Herbs in medicine, cooking, and magic.  Find charts, planting tips, and other uses for these valuable plants below.

Imagine....awakening in the morning and stepping outside to a lush and fragrant paradise....which exists to satisfy your own culinary, medicinal, and even spiritual needs.....

Welcome to Herb Gardening!

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What is an herb?

The loose definition of herb is any plant that is used for its culinary, medicinal, or fragrant properties.  Herbs are such a diverse group of plants that it is very difficult to separate them into logical groups.  Some disguise themselves as wildflowers, some are fragrant ground covers, and some are weeds that we try to eradicate from between the pavers in our driveways.  Medicinal herbs have been used for centuries, and if you wonder why, click here or see the  Why Try Herbal Medicines? link below.

Please do explore the links to the left for a comprehensive index of herbs and their uses, and the links below for some creative ways to use them in your own life.  See the Chart for Common Foods and the Culinary Chart to get a feel for what goes with what in cooking.  Also check the link for making your own Herbal Vinegars, Herbal Oils, and Herbal Butters for yourself or for gift giving.  This page is a work in progress, so BOOKMARK now.

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Culinary Chart

Common Foods and Complementary Herbs

Making Gourmet Herbal Vinegars

Making Gourmet Herbal Oils & Butters

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In gardening, herbs are an important part of what is known as "Companion Planting."  The purpose of companion planting is to enhance the yield for desirable plants, deter unwanted pests, or just make the available space encouraging for biological pest control.  To that end, various herbs are ideal for this purpose. As described above, they are plants that are used for useful purposes.  Please look at the Companion Planting Charts below to discover what to do, and just as  importantly, what NOT to do when using herbs as companion plantings.

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Companion Planting

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As always with gardening, esthetics are extremely important.  Some herbs are scraggly and unkempt, and others make the perfect garden border.  Some have to be replanted each year, and some overtake the yard with minimal effort.  Below are links to help begin sorting out what goes where.  More specific information will follow, and this is a work in progress, so Bookmark this page and come back often.

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List of Annual Herbs

List of Biennial Herbs

List of Perennial Herbs

Landscaping with Herbs

Print Your Own Seed Packets

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Herbs (and other plants) have merit in many aspects of life, and the most common use of herbs for both medicinal purposes and for enjoyment is undoubtedly the making of herbal teas.  Please check out the link below to discover how to actually make Herbal Teas. As for Herbs in Medicine, see the link below to find what herbs are currently used to combat what ailments, how to make herbal Capsules, and how to make your own herbal Oils and Ointments for external use. And once again, be sure to explore Why Try Herbal Medicines? for a perspective you may not have thought about as far as natural remedies are concerned. Other uses for herbs will follow, so please Bookmark this page and return often.

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Why Try Herbal Medicines

How to Make Herbal Teas

How to Make Herbal Capsules

How to Make Herbal Oils and Ointments

Herb Chart - List of Ailments & Appropriate Herbal Remedies

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In this day of drug stores on every corner offering commercially prepared beauty and hygiene items, we tend to forget that not so long ago, cosmetics, perfumes, deodorants, hair coloring, and a myriad of other beauty and toiletry items were made at home, and they were as good (and certainly safer) than their store-bought counterparts today.  Please see the links below for herbal uses in cosmetics, toiletries, and in scents for you and your environment that are all your own! 

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Herbal Scents

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Obligatory Disclaimer:  The herbal remedies and uses within these pages are - to the best of my knowledge - safe -  when used in moderation, except where specified.  I have noted hazards and contraindications where appropriate, but nothing takes the place of common sense, moderation, and knowledge of your plant materials when involved in self-medication with plants. These pages are for informational purposes only, and I cannot be held liable for misuse or inappropriate handling of the guidelines within.

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