A garden, small or large, like a nuclear or extended family, gives us a protected, friendly place to grow — not only to grow herbs in a way compatible with nature, but to grow in our own psychic awareness, to cultivate our potential for being sensitive and responsible citizens of the planet and grateful caretakers of our inherited treasures.
– Adele Dawson
After a recent rainstorm I ventured into the garden to harvest some herbs. The air was damp and cool and the moisture-laden breeze carried with it the heady fragrance of basil, mints, bee balm, and sweet Annie. What a greeting! There’s nothing quite like an herb garden for lifting the spirit. I first became interested in herbs in college almost thirty years ago. Their romantic history fascinated me and the teas tasted great. When my (now ex) husband and I moved to Vermont in the mid-1970s I planted my first” herb garden.
After my divorce my three sons and I moved into an apartment with no garden space. It did have a balcony so I grew culinary herbs and edible flowers in containers. I also patronized local herbalists, purchasing their products and frequently spending Saturday mornings at the farmers’ market visiting and learning. I attended a few workshops and began to tincture herbs. It was very satisfying to make some of my own medicines.
When I moved to Maine the first thing I did was put in a garden. My goal was to grow as many of the herbs my family uses as possible and get to know them “in person”. Reading books has its place but I feel the best way to get to know an herb is to grow it. My vision was of an English cottage garden — a riotous, colorful mixture of veggies, old-fashioned flowers, and lots of herbs. Three years later, my garden grew over 50 different herbs, plus veggies and flowers.
Moving Toward Self-Reliance
I have no doubt that the time will come when we will highly value people who grow herbs and know how to use them for healing and general well-being, just as in the past. Conventional health care is expensive, particularly for those who have no health insurance, and its quality is deteriorating as profits take precedence over healing. As a result, people are increasingly turning to alternatives, especially herbs. And they work.
My goal is to become as herbal self-reliant as possible. This means learning about healing herbs that grow well in my area, and growing as many of the ones my family uses as I can. For me, working with herbs is a spiritual journey. No longer anxious to learn about everything at once, I’m willing to take the time to get to know a couple of herbs well each season, gradually integrating them into my life. Each year, it seems, an herb or two call to me. They may be herbs I’ve known for years or new acquaintances.
The first time this happened was years ago, before I had a garden. The herb was St. John’s Wort. I knew nothing about it but it appealed to me because of its sunny flowers and hardy constitution. My intuition told me this herb would help me face adversity and bring sunshine into my life despite hard circumstances, which was exactly what I needed then. I was amazed at the accuracy of my intuition and have since learned to trust it. (St. John’s Wort has been clinically proven to be as effective for mild to moderate depression as Prozac and without the side effects).
I’ll never forget the summer bee balm called to me when I needed more joy and magic in my life. Actually, it would be more accurate to say it shouted at me. It was June — the rainiest June ever with over 12 inches here in Maine. I was making my daily round in the garden, checking the plants, removing rotting leaves and slugs. I wasn’t happy. I walked by the bee balm, barely noticing how tall and lush it was. Then I heard, “Look at me!” I stopped, puzzled. “Look at me!” louder this time. And I looked. The bee balm literally glowed with an aura of light, the individual stalks swaying with the slight breeze, the fragrance heady and spicy-sweet. I just stood in awe and gratitude. That summer bee balm and became friends. I loved the bees and hummingbirds that visited the flowers later in the season. I completely understood. I couldn’t get enough of the plant either. I picked it for bouquets, for sun tea, and to dry for the winter.
Another herb that called to me was elecampane. My plant grew to well over six feet with many bright yellow flowers. It didn’t shout at me like bee balm, rather it took its time, patiently waiting until I noticed its stately presence. The Native people who lived here traditionally used the root for coughs and bronchitis-like conditions which I found interesting because for a few winters I’d been plagued by a nagging, hacking cough that would hang on until the warm days of summer. Obviously I needed this herb, too.
What was interesting is that when I began hanging out with elecampane, my cough gradually disappeared and never returned – I didn’t even have to dig and tincture the roots to be healed. Though I have made tincture from fall-dug roots and it is extremely effective for such coughs – many family members and friends have been helped by my tincture.
So if you’re new to herbs and perhaps a bit overwhelmed about where to start, listen to your heart and give your intuition free rein. Pay attention to the wild herbs (i.e. weeds) that grow in your yard, a nearby field or forest, or visit an herb garden. See who calls to you.
I believe that our bodies and spirits are more resonate with herbs grown close to where we live than with herbs grown far away. There is no scientific evidence to support this, but it makes sense to me. I feel there’s a special something in herbs grown at home that benefits us on an essential level and I keep this in mind when purchasing herbs for medicinal use that I don’t grow or don’t yet have enough to harvest. I also prefer to use the whole herb rather than a supplement of the known active ingredient.
Growing herbs teaches patience. My echinacea patch, for example, took five years before I felt comfortable harvesting the roots. Valerian took three years to spread so I felt comfortable harvesting, but now I can dig some roots each fall. I want my plants to become better established, and winters and spring can be harsh. There are also herbs I use more of than others: calendula, tulsi (holy basil), and St. John’s Wort are three. One year I didn’t grow enough calendula so from then on I plant plenty, tucking them anywhere I can find space. Not only do I have plenty of flowers to harvest, but the bright orange and yellow blooms throughout the garden are so beautiful!
Understanding and using herbs is both an art and a science. Begin using herbs for minor problems. This will build your trust in their effectiveness. Select herbs that address the needs of the whole person, not just the symptoms of the disease. Western medical technology has moved our society farther and farther away from believing nature’s ability to heal. Using herbs can help us to weave nature’s timeless wisdom back into our daily lives and to restore the balance and harmony that has been lost.
Deb Soule, The Roots of Healing
Working with Herbs
In addition to your intuition, I recommend finding a couple of good herbals and perhaps a book of recipes. The beautiful, oversize herbals that only have a paragraph or two on each of hundreds of herbs are interesting but may not provide all the information you need. If you’re going to grow herbs, an herbal written by someone in your region is particularly helpful.
Fresh herbs are one of summer’s blessings, but dry plenty of those you love for the winter. Some herbs can be harvested whenever you like, others reach their peak as the flowers come into bloom. (Consult your herbal). In general, gather leaves and flowers in the morning after the dew has dried. Roots are dug in the fall. The simplest way to dry herbs is to tie them in small bunches and hang in a dry, dark place. I put paper bags over them to keep out dust. They are dry when crisp. Strip leaves from stalks and store in glass jars. (Burning the stalks in the fireplace smells wonderful.)
Herbal teas can be made using a wide variety of fresh or dry ingredients. Don’t include too many until you learn what you like. My favorites are lemon balm, lemon verbena, mints, chamomile, skullcap, bee balm, raspberry leaves, sage, tulsi, various basils, thyme, rosemary, and roses. You can purchase tea bags you fill yourself with the dried herbs and seal with an iron, or use a strainer. Along with a pretty antique or flea market cup and saucer, a small jar of honey, and a strainer, your own herbal teas make great, inexpensive gifts (be sure to list ingredients). One year, inspired by the expensive bouquets sold at craft fairs, I made a few of my own for gifts with culinary and tea herbs tied together and hung to dry. I included long sprays of tarragon, lavender, bee balm, oregano, basil, thyme, savory, various mints, lemon balm, and sage. “
Tinctures are easy to make, effective, and long-lasting. Fill a clean, glass jar with fresh (preferably) or dried herbs, then pour 80 or 100 proof vodka (or rum or brandy, but vodka is preferable) to the top (I use 100 proof vodka). (Note: a few herbs require 190 proof alcohol). Shake well and store in a dark place. My tinctures steep for at least six weeks. Strain through cheesecloth, squeezing well. Pour in sterilized bottles (I use amber to keep out light, with droppers). Be sure to date them. Tinctures can be made with glycerin or vinegar for children or adults who wish to avoid alcohol.
To make an infused oil, fill a clean, glass jar with fresh (preferably) or dried herbs. If using fresh herbs make sure they are clean, and bug and moisture free. Wilt them first – juicy herbs like calendula flowers can be placed in a single layer for a couple of days. Herbs like mints, plantain, delicate flowers (St. J’s), just need a day or maybe even a few hours. This allows excess moisture to evaporate so your oil won’t be contaminated or mold. Cover the herbs with oil; I use organic, cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil. Shake or poke with a clean utensil to remove air bubbles. Set the jar in a warm place or in the sun (bring in at night and don’t put them out in the rain). I infuse for at least six weeks. Strain with cheesecloth, squeezing gently, and store in a cool, dark place. If you notice cloudiness settling at the bottom after a day or two, strain carefully through layers of cheesecloth one more time. The oils can be used as is or as ingredients in creams, salves, and massage and bath oils.
In addition to the herbs, oils, and tinctures I make myself, I keep some carrier oils on hand: almond, apricot kernel, grapeseed, and jojoba. These are lighter oils, which I prefer. You’ll also need beeswax if you want to make salves. If you want to make bath preparations and body powders you’ll need cosmetic clay, borax (called desert salt on expensive bath crystals), Epsom salts, baking soda, and sea salt (coarse and fine). Some powder recipes call for corn starch or rice flour. In addition, a few essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, peppermint – whatever you love – just make sure they are pure essential oils NOT fragrance oils. A little goes a long way and oils can be mixed to create just the right fragrance and healing effect.
Always use separate utensils for preparing herbal body care products than those you cook with. I started with two small pyrex pots, two small ceramic bowls, one-piece rubber spatulas, a food scale, small funnels, a blender, mortar and pestle, measuring spoons, and small wire whisks. And don’t forget jars and bottles to store your preparations. Use common sense when using recycled containers (no old medicine bottles, film canisters, or jars that held spoiled food or poison) and always sterilize them first. Plastic is harder to sterilize than glass so I do not use it.
The first skin preparations I made were salves from my infused oils. Bath salts are mixtures of cosmetic clay, Epsom salts, baking soda, borax, course or fine sea salt, and essential oils. Finely ground herbs or flower petals can also be added. Massage oils are high quality oils (or herb infused oils) with a few drops of essential oil added. They can be packaged in attractive bottles with a few sprigs of dried herbs added, and sealed with a cork dipped in melted beeswax. You can also make herbal syrups, poultices, compresses, and cosmetic vinegars. And don’t forget the culinary uses of herbs: vinegars, pestos, herb and spice blends. . . There’s no end to the wonderful things you can do with herbs.
Herbs are indeed a blessing and a gift. I take great joy from the herbs I grow. An unexpected bonus is that gardening has transformed my relationship with the land in a way that only digging, weeding, hoeing — in other words: hard work — can. My heart and my spirit become involved as my body does the work.
Wildcrafting
Gathering herbs in the woods and fields seems like such a natural thing to do — that is, as long as you know what you’re looking for. Unfortunately, many plants that used to be plentiful are now scarce and endangered. With more and more people wanting to use herbs instead of conventional medicines, herbs have become big business and not everyone wildcrafts responsibly. Habitat is also lost to development. For example, when I was a child I knew many places Partridge Berry and Lady’s Slipper grew. Houses are there now.
Some herbs, like dandelion, plantain, mullein, and St. John’s wort are plentiful (don’t gather near a road for obvious reasons). If wildcrafting is something you want to try, my advice is to take a few workshops and herb walks offered by a reputable local herbalist to learn what grows where you live and how to harvest it correctly. Never take all of anything, or the largest, healthiest plant. And only take what you need — a few leaves rather than the whole plant, for example. And give thanks. Don’t just rip it out. Some endangered plants include: American Ginseng, Black Cohosh, Bloodroot, Ghost Pipe, Echinacea, Goldenseal, Lady’s Slipper, Partridge Berry, Trillium (Beth Root), Wild Yam. Plants to watch: Arnica, Butterfly Weed, Eyebright, Mayapple, Oregon Grape, White Sage. United Plant Savers is an excellent organization committed to preserving native medicinal plants. Join them. For info: www.unitedplantsavers.org