Where to start?
Start with yours and your family’s specific needs.
💡Did you know that chewing on some dill seeds can aid digestive complaints gas and bloating, help with depression, and even menstrual pain?
Studying the use of medicinal herbs and natural health is very daunting and overwhelming in general because you can have 25 different ways to treat or aid a certain issue.
When you look at people’s TOP concerns for a living, you start to organize information based on 1. Need 2. Functionality/Practicality 3. Overlapping Benefits/Uses
Here are some of those TOP Concerns below with some of the easiest, accessible, versatile plants that you can start growing in your garden. Notice the overlapping benefits.
Choose 1-2 from each relevant category and start there.
Energy & Focus
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Sage
Rosemary
Peppermint
Dill
Calm Nerves, Helps with Stress & Anxiety
Lemon Balm
Chamomile
Bee Balm (Bergamot/Monarda)
Lavender
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Digestion Support
Aloe
Dill
Marshmallow/Hollyhock
Peppermint
Lemon Balm
Skin Issues/Rashes
Calendula
Marshmallow/Hollyhock
Bee Balm (Bergamot/Mondarda)
Garlic
Cold/Flu
Oregano
Sage
Lemon Balm
Garlic
Elecampare (bronchial issues/chest/lung infections)
Echinacea (helps stimulate the immune system when used at the first sign of illness)
Herbs can be used in cooking to add flavour, as well as, add medicinal properties to food.
Herbal Infusions
Herbal infusions can be used for a variety of purposes. Herbal infusions are made through a process of steeping or soaking the herbs in water, or in an oil or vinegar. You can make herbal vinegars/oils with culinary herbs by steeping the herbs in a neutral oil (grape-seed, olive. avocado) or white vinegar for a few weeks. Strain off the herbs and you have a lovely flavoured oil or vinegar.
Traditional water infusions are steeped for much longer than a tea, typically overnight between 12-14 hours (up to 48 hours).
Herbal Tinctures
Making a herbal tincture is an easy process. I prefer to use the folk method for making tinctures which means that there is no precise measuring involved. Basically you put a herb of choice in a jar, cover it with a neutral spirit like vodka, and let it sit for several weeks to infuse. If you want to make an alcohol-free tincture, substitute with vegetable glycerine.
Cover the jar with a lid and put it in a cool and dark place.
Aim to use fresh herbs to avoid the herbal material soaking up all the vodka, which can sometimes happen when using dried herbs.
Let the tincture infuse for at least 4 to 6 weeks, but it can go even longer than that, several months or more.
When you’re ready to use the tincture, use a fine mesh sieve lined with a few layers of cheesecloth to strain out the lemon balm. Use the cheesecloth to squeeze as much of the tincture out as possible.
Store the tincture in dropper bottles for easy use. It will keep for many years!
Growing your own medicine and making tinctures is so satisfying and very economical. A little goes a long way! However, If you prefer to buy tinctures rather than make your own, I highly recommend Herb Pharm!