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Healthy Herb Gardens
by Sharon Hopkins
The word 'garden' generally makes us think of large grassy parks with tall trees and flowering plants, but an herbal garden can be very small - in fact you can grow one in your home! Your first step is to decide on how much space you can spare for your plants and you will then need to decide on which herbs you would like to have. Instead of trying to have one large portion of your home dedicated to plants, you can distribute small planters throughout your house. This will help to add a dash of natural colors to your rooms.
Space saving tricks for your indoor herbal garden:
- Terrariums: Terrariums are the perfect blend of utility and beauty and they are ideal for small herbal plants. You can even make your own terrarium out of an unused glass container such as a bowl, vase, or even an old pickle jar. Double hook hanging terrarium globes can be attached to each other to form a long string of globes. Plant a different type of herb in each globe and hang the string of globes near your kitchen window.
- Planters: You can use rows of wall mounted rectangular planters to grow various types of herbs in your kitchen. Clay planters can be used for a warm and rustic touch while resin planters complement modern home decor. Consider tall planters with herbs that you can use as decorative items throughout your apartment.
These are just a few of the many herbs that thrive indoors:
- Chamomile: Chamomile tea has a deeply soothing effect and so you can brew a cup of this tea at the end of a difficult day to help you de-stress. This tea also helps to reduce anxiety and menstrual cramps.
- Goldenseal: This herb is effective in treating skin infections and so you can crush a few leaves along with a small amount of your regular moisturizer and then apply the lotion to your skin. Use this for a few weeks for smooth and clear skin. This herb is also used to treat minor respiratory and digestive disorders.
- Licorice: Clean and peel a small piece of licorice root and chew on it to prevent acidity and even acid reflux. You can also grate a piece of this root and add it to a glass of hot water and then slowly sip on it after your meals. This will increase bile production and aid digestion.
- Garlic: We often associate garlic with bad breath and so we avoid it as far as possible. Garlic has immense cardiovascular benefits and it helps to prevent heart disease and high blood pressure. Instead of using it in your food, you can mince a few pods of garlic and add it to half a glass of hot water. Allow it to cool before you drink it.
- Peppermint: Peppermint helps to get rid of excess phlegm and you can use it to flavor drinks and food. You can also crush one or two leaves between your thumb and forefinger as this will work as a natural air freshener.
Certain herbs can be injurious to children and pets and so you will need to discuss this with your doctor before you create your indoor herb garden.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
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