{"id":72099,"date":"2020-06-12T07:00:07","date_gmt":"2020-06-12T11:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/?p=72099"},"modified":"2020-11-03T03:48:47","modified_gmt":"2020-11-03T08:48:47","slug":"medicinal-herb-container-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/medicinal-herb-container-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Plants To Grow In A Medicinal Herb Container Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wh<\/span>en I started gardening, I had no segment of land to call my own. I lived in a top-floor apartment in a new city, and because I wasn\u2019t raised with my fingers in the dirt, I didn\u2019t really miss having a garden space. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, as I began to study herbalism<\/a>, I became overwhelmed with the desire to have fresh herbs at my fingertips. Before long, my little balcony three floors up was dotted with containers full of cheery plants.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve since left that tiny apartment on whose balcony my first garden grew, but even though I now have land, I still rely on containers for some of my favorite medicinal herbs.<\/p>\n

Many of the herbs used in home remedies thrive in containers because of their preferred climates and growing habits. Here are six you can start growing today.<\/p>\n

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These basics will help as you plant your new herb garden.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Lemon Balm <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

In my humble opinion, no herb garden\u2014culinary, medicinal or ornamental\u2014is complete without lemon balm (Melissa officinalis<\/i>). Simply the smell of its delicious leaves brightens your day. <\/span><\/p>\n

Because its growth habit can easily transform it from beloved plant to weed, many gardeners grow it in containers. <\/span><\/p>\n

Start lemon balm in a pot 12 to 15 inches in diameter with rich, well-drained soil. Set it in a location with full to partial shade. <\/span><\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t take much to keep it happy, though the plant appreciates frequent watering. <\/span><\/p>\n

Keep an eye on the plant as it begins to flourish. You might need to divide it to keep it from becoming rootbound. If it begins to look a bit droopy, a heavy pruning should bring it back to life. If you harvest from it regularly, though, that shouldn\u2019t be necessary. <\/span><\/p>\n

Lemon balm makes a delicious tea that calms the nerves and lifts the spirits. People suffering from depression, anxiety, restlessness and irritability can benefit from a daily cup. <\/span><\/p>\n

The herb is also a great addition to a medicinal first-aid kit. Preserve it as a tincture or infused oil to use topically on cuts, cold sores and insect bites. <\/span><\/p>\n

The volatile oils, where much of the medicinal action is kept, is highest just before the plant begins to flower. Keep that in mind for your medicine making, though you can enjoy the plant\u2019s benefits whenever you\u2019re ready to give the leaves a snip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aloe<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The gel inside aloe (Aloe vera<\/i>) leaves of this favorite house-succulent is lauded for sunburn relief. But its value goes way beyond soothing the skin after a long day at the pool. <\/span><\/p>\n

It also helps rashes, warts, eczema and stretch marks. And it can even be used internally to settle digestive issues such as constipation and peptic ulcers.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a desert plant, aloe grows best indoors in a sunny window in most parts of the U.S. It\u2019s the perfect beginner medicinal because, after you nestle it into a pot with dry, loose soil, it needs little watering. <\/span><\/p>\n

To use aloe as a topical remedy, simply snap off a leaf and rub the fresh gel on your skin. Internally, dry and use the yellow sap found at the base of the plant. <\/span><\/p>\n

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FOGS\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tulsi<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

I consider tulsi (Ocimum sanctum<\/i>), or holy basil, one of the best choices for new herbalists. The plant grows big and bold without a lot of fuss.<\/p>\n

Tulsi\u2019s beautiful purple blossoms and delightfully fragrant foliage make it a wonderful year-round houseplant. It can, however, just as easily be placed outdoors in the warm season.<\/p>\n

Grow the plant in a pot with fertile soil, and keep it moist but not overly soggy. Once the plant grows to 1 foot tall (which probably won\u2019t take long) you can begin to harvest its leaves and flowers.<\/p>\n

Frequent harvesting encourages its growth, so don\u2019t be shy with the shears.<\/p>\n

Tulsi can be taken as a daily tonic. As an adaptogenic herb, it helps protect the body against stressors, having a particular affinity for the heart. It also can be used to treat respiratory infections and fevers, stabilize blood-sugar levels, and soothe insect bites and canker sores.<\/p>\n

Take it as a tea internally, or dry and powder it for external use.<\/p>\n

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Here are some herbs will help support your cardiovascular health.<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Bay Laurel<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

If you grow bay laurel (Laurus nobilis<\/i>) for no other reason than to have a beautiful houseplant, you\u2019re on the right track. However, if you need convincing to make this Mediterranean herb part of your container garden, consider its other uses:<\/p>\n