Medicinal Herb Garden

This past Spring, we decided to build a medicinal herb garden.  We enclosed it to help deter the dogs or deer from getting in there and either eating it or... well, you know what male dogs do...  It really looks nice. 

The plants didn't do too bad either.  I started many of the plants indoors and moved them out to the garden when we were more prepared.  Some thrived and some did not.

Let me be totally honest here, I don't know much about herbs.  I am new to this.  But I want to share with you what I am learning in hopes that you are INSPIRED to learn also.

The top Left picture is German Chamomile.  It is known for its relaxing qualities; the flowers are plucked from the stems while they are in bloom.   The flowers are dried and used in teas.  They have a beautiful soft fragrance that just makes you feel wonderful.  The tea can also be used for skin care (skin irritations) and for colicky babies.  Chamomile can also kill bacteria, fungus, and viruses.

The top right picture is Marshmallow.   The leaves and the root are used to make teas and tinctures.  The flowers are also edible.  It is said that drinking a tea made from the dried root can help with dry coughs and sore throat.  It could also help with dry mouth, protect against ulcers, sooth skin irritations, and heal wounds.

Foraging for wild medicinal plants

All summer long I walked around with my phone and used an App called "Google lens" to help me identify plants right here in my yard.  I was amazed at the number of edible plants that are right here growing in the fencerows or pastures (even my lawn as we do not do weed control around here) Some of them also have medicinal benefits. I did a little bit of foraging right here on our farm and dried some of them to make teas or tinctures with.

Stinging nettle 

Stinging Nettle is good for allergies. We have some of that in the pastures.  Allen has Allergies all year round.  I put on my gloves and went and foraged a basketful.  I dried it in the dehydrator, once its dried it no longer has the sting. We made a tea out of it.  We played with the recipe a little bit and also used Peppermint and Stevia to make something he liked.  He drank a cup of this every evening before bed and he could definitely say it helped with the symptoms of his allergies.

Rose of Sharon 

I collect these flowers and put them in salads.  You can also fill them with cream cheese and batter and fry them. They have a very mild flavor.  The flowers are High in vitamin C and a good antioxidant.

Plantain 

Plantain is found growing in poor soils and in cracks in sidewalks and along paths.  The leaves and the seeds can be used.  They can be eaten fresh or dried to use in teas infusions or tinctures. It can be used to help with coughs, wounds skin irritations, and insect bites. You can use it fresh by crushing (chewing) and making a poultice to use for cuts and bug bites.  The seeds can also be used as a mild laxative.

Rose Petals 

Rose petals are good for many things.  Used in tea they can help with anxiety and stress.  It can boost your mood and build your immune system.  It can be used in a tincture or oil infusions as well as syrups and vinegars to name a few.  I infuse it in oil and use it in my skin cream.  It helps sooth irritated or dry skin.