Home is where the garden is
While some medicinal herbs can be used in various dishes to elevate their flavor, most of these can also treat minor illnesses like soothing a cough or itchy rash. By growing them indoors, this ensures you have whatever herb you need all year round. (Related: How to start an indoor garden in your apartment.)
Here are just some medicinal herbs you can grow.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as a spice and as a medicinal herb. It contains a compound called curcumin, which is a strong antioxidant with powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Researchers have shown that curcumin hosts a variety of other health benefits which includes improving brain function and reducing the risk of brain diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
- Purchase root cuttings. One turmeric root should be enough to grow several new cuttings.
- Be generous in pot size. The larger the pot, the bigger and stronger the turmeric. Plant the cuttings in moistened potting soil.
- This spice thrives in full sun conditions but will still grow even below grow light levels. During the late spring and summer, it is recommended to move the container near windows so the cuttings can absorb all the sunlight they need.
- Turmeric should be watered every two days to ensure moisture while under the sun or artificial grow lights. Misting the spice between waterings can also help prevent the soil from drying up. However, be careful not to over-moisten the soil. This will cause the turmeric to rot.
- It takes about eight to ten months for turmeric to mature. You can harvest the roots one by one but remember to save some to plant more turmeric. Also, keep in mind to replace the nutrient-drained soil when replanting.
Peppermint
This herb offers benefits for the respiratory system such as treating coughs, colds, asthma, allergies, and tuberculosis. Additionally, peppermint's antiseptic properties can help get rid of toothaches.
- This sweet herb should be planted in an area that offers light sun and partial shade. It also grows best in lightweight, moist potting soil.
- If you're planting more than one peppermint plant, you should space them 18 to 24 inches apart.
- While partial exposure to the sun is enough to grow peppermint, others prefer leaving them in full sunlight to increase the potency of its oils and medicinal qualities.
Thyme
Thyme is considered one of the easiest medicinal herbs to grow indoors. This spice, while commonly used in plenty of dishes, possesses antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It can also act as a natural sleeping pill and relieve stress.
- It grows best under full sun in soil with a pH balance of 6.5 to 7.0.
- This plant requires a steady supply of water but be careful not to over-water it.
- Using lightweight and well-drained potting soil is recommended.
Tarragon
This herb is rich in phytonutrients that bring numerous health benefits like regulating blood sugar. Fresh tarragon also has one of the highest antioxidant values among common herbs.
- Tarragon seeds should be planted in a lightweight and moist potting soil.
- When planted, the seeds should be covered by a paper towel or cloth to simulate low light conditions until the seeds have sprouted.
- You can transfer the seedlings to their own pots once they have grown at least two inches tall.
Garlic
Garlic is considered a natural “wonder drug.” This plant contains compounds that exhibit potent medicinal properties. Some of the health benefits it provides include regulating blood pressure and lowering heart disease risk.
- If you must plant multiple garlic cloves in the same container, you need to space them one to two inches apart from each other.
- The narrowest part of the clove, also known as the root side, must be placed down in the dirt first.
- The cloves must be planted four to six inches deep in compost-rich potting soil.
Dwarf Moringa Tree
Every part of this tree is edible and packed with a variety of medicinal properties. Dubbed as "The Tree of Life" or "Miracle Tree", it is rich in antioxidants and nutrients that help protect the liver, fight inflammation, and lower cholesterol. Normally native to India, you can grow the dwarf variant of this tree in the comfort of your own home.
- You can plant up to eight Moringa seeds in a container before transplanting them into their own respective containers.
- Throughout its lifespan, you can snip off leaves to be used for medicinal purposes without hurting the growth of the tree.
- If the leaves start to turn yellow, you can add magnesium to the dirt using eggshells or oyster shells.
- These trees do not grow well in overly-moist soil. Because of this, having a container with proper drainage is mandatory.
Echinacea
This plant is known to boost the immune system and fight off infections. You can even brew it into a tea that can alleviate the symptoms of the common cold and the flu.
- While these plants don't need a lot of water, be sure to prevent the soil from drying out.
- Echinacea grows best under full sunlight in nutrient-rich soil.
- If you ever need to move your echinacea container outside, remember that they can survive a little frost.
- Echinacea takes 90 to 120 days to mature and can grow to about 48 inches tall.
Ginger
This popular spice is loaded with nutrients that can bring powerful benefits to your body and brain. It has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-nausea properties. It also contains a compound called gingerol, which is responsible for its antioxidant content and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Soak ginger root pieces for eight to 12 hours before planting.
- The ginger root grows horizontally so you would need a wide pot full of compost-rich potting soil.
- Plant the root one to two inches deep with the eye pointing towards the soil surface.
- Keep the soil moist but do not overwater.
- Ginger should also not be under a lot of sunlight but should still have enough heat to stay warm throughout the growing period.
- The sprouts should become visible in 14 to 21 days but it takes several months before the ginger root can be harvested.
Learning how to grow plants indoors can be an essential survival skill in case SHTF. This can help you be self-sufficient and provide you with all the necessary ingredients needed in healing remedies at the comfort of your own home.
Read GrowYourMedicine.com for detailed articles focused on home-grown medicine and natural remedies.
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