Herbs not only add magic to many of your dishes, they also play a key role in maintaining good health. Most herbs are antioxidant powerhouses with strong anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
And best of all, these healing herbs are easy to grow, even if you don’t have a garden. They’ll do just fine on your window sill or balcony.
1. Basil
Fragrant annual herb that has put its stamp on the Italian kitchen. Basil happily grows in pots, just make sure to water it often and give it a warm sunny spot. Basil can be used to treat many digestive issues such as flatulence, gas, nausea or lack of appetite. It has strong cleansing properties and can be used to treat kidney stones. Or rub crushed leaves on your temples to relieve headaches.
2. Sage
Sage loves a sunny spot and grows best in a fertile, well-drained soil. It is a natural stimulant, antibiotic, and astringent. It has strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It can be used to treat stomach pain, heartburn, depression, sore throat, cold sores, gum diseases, sweating, and asthma.
3. Rosemary
Another sun-loving herb that’s super easy to grow. It doesn’t mind growing in poor, dry soil. Rosemary is high in free radical-fighting antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. It has been used for ages to lift spirits, and it improves memory and concentration. It can also be used to reduce a bad breath or to cure a hangover.
4. Thyme
Thyme grows best in a dry, light soil with a fairly amount of sun. Thyme is your go-to herb when having the flu or a cold. It works great to treat coughs, congestion, indigestion, or gas. However do not use thyme when pregnant.
5. Mint
If you don’t want mint to take over your whole garden, make sure to plant it in (sunken) pots and don’t plant other herbs in the same pot. Drink mint tea after dinner to improve digestion. It helps with stomach cramps, nausea, and flatulence. It has a calming effect and can be helpful to soothe headaches as well.
6. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a close relative to mint. It will also colonize your garden if you don’t keep it in pots. Lemon balm is known for its calming effect. It can help relieve anxiety or treat insomnia. Apart from that, it can also be used to treat wounds, cold sores, digestive issues, and insect bites.
7. Parsley
Parsley is loaded with many health promoting nutrients. It can easily be grown in pots on a sunny spot. Makes sure to keep it moist. Parsley has cleansing properties, boost the immune system, and can help with flatulence and bad breath. Also read my previous article: 12 Surprising Health Benefits Of Parsley
8. Lavender
Lavender is easy to grow and gives your garden a wonderful, calming, and relaxing fragrance. It can be kept in pots, just make sure it gets enough sun, and protect it from strong winds. Lavender can help to ease pain, lift the spirit, and when applied to cuts or bruises it will function as a natural antiseptic.
9. Oregano
Another great herb with a wonderful flavor. It can be added to many of our dishes. It does well in pots, but hates humidity or overwatering. It is rich in many essential vitamins and nutrients, and has strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties. It can be used to treat common cold, sore throat, headaches, fever, nausea, digestive issues, fatigue, and menstrual cramps.
10. Dill
Dill does well in the ground or large pots. It needs a well-drained soil and grows best in direct sunlight. Dill is known for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, and calming sedative properties. Great herb to treat many digestive complaints, colds, coughs, fever, insomnia, and urinary tract infections.
And what’s more, gardening in general is good for your physical and mental wellbeing. It increases brain activity, lowers blood pressure, and boosts general mood. It has shown some great results in managing stress, depression, and anxiety issues.
And if you are growing more than you can eat, share it with family, friends or neighbors, or check out this post: How To Freeze And Preserve Fresh Herbs For Later Use
What are your favorite healing herbs and what do you use them for?
Don’t forget to download my FREE recipe book, Amy’s Home Kitchen” to sneak more healing herbs into your diet. Or connect with me on Facebook or Google+ for more healthy tips, tricks, and recipes
Sources: National Library of Medicine, GreenMedInfo, and Journal of Healthy Psychology
