Backyard Medicine

Find out how to use figs to relieve constipation and hops for a good night's sleep, how to make a soothing face mask from kiwis and papayas, and how to cook an immunity-boosting soup.

Find out how to use violas to make a cream for eczema; how a gel for acne can be made with marigold flowers; how to make elderflower lozenges, and how to make a fragrant bath bomb from lavender.

James Wong turns his attention to natural tree remedies this week. Find out how to use ginkgo leaf to make a tea which could help improve memory function and how to make a lotion to tackle headlice using Neem and tea tree oil. James also demonstrates how a soothing gel for varicose veins can be made from conkers, and how to make a natural deodorant from pine resin.

James Wong explores how herbs can be used to help treat a range of minor everyday ailments. Using lemon balm, he creates a lip salve which might help when cold sores strike. He also shows how plantain leaves can be used to make a cream to help soothe insect bites and stings. For those keen to have fresh breath, James shows how to make a spray using thyme. And for a beauty treat, he uses peppermint and other common garden herbs to whip up a fragrant homemade body scrub.

This week James turns his attention to roots. He shows how marshmallow and liquorice roots can be easily grown in the garden and how they can be combined to make a soothing syrup to relieve the discomfort of a cough. Valerian is used to create a delicious hot chocolate, which could help to relieve stress. A homemade tincture is made from echinacea, which is used to make spicy ice-lollies that could help fight a cold. And ginger is made into some tasty treats, which could help people with travel sickness.

In the final episode in the series, James Wong shows how vegetables can be used to make natural remedies. Artichokes are used to make a tasty snack which could make a great addition to a low cholesterol diet. Sticking plasters that could help relieve aching muscles are made from chillies, and garlic is used to make a footbath and a preparation that could help treat athlete's foot. As a beauty treat, James shows how cucumbers can be used to make a soothing eye gel.