Herb

Very few places host more junk science than advertisements for homeopathic medicinal herb products. Claims of near-miracles are made which have neither been tested nor substantiated. Still, some herbs have actually been in use for millennia to treat many conditions and are still favorites when it comes to medicinal herb gardening. Here are some herbs used for medicinal purposes which have been analyzed by leading researchers, along with their potential benefits and side effects.

Chamomile

Chamomile, an herb named after a similarly named dried flower, is often used to make a tasty and safe tea. Drinking it can soothe you, and may even work as a mild sedative. Some claim that chamomile can lessen inflammation and fever, but this has not yet been verified. Other studies claim that chamomile contains certain compounds that can inhibit certain stomach ulcers caused by bacteria, but again this has not be fully proven.

While it is not exactly the miracle cure it is often touted as being, and its pollen could cause an allergic reaction in some people, this chamomile is a safe herb for most to use.

Echinacea

A number of the substances found in the perennial, Echinacea, have been thoroughly studied. And while science has yet to entirely validate any of the claims made about it, it is often thought to be an aid to the immune system and has been used in the treatment of upper respiratory problems brought on by colds.

Some research suggests it can help shorten the duration of a cold as well as ease symptoms. Other studies show that it may lessen the frequency of contracting colds. Such claims are difficult to prove, because so many factors are in play when one catches a cold, but the herb is believed to be safe. At the very least, the herb may be a good placebo.

People who have diabetes should absolutely speak to their physician before taking Echinacea.

Feverfew

Feverfew has been said to treat inflammation and migraine headaches and is a common herb in medicinal herb gardening. Because it reduces the effectiveness of clotting in the blood, this may be true. It contains the ingredients parthenolide and glycosides.

Keep in mind there are some potentially dangerous side effects noted. It could cause skin inflammation and oral ulcers. Heart rate and pulse could be elevated and it could potentially interact with prescription drugs prescribed for migraines. This herb may even interact with out body’s absorption of iron.

Ginseng

Ginseng is an ancient herb commonly used in China and India. Certain studies suggest that is can reduce blood sugar levels and increase the “good” cholesterol, HDL.

While there’s no evidence supporting its ability to actually enhance sexual performance, it is safe. Of course, in circumstances such as this, a placebo can often be as good as an actual effective ingredient. Sometimes, if you think it will work, it will. Ginseng, however, is an herb that both pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid taking as it contains compounds similar to estrogen. It can also reduce blood sugar to levels too low to be considered healthy and, when taken in large quantities, has been known to induce asthma attacks.

Before you try herbs to treat your own health, you should gather a lot of information and do your own research first. Lots of stories and opinions abound, and medicinal herbs have been used for a long time. But it’s hard to get truly scientific, objective information. Be careful.

Medicinal herb gardening can be done at home, whether in pots or a garden in the ground. It is similar to growing perennials, and you will have an entire supply of homeopathic medicinal herbs waiting for you in your yard.

Not only is the milk thistle silymarin liver herb good for the liver, it also has many other exciting health benefits to offer, and can help you to maintain optimal health.

Used as long ago as the Roman times this amazing herb protects the liver and can combat the effects of cirrhosis and hepatitis very effectively. It can actually regenerate new liver cells to replace the damaged ones.

It enhances liver function and protects it by acting as a gatekeeper to limit the amount of toxins being dealt with at any given time. It may surprise you to learn that it is administered in the form of an injection in hospitals when dealing with cases of extreme life threatening mushroom poisoning.

The milk thistle silymarin liver herb is also a very powerful antioxidant, many more time powerful than even vitamin C and E. This helps it to prevent the damage caused by free radical molecules that can lead to premature aging and disease. This also has the effect of boosting your immune system, helping to prevent those common coughs and colds.

The list goes on with aiding in the treatment of gallstones and helping to clear psoriasis. Millions of dollars in research is currently underway to see what else this super herb has to offer and already it is showing promising signs in the treatment of skin cancer.

To integrate it successfully into your diet, it is recommended to take it with other beneficial synergistic nutrients to help with absorption, as it is not easily taken by the body. Be sure to get a standardized extract of 85% silymarin, its main active ingredient responsible for most of the benefits.

An enteric coating to protect it degrading in the stomach is also essential to help you realize the full impact that this herb has to offer.

So there you have it, a brief introduction to the milk thistle silymarin liver herb, and with many more discoveries around the corner, why not make a point to include it in your diet and start to reap the health benefits.

I live in Montreal, Quebec and have been gardening for well over 20 years. Although we have 4 distinctive seasons in this part of the world, winter is the longest and harshest of the lot. This cold season usually starts in mid-November to early May. Canadian winters are not a very good season for growing herbs or pretty much of anything for that matter.

Indoor Herb Gardens Offers Freshness and Abundance All Year Long.

However, if you grow herbs, the end of the gardening season does not mean the end of fresh regular supplies. You can easily grow herbs inside of your home in containers and assure a fresh and flavorful supply at all time of the year.

Various Containers for Indoor Gardening

A large variety of herbs can be grown indoors and pots or/and containers can be obtain through various outlets. A popular choice are Terra cotta pots, plastic planters will retain water more effectively and are less costly. In both cases, you should have plates underneath the pots to retain drained water. Of course, a long and narrow box that can contain many plants can do very well on a sunny windowsill.

You can also choose to grow plants in hanging planters. It is especially helpful for growing training herbs such as mint or terragon. You can also recycle strawberry pots to grow herbs. If you choose to grow different plants in the same container, make sure you plant herbs than share similar needs for soil, watering and light.

Proper Lighting for Indoor Herbs

In all circumstances, light is a primordial ingredient to assure good strong healthy plants. Your interior garden will need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day from a south-west facing window. Remember to turn the pots around a quarter turn every week to give equal exposure to the entire plants.

Of course, as the seasons change, the quantity and the quality of sunlight varies. Indoors herb gardening can be maintained through the entire year with the use of artificial lights. For best results, use full-spectrum grow lights thought cool or white lights can also do the job. Lights should be place at least 5 inches directly over the growing plants.

Maintenance of a Container Herb Garden

Keeping a good eye on the moisture of your plants is essential. It the soil is dry from 1 inch down from the top, it is time to water the growing herbs. Take into consideration, especially during wintertime, that interior air can be very dry and the plants might need to be watered more often than they would in other circumstances. Brown leaf tips and the appearance of red spider mites are definitively not a good sign. To avoid these type of problems, you can mist around the plant weekly.

You don’t need to fertilize your plants, you will produce superior flavor if you do not. You should, however, start your plants in enriched fertile potting soil. Once the plants are growing well and are well potted, pinch the tips off once in a while to help them grow.

This is a list of herbs that do very well when growing indoors.

* Aloe

* Basil

* Borage

* Calendula

* Chervil

* Chives

* Ginger

* Hyssop

* Lemon Balm

* Lemon Verbena

* Lemongrass

* Marjoram

* Mint

* Oregano

* Parsley

* Rosemary

* Sage

* Scented Geranium

* Sweet Bay

* Thyme

In conclusion, you can enjoy fresh and very flavorful herbs for cooking, teas and medicinal use all year round if you choose to grow indoor herb gardens. Of course, when the warmer climates finally arrives, you can easily transfer them to your outdoor area.

References to herbs can be found in the writings of the ancient Egyptians and Chinese. The Bible mentions herbs in several places and we know from historical documents that most households used herbs in medieval times.

Herb growing is beneficial, for several reasons, to gardeners. The many uses of herbs include:

1) To flavor food,

2) Potpourri,

3) Tea,

4) Medicinal purposes, and,

5) Control garden pests.

You can grow your herb garden exclusively for one of these reasons or a combination of purposes. Herbs can also be grown with other garden plants or indoors in containers or pots.

With the option of an indoor herb garden or a small plot in the outdoor garden herbs give you flexibility in planning. Depending on how extensive the use, a plot of four by six feet is small enough to easily care for, yet large enough to provide the needs of a small family.

Culinary herbs, those used in cooking, are a popular choice for gardeners. However, herbs are also grown for the beauty of the flowers and aromatic foliage, as used in potpourri. No matter the purpose these can be used fresh or dried. Chefs use herbs to add depth to the flavor of a dish while other types of herbs are used as garnish for salads or plates.

When planning the herb garden be aware that herbs grow, like all other plants, as annuals, perennials, shrubs, or trees. The type will obviously make a difference in choosing a location. Herbs prefer well-drained soil. If the outdoor soil is heavy or compacted add organic matter, sand, or a combination. Outdoors fertilizers are usually not necessary. However, sun is necessary; most types of herbs prefer plenty of sun, with only a few thriving in full shade. Read much on the type of herb you want to plant. Some prefer morning sun and afternoon shade.

Interestingly, herbs have few disease or insect enemies (some herbs are known for their pest control properties). When the weather becomes hot and dry red spider mites can be found on some low-growing plants. Aphids may infest anise, caraway, dill, or fennel. Mint is sometimes affected by rust.

In addition to buying seedlings from the local nursery, gardeners can also start herbs from seed. Watching a plant grow from a tiny seed is fascinating. Its entire life-cycle can be observed, and much can be learned from this process. Enjoy the gratification of using herbs you started, and nurtured, from seed. Fortunately, most herbs can be grown from seed successfully.

Start with a light, well-drained soil in a shallow pot or box and plant your seed in there in late winter. Shallow planting is best because herbs do not have deep roots. Usually the smaller the seed the more shallow it should be planted.

Transplant the new seedlings to your outdoor garden in the spring. Research each herb choice well as some do better when planted directly in the garden. Anise, fennel, coriander, and dill, for example, do not do well when transplanted, so sow your seed directly in the garden.

An herb garden, grown at home, is easy and simple, and extremely rewarding. Learn all you can about herbs in general, and specifically about your herb choices. Pick up one the informative eBooks about successful herb gardening and discover the gardening secrets known for years by herb gardening enthusiasts. Good Luck!

Perennial herbs live for more than two years. They hibernate during the colder parts of the year which means their upper parts above the soil die down, but their roots live on. The herbs lie dormant and don’t grow actively throughout the winter, but in spring they “spring” back producing new branches, leaves and flowers.

Depending on their life span, herbs are classified as annuals, biennials or perennials. My herb garden is a mixture of all three types or at least two of them. When you are planning your herb garden, decide whether you want to spend more time planting or pruning. If you are thinking of starting a perennial herb garden, be prepared to spend more time pruning.

A little bit of extra work is required if you decide to create a perennial herb garden. Be mindful when pruning perennial herbs before the winter. Leave enough branches and leaves so they can prepare themselves for the colder months. It also helps to apply a thick layer of mulch to protect roots from the frost.

Perennial herbs have established themselves in our everyday lives in many ways. We use them to enhance flavors in our cooking. Their scents and fragrances are widely used in aromatherapy. Some of them produce beautiful flowers which add ornamental value to your garden. Let’s not forget their value as companion plants. Some perennial herbs have medicinal properties too.

There are many varieties of perennial herbs and it is rather difficult to mention all of them. We all have our favorites. If you don’t have much space in your garden, the decision on which ones to grow could be based on what you are intending to use them for.

Rosemary is an herb which I enjoy very much for its perpetual green color, scent and small flowers. This bushy herb can be a ground cover or it can be trained to climb the fence. The more you trim it, the denser it becomes.

Mint comes in several varieties – peppermint, spearmint, lemon balm. Mint is an invasive herb and can easily overtake your garden. You can control it if you bury the pot with the mint in the ground. The tea made out of fresh mint leaves is very refreshing and helps digestion.

Chamomile is an herb which spreads easily. It has valuable medicinal properties and drinking chamomile tea could boost your immune system. Also, chamomile tea can calm an upset stomach.

Sage is lovely shrub with long, pale green leaves. Apart from being well used in the kitchen, sage has found its place as an alternative medicine as well as in aroma therapy. It was recommended to me to chew on a sage leave when I had a gum infection. I’ve noticed the change and improvement very quickly. I am sure you will find this perennial herb very useful.

Thyme is another shrubby looking perennial herb. It produces purple and white flowers and it can grow up to 25cm in height. Similar to sage, essential oils from thyme are widely used in aromatherapy. Thyme can be used to treat mouth infections, dandruff, arthritis and rheumatism. It can also help to boost the immune system. I don’t think I need to mention its value as a culinary herb.

Lavender is a bushy perennial herb with small, pointy looking leaves. Flowers bloom for a long time. They are pretty, violet-blue in color, shaped long and thin and have a lovely sweet smell. Lavender has been used as a muscle relaxant, pain reliever, antiseptic and an antidepressant. It can also help maintain a healthy blood pressure.

Herb gardening, whether perennial, annual or biennial is a joy. Enjoy every moment you spend in the garden tending to your precious herbs and the experience will be a very rewarding one
indeed!

Cantharis for cats is used for urinary tract infections. This herb helps to sustain a healthy flow or urine. Cantharis and Staphysagris are normally used together for cat urinary bladder infections. If Cantharis is specifically compounded together with other herbs, like Staphysagris and vitamins in special formulas used in conjunction with a healthy diet you may be able to prevent further problems of the urinary tract.

In homeopathic remedies the herb, plant or sometimes an insect is used. After processing the full potency product is diluted many times and added to a base formula. The theory behind these homeopathic remedies is like cures like. In other words, if the original herb produces the consequences you are trying to cure and it is taken in these very minute properties, the body responds much like the flu shot which when introduced into the body will produce antibodies.

Cantharis and Staphysagris are prescribed when the symptoms are an extreme urge to urinate, pain when urinating and a pain after the flow of urine has stopped. Even when just finishing urination there is another urge to urinate with little or no urine being produced. Cantharis for cats is prescribed if experiencing rapid and severe inflammation of the urinary tract. The relentless burning pain associated with the urinary tract makes the cat afraid to urinate, and so kitty might go to the bathroom on a cool floor outside of the litter box because it feels better, or they might dribble urine any and everywhere.

Prevention is the key for avoiding repeated bouts of bladder problems with your cat. Keeping the litter box clean is an excellent way to prevent urinary infections. Bacteria from the litter box can enter and overrun the urethra. It is also very effective to make sure your animals have plenty of clean fresh water so they will urinate more and flush out any possible start of bacteria. One of the major causes for cat bladder infections is the fact that cats especially don’t drink or eat enough liquids, so if any bacteria do enter into the urethra, bacteria will multiply very fast.

As an added preventative, consider an immune supplement or a good multi-vitamin to help fight off any future infections. Used in combination with Cantharis and Staphysagris your cat will be able to fight off urinary infections.

Basic herb gardening is quite a joy. Especially in the springtime here in the Mid-South. By this time of year, we are all tired of the cold winter days and long to get out in the warm sunshine and dig in the dirt. Spring maintenance of your herb garden is a great way to start the gardening season.

Most herbs are relatively easy to grow and they can be grown in all areas of the Mid-South. Many are annuals and are started from seeds or bought as small plants each year after the last frost. Garden centers and mail-order catalogs are good places to purchase herbs.

Following the springtime maintenance tips below will give you a good start on your outdoor herb gardening season.

Locating Your Herb Garden

Herbs are not too picky about where they grow, as long as you give them the basics. They require 6 hours of sun, well drained soil, correct light requirements and moderate temperatures. Avoiding sites where the soil is too wet or too dry, indicating too much clay or sand, is beneficial.

Growing Herbs From Seeds

Maybe you started your basil and fennel herb seeds inside four to six weeks before the last frost date of April 18th. If so, soon they will be ready to put out in the garden.

Once the frost free date is past, you are free to plant seeds of anise, coriander, dill, fennel, summer savory directly outside.

Easy Perennial Herbs

Some perennial herbs like mint, rosemary, lemon balm, chives, and oregano will come back each year. Other perennials that do well in the Mid-South are lovage, hyssop, lavender, sage, sweet marjoram, sweet woodruff, tarragon, and thyme.

Springtime Pruning

The middle of March and early April is the time to cut back perennial herbs here in the Mid-South. Herbs such as artemisia and other woody herbs are pruned to prevent them from becoming leggy. If it has been awhile since you pruned, cutting back to about 6 inches is recommended.

Also in the middle of March, prune back herbs such as rue, sage, and thyme to fresh green wood to remove dead stem tips and to help shape the plants and to encourage new growth.

Did your rosemary get hit hard by the frigid winter? Being a marginal perennial herb, it can take some cold, but when it gets down to 8 degrees your rosemary will suffer. If yours took a hit this winter, it may be time to replace it with a new one rather than trying to prune it. If it was planted near your house and survived with the warmth of your home, then pruning an inch or so off the tips will help to keep it bushy and prevent it from getting too woody in the middle.

Fertilizing

One thing that makes basic herb gardening so easy is that you do not really need to worry about fertilizing. Herbs generally do not need any more amendments than a little organic matter such as compost. They do benefit from a drink of compost tea made from soaking compost in water. Straining it, and adding enough water to make a liquid the color of tea is beneficial.

Nothing can compare to the joy of going out into your own yard and harvesting a few stems to use in your favorite meal. Basic herb gardening allows you to make your own vinegars, wreaths, and potpourri and can bring hours of enjoyment throughout the year.

An herb garden can do more than just provide herbs for cooking, medicine and teas. Many herbs can also bring vibrant color to your garden. The flowers, often left unused if herbs are used for culinary purposes, often come in a wide variety of colors from white to red and everything in between. These colors often contrast well with the green parts of the herb.

Basil, one of the main ingredients in pesto, is often used medicinally for its antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-microbial and cancer fighting health benefits. The pale green leaves provide a nice backdrop for the spikes of small, white flowers.

Often used in Mediterranean cuisine with fish or chicken, rosemary can bring a variety of colors to your herb garden. Depending on the cultivar used, leaves can range from light to dark green with some varieties having green with yellow streaks or spots. Flowers can be shades of white, pink, purple or blue.

Tarragon comes in two main varieties, French and Russian. The tiny flowers are in small clusters that are 2-4mm in diameter. Each cluster can contain as many as forty florets in yellow or yellow-green colors. While French tarragon offers better flavor than its Russian counterpart, it seldom produces flowers.

You may already have calendula growing in your flower garden and not know it. Sometimes referred to as pot marigold, flowers range from from pastel yellow to a vibrant deep orange. The petals can be eaten and are sometimes used to color salads. Medicinally, calendula is used to reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin, making it a good choice for treatment of acne and other skin conditions.

Sage produces flowers in spikes, racemes or panicles. Flowers are showy with colors ranging from blue to red. White and yellow flowers are sometimes seen, but they are less common. Common sage is the type used for cooking and most herbal medicines, although Ancient Chinese Medicine uses red sage.

Borage is a beautiful flower. Sometimes called starflower due to its five narrow triangular petals, it usually produces blue flowers. Pink is sometimes seen. A variety with white flowers is also cultivated. Borage can be used for culinary, medicinal or tea purposes. If planted near tomatoes, it is believed to improve their growth and taste, as well as repel tomato hornworms.

Lavender not only brings color to your garden, but a lovely aroma as well. The pale purple flowers are produced on spikes. As a culinary herb, it is mainly used in French cuisine. Medicinally, lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It can ease headaches and relieve tension.

Nasturtium brings yellow, orange and red to your herb garden. They are commonly used as companion plants and can repel many garden pests. The entire plant is edible and the flowers can sometimes be found in salads and stir fry.

Bergamot is often used as a medicinal herb. As a tea, it is an effective treatment for colds and oral infections. Used as a poultice, it is used to treat skin infections and wounds. The flower petals have a somewhat ragged appearance and come in varying shades of white, pink, red and purple.

These are only a few of the colorful herbs you can include in your herb garden. Take a stroll through a flower garden and you may be surprised to learn that many of the flowers are actually herbs that can be used in cooking, medicine and teas.

A medicinal herb garden plan is really in handy if you plan to start planting the preferred medicinal plants. Among the herbs frequently grown are parsley, thyme, peppermint, basil, and sage. There are many plants used for medicinal purposes and with the herb garden plan, it will be easier to get started. The ancient people used plants for healing and so the effectiveness is no longer in question.

To ensure that you have a healthy and thriving garden, only a medicinal herb garden plan will help you especially if you are new to herb gardening. You should provide all the essential elements. You can start by listing your favorite medicinal herbs. Try to identify the common health problems that your family suffers from in order that you can plant the appropriate herbs.

After doing so, you can now perform a little of research to familiarize yourself with the requirements of growing the herbs. The medicinal herb garden plan will be able to show you on how to pick the right spot for your herbs. Once you have incurred the needed knowledge, you can now go outside and check the available yard space. Most plants thrive in sunny areas and well drained soil. Does your yard get a lot of sunlight?

Plants thrive in places where there is plenty of sunlight. If you can provide these elements, then you can surely grow the herbs with ease. What if the space is limited? You can surely go for container gardening. The medicinal herb garden plan will serve as you key to planting the herbs the right way to ensure optimum growth. The containers come in various sizes and so you will be able to grow as many herbs as you like.

It is not a good idea to use pesticides on the plants since you will be using it for medicinal purposes. To get rid of pests, you can plant complimentary herbs that repel the insects and pests naturally. Try planting several varieties in a large container or if you choose an outdoor garden, you can arrange the herbs according to height. The medicinal herb garden plan will show you how large or small the herbs can grow.

Proper planting is also necessary. Some plants take too long to grow and so you might want to consider getting seedlings from garden centers. Monitor the growth of your herbs. Water it regularly but try to ensure that you do not overdo it; otherwise, the roots can rot.

Bear in mind that the growing requirements differ so try to ensure that you comply accordingly. Use medicinal herb garden plan to grow healthy medicinal herbs together with the knowledge you possess. Do you love to prepare teas? If you do, then you can simply harvest from your garden and prepare the tea in no time. The fresh leaves can make your tea very healthy.

Herb gardens are not hard to maintain. This is an excellent way to provide instant medicine for your family and if you have a medicinal herb garden plan, nothing can go wrong.

Windowsill herb gardens are one of the most fulfilling and rewarding hobbies one partakes in. The thought of bringing life into the home and helping it grow is a real soul booster. It is not a difficult task to grow herbs right at your fingertips to use in the kitchen. Just make sure you are setting up your windowsill herb garden correctly for the best chance of success.

What are the things we need in order to set up your windowsill herb garden? First of all, you need to check where the sun shines the most in your home. Most herbs are sun loving and this feature will go a long way in the success of your windowsill garden. Herb garden must get enough sunlight throughout the day. Sunlight is a vital piece of the puzzle. This will make your herbs flourish better. Have your garden soak in at least three to five hours of natural sunlight. Of course, this all depends on the herbs you have planted. Some herbs are prefer lower amounts of sun and can be burned in the process. Do your research on the herbs you will be growing to make sure you have them in the best spot.

Space for your garden is another factor that will need to be considered. Large sills can hold good sized pots or tray-like containers while narrow sills can only hold a small assortment of herbs. You may have to reduce the number of herbs you plant or widen the sill to fit your needs. If you are handy in the home, you can accomplish this yourself, or you can consult a carpenter to see what they can do with the space. What you do is up to you. Anything from a simple plywood extension to a multi-tiered shelf system made from ornate oak is possible. The money invested here may pay dividends in the future with extra space. It is a good idea to start small at first to make sure this is something you are truly interested in pursuing long term.

Moisture can also play a big role. You need to water your plants daily. Keeping your garden close at hand will help you to check on your herbs to make sure they have enough water to keep them strong. Make sure your windowsills have some form of drainage system as your pots will most likely have holes at the bottom. If you happen to live in a high-rise apartment or condominium, we suggest putting a simple drain such as a tray to catch the overflow. Or water the pots in the sink letting the excess run out the bottom and drain away. Be sure to remove the excess water by what ever means necessary. Too much water is just a bad as not enough.

Windowsill herb gardens are fun and easy to do. It is practical and less stressful than a full fledge garden and beneficial to you and your home.