Herbs and Health

Right about now OCS families are starting to harvest fresh tomatoes, squash and peppers from their own front or back yards veggie patches. That superfresh produce is tossed into salads, laid on the grill or briefly added to saute pans to create dishes yielding the quintessential flavors of summer. While we all plant primarily to enjoy the just picked flavors of summer produce, we can't forget that some plants, especially herbs, are also good for our health in more mysterious ways. Herbs, often misidentified as simple weeds, have a long culinary and medicinal history.

Wild herbs were used as healing remedies long before records were kept—Otzi, the 5,300-year-old Iceman found in the Alps in 1991, had medicinal mushrooms among his personal effects—and they’ve been an integral part of Eastern medicine for centuries. Today modern medicine is beginning to realize that herbs may ease the symptoms of many ailments, from the common cold to arthritis, because they contain important health-promoting compounds such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.

Growing your own herbs is easy and fun, and the fresh leaves are more potent than dried ones. All you need are some pots, soil, and a sunny spot. Here are five gentle but effective herbs that are ideal for amateur gardeners—they’re simple to grow and will thrive in just about any environment. Better yet, they have few side effects when consumed in small amounts, and you can take them with most pharmaceutical or over-the-counter drugs. If you’re on blood thinners or have a serious condition, consult your doctor first.

Peppermint

First cultivated near London in 1750, peppermint has been shown to be an effective remedy for indigestion. “It calms the muscles of the digestive tract to alleviate intestinal gas and cramping,” says Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine in Tucson. A cup of warm peppermint tea may also thin mucus, loosen phlegm, and soothe sore throats. Apply it topically to take the itch out of bug bites or to ease muscle cramps, arthritis, and headaches.

Growing tip: Snipping can begin two to three weeks after a plant is established. Be sure not to strip the stem bare or you’ll compromise the plant. Remember that peppermint is part of the mint family of herbs and as such, can be invasive when planted directed into the garden. You can either tuck it into a spot with lots of room, or plant it in pot filled with well loose soil. Health Benefits: Settles upset stomach; eases muscle cramps

Lemon balm

Arab doctors in the 9th and 10th centuries called lemon balm the gladdening herb and prescribed it to dispel anxiety and heart palpitations. More recently, a panel of physicians, pharmacologists, and scientists appointed by the German Ministry of Health endorsed the herb for relieving tension, anxiety, and restlessness. There’s also evidence of cognitive benefits. In a small study published in Neuropsychopharmacology, 20 healthy young adults reported increased memory and improved mood after ingesting lemon balm. Another study found similar results among Alzheimer’s patients.

Growing tip: Like peppermint, lemon balm is fast growing. If you plant it in your garden rather than in a pot, be sure to give it a lot of space. Health Benefits: Dispels anxiety; improves mood. Lemon balm can be steeped for a light and delicious herbal tea. It can also be added to cool summer drinks.

Rosemary

Rosemary thrives in southern California, in a climate similar to its roots in the Mediterranean. The use of rosemary as a memory enhancer dates back at least to early Western civilization. Greek students wore garlands of rosemary around their heads, and students in Rome massaged their temples and foreheads with the herb prior to exams. The herb can also reduce joint pain. To make a topical ointment, soak rosemary needles in almond oil for two weeks, filter, then rub the oil onto sore joints as needed.

Growing tip: Rosemary is best grown from a plant and performs well in a container or directly sown into the earth where it can grow even in poor soil. Health Benefits: Increases memory; reduces joint pain

Valerian

Used throughout history as a sedative and sleep aid, valerian gets its name from the Latin valere, which means “to be in good health.” Just the smell alone of the sweetly scented plant is enough to put some people out. Research conducted on 16 insomniacs at Humboldt University of Berlin, in Germany, found valerian extract helped them nod off faster and improved the quality of their sleep.

Growing tip: When valerian is used for medicinal purposes, cut the flowers as soon as they appear (otherwise, they take energy from the leaves). Opt for the Valeriana officinalis variety, which can be used medicinally.Health Benefits: Acts as sleep aid; has sedative effects

Sage

Research conducted at the Allergy Clinic in Landquart, Switzerland, last year found that sage combined with echinacea was as effective as the painkiller lidocaine in relieving sore throat pain. Plus, studies show that the herb’s bacteria-fighting heft makes it a potent breath freshener. To make sage mouthwash, steep 1 tablespoon sage leaves in 1 cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Strain and gargle.

Growing tip: Sage is best started from a plant, because it can take up to a year to establish itself. The best medicinal variety is Salvia officinalis.Health Benefits: Eases sore throats and freshens breath nicely.