for Nature this autumn. The Bee Bold Awards recognize innovative approaches to protect and support pollinators so they can recover and thrive. Bees are a major focus of Jekka’s HerbFest 2020. We are very proud of our bees.

Early autumn we did the autumn refreshment of Riverstone’s Kensington herb gardens and planted the new herb garden in their Fulham residence. The garden was laid out in diagonal rows, as the majority of residents would be viewing it from above.

St Mungo's Bristol Putting Down Roots helped us to progress Jekka's Herb Garden at the herb farm. They helped us prepare the soil in each bed, using recycled compost. Sieving, moving, and preparing soil to be planted in the spring.

The planning has already begun for Jekka’s HerbFest in 2023. We can't wait to host this event next summer. Tickets went on sale in November. Jekka’s HerbFest is a series of talks and demonstrations by top chefs, as well as garden tours led by a range of experts. The National Institute of Medical Herbalists is back with a new Health and Wellbeing Zone that provides medicinal herb tours of Jekka’s Herbetum and on-site consultations.

Jekka’s HerbFest 2020

Want to know more? Check out the line up and get tickets here: www.jekkasherbfest.com

We also introduced some new products in our online store as we entered the holiday season. These included our Jekka’s New 2023 herb calendar, Whichford Pottery Gardeners Gift Boxes a Wildlife World Bird Feeder and Cotswold Granaries ‘No Mess’ bird food. There are also some beautiful new " For the Home " gifts, including St. Eval’s relaxing, scented herbal candles and Wild Sage and Co.’s wonderful, herbal skin care range, including soaps and lips balm.

Looking for more information? Visit Jekka’s Online Shop to find more herbal gifts.

2023 at Jekka's

We look forward to 2023 as 2022 comes to an end. We said it at the beginning of this blog: herbs will always grow. The theme for next year at Jekka’s is Jekka’s Herb Garden, and Jekka’s HerbFest 2020. Our Master Classes, our Open Days and a few Group Visits are already on the calendar. Visit our event calendar. We're crossing our fingers for a more peaceful year.

Winter in Jekka's Herbetum

Do you want to know more about?

Jekka’s blog, past newsletters, videos, Jekka’s book ‘A Pocketful of Herbs’ or Jekka’s Complete Herb Book’, browsing Jekkapedia, and exploring our herbal based recipes are all great places to learn more about herbs.

Jekka's Herbs of the Month Blogs: Bay (January), Rosemary, (February), Salad burnet (March), French Tarragon, (April), Angelica, (May), Alliums June), Lavender July), Basil August), Mint September), Szechuan pepper (October), Thyme November and Curry Tree December.

Visit the herb farm at South Gloucestershire during one of our open days, master classes, or herbal experiences. (See our event calendar).

Check out Jekka’s How to Grow Herbs video series and ‘Jekka’s Seasonal tips’ blog series for advice on how to maintain and grow herbs. These include what to do with your herb garden during early spring, later spring, summer, and autumn and winter. Together, they are the foundation of Jekka’s guide on How to Grow Herbs. You can also buy Jekka’s Herb Calendar.

You can order herb plants and arrange a collection at our herb farm located in South Gloucestershire, or you can attend one of our open days (see our event calendar). You can check our Look Good List for availability, and you can use our Webform to send us your list ([email protected]). There is no longer a mail order service available for our plants. However, we offer a limited number of Jekka’s Culinary Herb Boxes ..

Frequently Asked Questions

What are healing flowers?

Healing flowers are plants that promote peace and tranquillity. They help us unwind after a stressful day and make us feel more relaxed.

They also help us connect to our inner selves and reconnect with nature.

These beautiful blooms are used for meditation, prayer, and contemplation.

We call hundreds of varieties of flowering plants ‘healing’ because they provide such a fantastic experience.

This list includes roses, lilies, irises, daffodils, peonies, tulips, hyacinths, and many more.

But there are two species that I find particularly special. These are the Geranium and Lilium.

Geraniums are very easy to grow and come in various colors. Liliums are also known as lily-of-the-valley, which means 'lily' and 'valley.' Both of these species are popular garden flowers.

Healing flowers are often found growing near water. They are said to bring peace and calmness to those who meditate with them.

In ancient times, people would light candles in flower petals to symbolize the sun. This way, they could honor the sun without needing to go outdoors.

Some say that when you look at these flowers, you may see angels dancing.

What spice is good for inflammation?

Turmeric is one spice that can be beneficial for reducing inflammation. It contains the active ingredient curcumin, which has been studied extensively and shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. Other spices like ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, garlic, and cardamom may also reduce inflammation in the body. Adding these spices to your diet can help reduce inflammation and promote overall health.

Another spice that can be used to reduce inflammation is black pepper. The active ingredient in black pepper, piperine, has been studied and found to have anti-inflammatory properties. It may also help reduce pain associated with inflammation. Additionally, the spice contains antioxidants which are beneficial for overall health.

Adding black pepper to your diet may help reduce inflammation and promote overall health. Be sure to talk with your doctor before adding any spice to your diet, as some spices may interact with your medications or supplements. Eating various healthy foods, including spices with anti-inflammatory benefits, can help keep your body balanced and reduce the risk of chronic inflammation-related illnesses.

In summary, adding spices to your diet can be beneficial for reducing inflammation and promoting overall health. Spices like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, garlic, cardamom, and black pepper have all been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory effects.

Which plant has antibiotic and wound-healing properties?

People often ask about plants that have medicinal uses. Some of these include aloe vera, eucalyptus, chamomile, and lavender. If you're wondering why there aren't any plants used for cleaning and disinfecting purposes, it's because most plants have toxic qualities.

The reason why we use herbs for medicine is that they contain compounds that stimulate our immune system. This means that they help us fight infections and heal wounds.

Some plants also have anti-inflammatory properties. These include ginger, turmeric, and mint.

Herbs such as basil, fennel, marigold, and oregano are great for cleansing the body.

There are even some plants that help prevent cancer. Research shows that black raspberries may reduce the chances of developing breast cancer. The same goes for broccoli. It can help prevent colon cancer.

What herbs should you take daily?

Depending on your health and wellness needs, many herbs can be taken daily to help improve your overall health.

Popular herbs for daily consumption include ashwagandha, turmeric, ginger, holy basil, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, and cayenne pepper. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that can help the body resist stress and anxiety. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while ginger has been shown to aid digestion and boost immunity. Holy basil may help with managing blood sugar levels, as well as providing a calming effect. Chamomile can promote relaxation, while lavender is used in aromatherapy for its calming properties. Peppermint can help aid digestion and reduce nausea, while cayenne pepper has antibacterial properties that may boost your immunity.

As always, you must consult your doctor before taking herbs daily to ensure they are safe for you and do not interact with any other medications or herbs you may be taking.

There is no shortage of information on what foods we should eat and how much exercise we should do. But when it comes to what supplements we should take, there is a dearth of knowledge.

This is because most of us aren’t sure which ones work or which are junk. So we go online and look up whatever we can find.

But often, these articles are written by companies trying to promote their products. Which means they're usually biased toward their product.

So instead of finding unbiased advice, we end up reading marketing hype.

This makes sense since marketers make more money selling stuff than doctors.

The medical industry isn’t even allowed to advertise directly to consumers anymore. The best way to learn about natural remedies is to read independent reviews.

This is where you'll find real users sharing their experiences with each supplement. These sites give you an honest opinion of whether or not a particular herb helps.

Users will often share their experience with a supplement after taking it. This gives you a good idea of its effectiveness and any side effects.

You can also check out forums dedicated to herbalism. Here you can ask questions and receive answers based on personal experience.

Of course, there are plenty of other ways to learn about herbs.

There are books, websites, blogs, videos, podcasts, and classes. All of them provide valuable information about natural remedies.

Which spices from the kitchen are used to cure diseases?

There are more than 4000 medicinal plants that are widely distributed throughout the world. Some of these plants contain active compounds that may help treat various ailments.

In India alone, there are more than 1000 species of herbs that are used for medical purposes. This includes Ayurvedic medicine, Unani medicine, Siddha medicine, Homeopathic medicine, and Chinese medicine.

The most common ingredient found in these medicines is ginger. Ginger contains volatile oils that give it its aromatic flavor. These oils contain anti-inflammatory properties that make them useful against arthritis, fever, vomiting, and indigestion.

Ginger also helps relieve nausea and stomach cramps caused due to pregnancy. Pregnant women often consume ginger tea to reduce morning sickness. Ginger is also commonly used for cough and cold relief.

Another spice that is known to have medicinal value is turmeric. Turmeric contains curcumin which has been shown to inhibit tumor growth. This makes it an effective cancer treatment.

Turmeric is also considered to be very beneficial for joint health. It relieves inflammation and stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also believed to prevent osteoporosis.

Garlic, too, is another herb that is extensively used in traditional medicine. Its healing qualities include treating infections, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes and even reducing cholesterol levels. Garlic oil is also used to treat wounds and insect bites.

Garlic is a natural antibiotic that fights bacteria and viruses. The antibacterial property makes it ideal for treating respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

It is also helpful in preventing urinary tract infections.

Other spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper, ginger, cayenne, mustard seeds, fennel, and coriander are also used to treat different illnesses.

What is the difference between basil and oregano?

Both of these herbs belong to the Lamiaceae family. They share similar flavors, but the differences are obvious.

Oregano is more pungent than basil. It also adds an extra layer of flavor to foods.

Basil leaves are smaller than oregano leaves. They are also softer and less aromatic.

The two herbs are often used interchangeably. Although they are quite similar, each has its distinctive qualities.

Is it okay to use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?

It is best to pick up fresh herbs whenever possible when using herbs.

Although dried herbs are convenient, they don’t provide the same benefits as fresh herbs.

Fresh herbs contain essential oils that give your food a unique flavor. These oils help preserve the nutrients within the herb.

Dried herbs lose all their flavor after drying, so they cannot replace fresh herbs.

You should only use dried herbs if you absolutely must. Otherwise, you should get your fresh herbs from the market.

Statistics

• Studies have shown that cinnamon can lower fasting blood sugars by 10-29% in diabetic patients, which is a significant amount (9Trusted Source10Trusted (healthline.com)
• The global herbs market is expected to reach more than $125 billion by the end of 2025.

External Links

[TAG29]

• Amazon.com: Starwest Botanicals Organic Bilberries Whole, 4 Ounces: Grocery & Gourmet Food

[TAG31]

• Detoxification and antioxidant effects of curcumin in rats experimentally exposed to mercury - Agarwal - 2010 - Journal of Applied Toxicology - Wiley Online Library

[TAG33]

• Antioxidant capacity of 26 spice extracts and characterization of their phenolic constituents - PubMed


• Cinnamon: A Multifaceted Medicinal Plant - PMC

[TAG36]

• Ashwagandha | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center


• Grape Seed | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

How To

How to Use Herbs and Spices in Cooking?

Herbs and spices are a great way to add flavor without adding calories. If you've been cooking for years, you already know how easy it is to make even bland foods taste delicious. Try these tips to add more flair to your dishes.

Herbs and spices are essential ingredients in any kitchen. In addition to making food taste better, they also help keep food fresh longer. From enhancing the flavors of soups and sauces to infusing drinks with exotic tastes, herbs and spices go far beyond traditional cooking.

The most important thing to remember when using herbs and spices is to use them sparingly. Even though they may seem like powerful ingredients, they have a strong scent. So, sprinkle them on top instead of piling them onto a dish.

You'll find that the best herbs and spices come in small containers. This makes them easier to measure out, so there won't be any waste. Plus, you'll save money because you won't have to buy large amounts.

Another tip is to avoid placing herbs and spices directly on hot pans. Heat will quickly dry out the herbs and spices, leaving a bitter aftertaste. Instead, place them on paper towels to absorb excess moisture.

Use herbs and spices liberally in recipes where they naturally complement each other. For example, cinnamon pairs well with apples, while garlic complements tomatoes. Once you learn how to combine flavors, you'll be able to create your signature dishes.

Try experimenting with different herbs and spices to spice up meals. For instance, mix thyme, rosemary, oregano, and basil in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Then toss the mixture with pasta, chicken, or fish.

After the meal, store leftover herbs and spices in airtight jars. This will prevent them from drying out. Also, wrap unused herbs and spices tightly in plastic wrap. They should stay fresh for at least three months.

If you're looking for ways to improve your diet, consider trying new herbs and spices. You can experiment with different blends until you discover your favorite combination. The possibilities are endless!

Resources:

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