Explore the art of growing medicinal herbs, providing valuable tips and tricks from our naturopath to incorporate these herbs into your daily life.
In today's fast-paced world, where synthetic drugs and processed foods dominate the market, it is easy to forget about the natural remedies that have existed for centuries across all cultures. Medicinal herbs offer a holistic approach to health and wellness, providing numerous benefits for the mind, body, soul and planet. By reconnecting to these natural roots and cultivating herbs at home, you can revitalise medicinal herbs and the health properties they harbour so you can learn to support your health at home and embrace sustainable practices.
Benefits of Growing Medicinal Herbs:
Natural Remedies: Medicinal herbs, when prepared appropriately and in the right amount, can naturally support your health. You can use culinary and medicinal herbs to help various ailments, from digestive issues to anxiety and sleep disorders.
Accessible: Growing your medicinal herbs means you can access them when needed. Have a runny nose or feel like a cold is coming on? There is no need to wait for a shop to open for mild symptom relief when you can access medicinal herbs from your back door!
Sustainability: Cultivating medicinal herbs at home promotes sustainable practices by reducing your carbon footprint. You can avoid the excessive packaging and transportation associated with commercial products.
From an energetic perspective, harvesting herbs when they are at their best with minimal storage means you're capturing the maximum amount of plant vitality. This energy and vitality, in turn, will then be transferred to you upon consumption.
Getting Started: Choosing the Right Herbs
Research: Before you begin, consider the medicinal herbs suitable for your climate and growing conditions. Consider factors such as sunlight, soil type, and water requirements.
Native Plants: Opt for native plants and Australian herbs, as they are well-adapted to the local environment and require less maintenance. Some popular choices include Eucalyptus, Lemon Myrtle, and native mints.
Start Small: If you are new to gardening, start with a few herbs that are easy to grow, such as Lavender, Chamomile, River mint, or Peppermint. As you gain experience, you can expand your herb garden.
Common Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses:
Peppermint: Known for its soothing properties, peppermint is often used to relieve digestive issues, headaches, and muscle pain.
Chamomile: With its calming effects, research has shown chamomile promotes sleep and reduces anxiety. Traditionally, chamomile was applied topically to soothe skin irritations.
Lavender: Lavender is renowned for its relaxing aroma, making it an excellent choice for reducing stress and promoting better sleep. Often, you see it used in skincare products for its antiseptic properties.
Native Lemon Grass: Rubbed onto the skin, Native Lemon Grass is traditionally used to help relieve coughs and congestion.
How does a Naturopath incorporate Medicinal Herbs into Daily Life?
Tea Infusions: Steep a combination of herbs, such as chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm, to create a soothing and aromatic herbal tea in a closed vessel (like a teapot).
Herbal Salves: Combine herbs like calendula, comfrey, and plantain with carrier oils, emu oil, beeswax, or cocoa butter to create healing salves for cuts, burns, and skin irritations. I always have some herbal creams made up and ready to go here.
Herbal Syrups: Infuse herbs like elderberries, ginger, onion, and thyme with honey to create syrups during cold and flu season.
Culinary Delights: Experiment with incorporating medicinal herbs and native foods into cooking. For example, add rosemary to roasted vegetables or use stinging nettle (blanched so it doesn't sting) in homemade pesto.
Growing medicinal herbs at home is a rewarding and empowering experience. By cultivating these plants, you can harness the power of nature to enhance your well-being while embracing sustainable practices. Whether you incorporate medicinal herbs into your daily routine through teas, salves, or culinary delights, the benefits are boundless. Start your medicinal herb garden today and embark on a journey of self-sufficiency and wellness.
For support on creating a sustainable medicine garden and recipes for your remedies, speak with our naturopath today.
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