Most people nowadays reach for pills and the like far too quickly. It is so easy to create your own apothecary garden with medicinal herbs.
Having your own garden is balm for the soul. But some plants increase the beneficial effect. Hildegard von Bingen already knew that green heals us humans. In medicine, there has therefore been a trend back to natural remedies for he alth for years. Whether it's the versatile all-rounder tea tree oil in skin care or homeopathic remedies - we long for natural help for our he alth.
The importance of the garden itself for he alth is even scientifically recognized. Conferences of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) address the question of how gardens and greenery in the cityscape have a positive effect on our lives. For example, gardening is a relaxing part of everyday life for many people. If you plant something clever, you can use a small space for your own he alth and create your own small apothecary garden. Not even a garden is necessary for some of the plants, even a small balcony offers space for useful home remedies. The front yard or a vertical bed is often sufficient for many medicinal herbs.
These plants should not be missing in the apothecary garden
Pharmacy gardens have a long tradition and can still be found in large numbers in Germany today. But why travel there when you can plant your own small medicine cabinet in the garden? The following medicinal plants should not be missing:
❍ Rosehip:
The rosehip, also known as the dog rose, glows beautifully red-orange through the autumn. The fruits have a high vitamin C content. The fruit pulp is he althy - the seeds must be removed. The pulp can be eaten directly. It can also be dried as a tea or made into a delicious rosehip jam. You can also experiment with the rosehip pulp. Fresh it tastes delicious in a natural yoghurt and optimally supports the immune system with a concentratedLoad of Vitamin C.
❍ Elder:
Elderberry is a pretty shrub and has a very positive effect on our immune system. A tea made from the flowers also loosens mucus and reduces fever. At the same time, it acts as a sweat and diuretic. Elderflower juice strengthens the immune system and prevents colds. Anyone who feels a little weak should enjoy a delicious elderflower tea in the evening for a week and the cold will pass. Even with frequent bladder infections, the elder has a supportive effect as juice and tea. The bonus of the elder: With its sweet note, it is delicious.
❍ St. John's Wort:
Insomnia, nervousness, exhaustion - this sun herb has a supporting effect on the human psyche. Its extract is contained in many capsules and is said to counteract mood disorders. Anyone who drinks a tea made directly from St. John's wort avoids the synthetic content of the capsules. In the long term, St. John's wort tea has a stabilizing effect. Due to its antibacterial effect, St. John's wort can also be used as an infusion for gargling toothache.
❍ Chamomile:
It has yellow-white flowers and likes to spread as a perennial plant. This medicinal herb is available as an annual or perennial plant. Chamomile blooms and spreads quickly in sunny locations. The soil should be dry rather than moist.
A chamomile tea helps with stomach pains. A gargling solution made from chamomile, on the other hand, has an antiseptic effect. A sitz bath in chamomile is also great for babies with inflammation in the diaper area. In the postpartum period, camomile baths also support healing and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
❍ Lavender:
The Mediterranean plant looks beautiful and can be found in many gardens. Most varieties are not very demanding. However, some varieties tend to become woody. However, a corresponding pruning counteracts this.
A lavender tea calms the nerves - in the evening with a spoonful of honey, this tea is a nice ritual to switch off. A bath in the fragrant lavender blossoms is also wonderfully beneficial.
❍ Peppermint:
A delicious peppermint tea from your own garden - that's not that difficult. Because peppermint is not a high-maintenance plant. It smells pleasant and also grows quickly. You can even combine different varieties with her. However, peppermint likes it moist - so be sure to water it in summer.
Tip:
Sometimes the right amount of watering is difficult. Inexperienced gardeners should take preliminary measuresto prevent waterlogging.
❍ Sage:
The sage is pretty to look at with its blue-violet or white flowers. It is perennial and not very demanding in terms of soil and care.
Its antiseptic properties help with inflammation in the mouth and throat. You can gargle with an infusion. You can also freeze the infusion in an ice cube mold. Sucking the sage ice cubes helps with severe pain. Frozen sage is also beneficial for sore throats, especially during the warmer months.
❍ Yarrow:
Yarrow is considered lady's herb and helps with menstrual problems, among other things. Its anticonvulsant effect is also effective for headaches and stomach aches. For people with migraines, yarrow is a great support. A tea with yarrow also calms the mind. A bath in yarrow helps with colds due to its expectorant properties.
❍ Thyme:
Thyme is a shrub and makes long, light purple flowers. Dwarf varieties in particular are high-yielding and suitable for the garden. However, many varieties shed from the inside over time and need regular pruning.
Thyme tea helps with coughs and colds. You can also use it to make cough syrup with little effort.
❍ Lemon Balm:
Lemon balm comes in pretty varieties that are a pretty sight in the garden. It is winter-proof and quite undemanding, which makes it ideal for garden beginners.
If you pick the leaves and brew a tea from them, you will be happy about the relaxing effect in the evening. The leaves can be dried, but lose their lemony flavor over time. So lemon balm is tastiest fresh.
The apothecary garden should do without chemicals
Chemistry is taboo in the apothecary's garden - after all, you don't want to drink it in your tea. When it comes to fertilizing, your own compost heap is ideal. If you don’t have the space for this, you can use other home remedies. Coffee grounds offer protection against pests and enrich the soil at the same time.
NABU advises clever planting to avoid tired soil. Certain plants are planted together and in a specific order. After all, some plants need different things from the soil and complement each other well. Others, on the other hand, need something similar and steal the nutrients from the soil in this way. In the long run, the soil becomes increasingly poor in nutrients and the plants no longer thrive properly. As with everyoneWorking in the garden applies here: A mixture of knowledge, instinct and the courage to experiment leads to success.