“Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace. ” May Sarton
My daughters and I have recently started our first vegetable garden this past Spring. Planting from seeds and watching our vegetables grow has been an uplifting experience for us all and we count down the days until we can taste our fresh veggies with a farm-raised pork dinner. We maintain a resourceful lifestyle but I am always looking for ways to expand our sustainability. So along with our vegetable garden, we have decided to grow an herb garden for our culinary, medicinal and spiritual needs.
Through much research and deciding how we will use our herbs I have put together a list that I find most beneficial for not only cooking but also one’s spiritual wellbeing.
- Lavender Lavender is most often used in aromatherapy. The smell released from the plant is used to promote calmness and reduce anxiety and stress levels. It is also thought of to be a cleansing and purification herb that will promote peace.
- Mint My favorite way to include mint in my cooking is to use a few leaves in a homemade sweet tea! Mint can be used in your kitchen in every which way possible, but it also has medicinal properties. Mint can be used to ease an upset stomach, reduce stress, and promote a good night’s rest. According to some, it can also be used in energy work for love, protection, and healing.
- Sage Sage is the herb of many uses. It is loaded with antioxidants that have been linked to health benefits such as improved brain function and lower risks of certain cancers when ingested. Spiritually, Sage is an age-old herb used in the purification of air. It is most commonly used when burned in a ritual known as smudging to not only cleanse the air but also promote peace, wisdom, knowledge, and purification.
- Rosemary Rosemary is useful for increasing your circulation and improving your digestion. In the kitchen, it is mostly paired with poultry and can be found in various soups, stews, and salads. Spiritually it has been used for banishing negative energies, cleansing, and protection.
- Thyme Thyme is a Mediterranean herb that is used most often to treat symptoms of an upset stomach, diarrhea, and sore throat. It also has antiseptic properties which are why its oil can be found in some all-natural acne washes, hand sanitizer, and mouthwash. Some people do use it to help gain courage and clarity by wearing it on their persons.
- Bay Leaf Bay leaf was often used by the ancient Greeks in flavoring their favorite dishes and is still used today in soups and stews. It has been known to help promote sleep, reduce anxiety and stress, aid in digestive health, and help grow healthy hair. Many also believe the herb can provide energy, cleansing, and luck.
- Chamomile Not only does this herb look absolutely stunning with its dainty flowers but Chamomile is known to help with many different things! It is most often used in the form of a tea. It has been known to provide help in an array of things such as treating cold symptoms, aide in healthy sleep, lowering blood sugar, reducing inflammation, and many more. Spiritually, it can be used for happiness, healing, love, anti-stress, and success.
- Lemon Balm Lemon balm is most often used in the form of oil and applied to the skin to promote calmness and ease stress. Some people also choose to use it as a healing herb to help promote feelings of relaxation and tranquility.
- Basil Basil is a pungent herb that many use for cooking. It is most commonly used in Italian dishes including different pestos and tomato sauces. It can also be used to treat insect bites and head colds along with many other things. Many people also use it in their spiritual growth to ward off negative energies, gain protection, love, and luck!
- Vervain Vervain is a medicinal herb that can be traced back to the 18th century. It has been linked to treating headaches, depression, anxiety, and promote healthy lactation for women. Spiritually it can be used to help protect a space, a good night’s rest, and promote peace.
With all the different uses of these herbs, how can someone not want to plant a little bit of everything! If you have an herb garden I would love to see it and know what you’ve planted and why you chose those herbs. You can drop a comment below or message me on my personal Instagram @unbridledmama.
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Emily Griffin is a mama to two stunning daughters, a wife to her hunky husband, an experienced equestrian, and an Arizona native. She resides in a very small town in Southeastern, Arizona. Her days consist of raising children, everything equine, reading/ writing, and balancing the fine line between motherhood and insanity. She appreciates nature, the smell of a satisfying rain, and the lovely sunsets the Arizona deserts have to offer. Her life is unbridled in every sense of the word and she wouldn’t have it any other way! Follow her on Instagram at @unbridledmama.
