Late spring and summer are prime time to grow herbs outdoors. Courtesy of Tai Sophia clinic-level herbal medicine student Anne Harvey, learn how to plant and care for the following 10 herbs that you can grow, eat, and enjoy at home:

  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Sweet Basil
  • Oregano
  • Garlic
 
  • Sage
  • Peppermint
  • Lemon Balm
  • Lavendar
  • Cilantro/Coriander

"These 10 herbs are easy to grow in pots or kitchen gardens and have a long history of use as both culinary and medicinal herbs," says Anne, who is a third-year student in Tai Sophia's Master of Science in Herbal Medicine program. "Most are from the Lamiaceae family and are rich in essential oils. All are great culinary herbs to add to a regular diet and excellent choices for the beginning herb gardener."

View and print herb chart featuring soil type & moisture, sun, culinary uses and health benefits for each herb .

An abridged version of the chart is listed below:

Herb

Culinary Uses

Health Benefits

Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis

Flavoring for fish, poultry, meats and breads; infused oils or vinegars

Supports cognitive health, recovery from colds, and circulation; is stimulating to nervous system

Thyme
Thymus vulgaris

Flavoring for fish, poultry, meats and beans; infused oils and vinegars

Digestive aid; supports the respiratory system; used classically as an expectorant for damp coughs

Sweet Basil
Ocimum basilicum

Flavoring for vegetables, fish, breads and tomato-based sauces; basis of classic pesto

Supports digestion and nervous system

Oregano
Origanum vulgare

Flavoring for fish, poultry, vegetables and sauces

Supports digestive and respiratory systems

Garlic
Allium sativum

Flavoring for fish, poultry, meat, vegetables, beans, grains

Supports cardiovascular health; used to treat respiratory infections; for best results use freshly minced garlic

Sage
Salvia officinalis

Flavoring for poultry, meats, grains and vegetables

Supports nervous system and women’s health

Peppermint
Mentha x piperita

Flavoring for meat (especially lamb or venison), tea, and desserts; digestive tea; used in cough syrups and teas

Supports the digestive, respiratory, and nervous systems

Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis

Flavoring for fish, poultry, vegetables and desserts; drink as a tea

Supports nervous system and digestive system; is calming

Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia

Flavoring for desserts (add to shortbread for a great treat!)

Calming and mildly sedating; supports nervous system and aids sleep; used externally for skin wounds, insect bites and burns; the essential oil is especially good for burns

Cilantro / Coriander
Coriandrum sativum

Flavoring for fish, poultry, beans and vegetables; classic flavoring agent for salsa

Digestive aid

View planting and growing tips for each herb.


Interested in developing a personalized plan for incorporating herbs into your daily diet and health routines? Make an appointment for an herbal consultation at Tai Sophia's Student Teaching Clinic by calling 410-888-9048 x6667 or visit the Student Clinic online.

Tai Sophia also offers several options for becoming a student of herbs.  We are now enrolling for the Herbal Medicine master's degree program. Tai Sophia also is enrolling for the Herbal Studies and Medical Herbalism 9-month graduate certificate programs. These two exciting new, weekend-format programs are specially designed for herbal enthusiasts and health professionals, respectively. To learn more about all of Tai Sophia's herbal programs, attend an open house or call 410-888-9048 ext. 6647.




7750 Montpelier Road, Laurel, MD 20723  |  410-888-9048
© 2013 Maryland University of Integrative Health