Easy to grow medicinal herbs in Australian gardens

Have you ever thought of growing any medicinal herbs in your backyard apart from coriander and mint?

There are some herbs  not only provide beauty to your garden but numerous health benefits to your family.

 

#1 Brahmi : This plant is also called memory plant. There are some unique benefits and important health benefits in Brahmi. I compiled some benefits from my research; it has the ability to improve cognitive ability, relieve stress, prevent cancer, increase sexual drive, cleanse the body of toxins, treats respiratory conditions, protect against mental degeneration, boost the immune system and lower inflammation.

How I use Brahmi: It is very useful for kids as it says it has the ability to improve memory. So I make tea by boiling in hot water, mix some honey and give a tea spoon to kids two to three times a week. I also grind some leaves in Dosai or idli batter or in yoghurt and serve them in idlis or Dosa or sandwiches. Moreover I boil these leaves in coconut oil, strain them and apply the oil for hair. This gives black shine to your hair.

How I grow: This is very easy herb to grow. I bought from flower power and planted in my garden. But this plant requires water, just to test I halved it. One half I have planted in the garden and the other half I have planted in the pot. It grew vigorously in no time, it just crept on the ground as a ground cover and the grown in pot nicely too. I have not seen any pest affecting the plant and growing beautifully in the garden with little white flowers.

 

 

#2 Gotu Kola: The health benefits are pretty similar to Brahmi. The benefits of this herb are preventing hair loss, speed wound healing, aid in skin care, boost cognition, soothe nervous disorders, reduce toxicity, protect the heart, treat respiratory issues, enhance mood and heal the circulatory system.

How I use: the leaves of this herb taste similar to betel leaves with bitter flavour. I chew 4 to 5 leaves whenever I can. This can be used similar to Brahmi.

How I grow: This herb requires wet soil. I got the sapling from one of my gardener friends; it spreads as a ground cover too.

 

#3 Mother of Herbs: This is another herb as the name resembles its importance. This is also called Indian borage or Mexican mint. It has the ability to cure sore throat, common cold and cough, improves skin care, rich in omega-6 content, vitamin C and A, improves kidney health, prevents cancer, treats fever and also reduces stress and anxiety.

How I use this herb:

First recipe: add 2 to 3 leaves in yoghurt and blend them nicely, add some salt and drink it as lassi,

Second recipe: Chop onion and boiled egg into small pieces, add to thick yoghurt, add salt and pepper and use this as a spread for sandwiches.

How to grow this herb: This is a easy herb to grow, the stems can be used as saplings. I got this herb from one of my gardener friends. This is easily available on ebay or gumtree. Plant them in the ground or pot, it grows well. See the below photos from my garden

 

 

#4 Lemon Balm: This herb looks similar to mint but has lemony flavour. This herb has the ability to improve heart health, treats diabetes, skin health, boosts immunity, focus and concentration and detoxifies the body.After reading the above benefits, I have started growing this herb since last year.

How I grow: I bought this plant from Flower Power. This is an easy plant to grow as well. It has roots like mint, so I have divided the roots into two parts. One I have replanted in a bigger pot and other one on the ground. I did not have much luck with the plant in the pot but the ground plant survived well.

How do I consume: I consume this herb in the form of tea. I take some leaves and boil them in a hot water, add some honey and consume before sleeping time. These leaves are used in Asian cooking too.

#5 Marjoram: I remember as a kid that my mom used to tie garland with this herb along with jasmine. This gives a very nice aroma and also soothes your brain. It has antiseptic properties and good for skin care.

How I grow: I bought this plant from flower power. Planted in pots, it grew very nicely. The stems can be used as saplings. This plants act as a mosquito repellant too. It is a good companion plant in your garden

How do I use: I pick the leaves, shade dry and add them in my home made bath powder. The bath powder smells very good along with good health benefits

 

#6 Lemon Grass: This is a wonderful herb with numerous health benefits such as relief from stomach disorders, respiratory disorders, fever, aches and infections. It also helps in maintaining healthy skin and good immune system. This is used mostly in Asian cooking and teas.

How I grow: I bought this herb from online store herbcottage. I planted this in my garden in two areas, it grew well in sun spotted area and not well in the shade region. It is heat loving plant so I have moved from shade to sunny spot.

How I consume: I cut the grass, chop them to pieces, shade dry and consume it as tea. I use fresh leaves whenever I can in tea preparation, this gives very soothing and refreshing feel after the consumption.

 

Let me know if you know any other beneficial herbs that grows well in Australia.

 

Disclaimer: The above is only for information purposes. If you have medical conditions, seek professional advice before consumption of the above herbs.