Great Uncle Fred? I have just learned that cabbage, broccoli, caulifower and brussel sprouts are all the same plant, pushed into funny shapes by gardeners. They are all the cabbage. And there might be more that I have forgotten about. Thinking about this reminded me of my Mum`s shelf of potions that she keeps in the kitchen. All her potions are made from herbs and other natural things and some herbs keep coming back again and again. Aloe seems to be very useful. But what is the most useful plant? Please tell me, Great Uncle Fred. (Matthew, Spring 2008)

string(119) "Smarty error: [in evaluated template line 1]: syntax error: unrecognized tag 'it' (Smarty_Compiler.class.php, line 590)" The identity of the plant which has given most service to mankind might surprise you. It is rhubarb. Yes, that delicious item normally found beneath crumble and custard. Rhubarb. It was recorded being cultivated for medicinal purposes in 2700 BC, in China, and has been much prized for its cathartic (purgative, laxative ) ever since. As a food (it is a vegetable) it has only been in general use since the 17th century, when sugar became more widely available. Have you ever tried eating it without sugar. You would only try once! But as a medicine, it is as old as medicine gets. All hail, most useful to mankind of all plants!

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