Lemon Balm
Chamomile 
St. Johns Wort
The current garden project I am working on is an apothecary garden. I want to make more tinctures, oils and salves for myself and for my business , so I have plans to fill it with a number of healing herbs. Like any herb garden it will need to be planted in full sun, and drain well. Any of the mints may need to be contained. Yarrow, and St. John’s Wort can be invasive, so I haven’t decided if I want to plant in one big bed, or use raised beds and containers.
Some plants I am considering include:
- Calendula (calendula officinalis)
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- Comfrey (symphytum officinale)
- Lemon Balm (melissa officinalis)
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita )
- Passionflower (passiflora incarnata)
- Bee Balm (mondara didyma)
- Yarrow (achillia millefolium)
- Catnip or Catmint (nepeta cataria)
- Echinacea (echinachia augustifolia)
- Aloe Vera
Visit www.christopherhobbs.com for an herbal database, and to view pictures of the above plants.
I never made any tinctures from any herbs. I use my herbs for cooking/ salads. Keep us posted with the process.
sounds wonderful karen! when i got into herbs 5 or 6 years ago, i started with and eye both toward culinary and medicinal. watch out for the lemon balm ladies, it spreads like crazy too! lol so far i have elecampane,st johns wort, valerian, marshmallow, spiderwort, soapworts, bugleweeds, mints, comfrey, skullcaps, horehound, chives, boneset, clary sage, burdock, agrimony, angelica,calendula, gravel root and a few others. went around a few years back and transplanted alot of wild violets around my little pond and now have just tons of them for salves, jellies etc. So excited you are getting into the medicinal herbs so we can share our recipes for things!!! cool! big hugs to you 🙂
Janet, I will post on my herbal infusions tomorrow. I have Calendula, comfrey, and plantain infusing in olive oil
Lesli_ OOH OOH, so many herbs! Do you have them all together, or scattered around?
Karen
scattered throughout karen. we have so many large trees in our lot and a half yard that sun is at a premium. so… i have to plant carefully and the results is kind of cool for me. veggies, herbs, grape and raspberry vines, are inter mixed just where ever they can get the sun requirement each needs. i’ll take some pics soon when i get the spring tidying done!lol been so wet here i haven’t got the veggies in yet. btw the new hive is going like crazy and i will have to put the second super on this weekend. did you get yours moved yet? hugs 🙂
Do you make your own compost? Since I eat from my garden (obviously) I worry what I put on it. This past year I’ve really gotten into worm composting…I take garbage and table scraps and get out worm castings 2 months later (less landfills, more organic, rich soil!). Highly recommend it to everybody who cares about what they eat and want to impact the environment. Keep up the healing herbs!!
http://www.red-worm-composting.com/
Mark, I do not have my own compost bin, I am embarassed to say. But how funny you should mention the worm composting. I am writing an article for The Essential Herbal magazine, and will post a blog in the next couple of days. I will be sure and include your site
Thanks
Karen
Just found your site, because of the give away at “The Last Piece.” Your herb info. sounds so interesting. You can be sure I will have your blog saved as one of my favorites!
I just love lemon verbena for making a wonderful bread. Come over to my blog and you can try the recipe. It is wonderful. I think you will like! If you stitchery I have a chicken tea towel pattern for free.
We just were on a conference that was held on the internet. One of the ladies had bought a compost unit. We ran to Sam’s and bought one. It is called Soil Saver model SS1512-R. We live on a farm and have wanted to do this forever. It is only $40. Thought you might be interested.
Put herbs in with your flowers,it gives lots more color to your flower patch.
God Bless