2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
In modern society, the benefits of medicinal plants are not questioned. Many medicinal plants can be found close to home, almost all can be bought at the pharmacy. But still there are questions: how is that which is sold in the pharmacy grown and harvested? Wouldn't it be better to try growing medicinal plants yourself?
A summer cottage, a vegetable garden, a courtyard, even a place near the courtyard (only in no case near the roadway!) Is an excellent place for growing medicinal plants. Most of the medicinal herbs growing in our country are unpretentious and do not require a lot of time and effort, and the return on them is good.
Mint, lemon balm
The most common "medicine" that can be found in almost any garden plot is mint or its variety, respectively, and a close relative, lemon balm. These herbs give the tea a unique delicate aroma and taste, and both adults and children enjoy the infusion of them.
How to grow? Mint and lemon balm are light-loving, heat-resistant herbs. The only thing they dislike is wet and cloudy weather. Therefore, when choosing a place for planting these herbs, you need to select a site in a sunny place. Every 5-6 years, you need to transplant the grass to a new place.
Mint and lemon balm can be planted by seed, seedlings, or dividing mature bushes. We plant seeds for seedlings in a greenhouse or in boxes on the windowsill around the end of February and beginning of March. When buying ready-made seedlings or having our own grown ones, we plant the plants in the ground in early May, when it is already warm enough outside and the soil has warmed up. If we divide adult bushes, then you can plant mint and lemon balm in the ground at the end of April. Mint and lemon balm need occasional watering, but the plant will thrive without it. It practically does not need weeding, as the overgrown bushes "clog" the weed and prevent it from growing.
When to collect? Mint leaves are harvested around July-August, but always before the flowering period of the plant. The deadline is the budding period. This is due to the fact that during and after flowering, the amount of essential oil we need in the leaves decreases, its maximum amount is collected in the leaves before flowering. But lemon balm can be harvested during the flowering period.
How to dry and how much to store? Prepared leaves of mint and lemon balm are laid out on paper in the shade, in a well-ventilated place. It is not recommended to dry the leaves in the sun, they will become ugly brown, in addition, they will lose their unique aroma. The dried medicinal material is stored in canvas bags or in glass jars in a dark, cool place for no more than 2 years.
How to use? Brew tea from mint leaves and lemon balm, can be added to regular black tea, and also used in the preparation of meat dishes as a spice.
What effect does it have? Mint and lemon balm are the most valuable treasure among medicinal herbs. Tea made from the leaves of these herbs perfectly calms the nervous system and relaxes the body, normalizes sleep. It helps well with arrhythmias and tachycardia.
If you have insomnia, make yourself a pillow and fill it with dried mint or lemon balm leaves and you will be assured of a good restful sleep.
By the way, if you feel sick on the road, then before leaving you should drink a cup of mint tea, it will help get rid of unpleasant sensations during the trip.
An infusion of mint or lemon balm when used externally will help get rid of edema, abscesses, acne, bruises and herpes. If you rinse your hair with an infusion of these herbs, then hair loss will stop, and dandruff will also disappear.
Important! Mint tea is not recommended for babies under the age of three, as well as for people suffering from low blood pressure and varicose veins.
In the next article, we will continue our conversation about medicinal herbs:
Recommended:
Plants By The Sign Of The Zodiac. Part 1
Did you know that indoor plants can also be in harmony with their owners by their belonging to the zodiac sign according to the Western horoscope? Little of! They are able to enhance the positive qualities of their zodiacal master and smooth out the negative ones, which, alas, each person has. These are the flowers combined with various signs of the zodiac
The Use Of Bone Meal In The Backyard
Followers of the principles of organic farming are successfully replacing mineral fertilizers with natural analogues. Instead of nitrogen fertilizers, compost or manure can be used; ash is used as potash fertilizers. But it is also important not to forget about preparations containing phosphorus - which organic matter is rich in this element and how to use it so as not to take superphosphate?
Rules For The Collection Of Medicinal Plants
Self-procurement of medicinal raw materials saves finances and provides a quality guarantee. Information for those who do not want to buy ready-made plants at the pharmacy, but prefer to collect them on their own. On the rules for harvesting seeds, buds, flowers, bark, foliage, roots
Medicinal Plants In The Backyard. Part 2
Plantain and calendula are two unpretentious plants with medicinal properties, the cultivation of which is not difficult, but their usefulness is great
Medicinal Plants In August-September
We offer a list of popular medicinal plants with a description of their beneficial properties. Here are the details about the collection and procurement rules
