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Plant a Healing Garden this Spring

Herb gardens are useful not only for cooking but for some natural cures. Check out top 4 picks for healthy herbs to grow.

Feverfew for Headaches:
Several compelling studies have demonstrated that feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is effective at migraine prevention. It can be grown outdoors, or placed inside the house for year-round use.

Chew two fresh or frozen leaves daily. A member of the Asteraceae/Compositae family, which also includes ragweed, feverfew can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Caraway, Coriander or Peppermint for Indigestion:
Many culinary herbs have a soothing effect on the belly. Experiment with caraway and coriander as part of your cooking regimen, or sip peppermint (Mentha piperita) tea after meals. Find yourself with leftover mint? Add fresh sprigs of the plant to a footbath when fighting a cold. For tension headaches, try applying peppermint oil to the forehead and temples.

Rosemary for Congestion:
A potent food preservative, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) can also be used to clear the nasal passages. Steep a few sprigs in a steam bath, or add one teaspoon of crushed herb per cup of boiling water for a drinkable infusion.

Chamomile for Stress:
Chamomile (Matricari recutita) is one of our most beloved herbs. Try adding 3 teaspoons of flowers to boiling water and steeping 10–15 minutes for tea, or a few handfuls of flowers to bathwater.

Like feverfew, chamomile is possibly allergenic. Chamomile’s flower friend, sweet violet (Viola odorata), is also thought to be good for calming the nerves, thus earning it the nickname “hearts-ease.” Add some of its vitamin A and C rich blooms to your spring salads for a tasty (and lovely) treat.

Adapted from "Garden Healing," in the 2009 Farmers' Almanac, written by Lisa Belisle, M.D., M.P.H.