Growing Medicinal Herbs

Growing medicinal herbs is a great idea. For thousands of years, people have grown herbs for medicinal reasons and have had great results. There are many herbs that have been proven to show medicinal benefits and here, I will share with you some of those herbs and what they are used for and some easy tips of how to start your very own medicinal herb garden.

First of all, here are some advantages to starting a medicinal herb garden:

Medical herbs are helpful in curing everything from the common cold to arthritis.
Your herbs will be right there in your own home for you to use at a moment’s notice and you will not have to run to the drug store or supermarket to pick up herbs or alternative medicines.
The cost of growing your own herbs will be much cheaper than buying herbs at the store.
Since you are the one growing your herbs, you will know where they came from and what has been added to them and what has not. You will know that your herbs are all natural.
The herbs you grow for medicinal purposes may also be good for other purposes too. They may also be used for cooking, they may be used for aromatherapy and they look good and add colour to your environment as well.

There are many, many different herbs that can be used for different medicinal purposes. When choosing your herbs, think about any health problems you or your family suffers from, and make sure to plant those. Here are some examples:

Pygeum bark, Saw Palmetto, Horsetail, marshmallow, Echinacea and Pipsissewa are good for male prostate health.
St. John’s Wort is good for emotional well being and concentration.
Hawthorn, Motherwort, Skullcap and Cayenne are good for cardiovascular health
Helonias, Black Cohosh, Chasteberry, Dang Gui, Partridge Berry, Angelica, Ginger and Liquorice help with women’s overall health.
Reishi helps support the immune system.
Milk Thistle helps the liver. I have also known people take this during a night on the town to prevent a hangover the following day.
Valerian, Passion Flower, Skullcap and Chamomile aid in getting to sleep.
Sweet Annie, Baikal Skullcap, Barberry, Meadowsweet, Marshmallow, Liquorice and Ginger help with digestion.

Once you have decided which medicinal herbs you want to plant, it is time to start planting your herb garden! The garden will be planted the same way you would plant any other herb garden and the herbs need the same basic elements to grow healthy such as water, sun and good soil. Some medicinal herbs may have special requirements that require more care and you should do a little research on each herb before you start planting. Once your plants are planted, you should check them once a day to make sure they are doing ok.

After you have harvested your medicinal herbs, there are so many things you can do with them. They can be used in poultices, teas and even meals. Soon, you will be reaping the benefits of growing a medicinal herb garden!

English Herb Garden

The usage of herb gardens can be traced back to medieval Europe and are still widely popular all over the world. An English Herb Garden can add a lot to your home. Not only will it add atmosphere and beauty to your landscape, the herbs can be used for many purposes including medicinal and culinary purposes. Some people even use herbs for aromatherapy and to make herbal teas. You won’t have to go far to get the herbs you need for whatever it is you need them for! There are many herbs that are a part of a traditional English Herb Garden but you will not need to grow all of them, just the ones you plan to use. In order to add some colour and diversity to your garden it is also a good idea to plant some small shrubs and flowers with the herbs. Here is a list of some herbs you can include in your herb garden:

Basil
Borage
Thyme
Sage
Rosemary
Parsley
Oregano
Mint
Lovage
Lemon Balm
Chives
Dill
Fennel

When planting your English Herb Garden, make sure to point the plants south so they get plenty of sun, good soil and protection against high winds. There are two types of herbs you will be using, perennial and annual, so make sure you plant them according their individual needs. For example, Basil requires a very sunny spot while parsley requires a sunny spot but also needs shade. Some things to consider when growing herbs are:

The amount of sun they need
The amount of water they need
The type of soil they need

Once you have planted your herbs and are ready to watch them grow, there are many other things you can do around the garden to make it more appealing to the eye and make it a nice escape in your own backyard. Add some sculptures, statues, birdhouses and other decorations to add colour and fill in those empty spaces. Grow some colourful flowers around the area and keep the grass and weeds well maintained. Some people create paths around the inside of the garden for easy passage and some benches will allow you and your guests to relax in the garden.

Now that you have the basics to starting your very own English Herb Garden, you can get started with your project and make it your own to enjoy year after year!

French Herb Garden

So you want to grow your own French Herb Garden? Well it is not much different from growing any herb garden really! So get your gardening tools ready and read on for some information on how to get started.

The first thing you will need is some French Herbs. There are many different ones but you will only need to plant the ones you will use. Take into consideration that many different herbs have many different purposes, so keep in mind what you will be using the herbs for and choose wisely. Will you be using them for medicinal purposes? Will you be cooking with your herbs? Will you be using them for aromatherapy purposes? Or will they mainly be for decorative purposes? Of course you may want to use your herbs for all of the above purposes. Here is a list of some French herbs you can use in your garden:

- Chives

- Marjoram

- Summer Savory

- Tarragon

- Lavender

- Winter Savory

- Bay

- Chervil

You can also include other different herbs in your garden to add colour and variety also some people even like to plant flowers and shrubs to add a little touch. French herbs prefer sunny spots so be sure to plant your garden somewhere where the sun will get to the plants. You should carefully choose your location for your garden based on this primarily but also on some other factors. If your herbs will be used primarily for culinary purposes, plant the garden close to your kitchen. If the herbs will be used mostly for decoration or aromatherapy purposes, plant the garden somewhere where you can see and smell the herbs. If your herbs will be used for medicinal purposes, again, you should have the garden close to your home as you don’t want to go looking for something far away if you are not feeling well and depend on an herb to help whatever it is that ails you. If you are using the garden for all or some of the above purposes, than take all of these things into consideration before choosing a location for your garden. There are many options. If your balcony or patio gets a lot of sun, you can plant some herbs there in pots. You may have a sunny location close to your porch that also has the right soil and conditions for a French Herb garden. Some people just prefer to have a patch away from the house in the backyard for their garden. Here, you can turn your garden into a safe haven away from the world where you can go to be alone. A couple of benches and some yard decorations add a finishing touch to this type of French Herb Garden.

Now that you have your location for your garden, here are some tips on planting your herbs and keeping them healthy:

So that the roots can spread easily, make sure the dirt around the plant is loosened several inches from the plant before placing it in the ground.
Water a few inches away from the plant, to encourage the roots to seek out the water.
Do some research on each individual plant you plan to have as every herb has special considerations in terms of how much sun, water and soil they need.

Now that you have these basics, you are on your way to planting your very own French Herb Garden!

Growing Herbs In Hanging Baskets

Growing a herb garden can take up a lot of space and a lot of people who would like to grow a herb garden don’t have the space to do so or at least they think they don’t have the space to do so. There is a way that even the smallest, cramped quarters can reap the benefits of having an herb garden; growing herbs in hanging baskets.

First of all, you are going to need some baskets. A good size for this purpose is 12 inches deep and 12 to 16 inches wide. Wire baskets work best and are the most decorative. Line the basket with sphagnum moss, coco-fiber or any other organic material. Next find a sturdy location sheltered from the wind to hang the baskets. I have found that hanging the baskets tiered on top of one another works best because after you water the top plant, the water will drip down to the next plant and so on, keeping the plants well hydrated. Now you are ready to start planting!

When choosing your herbs, decide what you will be using the herbs for and pick herbs that you will use. Pretty much any herb will grow well in a basket except herbs that tend to grow tall or are heavy. Thyme, spicy globe, basil, oregano, lemon balm, chocolate mine and savoury are great choices for a hanging basket.

To make your baskets look more colourful and appealing to the eye, you can also plant some vegetables with your herbs.

Herbs in hanging baskets have many of the same requirements as herbs that grow in a garden. Here are some of the things your herbs will need to grow healthy:

Your plants will need a rich high nutrient soil
Your plants will need to be watered regularly
Your plants will need enough sunlight. You should turn the baskets 1/4 turn each week.
Your plants will need to be harvested on time

Before you start planting, soak the liner for a few hours. After they are done soaking, place in the basket and fill with soil and begin planting. Harvest the same way you would if the herbs were growing in a garden.

There are many advantages to growing herbs in hanging baskets. First of all, there is no bending down to do your gardening. Secondly, bugs and pests will be easier to get rid of as they will be concentrated to only the basket instead of a whole garden. And thirdly, you won’t have to do much weeding.

Now you are ready to enjoy the benefits of growing your herbs in hanging baskets and to enjoy the benefits you will get from the plants you grow!

Growing Tea Herbs

When it comes to Herbs, there is nothing more popular than making an Herbal Tea. Tea consists of one or more herbs mixed together to make a special blend to be boiled so you can drink it. All Herbal Tea’s have their own recipe to create a wide variety of flavours. When Growing Tea Herbs, it is very important to first know the basics of Herb Gardens. Be sure to use good potting soil that doesn’t have an over abundance of nutrients. Use sand to mix into the potting soil to dilute the nutrient levels if needed. You should start your Herbs by placing your seed’s into Peat Pellets. These Pellets’s will allow you to sprout a seed indoors so you won’t have to worry about the outside elements damaging your Herb at this very delicate age. After you have a sprout, bury the Peat Pellet under the pre-mixed potting soil that you have in your pre-located garden outside, but be sure that at least half of the sprout is sticking out of the ground. That’s it, you have begun Growing Tea Herbs.

There are many ways of Growing Tea Herbs, and there are also many Herbs that are used in Tea mixes. Some of the more popular Herbs are; Genmaicha, which is mixed with brown rice to create Japanese Green Tea, Bergamot, mixed with various other Herbs are what makes up Earl Gray Tea, and Ginseng, which is widely used for a number of Tea recipes. When choosing which Tea Herbs you will be Growing, be sure to pick Herbs that will blend nicely with each other. You don’t want flavours that will take away, or overwhelm another flavour. Be sure that the mixture you use compliments your taste buds and creates a smooth blend. It will definitely take time to try many mixtures until you find the perfect combination to suit your wants and create the perfect Tea for you. There is much more to tea then just Growing Tea Herbs. You will want to try different spices, such examples of spices that work well with certain Tea’s are; The leaves off any citrus fruit, various roots such as ginger, cinnamon, or even Chamomile, which is a mild sedative and is commonly used in “bed Time” Tea’s of many brand names. Be sure to experiment, and even if you think that a Tea is perfect, don’t be afraid to try different variations, you may start Growing Tea Herbs that become world renown.

When harvesting your Tea Herbs you will want to research which part of each Herb to harvest. Some Herbs possess their flavour in the roots, while others contain flavour in their leaves. You don’t want to mix any of that information up and risk putting the wrong part of an Herb in your new Tea Mix. There are people who believe boiling fresh Herbs creates the best Tea, but it is widely known that dried Herbs create a stronger flavour. It is up to you of course how you would like to prepare your Tea, but the common census is that drying, and then boiling your Herbs is the best way to make a perfect Tea. After a while of experimentation, as well as trial and error, you will be able to create the perfect Tea that meets all of your expectations.

Create Your Very Own Italian Herb Garden

Many possibilities come from growing your own herbs in an Italian herb garden. Italy is home to some of the world’s tastiest herbs and, as most of us very well know, most of our favorite means originated in Italy and are favorites due to the herbs used in their preparation. Some well-known and tasty Italian herbs include:

Basil
Parsley
Oregano
Fennel
Rosemary
Garlic
Sage

One of the better-known Italian herbs is basil and besides being used in many an Italian Recipe, it is also useful to other plants in your garden. Peppers and tomatoes will have an improved flavour if they are grown next to basil and the herb also repels flies.

Parsley may be a hard plant to grow but it is very useful in not only Italian cooking but in many other types of cuisine as well. At times when breath mints are not available after a meal, eating fresh, raw parsley will eradicate bad breath.

Oregano may be most known for being very flavourful but it is also decorative. At full maturity, the plant sprouts pretty purple flowers. You will get the best of both of these worlds with this herb if you wait until the plant has flowered which is when it is most flavourful.

Fennel is most known as the herb that enhances the flavors of Italian sausages but be careful because it looses its flavor as the plant matures. One way to preserve its flavour is dividing and replanting it every few years.

Rosemary is another Italian herb that is beneficial to your garden. The plant grows into a large shrub that sprouts pretty blue flowers that attract bees. Rosemary is sensitive to frost even though it is a tough evergreen perennial.

Garlic is the most commonly used herb in Italian dishes and your herb garden would not be complete without it! Garlic requires very little attention and can be planted in almost any garden. Garlic can also be frozen for use at a later time.

Sage is used in many dishes from meats to salads. The most flavour is found in new shoots of the plant so it’s a good idea to keep sage plants trim to prevent them from getting too woody so new shoots can grow. Harvesting of sage can be done after the plant blooms.

Above is a selection of the most popular Italian herbs but there are many more that we have not covered that you may want to look into. In the name of space, time and specific requirements for each different plant, try to include only the herbs that will be beneficial to you. Adding flavour to meals may be the primary reason you want to grow an Italian herb garden, but make the most of your plants by considering the many other usages they may have. These herbs can also be used to add colour and aroma to any room and they may add to landscape designs. Now that you have some basic knowledge of Italian herb gardens, go ahead and get planting. Soon you can be walking through a garden that will make you think you’re taking a stroll through the Italian countryside!

Using Herbs From A Home Herb Garden

Anyone who knows anything about herbs knows how useful they are in so many ways. You may have purchased your herbs at the local market or from a health store but now you are ready to reap their benefits from the comfort of your own home. Herb gardening can be very rewarding but once you have planted the herbs and watched them flourish, it will take a bit of work on your part to actually be able to use the herbs from your home herb garden.

Before you can use your herbs, they will need to be harvested and this is best done in an environment free from wind and heat as these elements can disperse the essential oils in the herbs. The best time to harvest is on a calm and dry morning in midsummer. On wet days, fewer oils will be produced so make sure the dew has dried before beginning. When harvesting, do not remove the entire plant, just take a certain amount of growth for use and try not to take more than a third of the plants foliage at one time as the plant will need a certain amount to help it grow again. Another important thing to do is inspect the plant for insects and damage. Harvesting also does not mean using the herbs as soon as you pick them because they can be preserved for later use.

There are three ways to preserve herbs for future use:

Drying
Freezing
Preserving them in a salt or vinegar.

When drying herbs, bundle six to twelve stems together and remove any foliage near the base of the stems and secure the bundle with a string. Hang away from sunlight in a cool area. To dry individual leaves, place them on a screen or rack and turn them often so they dry properly. Some people claim appliances such as dehydrators and microwaves are a good way to dry herbs, but the results are not as good.

Freezing herbs is probably the easiest way to preserve herbs. First, cut the herbs into quarter-inch pieces and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. After they are frozen, place the herbs in a bag and store in the freezer until you are ready to use them.

The third way to preserve herbs depends on the type of plant you are trying to preserve. For example, a medium like vinegar can be used to preserve herbs such as chopped mint, basil and tarragon. This method of preservation will keep your herbs good for several months.

You may not want to preserve all of your harvested herbs. Instead, you may want to use some of them straight from the garden. An important thing you must do before using herbs in fresh recipes is cleaning your herbs. Place them in a bowl filled with cool water, add two table spoons of salt and watch as it drives away insects without causing any damage to the plant. To dry the herbs, use a salad spinner.

This articles touched on some main points about home herb gardening but the research you do will be key to your success with your new-found hobby. Because every herb is different and requires certain elements from you to thrive, it will be important to learn the specific needs and requirements for the types of herbs you plan to grow in your garden.

Using Herb Garden Kits

Starting an herb garden requires a certain amount of knowledge that some people lack. If your desire is to start an herb garden, you will need at least some basic knowledge of how to successfully plant, grow and care for your garden. Some important things to consider include:

What kind of soil is best for growing herbs?
Which herbs are best grown from seeds?
What do herb plants need to survive?

One way to learn the answers to these questions and grow a successful herb garden is to invest in an herb garden kit. Some standard things that are included in most herb garden kits include:

An easy to follow instructional guide
A large and categorized selection of herbs
Seeds
A dome which provides consistent temperature and humidity
Recipes
The option to sign up for an online newsletter packed with useful information
A planter to grow your herbs in
Soil or pellets to grow the seeds

Don’t let a lack of space be a deterrent to you growing an herb garden. The kits are small and compact and fair well in small spaces including apartments. Although all herb kits are different, they contain all or a combination of the above items to get you started and there are many benefits to using a kit especially if you are just starting out in the world of growing herbs. The instructional guide will show you how much light and water your plants will need and what kind of soil is best to use. Soon, you will be a pro at growing successful plants every time!

Once you start growing plants, you will see how much easier it is to enjoy the herbs when they are right there in your house for your use any time. You will no longer have to run to the grocery store or to your own or a neighbour’s herb garden to get what you need. Herbs can also be frozen for use in the future and you will not have to worry about preparing the plants for winter because they are already in the house!

Growing your own herb garden with the help of an herb growing kit will give you a sense of accomplishment and your hobby will be more enjoyable when you see the results of the hard work and care you put into it. It will take some practice but you will get there quicker with the help of a kit that will take the guess work out of the whole process. It won’t take long before you are a, herb expert!

What Herb Garden Plants To Use

Research is key if you are interested in taking up any new hobby and that includes herb gardening. There are many, many different types of herbs out there and each one if different and has different requirements for successful growing. The plants some in perennials, biennials and perennials and whether your interested in a class of herbs or a specific herb, you will need to understand what is needed to ensure it gets the care it needs to grow into a healthy plant. This article will help you, and give you an understanding of what types of herbs are out there and what they are used for.

Basil, cilantro and summer savory are all annuals. These plants will not survive frost and every year, they need to be planted from a small seed or plant. Sage and winter savory are perennials which return every year and are able to survive in colder temperatures. Parsley, angelica and caraway are biennial herbs. These herbs do best when sown directly into a garden in the late spring. They from leaves in their first growing, flowers and seed in their second season and then they die.

The first step in starting your herb garden is preparing the soil which should be slightly wet and worked into a fine texture. Next, plant the seeds in shallow rows before placing some firm soil on top. If the seeds are fine, you can plant them in a sand mixture and you can also cover the bed with wet burlap to keep the soil moist during germination.

Hers are categorized into different groups according to how they are used:

Culinary herbs such as thyme, chives, parsley, basil, sage, savory and marjoram
Aromatic herbs such as mint, lavender and lemon verbena
Medicinal herbs such as feverfew, herbal pumpkin and safflower
Ornamental herbs such as borage, chicory and valerian

The most useful to herb gardeners are culinary herbs due to their different usages in cooking. Herbs are used as garnishes in dishes and to add flavor to different types of food. Aromatic herbs add a beautiful, light and natural scent to any space with their pleasant smelling flowers. Some perfumes are made from different types of aromatic herbs. They can also be used to lightly scent clothing and linens and to make potpourri. Medicinal herbs have been used for centuries to air in curing numerous illnesses. Like all plants, some are dangerous and some are beneficial so when using herbs for medical purposes, it is very important to research which ones are safe to use and which ones are dangerous. Ornamental herbs are usually brightly colored and are used to brighten up an otherwise dull space that needs a little special touch of color!

Herbs may be placed in specific categories but that doesn’t mean that one herb can’t be used for multiple purposes. Mint is an example of an herb that can be used for a variety of things from cooking and tea to pest control. When deciding which herbs you will plant, think about which ones will be most useful to you and will therefore be the most enjoyable to grow!

Growing Herbs In Pots

Herbs can also be grown indoors in pots, containers, window boxes or hanging baskets. Growing herbs in pots is as easy as growing herbs in an outdoor garden and indoor herb gardens require the same growing conditions as outdoor gardens.

There are three primary things that plants, including herbs, need for successful growing. Those three things are:

Soil
Water
Sunlight

Whether grown indoors or in a garden, sunlight is the most important thing you will need to grow any type of plant. South or West-facing windows are the best places to grow herbs as this is where they will get the right amount of sunlight. You should be aware of how much light certain herbs need as a lot of them have different requirements. However, the general rule is they all need sun. If it is not possible for you to get the required amount of sun for your herbs, you can supplement the light source with Grow Lamps or fluorescent lamps.

The next thing to consider when growing herbs is the soil. The soil for growing herbs should be well-drained and not too rich. One way to do this is by adding two parts of sterilized potting soil with one part coarse sand or Perlite. To ensure the plant has good drainage, put about an inch of gravel at the bottom of each pot. Another way to supplement is by adding one teaspoon of lime per 5-inch pot so that the soil is sweet enough for herbs growing in pots. It is also important to remember that is a good idea to repot your plants every year for optimum health and pruning your plants is not a bad idea either.

The final, but very important thing that herbs growing in pots need is water. There are two ways you can get water to your plants besides actually pouring water into them:

You can spray the plants
You can moisten the pebbles

Plants growing in pots will need more water than plants growing outside in gardens but it is important that you avoid getting the roots soggy or drenched.

There are advantages to growing herbs indoors. First of all, you can move them about as you please and, secondly, they can spend all their time indoors unlike perennial herbs that do better placed outside in the summer. Thirdly, all of your herbs will be handy and within reach anytime you need them for things such as cooking. All herbs can thrive grown in a pot indoors but some do better spending at least some time outdoors. Mint is one herb that should remain indoors as it takes over the garden.

With these tips, you will be able to successfully grow herbs in a pot and keep them healthy so you can enjoy them all year round! Make good use of your efforts by using your herbs to your full advantage. Cook with them, store them and share them with your friends!