Grow Your Own Healing Herb Garden

Depending on the variety, different parts of the herb such as the fresh or dried leaves, flowers, harvested seeds or roots are used medicinally*. In addition to their usefulness, herbs are naturally beautiful and easy to design with. You may also grow herbs in containers or indoors on a sunny windowsill.

Harvesting herbs: Harvesting herbs regularly promotes continuous new growth and provides an ongoing harvest of fresh herbs. The ideal time to harvest herbs is just after the morning dew has dried. Most annual and biennial herbs may be harvested twice during the growing season before the first frost. Cut plants back to 4-6 inches above the ground; feed plants after each cutting. You may also gather individual leaves as needed or harvest whole plants for drying just prior to flowering. Perennial herbs may be harvested once during the first year (taking up to 1/3 of top growth) and 2-3 times per season thereafter. Harvest up to 2/3 of top growth in late spring and another 1/3 in late summer (plants need time to re-grow to survive winter). Harvest flowers just as they begin to open. Gather seed heads when thy begin to turn brown. Harvest roots in fall when the upper plant begins to die back; perennials should be at least 2 years old before harvesting roots.

Drying Herbs: Herbs may also be dried and stored for later use. The key to drying herbs is drying them quickly to remove the water content while at the same time retaining the plant's essential oils. Herb leaves/flowers may be dried on the stem or as individual parts. When drying herbs on the stem, gather in loose bunches of 8-10 stems and hang upside down in a warm (70-90 degrees F) location in a dry, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight. Small individual leaves and flowers may be spread out on a rack, newspaper or screen to dry. Dry individual varieties separately and turn herbs regularly to speed drying. Thoroughly dried leaves and flowers are brittle and crisp to the touch. When harvesting seeds, tie a paper bag loosely over the flower head; hang upside down so the bag catches seeds as they dry. Air drying generally takes 1-2 weeks. (A dehydrator, microwave oven, or conventional oven (on the lowest setting) can be used to dry herbs more quickly - especially helpful in humid areas.) To dry roots, remove fibrous offshoots and cut root into slices or sections; place in 120-140 degree F oven; turn roots regularly during drying. Thoroughly dried roots are brittle and snap cleanly when broken. Store all dried herbs in sterilized, airtight glass or ceramic containers in a cool, dry location away from sunlight. (If moisture appears on containers; herbs need further drying.) Properly stored, dried herbs generally retain their potency and characteristic aroma for 6 months to one year.

Preparing Medicinal Herbs
Internal Remedies:
Medicinal teas are one of the easiest herbal preparations for internal use. Medicinal teas are prepared by steeping a covered mixture of herb leaves and/or flowers in 1 cup of boiling water for 10-20 minutes (technically called an “infusion.”). The specific parts and typical quantities used for each herb are printed on the seed packet. Fresh herbs contain more water than dried herbs, so the quantity of fresh herb used is generally doubled to get the same potency. When the dried harvested seeds or root of an herb are used to make a tea, the herbs are simmered in 1 cup water on the lowest heat setting for 10-20 minutes (known as a “decoction”). Before drinking, teas are strained to remove the herb particles. Typical dosage for medicinal teas is 1 cup of tea up to 3 times daily. Tip: Use stainless-steel, enamel or glassware for boiling water and steeping herbs.
External Remedies:
Simple external preparations are used to soothe skin problems, sore muscles, etc. External medicinal preparations that can be made at home include compresses, poultices, ointments, salves and herbal baths. Two basic preparations follow; see individual seed packets for additional preparations. Poultice: Put ¼ to ½ cup of fresh or dried herbs in a blender; add enough boiling water to make a thick, sticky paste. Apply to affected area; hold in place with gauze if desired. Used for acne, insect stings, cuts, scrapes, sprains and bruises. Compress: Soak a clean cloth in a warm or cold medicinal tea and apply to sore joints and muscles, skin irritations and scrapes.

*As with any medicine, medicinal herbs should be used responsibly. Try one new herb at a time, never exceeding typical dosages, making sure that you don’t have any allergic reactions or side effects. Most herbal remedies are used for minor ailments for short periods, up to several days. Discuss any concerns with your health professional prior to use. Statements about medicinal use have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases. Keep out of reach of children. Talk to your doctor before ingesting any herbal product if you have an existing medical condition, if you are taking prescription medication or if you are pregnant or nursing a baby.