Develop your garden of medicinal plants
In the Middle Ages, monks cultivated medicinal plants in squares. These spaces of approximately 1 m on a side have many advantages. They are easy to master. In addition, they are often raised which allows the water not to stagnate. Currently, several solutions are available to you:
- You can continue the tradition of squares by buying a ready-made one or by creating a formwork with 4 wooden boards, for example. Then, if necessary, you can loosen the soil with a spade fork before filling your square with it and making your plantings.
- You can also choose to grow your medicinal plants in an area of your garden directly in the ground, quite simply.
- Another possibility is to install them in pots on a balcony. It will then be necessary to take care to water them well.
When choosing your herbal medicines, you can start by making a list of your needs and those of your family. For more simplicity, choose plants to consume in infusion. Once your list is ready, if it is a little too long, you can remove plants that you find difficult to grow or that are not suited to your soil type.
Medicinal plants
There is a wide choice of medicinal plants since the Botanical Research Center at Kew Gardens in London has counted more than 28,000 of them throughout the world. We invite you to discover some of them with an overview of their properties.
Lemon balm
Lemon balm is a bushy perennial that can quickly become invasive. She loves the sun and gives off a lemony scent reminiscent of verbena. She allows to fight against nervousness. It promotes sleep, but also relieves stress-related stomach aches. This plant with relaxing properties is grown in fertile, airy and cool soil. You can consume it as a herbal tea by infusing 10 g of fresh leaves in 200 ml of hot water for about ten minutes. It also has interesting virtues for women after childbirth, but also for promote concentration.
Chamomile
German Chamomile or Matricaria recutita is a very effective annual, while Roman Chamomile or Chamaemelum nobile is a slightly less effective perennial than German, but tastes better. They have effects on the the nervous system and on the digestion. They allow fight against insomnia, but also the dental irritations. If you have dry skin, you can also use it in the bath.
Thyme
Thyme is a plant that thrives regardless of the type of soil provided it benefits from generous sunshine. This aromatic plant has, moreover, the reputation of having therapeutic virtues. So you can use it for sanitizing. She allows to fight against fungi, yeasts, bacteria. Pour the equivalent of 2 teaspoons of thyme in a cup, then cover with boiling water. To avoid a too bitter taste, do not let steep for more than 5 minutes. You can add a little honey and half a squeezed lemon to your infusion.
Lavender
Mediterranean plant, it is resistant to cold despite everything. It supports poor soil but not the lack of sunshine. Lavender can be used externally, that is to say in preparation based on essential oils. She then has a antiseptic and healing action. Nevertheless, it is possible to take it as a herbal tea. It turns out to be very effective in the case of difficulties of digestion due to too much nervousness.
Medicinal verbena
Medicinal verbena is more resistant to cold and occupies less space than lemon verbena. It thrives in the sun in light, well-drained soil. All you need to do is harvest the flowers and leaves to make infusions. She is known for her digestive properties and helps treat difficult digestion and stomach aches, stimulate appetite, but also of relieve inflammation. Its action is considered to be similar to that of aspirin. Its simplest use is to pour boiling water over 1.5 g of cut verbena and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
Comfrey
Comfrey is an easy to grow plant that can even become invasive if planted in rich, moist soil. Used as an infusion, it helps treat digestive disorders such as diarrhea. It is also possible to use its leaves to reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis or cramps. Indeed, it promotes muscle relaxation. It is also possible to use its roots by macerating them in a fatty substance to then soothe the pain due to sprains, strains, etc., but also to promote healing of a healthy wound.
Mint
Mint is a very easy to grow perennial. It comes in various varieties which all have similar properties and there are many of them. Indeed, mint has digestive virtues, antispasmodics, cholagogues, carminative and tonics. It is possible to use the dry leaves or the fresh leafy stems.
Calendula
This brightly colored, almost hardy annual plant grows in sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. It is ideal for repair skin lesions, but also contribute to a better digestion. Calendula relieves irritation and is a very good anti-inflammatory. You can use its fresh flowers, but also dry. You can also add calendula petals in your salads.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a shrub that grows year after year. However, depending on where you live, it may need to be brought in before the temperatures get too cold. You will thus benefit from these antibacterial properties. Rosemary stimulates blood circulation and it also acts as a lightweight antidepressant. You can also use it in your cooking recipes, since it is an essential for Mediterranean recipes.
Callune
For cleanse the urinary tract you can have recourse to the callune which is a heather. To use it, simply cut its flowering stems during the months of August and September and dry them to then use them as an infusion. It is a shrub that thrives in rockery or in sandy, non-calcareous soil. It is adorned with evergreen foliage.
Sylvan mallow
It is a perennial plant that thrives in fairly rich and well-drained soil. It will be the most beautiful effect in massive. It is advisable to regularly pinch the stems to keep a compact plant that will remain in bloom throughout the summer. You will be able to harvest its purple flowers that you will let dry to use them in infusion. You will thus benefit from its softening effect which frees the bronchi.
Echinacea
Echinacea is also a perennial plant that allows you to enjoy a superb colorful bed. She has some antibacterial properties, but also allows lower the fever and of strengthen natural defenses using its roots. For this, after 2 to 3 years of cultivation, divide the plants to harvest part of the roots.
Red vine
In addition, to enjoy the grape of your red vine, you will be able to harvest its leaves when they turn red. Once dry, you can use them as an infusion. This slightly spicy herbal tea is recommended for fight against heavy legs.
Betony
This perennial plant is easy to live with. It is quite high since it can reach a height of 60 cm. The seeds reseed spontaneously. You can use its leaves and roots as an infusion to treat different ailments such as fever, the migraines, the cough, etc ..
St. John’s Wort
This perennial is easy to grow in a sunny space. It has recently been rediscovered for fight depression. St. John’s Wort can be used either internally for its different properties: antivirals, antiseptics, etc. either externally for his healing effect, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic. In addition, it is easily used as an infusion.