How to Plant a Medicinal Herb Garden

In the yoga world, you often hear about the healing properties of herbs and essential oils. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the benefits of herbs are wide and varied. So this Spring, why not try planting your own medicinal herb garden? You’ll be surprised to find that you can use many of the herbs you already sprinkle on your pastas and in your favorite dinner dishes for medicinal purposes as well!

Analgesics

Analgesics serve as pain relievers.

Try growing Echinacea for a cure-all for any pain you may experience.

Benefits of Echinacea

Echinacea is known as a super herb – it acts pretty much like a cure-all. Its benefits include easing the symptoms of colds, the flu, burns, ear infection, eczema and many other ailments. Echinacea mainly aides the body in resisting and fighting illness.

How to Grow Echinacea

Echinacea is a beautiful flower, with purple petals and a cone-shaped center. It’s best to plant Echinacea outside, as the plant grows to nearly 3 feet high.

When to Plant Echinacea

Plant in the spring or fall. Echinacea grows well in most climates and normal gardening soil but does best with full sun.

Emollients

Emollients help soothe, soften and moisturize the skin.

You can use fenugreek to soothe irritated skin or add it to your favorite curry.

Benefits of Fenugreek

Fenugreek reduces inflammations on the skin such as boils and acne. It can also relieve sore throats upset stomach and high cholesterol.

How to Grow Fenugreek

To successfully grow fenugreek, be ready to show it some love. The plant likes very fertile soil and full sun. It will grow to about two feet and bloom with yellow or white flowers and yellow seed pods.

When to plant Fenugreek

It’s best to plant fenugreek in May or June, when the weather is going to stay warm and the threat of cold and frost is well past.

Vulneraries

Vulneraries are typically used to heal and treat wounds.

Surprisingly, rosemary is a great option for relieving pain.

Benefits of Rosemary

Rosemary essential oil is often used to treat headaches, sore muscles, rheumatism, muscular pains and arthritis. Not sure how to make an essential oil from the leaves you gather out of your herb garden? No worries – it’s easy to make your own essential oils.

How to Grow Rosemary

Start with a cutting to ensure proper and successful growth. You’ll need sun, good drainage and sufficient air circulation; otherwise, the rosemary can become infested with a powdery mildew.

When to Plant Rosemary

Rosemary can be planted at any time of the year and grow inside or out. If you live in a climate with seasons susceptible to frost, it’s best to stick with an indoor garden that you can move inside once the weather improves. Terracotta pots are a good option, but make sure you re-pot once a year.

How do you use your favorite herbs to heal the remedies that ail you?