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Generally, medicinal plants require about 4-5 hours of sunshine per day during cultivation. You can place them on the windowsill or on the table by the window. You can also use artificial lighting and place the plants under fluorescent lights.
Therefore, we are starting to create our own green pharmacy.
1. Mint
Mint grows in humid, shaded areas as well as in sunny locations. It needs to be watered well and use a weak liquid fertilizer. It is best to grow mint in large pots because it grows vigorously.
Medicinal properties: Mint has antioxidant, expectorant (helps to remove mucus from the respiratory tract), diaphoretic (causes sweating), digestive, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also rich in vitamins A and C and contains manganese and iron.
Uses: Peppermint can be very helpful in treating indigestion, muscle pain, abdominal pain, heartburn, chest pain, fever, headaches, and bad breath.
2. Parsley
You can grow this herb outdoors in the ground or in large pots.
Medicinal properties: Parsley is a good source of essential oils, flavonoids, and antioxidants. It also contains many vitamins C, B12, K and A and folic acid.
Uses: Parsley is used to treat urinary tract infections, kidney stones, constipation, jaundice, gas, colic, diabetes, cough, asthma, osteoarthritis and high blood pressure. Parsley is also used as an aphrodisiac and breath freshener.
3. Basil
Medicinal properties: Basil has antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It also contains vitamins A, C and K, manganese, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Application: Basil can be used to treat flatulence, lack of appetite, gas, nausea, cuts, scratches, headaches, coughs, acne.
4. Dill
This herb grows best in direct sunlight and needs to be watered frequently. Avoid cold, damp locations.
Medicinal properties: Dill is used in many traditional medicines due to its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, disinfectant and sedative properties. It is also a good source of vitamins A, C and B6, fiber, amino acids, copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron and magnesium.
Application: Dill is used to treat intestinal gas, diarrhea, dysentery, menstrual cramps, fever, colds, coughs, bronchitis, headaches, hemorrhoids, diseases of the liver, gall bladder and urinary tract. It also boosts immunity and helps with insomnia.
5. Oregano / oregano
Many spiced Italian, Mexican and Spanish dishes are made from oregano. You can grow grass in containers. It requires a lot of sun and well-drained soil.
Medicinal properties: Oregano has antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant and mild tonic properties.Also rich in vitamins A, C, E and K, fiber, iron, manganese, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, niacin, zinc and magnesium.
Uses: Oregano can be used to treat colds, muscle aches, whites in the throat, fever, vomiting, acne, dandruff, bronchitis, asthma, toothache, bloating, headache, fatigue, menstrual cramps, and loss of appetite.
6. Melissa officinalis
This herb grows well in a moist but well-drained runth. Melissa needs at least six years of light a day.
Medicinal properties: Melissa is a natural antioxidant with antiviral, astringent, antimicrobial, antihistamine and antispasmodic properties. The leaves contain rosemary, caffeic, protocatechuic acid, phenolic compounds and flavonoids.
Application: Melissa is very useful in the treatment of herpes. It is used for stomach gas, abdominal pain, migraine, toothache, insect bites, headache, fever, colds, coughs, menstrual cramps.
7. Thyme
You can easily grow it in dry, well-drained light soil with enough sunlight.
Medicinal properties: Thyme is a powerful antioxidant, antiseptic and has antibacterial and expectorant properties. It is also a great source of vitamins C and A, iron, manganese, copper, and fiber.
Uses: Thyme can be used to treat coughs, constipation, indigestion, gas, arthritis, sore throat, and bronchitis.
8. Lavender
You can easily grow it in a small pot.
Medicinal properties: Lavender is used in soaps, shampoos, creams, and other cosmetic products. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and mild antidepressant effects.
Application: Lavender is useful for indigestion, flatulence, cuts, ulcers, bad breath, migraines, toothaches, nausea. Adding dried lavender to your bath helps relieve stress and insomnia.
9. Sage
You can grow it in well-drained, fertile soil with enough sunlight.
Medicinal properties: Sage is a natural stimulant, antibiotic with astringent and tonic effect. It also contains anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds.
Application: The herb is used for loss of appetite, gas, abdominal pain, heartburn, depression, herpes, gum disease (gingivitis), painful periods, asthma.
10. Rosemary
Rosemary grows best in well-drained sandy or gravel soil. This herb loves to bathe in sunlight.
Medicinal properties: Rosemary has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, contains phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, has anti-allergenic, diaphoretic and stimulating effects. It is also a good source of iron, calcium and vitamin B6.
Application: This fragrant herb is often recommended in the treatment of headaches, colds, depression, gout, rheumatism, premature hair loss, dandruff, muscle pain.
Enjoy the spicy scent while you prepare your herbal teas.
Use about one tablespoon of chopped fresh herb for 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes before drinking your tea. You can mix plants that are present in your green medicine cabinet. Drink one cup 2 or 3 times a day.
Basic requirements for the cultivation of medicinal plants
Plants on the windowsill
For the most part, medicinal plants require about 4-5 hours of sunshine per day to grow. To place them you will need a balcony or windowsill on the sunny side. If there is no way to choose, then it is worth arranging artificial lighting and placing the plants under fluorescent lamps.We choose the most illuminated window or an equipped place and proceed to the formation of our own kindergarten.
When choosing pots and tubs, be guided by simplicity and conciseness. It can be ordinary clay, plastic pots, containers or wooden seedling tubs - it doesn't matter. The main thing is to properly prepare the potting mix. It should be composed of compost, sand and garden soil. Take care of good drainage for the development of the root system of your wards.
Sow seeds to depth, following all instructions on the package. Submerge the pot in water to keep the soil moist enough, or use a regular sprayer.
Do not forget to cover the pots with cellophane, this will create a greenhouse effect. At the time of ripening, the seedlings must be removed away from direct sunlight. The optimum temperature for any seed is approximately 22-25 ° C.
However, when the first shoots appear, you can safely remove the film and transfer them to a lighted place.
Grasses respond well to liquid fertilizers, if you use regular feeding, they will grow faster and stronger. Just do not overdo it: over-feeding leads to a loss of plant aroma and taste.
What plants can be grown on a windowsill
Three plants in beautiful pots on the windowsill
Medicinal herbs of all kinds, including tea, are well grown on the windowsill. For cooking, you can grow: rosemary, thyme, parsley, dill, basil, oregano, sage, coriander, mint, fennel, anise and many others.
If you like to add pleasant medicinal plants to your tea for aroma and benefit, we recommend growing chamomile, anise, mint, lavender, sage, bergamot, lemon sorghum.
They will strengthen the immune system and help in the fight against diseases echinacea, yarrow, maiden feverfew, chamomile, lemon balm, valerian medicinal.
Be willing and patient, and soon you will be able to grow your favorite herbs on your own at home.
My name is Victor, I am 40 years old, a general practitioner with a higher education and about 15 years of experience. Rate the article:
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Plants not only decorate our lives and make the table tasty and varied - they can heal! Everyone knows about the medicinal properties of St. John's wort, yarrow, plantain, sea buckthorn, garlic and many other "green doctors", however, they often prefer pills.
Of course, serious illnesses require professional treatment and industrial drugs. However, there are many everyday situations when it is not necessary to run to the hospital for help - sometimes even leaves and herbs can help if you use them wisely.
We have already told you how to make your own first-aid kit from plants from the garden plot, today we will tell you what to plant on the windowsill in the apartment so that you can run around the doctors less.
Flower doctors
However, not only medicinal plants in the conventional sense of the word can enter your home medicine cabinet. Even the usual indoor flowers, the healing properties of which you may not have even suspected until today, will help to cope with some problems.
Aloe
The healing properties of the unpretentious grandmother's "century-old" have been known to the world for more than one thousand years!
In official medicine, aloe-based preparations are successfully used in gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and cosmetology. Traditional medicine is not lagging behind. Aloe leaf juice has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. Gruel from the pulp of leaves mixed with honey is a well-known general tonic and stimulating agent. The juice, diluted with water, is instilled into the nose with a runny nose, applied to abscesses, burns and small wounds for their healing, smeared with whiskey to reduce headache, taken orally as a laxative and choleretic.
You need to be especially careful when taking aloe juice inside - the possibility of poisoning is great, do not overdo it!
Geranium (pelargonium)
For some, the bright smell of geranium, another frequent inhabitant of windowsills, can only cause a headache, for others it is a guaranteed sedative.Many do not get tired of admiring the other healing properties of the plant. Geranium oil is actively used in cosmetology as an anti-inflammatory, soothing and even rejuvenating agent.
Fresh green gruel, applied to the places where the pulse is probed, helps to lower the pressure, and placed in the center of pain relieves attacks of sciatica and osteochondrosis. Geranium infusions and decoctions are used as a remedy for constipation, insomnia, and even for the prevention of epileptic seizures.
Hibiscus (chinese rose)
Large and bright hibiscus flowers will undoubtedly delight the eyes of any grower. Have you tried tea from this ornamental plant?
Yes, yes, this is the same famous hibiscus. Try it - it's not only tasty and unusual, but also very healthy. Anthocyanins, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, phytoncides - there are a lot of substances important for the body. Hibiscus tea improves metabolism, is useful for low blood pressure and immunity, it strengthens blood vessels, and is very useful for gastrointestinal disorders. In addition to tea, you can prepare various infusions on the basis of hibiscus, which are used in folk medicine as laxatives and drugs for worms.
Kalanchoe Daygremont
This plant is sometimes called the "doctor of life" and for good reason! In everyday life, its juice, gruel from herbs and infusions, thanks to the abundance of biologically active substances, are used in the treatment of many diseases.
So, the juice is successfully used to combat the common cold and colds, otitis media, dermatitis, burns, stomatitis, mastitis. Infusion of fresh leaves is useful for varicose veins. Inside it is taken for tuberculosis, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, some gynecological diseases.
Conditioning plants
This list includes indoor plants that help purify and decontaminate the air in your apartment. Start them - it will become easier for you to breathe, headaches will disappear, sleep will become stronger.
Want to check it out? So, write down and plant:
- sansevier;
- aloe;
- chlorophytum;
- dracaena;
- lemon;
- ficus;
- rosemary;
- asparagus.
Kitchen garden on the windowsill
Why did we start talking about the garden when we started the article with the medicinal properties of plants? All because the usual greens, which you, without hesitation, add to salads, soups and tea, can also be medicinal! And it can be grown in the same way with success on the windowsill.
Dill
A strong spicy taste is not the only thing for which this plant should be grown on a windowsill. For example, did you know that dill essential oil promotes the separation of mucus from the walls of the bronchi, which is why it can and should be used for colds, bronchitis and even pneumonia?
The same essential oil promotes better formation of bile and digestive enzymes, "disinfects" the urinary and digestive systems. And an infusion of stalks and leaves of dill is used as a diuretic and antispasmodic, to lower blood pressure in hypertension, to relieve pain in ulcers and cholecystitis. Lotions from a decoction of dill help with conjunctivitis and swelling under the eyes, as well as as a wound healing agent for the skin.
Treatment with dill preparations and even eating it is strongly discouraged for people with low blood pressure!
Thyme
The leaves of miniature thyme bushes are not only an independent "tea" or a component of the favorite seasoning "Provencal herbs", but also a completely full-fledged medicinal plant.
Its essential oil is based on thymol, which is responsible for the antibacterial, antiviral and analgesic properties of thyme. In this regard, preparations from the plant (and even just gruel from crushed leaves) work perfectly on wound healing dressings, as a rinse for inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity.Also, decoctions and infusions of thyme are effective for colds and disorders of the digestive tract.
Spinach
This annual herb is one of the record-breaking vegetables for nutrients, antioxidants and folate. Therefore, spinach must be included in the diet.
However, it also has other equally important properties. So, due to the large amount of fiber and coarse fibers, it is called a "broom" for the intestines - it effectively improves gastrointestinal motility and relieves constipation. It also has a beneficial effect on blood vessels, is useful for the thyroid gland, is used for anemia and impaired vision, even in the treatment of certain nervous disorders and diseases of the respiratory tract.
Basil
Basil essential oil is full of beneficial substances for humans, thanks to which it perfectly stimulates the immune system and protects us from infections.
The infusion of this herb is used for gastritis and colitis, as an antitussive agent, for neuroses and headaches, with low blood pressure, with inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, colds and rhinitis. Basil is also a wonderful antioxidant and a means of improving the secretion of breast milk in lactating women.
Chewing raw basil leaves, as advised by some sources to eliminate bad odor and fight oral bacteria, is not recommended due to the presence of mercury compounds in it, which damage tooth enamel. So use decoctions and tinctures of this plant for rinsing.
Parsley
Another type of spicy greens that are familiar to everyone, which is widely used in cooking. And in medicine? Too!
This plant is a champion in the content of vitamins C, A and E, mineral salts and phytoncides. Parsley is an excellent helper in case of gastrointestinal diseases and indigestion. It is also used to normalize high blood pressure, to increase the tone of the smooth muscles of the bladder and uterus, to strengthen the capillary vessels and in case of loss of appetite. Even as a breath freshener and antiperspirant.
Due to the pronounced diuretic effect, parsley is forbidden to be consumed by pregnant women, and due to the presence of a large amount of essential oils - and nursing mothers.
Mint
Of all the species of this herbaceous plant, we are interested in peppermint - a cultivated hybrid.
In addition to the enchanting aroma that magically transforms your meals from tea and sauce to salad and stir-fry, she has a lot more to it. For example, mint is used as an external antiseptic for burns, inflammation, insect bites. Inside, mint tea or a decoction is used for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Gargling with mint helps with toothache, upper respiratory tract diseases, hoarseness, bronchitis. It also improves appetite and soothes headaches.
Rosemary
The use of this plant in cooking helps to increase the secretion of gastric juice and improve digestion.
Scientists have also confirmed the ability of rosemary to improve mood, relieve stress and enhance the ability to concentrate - is it not a substitute for coffee? An aqueous infusion of rosemary mixed with lavender improves cerebral circulation, memory and vision. And because of its volatile essential oils, it is excellent for colds.
Of course, we have listed far from all the plants that are useful for health and beauty that you can plant right on the windowsill of the apartment. If desired, you can add ginseng, onion, laurel, garlic, sprouted wheat seeds to the above herbs ... Do not forget that many medicinal plants have their own contraindications for use. Therefore, do not be too lazy to consult with your doctors before self-medicating with indoor flowers and greenery.
Be healthy!
An interesting article about spices on the windowsill.What spices, herbs and herbs can be grown on an ordinary windowsill at home, the choice of variety and the rules for caring for plants.
By the end of winter - early March, there is often a desire to grow and collect the first fresh greens.
Experienced summer residents sow seeds at this time - as a rule, no later than mid-March, in order to admire the lush seedlings already in the midst of spring.
Nevertheless, even at home, with a little experience, you can easily grow spices on the windowsill.
What varieties of herbs are ideal for home care and how to grow them properly - we will tell you in this article.
The best spices and herbs for growing on a windowsill
The optimal solution for home seedlings are unpretentious herbs. We often eat them by adding dried herbs / fruits / roots of these plants to a variety of dishes.
Spices on the windowsill - video
We suggest starting your acquaintance with the information by watching this very interesting and useful video.
Let's take a look at the most popular herbs that are easy to grow at home:
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Dill
This classic spicy herb is great for both a garden bed and a small home greenhouse.
Variety selection: greens on the windowsill grow much slower than garden greens, and therefore it is worth choosing early ripening varieties.
So, to harvest in a month, pay attention to the "Grenadier", "Gribovsky", "Richelieu".
Late-ripening varieties are distinguished by more lush greenery and a concentrate of nutrients, however, they take much longer to grow.
Sowing: seeds pre-soaked for a day are planted in well-moistened soil. Seeds are planted to a depth of 1-2 cm (in prepared grooves) in small beds, the distance between which is 10 cm. Cover the seed pot with plastic wrap and do not remove it until the first strong shoots (time for shoots is 5-8 days).
Care: dill is extremely fond of water, but does not tolerate its stagnation. Therefore, provide your greenery with reliable drainage, daily watering (ideally with a spray bottle), and a sunny, warm place.
Advice: For even growth and constant renewal of fresh grass, sow new seeds every 3-4 weeks.
You can read more about dill on the windowsill in this article.
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Parsley
A universal spice for all seasons.
Variety selection: if you value parsley for its medicinal roots, choose "root". Of the early varieties, "sugar", "fruitful", "leafy" are good.
Sowing: Unlike dill, for which soaking is not essential, parsley needs to be soaked daily for 7 days (the seeds are placed in cheesecloth, moistened and ventilated every day).
The prepared seeds are traditionally planted in beds, cover the pot with polyethylene and wait for the first shoots to appear.
Care: parsley should be watered carefully and moderately (once every 3 days), maintain a warm room temperature and avoid drafts.
Advice: try to thin out young shoots so that the distance between them is a few cm. This will ensure healthy growth of the greenery.
For more information about growing parsley on the windowsill, read this article.
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Rosemary
One of the main herbs in the Mediterranean. Perfectly complements main courses, desserts and pastries with fresh or dried sprigs.
Variety selection: Of all the known varieties of rosemary, the most suitable for the home is “Fragrant” rosemary. Also, the plant can be propagated by cuttings.
Sowing: Growing rosemary from seed is recommended in March or early fall. It is worth preparing the seeds in the same way as parsley (soaking), planting them in moist fertilized soil and waiting for shoots (it may take 25-30 days).
You can read more about how to grow rosemary on a windowsill in this interesting
article
Care: since the plant is extremely thermophilic, it needs a well-lit area.Rosemary should be sprayed generously and watered with a spray bottle. When the seedlings reach 8-10 cm, it is better to plant the rosemary plants.
Advice: if you want to add flowers to the spices on the windowsill, keep the rosemary cool (at least 10 degrees) and minimal watering. It is not necessary to collect leaves during this period.
Remember that rosemary seeds have a low germination rate and this must be taken into account - take seeds from trusted producers.
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Basil and mint
These aromatic herbs belong to the same family and need similar growing conditions.
Variety selection: there are 2 main types of mint - "Pepper" and "Curly", the first of which is a strong medicinal plant, and the second is easily grown on the windowsill as a spice. A versatile and unpretentious variety of basil for the home - "one-year".
You can read more about how to grow basil.
here
, but about mint
here
Sowing: these spices are easy to grow from seeds, planting them in thin beds to a depth of about 0.5-1 cm. The seeds of these plants are small, so they do not need to be soaked.
Care: As herbs in the Mediterranean climate, spicy basil and mint require high humidity, sunshine and warmth. Herb pots are freed from the insulation film only after the formation of strong shoots.
Tip: try to plant herbs that are close in terms of growth in one loggia. Mint, tarragon, basil, celery, marjoram will make good friends.
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Onion and garlic
Speaking of unpretentious herbs, it is worth noting onions and garlic.
Almost any variety of these plants can be easily grown from the bulbs and cloves themselves, having previously immersed them in half in a container with water, and, when the first greens appear, planting them in separate cups or pots.
Like watercress, these herbs need frequent but moderate watering and can even be grown by children.
How to grow chives on a windowsill, read this interesting article
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Oregano and thyme
Read more about how to grow oregano on a windowsill in this very interesting
article
... About thyme
here
Universal tips for seedlings on the windowsill
- For growing spices, use a special soil for vegetable crops with the addition of peat, sand and minerals;
- To avoid buying additional seeds, just wait for the plants to bloom (do not cut the center stem of the herbs for this) and harvest the ripe seeds. This can take a long time, but gardeners with a bountiful harvest do just that;
- Make the process of growing your home garden fun and enjoyable: pick up bright pots (even ready-made kits for creative gardening are sold), arrange original compositions of herbs in sachets, ceramic cups, on beautiful coasters, using other creative crafts. This will complement the already bright spices on the windowsill with appetizing colors.
Try to grow your own spices on the windowsill and have a Lush harvest!
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