You can easily grow your own herb garden even if it is just on your patio or deck. Paula Saalfeld of PlantifulTaste shares with us her techniques for building a herb garden and the benefits of using special herbs from around the world that have some incredible health and wellness benefits.

From Paula,

Herbs enhance every dish – especially when they are freshly picked. Everyone can build their own herb garden, whether it is in the backyard, on the balcony or in pots on the windowsill, there is always a suitable spot.

A herb garden is a paradise for the senses – that fresh green brightens your mood, smells wonderful and tastes incredibly delicious. And not only for us, but also for the wild insects and bumble bees that are attracted by the blossoms. With the harvest you can enrich your soups, salads, dips and sauces, prepare smoothies, summer drinks and also dry them for teas and build a small medicine cabinet of natural remedies for the most common ailments.

Each herb has its own powerful health effect and they all have high levels of antioxidants, phytochemical and adequate amounts of many essential nutrients, so it makes it super easy to add nutritional benefits to your meal. In addition to all the classic kitchen herbs, there are countless wild herbs that can also be easily cultivated. Just stop by at your local herb store or look for a herb online shop.

If you look at what the market has to offer, you will find completely new gems and depending on your own needs and preferences, you can put together a individual herb paradise.

Once you have decided on which herbs you want to grow, it is very helpful to look at which substrate and location each requires and then plan these conditions according to their needs. It is helpful to create a document in advance where you can write down all the details of your herbs, their conditions, use and effects. This will allow you to look it up again and again later.Once you’ve made all the preparations, you’re ready to go. 
Here are the most important things you need to easily plant your own herb garden.

• suitable pots and substrate
• a small shovel
• a bucket for watering
• some hummus and later organic herbal fertilizer

Here are a few more tips for the best herb harvests

• choose larger pots so that the roots have enough space to grow
• make sure that excess water can drain off well, to prevent water logging (through holes in the bottom of the containers). The best way to support this is to lay a drainage layer in the bottom of the container, for which you can use gravel, stems and branches, bark mulch or broken fragments.
• the best time to water is always in the morning or in the evening (note the different requirements of the herbs) – most herbs, even those that love the sun, tolerate a little shade better than too much sun.

Here are some special herbs from around the world to add to your herb garden because of their particularly powerful effects

#1 Jiaogulan (China)

The earliest records from China date back to the year 1400 AD. An infusion of the sweet-herb tasting leaves has been used for centuries in the mountainous regions of southern China as an invigorating, rejuvenating tea drunk daily. The common name “Xiancao” in this area means “herb of immortality”.

Benefits/Effects

Jiaogulan has a number of balancing adaptogens and prevents stress-related diseases and also has a strong immune-strengthening effect. It improves blood formation, heart pumping, and thus general blood circulation and regulates blood pressure, blood sugar. In addition, it contains a tumor-inhibiting glycoside in much greater concentration. It also has a balancing effect on the nervous system and helps reduce stress as well as many other benefits.

#2 Sambung Nyawa (Malaysia)

“Sambung Nyawa” in Malay means “prolonging life”. Other translations into English read “Leaf of Live”, “Life Continuation” or “Leaves of the Gods”. I think this name alone expresses the enormous esteem in which this medicinal plant is held.

It is mainly used as a medicinal plant in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia (Southeast Asia). It is a popular household remedy among Chinese immigrants in Malaysia, where it is called “Bai-Bing-Cao”, which means “plant-against-hundred diseases”.

Benefits/Effects

The fleshy leaves are used for blood cleansing and lymphatic cleansing. It heals external and internal wounds, is detoxifying and improves digestion. It is widely used for diabetes, high and even low blood pressure, asthma, allergies, cancer, kidney stones, heart failure, blemished skin, acne, anaemia, inflamed wounds, menstrual cramps, back pain due to tension and elevated cholesterol levels. Generally against inflammation. Antiviral, effective against herpes simplex. Many of these healing applications have now been scientifically researched. The main effect is said to be based on steroid glycosides.

#3 Gotu Kola (India)

This small, creeping tropical plant has been appreciated in India for centuries, sometimes growing down for several metres in pots or creeping down in pots. The elephants of India graze this herb in the forests. They are said to get their excellent memory from Gotu Kola.

Benefits/Effect

A regular consumption of 1-2 leaves daily in salad or as tea is supposed to have a rejuvenating effect on the brain cells and is also an excellent remedy against stress.

Below you will find a small selection of some of my herbs, which are very easy to care for and bring enormous health benefits – Lemon Balm, Nasturtium, Marjoram, Rosemary, Parsley, Basil, Thyme, Mint, Savory, Tulsi, Mushroom Plant, Echinacea, Cystus.This may sounds like a lot of work, but you’ll see that it pays off quickly. Once you’ve started to work on it and got an orientation, everything gets done pretty easy. If you found your routine, the herbs grow all by themselves and don’t need much attention. Furthermore, it is really a wonderful activity to be outside and dig in the earth, it has something very calming and soothing.

So what are you waiting for? Grab some pots and start planting your very own herb garden.

{Words and Images by Paula Saalfeld; Instagram @plantifultaste }