Healthful Green
The following herbs are attractive additions to the garden and are thought to have medicinal properties. Always seek medical advice first, however, and use caution when using fresh herbs. Keep in mind that because of their high water content, fresh herbs are 60% to 70% less potent than dried ones.
* Aloe vera--This is one of the most widely used herbs in the United States. The gel found in the plant’s rubbery, serrated leaves is used as a minor burn remedy and general skin conditioner.
The plant requires shade to part shade and well-draining soil. It grows to 2 feet in the ground and will remain smaller when containerized. Use a mix that is two parts potting soil and one part sharp sand.
* Chamomile--Chamomile tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Users say that it has a mild relaxing effect, aids in digestion, helps relieve gas and has anti-inflammatory properties.
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is an annual that produces a profusion of small, white, daisylike flowers atop ferny foliage. The flowers are used for tea.
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a slow-spreading perennial grass that is very fine and also topped with white, daisylike flowers. The flowers and leaves of this plant have been used to aid indigestion. (It is said this is the tea that Peter Rabbit’s mother gave to him before bed because of an upset stomach.)
* Comfrey--This perennial with large hairy leaves and bell-shaped, purple, blue, pink or white flowers grows about 2 feet tall and makes a good background plant. Its leaves and roots are made into a poultice and used externally for bruises, sprains and broken bones. It requires shade and needs evenly moist soil. Goes dormant in winter.
* Echinacea--This perennial has striking pink-purple, long-lasting cone-shaped flowers. The plant grows to 3 feet tall and requires full sun. First discovered by the Northern Native Americans, the roots of this plant are used by some to boost the immune system and lessen the severity of colds and flu. It also has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
* Feverfew--This perennial has lacy-edged leaves and daisy flowers loved by bees. The bitter leaves were used in ancient Rome to provide relief for migraine headaches and menstrual cramps. The plant reaches 2 to 2 1/2 feet tall and tolerates shade or full sun. Blooms best in partial shade.
* Garlic--Garlic lovers believe it lowers blood cholesterol and reduces the risk of cardiac disease, as well as stomach cancer. They also think it may help in the treatment of hypertension and has antibacterial properties, which can help ward off or minimize a cold. Plant garlic sets in fall for an early summer harvest the next year. Requires full sun and even moisture.
* Ginkgo biloba--This ancient tree was the only survivor of the area in Hiroshima that was hit by the atomic bomb. (After the blast, this tree regrew.) Most ginkgos reach 35 to 50 feet, about a foot a year. The tree is deciduous, with the leaves turning golden and dropping in the fall.
Some believe tea made from its leaves boosts energy and mental alertness, improves memory and increases blood flow to the brain and extremities. It requires full sun and regular watering during the warm months until it is 10 to 15 feet high.
* Lavender--Used by some as a calming and soothing herb for headaches, insomnia, menopausal problems and digestive disorders, lavender grows 8 inches to 3 feet tall (depending on the variety), sending out striking lavender stalks in the spring or summer. The plant needs good drainage and full sun. Do not over-water.
* Lemon balm--This plant with light green leaves and a lemon scent is a perennial that grows about 12 inches tall. It needs partial shade and moist soil. Its leaves are said to be a general sedative, lifting depression, calming anxiety and releasing tension. It’s also used by some to relieve symptoms of PMS and for allergy relief.
* Peppermint--This perennial is used for stomach upset, including aiding in digestion and relieving nausea and gas. It is also the original source of menthol, which is used in many over-the-counter remedies for inflammation and muscle pain. It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun. Mint can be invasive, so grow it in containers by itself. It grows up to a foot tall and spreads indefinitely.
* Rosemary--This stately shrub with its pink-purple flowers tops the list of culinary herbs, and some fans use it to ease headaches, increase circulation and lessen depression. It’s used in hair rinses as well. Depending on the variety, rosemary will grow from a foot to 6 feet tall. It needs full sun and excellent drainage. Don’t over-water.
* Rue--This perennial grows about 2 feet tall and has bright yellow flowers in early summer and round, silvery green leaves. The bitter, pungent leaves are said to relieve nervous headaches and menstrual cramping. It requires part shade.
* Sage--A proverb asks, “Why should a man die, whilst sage grows in his garden?” The leaves of this perennial have been used for sore throats as a gargle and as teas for respiratory ailments such as bronchitis. It is said to have antibacterial and antifungal properties and has been used for colds and flu. Most sage plants grow 12 inches to 18 inches high. It needs excellent drainage and full sun.
* Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)--The leaves of this plant are crushed and used by Chinese herbalists for minor wounds, insect bites and cuts. It is said to stop bleeding and close wounds. The plant is a ground cover that only reaches a couple of inches in height but slowly spreads. Requires partial shade.
* St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)--A perennial with bright yellow flowers in midsummer, the plant grows to 3 feet high. It is believed to have a variety of healing properties, including its external use to soothe and heal burns, cuts, wounds, sores, sunburn and bruises. Ingested, it’s believed by some to ease tension and anxiety and get rid of depression. It also increases sensitivity to light and has been used for those suffering from seasonal affective disorder and jet lag. Needs well-drained soil in partial shade.
* Valerian--The root of this plant is said to be a sedative and often used for insomnia. Its roots also attract earthworms in the soil. Plant has fragrant pink flowers that sit atop lacy foliage. It grows about 2 feet tall and prefers partial shade. Experts warn that it should not be ingested for long periods of time as it can cause headaches, muscle spasms or palpitations.
* Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)--A perennial with feathery, silver-green leaves that are highly aromatic, it reaches 2 to 4 feet tall and flowers in the summer. Believed by some to enhance the immune system, its leaves are used as an ingredient in a popular anti-cancer formula. Some use it to stimulate appetite and promote digestion and liver function. The plant is drought tolerant and requires full sun.
