Medicinal plants that you can grow in your garden

Gardening

oi-Staff

By Super Admin

Wednesday, June 1, 2011, 10:11

In this busy world having a beautiful garden of our own whether in a large or a small area brings us peace of mind and happiness. Gardening is an art which needs skill and an aesthetic sense of creativity. Although anybody can make a garden it requires a deep interest and prolonged involvement. Planning a garden of medicinal plants can be fun and rewarding. Herbs have been in use for centuries for culinary, medicinal and aromatic reasons. Herbal gardening is wonderful since the herbs can be grown in a variety of ways.

Using herbs for healing and medicinal purposes has been a part of many cultures throughout history. Many of these still use them as their primary medicine. Many medicinal herbs offer a safe and gentle action on the body systems. These plants can be grown in your garden very easily as most of the herbal plants need less care than flowering plants. These are some of the medicinal plants that can be grown in the garden easily;

Tulsi. (Ocimum sanctum), Sacred Basil. Has strong antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral action. Inhibits growth of E coli and other pathogens Its natural anti-tuberculosis activity has been recorded at a tenth the strength of streptomycin and a quarter that of isoniazid.

Shatavari. (Asparagus racemosus). Used as a blood purifier, it is highly recommended for many women's problems, including coping with the menopause. It helps to maintain a healthy urinary tract, strengthens the immune system and is useful against vaginal infections.

Mint (Mentha spicata) Mint is very easy to grow. It is a hardy perennial and spreads by root stolons. Sown indoors seed germinates in 10 to 15 days. It grows to 2 feet and is rather sprawling, in habit. Space 12 inches apart. Is at its best in good rich soil. Fine to use for mint jelly and in mint juleps, lemonade and other fruit drinks.

Neem. (Azadiracta indica) One of the most important herbs used in Ayurveda. The roots, bark, gum, leaves, fruit, seed kernels and seed oil all find uses in remedies that heal & prevent disease. We use it in combination with other herbs shown here to treat pain.

Tamarind. (Tamarindus indica). The leaves are ground with lime juice and other herbs and applied to boils to reduce sepsis and swelling. The leaves and pulp are often used in congestion of the liver, cases of chronic constipation and to treat painful haemorrhoids.

Ginger. (Zingiber officinale). The familiar rhizome is a powerful anti-inflammatory, its juice is a staple of many Ayurvedic preparations. A common home remedy for nausea and dyspepsia, ginger has also been shown to be of use in treating viral hepatitis.

Lemon Balm. (Melissa officinalis) One of the most useful of all herbs in women's medicine, Extracts of the leaves taken in both oil & hot water have been shown to possess strong antibacterial & antiviral qualities.

Nirgundi. (Vitex negundo). The traditional healers and natives have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about Nirgundi. The healers prepare special herbal oil from fresh leaves of Nirgundi and use in treatment of more than 70 common and complicated diseases.

Giloy. (Tinospora cordifolia). The entire plant is valuable, used in Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic, revitaliser and remedy for diabetes and metabolic disorders, stomach ulcer and urinary affections. It is also helpful in chronic problems and cases of fatigue.

Papaya (Carica papaya) Papaya is one of the important quick growing Fruit Crops rich in Vitamin A and rich source of Vitamin C.On an average 100 g of ripe papaya contains 2500 I.U. of edible Vitamin A and 70 mg. of ascorbic acid. It improves digestion and said to cure chronic constipation, piles and enlarged liver and spleen. Well drained medium black to red loamy soils are suitable.

Amla (Emblica Officinalis) is one of the most celebrated herbs in the Indian traditional medicine system, Ayurveda. Amla's traditional uses include as a laxative, eye wash, appetite stimulant, restorative tonic, and to treat anorexia, indigestion, diarrhea, anemia, and jaundice. Amla is becoming increasingly well known for its unusually high levels of Vitamin C, which is resistant to storage and heat damage due to cooking.

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) It is well recognized as the best anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, colorant, antiseptic and wound healer. Used in cooking as a spice for over 2,500 years, turmeric has a bitter, musty flavor similar to mustard. The healing properties of turmeric have made it a most sought after ingredient in cosmetics and drugs, as the leaf oil and extract can also be used as sunscreens and bio-pesticides. Turmeric also protects the liver from a number of toxic compounds.

Curry leaves (Murraya Koenigii) It tones the tissues of the body. It strengthens the stomach. It is used to treat Dysentery, Diarrhea, Insanity, Fever, Disorders of liver.

When planning your herb garden remember that the herbs need well drained soil, they hate wet feet. Test your soil for the herb garden and make sure it is alkaline. All Herbs need at least six hours of sunlight. In planning an herb garden be sure to take in to consideration the growing habits of each herb. Plant the taller busier herbs in the back of the garden, the small, compact ones in the front.