Growing Medicinal Herbs Page 4

More Medicinal Herbs...

Skullcap Scutellaria baicalensis

This is a very striking bedding plant, bearing beautiful flowers. There is on-going demand for the root, which attains harvestable size after only 2 years. Sow seed in early spring. Germinates in about 24 days. Prefers well-drained soil in the full sun. Cold hardy. Space plants 12 inches apart. Grows to around 12 inches tall. Established plants get wider and bushier.

Sheep Sorrel Rumex acetosella

Perennial grassland herb with rust colored flowers. Easy to cultivate and vigorous. Sow seeds in Spring. Prefers full sun and good garden soil. This is the species called for in the formula "Essiac".

St John's Wort Hypericum perforatum

Perennial. Light-dependent germinator in Spring Transplant out in summer. Use very sandy soil mix Prefers full sun. Drought tolerant. Good choice for borders and banks. Traditionally used for very mild depression and helps restore damaged nerve tissue.

Valerian Valeriana officinalis

Herbaceous perennial, creeping and self-seeding. Sow lightly on surface and keep moist; light dependent germination. Prefers full sun to part shade and lots of moisture. Harvest dormant root after 2nd year for its strong sedative action.

Vervain Verbena hastata

Herbaceous perennial. Seed requires cold conditioning before it will sprout. Sow in very early spring, or refrigerate in moist medium for 2 weeks before planting in the greenhouse. Bitter remedy for indigestion, colds and fevers.

Vitex (Chaste Tree) Vitex agnus-castus

Perennial, deciduous shrub to small tree. Sow in pots for first year and transplant outdoors. Prefers full sun, and dry soil. The leaves and flowers exude exotic aromas. Seeds are used to regulate hormones and support breast health.

Wild Yam Dioscorea villosa

Perennial. Sow the seeds in the Fall, midwinter or early Spring, directly in prepared woodland beds or in the greenhouse. If started in the greenhouse, grow out for a year (keep moist/shaded) in gallon pots before transplanting to the garden or naturalizing in the forest. Likes good, humus soil and partial sun. It is an antispasmodic helping to smooth muscles, which includes the gastro-intestinal tract and uterus.

Wood Betony Stachys officianalis

Herbaceous perennial, very easy to start from seed. Takes 2 years to flower, but well worth the wait. This moisture loving plant prefers part sun or shade and normal garden soil. Has beautiful red/purple flowering spikes that attract bees. Tea is made from dried leaf and is useful for headaches and mild nervine.

Yarrow Achillea millefolium

Perennial. Sow seeds directly in early Spring. Grows vigorously in any kind of soil and requires little water. Prefers full sun. Yarrow flowers are famous for their antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

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