What Plants To Grow

There are many plants you can grow, indoor or outdoors, that can be used in your foods or for medicinal purposes. I wrote about some common ones in my last post, basil and cayenne pepper, so if you missed that head on over to my last post to read about them.

In this post, I will write about more plants you can grow easily to get a garden that is beneficial for you, your nutrition, your brain health, and your wellness in general.

Lavender is one of the most well-known medicinal herbs, popular for its soothing scent

and ability to calm the nerves.

Lavender health benefits:

Eases tension and reduces stress

Relieves headaches and migraines

Aids sleep

Supports healthy hair and skin

Fights acne

Relieves pain

Treats respiratory problems

Common uses:

Make a lavender syrup to add to teas, lemonades, or just seltzer water:

https://armagazine.com/2SDUDIA

Brew flowers for a tea

Use essential oil in a diffuser

Apply essential oil topically

Add lavender buds to a warm bath

Growing tips:

Lavender likes 6 to 8 hours of sunlight and, once established, is drought tolerant. Read

more at https://bit.ly/3eOECID

I am currently growing Lavender in an Aerogarden due to my lack of sunlight in Ohio especially during the fall and winter sessions. Lavender does much better outside here in the summer. However, I want to grow it year-round. It does take a while to mature but once it gets going... watch out!

Mine is not quite ready yet and has just sprouted. However, I can't wait to use this in tea and also I just read about throwing Lavender flowers into a firepit to help with mosquitos. I am a camper so I am excited to give this a try!

This lemony plant is delicious and easily used in several dishes like teas, ice cream,

and more. Many people consume lemon balm tea to help relieve anxiety, stress, and

even to calm restless kids.

Lemon balm benefits:

Calms restlessness, anxiety, and stress

Reduces inflammation

Treats cold sores

Soothes menstrual cramps

Common uses:

Brew leaves for tea

Garnish for dishes and desserts

Apply tea or essential oil topically

Growing tips:

Lemon balm prefers to be grown in full sun in well-drained, sandy loam. It grows best

in slightly moist soil, so water regularly. Grow 4 lemon balm plants for cooking or 6 to

12 plants for tea and preserving.

Peppermint makes a tasty tea and helps relieve tummy aches, nausea, and muscle

pain.

Peppermint health benefits:

Relieves allergies

Soothes muscle pain

Relieves headaches

Reduces nausea, gas, and indigestion

Supports digestive health

Treats bad breath

Highly antibacterial

Common uses:

Brew leaves for tea

Apply essential oil topically

Inhale essential oil

Growing tips:

Peppermint needs lots of water and rich soil with good drainage. It won’t tolerate dry

conditions. Planting it in full sun will increase the potency of its oils and medicinal

qualities.

I grow peppermint in my Aerogarden, too so it will grow year round. I like the smell of it and it taste really good in my tea.