HOMEGROWN MEDICINE

Prior to the emergence of modern healthcare, and the age of lab inspired pharmaceuticals, humankind acquired relief from all manner of maladies through the use of plants found in nature. Herbs have been widely used around the world since the dawn of man for their spiritual qualities induced through ritual, as well as a valuable food source and therapeutic panacea . Dating back to at least 1500 BC, written accounts of medicinal plants were made. Many herbs recorded in China, the Middle East, India and Egypt were considered sacred and thought to possess powers that could ward off evil spirits, or enable humans to connect with the spirit realm to cure injury and illness. By around 500 BC, great physicians such as Hippocrates, “The Father of Medicine”, began to separate age-old plant lore from scientific observation, distinguishing herbal healing qualities from supernatural phenomenon. Hippocrates firmly believed that we should, “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine thy food”, which set the stage for a deeper exploration into the natural healing attributes of plants. During the middle ages, the use of herbal medicine led to the establishment of renowned medical schools, deepening our understanding of natural plant medicine, and leading to a rapid growth of pharmacists around the world. By the 1930s, still around 90 percent of medicines sold over the counter in Western countries were herbal in origin. Only in the last 50 years has chemically derived medicine become the norm. Conventional medications can be expensive, habit forming, are frequently used to treat symptoms rather than the root of illness, are known to produce damaging side affects and can cause dangerous counteractions when used with other medications. Naturally occurring medicines, aka herbs, more often than not, work synergistically, stimulating our natural healing abilities. Natural medicine can be cost affective when grown organically, and work to gently and holistically restore our bodies to health and wellness. From salves, tinctures, teas, powders, poultices, gargles, oils and compresses; natural medicinal plants take on many healing forms, which can be used to treat most injuries and ailments. An incredible array of these attractive and useful plants can be grown in your yard in both containers and gardens to provide year-round interest and instant access to natures medicine cabinet. Whether you decide to weave medicinal plants into an existing landscape, or devote a location of your yard to an all out “Healing Garden”, you have many exciting and easy-to-grow options to choose from that will cater to your healing needs.

Growing homegrown medicine can be an extremely satisfying process that will help you to not only create a greater bond with the plants you‘re growing, but with the earth itself. Organically growing your own herb garden eliminates the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that may be harmful to humans, wildlife, soil, water and air, and ultimately, create more sustainable growing conditions for your plants. In addition, organic herbs help to attract many birds, bugs and other beautiful beneficial garden allies that will fend off pests and increase your medicinal herb yields. Not only do organically grown herbs taste better, but they also have a greater concentration of vital minerals, nutrients and enzymes, which help to promote optimal human health. The secret to a healthy herb garden is to work with nature. Build your herb garden with high quality compost, which is teeming with trillions of tiny living helpmates that will act as life enhancing companions to your herbs. If growing in a container, select a high quality organic potting soil. Feed your soil, whether in pot or garden, and your soil helpmates will feed your plants. Herbs benefit from this addition of compost probiotics, and you can sustain them with organic fertilizers such as poultry manure, sea kelp, worm castings and liquid fish. Prior to planting, inoculate your herbs with a root powdering of valuable Mycorrhizal Fungi, which helps your plants increase nutrient and moisture uptake and lessen disease. Observe your garden space and be assured that you have adequate sunlight. Most herbs require 6 plus hours of sunlight a day. Select herbs that will peacefully coexist with each other to repel pests, enrich the soil, protect and support one another and create interest that tantalizes and stimulates all the senses. Consider the size of your gardening space and plant accordingly. If herbs are planted too closely, they will compete with one another, weakening your plants natural defense system and potential harvest. Start slow and choose a garden size that is realistic to your timeline. A 4’x8’ raised bed planted with a variety of medicinal and edible plants, will require 2 hours of work per week on average. Once planted, garden beds benefit from an annual 2” application of one-year aged, composted leaves; which look rich and black, helps hold soil moisture, reduce weeds, resist erosion and eventually breaks down into organic matter that becomes oil for the soil, offering enormous benefit for all the plants lucky enough to be growing in it.

There are well over 10,000 herbs with known medicinal qualities, and you can grow of wealth of them in your front yard and backyard gardens. The below compilation of herbs will work well in your containers and gardens, adding both function and interest. We implore you to explore the wide world of medicinal plants beyond this list, to discover other exciting and useful plants to grow and enjoy.

German Chamomile- Relieves stress and indigestion, a diuretic (improves urination), aids in insomnia relief

Lemon Balm- Relieves headaches, reduces stress, aids in insomnia relief and helps with menstrual cramps

Cayenne Pepper- Improves blood circulation to heart, increases energy, a well known blood coagulant

Garlic- Improves immunity, lower high blood pressure, eliminates common intestinal parasites

Peppermint and Spearmint- Aids in digestion, relieves upset stomachs, nausea and headaches

Purple Coneflower- Immune stimulant and very affective as a gargle to help with sore throat

St John’s Wort- An affective antidepressant, heals burns and wounds, and has antiviral qualities

Lavender- Calming, alleviates depression, soothes indigestion, antiseptic, relieves muscle tension

Rosemary- Improves memory and concentration, stimulates hair growth, eases headaches, reduces stress

Sage- Antiseptic, relieves canker sores, helps with menopausal symptoms, contains powerful antioxidants

Russian Comfrey- Treats acne, can heal bruises and scrapes, soothes stomach ulcers and irritable bowel

Dandelion- Liver and kidney cleanser, diuretic, reduces high blood pressure, treats acne, prevent gallstones

Thyme- Remedies throat and chest infection, helpful with asthma and hay fever, heals fungal infections

Dill- Aids in digestion, relieves gas and intestinal spasms, attracts beneficial insect to your yard

Parsley- Loaded with antioxidants, inhibits tumor formation, promotes a healthy heart, anti-inflammatory

Fennel- Relieves bloating, stimulates appetite, aids in digestion, gargle for sore throat, tastes great

Hyssop- Calms indigestion, treats respiratory infections and asthma, helps to clear congestion

Catnip- Settles indigestion, reduces fevers by inducing sweating, treats headaches and joint pain

Sweet Basil- Eases flatulence, stomach cramps and indigestion, relieves vomiting, alleviates anxiety

Oregano- Strong antiseptic, stimulates the flow of bile, heals toothaches, treats respiratory infections

Sweet Majoram- Treats flatulence and colic, relieves anxiety and headaches, suppresses muscle spasms

Purple Bee-Balm- Expels worms and gas, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, reduces colds and fevers

From roots, shoots, flowers, foliage, bark and berries; herbs bear many healing attributes throughout the seasons. Caution should always be used when acquiring and administering medicinal herbs, because certain herbs need not be used in excess to avoid adverse reactions. Growing your own herbs organically assures you the highest quality food and medicine, readily available when you need them most. There are an abundance of herbal preparations your can concoct at home in your kitchen, many which require little time to craft. Helpful books such as “Herbal Healing for Women” by Rosemary Gladstar, “Medicinal Plants and Herbs” by Steven Foster and James Duke, “Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine” by Andrew Chevallier and “The Way of Herbs” by Michael Tierra are useful guides to pique your herbal interest and whet your appetite for homegrown medicine. Marvin’s Organic Gardens organically grows all of the abovementioned herbs and many other useful medicinal and edible plants to delight your senses and bring overall wellness to you and your family. Growing a Healing Garden will not only generate four seasons of beauty and function, but will also connect you with our ancestors who have used these ancient remedies for millennia. Go Organic, It’s Only Natural!