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When it comes to choosing herb garden plants, we often classify them in terms of use, for instance for cooking, flavoring and other culinary uses; for scent in cosmetics or in the home; or for medicinal purposes. Then we plant the different types of herbs together, depending on how we plan to use them.

However there are many herbs that have multiple uses, so these categories are not that cut and dried. In addition to use or function, we can classify herbs in terms of their growing habits, or the way they grow. These range from ground covers and creeping herbs to trees. For example pennyroyal, thyme, oregano and sweet marjoram are all ground creeping herbs. Then there are many shrubs and a few trees, the bay (Laurus nobilis) for example. And other herbs that are bulbs, including garlic, onions and the various chives.

On top of this, we also classify herbs in the normal plant categories, as being either:

• annuals, which are plants that complete their life cycle in a single year,
• biennials, which are plants that complete their life cycle in two years, usually growing in the first year and flowering in the second, or
• perennials, that last for longer than two years, often for many years.

We either grow annuals from seed or plant them as larger seedlings. Since they only last a season, there is not much point in planting established plants, unless you want an immediate harvest. Popular annuals include:

• Chervil, a particularly hardy annual used to flavor savory dishes, and eaten to aid digestion,
• Coriander, a popular flavoring in Indian and Thai food,
• Dill, which has fine threadlike leaves and develops umbels of yellow flowers, followed by aromatic seeds that we use for cooking and pickling,
• Rocket, popular in sandwiches and salads, and
• Sweet Basil, used for cooking, as well as raw in salads and in pesto, and also for medicinal and antiseptic purposes

Popular biennial herbs include:

• Angelica, that will grow more than 6 feet tall, and which is used mainly for cake decoration or to flavor stewed fruit,
• Borage (Borago officinalis), which if harvested when the leaves are young, is good in salad, although the flowers are probably more popular in salads and drinks,
• Burdock, which may be used for making beer (the leaves) or for skin and scalp problems (the root),
• wild Celery which is often used in soups, but also has valuable medicinal properties, and
• all species of parsley.

Popular perennial herbs include:

• Caraway, which grows like carrots, and may be cooked like carrots, although the seeds are more commonly used for flavoring food,
• the Curry plant, which is a half-hardy perennial with more smell than taste,
• Echinacea, a hardy, herbaceous perennial that is widely used for medicinal purposes,
• Fennel, which tastes a bit like dill and produces similar umbel-type flowers, but is a lot more hardy than dill,
• Horseradish, which is delicious in sauces and good for digestion,
• Juniper, a scrubby evergreen perennial usually grown for its berries,
• Lavender, another shrubby evergreen perennial that has multiple uses from flavoring and scent to medicinal uses,
• Marsh Mallow, that grows in marshy ground (hence its name) and is mostly used for medicinal purposes, and
• most of the Origanum species, which includes O. Majorana, also known as sweet marjoram, although marjoram is normally planted as an annual.

Author: Henry Thomas
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Smoking is among the most difficult habits to overcome. If you are a smoker who has tested almost everything to stop smoking, herbs could be a better solution to your problem. Prescription smoking cessation medications can come with some serious side effects, and over the counter patches include nicotine to help you stop.This a good reason why today’s smokers are choosing natural herbs to quit smoking cigarettes.

Herbal remedies that are used for smoking cessation include:

Valarian Root – Valarian root is a natural sedative used by individuals with sleeping disorders, anxiety and stress. It also serves as a natural muscle relaxant.

Peppermint – Peppermint is a great natural herb for stomach upsets and gas, and it also eases tension and anxiety.

St. John’s Wort – St. John’s Wort is a natural herb that helps with mood enhancing. It helps you feel far better and is excellent when you are just beginning to stop smoking.

Black Cohosh – Black cohosh can be used for women with hormonal imbalances and the same properties assist in relieving nervousness, anxiety, irritability and restlessness when you are trying to quit smoking.

Lobella – The best thing about this herb is that it makes cigarettes taste bad. It also aids in calming your mood.

Catnip – Catnip isn’t just for cats. It is also a very effective herb that relaxes the digestive system and relieves digestive disturbances. It can help with insomnia, abdominal cramps and coughing.

Blue Vervain – This herb is used as a tranquilizer to help with sleep and calm your nerves.

Hyssop – Hyssop is an effective herb for clearing mucus and congestion. It also aids in alleviating anxiety and the nervousness that makes you want a cigarette.

Motherwort – Motherwort helps with panic and anxiety and acts as a kind of natural tranquilizer.

Skullcap – Skullcap helps your brain release feel-good endorphins and relieves nervous tension and rejuvenates the central nervous system.

Oat Seed or Oat Straw – This remedy is great for feelings of depression which is common when people are trying to quit smoking as well as relieves stress and nervousness.

Slippery Elm Bark – Slippery Elm Bark is a great natural herb that not only aids digestive problems associated with smoking, but also releases toxins and soothes throat irritation.

Korean Ginseng – This is one of the only quit smoking herbs that increases energy while it helps the body handle stress. It also helps with fatigue and anxiety.

Note that most of these quit smoking herbs help with stress and anxiety as these are primary reasons you go for that next cigarette. Yes, natural herbs can help you quit smoking and you don’t have to quit cold turkey.

Author: Peter Gray
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Distinguishing the Chamomiles

There is a special place that I go in my mind. It is the field in front of my grandmother’s house full of chamomile flowers – white petals with yellow centers and an unmistakable fragrance that permeates the air in the afternoon sun. I used to walk through this thick field and pick the flowers to feed the obliging horses in the next pasture. What I did not know then but know now is that these chamomile flowers were botanically known as German chamomile. There are only two-types of plants that are considered true chamomile – German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis). Both plants are in the Asteraceae family. Although described as similar, their differences are evident morphologically as well as in their essential oil appearance (more so than in their alcohol extracts or teas). German chamomile is a low growing (up to 0.6 meters) annual herb with daisy-like flowers on a single stem and native to Europe. Roman chamomile however is a perennial plant growing up to 3 feet tall with daisy-like flowers on branched stems and also native to Europe (Western Europe).

The chemical profiles of German and Roman chamomile used in aromatherapy are rather different. Matricaria has active ingredients of (-) alpha-bisabolol, chamazulene and sesquiterpenes (a 15 carbon atom molecule). Within Matricaria itself there are four chemotypes (specific chemical profile) of German chamomile. Of these, the (-) alpha-bisabolol type is considered to be the most potent in its effectiveness and has been the most widely researched. It is the chamazulene and alpha-bisabolol which are largely responsible for Matricaria’s strong anti-inflammatory and antiallergenic properties. The chemical profile of Anthemis on the other hand is mostly esters (up to 80%) such as alpha-pinene, camphene and beta-pinene. These esters provide Anthemis with mainly antispasmodic (to relieve spasms and cramps) and sedative properties, as well as mild anti-inflammatory properties.

Extraction of the essential oil of both plants is through steam or CO2 distillation. In order to extract the highest content of essential oil, harvest is usually at the beginning of the flowering season. As mentioned above, their essential oil distillates are noticeably different. Matricaria has a strong, aromatic smell with dark blue (due to chamazulene content) somewhat viscous oil. Anthemis essential oil is pale-yellow in color and has a sweet, fruity, herbaceous fragrance. Of the two species, German chamomile is the more familiar and more commonly used.

Therapeutic Uses over the Years

This rather common European flowering plant has been regarded by many around the world as having a multiplicity of therapeutic uses, and has enjoyed popularity among herbalists for centuries. As stated earlier, German chamomile is the most well-known and therefore the more frequently used, yet each of these herbs have been used since antiquity for digestive disorders and skin and mucous membrane irritations. Both are also considered one of the gentlest of essential oils and particularly beneficial for treating ailments of children. (For a more complete understanding of their extensive uses, refer to Salvatore Battaglia’s book The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy.)

German chamomile is well accepted as having excellent anti-inflammatory activity, largely due to its high chamazulene (a sesquiterpene). Interestingly, this compound is formed from the conversion of matricarin (found naturally in chamomile) during steam distillation. The presence of (-) alpha-bisabolol (a sesquiterpenol) also contributes greatly to the anti-inflammatory effect of German chamomile. It has been suggested that a standardized amount of (-) alpha-bisabolol be determined since it is a key component in overall anti-inflammatory effectiveness.

Roman chamomile stands out for its sedative properties. According the University of Maryland Medical Center website, sedation is the most popular use for chamomile in the United States. Studies to investigate this claim in humans are few; however, animal studies indicate that low doses of chamomile may relieve anxiety, while higher doses promote sleep. Interestingly, it has been noted that the white-headed flowers of Anthemis have more sedative potential than the classic yellow-headed flowers. White-headed varieties were found in a chemical analysis study to contain more angelic esters than the yellow variety. Esters are known for their calming properties.

What Scientists Are Noticing

As scientists scour the plant kingdom for solutions to ever rising medical solutions, chamomile crude extracts and its constituents have had recent attention. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center studies (conducted on animals such as mice) have shown that German chamomile reduces inflammation, speeds wound healing, reduces muscle spasms, and serves as a mild sedative to help with sleep. In general, in vitro studies have also shown that chamomile has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. In just the last five years studies have revealed new information about chamomile properties of inflammation inhibition to reduction in ADHD symptoms.

In the last few years, there has been heightened awareness by the health science community that inflammation is the root cause of most diseases. Just last year, a study conducted by the Case Western Reserve University & University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio (Life Sciences 2009 Nov 4; 85(19-20): 663-9) looked at the effects of chamomile on inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) which has been associated with causing inflammation and carcinogenesis. Researchers found that chamomile inhibited COX-2 enzyme activity and acted similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Researchers stated that such findings add a novel aspect to the profile of chamomile and its preventative uses.

The treatment of diseases with conventional drugs is rather tricky and sometimes a gamble due to the human pathways that metabolize the drugs. This is quite the case when it comes to drug interaction. A study conducted by the University of Innsbruck, Austria (Life Sciences 2006 Jan 18: 78(8): 856-61) looked at inhibitory effect of chamomile essential oil and its major constituents on four selected human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4). In vitro results of this study found that chamomile was able to inhibit activities of major human drug metabolizing enzymes. This is quite useful for assisting with drug interactions and helping to eliminate unwanted side-effects.

Much concern has been raised about increasing numbers of children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According to the Center for Disease Control 4.5 million children 5-17 years of age have been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2006; diagnosis of ADHD increased an average of 3% per year from 1997 to 2006. Treatment of ADHD usually relies upon drug therapy, yet such treatment is not always helpful for young people when considering their developing brains and other internal organs. A study conducted by the Regional Hospital Bozen in Italy (Phytomedicine 2009 Apr; 16(4): 284-6) found that chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) was able to reduce the symptoms of ADHD (such as hyperactivity, inattention and immaturity) in three young males ages 14-16. Although the sample size is small, this study is an indication that medical science is looking for alternative, safer treatments such as chamomile.

Conclusion

With a little help from chemical analysis of German and Roman chamomile, one can identify the various chemical components that make them similar yet unique. Many of the uses for chamomile are shared between both German and Roman, yet it is the German that is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties and the Roman for its sedative properties. Either way, chamomile is considered one of the gentlest essential oils and is especially helpful in treating illnesses found in children. Recent science literature indicates that chamomile has noticeable properties to inhibit inflammation, assist with drug therapy absorption and interactions, as well as a possible aid in decreasing ADHD in young people. So, whether you are looking to relax with a nice cup of chamomile tea or rub some chamomile essential oil on irritated skin or tired feet, it might just be what the doctor ordered.

Author: Eric Cech
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Not only are herbs used for seasoning in food items, they are also used for medicinal purposes. They are also great for providing wonderful smells in your garden or home and for aromatherapy. The oils contained in the leaves of many of the aromatic herbs used for cooking are what makes them so useful. The oil is also what gives the herbs a pleasurable scent. Even if you wouldn’t eat an herb, they make a delight for the senses.

Lavender, a Mediterranean native herb, is a beautiful herb with small purple blossoms and has an amazing aroma. It attracts Black Swallowtail butterflies and humans alike. Its fragrance is perfect when used in perfumed sachets.

Sage, another aromatic member of the mint family, has been enjoyed for many years. It originally grew in Asia Minor, but can now be found growing in every corner of the world. It is an olfactory delight for anyone who rubs its leaves between their fingers.

Caraway-Scented Thyme can be a fantastic herb to add to your garden. This sweet bush lures bees and butterflies, and also attracts herbalists with its spicy aroma. It is also a member of the mint family, and blossoms lovely pink flowers in early summer.

Another one of the aromatic herbs that belongs to the mint family and has been around for hundreds of years is Sweet Marjoram. Often used in perfumed soaps, Sweet Marjoram has a spicy aroma and is great when used as part of the potpourri after being milled. Don’t mix it up with its cousin Origanum Vulgare, also known as Oregano, that is found in the wild.

It is easy to keep them preserved. Keep fresh stems in jars of cool water in the fridge, they will last for a week or so. Otherwise, store them in oil. Wash them and let them dry for an hour, then place them in a jar with preserving oil. They will stay fresh that way for two to three months.

If you want to store them for longer, it is a good option to keep them in the freezer. After washing, remove the water and then store in a plastic bag in the freezer. Another way is to chop them and keep the pieces in the ice cube tray. Unexposed to air they will retain the freshness for more than 4 months. For longer storage keep them in a jar of vinegar after cleaning and drying.

Flowers hung to dry in a cool, dark place are great for making potpourri; just remember that the spices and aromas of potpourri come from the oils in the petals and they will evaporate after a while.

If you want to preserve your hand-made herbal potpourris and sachet bags longer, you will need to use tried and true preservation methods. To keep the essential oils inside an herb plant, store it in an airtight bag.

Many common aromatic herbs respond well to the drying process. Thyme, mint, sage, and marjoram are among those that, when done properly, will remain fragrant for weeks.

Author: Lee Dobbins
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Herbes de Provence, or Provençal herbs, is a traditional blend of aromatic herbs that flourish in hills of southern France during the hot summer months. Used by the handful when fresh, Herbes de Provence is also good using dried herbs. Bay leaf, thyme, fennel, rosemary, chervil, oregano, summer savory, tarragon, mint, and marjoram are some of the herbs typically used. Orange zest is sometimes included as is lavender, though the lavender is less traditional and was added more for the benefit of tourists who saw lavender fields as almost emblematic of the Provençe region. Traditional or not, the addition of lavender is a nice addition to the blend.

Herbes de Provence is a good addition to any dish from the Mediterranean region and is especially good mixed with olive oil to coat chicken, fish, tomatoes or chunks of potato for roasting, adding to a pizza sauce or sprinkled over game or kabobs before roasting. It’s also used for seasoning salads, sauces and cheeses, as well as soups and stews. Herbes de Provence is a nice mixture to use for rubbing on meats, poultry, or fish before roasting. Try rubbing the blend on whole turkey or the breast before roasting. Rub beef, lamb or veal with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then press the herb blend into the meat. Sear the meat in a very hot skillet on both sides, then remove and finish roasting in a 300 degree oven until cooked to your preference. When grilling add a pinch or two of herbes de Provence to the coals when they are hot.

There are several variations on the theme, so choose which one best suits what is growing in your garden!

Recipe #1:

1 tablespoon dried basil

1 tablespoon marjoram

1 tablespoon summer savory

1 tablespoon thyme

1 crushed bay leaf

1 teaspoon lavender

1 teaspoon fennel

Recipe #2

1 tablespoon thyme

1 tablespoon chervil

1 tablespoon rosemary

1 tablespoon summer savory

1 teaspoon lavender

1 teaspoon tarragon

1 teaspoon marjoram

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon mint

2 powdered or chopped bay leaves

Simply combine the herbs and store in an airtight container. This mixture should keep for up to 4 months!

Author: Briscoe White
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I provided, in a recent previous article, instruction on preparing a tincture from your herb garden plants, so if you have carried out those instructions you are ready to learn how you can make your own throat sprays, gargles, mouthwashes and inhalants which can all be made from your tinctures. What better herb garden delight is there than that.

The tincture is the result of extracting the oils – the chemical components of each herb, made by soaking the herb in a mixture of water and alcohol. Because the alcohol acts as a preservative, the tincture is wholesome and usable for at least two years if stored in a cool dark place.

Do not forget that when the tincture is to be used for children or if you prefer not to drink alcohol yourself, heat the potion to nearly boiling so that the alcohol will evaporate away. This will of course leave a higher concentrate of the medicinal content in the potion.

Herbs can be used in many different ways to treat anything from acne to worms but for the purpose of this article we shall concentrate on remedies for treating various respiratory, nose and throat infections by using tinctures of Echinacea, chamomile, cinnamon, golden seal, and hyssop. These can then be used variously as teas, compresses, inhalants, gargles, or like any medicine; a teaspoonful at a time.

To combat a heavy cold or influenza, make up a cup of tea with two teaspoons of Echinacea in a cup of hot water (to remove the alcohol use near boiling water and allow to cool down to drinkable temperature). This may be sweetened with a spoonful of honey. Instead of two spoons of Echinacea use one plus a spoonful of chamomile or even cinnamon as alternative concoctions and see which is most comforting.

For treating sinus problems, catarrh, excess mucus; use teas made individually, or as mixtures, of golden seal, hyssop and cinnamon. Again a spoonful of honey may help the medicine go down. Any of these tinctures (try any combination to find which suits you best ) put into a small bowl filled with boiling water will make a pleasant inhalant. Just cover your head over the bowl with a large towel and breathe in the fumes.

A sore throat can be treated by gargling with a strong tea made from any single one, or mixtures, of these herb tinctures. Just make up a small glassful with water as hot as you can comfortably use and gargle immediately. Again, to remove the alcohol use near boiling water and allow to cool down to a usable temperature. A throat spray can be prepared in the same way. For a freshening mouthwash, make up a small amount of strong just warmed tincture and water mix in a small glass. Thoroughly rinse around your mouth and spit out until all used. Do this three or four times a day while symptoms persist.

Another way to ease a sore throat or blocked nose is by making a hot compress. Use a clean flannel or small towel soaked in and rung out from a strong mixture of herbal tinctures and water as hot as you can bear. Put on your chest, or round your neck, or even wrapped around your face. Feel the heat and breathe the fumes for immediate comfort.

At the end of a busy day put several spoonfuls of a tincture into a hot footbath. This will comfort and refresh your feet, and inhaling the fumes will soothe and relax you helping you to fall into bed for a deep rejuvenating sleep.

Author: John Beaver
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Have you ever considered fresh herb gardening? The reason is that many people have in their kitchens, a rack containing bottles of dried herbs, which are there mainly for decoration because some of the herbs have not been used for years. And when they do get to use them they have already lost much of their aroma and taste. And that’s not very satisfying.

It is when we cook with fresh herbs that a sense of culinary satisfaction returns. The moral of the story is, use fresh herbs.

But how do you have fresh herbs on hand when you want to use them? The answer of course is to have your own fresh herb garden so that you can have fresh herbs “on tap” whenever you want.

But having a fresh herb gardening project means more than just having fresh herbs available for cooking. When successful, such a project will ensure that you have sufficient quantity and variety of herbs that will provide you with healing and health enhancing herbal teas, herbs for decoration purposes, sweet smelling aromas in the clothes drawers, tinctures to give one a good night’s sleep, relieve for baby’s tummy and so on.

To plan for your fresh herb gardening project, first define why you would want to have a herb garden. In answering why you will end up with a list of the herbs that you would want to grow in your fresh herb gardening project. An example will be if one of your “why’s” is to be able to drink chamomile tea daily then you would need to have chamomile in your fresh herb gardening project.

To start you off in this part of your fresh herb gardening project I list below my top three fresh herb plants that you can consider adding to your initial list of herb plants to grow.

1. Chamomile
Many people have a standard supply of chamomile tea bags in their cupboards as they have discovered that chamomile tea enables them to relax after a hard day’s work and a cuppa before bed helps them to sleep well and revitalise their bodies in the night.

If dried chamomile can do this, imagine what fresh chamomile from your fresh herb gardening project can do for you. With all its goodness intact, a cup of fresh chamomile tea is known to be capable of calming and relaxing a person’s mind and body and able to release that person from insomnia, constant nightmares, sore-throats and debilitating menstrual cramps.

2. Bee Balm (Oswego)
Also known as Oswego, Bee Balm leaves make a great cup of Oswego tea. I like its fruity flavour and the fact that I can drink it cold. I can put it in the fridge to cool down or make it concentrated so that I can add ice cubes to it for an even colder drink for those balmy hot summer days.

Oswego is known to provide relief from bronchial and stomach ailments and would I think, make a good choice for your fresh herb gardening project.

3. Rosemary
Rosemary is a popular culinary herb and so would be useful to have just for cooking purposes. But Rosemary has attributes that are purportedly effective for reducing depression and blood circulation problems. This is one aspect of an herbal remedy that is valuable for some. If this is so then where beneficial, drinking rosemary tea on a regular basis may bring relief for the long term.

Why not start a fresh herb gardening project with these three plants. You can start with just three small plants on your windowsill just to see if you like it. You can always expand later.

Author: Shad Alan
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Wasn’t someone supposed to tell us that marjoram and oregano were the same plant? The couple of articles I checked didn’t mention why we cook with both, but there you are. But in ancient Greece and in the Roman Empire, brides and grooms were crowned with marjoram wreaths because marjoram signifies Joy. It was the hope and the belief that marrying fulfilled you.

We tend to think about marriages in those eras being made for financial or political gain. But the fact is, humans have not become more romantic as we’ve evolved. We enter and have always entered into marriage with the hope that we will be transformed by joy.

Today, when we marry only for love, doesn’t it make sense to remake those symbols? Include marjoram, as part of wedding flowers, because marjoram:

• Is different. Not everyone will be carrying it. You want your wedding ceremony to stand out. This is a small but powerful way to differentiate yourselves from your peers.
• Is pungent but subtle. If we settle crowns on our heads as we say our vows, the scent of marjoram will always remind you of your promises. It’s an easy thing to slip it into a potpourri so that your home is always vaguely scented with Joy.
• Has ancient affiliations. There is power in repeating ritual that has been done over and over again. No matter what your marriage will look like, just as every other marriage, it is located in the community which witnesses it.
• Can be transformed. Those ancient rituals can open to encompass our modern marriages.
• Can be transforming. When you include unfamiliar meanings in your wedding ceremony, they become part of lore of the community. You begin history for your family and friends.

All of this can happen with the inclusion of one small herb. Not a bad payoff!

Author: Ann Keeler Evans
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Last year the press reported that the sale of vegetable seeds had outstripped the sale of flower seeds for the first time since 1939. Growing your own has steadily increased in popularity and with the aid of potato and strawberry barrels and smaller compact fruit trees and bushes even those with a small garden or patio can grow something productive.

Spring is a busy time on the allotment and there is no better time to consider companion planting. So what exactly does this mean? Well, it is certainly nothing new. Over centuries it has been noted that some plants seem to thrive better when planted next to a particular plant. Deliberately planting such plants near to each other is known as companion planting. It is very popular with organic gardeners or those wishing to reduce their use of pesticides.

Whilst some plants seem to boost the growth of others another group, known as sacrificial plants, protect their neighbours by attracting pests and diseases to themselves. An example of this is the nasturtium which not only helps to deter aphids but also attracts blackfly to itself.

Herbs are excellent companion plants; not only can they assist your fruit and vegetables but are useful in their own right. A definite win win situation. Just a word of caution – not all herbs are compatible with all fruits and vegetables. Some are thought to have a negative effect and some easily cross pollinate. The herbs listed below are some of the best herbs for companion planting, although there are more:

Angelica — the flowers of this herb attract beneficial insects which prey on many garden pests.

Borage — this herb is thought to help strawberries thrive. It attracts bees for pollination.

Chamomile — chamomile is thought to improve the health, flowers and yield of many other plants. It has been called “the plant’s physician”. Plant this herb with onion and cabbage. Chamomile also attracts beneficial hoverflies.

Chervil — a herb reputed to give radishes a hotter flavour if planted beside them. Chervil is also thought to protect lettuce from ants and aphids and repel slugs.

Chives — chives help to deter carrot rootfly, prevent scab on apples and black spot on roses.

Coriander — this herb is thought to repel aphids and carrot fly.

Dill — a good herb to plant near lettuces and cabbages. Do not plant too near to fennel as they cross pollinate easily.

Fennel — the flowers of this herb attract many beneficial insects which prey on garden pests. It is, however, thought to adversely affect the growth of beans, tomatoes and coriander so do not plant it near those or next to dill with which it easily cross pollinates.

Horseradish — horseradish is thought to repel potato bugs. Note however that this herb is very invasive so consider its location carefully if planting in open ground.

Hyssop — this herb is thought to repel cabbage white butterfly and is generally thought beneficial for grapevines. Hyssop attracts bees for pollination.

Lovage — The number one companion herb plant, it loves virtually everything (and makes fantastic soup).

Marjoram — marjoram is generally a good companion herb to most plants in the vegetable garden. It is attractive to bees.

Nasturtium — deters aphids, especially whitefly, squash bugs and woolly aphids and as mentioned above, attracts blackfly to itself.

Sage — this herb is thought generally beneficial to vegetables and helps to repel cabbage white butterfly.

Summer Savory — a herb often planted with beans and is thought to deter the Mexican bean beetle.

Thyme — thyme attracts bees and its strongly scented foliage is thought to stimulate other plants around it. This herb is thought to repel flea beetle and cabbage white butterfly so companion plant it with rocket and cabbages for best effect.

So if you are growing your own this year why not give companion planting with herbs a try.

Happy planting!

Author: R Sayer
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Since the ancient times, medicinal herb plants have been used to cure different illnesses like common colds, indigestion, depression, and many others. The good thing about these herbs is that it is possible to grow them indoors and outdoors. So if you have adequate garden space that gets a lot of sunshine, it can be an ideal spot for planting herbs. If you live in an apartment, the medicinal herb plants should be planted in containers and special pots.

What are some of the most common medicinal herbs? Chamomile, St. John’s Wort, and peppermint are quite popular but you can also plant other herbs like lavender, ginger, lemon balm, and garlic. Lavender is usually used because of its nice smell that can relax the body. If your stomach is upset, just smell the scent of lavender and you will feel well. Medicinal herb plants like ginger are great for ocean sickness and motion sickness. This is a great reliever for nausea and you can use it dried or fresh.

Lemon balm is a great reliever for stomach spasms and indigestion. This is great for aromatherapy as well because it can calm the senses. Garlic can be used in powder and oil form. It is great for lowering the cholesterol level and this medicinal herb plants can also be used as anti-atherosclerosis. There are still many plants out there that gardeners can plant but your choice should be able to meet your needs.

What are the common ailments that you usually suffer from? With enough knowledge as to the properties of various herbs, it will be easier to make a choice. Try to find out how small or large the medicinal herb plants can develop so that if you prefer container gardening, it will be easier to decide whether you will use a small or large container. Make sure that the container has enough holes underneath for proper drainage.

You also need to use the right type of soil. Well drained soil is ideal and you can easily obtain them at a garden center. However, you can test if the soil in the garden is great for medicinal herb plants. Get handful of soil in your yard and open your palm – what happens to the soil? If it clumps together, it is not suitable for herbs. You can make adjustments to the soil but this might take time so it would be best to invest on commercial soil instead.

The commercial soil is reasonably priced and it is already equipped with the needed medicinal herb plants foods. During winter, protect the herbs planted in the outdoors and if it is possible to transplant them in containers, the better. Potted plants should also be transferred indoors to prevent from freezing. This can take up some of your time but it is worth the effort because you can have a steady supply of herbs.

Some herbs can also be used for culinary purposes. The benefits are endless especially if you choose your varieties of medicinal herb plants well. Why wait when you can already grow your own herbs?

Author: Tim Adam
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