The Giant Man-shaped Herb Garden, via Inhabitat

It might sound like an alternative superhero for the kids of the Grow Your Own revolution, but the Herbman I’m talking about is a giant travelling herb garden by Japanese designers Earthscape. The herbs are planted in the location of the bodily function or medical problem that they are said to correspond to. So herbs related to digestion, perhaps peppermint, would be planted around the stomach area.

The herbs are planted upon arrival and the containers are turned into a makeshift shop and cafe. The whole operation uses salvaged and antique materials, and local herbs wherever possible. The idea is to teach local people about the medicinal properties of herbs and provide a mini-market for their sale. The Herbman is then packed up and moved on.

I would love to plant a mini Herbman in my garden. It would be an interesting take on the traditional herb wheel. Whether or not you use herbs primarily for their culinary or medicinal properties, I bet you could learn a lot about your body from the travelling Herbman.