Herbs are often some of the most important ingredients in recipes. They give Mom's lasagna that special touch, add a distinctive flavor to Grandma's pastries, and make Dad's pickles the best around. But there is much more to herbs than just cooking.Herbs and other special nutrients can be an important part of a Mom's health care repertoire. Learning more about natural medicine at home can empower you to take better care of your family. Read more below.
There are many benefits of growing an herb garden. It puts the things you need for cooking and herbal remedies right at your fingertips, and it allows you to make money from the herbs or give them as gifts.
Herb gardening comes with a bit of a learning curve, but it's not much more complicated than flower gardening. And when the time comes to harvest your herbs, all of the work it took to get them to that point will be well worth it. Here are some tips on how to grow an herb garden.
Herbs for Beauty
Many herbs are known for their beauty, and herb gardens are often planted just for looks. But herbs can also be used in skin creams to soften skin or treat skin conditions, or in hair treatments to lighten, darken, or moisturize the hair.
Chamomile can be infused in milk to make a great cleanser for oily skin. Mint can be used to make a good toner, and rosemary infusions can darken and condition hair. These are just a few of the many beauty uses of herbs.
Aromatic Herbs
Herbs are frequently used in gardens for their wonderful scent and to influence mood. Herbs such as lavender, hyssop and bergamot are often planted for both their beauty and their lovely smell. These characteristics make gardens easy on the eyes and a pleasure to walk by.
Fragrant herbs are often used in potpourri. They are also used in many formulations for aromatherapy. The aforementioned lavender, for example, has a soothing scent that is used to calm nerves and promote restful sleep. Herb stores often carry essential oils for use in aromatherapy, and many products such as lotions, soaps and shampoos also make use of herbal aromatherapy.
Medicinal Herbs
Herbal medicine has been around for centuries, and it is still thriving today. Herbs provide relief from a wide variety of ailments, and they often have fewer and less severe side effects than the chemicals offered by traditional medicines. It's no wonder that more and more people are becoming interested in herbal remedies.
Culinary Herbs Although cooking isn't the only thing you can do with herbs, it is one of the most fun. Fresh herbs can be used to make a variety of delicious dishes. And some herbs can be used for medicinal, culinary, and beauty or aromatic purposes. Herbs such as sage, rosemary and thyme have a variety of cooking uses, and can be used for other purposes as well.
