Back in mediaeval times monks grew herbs and plants to make medicines for the mind and body. Likewise, the ancient arts of Chinese herbal medicine, aromatherapy and homoeopathy all use nature's bounty to heal. Today the concept is fast gaining in popularity. Last year at Chelsea Flower Show the Prince of Wales unveiled his 'Healing Garden' which contained 125 varieties of medicinal herbs and plants. And interestingly, increasing numbers of GPs are nowadays recognising the benefits of horticulture as therapy and many hospitals now have landscaped vistas for patients to enjoy.

So how does a garden heal? Our five senses - smell, touch, sight, taste and hearing - can all be stimulated by what grows in a healing garden.

Sensual scents
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance health. Lavender (pictured above)promotes relaxation, lemongrass makes a great foot bath, rosemary is good for headaches and depression and tea tree is an anti-fungal and antiseptic agent. But you don't need an A-Z of medicinal plants in your garden to benefit. Fragrant wafts from stocks or honeysuckle (see Heavenly Honeysuckle for more information) stocks are enough to fill your garden with a heady scent on a balmy summer's evening.

Touchy touchy
Fennel has fabulous feathery leaves which you just can't help running your fingers through. Caressing the velvet texture of a rose in bloom or walking barefoot over a camomile lawn are all sensual experiences which lift your soul. Tactile plants add depth and interest to a garden. For impressive contrast plant spiky architectural phormiums or an Acer griseum for its fantastic peeling bark.

Set your sights
Colour in the garden dramatically affects mood. Vibrant plants like red dahlias (pictured below), yellow daffodils or orange nasturtiums energise and activate, whereas mauve wisteria and blue delphiniums are calming and harmonious. Flowers in bloom or water gently trickling over pebbles are beautiful sights which bring about a feel-good factor. And where would we be without light? Sunlight helps our bodies make vitamin D which is essential for healthy bones and even a gently flickering candelight can soothe at the end of a hard day's work.

Tasty
The taste of homegrown fruit and vegetables just can't be beaten. And it's reassuring to know that they contain no nasty chemicals or GM additives (for more information on going green see Organic Gardening). Tomatoes, radishes and strawberries are three useful and colourful foods which are easy to grow. Edible flowers such nasturtiums, violets and pansies lend the simplest dish an air of haute cuisine. And don't forget our herb friends. Basil, thyme and rosemary are little troopers in the garden, or if space is at a premium opt for a Herby Window Box.

Hear Hear
Noise pollution is sadly a fact of life. But focus on the sound of grasses rustling in the breeze or the gentle cascade of water and it's amazing how your mind and body feel instantly calmer. Welcome birds and other wildlife into your garden (see Wildlife Gardening for further information) and listen out for the therapeutic sounds of blackbirds singing and crickets chattering.