Grow Your Own Remedies

TOP TEN SUPERSTAR MEDICINAL FOODS FOR YOUR VEGGIE PATCH

Even in the smallest garden, you can create a complete medicinal herb patch. With space at premium, you need to make sure that each plant is really earning its keep.

Below is a list of the top ten plants that are as versatile as they are 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

• Lavender - calms and relaxes during stressful times, eases pain and is antiseptic for cuts and bruises.

• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) - soothes nervous tension and anxiety, promotes sleep, and is good for cold sores.

• Marigold (Calendula officinalis) - good for sunburn, and for acne and spots, soothes ulcers and digestive problems.

• Peppermint - good for digestion, wind and headaches.

• Rosemary - helps memory and concentration, improves mood, sweetens breath.

• Sage - for coughs, colds and congestion, hot flushes.

• St John's Wort - anti-depressant and promotes skin healing

• Viola (Viola tricolor) - anti-inflammatory, good for eczema and skin eruptions, and loosens phlegm.

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 you have a windowsill only, an aloe vera plant is a great option.

Many of the above plants can simply be taken as a tea (wash, chop and steep in hot water for 10 minutes).

Related article:

Get into the Garden to Reduce Stress

You might like to try this Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) face lotion for relaxation.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) - relaxes the skin and gives it a face wash too. It’s easy in use and simply made.

Ingredients

- Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

- Lavender

- 20 ml Alcohol 60%

- 100 ml Boiling water

 

Put 3 tea spoons of Lemon Balm leaves and 1 tea spoon of Lavender in a pot or jar. Add the 100 ml of Boiling water to the mix. Leave it alone for 10 minutes. Use a coffee filter as a funnel to pour the mix into a bottle. Let it cool down, then add the Alcohol. Shake the bottle gently. It’s ready to use; store it on a dark cold spot and you can preserve this lotion 6 months.