Growing My Own Medicine

In the past twenty years, I have learned about the health benefits of an organic, mostly plant based diet; using chemical free household cleaning and beauty products; composting and reducing the waste my household creates; switching from plastic food storage containers to all glass and more recently, growing my own medicine. This past spring, I started planting my first medicinal herb garden, with herbs that I would actually use, either as teas, food, in the bath or as smudge sticks. I added a vintage bee skep to the middle of it, so that the bees, if they chose to make a hive, would be undisturbed, as they pollinated the flowers and I labored to keep the weeds at bay. This list is my foundation and includes the first twelve and how I use them.

1- Lemon Verbena

I use the leaves in a tea to relieve bronchial and nasal congestion. Good for the soul to crush a stalk in your hands and breathe in the lemony fragrance.

2-Chamomile

I use the flowers in a tea, which promotes relaxation, or sprinkle them in the bath for a relaxing soak.

3-Mint

I use the leaves as a tea. Always relieves any hint of indigestion.

4-Thyme

I use it in cooking or as a tea. It has several medicinal properties- must learn more about each of those.

5-Stinging Nettles

I use it as a tea, add it to soup or make pesto. It’s effective at treating seasonal allergies.

6-Sage

I use it in cooking or for making smudge sticks.

7-Fennel Toothpick

I grow my own toothpicks. They have a lovely licorice flavor and the stems are compostable naturally.  Buy here

8-Calendula

I collect the flowers and use the petals for a soothing and very pretty bath soak, along with lavender.

9-Anise Hyssop

I haven’t made tea from this yet but I read that it has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties (thyme has these as well) and is an excellent tea to drink for treating colds, flu and congestion.

10-Lemon Balm

I have just started harvesting the leaves and will be trying the tea soon. It apparently helps to detox the liver and is calming.

11-Lavender

I love the smell of lavender and add the flowers to the bath for a relaxing and fragrant soak.

12- Marshmallow

I’m growing this for the first time and learned that all parts of the plant have medicinal properties.

*These herbs are all considered safe for most people. However, if you are taking medications, to be on the safe side, consult with your doctor first before ingesting herbs. Or do your own research.