Medicinal Garden Magic!

#Garden #PNW #Medicine #PlantMedicine #Herbs #HerbalGarden

Whether you are already a gardener, or want to become one, herbs and flowers are a great place to start. They can be easier to grow and can provide beauty, flavor, and medicine! The majority of medicinal effects here are based within Ayurveda. Here are some herbs and flowers you can choose to have in your garden:

HERB/FLOWER	GROWING	COOKING	MEDICINE
THYME	hot sunny location in well-drained soil	many varieties whole sprigs or just the parts are fine can add early in cooking so the flavor comes out raw or cooked can use with any type of meal can withstand high heat	thyme tea with honey for sore throat helpful to sweat out fever digestive to help with bloating, gas, and indigestion antibacterial cough, asthma pungent so too much can aggravate Pitta
ROSEMARY	did you know it is part of the mint family? warm, sunny, well-drained soil does not do well with cold does not do well with water-logged soil	fresh or cooked whole sprigs or parts are just fine can withstand high heat raw or cooked strong candidate as a natural food preserver	improves memory and great for mind calms nervous system helps with muscle fatigue decongestant stimulates energy helpful in low blood pressure promotes hair growth tea helps reduce gas and bloating pacifies Vata and Kapha, aggravates Pitta
OREGANO: Origanum vulgare	can tolerate both cold and hot temperatures full sun well-drained soil does not like heavy water-logged soil cut regularly to encourage more growth (but don't over-cut)	add it early in long-cooking dishes like soups raw or cooked handles high heat can turn bitter using fresh leaves if you start the cooking too soon - dried does just fine	general health and wellbeing promotes menstruation treats blood-related disorders and poisoning antibacterial and anti-fungal anti-inflammatory boosts immunity improves heart health bronchitis, allergies flowers steeped for tea to help with cough and sore throat pacifies Kapha
MARJORAM: Origanum majorana	full sun well-drained soil grows well in containers and in the ground	flavor is more dramatic when not cooked for a long time, so add it toward the end or use fresh	gastrointestinal issues skin diseases pain sore throat cough stimulates menstruation liver tonic protects heart can be used internally and externally helps with stress decreases vata and kapha, increases pitta
MINT	sun to partial shade moist soil, but well-drained pots are better unless you want it growing everywhere as it spreads rapidly so many varieties - have fun!	can be used fresh or dried raw or cooked try a mint chutney if you haven't!	clears stagnation clears mucous aids digestion reduces stress response immune booster helps with weight loss reduces blood pressure reduces pain helps with acne balances all three doshas
BLACK CUMIN	full sun well-drained soil when the seeds begin to dry, cut the stems, tie them together, and hang them upside down in a brown paper bag need to be planted annually as they do not come back	seeds are edible as well as the small blue flowers (in small quantities) cook with the dried seed as is, or grind into a powder dry before using if you heat, or dry roast the seeds, they will have more flavor	analgesic lowers blood sugar lowers cholesterol antibacterial antifungal anti-inflammatory protects the skin allergies and asthma helps digestion decreases vata and kapha, increases pitta
LEMON BALM	really easy to grow it can spread easily prefers full sun, but can tolerate shade	can use fresh or dried can use in cooking and in teas +	enhances memory and circulation (medhya) headaches indigestion nausea nervousness vertigo anemia antiviral antifungal antiparasitic epilepsy depression, anxiety, etc. calming - great for stress menopausal symptoms great for digestive issues related to nervous system calms pitta, can help with some vata, aggravates kapha
LAVENDER	3 types: English, French, and Mexican Mexican lavender is only used in landscapes English lavender is best for cooking French lavender is best for making essential oils French lavender does well in the warmer clients Do not water too much full sun well-drained soil	can use fresh or dried dried has more potent smell and flavor also works well with infusions	lavender oil on scalp controls hair fall helpful benefits for skin and hair lavender tea reduces pain during menstruation reduces symptoms of colic reduces fatigue reduces pain from osteoporosis helps with some skin issues such as acne and eczema reduces pain from headaches calms all doshas, but can stimulate vata
CHAMOMILE	full sun preferred if it is a really hot climate, afternoon shade is ideal German Chamomile and Roman Chamomile are most commonly grown/used	flowers should be picked at the beginning of flowering when they are not full open and not fully white whole plant is needed if you want to distill it dry flowers in dark ventilated space as soon as possible after picking German chamomile has a sweeter taste than Roman great for teas can use fresh or dried great to flavor jams, candies, ice cream, dressings, liqueurs, etc.	calming digestive anxiety restlessness insomnia supports immune system anti-inflammatory anti-oxidant balances vata
MOTHERWORT	consistent watering while establishing, afterwards it is drought resistant moist fertile soil part shade can be invasive part of the mint family	condiment in vegetable soup recipes great in teas can use fresh or dried flowers used as a flavoring in beer	calming stress-relieving hormone regulation balances nervous system kidney tonic cardiac tonic stimulates uterine contraction reduces anxiety helps overcome exhaustion due to overwork helps with hot flashes due to menopause balances all three doshas
JASMINE	moist well-drained soil full sun climber, so planting near a trellis or fence is ideal feed weekly with potassium in summer mulch in winter	flowers are edible so they can be added to any summer salad candied flowers are a delight can be used dried or fresh great in teas goes well with citrus, berries, and shellfish	helps manage mental alertness reduces anxiety relaxing for nervous system can help with asthma aids digestion reduces itching, dryness, and dandruff of scalp/hair helps with acne and skin irritation nourishes reproductive system pacifies vata and pitta, can aggravate kapha if used in excess
EVENING PRIMROSE	full sun well-drained soil spreads easy when goes to seed draught tolerant can grow in deficient soil	if using the root - only the 1st year root can be used: can eat raw or cooked like root vegetables young leaves can be added to salads or cooked like other greens seed pods, before they mature, are delicious steamed or stir-fried flowers can be used as a garnish or eaten in salads	oil is great for dermatitis and eczema regeneration of skin balances hormones impotence fatigue wound healing root for hemorrhoids leaves, stem, bark, and flowers help with asthma and digestive issues reduces inflammation in autoimmune responses balances all doshas
ROSE	at least 6 hours of sun, ideally in the morning well-drained soil nutrient dense soil only apply water to roots, not leaves prune in early spring disease and fungal resistant are the best for PNW	can be used fresh or dried great in desserts and pudding great candied useful in teas infusions add to cooking of rice for rose flavor	balances the heart reduces anxiety reduces fatigue reduces stress clears the mind helps clear respiratory congestion cleanses pores, especially if kapha skin prone to cystic acne balances all three doshas, but especially pitta
BEE BALM	another part of the mint family well-drained soil partial shade 18-24 inches between each for proper growing	delicious in cookies and muffins great to top on salads makes a great flavor infusing into vinegars can make a decoction out of flowers both leaves and flowers work in teas	digestive decongestant antimicrobial analgesic anti-inflammatory nervine tonic anti-fungal great for gingivitis and tooth ache relieves topical swelling and irritation helps with menstrual cramps helps to relieve cough and cold
HIBISCUS - specifically hibiscus subdariffa	well-drained soil prefers acidic soil full sun is ideal: if there is shade growth will be stunted apply fertilizer at least once a year be careful with the amount of phosophorous as too much will kill it no pruning needed	can use fresh or dried great in teas powder can also make tea add to salads flowers, leaves, and seeds are all edible	hair growth skin and complexion supports kidney function supports reproductive system supports liver health supports heart function maintains healthy cholesterol levels balances pitta and kapha, can aggravate vata if used in excess

These are only a small handful, but hopefully enough to get you started or perhaps learn something new! :)