Iberis

Iberis amara, wild or bitter candytuft, is a perennial member of the cabbage family and is a native of Europe and North Africa, around the Mediterranean. It thrives in my South Canterbury garden with no special attention and is drought and frost tolerant. It flowers profusely with clouds of white in early spring. My favourite kind of herb! Sadly it is considered endangered in some places where it used to grow naturally.

The leaves, seeds, root and stems are used medicinally. It has an affinitity with the digestive tract, especially indigestion, tummy pain, reflux and bloating. It is used as both a tincture by herbalists and in some herbal products. Its common name 'bitter' candytuft is a hint that it has an action of stimulating the digestive system.

It was used historically as for inflammation and cramps and was taken as a tonic or wine. It is said that the Greek physician Galenos (131 - 215 A.D.) treated an Iberian patient with the Iberis flowers.