Herbs, Spices, and plants with Aromatic Leaves

Auntie Lilli's South Sea Salad Bele Tree, known by the Latin name of Abelmoschus manihot, isn't a tree at all. It is in the botanical family Malvaceae, same as okra and the woody-stemmed hibiscus. It may have the growth of a shrubby tree due to its tropical nature, as it is native to tropical portions of Asia and also northern Queensland and can grow up to 9 feet tall when given the right conditions.
The South Sea Salad Tree has been a traditional green vegetable in Fiji for some time. It is grown as an tender ornamental perennial in Hardiness Zones 8-10. It does have a beautiful flower, but lesser known is the fact that both its flowers and leaves are delicious as well as nutritious! The laves are high in Vitamins A and C and Iron, and have 12% protein by dry weight. Leaves and flowers can be eaten raw in salads, and the leaves can also be lightly cooked similarly to spinach. Delicious, nutritious and a beautiful flower - talk about a perfect edible plant for tropical/subtropical landscapes and temperate annual gardens and patios.

Allspice, Jamaica Pepper, pimento tree. Leaves and bark also contain the allspice scent. Excellent container plant for indoor or greenhouse culture. This spice scent will be with you right away and will stay all the time, don't have to wait till bloom or fruit...
This plant has antimicrobial properties.

Neem tree - used cosmetically and medicinally by many cultures for centuries, also offers an environmentally safe alternative to synthetic pesticides.

Bay Rum Tree. This is a small sized tree related to the Allspice, with leaves containing and aromatic oil that somewhat resembles clove oil. This essential oil is distilled from the leaves and is used in perfumes. A type of cologne named 'Bay Rum' was historically made in the early 20th century by distilling the oil using rum and water, hence the common name of the plant. Leaves of can be used in cooking and tea. For generations, Bay Rum has been used in folk medicine. This spice scent will be with you right away and will stay all the time, don't have to wait till bloom or fruit...

Bixa orellana, the enchanting Lipstick Tree, brings a splash of South American magic to any garden with its bold, heart-shaped leaves and charming pink blooms. But the real showstopper? Its vibrant seed pods brimming with annatto - a natural pigment famed for painting dishes with rich golden hues and spicing up kitchens worldwide. Annatto isn't just a culinary delight; it's a beauty secret too, adding natural, radiant color to lipsticks and cosmetics. Beyond its practical uses, Bixa makes a striking hedge or screen, adding both beauty and function. This tree is your garden's ticket to tropical flair and everyday usefulness! In culinary arts, annatto serves as a popular spice in Latin American, Caribbean, and Filipino cuisines, adding a mild, slightly peppery flavor and a rich yellow-orange color to dishes like rice and stews.

Black pepper. Grow your own spice! Pepper is cultivated since millennia. While black and white pepper were already known in antiquity, but green pepper (and even more, red pepper) is a recent invention. Black pepper, grown in Southern India since more than two thousand years, has always been much valued all over the world. Pungent and aromatic. The pungency is strongest in white pepper and weakest in green pepper, while black and green pepper are more aromatic than the white one. Moderate growing vine that can be grown on a trellis. Prefers shade to semi-shade.
See Article about this plant.

Chinese ginger, Fingerroot. Boesenbergia rotunda is a medicinal and culinary herb from China and Southeast Asia. It is widely used in Javanese cuisine in Indonesia. In Thai cooking it is called krachai. In the west it is usually found pickled or frozen. Kra Chai is used as an antiflatulent, expels air and nurtures strength. Used as a male tonic, vigor, health promotion, longevity, aphrodisiac.

This is an extremely rare variety of the European Holistic Medicinal Plant - Golden Tendril. It has showy variegated leaves and makes a beautiful houseplant on top of its medicinal value. It tolerates wide range of conditions and requires very little water; takes both bright sun or shade and is very fast growing and easy. Leaves will turn purplish at the edges when placed in bright light. It has small, white fragrant flowers arranged in clusters of three. This is a good groundcover for mild, moderately dry climates, as well as a nice container or hanging basket plant. With a good care Callissia fragrans can reach more than 3 feet high as an indoor plant. In this case, you need to make a support to it that the plant wouldn't break under its own weight. The plant has wide medicinal use in Europe and Russia, literally every household, millions of Europeans use this plant as a home remedy. According to scientific research, active biological substances from steroid group contained in this plant can struggle with any types of infections, stimulates metabolic processes, strengthens immunity and circulatory system, has a positive influence on growths and much more... some people consider it a virtual panacea. Whether it works for everybody or not, it is definitely fun to own such a legendary plant!
See article about this plant: Callisia fragrans, Golden Tendril - Holistic Medicinal Plant

Tea plant. Yes, tea comes from a camellia! Small evergreen tree, usually pruned back to shrubs in cultivation. Interesting white flowers with golden stamens in fall and winter. Tea is the second most commonly drank liquid on earth after water. It has numerous medicinal benefits mainly due to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

See instructions how to make tea

Camphor Tree, Camphor Laurel. This is the aromatic tree from which camphor was derived (used in medicines and mothballs). Camphor trees are densely covered with shiny oval and elliptical leaves, up to 5 inches long.
Branches and leaves are used for aromatic medicinal sauna.

An exceptionally distinct pepper, it is likely an ancient hybrid of Capsicum annuum (bird pepper) and Capsicum chinense (habanero group).
While of small size (something around an inch or so long), these oddly shaped bright orange to finally red fruits are prolifically produced along the branches of compact plants with small leaves.
What separates this variety from others is its unique flavor which packs quite a bang! Not because of its heat (because our strain has either no heat what-so-ever, or so little it is hard to even detect), but because of its intense fruity habanero flavor.
If one who knows that distinct habanero super fruit flavor (which is then normally followed by the heat blast), then tries a biquinho pepper, the flavor is so distinctly habanero that when the heat blast doesn

Wiri Wiri Pepper. A variety from Guyana, the Wiri Wiri pepper is the illustrious gem; hard sought and rarely found. This plant produces good yields of small 1/2" berry shaped hot peppers. Peppers grow upright, are very hot, and turn from green, to orange, to red when mature.
What makes it so much different than any other hot pepper grown in the garden or bought at the store?
Hot? Yes, it is important that hot peppers are, but the people who really know, know that it is not just about heat, it is about flavor! And that is exactly what makes this little red gem so special. Guyanese dinners will only take one of those meals for you to never forget! The secret of their food is the flavor, and one of the cornerstone ingredients in many of their dishes is the Wiri pepper. The Guyanese population claim that it is not just a key ingredient to their diet, but also to why they are so good looking, live so long, and have such great skin.

Cassia cinnamon, Chinese cinnamon. This variety of cinnamon has elongated leaves which are highly aromatic as much as bark that is used for commercial cinnamon. Leaves are used as tea. Cinnamon is a very popular culinary spice and is also used in candy, gum, incense, toothpaste and perfumes. The oil is used in medicine as a carminative, antiseptic and astringent and source of cinnamon extract. Cold hardy plant to upper 20's F.
Read more about Cinnamon.

Cinnamon is a very popular culinary spice and is also used in candy, gum, incense, toothpaste and perfumes. The oil is used in medicine as a carminative, antiseptic and astringent and source of cinnamon extract. Leaves are very fragrant and used as tea.
Read more about Cinnamon.

Snake plant, Phaya-Yor - this exotic Thai plant marries beauty and folklore. Its striking blooms resemble the open mouths of snakes, adding a mysterious allure to your garden. Traditionally used in Thailand for snake bite relief and treating herpes, this captivating specimen not only enhances your space but also sparks conversation among guests.

Butterfly pea, Asian pigeon wings. Perfect vine! Blooms year-round, fast growing, easy, not invasive, controllable, not messy, curious white flower - Clitoris-like flower shape, hence name of the plant. Fast-growing climber with fine foliage, pinnate leaves.

Butterfly pea, Asian pigeonwings. Perfect vine! Blooms year-round, fast growing, easy, not invasive, controllable, not messy, curious bright blue flower - Clitoris-like flower shape, hence name of the plant. Fast-growing climber with fine foliage, pinnate leaves.
Besides being a great ornamental, this plant has some practical and medicinal value. The seed pods are edible, as well as the flowers. The flowers are used for blue food dye for rice and teas. It is also a nitrogen fixer and helps prevent E-coli.
See article about healing properties of this plant: Blue Tea from the Magic Clitoria.

Spice Turmeric, Longevity Spice, Indian Saffron, Tumeric. Turmeric powder might well be the healthiest spice on Earth. Made by grinding the dried root of the Curcuma longa plant, this ancient superfood and key ingredient in curry powder has been used by Indian Ayurvedic healers for centuries. In recent years, also the scientific community has begun to show interest in the potential health benefits of the turmeric root. Turmeric can be consumed in its original powdered form through culinary additions to other foods.
This plant is deciduous through winter-spring.

Lemon grass - versatile performer in the kitchen where it can be used in teas, beverages, herbal medicines, Eastern inspired soups and other dishes.

Gynura crepioides is commonly known as Okinawa Spinach, it is native to Indonesia. Okinawa Spinach is commercially grown in China as a green, it is not a true spinach. Both the stems and the leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The top of the leaves are dark green and the undersides are purple. Okinawa Spinach has an unique flavor with a faint hint of pine, and will add a beautiful aesthetic element to cuisine. This green is also known as cholesterol spinach, and there are many claims that it lowers can cholesterol. This plant will thrive in pretty much any type of soil from clay to silt to sandy soils. It does well in any type of light other than full shade, but will grow best in full sun to partial shade. Okinawa Spinach is not a heavy feeder, and is relatively pest-free. It is good to cut back flowering branches to promote new shoot growth, because the shoots and leaves are what are harvested. Okinawan spinach is very adaptable to container gardening and even grows well on a windowsill. The younger leaves will have a much better flavor than the older leaves. The leaves and young shoot tips can be steamed, used in stir fry, tempura, stews, and soups. Just add them at the very end.
See article about this plant: Longevity Spinach Super-food Recipes.
Watch Video about this plant.

Alakaline Herb, Sambung Nyawa, Longevity Spinach. The plant is well known in South East Asia, with folklore uses in Thailand, Indonesia and China, and leaves of the plant are eaten as a vegetable. This is a very low maintenance, fast growing herb/vegetable that can be grown indoor and outdoor. The leaves are picked for salads, soups, or sauteed them to make a dish. They are also be made as tea and extract. The plant is often referred to as Sambung Nyawa which means Continuation of Life. The purpose of this plant is to incorporate it into your diet for a healthy life, as many generations of African and Asians have done traditionally.
See article about this plant: Longevity Spinach Super-food Recipes.
Watch Video about this plant.

African Cranberry Hibiscus. This fast growing bush is covered with beautiful dark red flowers several times a year. Leaves are edible, acidic, rich of vitamin C, good for teas and salads. Very similar to Hibiscus cannabinus but with dark red leaves.
All parts of the plant are edible and can be used for delicious tea or in a salad. Very fast growing, forms a large bush in one season. Tolerates dry conditions. Grow your edible landscape in no time!
With proper care and protection, this plant can provide a striking display of color and texture in the garden year after year.
Learn more about edible hibiscus: Most useful Hibiscus plants.

Jamaica Tea flower (Karkade, Roselle) - "Agua de Flor de Jamaica", also called agua de Jamaica and rosa de Jamaica, is popular in Jamaica, Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America and the Caribbean. It is one of beverages made from fresh juices or extracts. It is served chilled, and in Jamaica this drink is a tradition on Christmas, served with fruit cake or potato pudding.
In Panama both the flowers and the drink are called saril (a derivative of the Jamaican word sorrel).
In the United States, hibiscus tea was popularized as "Red Zinger". Flowers are used to make a cold or hot tea sweetened with sugar. There has been some Medical studies which indicate that it lowers high blood pressure and also has diuretic effects. The flavor is on the tart side similar to a cranberry juice. In Mexico, it is also used for granites, ice pops and sangria.
See video about Jamaican Tea Hibiscus.