Daily Mail; London (UK) (Apr 12, 06:35 PM)  THERE is a collection of herbs with special properties that make them valuable allies in the pursuit of lifelong youthfulness. Each in its own way can help you to feel and look your best, no matter what your chronological age.

Occasionally, people ask me to reveal a 'secret formula' that will help them stay young. The fact is, everyone's formula would be different, depending on their genes, health status and lifestyle. You can create your own simply by selecting the herbs that most closely match your health needs and concerns. But if you're experiencing persistent symptoms of any sort, see a doctor before starting a herbal regime.

BILBERRY

A CLOSE relative of the blueberry, it contains special antioxidants called anthocyanosides that are good for preserving vision and preventing eye disease.

Herbal preparations are standardised so that the capsules or tablets are all equally effective, containing the same amount of the active ingredient.

The recommended dose is two capsules, twice a day.

CELERY SEED

THIS is the fruit of a plant similar to the vegetable celery. The seeds are tiny, brown and have a celery flavour. They prevent gout and other types of arthritis, and contain more than a dozen anti- inflammatory substances. The usual dosage is two 500mg capsules twice a day, before meals. Therapeutic doses should be taken cautiously by those with kidney disorders.

ECHINACEA

A VERY popular supplement, used by thousands of Europeans and Americans, and one of the best herbal immune-system enhancers. I grow my own echinacea, but I rarely dig up my plants.

Instead, I tend to buy tablets or tincture. Make sure you follow the package directions for proper dosage.

EVENING PRIMROSE

A WILDFLOWER with yellow blooms.

Occasionally, I use it in combination with saw palmetto (more later) to protect against benign prostate enlargement. I collect and eat the seeds, but you can also eat the flowers, or buy commerical preparations. For premenopausal women, evening primrose oil helps prevent PMS and menstrual cramps.

GARLIC

THIS wonderful foodstuff helps defeat a wide range of viruses, bacteria and fungi. Garlic also helps prevent heart disease, by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol as well as inhibiting the formation of internal blood clots that trigger heart attacks. Add it to soup and sauces, or roast it and spread on toast. Take a garlic clove every day during the cold and flu season, or use capsules if you can't stand the smell.

GINKGO

GINKGO improves circulation, is one of the best herbs for brain health, and can prevent strokes and Alzheimer's. It also protects against heart attacks, macular degeneration, tinnitus and impotence.You have to use a commercial preparation, as the bulk leaf has too small concentrations of the medicinal compounds to do much good. As a supplement, take between 60 and 240mg a day.

TURMERIC

MANY of us get more aches and pains as we get older.

Often they result from inflammation of joints, tendons, bursae or muscles.

Turmeric has remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. I add it to curries and soups. I can't specify a dose - I just pour it on to make curried chicken, curried vegetables, you name it. I even eat curried asparagus.

HORSE CHESTNUT

THIS helps protect against varicose veins, a concern for all of us as we get older. I recommend taking it as two 485mg capsules: one at breakfast, the other at dinner. Never take fresh horse chestnut internally - it's poisonous.

Commercial preparations are safe because they have been detoxified.

MILK THISTLE

KNOWN as the best herb for safeguarding your liver against cirrhosis and hepatitis, new evidence also suggests it may help prevent cancer, type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes, and high blood pressure. I prefer capsules - one or two a day, with water, before meals.

Each capsule should be standardised to contain 140mg of the herb's active compound, silymarin.

ST. JOHN'S WORT

THIS is an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression.

Besides causing emotional turmoil, depression impairs immune function and so aggravates all sorts of health problems that speed the ageing process.

Because St. John's wort can lift your spirits, it gives your immune system chance to rebound.

Follow dosage directions on the package.

HAWTHORN

THE best herbal heart tonic around, it gently normalises heart function in both congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease. Some days I take three 500mg capsules, containing 1.8mg of vitexins (the medicinal compounds in hawthorn). But my diet is filled with heart-healthy herbs, and I get plenty of exercise, so I'm not all that concerned about heart disease.

SAW PALMETTO

I'M SURE this prevents benign prostate enlargement just as well as pharmaceuticals. I've been taking the herb for years, and I've never had any problems with enlarged prostate. I take it in the form of a 320mg soft-gel capsule standardised to contain 85 to 95 per cent fatty acids and biologically active sterols - the active components.