Indoor Herb Garden Kits and Herbal Remedies

Epilobium angustifolium

Appearance
The rosebay willowherb is a handsome plant with pink coloured blooms that blooms throughout the middle part of summer.

A perennial herb with a creeping rhizome along with a rather tall, upright, generally unbranched leafy stalk. The leaves are alternating and lanceolate with entire or slightly toothed and undulate margins. The fruit is an extended, four-valved capsule with many plumed seeds. The rose-pink flowers are positioned in a long terminal raceme. The flowers are attractive to bees.

The generic name, Epilobium, originates from a pair of Greek words, epi (~ upon) and lobos (= a pod), and refers to a situation where the flowers stand upon the apex of the lengthy, thin fruits, – which look rather similar to the flowerstems.

History
Rosebay Willowherb grows all through most of Europe in clumps in woodland clearings, on embankments and in waste places. It is an everyday weed in the British Isles.

It was one of the first plants to colonize London’s bomb sites during the Second World War. Mostly the popular name Willowherb describes the willow-like shape of the leaves.

Usage
The young rhizome, together with the fresh leaves and young shoots, may be enjoyed as a vegetable. Young shoots of rosebay willowherb can be served much the same as asparagus. The finely chopped young leaves add variety to salads and vegetable dishes.

The leaves have been employed as a tea substitute and are still used that way in the Soviet Union.

Mainly the leaves are employed medicinally. Their ingredients incorporate tannins (as high as 20 per cent), mucilage, sugars, pectin and vitamin C. These types of substances give Rosebay Willowherb demulcent, astringent and tranquillizing properties.

The rhizomes, which contain fewer tannins and no mucilage, are recommended in a decoction or chewed fresh for stomach complaints, including diarrhoea.

A decoction or infusion is employed to treat headache and migraine. Because it is abundant in vitamin C the tea is recommended in the role of a spring tonic.

Growth Pattern
It thrives on ground which has been cleared by fire, hence one of its substitute common names, Fireweed.

Flowering time: June to August

Once again we have to thank our new guest blogger, Camille Baxter for a different and interesting take on herbal know-how. Read all about it!

Herbs in Pots
In my part of the US, we experience blips of cold to warm before actual winter sets in. For instance, last night dipped into the 40’s, and next week we should be cruising into the 60’s (hello, southeast!) It is times like this in warmer climates, and especially in northern regions, when gardeners should consider bringing their herb plants indoors.

I will cover transplanting your garden to containers in my next installment, but those who practice container gardening have probably begun the indoor movement of their bounty. Many herbs adapt very well to container life, and in some cases, like basil and mint, do better potted than freely planted to take over your garden space. If you are bringing your plants indoors, the three key elements to keep an eye on are their:

• Light situation,
• Moisture
• Temperature

You will want to keep your plants in adequate sunlight, where southern exposure for about eight hours a day is feasible. If you do not have windows to provide sufficient sunlight, grow lights are always an option.

Maintaining moisture in dry indoor air is necessary, and misting your plants with a bit of water or placing planters in containers suspended on pebbles with water should do well in monitoring their water consumption.

If you are worried about indoor pests nibbling at your herbs, you can spray heavily diluted soap and water (no bubbles visible) on the leaves of your plants for pest control- just rinse your leaves well before consumption.

Herbal Teas
One great suggestion for the herbs that you care for over these winter months is to begin experimenting with fresh herbal teas to warm on chilly nights.

Many of the most common garden herbs have wonderful medicinal value to curb wintery illness.

But beware if you have transplanted your herb garden indoors: do not consume or brew teas from herbs that treated with pesticides.

Once you are ready to harvest your tea, gently peel off the flowers or leaves. To release the essential oils in your herbs, rub the clippings together in your palm, and then transfer to a tea ball or steeping cup in a mug. Pour hot (but not boiling) water over your loose tea leaves and allow time for steeping- around five minutes. If you have dried you herbs, about a teaspoon is adequate, while fresh herbs require about a tablespoon.

Some wonderfully flavored herbs for tea come from their flowers, such as chamomile or lavender- if you have some at home, try adding some loose violet flowers to your lavender tea for a dramatic, beautiful touch to enjoying your cuppa.

First off – keep the pots as near to the light and sunshine as convenient, and set them out into the rain periodically.

The number of herbs in each window box must, naturally, depend upon the size of the box and its location, but definitely offer plenty of space for the roots to spread. There are several herbs whose roots are just so widespread that they will grow all over the others in a box and smother them. In these cases, plant each in a pot and then lower the pot into the window box.

So-called window boxes, do not have to always sit upon a window ledge or a balcony. They can also decorate a rooftop garden space, however small. And they can be hung on a garage, garden, or residence wall surface to brighten up and lend interest to a normally dull expanse. There are now businesses selling composition window boxes complete with herb plants these include chives, pot marjoram, thyme, sage and tarragon.

The boxes themselves could be made of timber, a composite substance, or cement. Or pots might be installed in graceful wrought-iron containers positioned upon legs, to create a feature in any area.
Pots can be made of the regular terracotta clay or glazed and embellished pottery for a feature position.

Rectangular pots manufactured in concrete are often very effective sited outside a kitchen doorway; on a roof garden; or along the periphery of any small balcony. Concrete containers have the advantage of lasting longer than their original well-known wooden counterparts, particularly in the open, and also need no maintenance in painting or varnishing. They are also relatively straightforward to make at home

There is also yet another kind of container which can be both ornamental and great for herb growing. These are called ‘strawberry pots’ that have various pouches all around them. They are ideal for a balcony, roof garden, or just outside a kitchen door. To organize them, plant the most decorative or the most used herb at the top.

There is something remarkably rewarding in growing plants which have so many features and attributes. The thought of herb growing is possibly a trifle challenging to some, but once undertaken it is likely to become an almost addictive hobby.

Many herbs can reside in a small area. Unlike most plants herbs are not only for show. They may not be terribly showy but who can withstand the stunning blue color of the borage blossom or even the lovely blue of rosemary flowers? Who can ignore the delightful scent of lemon verbena, lavender or lemon balm wafting through the evening air.Not to mention the satisfaction of their inclusion into a favourite meal.

In the event that an apartment-dweller aspires to the indulgence of garden-fresh herbs, a selection of containers in a windowsill, a window box or simply pots on a balcony may well be all you need.

So which herbs should one grow? This must depend upon the personal taste of each individual – do you crave the light onion taste of chives, or are you going to prefer an all round lifter such as basil or marjoram? Are you a devoted ‘mint-saucer’ with lamb, or do you need fennel with your fish and chicken?

Influenced by personal taste and a good deal of response from readers, may I offer the following guidelines to start out with:

• Chives for flavour and bite.
• Thyme for soups, stews and bouquet garni.
• Basil for tomato dishes.
• Fresh coriander for salads and curries.
• Chervil for egg dishes and fines herbs.
• Sage, Marjoram or Oregano. Plant oregano in a separate pot.
• Tarragon.
• Mint for lamb. Mint takes over so plant in it’s own pot.
• Fennel for fish.
• Parsley for everything- buy seedlings and transplant.
• Rocket for zesty salads.

chamomile lawn section

In the 1970′s a trend emerged for creating herb lawns. There was a glorious example of a chamomile lawn at Buckingham Palace – and for all I know is still there. As with most things there are simple caveats to choosing a herb lawn. The following are considered most suitable:

Hardy:

Choose Chamomile anthemis nobilis to create a lawn that will give you as much wear as conventional grasses.  This makes for a beautiful lawn hardy enough to stay verdant even during hot weather. It is tough enough to compete with more conventional lawns insofar as withstanding wear and tear due to traffic.

A chamomile lawn will grow in most soils except clay, but light sandy soil is best. Water and keep your chamomile herb lawn watered and weedfree to achieve a dense matted greensward.

Sow seeds in seed beds or growing boxes in Spring – transplant to the desired lawn area when large enough to handle. Alternately buy plants from your local nursery and plant these approximately 100mm apart during Spring or Fall. Mow when 75mm in height initially and thereafter mow regularly to prevent flowering.

Suitable for low traffic and filler areas:

• Thyme Thymusserpyllum. This is the toughest and most diminutiveof the thymes – it makes a fragrant carpet as opposed to a hardy lawn meant for strolling across: Although it will not take much traffic, it exudes a superb fragrance when walked on and crushed. This lawn is great in a decorative corner or around a garden feature, as a pathway or planted between paving stones. Works best when best planted from well-formed roots in Spring. Weed and water well as it is not a particularly fast grower and takes a little time to establish a decent spread. It can be mowed if required, but it is a bit of a shame to dispose of the attractive lilac blossoms.

• Pennyroyal Mentha requiem. This is one of the smallest of the mint family and like thyme is not really hardy enough to bear much traffic. Apply the same planting and propogation rules as given above for thyme.