Best Herbs to Grow for Healing?

[psychgirl]

I'm looking for some of the best, easiest, and useful herbs to grow this summer. I'll have to use BIG pots since the deer/squirrels/coons/etc always eat everything unless I watch it like a hawk. And I don't have a lot of money to waste, which is why I only want a few I can count on to grow well here in Indiana. I always grow the usual basil, parsley, thyme, chives, etc but would really love to branch out and become more accomplished with other ones. I especially would like some ideas for the basics as far as medicinal herbs go. Which ones would you all suggest?

Last year I planted nothing for a variety of reasons, none of them happy ones, so this year I'm very excited to get ahead of the game and start growing!

 

[kyrsyan]

Thyme, oregano, rosemary, and lavender all have medical uses. Don't get wrapped up in the attitude that it has to be foreign and difficult to grow/get to be good for you. A lot of the basic herbs that people use on a regular basis have medicinal uses.

 

[summerthyme]

Peppermint, lemon balm, chamomile and skullcap would be four I'd grow no matter what. A combination tincture of lemon balm and peppermint is a really effective muscle relaxant. All of the first three are tasty beverage teas, and peppermint and chamomile are both stomach soothers. Skullcap is THE best "nervine" herb out there. (and it works on animals, as well- very effective for storm phobias, or car riding stress)

Summerthyme

 

[psychgirl]

Thank you! I forgot about skullcap and even have some in our supplement hoard at his very moment!

 

[nomifyle]

Goldenseal.

Judy

 

[summerthyme]

The problem with goldenseal is that you need deep woods to grow it. It requires very specific soil types, and VERY shady areas. It's a bugger to grow, even with those requirements met.

I'd plant barberry if I wanted the benefits of goldenseal. They both contain berberine, but barberry is a much more robust (although not precisely "decorative"- maybe not something you want in a suburban backyard!) plant.

Summerthyme

 

[Night Owl]

Goldenseal grows wild in open fields, harvest in August, why not start looking and learning wild herbs so you can harvest wild herbs and grow different ones. Peppermint also grows wild along streams, harvest anytime in summer PS: deer don't eat goldenrod flowers.
I would grow echinacea(you can use all parts, roots are best for tenture) rosemary, makes a beautiful bush (I use for teas, breads, cooking meats, medicinal also).........both hardy & can live thru the winter in the home. hmmm I think the rest is up to your needs and tastes. Night Owl

Goldenseal.

Judy

 

[kyrsyan]

Echinacea and skullcap were two I hadn't thought of and I could grow relatively easily.

Careful on the use of skullcap. I used a friends premade mix once except I steep tea for a lot longer than most folks. I was down in out after drinking less than half the tea and spent the next day feeling drugged. It is good to use just test it careful for your body and steeping habits before making a large amount of any mix.

I've had no luck at all with goldenseal, stevia and white sage.

 

[psychgirl]

Thanks for all of the great hints!

 

[psychgirl]

I'm getting excited doing some reading a:t http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-aloe-vera.html !!

My ideas are (among the many) to learn making tinctures of course, balms, and syrups and teas. But I also have been reading more about the disinfectant properties of our most common herbs and would like to steep some of them, then dilute with water (?) to make sprays for the house. Should I use distilled water, tap water, or something else entirely?

Whether I actually get to all of these is another matter, lol, but I'm on a mission, now.

 

[IRoberge]

The problem with goldenseal is that you need deep woods to grow it. It requires very specific soil types, and VERY shady areas. It's a bugger to grow, even with those requirements met.

I'd plant barberry if I wanted the benefits of goldenseal. They both contain berberine, but barberry is a much more robust (although not precisely "decorative"- maybe not something you want in a suburban backyard!) plant. Summerthyme

Thanks ST. I didn't know about barberry. It is so prolific in this area that folks are trying to reign it in! How and why do you use barberry?

 

[summerthyme]

Nightowl- Goldenseal and GoldenROD are *totally different* plants!!!

I have a carefully nurtured patch of goldenseal in my woods- a dear internet friend in Texas dug about a hundred plants from his ranch and sent them to me. We planted them in a good spot, but then we had our woods selectively cut for lumber, and the huge cherry tree that was "guarding" the patch was cut. I hated to cut that tree, but you're talking veneer cherry log, with no branches for 40'. We couldn't afford to leave it for "shade"- and it was in it's prime and would start deteriorating.

Anyway, we ended up installing shade cloth over the patch, and it is thriving.

Barberry:

What is Barberry?

Also known as: Berberis vulgaris, mountain grape, pepperidge, berberry, common grape

Barberry has a long history of use as a folk remedy for digestive disorders, infection, indigestion, gallbladder disease and heartburn.

The active ingredients in barberry are thought to be the isoquinolone alkaloids, particularly berberine. These alkaloids are found in the root, rhizome and stem bark of the barberry plant. Other herbs that contain berberine are goldenseal (which has a higher concentration of berberine than barberry), the Chinese herb coptis and oregon grape.

Barberry is available in tea, tincture, capsule, dried herb, and tablet forms.

Why Do People Use Barberry?

Diarrhea
Research studies indicate that the alkaloid berberine may fight bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections.

Another alkaloid in barberry, called berberamine, is believed to help fight infections by stimulating white blood cells called macrophages.

In alternative medicine, barberry is used mainly for bacterial diarrhea, traveler's diarrhea, intestinal parasitic infections and chronic candidiasis.

Barberry capsules are usually recommended, especially those standardized to contain 5 to 12% isoquinolone alkaloids.

Indigestion
When using barberry for indigestion, alternative practitioner recommend a liquid form, such as a liquid extract or tea, because the bitter taste is thought to help it's medicinal action. It's usually taken 15 to 20 minutes before a meal.

Liver and Gallbladder Conditions
Barberry is thought to promote the secretion and flow of bile and be a milkd laxative. Although it's sometimes promoted as a herbal remedy for gallstones, it shouldn't be used for this condition unless under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

Urinary Tract Infections
One study suggested that berberine may be active against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some sources say that the berry portion of barberry is more effective at combatting urinary tract infections than the root.

Side Effects and Safety Concerns

Barberry may cause diarrhea, especially in larger amounts.

Barberry may lower blood pressure.

Overdose of barberry can result in nosebleeds, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion and kidney irritation. Symptoms of kidney problems are bloody urine, pain when urinating, low back or stomach pain, and fever. Seek medical attention immediately.

Barberry should not be used to replace conventional treatment. In particular, it shouldn't be used as a home remedy for urinary tract infections. If the bacteria aren't fully eradicated, the infection may spread to the kidneys, even though symptoms such as difficult or painful urination may disappear.

Pregnant women should not use barberry, because it may stimulate uterine contractions and cause miscarriage. The safety of barberry in nursing women (and the infant) is unknown so it should be avoided.

Although barberry is sometimes used for diarrhea in children, it should only be used under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner.

Possible Interactions

Berberine may alter the way prescription drugs are metabolised in the body, although there's limited information about specific interactions. For example, one study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology found that berberine elevated the amount of the drug cyclosporin A in kidney transplant patients.

We generally make a tea (it's BITTER!) and use it as a gargle for nasty sore throats, and it does seem to work on urinary tract infections. I find their "warning" to not use it for that to be silly... I've seen antibiotics ALSO not always "eliminate all the bacteria"- no matter how you treat the infection, you always need to be aware that it's POSSIBLE to not completely eradicate it, and to watch for signs of kidney problems. Silly humans!

Summerthyme

 

[summerthyme]

Just read your questions..

For "disinfectant" sprays, I'd probably use either vinegar or dilute alcohol (dilute 40% vodka down to 10-20%), rather than water. The essential oils in many herbs don't dissolve well in water, plus there are no preservatives in water, so you'd have to make them up fresh each time and use them immediately- leaving it sit for long at room temp would mean tons of mold growth.

I use essential oils for that purpose, rather than whole herbs, although they certainly could be used.

And I agree completely on the "test your herbs/dosages carefully before going whole hog". Skullcap IS a strongly sedative herb.. I can't imagine drinking a whole cup of tea! We take 1/4-1/2 tsp tincture or 1-2 capsules... about the equivalent of a teaspoon of herb. If you make tea with the usual "tea ball full", you're going to be VERY relaxed- and yes, you may well feel "drugged"! Whenever I sell a bottle of skullcap tincture, I always warn people to NOT drive or use machinery, etc until they know very well how it affects THEM. Small doses are fine... hubby used to take a capsule or two at work to keep from killing the boss-from-hell, and he was driving heavy trucks, etc. He's always very spooky about being "impaired" at all, so if there was ANY problem with it, he'd never have taken it at work. But dosage IS important.

Also, this is Virginia skullcap we're talking about (Scutellaria lateriflora) NOT "Chinese skullcap" (Scutellaria baikalensis). The latter is very useful for flu, viruses, etc but is not a nervine or sedative.

Summerthyme

 

[psychgirl]

Just read your questions..

For "disinfectant" sprays, I'd probably use either vinegar or dilute alcohol (dilute 40% vodka down to 10-20%), rather than water. The essential oils in many herbs don't dissolve well in water, plus there are no preservatives in water, so you'd have to make them up fresh each time and use them immediately- leaving it sit for long at room temp would mean tons of mold growth.

I use essential oils for that purpose, rather than whole herbs, although they certainly could be used.

And I agree completely on the "test your herbs/dosages carefully before going whole hog". Skullcap IS a strongly sedative herb.. I can't imagine drinking a whole cup of tea! We take 1/4-1/2 tsp tincture or 1-2 capsules... about the equivalent of a teaspoon of herb. If you make tea with the usual "tea ball full", you're going to be VERY relaxed- and yes, you may well feel "drugged"! Whenever I sell a bottle of skullcap tincture, I always warn people to NOT drive or use machinery, etc until they know very well how it affects THEM. Small doses are fine... hubby used to take a capsule or two at work to keep from killing the boss-from-hell, and he was driving heavy trucks, etc. He's always very spooky about being "impaired" at all, so if there was ANY problem with it, he'd never have taken it at work. But dosage IS important.

Also, this is Virginia skullcap we're talking about (Scutellaria lateriflora) NOT "Chinese skullcap" (Scutellaria baikalensis). The latter is very useful for flu, viruses, etc but is not a nervine or sedative.

Summerthyme

You know what? I left fr my break this afternoon and as son as I did I realized that I typed water...lol! I meant to say "alcohol". I appreciate all of the input and plan on starting my goodies this weekend I'm feeling better and more like my old self, so hoping to have the energy after working this week. I HOPE you're stomach cootie is gone and you feel better too!

 

[summerthyme]

So glad you're feeling better! You are taking probiotics, right? Basic rule of thumb- eat yogurt or take probiotics for the same length of time you had to take ABX. We take them WHILE we are taking the antibiotic, and then for however much longer the ABX course had been. (meaning for a 10 day course of something, we'd take probiotics or yogurt for three weeks total)

No idea if it works beyond the typical settling of a queasy stomach due to the drugs, but I've read some real horror stories about how ABX "destroy" the good gut bacteria, and (apparently- I'm a bit skeptical, but some of these reports seemed to have some decent studies behind them) the changes can be long term, or even permanent. We've never had any problems (and have taken more ABX than I'm comfortable remembering, thanks to the bone infection, etc) and I suspect the probiotics DO make a very big difference.

Summerthyme

 

[bartp40]

There is a 1.99 phone app called selfhelp51. The information is priceless.Check out YogiCameron on you tube regardind herbs. Really good information.

 

[psychgirl]

I went to Meijer yesterday for some things. looked at their herbs, then realized that buying herbs for medicinal use requires them to be organic. I'm not sure if buying herbs at the big stores would be ok; I don't have the patience for seeds right now so I'm looking around for organic growers in my area. I have a feeling some of the ones I'm looking for will be hard to find, so might have to start some by seed anyway. Whole foods is selling a few, but they're expensive!

 

[summerthyme]

You know, I simply wouldn't worry about "organic" for perennial herbs. Anything that may have been used on them won't stick around long.. if you're really concerned, once they're established, cut them back to 1/3 their total size, and toss the "harvest", then use fresh regrowth for your own use.

I do agree that you don't want to spray your herbs- whether culinary or medicinal. But then, you shouldn't have to- most of them are highly resistant to most pests.

Summerthyme

 

[psychgirl]

Thank you Summer!! You make me feel so much better! I did go look around this morning at a wonderful nursery around the corner from me....huge! and beautiful plants (sighing longingly at them all....so expensive!) She had many of the things I want, but has sold out of lemon balm already-can you believe that?! Dang! And she doesn't carry chamomile, skullcap, or any of the other ones I want except for the basics. I'll just keep looking and NOT worry about them being organic now which SHOULD take some of the legwork down a notch or two

Idid splurge and pick up some other flowers from her though...I also found two large, lavender plants, at Kroger no less, for only 7.99 a piece. I'm gonna have to be reallll careful with how much $ I spend! I was SO depressed last summer I just didn't care about much, so this year is going to be different (I hope!) Thank you, Lord for helping me through the rough spots....still "a work in progress" but my re-newed, lifelong, interest and zeal for plants is a very good sign

 

[summerthyme]

PM me with your address and I'll send you some lemon balm... it self seeds everywhere around here. Unfortunately, my skullcap patch winterkilled , so I'm having to either start more from seeds or else I'll steal a couple plants from an Amish neighbor who I gave a bunch to a couple years ago.

I thought not worrying about "organic" would help... and truthfully, most herbs don't get sprayed at all, simply because they don't need it. If you see rosemary, it's another one which can be used medicinally (rosemary essential oil is great on bruises and for sprains and strains... I add it to my epsom salts soak blend)

And by all means, do NOT pay for "huge"... buy small, healthy plants and grow them into "huge and beautiful" yourself! It's really not difficult...

Summerthyme

 

[psychgirl]

I found lemon balm!!-yay!! I bought some this morning, along with peppermint! but, "if" you do get ahold of some skullcap, well, that is nowhere to be found as far as I can tell. At least not in my area. Summerthyme, do you think your Amish friends would give you some??

 

[summerthyme]

If theirs survived, they will. But I do have seeds, and I think I'll just start some right away. Not sure why it winterkilled... it's usually very hardy. <shrug>

If I get some established, I'll happily send you some. I think you can get seeds at Johnny's (or Horizon Herbs)... and it's not a difficult herb to start from seed.

Summerthyme

 

[psychgirl]

Is it ok to use my crockpot, set on high, to make oil infusions? I'm reading that rigging up a double boiler is what you're supposed to do but I was thinking my old crockpot would be a good way to regulate the heat. I have a brand new one but it's probably too big to use for the amount I'll be trying. My first project is making Calendula oil, (I "think") for bites, stings, etc. I really want to make a cream too so have to look around for the beeswax. Is there another ingredient I could substitute for the wax?

Also, could I melt down coconut oil to make small infusions or salve?..... seems like it would make for a very potent healing salve since coconut oil has so many benefits on it's own.

"SO many ideas and herbs, So little time", lol!

 

[summerthyme]

Sure, a crockpot would work great for infused oils. I've also made them in my oven, in a big graniteware roasting pan, set at 200°.

You can make a cream without beeswax, although it won't have the shelf life as it would with the wax. (it will tend to separate). Creams should be made in very small quantities, and *always* should have some anti-bacterial and anti-fungal essential oils added. I also suggest keeping them in the refrigerator for storing longer than a few days- the amount of air and water in the creams makes them very prone to molding or spoiling. But you basically make them like you would mayonnaise, and they really are great.

And yes, coconut oil makes a great base.... I use it especially when I need antiinflammatory properties.

You can use plain paraffin wax- I do all the time when I'm making salves for the cows (I'm not using my precious beeswax in those amounts! LOL!). Beeswax has healing properties of it's own, so I always use it when making salves or creams for human use. But I've used "candle sand" wax many times over the years and it worked fine.

Summerthyme

 

[psychgirl]

You're awsome! I think you've been reading my mind, or at the very least, on the same wavelength as me about making these! I looked at the wax in the canning section of the grocery yesterday morning, saw how much cheaper it is for the amount you get, and DID wonder if that kind of wax could be used, lol! I would think just a little of it added to the coconut oil would firm the salve up a bit (?). Coconut oil is pretty expensive (for my budget), as is beeswax, so I figure using at least ONE of those in the salve assures me of a good product. I'm looking at using a few drops of tea tree oil as the anti-bacterial agent. Gotta get some of that too!

Here's my thoughts of a first skin salve recipe: Calendula, lavender, and maybe a little thyme or lemon balm? I'm wanting a salve for bites, rashes, inflammation, pain, and itching (if possible).

Oh! I might use grapeseed oil for some things. That's good for the skin too.

 

[psychgirl]

Well, I did find out that regular, everyday Marigolds are NOT the Calendula used for creams and salves, etc....it HAS to be Calendula Officinalis, the one that looks like a small daisy, almost, and is only available (apparently) in early spring if you;re gonna buy the plant! I've looked at three different private nurseries, and not only can't I find any, half of them act like they don't know what I'm talking about! The same for Virginia Skullcap! ....the two herbs or plants I really, really wanted the most! I guess I'll have to start a search for seeds or just keep looking unless Lowes or a Big-Box store has some, somewhere.

I went ahead and started a tincure last night: I chopped Lemon Balm, Peppermint, and added a capsule of Valerian (since no Skullcap) in a small mason jar of vodka. This is a trial run since I'm a beginner , so only made a very small batch.

The other one I started is a skin remedy I concocted after doing some reading. I used witch hazel as the medium (I use that on my face every day and really like it, have it around all of the time); the herbs are Thyme, Lavender, Plantain (mostly that one in the mix since no Calendula), and Speedwell. I found out about the amazing properties of Plantaiin while doing a ton of reading about the Calendula, found it all over my backyard, and am drying a basket of it right now! Yay! there are two types; the large-leaf Common Plantain and narrow leaf English Plantain. Both are everywhere and have a ton of uses! Speedwell is beautiful as a flowering garden plant and is good for skin issues like eczema and wounds.....my boss has some dermatitis spots that really make him self-conscious, so when this one is done I'm going to give him a little to use, telling him to dip a cotton ball, soak, then use twice a day for inflammation and the itching. My next step is to master a balm or salve if I EVER get my hands on the right Calendula plants /seeds. I don't like Marigolds too much, so I guess I'll just deal with the regular ones I bought and planted last week.

Wish me luck! I'm SO excited!

 

[summerthyme]

Oh, just buy a packet of Calendula seeds and plant them!! NO reason to buy transplants... they are an annual which will bloom through the first frosts, and they grow VERY easily from seeds. And no, they aren't related to the common "marigold" at all...

You should be able to find common Calendula seeds at any place that sells flower/vegetable seeds now. ANY of the common varieties sold work just fine medicinally, BTW.

My basic skin cream or salve is chamomile, plantain, chickweed and calendula... I'll add comfrey if I want it for actual wounds or cell regeneration. I put the plant material in a large graniteware roaster, cover it all with oil and then bake it at 250° for an hour or so. This gives you an infused oil with all the "good stuff" in it... however, it needs to be refrigerated if you aren't going to use it right away. Once I make it into a cream or salve it keeps fine because of the essential oils I add.

Horizon herbs has pretty much any herb seeds (and some plants) you can imagine. Here is the skullcap:https://www.horizonherbs.com/product.asp?specific=725

Summerthyme

 

[psychgirl]

Hmmm...are you sure any old Marigold will work medicinally? What I read (from one of the many places I have been studying, can't remember which one), is that the Calendula has to be the variety thats called Calendula Officinalis...the one that looks like a dark yellow, daisy, grows taller than the regular, common Marigold that's sold all over the place all summer long(I bought those already and planted them with my herbs). When I called one of the nurseries here, she told me the Calendula I'm looking for only sells in the early spring then it's gone.



I don't doubt you of all people, at all, I just want to make sure I'm understanding before I make something and its not right. If the Marigolds I have, and can buy anywhere, are ok, then I'll add them to the mixture after I dry the flower tops. Oh, also, the pictures shown for the Calendula used, the flower petals looked long and thin, almost spiky, not the fat round Marigold flowers we all see.

 

[LC]

She means any old Calendula, not just any old marigold. There are a number of varieties of calendula just like there are many varieties of marigold.

LC

ETA: calendula is sometimes called pot marigold hence the confusion

 

[summerthyme]

She means any old Calendula, not just any old marigold. There are a number of varieties of calendula just like there are many varieties of marigold.

LC

ETA: calendula is sometimes called pot marigold hence the confusion

THIS! Calendula is NOT the "tagetes" species (which are the common "Marigolds" everyone plants) However, ANY calendula variety (even some of the fancier colors) is medicinal... possibly the "fancy" types (Flashback, for example) aren't as high in resins as some of the plain dark orange types, but they DO work.

And yes, the common name for calendula is "pot marigold" (and THAT is the main reason I use Latin names when talking about herbs... way too much confusion otherwise)

Summerthyme

 

[psychgirl]

Well, THAT clears it all up for me, lol! I feel sufficiently silly now...**hides head under a desk**.....back to square one.

 

[summerthyme]

Nope... no reason to feel silly. The common names of plants and herbs can *really* get confusing. You aren't likely to find Calendula plants at local nurseries (they aren't THAT popular, and are so easy to start from seed- it's sort of like Zinnias... you will find some for sale at nurseries (as well as other REALLY strange stuff to transplant like beets, corn and beans... it makes me want to scream when I see people paying $2 for 6 bean plants! LOL!) but seeds are so easily obtainable, and SO easy to grow (and prefer being planted where they will grow) that it makes no sense.

You should be able to find Calendula seeds almost anywhere locally. I've seen them on seed racks at Tractor Supply as well as supermarkets, etc. I just planted a wide row of them in my garden... I just used up the last of my dried Calendula flowers and I need a bunch this year.

Summerthyme

 

[mourningdove]

Great thread!

 

[psychgirl]

Is this the Chickweed you all use? If so, I have it all over my backyard (I think )....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellaria_media


It sure does look familiar! I want to make sure before I pick it for use.

Thanks!

 

[summerthyme]

Yep, that's chickweed!! I love being able to harvest and use WEEDS... and that's surely what chickweed is in my garden!

Summerthyme

 

[psychgirl]

Yay!

And I FINALLY found Calendula seeds!! Hooray! I bought two packs and planted them this afternoon

 

[psychgirl]

Yep, that's chickweed!! I love being able to harvest and use WEEDS... and that's surely what chickweed is in my garden!

Summerthyme

Well, I "think" thats what I've been seeing in the back yard. I'll have to make double sure though. I've got a big pile of Plantain drying in the overn right now..

 

[psychgirl]

Well, I finished the Plantain/Chickweed salve! I used olive oil and beeswax after infusing the oil for about 3 hrs @ 170 degree oven, in crockery. It turned out a lovely pale green color but really has a weird smell (maybe I was getting over-exposed to the smell fooling around with the herbs so much?). Its not bad, I just don't like it very well.

Anyway, the batch I made is enough for three, pint Mason canning jars! I also have a Witch Hazel face wash brewing away....using Speedwell, Lavender, and a few others, as well as the Lemon Balm/Peppermint/Valerian tincture. They'll be ready in another week or so ...I have SO many ideas with what I have, and what is growing! Chamomile, Calendula seeds planted, etc...I have to be careful or I'm gonna be in trouble spending the grocery money, lol! I got a big new jar of Coconut oil, and some YLang-YLang oil, too. Those oils are heavenly but sooo expensive, so I only bought one, even though teatree, Frankincense, lavender and grapeseed oils were on my list.

The list keeps growing!!

Oh!! I found a huge Nettle patch in the far shade corner....they're about 2 ft tallr....I had no idea they were there until Hubby took me back there to point them out so I wouldn't sting myself..lol...he was only warning me but I was excited (he wasn't so sure WHY I was excited and kind of looked at me lie I'd lost my mind haha)...