Post series: All About Herbs

In this series we will be discussing herbs and their amazing uses, benefits to both humans and the ecosystem, how to grow them and how to use them. If you are unfamiliar with the wonderful world of herbs, please subscribe and you’ll be sure to get every update!

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Mugwort

Mugwort in the edible landscape
  1. All About Herbs
  2. An Introduction to Herbal Actions
  3. Garlic, The Superb Herb
  4. Ginger
  5. Lavender
  6. Oregano
  7. Plantain
  8. Echinacea
  9. Parsley
  10. Tarragon
  11. Moringa
  12. Comfrey
  13. Mugwort

Mugwort – A Magical Herb with Many Uses!

Mugwort is an herb with an ancient past.  Anglo-Saxon tribes believed this was one of 9 sacred herbs given to us by the gods.  It was used as a flavoring for beer long before the tradition of using hops.  It was considered magical, protecting weary travelers against exhaustion.  In fact, Romans planted it along roadsides for this reason.  It was also used by travelers to put in their shoes to relieve aching feet.

John the Baptist was said to have worn a girdle of mugwort when he went out to the wilderness.

Continue reading “Mugwort”

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Comfrey

Comfrey in Edible Landscape Design
  1. All About Herbs
  2. An Introduction to Herbal Actions
  3. Garlic, The Superb Herb
  4. Ginger
  5. Lavender
  6. Oregano
  7. Plantain
  8. Echinacea
  9. Parsley
  10. Tarragon
  11. Moringa
  12. Comfrey
  13. Mugwort

Comfrey – A Most Useful Plant in Edible Landscapes!

Even though comfrey is not edible, it is still considered one of the most useful plants in an edible landscape.  It has the ability to gather nutrients from deep within the soil, bring it to the surface and make it bio-available for surrounding plants; it is a come and cut again crop, producing up to 4 harvests per year and can be used in medicine and for mulch.  Comfrey is the ultimate permaculture plant! Continue reading “Comfrey”

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Moringa

Edible Landscape Design
  1. All About Herbs
  2. An Introduction to Herbal Actions
  3. Garlic, The Superb Herb
  4. Ginger
  5. Lavender
  6. Oregano
  7. Plantain
  8. Echinacea
  9. Parsley
  10. Tarragon
  11. Moringa
  12. Comfrey
  13. Mugwort

Intro

Moringa is an age old plant with many benefits and many nicknames, one of which is The Tree of Life!  This is NOT an herb so you may wonder why I am including this in my series, All About Herbs.  Well, I am going to treat this as an herb because of the way we use this tree and the benefits it has in the garden and to humans. Continue reading “Moringa”

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Tarragon

  1. All About Herbs
  2. An Introduction to Herbal Actions
  3. Garlic, The Superb Herb
  4. Ginger
  5. Lavender
  6. Oregano
  7. Plantain
  8. Echinacea
  9. Parsley
  10. Tarragon
  11. Moringa
  12. Comfrey
  13. Mugwort

Intro

Artemisia dracunculus (little dragon), commonly known as tarragon, is one of the most expensive herbs one can buy and is the most widely used herb in French cooking.  It is native to Russia, Eurasia and China.  It is now spread widely across Europe and North America.  It has been used for medicinal purposes over 600 years.  Introduced to Italy during the 10th century by the Mongolians, it was used as a sleep aid, breath freshener and as a culinary seasoning.   Continue reading “Tarragon”

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Parsley

  1. All About Herbs
  2. An Introduction to Herbal Actions
  3. Garlic, The Superb Herb
  4. Ginger
  5. Lavender
  6. Oregano
  7. Plantain
  8. Echinacea
  9. Parsley
  10. Tarragon
  11. Moringa
  12. Comfrey
  13. Mugwort

Intro

Parsley is the most popular herb in the world and makes a fantastic addition to the edible landscape!  Its name literally means celery from the rock, coming from ancient words with those meanings.  It was discovered centuries ago and is Mediterranean in nature but has naturalized in almost every climate.  It is part of the celery family. Continue reading “Parsley”

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Echinacea

Echinacea Edible Landscaping, Permaculture, Landscaping, Urban Farming, Urban Farmer, Community Garden, edible landscape
  1. All About Herbs
  2. An Introduction to Herbal Actions
  3. Garlic, The Superb Herb
  4. Ginger
  5. Lavender
  6. Oregano
  7. Plantain
  8. Echinacea
  9. Parsley
  10. Tarragon
  11. Moringa
  12. Comfrey
  13. Mugwort

Intro

Coneflower, as it’s called, is a wonderful addition to any edible landscape garden space.  This lovely flower is tall and beautiful with petals that seem droopy, hence the name.  The pronounced center followed by the inverted petals makes it sort of look like an upside-down cone.

Echinacea is native to all but the most southern United States and can be cultivated in nearly all areas of the US. Continue reading “Echinacea”

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Plantain

Plantain in edible landscape
  1. All About Herbs
  2. An Introduction to Herbal Actions
  3. Garlic, The Superb Herb
  4. Ginger
  5. Lavender
  6. Oregano
  7. Plantain
  8. Echinacea
  9. Parsley
  10. Tarragon
  11. Moringa
  12. Comfrey
  13. Mugwort

Intro

I’m sure that you think of the fruit when you hear the word plantain, but there’s a wild herb that grows in all of North America and Canada known as Plantain Herb (Plantago sp.) The Native Americans called it “white man’s footprint” because it seems to tolerate and thrive in the disturbed soils of the early European settlers. Continue reading “Plantain”

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Oregano

  1. All About Herbs
  2. An Introduction to Herbal Actions
  3. Garlic, The Superb Herb
  4. Ginger
  5. Lavender
  6. Oregano
  7. Plantain
  8. Echinacea
  9. Parsley
  10. Tarragon
  11. Moringa
  12. Comfrey
  13. Mugwort

Intro

Oregano.  We all know it.  It is a primary ingredient in pizza, giving the sauce its wonderful flavor and other Italian foods its wonderful aroma.  Oregano is much more than just an Italian culinary herb and today we will learn a little bit more about it. Continue reading “Oregano”

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Lavender

  1. All About Herbs
  2. An Introduction to Herbal Actions
  3. Garlic, The Superb Herb
  4. Ginger
  5. Lavender
  6. Oregano
  7. Plantain
  8. Echinacea
  9. Parsley
  10. Tarragon
  11. Moringa
  12. Comfrey
  13. Mugwort

The Ultimate Cleansing Herb

Lavender, when spoken, produces thoughts of clean in our minds.  This is a natural reaction and it makes sense since its name came from the term lavare, or latin for wash or bathe.  Continue reading “Lavender”

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Ginger

  1. All About Herbs
  2. An Introduction to Herbal Actions
  3. Garlic, The Superb Herb
  4. Ginger
  5. Lavender
  6. Oregano
  7. Plantain
  8. Echinacea
  9. Parsley
  10. Tarragon
  11. Moringa
  12. Comfrey
  13. Mugwort

A Superfood Worthy of its Title

Ginger is originally from southeast Asia and is therefore a tropical plant that has been renowned for thousands of years both for its culinary uses but also medicinal properties.   Continue reading “Ginger”

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