Healing Herbs To Grow
Living in a city or an apartment can make it difficult to grow plants outdoors, luckily there are some plants that can be grown indoors that you wouldn’t expect (and we are not talking about succulents!) Preferably, plants like to be outside in their wilderness but they can adapt easily, if correctly nurtured for. Especially when growing herbs that also have healing properties, you can create wonderful teas, tinctures and even healing salves. Here is a break down of a few herbs you can grow indoors or out:
Calendula
Aloe Vera
Generally Aloe Vera is the go-to after a little sunburn, but it is becoming more commonly found in moisturizers, serums, toners and masks. Having fresh aloe means you can have access to fresh gel whenever you need it, versus store bought gel which must contain preservatives. It is just magical to cut open an aloe leaf with it seeping out into your hand. Fresh organic also vera works wonders in healing cuts and scrapes, especially handy if you have any little ones running around getting injured. Aloe needs to be planted in wide containers with a well-drained potting mix with artificial sunlight or indirect natural sunlight. For best practices, water aloe deeply but then allow the soil to dry at least 1 to 2 inches deep between waterings, in order to discourage rot. Water even less in winter.
TIP: Aloe plants produce little plantlet babies that can be removed to produce new plants.
Lavender
There are a few smaller types of Lavender that grow better indoors than others:
French Lavender, Canary Island Lavender & Fern Leaf Lavender. There are many varieties of lavender, each with unique medicinal properties. Some lavender can be grown for the production of its essential oil, which works well in aromatherapy to relieve stress, fight acne, and heal the skin. When growing lavender indoors, the buds can be used to make infusions, sachets, eye pillows, or to use in some culinary adventures. The trick to growing lavender correctly indoors is having the right sized pot, it must be 1-2” larger than its root ball. Light is also needed, so placing the pot near a window south facing would be ideal but if not possible artificial light will suffice.
TIP: Consider using a terra-cotta pot for growing lavender indoors.
Sage
Since we love smudging, we thought it would be ideal to grow your own sage indoors. Smudging helps clear negative energy from a space by burning dried herbs together and most commonly, bundled white sage. When burning sage (or other herbs like lavender) you release negative ions that are linked to a positive mood. Place your container near a sunny window and water thoroughly.
TIP: Do not over-fertilize or its flavor will be less intense.
Chamomile
Commonly used in tea form as a relaxing sleep aid, digestif or even as an anti-
inflammatory. This daisy-like plant has been used for centuries to fight eczema and skin rashes. Works extremely when when applied as an oil (either as an infusion or essential oil) or a hydrosol directly on the skin. When growing chamomile indoors, the best use of the flowers is by making your own tea or oil infusion. You can grow chamomile plants indoors successfully if you face your pot in the south for light, they do not need vast light but a fair amount is needed. Soil should be kept wet but not overly wet so watering once a week should be good.
TIP: harvest plant after 2-3 months for best tea