Growing herbs at home
A sprig of rosemary, a dash of thyme, a bit of oregano, yum. Herbs can make or break a meal and are a great way to add flavor without packing in the salt. Not only are they an amazing addition to your meal, they have some amazing medicinal uses as well. So instead of heading to your local market the next time you need some chives or basil, why not try growing herbs in your own kitchen? A little window space is all you need and in no time you will have a garden filled with herbs that will not only make for good decoration but will leave your meals flavorful and delicious.
Check out some of the medicinal uses for herbs here and then see some very simple ways to grow herbs at home (even if you don’t have a garden!).
Rosemary – not only a great herb for adding flavor to your meals or a delicious scent to soaps and perfumes, it has incredible medicinal uses too.
Rosemary oil has been used as medicine to treat many problems. Taken internally, rosemary is known to help combat:
- Digestion issues
- Heartburn
- Flatulence
- High blood pressure
Rosemary also has a topical use, when applied to the skin to prevent the following:
- Circulation issues
- Toothaches
- Eczema
- Joint pain
- Insect repellent
Sage – a velvety leaf herb which can be used not only in food but also in cosmetics and has incredible benefits for both internal and external uses.
Sage taken internally can aid in easing the following:
- Digestive issues
- Loss of appetite
- Gastritis
- Bloating
- Heartburn
- Depression
- Memory Loss
Externally it can be applied directly to the skin for cold sores, gum disease and sore throats. Women also have been known to use sage to decrease symptoms during painful menstrual cycles and menopause.
Thyme – like rosemary, thyme oil is used for medicinal purposes both internal and external.
Internal uses include:
- Lessening the effects of bronchitis and whooping cough
- Arthritis
- Stomach pain
- Appetite stimulant
External uses are far reaching but can be applied in a few of the following ways:
- Lessen effects of swollen tonsils
- Mouth sores
- Bad breath
- Tooth decay
Basil – not only a flavorful herb, but a great source of Vitamin K as well as Vitamin A, manganese and magnesium. Most often used to treat the following internal symptoms:
- Stomach spasms
- Loss of appetite
- Kidney issues
- Head Colds
Those are just a few examples of the great benefits of herbs. There are many other varieties that can be grown that will not only add a little spice to your next dish of spaghetti or salad, but can also have great medicinal benefits as well.
There are a few ways to go about growing herbs at home. Find a few of them in the articles below, broken down from easiest to more advanced.
GROWING HERBS AT HOME – THE EASY WAY.
Finding easy ways to grow herbs is helpful to know which herbs are easiest to grow. Check out this article for the easy 9 and find out when you don’t even need soil!
Nine easiest herbs to grow indoors – by Zana Faulkner
With a little reuse you can build a sustainable countertop garden with instructions for turning cans into pot holders. Check out the super simple instructions here:
Grow your own kitchen countertop herb garden – by Sam Henderson
If you want to take your herb garden a step further and are looking for a little craft project to fill up some wall space, why not try an amazing wall garden. A bit more challenging, but a beautiful addition to any room in the house and tasty too.
Mason jar wall planter – by Stacy Risenmay
If you find yourself with a little yard space and a little more adventurous, why not try this incredible tiered herb garden.
How to make a tiered pyramid planter – on Yahoo! Lifestyle Australia
For those with an extreme green thumb, try a raised bed herb garden. If you find yourself using herbs daily in your cooking or tea preparation, having a larger supply to pull from can be beneficial. While it takes a bit more space and more work having a full blown herb garden can be incredibly rewarding.
How to build a raised planting bed – by Harry Sawyers
As you can see, growing herbs at home can be as easy, low cost and hassle free as you need it to be. Herbs also have many uses beyond just making your meals extra tasty. Determine what level of commitment you want to your home herb garden and start from there. You can begin with seeds or start from cuttings leftover from your last herb purchase. Find the best option that works for you. Maybe try one or two different options to see which works. Recognizing herbs that you use regularly can be a great help in reducing waste and growing a successful herb garden. Whether you are sprouting plants in mason jars or planting a raised bed herb garden, growing your own herb garden can be a rewarding way to start off on a green thumb path.
Written by : BaliSpirit