Growing Medicinal Herbs Page 2

More Medicinal Herbs...

Chickweed Stelleria media

Annual spreading ground cover. Direct seed in rich soil in early spring or late summer. Spreading ground cover, flowering no higher than 1 foot. Harvest fresh for a wholesome, succulent and tasty salad green. Used daily, the herb will assist in weight reduction programs. Dried, it makes a worthwhile addition to any healing salve.

Dandelion Taraxacum offinalis

Herbaceous perennial. Native to and distributed throughout all temperate zones. Sow seed in flats in the spring,and transplant to rows in the garden. Space plants 1 foot apart, and keep well watered. Dandelion is a gentle liver tonic and diuretic.

Echinacea Angustifolia Echinacea angustifolia

Herbaceous perennial. Sow seed outdoors in very early spring or fall. Prefers full sun, with well drained, limey soil and regular watering. Beloved medicinal that is used for its immune enhancing properties. Do not over-water during growth cycle (roots can rot). This threatened species is being over-harvested in the wild.

Elecampane Inula helenium

Herbaceous perennial. Sow seed in greenhouse in early spring or sow directly in garden in mid-spring. Light-dependent germinator. Grows in full sun or partial shade. It grows well in moist, shady positions, in ordinary garden soil, though it flourishes best in a good, loamy soil, the ground being damp, but fairly well-drained. Cough and lung remedy, bitter and antiseptic. Elecampane has a strong activity against bronchial infection, pneumonia and debilitating, chronic cough.

Evening Primrose Oenethera biennis

Self-seeding biennial. Scatter seed on surface of disturbed soil in fall or early spring, or start on surface of flat and transplant. Seed requires exposure to light in order to germinate. Drought tolerant. Some women report alleviation of PMS by eating the plant and the seeds. The flowers especially make a tasty addition to salads.

Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium

Herbacious perennial, native to temperate zones of the world. Self-seeding and vigorous. Prefers full sun or partial shade. Fresh leaves are tonic to prevent migraines. Planting may be done in autumn, but the best time is about the end of April. Any ordinary good soil is suitable, but better results are obtained when well-drained, and of a stiff, loamy character, enriched with good manure.

Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis

Woody perennial. Seed is easy to germinate. Prefers full sun. This mildly anti-viral and expectorant herb makes an excellent tea to treat the common cold. May be propagated by seeds, sown in early spring, or by dividing the plants in spring and autumn, or by cuttings, made in spring and planted in a shady spot. Plants raised from seeds or cuttings, should, when large enough, be planted out about 1 foot apart each way, and kept watered till established. The plants require cutting in, occasionally, but do not need much further attention.

Lavender Lavandula angustifolia

Woody perennial. Sow in flats and keep in partial shade, or sow dry seed in the fall or early spring in outdoor nursery beds. Transplant to pots or out to the garden after the slow-growing seedlings produce 4 or 5 leaves. Lavender prefers a moderate supply of nutrients, lime and a well-drained soil. Drought tolerant. Established plants make nice borders and hedges.

Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis

Herbaceous perennial, self seeding. Sow seed outdoors in Fall or very early Spring. Prefers full sun to partial shade.Thrives in normal garden soil and minimal water. Established plants can easily be divided and replanted. Plant 1.5 feet apart. Favorite tea herb for its aromatic & sedative uses. Mildly anti-viral.

Lobelia Lobelia inflata

Annual. Press tiny seed into surface of flat and water lightly. Water or mist, light dependent germinator. Prefers full sun to partial shade and lots of water. Useful anti-spasmotic & expectorant when combined with more soothing herbs. Use caution; one of its common names is puke weed.

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