Elderberry cordial, elderberry water, elderberry Champagne, elderberry liquer: the elderflower seems to be the flavour of the moment in the drinks isle this decade.

The small black blue berries of the plant are used to make wines, cordials and marmalade. The hollowed elderberry twigs can be used to tap maple trees for syrup. But it is extract of the flowers that are used in elderflower syrup that the French use to make elderflower marshmallows.

It's not just our taste buds that savour this subtle flavour, our skin too is happy to absorb this small white, somewhat quirky, herbaceous plant. The elderflower (botanical name Sambucus nigra) has many medicinal properties. From blisters to boosting the immune system to soothing stimulating circulation the elderflower can remedy.

Other health issues elderflower can help include rheumatic problems, ear infections, constipation, influenza and respiratory problems. It is the extract of the black elderberry that has been found in numerous studies to each aches, pains and fever as it contains anthocyanins which has an anti-inflammatory effect. Flavonoids (type of antioxidants) are also found in the extract and are effective in stimulating the immune system.

Some popular organic products that contain elderflower are the Rosemary & Elder Shower Gel by Neal's Yard Remedies and the SPF25 Childrens Sun Lotion by Green People.

Stretch marks are unavoidable for some. We grow (upwards or outwards) too fast sometimes; puberty, pregnancy and emotional upset can do that to you.

Stretch marks are a form of scarring where the dermis layer of the skin tears leaving reddish or purple lines. They do diminish over time but it's unlikely completely. It's estimated that at least 75% of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy, usually in the 3rd trimester.

Besides controlling diet to prevent excessive weight gain, some oils and creams been clinically tested to prevent the development of stetch marks. Centella asiatica extract, vitamin E, shea butter, collagen-elastin hydrolysates, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, elastin and menthol have been shown to provide the best results.

Bump Butter by Essential Care is vitamin and mineral rich balm that is ideal for preventing stretch marks during pregnancy. It contains shea butter, coconut and sea buckthorn oil.

Another good one is Mum's Miracle Balm by Natalia is a fragrance-free moisturising balm containing coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, almond oil, macadamia seed oil. Rich in essential fatty acids it helps maintain the skin's elasticity and soothe expanding skin.

Firming Oil by Madara contains calendula, barley sprouts, hawthorn and natural vitamin E. These help to maintain the skin's elasticity during and after weight loss or pregnancy.

Liquorice (or licorice in the USA or glycyrrhiza glabra as the botanical name in the ingredients list of beauty products) is a legume. Yes that's right - a cousin of the bean. Another interesting fact: it is not related to anise or fennel despite the similar flavours. Quite the sweet plant, liquorice contains an anti-viral compound called glycyrrhizic acid which makes it quite a lot sweeter than sugar.

Medical benefits of this sweet plant are many. For a start it is an excellent expectorant (an agent that dissolves thick mucus), which is why it can be used to relieve respiration difficulties and remove muscus from the lungs, bronchi and trachea.

Liquorice contains 10 antioxidants, 25 fungicidal and other beneficial components such as phytochemicals, magnesium, and sodium. It has an antispasmodic effect in the bowels so can help with leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. It's also a mild laxative.

When it comes to skin related illnesses liquorice can be applied topically to cold sores, shingles, ophthalmic, oral or genital herpes as it is a strong anti-viral. This plant also has a similar effect to hydrocortisone so is a good natural alternative to fight dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. The natural compound glycyrrhizins (that sweetener mentioned above) helps to reduce inflammation of the skin.

Now if you think you can get your dose of liquorice from Liquorice Allsorts you'll be disappointed to hear that most brands use aniseed oil to flavour. Many natural skin care products designed to combat dry skin conditions contain liquorice. For example the Intensive Care Dry Scalp Shampoo S.O.S by Barefoot Botanicals.

Be warned though if you intend to take liquorice internally. It is not recommended to be taken long term as it can raise blood pressure, cause sodium and water retention, and loss of potassium.

Pomegranates are quite the bright tree; bright five petal flowers and big red glossy berries filled with hundreds of juicy pink seeds - quite the cheery natural wonder of the Plant kingdom.

The name pomegranate comes from the Latin words for apple (pomum) and seeded (granatus). This may explain where grenadine syrup received its name. The thickened and sweetened pomegranate juice is used as a cocktail mixer these days but has long been drunk in India and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures. Other than the sweet delight of the beverage the juice of the pomegranate is also good thicken soups and sauces as an accompaniment to duck or chicken and rice.

But the pomegranate tree is perhaps more than a tasty delicacy. Last year at least 17 clinical trials were underway to test the medicinal virtues of the plant. Research has already shown that its juice was effective in reducing the risk factors associated with heart disease. It has also proven to reduce systolic blood pressure and can stop viral infections. The pomegranate seed oil was shown to slow the production of breast cancer cells in vitro.

In the eco world of natural and organic textiles pomegranate juice is often used for dying non-synthetic fabrics. In skin care products you can find this special ingredient in concentrated face serums, shampoos and moisturises for its high nutrient content. The skin soaks up the B (1, 2, 3, 5 and 9!) and C vitamins of this fruit.

Some organic beauty products that utilise the skin beneficial properties of pomegranate are the Superfruit Concentrate Serum by Essential Care, the Rose Formula Hydrating Eye Cream by Neal's Yard Remedies, the Rejuvenating Facial Oil by Green People and the new Pomegranate Facial Nourishing Oil by John Masters Organics.

You'll never look at dinner the same way again say the creators of the new movie Food Inc.

Filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the lid on the food industry. ‘There is an illusion of diversity in the supermarket'. The film highlight the fact that it's only a handful of corporations that control the food supply often putting profit ahead of consumer health, the environment and the livelihood of farmers.

Faster, fatter, bigger, cheaper - that's the attitude of the huge agricultural companies says Food Inc. Bigger breasted chickens and herbicide-resistant soybeans but at what cost? Food Inc examines how regulatory agencies in the US like the USDA and FDA are allowing the big organisations to conceal what's really going on with our food before it hits the dinner plate. The film also looks at what effect this is having on our health and planet.

‘We've never had food companies this powerful, ever, in our history,' points out Eric Scholosser (Fast Food Nation) one of the experts interviewed in the film. Michael Pollan who wrote ‘In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto', also features in Food Inc.

‘The average consumer does not feel very powerful. It's the exact opposite. When we run an item pass the supermarket scanner we're voting, for local or not, or organic or not.'

Too right we say. How do you vote?