As I sit here typing, there is a light spring rain.  My little garden seedlings look green and happy for the drink. It was a beautiful weekend and I saw a lot of gardening going on in yards across town.  I thought today I would share with you 5 of my favorite herbs to grow, in case there are any you would like to add to your summer garden this year.  I will include a couple that can be grown in pots, in case some of you are short on gardening space.  Here we go:

1. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): Lemon Balm grows easily in most of North America.  It prefers full sun and will grow vigorously, so plant it in a place where you don’t mind it to spread out and it will return each year.  Harvest the leaves before the flowers are fully formed.  They can then be used fresh and/or dried for later use.  Lemon balm is often referred to as a “sunshine herb”.  It is helpful with depression, especially of the seasonal type, but will generally bring up any low mood.  It is also useful to bring down fevers and aid indigestion.

2. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Rosemary is a perennial in the warm, dry parts of the country.  It will not over-winter where I live.  It will grow nicely in a pot.  I put my Rosemary in the herb garden in the summer, then dig it up and put it in a pot for the winter.  It is a wonderful plant to keep in your kitchen in the winter for it’s aromatic smell and for cooking.  I then put it back in the garden the next summer.  I usually get two summers out of one plant and then it won’t survive the 2nd winter.  Rosemary leaves are obviously delicious in cooking, but also aid poor memory, indigestion, nervous depression, colds, and headaches. They may be used fresh (best for cooking) or dried for later use.

3. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): Echinacea purpurea is the most common species grown in the U.S. and is also known as the purple coneflower.  It grows as perennial in Indiana.  The leaves and little pink flowers may be harvested each year, but for medicinal purposes, the roots need at least three years to mature.  It prefers a sunny location and is rather drought-resistant.  The roots are the most potent part of the plant, but I have found the top parts to be very effective, as well.  Use Echinacea at the onset of colds and flus to eliminate the symptoms or to shorted the illness.  It can also be “pulsed”, meaning you take two weeks on and two weeks off during the winter months to keep up immunity.  It is not as effective if taken continuously.

4. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): Thyme grows easily as a perennial in most of the country.  It prefers sun and well-drained soil.  We know it’s use well for cooking, for flavoring sauces, soups, and meats.  Medicinally, thyme is wonderful for colds and flus, and especially coughs.  Dry the little leaves for use in the winter months.  It is also useful for headaches, sore throats, and indigestion.  It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, as well as a decent amount of vitamin C.  It can also be grown in a pot and brought in in the winter.

5. Sage (Salvia officinalis): Sage grows as a perennial and will get pretty large and shrub-like.  It likes a hot and dry climate.  Sage is well known for use in cooking and preserving meats.  The leaves are used medicinally for fevers, night sweats, and hot flashes, and as a gargle for sore throats.  Sage is known historically for warding off evil and increasing fertility in women.  The leaves can be used fresh and dry easily to preserve for later use.

This is definitely not an exhaustive list, my covers five of my favorites.  All five of these herbs are very easy to grow and can each be used for several common health complaints.  I hope you are enjoying the beautiful spring weather and that your gardens are beginning to flourish.  Happy planting!  If you enjoyed this post, please share using the links below and please add any comments or questions that come to mind.