Growing medicinal herbs

Many medicinal herbs are also beautiful plants.Growing medicinal herbs like, Echinacea, the purple coneflower, has not only an attractive flower, the roots provide herbal medicine to improve the immune system. There are hundreds of other herbs used for medicinal purposes, so the easiest way is to focus on the most common and easiest to use.

Lemon balm is a favorite for cooking but the tea is also provides relaxation and is anti-viral. You can grow lemon balm, Melissa officinalis, almost anywhere. It self seeds readily so be ready to pluck it from other locations. The plant loves a full sun and can tolerate most any type of soil or water conditions. You can grow it easily from seed. There are easy to growing medicinal herbs, simply plant the seeds and once you have plants established, thin the plants to 18 inches apart.

Calendula, Calendula officinalis, pot marigold has a beautiful flower and a large number of medicinal uses. If you sew the seeds among your other plants, it provides a great insect repellent for the garden. Some people use the leaves or chopped petals in salads. Initially they have a sweet taste and then the flavor comes on strong and salty. The plant has a high amount of vitamin A and C. You can also make an edible dye or use the plant as a saffron substitute for rice dishes and soups. You can mix the petals of the pot marigold with lard and make a poultice good for bites, stings, wounds, sprains or even varicose veins. Sow the seeds directly in the ground as soon as the possibility of frost passes. They require a full sun. Thin them to 9 or 10 inches apart. These flowers readily self-seed so you can plan on an ample amount of them the following year.

If you have migraine headaches, you'll find that a tea made from the leaves of the Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium, plant can provide a great deal of relief. Plant Feverfew in the autumn in temperate zones or in the spring in the north. It likes well-drained soil that has a lot of compost and organic material and the sun. Since the plant self-seeds readily, those in warmer climates should have plants the following year.

For a delightful sleep aid that tastes delicious, make some chamomile tea. The apple-like smell of the German chamomile tastes delicious, helps you sleep and also is good for your stomachache. While growing medicinal herbs like chamomile its good to know that its grows in almost any type of soil, it loves the sun. You use the flowers to make the tea. You can use them fresh or dry them. Simply pour boiling water over about a tablespoon of fresh flowers or a smaller amount of dried flowers and allow the mixture to steep. You'll sleep well and wake up feeling wonderful. Store the tea in the refrigerator and dab it on your face to tighten pores and improve the skin.

Go to Herb Gardening tips from Growing medicinal herbs