Herb Garden for Health
How to Grow Useful Herbs for Natural Health
Cooking with herbs not only improves the flavor of your food but also provides a myriad of health benefits from aiding digestion to preventing flu. This easy-guide shows you how to grow a herb garden from seed and the most useful herbs to have in your garden or window box. Best of all herbs are low maintenance and grow more abundantly if you cut them regularly. They are ideal for containers and with care can be grown all year round.
Herb Garden Kit
- seed tray with holes & propagator lid/ food wrap to cover
- Quality potting compost
- seeds (parsley, coriander, thyme, basil, mint, fennel and oregano)
- water sprayer
- block of wood or book smaller than seed tray
- piece of folded paper
- growing on pots
- TLC and patience
How to Grow From Seed
- Fill the seed tray generously with loose compost (crumble large lumps with fingers) to over spill.
- Take the block of wood and press the compost gently but firmly down to 1cm depth all over the tray until you have a nice flat bed to sow the seeds.
- Moisten lightly with the water sprayer.
- Depending on the size of your seeds either sprinkle in rows 3cm apart or place small seeds in crease of folded paper and lightly tap out as thinly as possible. Each seed has the potential to grow into an adult plant and will need space to grow. Plan for 2-3 plants per 10 litre container or square foot of ground.
- Now put your seeds to bed with a light sprinkling of fine compost by rubbing compost between your hands covering the whole tray.
- Moisten surface lightly again before covering with propagator lid or clear plastic food wrap.
- Place the seed tray in a cupboard.
- Keep surface of the compost moist and after 2 days check for green shoots.
- When a few shoots have appeared remove from cupboard and place in a drainage tray near a window but not in direct sunlight. The seedlings now need to be watered from underneath but don't leave tray standing in water.
- When the shoots are about 2-3 cm remove propagator.
- After 2-3 weeks your seedlings should be ready to pot on. Gently prick out the seedlings with a pencil or knitting needle being careful not to damage the main root and re-pot each plant individually. Continue to water from underneath but don't let the top dry out.
- After 4 weeks your plants will be ready for bigger pots and need to be acclimatized before going outside. Place on a window sill but bring in at night for a week if you are planting a window box or put in a greenhouse or cold frame until no danger of frost if you are planting outside.
- Plant up your containers, making sure there is good drainage. Water and cut regularly for continuous growth all year round.
Medicinal Properties & Health Benefits
The herbs suggested for this garden are chosen because they are hardy and thrive in most conditions. They are commonly used in the kitchen but also have specific health benefits. They are filled with vitamins, minerals and volatile oils that will cure and prevent illness.
Parsley helps detox harmful substances from the body, lowers blood pressure & cholesterol and is anti-bacterial. It's diuretic action also removes uric acid from the muscles & joints, giving relief to and preventing Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Coriander is particularly useful for digestive function and chewing the seeds will sweeten breath. This aromatic's anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties will also cure a bad cough and improve body odor.
Thyme is known for having antiseptic properties and as a trusted cough remedy. Its anti-bacterial effect is good for bronchial conditions and asthma.
Basil is a great immune booster and tonic. Good for sinus problems it will clear congestion and make breathing easier. Basil is kind on the stomach and will keep you regular whilst helping your body break down fats.
Fennel is good for the bowels and eases flatulence. Fennel tea can be used as an eyewash or add leaves to a bath to relieve aching limbs. It also has a mild estrogen effect, increasing lactation levels and menstrual flow.
Mint is one of the easiest and abundant herbs to grow. It will ease cold & flu symptoms, reduce fever and sooth a sore throat. A refreshing mint tea will also cheep you up and calm tooth ache.
Oregano is an effective anti-oxidant and has anti-viral properties. Used regularly it will help fight infections and slow down the aging process.
Remember to consult a doctor before using medicinal herbs in large quantities especially if pregnant or taking medication.
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