A luscious, thriving garden of green herbs is something many people aspire to have in or around their home, but it’s only a comparative few who end up achieving their goal. For quite a lot of folks, the journey ends before it ever begins, and one main reason for this is the difficulty encountered in making confident choices about exactly what to plant. Out of hundreds of varieties, how do you pick those which will be most beneficial to your home and life? One solution is to choose herbs that have a lot of practical uses, allowing you to sow fewer seeds but reap greater benefits. Here is a list of five exceptionally handy herbs to help you get your gardening project off to a good start.
1. Ginger
If you’re looking for an herb that is as useful in the kitchen as it is in the medicine cabinet, ginger is a sure bet. Particularly when combined with honey or lemon, the distinct flavor of ginger can be a delectable addition to many foods and beverages. Famous for its fast and effective relief of nausea, this anti-oxidant rich root also helps with intestinal irritation by slowing gastric contractions. Last but not least, its anti-inflammatory properties make it a popular choice for reducing pain associated with exercise, arthritis, and menstruation.
2. Lemon Balm
Thought to work by exerting a sedative effect on the central nervous system, lemon balm is commonly used as a natural treatment for anxiety and sleeplessness. It can work wonders for gastrointestinal discomfort and menstrual cramps, and even as an appetite stimulant. Additionally, lemon balm is known for its ability to effectively treat herpes outbreaks, lessen the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and regulate thyroid problems. Best of all, it tastes great fresh and is safe for children and adults of all ages.
3. Turmeric
Although the process of making turmeric root into powder takes some time and effort, the results are well worth it, as one tablespoon only contains 29 calories, but serves up 16% of your recommended daily iron intake, as well as significant doses of manganese, potassium, and Vitamin C. Turmeric has also been shown to contribute to weight loss, decreased triglyceride synthesis, heightened metabolic rate, heightened fatty acid oxidation, and increased insulin sensitivity, effects that could significantly aid in the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Furthermore, turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory properties that may be useful in guarding against cancer, Alzheimer’s, and type-2 diabetes. Fortunately, there is no shortage of delicious ways to incorporate turmeric into your daily diet, as it makes an excellent addition to eggs, vegetables, rice, greens, soups, smoothies, teas, and more.
4. Dandelions
Depending on where you live, there is a good chance this amazing herb is already in plentiful supply around your yard, and you may even consider it a pest. When blanched, the young, pale leaves of this plant serve as a scrumptious ingredient in salads, soups, sandwiches, stews, casseroles, or even as a tea. A helping of dandelion greens can provide over 100% of your body’s daily Vitamin A needs, and over 500% of the recommended minimum intake of Vitamin K, making it an excellent resource for healthy skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Also rich in Vitamins B and C, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, calcium and especially fiber, these greens are capable of improving digestion and aiding in the generation of red blood cells.
5. Basil
Hugely popular as a basic ingredient in Italian and other cuisines, basil is a downright necessity for your spice collection. It may frequently be overlooked, however, for its medicinal properties, which include a terrifically high vitamin and mineral content. Home to zea-xanthin, a powerful carotenoid compound, basil is another herb that can help keep your vision strong by helping your retinas filter damaging UV rays. The essential oils derived from this beautiful and fragrant plant are also known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties.
Simply put, there are no wrong or right herbs to plant in your garden. It can help tremendously, however, to be confident that what you plant will be easy to make use of. Whether it’s the joy of gardening you’re after, or just a new challenge, starting out with these five herbs will add depth to both your menu and your medicine cabinet, as well as give you a lush bit of scenery to feast your eyes on.
