Dubbed the “Queen of Herbs” by Jamie Oliver, Jekka McVicar has shared the best herbs to keep those winter chills and ills at bay, while also using them as an affordable option to add a healthy zest to any meal for cash strapped households. Born and brought up in Bristol, Jekka has travelled the world collecting and lecturing on herbs for over 30 years.
Taking a tour of Jekka’s Herbetum which is the largest in UK in terms of herb varieties, there is a hothouse and numerous ‘tunnels’ with hundreds of herbs at various growing stages. Jekka, who highlighted that she is not a herbalist but a herb grower, said thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic and mint are five herbs which can make a difference when treating colds and flu, coughs, sore throats and other common winter ailments.
“Drink warm water every morning with a slice of lemon or lemon thyme. Thyme is great for colds and coughs. Take a good sprig, add boiled water - not boiling as that ruins the oils in the herb - and let it infuse. This is very good taken last thing at night,” she said.
