18 plants for a medicinal herb garden

[Andy Hamilton]

I have just taken on a second (half) allotment and want to plant a medicinal herb garden. I have created a plan and a short list of herbs.

Yarrow
Marshmallow
Chamomile
Milk Thistle
Mullen/Valerian
Feverfew
Burdock
Borage
Vervain
Soapwort
Hyssop
Arnica
Wormwood
Golden Rod
Alexanders
Agrimony

The shape will be a cartwheel with each section cut into two. The bigger bushier plants will be at the top and the smaller ones nearer the bottom as it is a south facing allotment with rich free draining soil.

Any herbalists amateur or professional who would change and herbs, the reason behind them is due to self medication for colds, mucus and slight kidney trouble. A few like the burdock are grown just because I like the plants.

[Loobyloo]

Oooh looks like it'll be great, My dream is to have a massive herb garden with loads of medicinal and edible herbs.

Very envious!

[lsm1066]

Berberis is one for kidneys. I'd also put Hypericum (St John's Wort) in. Otherwise, looks fabulous!

Lynne

[Clara]

I second hypericum, the other omission,IMHO, is echinecea. If it's a matter of numbers I'd be tempted to remove milk thistle and possible borage as the main medicinal properties come from the seeds of both, which would be fiddly to collect and require you to have a lot in order to be of use. They are both very invasive they self seed like crazy and are hard to get rid of. I love borage and have loads of it growing wild on my land, think it is a better plant for a bit of guerilla gardening.

[Andy Hamilton]

Good suggestions cheers - I did ponder for a while over echinecea but IMHO it is a little overated (dives for cover)....

Borage was also one I stuck a massive ?? over for the same reasons so I might just swap that for St Johns wort and Milk thistle well that sits in the plants I like category too, I think having a Scottish girlfriend makes me drawn to thistles.

Berberis - not heard of that one has it another name?

[lsm1066]

Not sure, but have a look at the link for more details. I used to take a tincture of it when I had serious kidney problems

http://green-source.blogspot.com/2008/0 ... haldi.html

Lynne

[snapdragon]

Borage = herb of gladness - keep it in and use the flowers to decorate your Pimms and the leaves in salads - gladdens the heart

Hyssop is brilliant for bruises

Berberis I've seen cross matched to Barberry or Mahonia

[lsm1066]

Just a small thought though. If you're growing these for personal use, I'd still have a chat with a herbalist as some herbs are contraindicated with some regular medications, and with each other. For instance, having suggested berberis and hypericum, if you have a kidney problem, you need to be aware that hypericum can have an effect on the kidneys.

hth
Lynne

[kiwirach]

thanks for starting this thread Andy....i want to grow a medicinal herb garden as well. i read thru the suffolk herbs catalogue all the time....it has loads in it. i've placed an order with them for a few things....including try to have a go at growing tea tree!.

[sleepyowl]

You also need to point out that arnica should never be taken internally as it is quite poisonous, it is ok to use externally, which I will vouch for it's properties as it was one of the things that brought down the bruising of my broken cheek bone after I was mugged, therefore actually saving the sight in my right eye

[hedgewitch]

*raises hand*

Budding (LOL) amateur herbalist at your service, sir!
Basically whatever you wish to use and are comfortable and confident in using is your best bet and you've already stated that so stick with what you got.
I'm presuming you have all the culinary Herbs already because lets not forget the wonderful healing properties of

Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
Lavender

[invisiblepiper]

Yep - I was going to say sage myself - infused fresh with a little honey is excellent for throat and coughs.

[Andy Hamilton]

yep I have two sages, a massive rosemary bush, a spindly lavender bush that is in desperate need of a new pot and thyme running thought the cracks of my path. I might introduce a load more thyme in the cracks of this herb garden too and move the lavender into the middle section.

What I have as a template is a shape that looks like a square version of the union flag (union jack) with each triangle bit cut in half.

cheers for the heads up about other meds, not on any so it is ok. I am however, going to start looking into what combinations of herbs should not be used.

[kiwirach]

out of interest, does anyone recomend a good book on medicinal herbs?

[jim]

Dear Kiwirach

Try "Culpepper's Complete Herbal", published by Foulsham; or "A Modern Herbal" by Mrs M Grieve, published by Penguin. (I don't know if they're stiil in print but they're both invaluable.)

Might not be a help if you're a long way from Winchester but ....

medieval garden open dayThe Great Hall’s gardener, Emma
Miller, will be on hand to answer any
questions and will be providing guided
tours of Queen Eleanor’s garden. Tina
Stapeley, a Medical Herbalist, will be
providing herbal demonstrations,
including garland making, how to
make your own medieval hand
washing water and more.Place:The Great Hall, WinchesterTime:10am – 5pmAdmission: Free, with donationsEnquiries: 01962 845 610Email:the.great.hall@hants.gov.


I've been on a course run by Tina Stapeley and she's very good!

Hope it helps,
Love and Peace
Jim