Growing herbs will help grow your families health
What the experts say on herbs
Herbs have been used for thousands of years in many cultures for maintaining health. “Traditional herbal medicines are naturally
occurring, plant-derived substances with minimal or no industrial processing that have been used to treat illness within
local or regional healing practices” (WHO,2014)
Common herbs your family can grow and use to help stay healthy.
RosemaryIn a recent study from the University of Northumbria in the UK, people performed better on various memory tasks if rosemary scent was pumped into the room. It is also a good source of Vitamin A, Thiamin and Magnesium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron and Manganese.
ThymeThyme has long been used as an herbal remedy for respiratory problems such as bronchitis, and it also has antiseptic properties. (Thymol, one of the compounds it contains, is a key ingredient in Listerine.) It is also a good source of Vitamin B6, Folate, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Copper and Manganese.
LavenderLavender’s fragrance is soothing (helping you to fall asleep), and it contains antioxidants known as polyphenols that fight belly bloating.
Cooking is one of the most common uses for
herbs
Tea is another great way to incorporate herbs into your daily diet routine • Basil is known to calm nerves, is a good source of fiber, and has a
detoxifying effect on the liver. It is also a good source of Protein, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Riboflavin and Niacin, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper and Manganese.
• Parsley It contains vitamins A and C, and just one tablespoon offers more than half of your recommended daily intake of vitamin K, a nutrient that's essential for healthy blood.
Sage Sage has antiseptic and antioxidant properties, which can help in the fight against early aging—a bonus for any beauty product. Sage has also been used as a natural remedy for anxiety and fatigue, and is thought to be a memory enhancer It is also a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin and Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium and Manganese.
Herbs can be harvested, dried and used well past the growing season
•CilantroCilantro supplies fiber and iron and helps clear heavy metals from your body. "Our body mistakes heavy metals for nutrients," Hetrich says. "Cilantro attaches itself to mercury, lead, and other toxic heavy metals and draws them out of your tissues.”
• DillDill is a great source of antioxidants (such as beta-carotene), and is also said to cure hiccups. The next time you get the hiccups, mix a teaspoon of dill leaf with a cup of boiled water, strain out the leaves, and drink the liquid slowly.
• Mint is a rich source of vitamin A, providing more than half of your recommended daily intake in just two tablespoons. In addition, Hetrich says, “Mint is good for the breath, digestion, nausea, headaches, respiratory disorders, asthma, pimples, [and] cavities." Need another reason to use this herb? A recent study found that essential oils in peppermint have a positive effect on exercise performance, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
All you need is sun, seed, water and family to start your herb garden. Plus being together outside getting natural vitamin D goes along way for your
wellness.
• Herbs are excellent plants for pots. A strawberry pot can contains a variety of herbs.
Most varieties thrive in containers and can be grown inside your house as even with minimum sun.
• you can supplement natural lighting with fluorescent light. In general, for every hour of required sunlight, expose the plants to two hours of fluorescent light. Herbs grown entirely under fluorescent lights will require between 14 to 16 hours of artificial lighting. Place herb plants no closer than five or six inches and no farther than 15 inches from the light source.
References:http://www.gardenista.com/posts/urban-gardening-diy-shade-tolerant-windowsill-herbs-to-grow-in-your-apartment
http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/dry/herbs.html
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance.htm
http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/8/07-042820/en/
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/spices-and-herbs/206/2
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20705274_12,00.html
