growing spices and herbs

The herb garden tips below include information on their preferred growing environment as well as ways to use the herbs once you harvest them.

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When it comes to common herbal medicine garden plants that are easy to grow indoors, in containers or outdoors in the ground, these fourteen herbs are some of the easiest to start with.

Herbs As Medicine

Long before there were doctors and high-tech medications, people were growing their own herbal remedies so they could be more self-sufficient and manage a large number of illnesses that affected their friends, family members or themselves.

Many common herbal remedies can be grown, gathered, steeped in teas, or put in ointments however it is important to remember to seek medical advice for serious illness or long term illness and that this article is not intended to diagnose, instead use it as a guide.

If you don’t know how to use the herb you plan to use, check with an herbalist or get a book at a whole foods store or health food store about the best ways to use these plants for their therapeutic value or better yet, ask a doctor.

While not all medical doctors believe in using herbs, there are ones out there that do.

If you are taking prescription or even over-the-counter medication you need to ask your doctor before you begin using herbs to make sure there is not going to be a negative interaction between the herbs and the medication.

14 Easy To Grow Common Medicinal Herbs

1. Basil: Basil is one of the easiest common herbs to grow in a pot in a sunny room or on your porch. Basil is a common herbal medicine whose fresh leaves work best. It helps people with loss of appetite, fluid retention and even insect bites becuase of its antibacterial properties. It is an annual plant but grows to a nice size for picking the leaves and using them for food or medicinal purposes. 
2. Chamomile: Chamomile makes a great tea or you can make an ointment with it for topical applications. The flower heads of chamomile can help relieve tension and anxiety; it also works to ease symptoms of colic and indigestion. Topically, it helps with skin irritations and areas of inflammatory skin conditions. Chamomile tea is often used as a sleep aid.
3. Echinacea: This perennial plant makes flowers that are used to enhance your immune system so you can fight off viruses better.
4. Feverfew: These plants have leaves and flowers that can be steeped in a tea or chewed in order to control fever, headaches, arthritis, and various skin conditions.
5. Johnny Jump Up: This plant has many anti-inflammatory properties so it can be used as a tea or for topical application in conditions like eczema and blemishes of the skin. Used orally, it can loosen phlegm when you have a chest cold.
6. Lavender: Lavender has great properties when it comes to relaxation and calming. It is used as aromatherapy for stress relief. Apply it to cuts and bruises in order to act as an antiseptic to decrease the risk of infection.
7. Lemon balm: Lemon balm is another common medicinal herb that grows well in a pot or in the garden. It is used for many things, including the relief of anxiety, insect bites, insomnia, and indigestion. When topically applied in an ointment, it can lead to faster healing of cold sores. Dried lemon balm along with dried hops put into a sachet inside a pillow often helps with insomnia. 
8. Calendula: A salve made with Calendula flowers works well for skin conditions, such as sunburn, blemishes and acne. 
9. Parsley: Parsley is easy to grow in an indoor common herbal medicine garden. Parsley is a healthful herb that helps with bad breath and also helps with digestion.
10. Peppermint: Peppermint is a great herb for gas or digestive problems. It can be made into a tasty tea that also helps people with headache pain. 
11. Rosemary: Rosemary is an herbal remedy that is used to improve mood, memory and concentration.
12. Sage: Sage was used for medicinal purposes before it was used as a culinary herb. It is often used as a gargle for sore throats and coughs. It is also said to improve memory and sharpen the senses.
13. Thyme: Thyme is a very strong antiseptic that works for people who have congestion, gas, cough, or indigestion. Steep it as a tea or simply chew on its leaves.
14. St. John’s Wort: This herb is used in many places in Europe and the United States for the management of mild to moderate depression. It is also used for symptoms related to depression, such as insomnia, loss of appetite, anxiety, and fatigue. You can grow the herb yourself, using the leaves and flowers in a tea to improve your mood but if the depression persists, do seek counseling.

Getting Started With Your Common Herbal Medicine Garden

You don’t have to have a huge herb garden to produce enough fresh herbs for medicinal use for yourself or your immediate family.

Start with a few items and expand your common herbal medicine garden as you gain experience growing the plants.

It is also a good idea to keep notes and see how the herbs you grow work on life’s little ailments without using any kind of over the counter or prescription medication.

In the event that things ever go south or SHTF you will have first hand knowledge of what works and what simply does not work.

Preserving Herbs For Winter Use

While many herbs are best used fresh, others are easy to dry and remain potent.

If you are ready to get started and want to learn how to preserve your herbs, be sure to check out my course Preserving Herbs For Winter Use! 

Simply click the photo below to find out more!

Final Thoughts

No Professional Advice: The beneficial low and no-cost advice shared on our site has been provided for general educational purposes only and for no other purpose. Nothing we provide for you here is intended to replace any form of competent professional advice. If you are in need of professional advice, including medical, mental health, legal, accounting or tax advice, or any other form of professional advice, then you should seek out a competent professional in that area who can ensure you are provided help that is specific to your particular situation and circumstances.
No FDA Evaluation: The advice shared in this site has not been evaluated by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The products and methods recommended are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease, nor are the products and methods intended to replace proper medical help.

I highly recommend the following articles:

• Common Garden Herbs For An Herbal Medicine Garden
• The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Year-Round Gardening
• Herb Gardening Tips For Beginners
• How To Grow Boswellia sacra

Use the buttons in the upper right hand corner to share this article with friends or family who might find it useful. Pin the picture below to your pinboard on Pinterest for future reference.

These three easy herb gardening tips for beginners help you figure out where to begin the journey of growing your own fragrant, flavorful seasonings that are the perfect compliment to fruits and vegetables picked fresh from your own garden.

Why Grow Your Own Herbs

As you begin the journey to growing more of your own food, you acquire knowledge and skills to make informed decisions regarding how much of the food you use that you intend to grow.

If you are looking to take advantage of the opportunity to grow as much of your own food as possible, consider growing the herbs and spices you need to season the food you prepare.

Having fresh herbs on hand is a great way encourage yourself to cook more at home and experiment with different flavors.

Please note, there are links to products below that I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. If you click on a link and buy an item from that link, I get a small percentage of the money.

Choosing Your Herbs

When you decide to start an herb garden, the first thing you need to do is to choose the types of herbs to grow. Although you can choose any herbs you want, there are a few things to consider.

First, you want to think about the herbs that are easier to grow, such as basil, chives, dill, lavender and oregano. These herbs are good for beginners because they are simple to grow, even for people who think they have black thumbs.

Plan ahead and know which of these herbs you use – or plan to use – in your recipes. It is so easy to find yourself having difficulty about making decisions when you buy herb plants without a clear goal in mind. They smell so wonderful and it is easy to think “I always have room for just one more plant.”

Instead of starting from seed – especially if you do not have a lot of experience germinating seeds, buy young plants. That way, you don’t have to worry about getting the seeds to germinate or growing the seedling into a plant that is large enough to start harvesting.

Herbs that are usually available as young plants include sage, thyme, rosemary, basil, parsley and mint. Think about the herbs you use most in your cooking right now or plan to use, then start with those. I recommend choosing three to five different herb plants to start with. Learn how to successfully grow those and then expand your herb garden if you wish.

Preparing the Soil

It is important to have a plan of action on whether you want to grow the herbs you select in the ground or in containers. Both options work, so it really depends on the amount of space in your yard plus knowing what you want or need to easily care for and harvest the herbs you grow.

If you are going to plant them in the ground, you should make sure your soil is ready for planting. You want it to be dug and tilled, so that the soil isn’t too compacted. You should have proper drainage in the soil as well. Compost is good to add to the soil to help your herbs grow. Be aware herbs do not need lots of fertilizer or super rich soil. Many herbs thrive in less-than-ideal conditions so don’t over think this.

Herbs do like the soil they are growing in to be weed-free. Use compost, wood chips or some type of weed cloth to help keep the weeds down. Avoid chemical sprays because – after all – you are going to eat the leaves and flowers from these plants.

Be sure to remove any seed packets, garden markers or debris from the planting area before planting.

Consider Using Growing Herbs In Jars or Containers

Herbs do very well in containers. Many experienced herb gardens scatter herb seeds in a container and wait for them to germinate. This does work, but young plants are much easier to work with and grow faster. Beginning herb gardeners often find it is better to start with plants. This way there is no worrying about identification once germination occurs and also less disappointment should the seeds fail to germinate.

What you need is a good pot or container for keeping the herbs in, from a clay pot to a mason jar. If using a mason jar, make sure it has holes drilled in it for drainage. You do need a special drill bit for drilling glass, ceramic or clay pots. I recommend placing masking tape on the bottom of the container before you start to drill, then drill right through the masking tape. This helps keep the pot from splintering or shattering.

Once you have decided on the container and made sure it has adequate drainage, you need some organic potting soil to put in the container or pot. It is ok to add some organic herb fertilizer. Plants grown in pots have less access to the minerals and nutrients than plants grown in the ground. Every time you water, come of the nutrients in the soil in containers wash out. This is why it is so important to replenish those nutrients with compost or an organic fertilizer.

As long as you know the amount of sun that is required, you can grow container herbs right in your home, close to or on a window sill. This is a great way to grow herbs year-round or grow your own herbs if you live in an apartment or have limited access to an outdoor growing area.

Final Thoughts

Herbs are one of the easiest plants to grow in part because they are very low maintenance plants so instead of worrying about success you can enjoy the experience of learning how to grow them. They do not require rich soil. They do not require fertilization when grown in the ground and very little fertilization when grown in pots. Most herbs are drought-tolerant and easily handle hot summer temperatures once they are established. Best of all growing and harvesting your own herbs saves money because you no longer need to buy as many herbs at the store.

I highly recommend the following articles:

• The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Year-Round Gardening
• Common Garden Herbs For An Herbal Medicine Garden
• Herb Garden Tips For Beginners
• How To Grow Boswellia sacra

Use the buttons in the upper right hand corner to share this article with friends or family who might find it useful. Pin the picture below to your pinboard on Pinterest for future reference.

The world is changing – everyday it seems there is a new report of how unsafe or contaminated our food or medicine is – and frankly this new trend is downright scary.

I’m not surprised though. I saw this coming years ago as the need for more and more food from large commercial farms was becoming evident. I never thought it would get this bad, but I knew – for my own safety and that of my friends and family – I had to do something.

What I chose to do was grow my own food and start an herbal medicine garden. Now you may be wondering what food has to do with medicinal herbs – nothing really – except eating healthy organic food full of nutrients helps keep the body in tip top shape thus potentially minimizing the need for medicine.

There are links to products below that I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. If you click on a link and buy an item from that link, I get a small percentage of the money.

Understanding Herb Uses

Understanding how to use the herbs I was growing has taken years of study – and believe me there are no shortcuts – not if you want to maximize the safety aspects of using herbal medicine.

I’ve read old receipt books from the 1800’s. I’ve read modern natural medicine books. I completed a course in Basic Herbology Systematic Approach and have my training certificate. Of course I have spent time studying the properties and folklore of plants.

I have learned how to distill essential oils, use hydrosols, make salves and tinctures. I have learned how to preserve herbs in a number of ways.

Healthy Soil Is Important

Another thing I learned was that simply growing the herbs or food was not enough. The health of the soil they are grown in is so important. Plants take up nutrients – and poisons – from the soil they are grown in, so it is important to choose uncontaminated soil – have a soil test if in doubt. Once you know your soil is safe, top dress it with finished compost and organic kelp. You see kelp supplies every nutrient a plant could need – thus by adding it to your soil you are making sure the plants have what they need readily available.

Using only finished compost around your plants helps prevent disease. Once compost has heated up to the appropriate temperature and cured, it is safe to use. There is no point in getting in a hurry and spreading it too soon as this could introduce contaminates into your soil or even harm your plants. If your own compost is not ready – and you need some – I suggest going to your local nursery to purchase bags of organic compost.

Once you have weed-free, amended soil, you are ready to plant. Unless you can positively identify the herbs you plan to grow it is best to go to a local herb shop or nursery where the plants are labeled with their botanical name. Select plants that are healthy. Even though it is often possible to salvage sad looking plants that were improperly cared for, why start off that way? Unless it is a rare find – like goldenseal or ginseng – pass it up. Speaking of ginseng, there are some herbs it is essential not to dig from the wild and to keep records on where you got it should questions come up later on.

Importance Of Botanical Names

Learning botanical names is going to save you a lot of grief later on – and let’s face it, if you are going to use the plants medicinally you need to make sure you are using the right plants. Remember that the active components in modern medicine were originally derived from natural plant sources. It is also important to understand the possible side effects of natural medicine – and if you are taking prescription medicine, do talk with your doctor before taking herbal medicine since not all medicines mix well.

Medicinal Herbs To Start With

Some good medicinal herbs to start with are lavender (Lavandula officinalis), aloe vera (Aloe spp.), sage (Salvia officinalis), peppermint (Mentha piperita), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), chamomile (Anthemis nobilis or Matricaria chamomilla) and feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium).

Be aware that people with hayfever often have issues with chamomile. Feverfew readily self-seeds and will spread throughout your garden. Aloe vera is best grown in a pot so you can bring it indoors during the winter months. Peppermint is another invasive plant, but wonderful for making tea. Grow peppermint in a container to control its spread.

This is not a complete list of the herbs you can choose for growing in your own medicinal herb garden – it is simply some of the easiest herbs to start with. When selecting which herbs you wish to grow, consider first what you will use them for. It is not a crime to grow as many herbs as possible – I certainly do since I have no way of knowing what medicinal needs I may have in the future. Many herbs lend themselves well to growing indoors as well, so if you do not have outdoor space, do not despair!

Final Thoughts

Am I glad I started a medicinal herb garden? You bet I am! There is real satisfaction in knowing how the food and medicine I put into or on my body was grown. I have no fear of contamination because I know every plant is properly grown and washed before it is used. I know exactly which plants I mix together and what their properties and side effects are.

Does herbal medicine really work? Yes, it does, but it is not a miracle overnight cure like modern medicine. Sometimes I still end up at the Doctor’s office and sometimes I get sick enough – such as when I get a severe sinus infection – that I must use modern medicine, but I avoid this scenario whenever possible.

I highly recommend the following articles:

• 14 Common Herbal Medicine Garden Plants That Are Easy To Grow
• The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Year-Round Gardening
• Herb Gardening Tips For Beginners
• How To Grow Boswellia sacra

Use the buttons in the upper right hand corner to share this article with friends or family who might find it useful. Pin the picture below to your pinboard on Pinterest for future reference.