The power of plants

Rose-myrtle is a plant native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of south eastern Asia. Its leaves are smooth on one side and velvety on the other and its pretty flowers - pink in colour and similar to peach blossom – are prized for their ornamental beauty. The rose-myrtle’s Japanese name, Ten nin ka , is made up of noble characters describing it as “the flower of celestial beings”. For centuries, Chinese, Vietnamese and Malaysian traditional medicine has made use of all the different parts of the plant – the leaves, stems, fruit and even buds – to treat a multitude of ailments. The sweet-tasting fruit can be eaten whole or used in tarts, jams and preserves. Rich in flavonoids, this fruit has significant antioxidant power.