10 HEALING HERBS TO GROW

Home » Home and Family » Gardening Join Sign in EzineArticles - Expert Authors Sharing Their Best Original Articles Custom Search Search Brent McNiven Basic Author | 1 Article Joined: July 10, 2017 New Zealand 10 Healing Kitchen Herbs You Can Easily Grow At Home By Brent McNiven | Submitted On July 10, 2017 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Expert Author Brent McNiven Mother Nature's generosity astounds; not only do her herbs capture the eye with delicate flowers and elegant foliage, but they are also delicious, nutritious, and healing. For thousands of years, the herbs that are used regularly in the kitchen were also renowned for powerful medicinal properties; the herb garden was also the medicine chest. These medicinal herbs are easy to grow at home. Not a lot of space is needed as they will grow well in containers, which also means they can be grown right next to the kitchen, even on the kitchen windowsill. Of course, they can be grown directly in the garden, where the soil has good drainage and plenty of sunshine. But for convenience, it's better to grow them in containers. Grow bags are the best containers as they allow the plants to develop a strong healthy root system. The grow bag needs to be filled with well-draining potting mix. The downside with grow bags is they don't look too flash, but that is easily remedied by simply placing the grow bag with the plant in it, inside a decorative pot. It is important to make sure that the decorative pot has a drainage hole, otherwise, the plant will rot, because the roots will drown as they will be sitting in water. Because of the drainage hole, a saucer is necessary to catch the water that drains out of the bottom of the pot and prevent the water running all over the windowsill. Here is a selection of well-known herbs with powerful medicinal properties that can be easily grown at home: Basil Ocimum basilicum Where would pesto sauce be without basil? It is a common culinary herb which adds a unique fragrance to dishes. It has beautiful deep green foliage with delicate white to faintly violet flowers. It improves the appetite and is a carminative, which means it prevents the production of gas in the intestinal tract. It is also a stimulant and a nerve tonic. It has disinfectant properties a well. The compounds in basil oil have antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral and antimicrobial properties, making basil a powerful and underrated medicinal herb. There are sixty-four species of basil, but the most commonly used is sweet basil, which is from the Mediterranean. As a result, it likes to grow in a warm and sunny site, in a well-drained potting mix. So put the container in a spot where it will get plenty of sunshine. Basil is frost sensitive, so bring it indoors in the winter and keep it warm. It also needs to be watered regularly otherwise it will bolt to seed and won't produce many leaves. Pinch out the flower heads for bushy growth, which will give a bigger crop of tasty, deep green leaves. Harvest those leaves at any time, although it's recommended to harvest them after the plant has started flowering, to get the most flavor out of them. Thyme Thymus vulgaris Much loved by bees and known for its strong fragrance, thyme is a herb that is a tough survivor, but a generous healer. Thyme grows as a compact bush with small leaves and flowers. During autumn and winter, it can look a bit straggly but will come away again in the spring with a fresh new growth of leaves. Medicinally thyme is useful for inflammation of the mouth and throat. It also helps with the upper respiratory tract, especially with coughs, as it has expectorant qualities; that means it gets rid of any phlegm in the chest and throat. The powerful action of thyme is due to the chemical thymol found in its oil. Using thyme as a tea or gargle is the easiest way to get its benefits. Like basil, thyme is also from the Mediterranean, so it likes a sunny position and needs good drainage. Use a well-draining potting mix in the grow bag and/or container when it's potted it up. It doesn't hurt to add a little extra lime to the potting mix, as thyme thrives in a slightly alkaline growing medium. German Chamomile Matricaria recutita From the first scent it calms the mind and body, Chamomile is a daisy-like plant with feather-like foliage and delicate white daisy flowers with a yellow center. German chamomile is usually taken as a calming herbal tea. It is used to minimize the effects of stress and can help with insomnia. Its calming effects are not just for the mind though as it also soothes the digestion. It can also be used externally in ointments and creams to cool the skin and reduced irritation arising from allergies and itching. Chamomile needs a sunny, well-drained spot to grow in, so a sunny windowsill is ideal. It prefers a neutral to slightly acidic growing medium, so potting mix straight out of the bag should be fine. Gather the flowers for use when they are well formed and fully open. Lavender Lavandula augustifolia (formerly known as L. officinalis, and L. vera). Well known for its distinctive floral scent, Lavender is a common garden herb. Its fragrant flowers grow up on long stemmed spikes that the bees love to gather around. Medicinally lavender is a useful relaxant, reducing muscle spasms and pain. It is also used as an antidepressant, and whose mood could be lifted with the sight of those lavender colored flowers, the sweet scent, and the sound of those bees buzzing around on a warm spring day. Lavender also eases headaches, and is helpful for sleep - just put a few drops of lavender oil on the sheets and pillowcases to ease into a restful sleep. In addition, it has antibacterial properties and is mildly antiseptic, which makes it a good addition to baths, soaps, lotions and body oils. There are thirty species of lavender with different growth habits. But L. augustifolia can be grown in a container on the windowsill and kept under control. It needs excellent drainage and full sun. Don't overfeed it, a dose of slow release fertilizer when potting up should be enough, with a regular top up in the early spring. Prune it annually, but never cut right back to the old wood as the plant will not be able to recover from such a drastic prune and will die. Harvest the flowers in the morning on a sunny day to get the most fragrance from them. Parsley Petroselinum crispum Yes, common old parsley has some powerful medicinal and nutritional properties. Throughout history, it has been renowned as a digestive aid. It is a great breath freshener and a good tonic for the bladder and kidneys. Parsley is high in iron, and vitamins A, B, and C. Its high potassium content can be used to counteract high sodium levels in the body, and thereby help to lower blood pressure. It is also useful as a hair rinse to kill head lice. Parsley likes to grow where it can get the full morning sun, but it needs some partial shade for the rest of the day. If left to grow in full hot sun, it will bolt to seed and provide very little leaves to harvest, also keep it well-watered to prevent bolting. The potting mix should be well draining but is must be kept moist. Pot up in a rich potting mix, and feed it regularly. Cut out any emerging flower stalks to keep the plant producing plenty of lush, tasty foliage. Viola/Pansy Viola tricolor Otherwise known as Heartsease, this beautiful flower is edible and also medicinally useful. Despite its common name of heartsease, it is used for soothing the lungs and urinary system if taken internally, either in a salad or as an herbal tea. But the herb is mainly used externally for treatment of eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It's also good for helping with cradle cap and diaper rash. The high rutin levels found in violas helps with bruising and broken capillaries, another external use for this beautiful and healing plant. Violas prefer a moist and cool location, so don't leave them on a sunny windowsill to cook. They like light dappled shade, so if they are growing in a container indoors, then put in indirect sunlight. They thrive in a slightly acidic growing medium, so regular potting mix should be fine. Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm looks a bit like mint but has a different fragrance, a lemony fragrance, hence the name. It is antibacterial and antiviral. It is helpful for mild depression and makes a good herbal tea to lift the mood. Having calming and relaxing properties it aids in digestion. The herb can also be used externally and is a good natural insect repellent. Rubbing some crushed up leaves on an insect sting can help relieve the sting's pain. Lemon Balm is very easy to grow. It is not fussy where it grows, growing well in full or partial shade. However it needs a well-drained potting mix, and it must be kept moist. It thrives in poor soil, so don't feed it too often if growing it in a container, an annual application of a slow release fertilizer should be enough. Cut it back regularly to encourage fresh new growth. Harvest the leaves just before the flowers open. Lemon Balm is particularly good to grow in a container because it can become a bit of a thug and take over if grown directly in the garden. Peppermint Mentha piperita Well known for its menthol content, peppermint is another common herb that has potent medicinal properties. It is especially good as an antispasmodic; that means it soothes cramps or spasms in the body. Peppermint is particularly effective in soothing stomach aches, colic, and flatulence. So for stomach cramps, try some peppermint tea. Externally, peppermint oil increases the blood flow in the area it is applied to, which can help to soothe aches and pains. The oil contains azulene which is anti-inflammatory and helps with the healing of ulcers. However, don't use the oil on children under five years of age. Rats dislike the smell of peppermint, so keep them at bay by putting cotton balls or rags with a few drops of peppermint oil around areas where the rats may enter the home. Peppermint likes a moist and rich soil, so keep it well-fed and well-watered. It likes partial shade to full sun, but it doesn't like to bake or dry out. Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis A tough plant that can perk you up. Hands rubbed with rosemary's leaves releases its fragrant healing oil. It can be helpful in alleviating hangovers, so some rosemary tea after a particularly heavy night can help to brighten up a poor soul the next morning. It also helps with digestion. Rosemary is perhaps best well-known for its effects on the nervous system and circulation. It stimulates the central nervous system and fires up the circulation, which makes it particularly good for low blood pressure and bouts of sluggishness, this also explains its effectiveness as a hangover cure. Oil of rosemary is used externally to help with sprains, arthritis, and sciatica. The herb also makes a great air freshener. It needs full sunshine and excellent drainage. If overwatered or grown in a container with poor drainage it will quickly die as it is very prone to rot. To help with drainage some small gravel or grit can be used as a mulch on the surface of the potting mix, this will help keep water away from the stem and prevent it rotting. Prune rosemary lightly but regularly to ensure fresh new growth. For those living near the seaside, it is an excellent plant to put out in the garden as it can handle the salty environment. Sage Salvia officinalis Sage by name, sage by nature. Sage, is not called by that name without good reason. It is very helpful for improving memory and concentration and has an ancient reputation for bringing wisdom. It is also one of the most beautiful when it flowers in the spring, with delicate deep blue to violet flowers that attracts the bees. Sage has antiseptic properties and is a good digestive aid. A gargle of sage is very helpful for sore throats and mouth ulcers. It's crushed leaves and oil can also be rubbed on the gums and teeth to help with dental health. It also makes a good hair rinse. This is the one herb in this article that can't be grown indoors, it just doesn't thrive there. It can still be grown in a container, it's just better to put that container out on the balcony or by the backdoor. That said, it must be grown in a spot that gets a lot of sun. It prefers alkaline soil, so adding a little lime to the potting mix will make it a bit more comfortable. Don't feed it too much as it likes it tough, but keep it watered. Keep it looking good with some gentle pruning and pinch back the stems after flowering. So there is a selection of common kitchen herbs that are also powerful healers. By growing them at home you have, not only a store of delicious herbs to bring a tasty bouquet to any dish but also a powerful medicine cabinet that can assist with a range of common ailments. You don't need a big garden either as these herbs can be grown in containers, so even those living in an inner city apartment can still access the healing powers of Mother Nature. Brent is a writer and content crafter. After over a decade working in corporate banking and management accounting, teaching English overseas and several years as a dedicated spiritual seeker, he is now dedicated to wordsmithery. He is also the servant of a gorgeous cat and husband to a fashion designer. If he isn't writing, he's reading, and if he's not reading you'll find him contemplating the whys and hows of existence in his garden. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Brent_McNiven/2438088 0 Comments | Leave a Comment Did you find this article helpful? Happy Face0 Sad Face0 Viewed 1 time Word count: 2,245 Article Tools EzinePublisher Report this article Cite this article Stay Informed Subscribe to New Article Alerts: Home and Family: Gardening Brent McNiven Email Address Subscribe We will never sell or rent your email address. Gardening Article Feed Gardening Article Feed Find More Articles Search Similar Articles Should Ginseng Be a Prized Herb in the Medicinal Herb Garden? Growing and Healing With Medicinal Herbs Growing the Most Common Medicinal Herbs Growing Medicinal Herbs - A Healthy Alternative Growing Medicinal Herbs - Chamomile Growing Medicinal Herbs Medicinal Herb Plants - Growing Them Discover Why Lemon Balm is a Must For Your Home Herb Garden The Benefits of Growing Medicinal Herbs Growing Your Own Medicinal Herbs Recent Articles September's Warm Days, Cool Nights - Perfect Fall Gardening Weather Keeping Your Lawn And Garden Beautiful - Mole Control The Essentials to Finding the Right Sculptures for You Keep Southern California Gardens Well Watered in August Synthetic and Natural Process of Making Shiitake Logs 11 Useful Safety Tips for Your Hedge Trimmer Duckweed Control And Restoration Of Your Beautiful Pond What You Can Do to Control Purple Loosestrife Budget Garden Sheds - Keeping the Costs Down Tips on Choosing an Outdoor Garden Fountain EzineArticles.com About Us FAQ Contact Us Member Benefits Privacy Policy Shop Site Map Blog Training Video Library Advertising Affiliates Cartoons Authors Submit Articles Members Login Premium Membership Expert Authors Endorsements Editorial Guidelines Terms of Service Publishers Terms Of Service Ezines / Email Alerts Manage Subscriptions EzineArticles RSS © 2017 EzineArticles All Rights Reserved Worldwide