Hello World! Welcome Friends! Medicinal gardens are a beneficial feature to have in any home garden. Not only do they look beautiful and are generally easy to care for, but they are also the perfect health-supporting hobby and resource to have at hand.
There are numerous medicinal herbs that can be grown in a medicinal garden. We are going to focus on six herbs that will be a versatile addition to grow in your medical garden.
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis, more commonly known as Rosemary, is a perennial herb. It is an easy to care for plant as it has minimal requirements. This plant is drought-tolerant and can be grown successfully as a hedge. It is also bee-friendly!
For ideal growth, this plant should be kept in full sun and well-draining soil. It grows best in hardiness zones 7 to 11. Rosemary should be pruned regularly to keep it from getting too leggy.
This herb is an excellent reviver. It is known to stimulate energy as well as optimism. Not only that but Rosemary has also been used to sharpen your memory and your concentration. This is done by drawing more oxygen to your brain. Rosemary is also the perfect alternative to caffeine, especially when you need a second wind.
Lavender
A popular plant for its sweet fragrance, Lavender is scientifically or botanically known as Lavandula. It is a woody plant that grows well in an environment that is dry.
Lavender should be grown in well-draining soil and ideally kept in a spot with full sun exposure. It should be watered deeply, and only when its soil is almost dry. The best time to prune Lavender is as soon as it has finished blooming.
Aside from its heavenly perfume, Lavender has several medicinal benefits too. It can be used as a mild anti-depressant. Some studies have shown that it may even benefit your nervous system. Additionally, Lavender, specifically in the form of oil, can be added to your bath to alleviate tension and stress, and even insomnia.
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis, more commonly known as Lemon Balm, is an ancient herb. It is a perennial plant that, interestingly, is closely related to mint. It has an invasive nature, which is why many gardeners prefer to grow them in containers.
Lemon Balm does best in hardiness zones 3 to 7. It prefers full sun to partial shade and should be kept in well-draining soil. This plant is hardy and should only be watered in small quantities once the top inch of soil has dried.
This herb has a relaxing and antispasmodic effect on the stomach as well as the nervous system. It may even help to fight off some viruses. Lemon Balm is an uplifting herb that is also known to have a calming effect.
Not only is Lemon Balm tasty, but it is also gentle enough for children, especially when it is prepared in teas.
St. John’s Wort
A plant that is often overlooked, St. John’s Wort is an herbaceous perennial. It is botanically known as Hypericum perforatum and can be found just about anywhere. To many gardeners, this plant is considered a weed.
St. John’s Wort is easy to grow but does best in hardiness zones 3 to 8. It should be grown in full sun to partial shade and needs rich but well-draining soil. Although it should be well-irrigated when it is young, once established St. John’s Wort is drought tolerant.
This herb is most commonly used as a natural remedy for mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety. Interestingly, St. John’s Wort also has anti-bacterial properties. It can be used topically to help treat and heal wounds or other types of skin abrasions.
Chamomile
One of the most well-known herbs, Chamomile is botanically known as Matricaria chamomilla. It is an annual plant that readily self-seeds, making it appear as a perennial. It is also known to have a habit of growing very much like a weed.
While this herb requires little to no extra effort where care is concerned, it does have a few minimal requirements. Chamomile needs full sun to partial shade and rich, organic soil. Once established, this plant is drought tolerant and should be allowed to dry out in between waterings.
Chamomile is an excellent herb for those who suffer from allergies. This is because it has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to work well for treating colic, infections, nervous stress, and stomach disorders in children.
Mint
Last but not least, Mentha, also known as mint. This plant is one of the most pleasant plants to keep in your garden. It has a fantastic fragrance that just travels, but so does its growth, so you will need to keep an eye on it to keep it under control.
Mint grows best in hardiness zones 3 to 10. It should be kept in partial shade and rich, well-draining soil. Regular watering is a necessity as this plant likes to be kept lightly moist.
Mint is known to help those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, as well as allergies. It may also be used to relieve muscle pain. Additionally, mint has been found to help with indigestions and ulcers too.
Conclusion
Choosing the right plants for your medicinal garden can be a tough decision. There are so many beneficial herbs around that it can be hard not to want them all. With this list of versatile herbs, hopefully, your decision will be made easier with some enlightenment on their uses.
Bio: Sandra Nanka is the residential herb expert and owner of Mudbrick Herb Cottage, an organic herb plant nursery situated in the beautiful Gold Coast, Australia. She has over 30 years of experience growing herbs alongside her husband, Michael.
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