#medicinalherbs

From: Hill, John, 1714?-1775. The British herbal : an history of plants and trees, natives of Britain, cultivated for use, or raised for beauty. London : Printed for T. Osborne and J. Shipton in Gray's-Inn, J. Hodges, near London-Bridge, J. Newbery, in St. Paul's Church-Yard, B. Collins, and S. Crowder and H. Woodgate, in Paster-noster-Row, 1756

1. Chives, Allium shoenoprasum: Kitchen friendly, chives’ garlic flavored stems and purple edible blossoms shine in many recipes. Chives are a perennial in the onion family that will return year after year. They grow in clumps 1-2 feet tall that can be divided every few years for more growth. Try not to harvest too much in the first year, just keep them well-watered while they establish. In the second year you can regularly harvest your chives by snipping the stems a few inches from the base.

2. Yarrow, Achillea millefolium:  A useful and hardy addition to your herb garden. Yarrow is a drought-tolerant perennial with many uses, especially wound mending and fever reduction. Traditional white yarrow is what’s typically used by herbalists. It’s fairly easy to grow from seed. Yarrow seeds need light to germinate and should be sprinkled and pressed on top of the soil and kept moist until it establishes, then spread 12 inches apart to fill out. Don’t harvest your yarrow too aggressively in the first year so it can focus on growing deep healthy roots. In the second year harvest the aerial parts of yarrow in the early blooming stage.

3. Peppermint, Mentha x piperita: With many uses in the apothecary and the kitchen, peppermint is a great choice for a beginner herb garden. It’s a flavor enhancer and digestive aid that can help soothe nausea. Peppermint is most easily grown from an established cutting rather than seed. Your local nursery will likely carry many yummy varieties of peppermint, but traditional peppermint is what herbalists use most. If you live in a hotter climate you may want to go for spearmint instead which is better suited. Both mints are perennials and grow in the wild along stream banks, so providing plenty of water, rich soil, and full sun or partial shade will make your plants happy. *Mint can spread rapidly to the point of being invasive so always give it a dedicated garden space or grow it in containers.

4. Elder, Sambucus nigra, Sambucus canadensis, or Sambucus cerulea: Elderberry has been used for centuries to boost the immune system and elderflowers are useful for reducing fevers. Long revered as a magical and sacred plant, elder is a great addition to your herb garden. It’s actually a tall shrub that can grow 15-30 feet tall so plant it somewhere it won’t shade out your other plants. It grows well in moist, well-drained soil with at least two or three other elderberry bushes nearby to increase germination rates. It’s possible to grow from seed but easier to purchase an established sapling or by digging up a piece of an already established bush.

5. Calendula, Calendula officinalis: A powerful wound healing herb, calendula is traditionally used to sooth and mend cuts, burns, bites, rashes, sprains, and other abrasions. Internally calendula tinctures and teas support the gallbladder, liver, and digestive system especially in cases with inflammation, like ulcers. Calendula flowers are edible and are a bright addition to recipes. It’s very easy to grow from seed, just poke them about 1/4 inch in the the soil and keep it moist. They should be spread about 12 inches apart in a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil. Don’t be shy with your calendula harvest, calendula is generous and the more flowers you harvest the more it’ll produce! It’s also a self seeding annual so at the end of summer leave the flowers on the stalks so they can develop seeds, then pull them before it frosts and plant them for next year.

6. Tulsi, Ocimum spp: Also known as holy basil, tulsi has a long history of use for the respiratory system thanks to its antiviral, antibacterial, decongestant, and diaphoretic action. In it’s homeland of India it’s considered holy and often grown in pots near the homes entry. It can grow as a perennial in warm climates, but in cooler climates it’s a self seeding annual that dies back after the first frost. Tulsi is easily started from seeds poked about 1/4 inch into the soil in late fall or early spring, cover and pat into place. They should be spread about 24 inches apart and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. To harvest cut the top 4-6 inches of the plant.

7. California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica: Used by many herbalists to support sleep thanks to its calming and sedating properties, California poppy is a nonaddictive cousin of the opium poppy. Like the opium poppy it has pain soothing properties. It’s a perennial, rugged, drought-tolerant plant that thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. They are easily started from seed in late fall or early spring by scattering the seeds and patting them in place. Keep them well-weeded and watered as they fill in. Harvest your California poppy leaves and flowers in the early morning when they’re in full bloom by cutting the top 6-10 inches of the plant, including the flower.