The Herb Garden as a Pharmacy

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Misty L. Trepke

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Herb Garden as a Pharmacy

by Sylvia Ehrhardt

 

http://www.digfidylmagazine.com/96/78-96/sylvia.cfm

 

There's an extra bonus available for the gardener who grows herbs. In

addition to their essential use in cooking, some of them have

medicinal value. Being easy to grow, herbs can provide low-cost

remedies for illnesses.

 

Primitive peoples and ancient civilizations possessed an extensive

herbal lore that evolved over centuries of pragmatic testing.

Although hardly " scientific " by today's standards, the research was,

to a great extent, completely valid, based as it was on trial,

response and observation.

 

Many of those herbal cures were forgotten and lost as medical science

developed more potent and reliable medicines; however, modern science

is taking a second look at herbal remedies.

 

Laurence Cherry, writing in American Health, reports, " A quarter of

all drugs in our country already come directly from plant sources

(example: digitalis, the heart stimulant, comes from foxglove leaves)

the search for new herbal cures has intensified. Today the world's

jungles, forests and rugged hinterlands are where the pharmacological

action is. "

 

My search for healing plants took place much closer to home - just

outside the back door in my herb garden. Herbs are easy to grow in

most climates, even indoors, but gardeners should be cautioned that

not all herbs are safe to eat. I choose those that were the safest

and easiest herbs to grow in the garden. It was interesting to me to

find that some herbs are particularly augie useful against colds and

digestive problems or have been known to strengthen the whole immune

system. Here are a few herbs that I found useful and that you might

want to grow.

 

Aloe vera. As one of the herbs being rediscovered, aloe is included

as an ingredient in a wide range of lotions and cosmetics. Scientists

have found that the gel from the leaves have the ability to cleanse,

seal, and repair damaged skin. Aloe provides immediate and soothing

relief for minor burns and helps heal cuts. To apply, simply break

off a leaf and use the gel inside.

 

Caraway My mother always made caraway seed soup whenever anyone in

the family had an upset stomach. It tastes so good I have it even

when well.

It's also excellent to help soothe an infant when it has colic.

 

Cayenne Pepper While black pepper is an irritant, cayenne is not and

has important healing qualities. It is believed to build the blood,

aid in respiratory problems and stimulate the heart. Cayenne is a

good general tonic for the body and contains Vitamins C, A, and E.

 

Chamomile This herb, with its apple-like aroma, soothes and relaxes.

Its sedative quality makes it an appropriate nightcap. It also can

help relieve indigestion and heartburn. Chamomile has long been used

by mothers as a tea to calm cranky babies.

 

Echinacea This purple coneflower is appreciated for its ornamental

value, but it is the roots that herbalists have valued for years. It

acts as a natural antibiotic enhancing the body's immune system to

fight off colds, flu, and sore throats.

 

Fennel Chewing the fennel seeds is said to dull the appetite, thereby

helping to control weight. In olden times, fennel was saved for

fasting days to relieve hunger pains.

 

Garlic The virtues of the " stinking rose " have been celebrated

throughout the ages. It was provided to the Egyptian slaves who

labored to build the pyramids and was rationed to Roman legions.

Recently, Chinese researchers have hypothesized that garlic may

prevent stomach cancer by inhibiting the growth of bacteria that

convert nitrates into cancer-causing nitrosamines.

 

Garlic contains a substance called allicin, a powerful antibiotic and

natural antiseptic. In England during World War I, raw garlic juice

was diluted with water and applied with sphagnum moss to wounds and

infections. Today medical researchers, mostly in Germany, have found

that garlic helps protect against cardiovascular disease by lowering

blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.

 

Some other qualities and uses ascribed to garlic are:

 

As a remedy for colds, coughs and sore throats.

To deter scurvy.

As a natural insect repellent.

Ginger This well known spice has medicinal value. It helps remove

excess water from the body, making it a popular herb with weight

watchers. It also helps reduce gas in the stomach, bowels and

intestines.

 

Horseradish The white, fleshy taproot of this herb can help simulate

secretions in the nose and bronchial tubes. Nibbling on this root may

relieve congestion and chronic sinus symptoms.

 

Marjoram This great-tasting herb can be made into a tea to alleviate

indigestion and headaches.

 

Mint Fragrant and prolific, mint serves multiple purposes. I use a

cup of peppermint tea to ease an upset stomach and nausea, or to help

aid digestion. It is said that peppermint leaves repel rodents when

the leaves are spread in storage bins or storage areas. Spearmint

leaves, which are milder than peppermint, make a soothing tea that

can help you unwind at the end of a long day.

 

Parsley Parsley serves to stimulate appetite and aid digestion. It

also is great for relieving stomach discomfort. A little known secret

is that parsley, when chewed raw, eliminates bad breath.

 

Pennyroyal When rubbed on the skin pennyroyal is a good repellent for

insects and mosquitoes.

 

Rosemary This fragrant herb is not only a wonderful spice, but can be

used as a mouthwash as well. Interestingly, rosemary contains

antioxidants and compounds reported to prevent the breakdown of

acetylcholine in the brain.

It is said that one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease has been the

deficiency of acetylcholine.

 

Sage Sage, when boiled in water, is effective as a dandruff-removing

hair rinse.

 

St. John's-Wort This herb has been used traditionally as an

antidepressant and, in very small quantities, seems to have a tonic

or tranquilizing action in humans.

 

Sweet basil Basil, as a tea, is useful in controlling vomiting. It

also can be applied to insect bites to relieve discomfort.

 

Thyme This herb is an excellent salt replacement for those on a

salt-free diet. As a tea it also relieves indigestion, cramps, and

calms an upset stomach.

 

Valerian This herb is useful for calming the nerves and promoting

sleep.

 

To me it is nice to think that as I add herbs to my food to enhance

the flavor, I am also promoting my health.

 

This informational has been gathered and summarized from a variety of

sources believed to be reliable. If you wish to pursue the subject

further, consult any good herb book for specific uses and recommended

dosages of each herb.

 

 

Sylvia Ehrhardt conducts training programs at the Ehrhardt Organic

Farm for students interested in organic agriculture. (301) 834-7520.

 

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