Alphabetical Guide to Growing & Using Herbs

Use our quick reference guide to find information quickly.

Herbs: A Quick Reference Guide

In the diverse world of herbs, it can be difficult to remember details of each plant's many natural remedies and culinary uses. So we've prepared this handy alphabetical guide as a practical and accessible resource for herb lovers — from curious beginners to seasoned gardeners and cooks. By organizing information alphabetically, this guide makes it easy to quickly find details about specific herbs, from how to grow them to their traditional and modern uses, and tips for incorporating them into daily life. We hope you enjoy using this catalog.

Anise Hyssop:

Sun to part shade.

Edible flowers that attract bees, the foliage makes a great aromatic tea to help calm your respiratory system when you have a cough, and when drinking it with a meal can help prevent gas and bloating.

Teas made from the plant tops have antiviral and digestive properties.

Pick and dry the flowers as they bloom, flowers can be used fresh or dried.

Basil:

6-8 hours of sun, prefers morning sun and afternoon shade.

Great companion plant for Tomatoes (repels pests)

Basil can help support the immune system due to its antibacterial properties, which can aid in fighting off infections.

It contains vitamins C, E, and A, which are known to boost the body's ability to fight diseases and infections. It also contains magnesium, which can help relax muscles and blood vessels, promoting healthy blood flow. 

Has been used to treat ringworm, insect bites, and acne.

Use in teas, or eat it fresh.

Bay Laurel:

Sun or part shade.

Use in cooking and teas, but don’t eat the leaves, they are indigestible.

The tea can help with treating sprains, and aching joints. Also used as a digestive aid, and appetite stimulant.

Dried sprigs hung indoors can also help repel moths. Dried leaves in containers of grains help repel weevils.

Bee Balm:

Full Sun.

Gather leaves before it blooms to store and dry to use in teas.

Both flowers and foliage can be used in teas.

Tea can help in reducing cold symptoms, fevers, and respiratory problems. Very similar to Mint.

Borage:

Sun/Part sun.

Has a slight cucumber flavor that makes it a great addition to vinegars and cooling teas.

Tea made with the leaves is used to dispel melancholy, as a sedative, and a diuretic. Sooths bronchitis, pleurisy, and rheumatism. Reduces fevers, dry coughs, and dry skin rashes. Borage seeds are high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids which can reduce certain inflammatory conditions, can aid in weight loss, slowing the aging process, reversing hair loss, and reducing depression.

Very high levels of Gamma Linolenic which is effective against cancer.

Catnip:

Full sun.

Harvest and dry foliage before it flowers.

It’s traditionally used as a tea to help with colic symptoms in babies, reducing fevers, and as a sedative that is soothing to the nerves.

Chamomile:

Morning sun is best with some afternoon shade.

Harvest the flowers and dry, or use fresh.

Drinking the tea can induce sleep, relieve indigestion, nausea, nightmares and insomnia. Can increase appetite, help smokers stop smoking, and benefit the kidneys and spleen. It can also help with menstrual problems, asthma, diarrhea, gall stones, toothaches, and ear infections.

Chamomile bedtime latte-

1 ½ cups of milk of your choice (Cow, Goat, Almond or Soy)

2 tsp fresh chamomile flowers

Honey to taste. Put the flowers and milk into a pan and slowly bring to a simmer, and let it simmer for 5 minutes.

Strain into a mug, stir in honey, and drink an hour before going to bed.

Dill:

Full sun. Attracts Swallowtail butterflies.

Use the leaves fresh, it does not save well.

Tea made from the seeds or leaves promote sleep, and reduce nervousness. The seeds aid in digestion.

To harvest the seeds wait until they start to turn brown cut off the tops of the plants and hang upside down in a brown paper bag to catch the seeds that drop.

Echinacea (Purple Coneflower):

Full sun.

All parts of the plant can be used in teas. The roots and seeds have the highest concentration of immune building properties. Helps when you feel a cold or flu coming on, make into a tea or dry the roots and ground into a powder, and take as a capsule, and it will prevent it from becoming worse, ease the symptoms, and shorten the amount of time you are sick.

Used as an antibiotic to fight infection, and is good  for the lymph and immune systems.

Can be used topically is helps clear up skin wounds, acne, and infections such as ringworm, impetigo, and thrush.  Make a paste out of the root and water and apply to the affected area.

Fennel:

Part sun. Attracts Swallowtail butterflies so plant extra. :)

Has a licorice flavor.

The seeds can be crushed and are used in teas to suppress the appetite, relieve gas, reduce the craving for alcohol, and stimulate breastmilk production.

Fennel has antiviral properties, the seeds have been shown to aid in reducing the severity of herpes outbreaks.

Ginkgo:

Full sun.

Called “the longevity herb”

Use fresh leaves in teas to help with memory, treating bronchitis, cerebral and vascular problems, and hearing problems. It is said to improve brain efficiency and cellular energy.

Greek Oregano:

Full sun.

Can be used topically to reduce swelling and pain. In teas it can help stimulate digestion, treat coughs, muscle spasms, headaches, menstrual pain, and sore joints.

As an essential oil it can be applied topically to  relieve pain, sprains, and swelling.

Lavender:

Full sun/ Part shade. Low water usage, and needs well draining soil.

Used as an extract to help repel mosquitoes. The flowers are edible, and the foliage can be used in teas.

Lavender is antidepressant, antiseptic, sedative, and antispasmodic. It can help relieve headaches, and help with insomnia.

Make into a floral spray by boiling ½ cup filtered water, and pouring it over 3 TBSP of dried or fresh lavender in  a heatproof glass bowl. Cover with a plate so all of the steam drips back into the water. Leave to cool over night, then strain the herbs out and transfer to a glass spray bottle to use around the house or on your skin. Lasts up to a week when kept refrigerated. *Can be done with rose petals, mint, eucalyptus, and other aromatic plants.

Lemon Balm:

Part shade, morning sun only.

Best used fresh, but can be dried or frozen.

The tea can be used for anxiety, allergies, insomnia, nervousness, itching, shingles, and respiratory problems. Contains a lot of Vitamin C, and is good for digestion, nausea, headaches and depression.

It can produce high quality honey to make oils, vinegars, and liqueurs.

Lemon balm has shown promise as an antiviral agent, particularly against herpes simplex virus, and potentially other viruses like HIV and SARS-CoV-2

Lemon Grass:

Full Sun.

Just as flavorful dried or frozen as it is fresh.

Great mosquito repellant, make a strong tea and spray it on your body.

Lemongrass has antiseptic properties and is high in Vitamin A, great to use for cold and flu.

Lemon Verbena:

Full Sun.

Great flavor for meats, teas, jellies, cakes, and liqueurs.

Contains a LOT of vitamin C and makes a very soothing relaxing tea.

Has been used to help treat symptoms of asthma, migraine headaches, vertigo, depression, nasal congestion, indigestion, and nausea.

Goes great in potpourri when dried.

Marjoram:

Full Sun.

Use like Oregano.

When used as a tea it is a general body tonic. Crushed leaves can be applied to insect stings to relieve pain.

Nasturtium:

Full sun/Part Shade.

Every part of the plant is edible- Flowers, stems, foliage, and roots. The flower buds have a nutty flavor that go great in salads and teas.

Seed pods have a peppery taste.

Great source of Vitamin C, used to promote appetite.

Historically the seeds have been used as an antibiotic, and for respiratory and urinary tract problems.

Parsley:

Morning sun with afternoon shade.

High in vitamin C and A, a natural source of potassium and magnesium, and reportedly helps fight cancer.

Helps fight bad breath, especially after eating onions or garlic.

Great for the liver, kidneys, and bladder, and aids in digestion.

One of the best foods to help prevent osteoporosis and relieve arthritis symptoms.

DO NOT cook parsley, it destroys the vitamins.

Passion Flower:

Full sun/ Part shade.

Native Americans used the entire plant in teas to treat irritated eyes. The leaves can also be used in teas as an antidepressant, a remedy for insomnia, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure.

The tea can be hallucinogenic for some people, so it’s best to make weak teas, or do cold water infusion of the flower.

Peppermint:

Full sun/Afternoon shade.

Spreads rapidly, best if planted in containers.

Used in teas as a pain reliever, digestive aid, and caffeine substitute.

Helps with coughs, colds, respiratory problems, and sinus headaches.

Roses:

Full Sun.

The petals are edible, great in salads and teas. Rose hips are a great source of Vitamin C and go great in teas, cakes, syrups, soups, jams, jellies, rose water and wine.

Rose hips were used by the ancients to build blood and stamina.

Roses offer several benefits for skincare, including hydration, soothing irritated skin, and reducing signs of aging. They contain antioxidants, vitamins, and natural oils that can help moisturize, protect, and rejuvenate the skin. 

Rosemary:

Full sun/Part shade.

Rosemary can be used as an antiseptic, a memory stimulator, and a digestive.

Used as an oil it can promote hair growth, and relieve headaches.

Rue:

Full Sun.

This is toxic to consume, especially problematic for pregnant women as it can cause miscarriage.

As an oil it can be used to repel fleas, flies, and cats, and dogs.

Giant Swallowtails lay their eggs on this plant.

Can cause a skin irritation when handled, especially in the summer, so use gloves when handling.

Sage:

Full sun/ Part shade

Has amazing effects on memory, and the digestive system.

Highly recommend eating 1-2 raw leaves per day.

Can be used as a gargle to treat tonsillitis.

Sage leaf baths can help stimulate blood circulation, and help with degenerative disorders.

St John’s Wort:

Full sun/ Part Shade

Harvest flowers during the growing season and put them in oil for 2 or more weeks.

The flowers and leaves can be used for skin diseases and wounds.

Oil or extract from the flowers is used as an antiviral, astringent, and sedative.

It has remarkable antidepressant qualities, and is known as the natural alternative for Prozac.

Turks Cap:

Shade/ Dappled Sun/ Part sun.

Flowers and fruit can be used in teas. The fruit can be cooked down to make jellies and syrup.

Young leaves and fruit are edible raw or cooked.

The flavor of the raw fruit resembles watermelon or apples.     

Thyme:

Full Sun.

Used in cooking, and can be used in teas as an antiseptic.

Used in teas it is used to relieve colds, flus, bronchial congestion, and stomach aches.

You can also gargle the tea for a sore throat and as an antiseptic mouthwash.

Healing tea recipes:

-Sage Gargle-

Great to help treat colds and sore throat

½ cup water

1 TBSP dry sage (or approx. 5-6 fresh sage leaves)

Boil water and pour over sage leaves.

Steep for 7 minutes, then strain.

Store in the refrigerator.

To use gargle about 1tsp for 1 minutes, do not swallow.

-Digestive Tea-

Good for treating heartburn, and upset stomach.

Mix 1 TBSP of each into a jar together:

Dried Basil, Dill Seed, and Dried Peppermint.

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp of the herbal mixture.

Steep for 7-10 minutes, strain and drink.

-Bedtime Tea-

Helps with insomnia, and anxiety.

Mix 1 TBSP of each into a jar:

Dried Lavender, Dried Catnip, Dried Verbena, dried Chamomile

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp of the herbal blend.

Steep 5-7 minutes, strain and drink.

-Happiness Tea-

Promotes relaxation, and helps with depression.

1 part Rose petals

1 part Lavender

1 part Jasmine             

Pinch of Cinnamon.

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the herbal mixture

Steep 5-7 minutes, strain and drink.

-Mental Focus Tea-

Used for mental focus, concentration, sharpening memory, and studying.

1 part Rosemary

1 part Sage

1 Part Spearmint

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the herbal mixture.

Steep 5-7 minutes, strain and drink.

Recommended books for further information:

“Mother Nature’s Herbal” By Dr. Judith Griffin

“Herbs for Texas” By Howard Garrett

“The Handmade Apothecary” By Vicky Chown & Kim Walker

“The Green Witch” By Arin Murphy-Hiscock

“Medicinal Herbs” By Rosemary Gladstar

“Herbs for Stress & Anxiety” By Rosemary Gladstar