Many people are starting to look in their own gardens for plants that have medicinal healing properties. People are becoming more aware that the synthetic drugs all come with side effects and maybe aren’t the healthiest medicinal aids. Sometimes the side effects are worse than the initial ailment. Going for a healing plant that has no additives but is in it’s natural form seems to be a healthy choice.
Unfortunately people are looking for the quick fix and convenience of just swallowing pills of all shapes and sizes, trying to cure what ails them. They end up getting more than they bargained for as quite often they end up dealing not only with the initial ailment but the side effects from the synthetic drugs they are taking.
In this how to e-book I will give you some examples of healing plants telling you what ailments each plant aids. Also I will give you some gardening tips as well as harvesting and processing the plant so you may make use of its particular healing properities. I hope these tips will be helpful to you in starting your own garden pharmacy.
Basil is a plant that is native to Africa, India, and Asia, but in the sixteenth century spice traders introduced it to Europe and its popularity soared; there are now more than 150 varieties around the world. Common names for it include: sweet basil, common basil, and St. Josephwort. It is mainly used as a culinary herb, but it also has healing uses. Basil is a mild sedative withantibacterial properties. It can be used to stimulate the immune system and the adrenal glands, relieves skin problems, aids in digestion and flatulence. For insect bites all you need to do is crush some leaves and rub on bites. This will help reduce the itching and swelling. Basil is a mild anti-depressant, thought to aide in uplifting emotions. To help ease depression use essential oils in bath (available in healthfood stores). Eating the fresh leaves can also help with depression. With its sweet pungent flavor it can be used in a variety of dishes. It is one of the most popular garden herbs with its wonderful flavor and scent. If you are suffering from a head cold pour boiling water over the leaves and inhale the steam. Be careful not to use basil essential oil for extended periods of time or while pregnant don’t use on toddlers.
In the eyes of the Indian gods Krishna, and Vishnu they considered basil to be sacred and holy these gods were believed to be protectors in life and death.
The basil plant is an annual its stems are leafy giving it a bush-like appearance. The flowers grow in clusters at the top of the stems they can come in different colors such as pink, yellow, or white depending on the variety.
Planting basil is best done after the last frost. It prefers lots of sunlight and well-drained soil. It’s good to put organic matter around the plant regularly mixing it into the soil. Do not use any insecticides on plants you are planning to eat. Pick off any unhealthy looking parts on the plant like leaves that have been eaten by bugs. Collect the leaves before the plant flowers. You can make use of fresh leaves and you can also dry them for use at a later date. To dry the leaves cut stems with leaves tie into bundles and hang upside down away from direct light and heat. Once they are crispy put dried leaves into a glass container and keep in a cool place.
Caraway has been around for a long time in fact it was dicovered inside the Egyptian tombs. In the twelve-century its benefits where noted in a German medical text. Caraway is in the same family as fennel, cumin, dill, and anise. Turkey is the native land of caraway. It has been a herb that has been held in high regard for its medicinal and culinary qualities.
It aids in digestion of rich foods, spurs the appetite, eases gas and heartburn. It also can relieve menstrual cramps, coughs, respiratory congestion, and colds.
The caraway is a biennial herb it gets a carrot like tap root, feathery leaves grow on the stems from the root. In its second year branches of flowers will appear they may be pink or white flat-topped or round. There are two capsules that will appear from June to August and will burst open in late summer to eject seeds.
You should prepare the soil with some compost and lime but too much fertilizer can limit the amount of oil in the seeds. This is where the medicinal and culinary properties come from. The soil should always be kept moist. When you are ready to harvest and process tie paper bags loosely around the flowers to catch the seeds do this after the seed heads turn from green to brown. When the bags are full of seeds then remove them. Another way to collect the seeds is to cut off the flower heads right before the seeds ripen. Tie stems together place in a paper bag with stems facing up. It is important to make sure they are completely dry then tie bag around the stems and store in a dry place so the sees can then ripen.
Caraway is mainly used in helping to relieve such things as stomach upset, bloating, indigestion, cramps, as well as treating respiratory congestion and coughs.
The seeds can be steeped in milk or water to aid a stomach upset, or you can chew them using them as a breath freshener.
Caraway is planted in the garden in April or late summer. It grows well in high elevations as well as deep containers because it has a root. Caraway is a hardy plant it doesn’t need any protection from frost.
When planting do this in rows about 12 inches apart sow seeds close together cover them with a little soil as they need light to sprout.
When you are in the sprouting stage the soil should be kept moist. Sprouting will occur in 2-3 weeks. Thin the plants when the sprouts are about 2 inches high and about 6 inches apart. The first year the caraway plant will have groups of leaves but it will not blossom and produce seeds until the second year. Under proper conditions such as consistently moist soil, warm temperatures and well drained soil caraway will go for a number of years but eventually it will produce fewer seeds.
I am a freelance writer I also enjoy painting garden pots and trying my hand at gardening when I get the chance.
