Top 20 Herbs for Home Pharmacy Garden

[frugal-one]

A great GREAT great book for medicinal teas is "20,000 Secrets of Tea" by Victoria Zak. I gave this book to my son and he keeps it out and refers to it all the time. He swears by some of the teas he uses. I have also done the same. Other books that I consider REALLY good are "The Herbal Home Remedy Book" by Joyce A Wardwell (basic) and "Herbal Remedies" by Andrew Chevallier. Check these books from the library to see what you think. As stated elsewhere on this forum I have made elderberry tincture that has kept us from getting the flu or colds. My DH was hesitant but is now the first one to reach for this miracle remedy. I also recently made (what I call) a natural antibiotic. I went to the doc to check and see how I was doing because I had been ill for a few weeks and she told me to continue "doing what I was doing" because she felt it was doing the job! I was shocked to say the least! It was called "cold kicker" on the keeper of the home website (very good IMO). I am making a garlic oil now that is supposed to help for ear infections plus+++ (even for my dog).

I am interested in other book suggestions or ideas!!!!!!

Great topic!

[Jemima]

I've started a medicinal herb garden and so far I have:

Spearmint (I planted lots of this for tea)
Oregano
Lavender
Elderberry

I've got goldenseal roots ready to plant within the next week or so and will add thyme next year along with a few others (not sure which, yet). I planted chamomile this year, but it looks to me like I'd have to plant a large area to get any appreciable amount for tea so I may dig it out and use the space for a different herb.

The spearmint was a special blessing as it attracted lots of honeybees. It also spreads like mad so since I love tea and hate grass, well, let 'er rip!

I grew lots of purple basil this year and wished I hadn't. The small plants I got at Ace Hardware turned into bushes, pushing some peppers nearly flat, plus yellow jackets just loved it. I had to wait until twilight to be able to get near the basil without being stung. Also, the leaves are teensy and difficult to harvest. Very pretty, but impractical, IMO.

[ljevtich]

So Jemina, where did you get the elderberry, was it as a seed or as a seedling? And Frugal-one, which thread had the recipe on it? I remember you mentioning a tincture, but I can not remember which thread. Thanks!

[herbgeek]

Elderberry shrubs are available here: superseeds.com. I bought one a few years ago, and have been pleased with it, but not enough yield for me so I will be buying one or two more in the spring.

[Marianne]

I'd add Greek Oregano

Also, if you have access to cottonwood trees (gather the buds during winter) you can make Balm of Gilead.

[frugal-one]

I bought elderberry at a garage sale this summer. I bought 2 bushes. I sure hope it does well!

Ljvetich...The immunity thread had this recipe:
CathyA... There are a number of ways to make elderberry tincture. I have made using dried elderberries and also fresh. If you google elderberry tincture you will come up with a variety of way to make it. Here is one way.... In a quart jar add 4 oz (1 cup) dried elderberries. Fill jar to top with vodka. Set aside in a cool, dark place (I put in the basement). Shake every week or two. In a month it will be ready for use. You can drain the berries at this point or let them stay and get even stronger. I use 1 T as the dosage. HTH frugal-one

[Tiam]

What great lists! I would also include:
Dandelion
Plantain

Plantain is great stuff for bee stings and hornet bites. If you have plantain, treasure it!