Medicinal Herbs Most herbs prefer full sun and

Medicinal Herbs

• Most herbs prefer full sun and well drained soil. • ANNUAL herbs generally prefer more water and are at their peak potency when not allowed to flower. • PERENNIAL herbs thrive with less water and can be harvested just as they begin to flower. • DISCLAIMER: Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

Annual Herbs

Arugula • Eruca Sativa • Extremely high in minerals and vitamins including A, K, B & C as well as folic acid, Iron, potassium, manganese and calcium. • Grow in full sun/part shade; successive plantings needed • Self-seeds • Needs rich, moist soil.

Basil • Ocimum Basilicum • Many varieties — Thai (O. Basilicum Thyrsiflora), Lemon (O. Basilicum Citriodorum), Holy (O. Basilicum Tenuiflorum) • Grow in full sun • Very sensitive to temperatures below 50°F • Pinch out flowers as they appear • Plant in late spring in sandy, well drained moist soil

Chervil • Anthriscus Cerefolium • Mild Flavor with an essence of parsley and fennel. Tasty addition used fresh on chicken, fish, zucchini & eggs as well as in salads sauces & soups. • Leaves look like flat parsley but more finely dissected. • Grows best in shade; quickly goes to seed in hot weather; successive plantings needed • May occasionally overwinter in Seattle • Average, moist soil.

Cilantro • Coriandrum Sativum • Delicious addition in many ethnic cuisines. • Loaded with minerals and vitamins A, K & C, potassium and manganese. • Grow in full sun; quickly goes to seed in hot weather, successive plantings needed; light well drained soil. • Seeds produced are Coriander

Perennial Herbs

Fennel • Ferula Communis • Leaves and seeds can be chewed or make tea that is a delicious tonic for the digestive system • The bulb has an anisey flavor and can be cooked or eaten raw. Delicious with fish or in salads. • Grow in full sun; harvest from bottom of plant; may be cut to the ground to rejuvenate foliage • Self seeds readily and has become somewhat invasive in NW • Well drained soil; low water use.

Lavender • Lavandula Angustifolia being the most common but there are 47 additional species • Relaxing tonic for stress relief in aromatherapy or can be brewed and consumed as a tea • The flowers have a spicy kick that can add zest to salads • Grow in full sun; trim early spring and after bloom • Well drained soil, low water.

Oregano • Origanum Vulgare • Used widely in ethnic cuisine • Contains thymol, giving it antibacterial properties • High in Omega-3 s, iron, manganese & antioxidants • Most flavorful when dried rather than fresh • Grows best in full sun; trim regularly to keep compact; may be cut to the ground to rejuvenate foliage; self seeds; Italian oregano may not overwinter • Well drained soil, even watering.

Parsley • Petroselinum Crispum • High in vitamins A, K & C. Contains high amounts of chlorophyll that has been shown to be effective at blocking the carcinogenic effects of heterocyclic amines generated when grilling foods • BIENNIAL — is a flowering plant that takes two years to complete its biological life cycle, producing a rosette the first year and bolting (going to seed) the second year • Grows best in part shade; may be cut to the ground to rejuvenate foliage; flavor deteriorates 2 nd year when flowering • Average, well drained, moist soil.

Rosemary • Rosmarinus officinalis • Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory , anticarcinogenic antioxidant • Immune booster and stomach soother for diarrhea and constipation • Grow in full sun; trim often to keep bushy and compact • Average, well drained soil, low water.

Sage • Salvia Officinalis • Popular in many european cuisines. • Helpful for memory and cognitive function • Grow in full sun; trim often to keep bushy and compact • Average, well drained soil, low water

Thyme • Thymus Vulgaris • Contains thymol, an antiseptic & active ingredient found in many products such as mouthwash • Thyme has antifungal properties. Before the advent of antibiotics thyme was used in wound care. Also used to treat cough and bronchitis • Grow in full sun; trim often to keep bushy and compact • Light sandy soil, low water.

Herbs for Shade Arugula, Chervil, Parsley, Mint, Lemon Balm

Oregon Grape • Mahonia aquifolium (tall) Mahonia repens (creeping) • Native plant to the NW, the roots are medicinal (used similar to goldenseal but it’s not endangered) • Antibacterial & antibiotic properties. Bitter digestive stimulant. • Blooms at the end of winter with bright yellow flowers attractive to pollinators. • Grows best in shade or partly shady woodland environment.

Wild Ginger • Asarum Caudatum: Perennial • Beautiful groundcover native to PNW. Heart shaped leaves. • Can be used to treat upset stomach. Chew leaves or make a tea. • Grows best in loose woodland type soil with lots of leaf mold. • Give a little extra water on hot days.

Coltsfoot • Petasites Frigidus var. Palmatus • Beautiful NW native groundcover with spikes of white to pale pink or creamy yellow flowers that emerge in spring before the palmate leaves. • Grows best in moist shady environment. Often found growing along stream banks.

Herbs for Sun Arugula, Basil, Cilantro, Fennel, Lavender, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme

Calendula • Calendula officinalis: self sowing annual. • Bright orange & yellow flowers. • Used in preparations for the skin. In medieval Europe it was called “poor man's saffron” and used to color and spice food and for dye. • Delicious in salads. • Grows best in sun in average soil.

Yarrow • Achillea Millefolium • Antiseptic. Used to treat fever. • Perennial. Sow seeds directly in early spring. • Great protector plant that deters pests from the garden. • Grows vigorously in any kind of soil and requires little water. Prefers full sun.

Mint • Mentha: many varieties • Two most common species are peppermint (piperita) and spearmint (spicata). • Use medicinally for digestive aid. Culinary use in salads and mojitos! Used in aromatherapy. • Grow in sun or shade. Tolerates most soil conditions. Drought tolerant. • Invasive spreading habit is best grown in a container unless you can give it plenty of space.

Lemon Balm • Melissa Officinalis • Gentle herb for tummy aches. Can be given to children. Used in aromatherapy. • Grows best in sun but can also be grown in shade. • Plant in a container if you do not want it to take over. Best in well drained sandy loam but will grow well in a variety of conditions. • Drought tolerant.

Comfrey • Symphytum Officinale • Make a poultice for inflammation, sprains, bruises, & swelling. • Grows best in sun but will tolerate light shade in clay, light sand or loamy soil. • Fast grower, cut back to encourage new growth. • Use gloves when harvesting because the stems and leaves have tiny hairs that can irritate the skin.

Mullein • Verbascum thapsus • Astringent and emollient. Make a decoction from the leaves for dry cough and bronchitis. • Biennial. • Grows in sun often in disturbed areas. • Take care when harvesting because the tiny hairs on the leaves can irritate the skin and respiratory system if you breathe it in.

Some more of Rachel’s favorite herbs • Dandelion — Bitter tonic, grows everywhere! • Elderberry — Immune booster, fights cold and flu. Grows in PNW forest. Shade lover. • Plantain — Great for first aid. Grows abundant in PNW often found in lawns and parking strips.

Some more of Rachel’s favorite herbs • Catnip — Fun for the kitties! Relaxing tonic for their human counterparts. Grow in sun in well drained soil. • Nettle — Great nutrient-rich tonic. Anti-inflammatory properties when ingested, or the stingers can be used topically on an inflamed area. Wear gloves to harvest to avoid the stinging hairs. Grows in shady forest environment.