By Deborah Dittner
Herbs have many health benefits and have been used medicinally for centuries.
There are many herbs to choose from especially as more and more garden centers have widened their selection for your growing pleasure.
Herbs can be used in cooking (oregano, basil), teas (dandelion, tulsi), salves (calendula, St. John’s Wort), syrups (peppermint, elderberry), tinctures (echinacea, burdock), and cleaning products (thyme, lavender) to name a few.
So, where do you begin?
Planting an herb garden is a great starting point. If you have the space right outside the kitchen door or are able to use planters or pots on the steps entering your kitchen you will be more likely to use and experiment with them.
• Peppermint adds wonderful flavor and is easy to grow requiring little maintenance. Use peppermint for cold or flu-like symptoms as it is known to open sinuses, clear the head, break fevers, calm an upset stomach and decrease pain. I recommend planting peppermint (or any mint for that matter) separately or in a pot as they grow and spread quickly.
• Echinacea is anti-microbial and aids in stimulating the immune system as tinctures, salves and tea. Used with colds and flu, skin conditions including infected wounds, acne, boils and abscesses and toothaches. Echinacea also helps prevent weeds from spreading.
• Cold and Flu Tea — aids in the relief of fever, infection and chills
– 2 teaspoon echinacea root
– 2 teaspoon peppermint leaf
– 2 teaspoon yarrow flower
– 1 teaspoon elderflower and berry
– 1 teaspoon ginger root
Steep for a minimum of 10-20 minutes in hot water.
• Calendula has beautiful golden flowers and has been known for its topical healing benefits for rashes, acne, bug bites, eczema and minor scratches. As a tea, detoxification will be stimulated and help to move lymphatic fluids.
• Yarrow aids in healing wounds, decreasing fevers and aiding the cardiovascular system. Yarrow can be used as a tea, tincture, salve and poultice. It is easy to grow and resilient.
• Fight Infection Tea
– 2 teaspoon calendula flower
– 2 teaspoon echinacea root
– 2 teaspoon elderberry
– 2 teaspoon lemongrass
– 1 teaspoon thyme
– 1 teaspoon yarrow leaf and flower
Steep for a minimum of 10-20 minutes in hot water.
• Lavender creates a calming effect aiding in peaceful sleep. As a tincture, lavender can help in the recovery of mild to moderate depression. Lavender can be made into teas, salves, oils, and creams used as a muscle relaxant and aiding in the healing of wounds. Lavender also attracts pollinators aiding in happy bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Chamomile has beautiful small white petals with a calming aroma. Chamomile aids an upset stomach, pink eye, relaxes tense muscles and is soothing as a bedtime tea. Also great for colicky babies.
– Chamomile Lavender Bath
– 1 tablespoon dried lavender
– 1 cup dried chamomile flowers
Place the dried flowers in a large pot. Boil ½ – 1 gallon water and pour over the mixture. Steep covered at least 20 minutes to overnight. Strain into bathtub or foot bath and add water to achieve desired temperature. Immerse your body or feet and enjoy as long as you’d like.
Dandelion is well-known for aiding in liver detoxification. All the parts of a dandelion can be used medicinally. The fresh young spring green leaves make a tasty pesto, added to salads, or lightly steamed. The roots can be dried and used for teas. Make sure the dandelions you use have not been sprayed with any pesticides or herbicides — you want pure dandelions.
– Dandelion Pesto
– 2-3 cups fresh, young dandelion leaves
– 2-4 crushed cloves of garlic
– ½ cup olive oil
– ¼ cup parmesan cheese
– Pinch of Himalayan pink salt
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– ¼ cup ground pine nut or walnuts
Blend oil, garlic and salt with half the dandelion leaves then add the remaining leaves and blend well to a good consistency. Add remaining ingredients and blend well.
Once you start growing herbs, you will find there are many uses. Once you start growing herbs, you will find more reasons to grow other herbs as well. Experiment and learn which herbs help you and your family to heal naturally from a variety of conditions, aid the body, boost the immune system, and lift the spirits. Plus, they taste fantastic!
The information provided is for education purposes only and is in no way intended to replace the advice of your health care professional.
Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner and health consultant. Her mission is to transform as many individuals as possible through nutrition and lifestyle changes. www.debdittner.com