Get Planting
Recent studies have shown that gardening is good for us. It reduces stress, anger, fatigue, depression and anxiety and increases life satisfaction, wellbeing and cognitive function and gives us a sense of community. A daily dose of nature can have a positive impact on diabetes, obesity, circulatory and heart disease and longevity. A recent study is even putting a new hypothesis forward, that our soil could contribute to the diversity of our Microbiome and the health of our gut.
Absinthe (Artemisia absinthium): this is probably my favorite herb to have. We have always grown it and the bitter taste is part of my chilhood. It is a beautiful herb to look at with stunning silvery leaves. Traditionally used as a bitter digestive and for food poisoning, it was also used to get rid of worms and parasites.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): it was brought to the UK during the Roman invasion. At the time, they used it to improve memory and lift their spirits. If you crush the leaf in your hand, you get that wonderful citrusy smell, that never fails to make me happy and feel calm. Wonderful as an infusion or add a few fresh leaves in salads.
Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora): a beautiful herb with stunning leaves. It grows very well in the UK. Traditionally used as a tea to relax the body and calm the mind, to get a good night sleep. In Summer you can also put a few leaves in your dirnking water, lemonade... it tastes wonderful.
Here is a list of herbs and their traditional usage, that you could grow in your garden/pots: o
Sage (Salvia officinalis): its name comes from the latin salvere, to heal and it is usually the first herb I plant. Traditionally it is used as a digestive, improving fat asborption, but also as a throat gargle. Women sometimes drink a sage infusion to reduce night sweats during menopause.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): traditionally used as a digestive, stimulating appetite, digestion and absorption (especially fats). You can drink the infusion in the morning for its mild stimulating effect. The plant like a sunny spot and a well drained soil.
Thyme (Thymus officinalis): traditionally used to support lungs and some say that a thyme infusion can help relieving a cough! Like rosemary, it needs a sunny spot and well drained soil.
There is so much more herbs that you can plant for your own use, like all the culinary herbs (parsely, coriander, basil, tarragon, cervil...). Traditionally they all have been used to help with digestion to some degrees.
