Many garden herbs have natural medicinal qualities.
Still contemplating what to plant this spring? You might consider adding an old-fashioned, medicinal herb garden to your must-haves. An herb garden is perfect for containers and offers multiple benefits. Fresh herbs add flavor to your favorite recipes, create a beautiful aesthetic and attract beneficial insects. Some also have medicinal qualities that treat common ailments. Modern science is rediscovering what our ancestors knew thousands of years ago: Herbs offer surprising health benefits.
Lavender has silver-gray foliage and deep-purple flowers on tall spikes that attract butterflies, bees and even hummingbirds. The edible flowers have a sweet flavor and can be used in lemonade and baking. Its fresh scent has a calming quality. When lavender is steeped in tea, it promotes a sense of relaxation. Lavender tea also is used to reduce minor pain. When applied as a poultice to cuts and bruises, it can function as an antiseptic.
Peppermint can soothe an upset stomach and helps promote digestion. Peppermint tea is said to ease stress, tension and related headaches. Drinking peppermint tea can improve the absorption of nutrients from the foods you eat.
Sage is known for its pungent scent and flavor. It can help soothe coughs and throat irritation. Sage is believed to reduce the length and the severity of colds and sinus congestion. It’s also an antiseptic herb. Rosemary is used to boost memory, concentration and mood. It contains two key ingredients — rosemarinic acid and caffeic acid — that are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. It is also used as a natural breath sweetener.
Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, has a fresh lemony scent that is said to soothe anxiety and nervous tension. When steeped in tea, it is supposed to promote positive and peaceful sleeping patterns. It is also used to soothe
and speed the healing of cold sores.
Catnip is used in tea as a detoxifier for the body. It is said to help relieve headaches. Although it drives cats crazy, it has a relaxing effect. Catnip has a history of use to relieve toothaches. It’s an anti-inflammatory.
You can start your herb garden from seed, or look for transplants at the nursery. They are ready to harvest immediately and look pretty in pots.