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Herb Garden Plants

Herb garden plants are a boon to the self reliant homesteader. Growing your own herbs in your own garden for healing minor medical complaints - what could be better?

There are a lot more herb garden plants out there than the ones I have listed here; heck, I could do an entire website on healing herbs alone! But here is a sampling of some of the herbs you may want in your homestead garden.

Bergamot

This wonderful plant is a delightful part of any herb garden plants collection. Bergamot is native to the United States and was used by native Americans as a tea. The flowers are dark pink, red and purple and smell of oranges or lemon - if you have lemon bergamot They also attract bees, a real plus for a productive garden.

Bergamot is a perennial and grows best in soil that stays damp in the summer. It won't do well in soils that are chalky.
Buy Lemon Bergamot Seeds Here
It prefers sun but will also grow in shady areas, as long as the soil is damp. It also likes bone meal. If you're an urban homesteader, this is the plant for you; bergamot is great for growing in containers.

Uses for Bergamot

Both the leaves and flowers of bergamot are edible. The leaves can be used either fresh or dried and have a flavor similar to thyme. You can also use the leaves to make tea. Bergamot is good for helping with digestion. It can also help relieve cold symptoms and a sore throat. Bergamot essential oil can be used to scent soaps and lotions.

Borage

Borage is a lovely herb to look at. The flowers are bright blue and star-shaped. Borage loves a rich soil and full sun. Also, the wind will knock it over pretty easily, so it needs wind protection. Once it is established, borage will reseed itself. Plant your tomatoes next to your borage bed - it will improve the flavor of your tomatoes. The flowers are also excellent for encouraging bees. You should harvest the leaves just before using them. The dried leaves don't have nearly the flavor of the fresh ones. Use fresh borage leaves to make tea.

Uses for Borage


Buy Organic Borage Seeds Here
Borage can help reduce fevers, relieve symptoms of bronchial tract infections and help heal mouth and throat infections. It helps clear your skin and promote healthy skin growth. It can also balance hormones, eases both depression and inflammation and works as a mild sedative. Caution: don't use borage if you are prone to developing kidney stones.

Calendula

Calendula is one of the more well-known herb garden plants. It usually an annual that grows from one to three feet all. Calendula flowers can be orange or yellow and resemble a cheery drawing of the sun. You use calendula flowers either fresh or dried.

These herb garden plants are easily grown from seed and can be sown directly in the garden in early spring or early summer. You must water them regularly. They will start producing flowers about 40 to 50 days after the seeds germinate.

Uses for Calendula


Buy Calendula Seeds Here
Harvest it in the late morning, after the dew dries. Pick the flowers off as soon as they have a nice bloom. Spread the flowers on a screen to dry in the shade. Turn them several times daily. You can also dry them in a dehydrator. As soon as the flowers are dry, store them in plastic bags or glass jars.

You can make a paste out of the fresh flowers by adding them to a blender with a little water. Calendula has been used for years to heal wounds and sooth irritated skin.

Chamomile

Chamomile has been loved and respected since Egyptian times. This perennial plant has a feathery appearance, is low-growing and tends to creep its way across your garden beds.

Harvest the chamomile flowers when the petals begin to turn back. A lot of work is involved, but the flavor of the fresh tea will be well worth it. Dry them with a dehydrator. The dried flowers will remain pungent for months.

A Word of Caution About Chamomile


Buy Chamomile Seeds Here
Chamomile is a uterine stimulant, so don't use these herb garden plants if you are pregnant. Also, if you are allergic to ragweed, you may get dermatitis when collecting chamomile.

Uses for Chamomile

Chamomile tea helps soothe nerves and eases menstrual cramps. It promotes healthy hair and skin and provides better mental alertness. At the same time it is a safe and soothing sedative. These herbs are safe enough to give to children for colds and indigestion.

Learn About Other Natural Herbs


Grow your medicinal garden easily either indoors or out with this hydropoinics system. Buy it here.
Do you have a persistent cough you can't seem to shake? Mullein is an excellent remedy for soothing a cough and helping you sleep. Learn more.

Echinacea builds your immune system and helps to fight infections. Here are some growing tips.

Balm is a soothing herb that makes a delicious lemony tea and is also good for sleeplessness and nervousness. Learn more.

If you're looking for an herb that works as a natural insect repellent and is good for treating fevers, try this herb.

Chamomile not only helps you sleep, but it can also rejuvenate your other ailing plants. Learn how to grow this herb by clicking here.

Feverfew can ease a fever, is a tonic to your immune system and also works as a natural insect repellent. Learn how to grow and use feverfew by clicking here.


This Hydrofarm Grow Light System is easy to set up and makes indoor gardening a breeze.
Fennel is an excellent herb both to grow and keep on hand to ease symptoms such as kidney stones and digestive problems. Learn more.

Looking for a natural remedy for bladder infections, gout or rheumatism? Look no further than this simple weed.

If you need an herb that helps heal sores, bruises, hemorrhoids and varicose veins, look no further than chickweed.

An herb that's excellent for healing mouth sores and balancing hormones is Borage. Learn how to grow this herb by clicking here.

Not only does bergamot have a delightful smell and make a delicious salad, it is also excellent for relieving cold symptoms. Learn more.

To ease colic in children and ease the symptoms of a stomachache, consider growing dill.


Start seeds indoors easily with this Hydrofarm Hot House with Heat Mat
If you're looking for a salt substitute as well as an herb to flavor meatloaf and other dishes, consider lovage.

The next time you have constipation, consider this unappreciated little weed.

Add a delicious smell to your garden and flavor to your salads by growing the herb anise. Learn more.

The herb hyssop can help ease the symptoms of rheumatism, swelling and help rid your body of toxins. Learn more.

If you want to get rid of warts, consider growing calendula.


Have the most successful herb garden anywhere, especially in small areas with this helpful book.
Angelica is excellent for giving you more energy and easing digestive complaints. Learn more.

If you're looking for a remedy to get rid of intestinal worms, consider using mugwort.

When you are working with the roots of the plant or any other part that has a tough outer shell, you will need to make a decoction. Learn more.

Making a poultice out of medicinal herbs can be useful to ease pain, reduce swelling or remove warts. Learn how.

When planning your garden, don't forget to grow herbs. Not only do they smell nice and add flavoring to food, many also have healing qualities. Learn more.

The next time you have a cold or flu, consider one of these herbs for fighting viral infections. Learn more.




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