Dorie Byers 

Growing organic herbal remedies can enhance your nutrition, provide ready first aid, and save you money over store-bought herbs.

 Herbs can be a healthy addition to your life.  They are very versatile, providing you with benefits like enhanced nutrition, first aid treatments, and remedies for minor illnesses.

 If you like plants that are fragrant, practical, decorative, healing, tasty, nutritious, and otherwise useful, grow some herbs.  Now is the time to plan for your spring garden.  You’ll not only reap the benefits of the plants themselves, but you’ll also get exercise from gardening and will benefit from being outdoors in nature.  You’ll have your own source of organically grown herbs, which you might not otherwise be able to find.  Also, you’ll be assured of the freshest supply of herbs—when you go into your garden and cut some parsley, for example, it doesn’t languish on a shelf losing freshness.  And finally, you’ll save money—growing and harvesting your own supply of herbs costs less than buying fresh.

 Almost anyone can grow herbs.  You don’t need great amounts of acreage to grow them; small plots, containers, or boxes outside your apartment window can give you an adequate crop.  Also, most herbs can adapt to many different climate and soil types.

 To introduce you to the joy of growing herbs, we’ve selected three herbal remedy gardens for this article, with recipes for gardens you can plant for cold and flu remedies, first aid, and relaxation.  Should you have any minor ailments, from a sore throat to sunburn, you’ll have herbs readily available to assist you in treating them.  Having one of these special gardens will help you become familiar with each of its herbs, as well as providing you with visual pleasure, aroma, and usefulness.

 Herb Growing Basics

 When choosing a spot for your herbs, look for a place that gets lots of sun throughout the day.  Sun is a big requirement for a lot of herbs; they need it to produce their essential oils.  Most herbs need at least half a day of sunshine.

 If you are not sure whether a spot offers enough sunlight, try placing a few containers of herbs there.  If they start to look “leggy”—with long stems and small leaves that seem to be reaching out for sunlight—then most likely the spot doesn’t have enough light for your plants to thrive.

 Consider your climate and growing zone as you contemplate locations for your herb bed.  If you have cold, windy winters, a sheltered area would be a good choice.  If summers are very hot, a spot shaded in the afternoon gives plants some protection from the midday heat.  Should you have temperature winters, you can plant tender herbs and expect them to survive year-round, given normal conditions for your area.  Don’t become too fixated on growing zone information, however.  Many plants that you purchase or raise from seeds and nurture will do well even if you do not live in a recommended growing zone. 

 Most herbs do well in slightly acidic soil, with a pH of 6.0-7.0.  Your soil pH is one of the values given to you by a soil test.  To raise the pH of your soil, add dolomitic limestone.  To lower the pH, add sulfur.  If you’re growing your herbs in containers, use an organic commercial potting mix.  Regular garden soil is not appropriate for container plantings because it will compact, hindering your plants’ root growth.

 For additional assistance, consult local Master Gardeners and nurseries, who can be very helpful about telling you what will grow well in your area.  Local libraries usually have a wide variety of gardening and herb-gardening books.  Your local County Extension Service office has information on typical growing conditions for your area.

 Cold and Flu Garden

 Plant a patchwork quilt of herbs of different heights, colors, and textures:  four thyme plants, nine garlic cloves, three cayenne pepper, one yarrow, two Echinacea, one peppermint, and two rosemary.  Peppermint grows rapidly and can become very invasive with very little encouragement.  To contain it, plant it in a large tub or container with holes in the bottom for drainage and sink it into the ground.  Butterflies will be drawn to the Echinacea and yarrow.

 Use the following recipes to take advantage of the healing properties of the herbs in your cold and flu garden:

 Herbal Broth

Flavorful, warming, and packed with vitamins.

• 6 minced garlic cloves
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 tsp. fine-chopped fresh cayenne pepper or ½ tsp. dried powdered cayenne
• 1 tsp. fine-chopped fresh or ½ tsp. dried rosemary
• ½ tsp. fresh or ¼ tsp. dried thyme
• Pinch to ¼ tsp. salt, to taste

 Add the garlic to the olive oil and sauté over high heat briefly, until the garlic starts to change color.  Add the broth or water, turn the heat down to medium-low, and simmer for 20 minutes.  Add all of the herbs and salt to taste.  Simmer for five more minutes, then serve.  Sip slowly.

 Herbal Inhaler

This herbal infusion will aid in clearing of a stuffy nose.

• 2 quarts water
• ¼ cup fresh or 2 Tbsp. dried yarrow
• ¼ cup fresh or 2 Tbsp. dried peppermint
• 1 Tbsp. fresh or 2 tsp. dried rosemary
• 1 Tbsp. fresh or 2 tsp. dried thyme

 Place the water in a saucepan on the stove.  Add all of the herbs.  Simmer uncovered over low heat for 30-45 minutes.  This allows the herbal essences to drift through the house.  Do not allow the pan’s contents to boil dry.

 Peppermint Inhalation

When you’re suffering from congestion, peppermint can be helpful simmered in water as an inhalation.

• ½ cup dried or 1 cup fresh peppermint
• 1 quart boiling water

 Add water and peppermint to an enamel or stainless-steel saucepan.  Allow the mixture to simmer uncovered on the stovetop.  This will release the peppermint aroma into the air.

 Thyme-infused Honey

Thyme helps soothe a sore throat and will act as an expectorant.  This is a pleasant way to ingest thyme when you’re suffering from a cold and congestion.

• 1 cup honey
• ½ cup fresh or ¼ cup dried thyme

 Combine the two ingredients and heat gently over low heat for 15-20 minutes, making sure the honey does not boil or scorch.  Remove from the heat and allow the honey to cool.  Strain out the herbs, then bottle the honey and label it.  To relieve colds, coughs, and sore throats, take 1 tsp. honey three times a day.

 First Aid Garden

 Plant a one-foot by two-foot trough with one yarrow, seven calendula, and one aloe plant.  Let 3-4 plantain and 3-4 chickweed plants grow in front of the trough or in a second container.

 Use the following recipes to make use of the herbs in your first aid garden:

 Itch Relief Infusion

For itchy skin from any number of causes.

• ½ cup fresh or ¼ cup dried chickweed
• 1 cup boiling water

Infuse the chickweed in the boiling water for ten minutes.  Strain, and cool the infusion in the refrigerator.  Use the infusion as a lotion on affected areas.  For long-term storage, pour it into ice cube trays and freeze.

 Cuts and Scrapes Infusion

The antibacterial properties in calendula make it an appropriate treatment for minor cuts and scrapes.

• 1 Tbsp. dried or 2 Tbsp. fresh calendula blossoms
• 1 cup boiling water

 Add the calendula blossoms to the boiling water.  Cover and let steep for 15 minutes, then cool to lukewarm.  Apply to minor cuts and scrapes to clean them and promote healing.

 Insect Bite Relief

• 1 plantain leaf, crushed

 Apply the crushed plantain leaf to the bite or sting, rubbing gently.

 Minor Burn Relief

For relief of minor sunburn or other burns.

• 1 aloe vera leaf, cut

 Gently apply the aloe vera gel to the burn.  Reapply every two hours as needed.

 Relaxation Garden

 All of the herbs in this garden have a reputation for calming the nerves and promoting relaxation.

 This garden would look attractive planted against a fence.  Valerian is the tallest, so the three valerian plants should be planted at the back.  Plant five lavender plants directly in front of the valerian, with two lemon balm and eight German chamomile on either side.  Plant three sweet marjoram plants in front of the lavender.

 Using the following recipes to promote relaxation provides you with an excuse to halt the pace of your life, if only for a few minutes.

 Relaxation Tea

• 1 tsp. dried lemon balm or dried chamomile blossoms
• 1 cup boiling water

 Add the lemon balm or chamomile blossoms to the boiling water.  Cover and infuse for 15 minutes.  Strain the herbs from the infusion and sip slowly.

 Relaxation Inhaler

This little bag of herbs can be kept on your desk, in your car, or anywhere you might want a quick de-stressor.

• 1 Tbsp. dried lavender buds
• 1 Tbsp. dried marjoram
• 1 Tbsp. dried lemon balm
• 1 Tbsp. dried chamomile
• 1 muslin tea bag

 Add all of the dried herbs to the muslin bag, and close the bag snugly.  When the herbs lose their aroma, empty the contents of the bag into the compost and replace with more dried herbs.

 A Simple Tea

 Teas (also called infusions) are a good way to get the benefits of many herbs, including those in all three of the aforementioned gardens.  For best effect, use an infusion when you make it.  It can also be stored in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours before discarding.

1. Place the herbs in a heatproof container.  If you don’t want loose leaves in your tea, contain the herbs in a muslin tea bag, heat-sealable tea bag, or stainless-steel strainer or infuser.
2. Pour boiling water over the herbs.
3. Cover the container to allow the tea to steep, usually for 15 to 20 minutes.  The cover will keep the herbs’ essential oils, which are quite volatile, from escaping.
4. Remove or strain the herbs from the infusion, and sip to enjoy.

 Certain herbs seem to be suited to people.  As you try different plants for different ailments, you will find some that stand out as favorites for you and your family.  On the other hand, you may also try some plants that do not like your climate or gardening conditions no matter what you do.  Choose which plants are best for you and your family, and be creative.  Your garden is a place of enjoyment, where you can grow healing herbs to use for a variety of home remedies.