Come winter time I begin thinking of what to plant next
year. I have discussed theme gardens
before, but this time I thought I would focus on medicinal herbs. Recent illnesses among my friends and family
have made me more aware of the need to incorporate medicinal herbs into our
daily life. I admit that although I
understand the medicinal properties of many plants. I grow herbs because I enjoy the scents and
flavors more than any other aspect.
So this year I decided to focus on the easiest ways to begin
incorporating those medicinal properties.
Boosting or strengthening the immune system would help most people avoid
chronic illness, so I decided to start there.
I designed this garden based on an idea I found in the Herb
Companion Magazine back in 2012 and sketched into my notes. The Garden is round and about 4 and ½ feet in
diameter with a raised center section about 2 feet in diameter located in the
center. Raising the herbs up in the
center allows them to get more sunlight and to spread without crowding the
plants that encircle them.
At the bottom is a diagram of the raised center |
I suggest one each of the plants listed except Echinacea
which should number 3 and thyme which can number 3 to 5.
The Plants are:
E Echinacea (Echinacea
angustifolia or Echinacea purpurea)
- This strong hardy perennial is easy to grow from seed and looks lovely when
it flowers in the fall. You can use the
root to make tea or just the flowering tops both will boost natural immunity.
G Ginger (Zingiber
officinale) The root is used in tea as it is both warming and anti-inflammatory
and has been used effectively to help fight the flu and common cold. Not
hardy in the Midwest this plant should be grown in a pot.
L Lavender – (Lavendula) - Studies have demonstrated lavender’s inherent
anti-bacterial and anti-fungal disinfecting properties. It is a low
growing shrub that makes a striking plant with it silver gray leaves and purple
flowers.
M Mint (Mentha) - with
many different species to choose from, almost all assist with illness symptoms
like nausea, headaches and fever. Bushy shapes like apple mint and spearmint
will look the best in this small garden, but a container may be needed to keep
the mint under control.
Me Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) - The leaves and flowers have a
pleasant wintergreen aroma and flavor, and are used internally for
inflammation, fevers, heartburn, and peptic ulcers. Meadowsweet is a wonderful tonic for
arthritis with its anti-inflammatory salicylates. A hardy perennial, it grows to
4’ tall, and 2.5’ wide. Plant in full sun or part shade.
Mo Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)- is a
short-lived herbaceous perennial, plant in full sun to part shade. Hardy to
Zone 4. Plant 18-24 inches apart; grows 3 to 5’ tall. In cooler climates, it
can take over and become quite weedy, so you may want to plant it where it can
do its thing without stepping on anyone’s toes.
O Oregano (Origamnum vulgare)
- Most known for its culinary properties, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
properties which make it perfect for immune system support. It is believed to
have enough antibacterial effect to kill MRSA.
R Rosemary (Rosmarinus
officinalis) - A culinary wonder, this herb provides anti-inflammation, anti-fungal,
antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. And research provides ample evidence that rosemary not only improves memory, but helps fight cancer.
Not hardy below 10 degrees, this plant should
be grown in a pat to bring in for the winter.
S Sage (Salvia
officinalis) - An anti-fungal herb you can add this to tea and use to make
sore throat treatments. A hardy perennial
it can get larger over time so as a background plant is great.
Almost of these plants will be available on May 12 & 13, 2017 at the Plant Sale of the Garden Club of Villa Park. Pre-order of plants is available thru April 20 with order forms available on the Club website.
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