If you have any questions about herbs or growing an herb garden, our experts at Warner’s Nursery would be happy to help you!
More gardeners are using spices and herbs for their therapeutic properties or to alleviate symptoms, and there’s evidence that spices and herbs possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. Some also are shown to reduce glucose and cholesterol.
There’s still a lot to learn about the actual role of herbs in the maintenance of health, but here are some common – and not difficult to grow – herbs that can make your garden an extension of your medicine cabinet.
Peppermint
This herb can address multiple symptoms, but its main benefit seems to come from calming the muscles of the stomach, which aids digestion. Often served as a tea, it has menthol, making it an effective decongestant. Pro tip: peppermint can take over a garden, so you might want to cultivate your peppermint plant in a container.
Lemon Balm
Another member of the mint family, this herb has a calming effect. You can find references that go back to the Middle Ages of people using lemon balm to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. Another use for lemon balm is to help with cold sores. Steep a couple of teaspoons of the dried herbs in boiling water and after it cools, apply with a cotton ball.
Sage
The green-gray leaves of sage have a long history of use for health purposes. It was a traditional herbal remedy in ancient Greece and Rome, as well as in Native American and Chinese medicine. Today, it is typically used for a sore mouth or throat.
Oregano
For many years, the Mediterranean diet has been known to have powerful health benefits. A key aspect of Mediterranean cuisine is its use of oregano, which is extremely high in antioxidants. Oregano has shown promise in lessening the symptoms associated with having a cold or the flu.
Garlic
Garlic has shown excellent health-promoting and disease-preventing effects for many common diseases and conditions, including cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes, through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering properties.
Horseradish
The roots of a horseradish plant have been used for the symptoms of various infections, such as sinus, bronchial and urinary tract infections.
Chamomile
This is another herb that is most often used as a tea. With its honey-sweet taste, it is very soothing and promotes sleep.
Dill
This is one where the seeds are the most medicinal part of the plant. Chewing on them can relieve an upset stomach or bloating.
Basil
This plant has numerous benefits. Basil contains many vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants. The antioxidants help fight the free radicals in the body that can damage cells and lead to many diseases, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis and diabetes. Adding basil to your diet may also help to reduce high blood sugar levels (a recent study showed that basil extract lowered sugar levels in rats with diabetes). One important thing to remember with basil, however, is that it loses a lot of its healthful properties when dried, so it is best to consume it fresh.
None of these descriptions are to imply that people should replace pharmaceutical remedies with herbs. Science is still discovering the medicinal potential of your herb garden, but the anecdotal evidence is strong that herbs can be helpful supplements to your health and well-being.
If you have any questions about herbs or growing an herb garden, our experts at Warner’s Nursery would be happy to help you!
Happy gardening! FBN
By Misti Warner-Andersen
Misti Warner-Andersen is the manager of Warner’s Nursery & Landscape Co., located at 1101 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff. To contact Warner’s Nursery, call 928-774-1983.
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