Plant a bit of the Bibilical Eden in your compound

Have you failed to locate where the Biblical Garden of Eden was situated? Still trying to calculate the exact co-ordinates; are you? Fret not. Now you can have your very own mini Garden of Eden right in your backyard.

It’s raining again and it’s at times like these that we remember our vegetable gardens. What should we consider planting this time round?
Hakim Babara, a gardening consultant and designer with Mukwano Tree Planting Association recommends two species - the Cinnamon of the Cinnamomum species, locally known as Mudalasini and the Sage (Salvia Officianalis).

There are hundreds of Cinnamon species. Cinnamomum Verum is considered the ‘true Cinnamon’, while related species are grouped under Cinnamomum Cassia. The spice is extracted from the bark of the tree and from its leaves. The Sage is an ornamental and medicinal plant of the mint family, Laminaceae.

Cinnamon (Mudalasini)
It is believed that when God banished Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden and an angel was driving them out, Adam begged the angel to let him take some spices out, with which to worship God.
When God asked the angel what he was doing negotiating with a wrongdoer instead of throwing him out, the angel told God about the Adam’s request.

God granted Adam’s request and one of the spices Adam took out of the garden was Cinnamon.
Propagate this valuable spice by seed.
‘You need to water it once a day, in the mornings. It will not have a lot of weeds. You will need to remove the weeds using your hands. Everything on the plant is useful, so you will not need to prune it. To mulch, get a little grass and spread it in the garden to reduce weeds,’ Babara says.

If you want to pot it, get a pot four inches across for the purpose. Using only loam soil will be sufficient. It will take six months to mature and can last forever.
Use it to spice your tea and your food, especially rice. A mixture of honey and Cinnamon can cure many diseases. Some of these diseases are hair loss, indigestion, diseases of the immune system, heart disease, arthritis, upset stomach, ulcers, gas, infertility, colds, flu, cholesterol, fatigue, cancer, obesity, pimples, skin infections and toothache.

On-going studies indicate that Cinnamomum Cassia has an effect on HIV 1 and that Cinnamon essential oils inhibit the replication of the virus causing herpes in vitro, among hundreds of other studies.

Sage
Propagate this spice by seed and using cuttings.
‘Look for branches that have two buds and cut them off at a shoot. Just loam soil will do. Water it three times a week. You will not need to weed much. Also, because the leaves are useful, your using them will serve to prune it. You can mulch it with grass or leaves,’ Mr. Babara advises.
To pot it, use a pot four inches across. It will take two months to mature and can last forever.

Use it to cure cough.
‘Boil the leaves in water for 15 minutes. Use 10 leaves in a half-litre cup of water. After boiling, mix it with honey and take it until the cough cures. You can also use the leaves to spice your fish dishes,’ Babara explains.
Scatter its flowers in salads. You can also infuse it to make a light tea balm. Mix the leaves with onion to make poultry stuffing, among other uses.