Grow Your Own Herbal Pharmacy

Chanchal Cabrera MSc, FNIMH,, RH(AHG)

Some general principles of successful herb growing

Most of the common medicinal plants are fairly sturdy and resilient. They are wild weeds in their native habitat so sometimes re-creating that environment is best – or maybe that is just an excuse for a weedy yard!

Start with good quality seeds. Some suppliers of medicinal plant seeds are:

• Richter’s Farm, Goodwood, ON
• SaltSpring Island Seeds
• Horizon Herbs (in Oregon, but the best for unusual medicinals and exotics)
• Ravenhill Herbs, Victoria

A few herbs need to be direct sown but most do better planted into seed trays or plug trays and grown up to a few inches before transplanting into the garden. That way you can control temperature, moisture etc. and there is less competition with slugs etc.

Woody herbs like lavender, sage and rosemary can be propagated by cuttings and layerings. Cuttings of the young wood, or small branches, with a root or heel, pulled off the large plants, may be inserted in sandy soil, and planted out during the following spring. The ‘cuttings’ are taken by pulling the small branches down with a quick movement, when they become detached with the desired ‘heel’ at their base. Cuttings root freely in April, but thorough watering will be required in dry weather until the cuttings are thoroughly established.

Most of the herbs will grow in almost any friable, garden soil. They usually do best on light soil – sand or gravel – in an open and sunny position with good drainage and freedom from damp in winter. Some plants may need protection in winter, or bringing inside.

Making potting mix

http://themicrogardener.com/easy-diy-potting-mix-recipe/

A ideal general potting mix should be light, airy, long-lasting (doesn’t break down or become compacted), moisture-retentive and contain some nutrient value.

In your potting mix, you need ingredients that provide:

• Drainage – to help hold the soil structure open so water moves through and it doesn’t become anaerobic.
• Aeration – a good mix will be light and fluffy, allowing air pockets to form in the soil structure so your plant roots and micro organisms have the oxygen they need to thrive.
• Water retention – moisture holding capacity is essential or you will have a water repellent mix and waste money on unnecessary watering.
• Nutrient retention – ingredients that bind or hold onto the minerals means less leaching of nutrients; improves plant health and saves you money.
• Plant Food – vital nutrients for plant growth – the amount depends on how long you want the mix to feed your plants for.
• Support – the soil crumbs need to be small and fine so the plant roots (especially young seedlings) can take hold and easily expand through the mix.
• Microbes – play a vital role in plant health and growth and I include them in my mix although many mixes are devoid of soil life.

Materials:

You’ll need a container for measuring, a large bucket for mixing in, access to water (kettle and hose/watering can), sieve; a small fork and trowel, a container for pre-soaking the coir peat and your ingredients.

• 1 part pre-soaked Coir Peat – Coir peat is a cheap but long lasting renewable resource so is a more responsible environmental choice (a waste by-product from coconut-processing industry). The finer product left behind after the husk fibre is processed is called coconut coir or coir peat – not to be confused with peat moss!
• 1 part Vermiculite (Grade 3 is a good size) – Vermiculite is the silvery grey colour you often see in potting mixes. It is natural volcanic mineral that has been expanded with  heat to increase its water holding capacity and can come from a variety of sources. The flaky particles soak up moisture and nutrients and keep them in the mix so the plants can access them. It’s lightweight; inorganic so is a permanent ingredient that will not deteriorate or lose volume in the mix; clean; odourless; non-toxic; sterile (no pathogens) and won’t become mouldy or rot.
  Some potting mix recipes suggest using perlite instead of vermiculite however I don’t recommend this due to the risk of Silicosis (overexposure to dust containing microscopic silica can cause scar tissue to form in the lungs, reducing the ability to extract oxygen from the air).
• Coarse washed river sand (salt removed) or builder’s sand can be substituted for vermiculite as an alternative ingredient for drainage – or to minimise cost, use a combination of both. “Coarse” is the key word – the rough shape and size of the individual grains of sand allow space for water to pass though. If the grains are too fine, smooth and round (like you find on the beach), water will cling to them and they’ll compact, drowning your plants.
• Use sand if you need to weigh your container down e.g. for a windy balcony so it is less likely to blow over. Add more sand for a faster-draining succulent mix.
• 2 parts sieved Compost – Compost retains minerals, provides moisture and plant food, microbes and improves the structure of the growing media. It also acts as a buffer to changes in pH and suppresses disease.
• 1/2 to 1 cup Worm Castings  or Vermicast (humus) – ideally you will have your own worm farm to add this perfect humus to your mix. Note: * this is an approximate quantity based on making 36 litres (4 x 9 litre buckets) of potting mix using a 9 litre brick of coir peat. Feel free to add more if you have it! [If you can’t access vermicast, you can buy worm castings or use some humus from the bottom of your compost pile that is most decomposed or use good quality compost]. Humus has so many benefits including the capacity to hold nutrients and supply them to your plants; incredible moisture retention capacity (holds 80-90% of its weight in water); prevents leaching; provides beneficial microbes; is a plant food source; a buffer for toxic metals and chemicals; and has the optimum soil crumb texture.

Method:

STEP 1: Pre-soak coir peat in warm water in a large plastic container. Tip: To rehydrate a 9L block requires 4.5L of water so you need a container bigger than a 9L bucket to work in (minimum 14L size).
When rehydrated according to the directions for the volume you are making, loosen and fluff with your trowel.

STEP 2: Mix equal quantities of pre-soaked coir peat and vermiculite (or coarse sand if using) together well in a large separate container.

STEP 3: Next, add the sieved compost and worm castings and combine thoroughly with (optional) nutrients.
You may need to moisten lightly with a watering can until you can just squeeze a few drops of moisture out of the mix or it has a nice moist but NOT wet feel.

STEP 4: Check the pH with a meter.  Most plants require a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 but if you are growing vegies, they grow best in the range of 6.2 – 6.8 pH.
Some plants do require a more acidic mix (e.g. azaleas, gardenias, rhododendrons and blueberries) to thrive

To raise the pH of potting mix by about one unit (make it more alkaline), add 1 – 1.5 grams of dolomite (lime)/litre of mix. To lower the pH by about one unit (make it more acidic), add 0.3 grams of sulphur/litre of potting mix. Keep the mix moist and recheck the pH again a few days later.

 STEP 5: Store in a container with a lid to avoid drying out if not using it all immediately.

Add Nutrients (optional but recommended)

• Rock Minerals – Plants need a balance of minerals for health & reproduction – just like we do.
• Seaweed & Fish – These provide essential trace elements that boost root growth, plant health, disease resistance, transplant shock and many other benefits.
• To maintain the soil life in your potting mix, feed microbes kelp/seaweed one week, and then molasses the alternate week.

Harvesting herbs

Plant Part	When	How	Remedy
Leaves	Fresh, undamaged, before blooming	Spread out on a sheet in a dark room with air flow	Infusion
Flowers	Fresh, undamaged, day of opening	Spread out on a sheet in a dark room with air flow	Infusion
Seeds	At maturity	Clean from fruit, spread out on a sheet in a dark room with air flow	Decoction
Roots	Early spring or late fall	Chop in small pieces, spread out on a sheet in a dark room with air flow	Decoction
Barks	Early spring or late fall	Chop in small pieces, spread out on a sheet in a dark room with air flow	Decoction

Making herbal teas

Infusions (leaves & flowers)
Take 1 Tbsp. fresh herb mix or 1 tsp. dried herb mix and place in a china cup or tea pot. Pour on 1 cup freshly boiling water. Cover and steep 5 – 15 minutes.

Decoctions (roots, barks & seeds)
Take 1 Tbsp. fresh herb mix or 1 tsp. dried herb mix and place in a stainless steel pan. Cover with 1 ½ cups cold water. Cover, bring to a boil then turn down the heat and simmer on the lowest possible setting for 5 – 15 minutes.

Disclaimer: Information given here does not replace medical advice. If symptoms persists consult a health care professional

Flu Fighter

Fever
Catnip, Yarrow flower, Elderflower, Ginger

Sinus congestion
Plantain, Goldenrod, Sage, Wasabi

Chesty cough / congestion
Marshmallow, Licorice, Horehound

Infection:
Sage, Oregano, Thyme, Echinacea, Garlic

Ear aches
Onion poultice

Sleepy Time

Stress / anxiety
Maral root, Rhodiola, Blue vervain

Insomnia
Catnip, Pasque Flower, Hops, Valerian

Lucid dreaming
Mugwort

Women’s Wellness with Herbs

Heavy or prolonged menses:
Ladies mantle, Yarrow, Raspberry

Hot flashes and Palpitations:
Motherwort, Sage

Hormone balancing:
Motherwort, Blue vervain, Licorice

Agitation, Anxiety, Weepiness:
Motherwort, Blue vervain

Vaginal dryness, Dry skin:
Licorice

Healthy Heart

Palpitations, Arrythmia
Motherwort, Hawthorn, Rhodiola, Lily of the valley,

Hypertension
Yarrow flower, Hawthorn leaf & flower, Dandelion leaf,

High cholesterol
Dandelion root, Garlic

Water retention
Dandelion leaf, Lily of the valley,

Herb	Part used	Appearance & size	Comments	Uses
Betony	Leaves	Clumping, mounding shape 0.5 m round x 1 m tall	Beautiful cutting flower	Headaches; anxiety; stress; restlessness;
California Poppy	Flowers, & tops	Bright orange; long season; self seeds freely		Insomnia; anxiety; stress; restlessness Unproductive cough
Celandine	Leaves	Gets up to over 1 m high and 1 m round; Self seeds liberally	Orange latex stains gloves & hands	Bitter liver and gall bladder stimulant
Dandelion	Leaves & root	Low growing, bright yellow, can cover a lawn. Self seeds liberally	Eat young leaves in salads; harvest fall roots for roasting as a beverage	Bitter liver stimulant; alterative; blood cleanser. Leaf supports kidneys. Root stimulates bowel
Echinacea	Leaves & root	Tall, elegant flowering stalks in clumps. 0.5 m round x 1 m tall	Lovely cut flower; harvest roots after 3 years then replant crown	Immune stimulant; increases macrophage and neutrophil activity and longevity
Elecampane	Root	Can get 2 m tall and almost as wide across		Loosens thick or sticky mucus in lungs; expectorant; lung tonic
Fennel	Leaves and seeds	Very persistent once planted 0.5 m round x 2 m tall	Tasty in a tea or on a salad	Cooling digestive aide; indigestion; gas & bloating
Feverfew	Flowers & leaves	Delicate white flowerswith yellow centre 50 cm high x 25 cm round	Avoid handling a lot with bare hands	Cooling & drying; reduces joint stiffness and soreness; reduces headaches
Lavender	Flowers	Clumping, mounding shape,. 0.5 m round x 1 m tall		Insomnia; anxiety; stress; restlessness Headaches from tension
Lemon Balm	Leaves	Very aromatic 0.5 m round x 1 m tall		Insomnia; anxiety; stress; restlessness Headaches from tension; indigestion; gas & bloating

Lemon Verbena	Leaves	Very aromatic Shrub reaches 1.5 m high if allowed	Needs to be indoors for the winter	Cooling & refreshing; digestive aid
Luzea	Root	Sturdy thistle like plant 0.5 m round x 1 m tall	Harvest roots after 3 years then replant crown	Adaptogen; adrenal tonic and rebuilding herb; for energy & stamina
Marigold	Flowers	Will bloom all season if you keep picking flower heads. Low growing, bright orange. Self seeds liberally		Bitter digestive aid; anti fungal; anti viral; anti-inflammatory; heals wounds;
Marshmallow	Leaves & root	Tall, pale green leaves, fuzzy texture	No need to dig roots when leaves work just fine	Loosens thick or sticky mucus in lungs; expectorant; lung tonic; soothes inflamed kidney or bladder
Motherwort	Leaves	Tall stems, tiny flowers, good bee food, spreads easily		Cooling bitter digestive aid; women’s hormone balancer; uterine relaxant; cardiac relaxant
Milk Thistle	Seeds	Takes a lot of room if allowed to seed freely; birds love the seeds	Very prickly!	Liver cell anti-oxidant
Mullein	Flower & leaf	Biennial – harvest leaves in first year and flowers in 2nd year	Attractive, tall plant for the back of a bed	Fresh flowers made into ear oil for pain; Leaf is used to soothe dry coughs
Oregano	Leaves	Clumping, mounding shape,. 0.5 m round x 1 m tall	Spreads readily once established	Anti-bacterial; anti fungal; anti viral
Peppermint	Leaves	Spreads by runners	Spreads readily once established	Cooling & refreshing; for indigestion; gas & bloating Headaches
Ribwort	Leaves	A wild weed, flourishes anywhere	Can be wild harvested from unpolluted sites	Anti-inflammatory; heals wounds; lung & kidney tonic

Rose	Petals	All types are effective but old fashioned scented roses are best	Pick petals as soon as flowers open, not browning	Cooling & drying; for assisting with change and transition, loss and letting go
Sage	Leaves	Silvery leaf is attractive year round	Good for cooking or medicine	Cooling & drying; estrogen balancing;
Skullcap	Flowering tops	Bright blue flowers ion short stems		Insomnia; anxiety; stress; restlessness Headaches from tension;
St John’s Wort	Flowering tops	A wild weed with bright yellow flower and red juice	Flowers in oil for burns and for neuralgia é nerve pain. Whole flowering tops for depression.	Anti-depressant; nerve regenerator; skin healing; anti viral
Wormwood	Leaves	Attractive silvery foliage Clumping, mounding shape,. 0.5 m round x 1 m tall		Bitter digestive aide; anti-parasitic