Top 10 Herb Garden Must Haves
Even in the smallest garden, you can create a complete medicinal herb patch. With space at a premium, you need to make sure that each plant is really earning its keep. These top 10 choices are the best all use, most versatile and effective.
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) – soothes indigestion and colic, eases tension, and is good for skin irritations.
- Echinacea – Boosts the immune system and lessens the severity of colds and flu.
- Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor) – has anti-inflammatory properties; good for eczema and skin blemishes; loosens phlegm.
- Lavender – calms and relaxes, eases pain, and when applied to cuts and bruises functions as an antiseptic.
- Lemon balm – soothes nervous tension and anxiety, promotes sleep, and speeds the healing of cold sores.
- Marigold (Calendula officinalis) – good for sunburn, acne, and blemishes; soothes ulcers and digestive problems.
- Peppermint – good for digestion, gas, and headaches
- Rosemary – helps memory and concentration, improves mood, and sweetens breath.
- Sage – good for coughs, colds and congestion, and hot flushes
- St. John's Wort – works as an antidepressant and promotes skin healing.
If you have a greenhouse, you can boost the contents of your herbal cabinet by growing useful but tender plants such as ginger and cucumber. If a windowsill is your only option, an aloe vera plant is ideal.
