Aloha Steemit family!!! I just wanted to share four of my favorite herbs to grow in the garden that are powerful allies during detoxification. Anyone can grow these indoors or outdoors, green thumb or brown thumb ;) In my opinion, there really is no need to buy expensive herbs online when you can grow your own...organically and in direct relationship. All of these herbs can be used internally in tea or tincture form or externally in balms or baths.
1. Burdock Root (purifies the blood)
Burdock root is one of the main ingredients in some of the traditional medicinal root-beer drink recipes, which was used for all kinds of ailments including kidney stones and skin infections.
Below is an image of our son sitting in front of a patch of burdock root that comes up every year without needing to replant her...as long as you don't harvest the whole root.
Here's what a harvested root looks like.
Learn more about burdock root here: http://www.naturallifeenergy.com/herbs-burdock-root/
2. Calendula (cleans the lymphatic system)
I use calendula both internally and externally for skin issues, swelling, varicose veins, and any kind of inflammation.
David Hoffman says, “The value of this exceptional herb cannot be exaggerated when it comes to treating skin problems like wounds, bruises or burns. Its properties make it a healing plant that reduces soreness and inflammation whilst also acting as an anti-microbial, which makes it a primary first aid herb for any problem.”
More information on calendula here: https://whisperingearth.co.uk/2011/09/05/calendula-aka-superherb/
3. Parsley (kidney cleanser)
Parsley is such a common herb that many forget about how powerful she is. I steep her leaves in tea and drink it daily to keep my kidneys supported during detox. Here in Utah she grows year round, surviving the freezes like a boss!!!
Here she is after drying...ready to be steeped in boiling water.
Read more about her here: http://alternativa-za-vas.com/en/index.php/clanak/article/parsley-cleansing-kidneys
4. Artichoke leaf (detoxifies the liver and supports healthy bowel movements)
Artichoke is related to milk thistle and contains the hepato-protective compound silymarin, but it is much easier to grow in the garden. It is very bitter and great for those with poor digestion. We grow her in the garden for her leaves, but her flowers are delicious and medicinal as well.
Drying Process
During the growing season I typically harvest the leaves and roots once a week and dry them individually in hanging mesh bags or in large amounts on mesh drying racks.
Mesh re-usable produce bags can be purchased online or at health-food stores and hung on hooks. This takes about a week to dry. Just fluff the herbs around once a day to aerate and keep leaves from getting moldy.
Mesh drying racks are handy for larger amounts of herbs and can be purchased online here.
Here's a shot of our set-up:
Storing
After your herbs are dried you can store them in a dark room in glass jars like this and they'll stay fresh until next growing season.
Thanks everyone for your support. I'd love to hear from you if you have any questions or suggestions.
Aloha plant-lovers,
Pachee