JHB South - April 2020

and as a stimulant.” Sally stresses all herbs should be taken with caution and
after consulting with your doctor.
They have two children, Geraldine
and Andrew, and six grandchildren,
Kieran, Shannyn, Ethan, Callum, David
and Jonathan.
Since Sally was a young girl she’s
shown an interest in gardening and
would potter for hours in the family
garden. “Sixteen years ago we began
our little nursery and that is when
I really became interested in
growing herbs.
“Although I grow lots, I do have my
favourite herbs and lemon verbena is
one. It’s fantastic to make a tea from
the leaves and this is good for digestive
and nervous upsets. I also dry the
leaves and put them in my cupboards
at home to repel fish moths.
“Origanum and marjoram are superb
digestive herbs and they are excellent
for colds, flu, nausea and exhaustion.
Rosemary has an anti-inflammatory
action and is good for energy
Two of Sally’s favourite recipes using herbs
Rosemary hair rinse - Two cups rosemary sprigs to two litres of water. Simmer the
rosemary in water for 20 minutes. Strain when cool. Use as a final hair rinse after
shampooing. Massage well into the scalp. “My granddaughter regularly uses this
and her hair is lustrous,” said Sally.
lemon verbena massage oil - One cup almond oil, one cup lemon verbena leaves,
one tablespoon cloves. Simmer all ingredients in a double boiler for
30 minutes, stirring continuously, and press down the leaves. Cool, strain and put
into a sterilised jar. “Lemon verbena is also lovely as an iced tea,”
Sally added.
“I also use many herbs in my cooking as they add flavour and goodness. One of our
favourite dishes is spaghetti bolognaise, in which we use origanum, basil, thyme
and a little mint. Kevin reckons it’s the best he’s ever tasted,
but that could also have something to do with him being my husband,”
laughed Sally.
Where you can buy Sally’s herbs
“We sell our herbs at markets within the community and we are always at Niche
Community Market at the Walkerville Agricultural Showgrounds every Saturday
from 9am until 2pm. We also sell at the Emmarentia Hospice market on the last and
first Sundays of every month at the Checkers car park on Barry Hertzog Avenue.”
Enjoying life
When Sally isn’t busy growing and selling her herbs, she loves to be with her family
and friends. “Even though growing herbs and looking after our nursery takes time,
I still look after my twin grandsons, who are now two years old. I enjoy every day I
can spend with them in the outdoors, planting and having fun in the potting soil
and compost. They are definitely taking after me with their gardening skills and like
nothing more than getting their hands dirty and watering the garden. I have high
hopes they will grow up to take after their grandmother and enjoy the garden and
herb growing, but let’s see,” said Sally.
April 2020 Get It Joburg South 25
GIS0403_024_1134540994.indd 25 2020/03/12 14:25:55