Unusual organic herb plants

[Crazy Chickie]

A herb bed/board would be a great idea! I grow all kinds of tastie herbs for eating and teas etc, a board for discussing how to grow and use herbs would be really useful.

Sue have you tried Nicki's Nursery for horehound, they have a really good range of herbs and veg

http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/

Cheers
CC

[Lesley Jay]

I know herbs and spices go together as a heading but we don't grow spices. Don't shoot me down in flames if I am wrong! It is 11 pm and I have been on this laptop now for 16 hours!!

Recipes for making creams etc could be a problem because of contra-indications with medicine, pregnancy and illnesses.

[Earthbabe]

Sorry LJ but coriander seed could be classed as a spice. Some people are trying to grow things like ginger although admittedly just as an experiment.

Would love to have a herb bed/board?

Thanks SS for the info. I've tried to grow Soapwort from seed for two seasons with no success.

PW - adore Lovage, given a cutting by my mum and have managed to grow it from seed although I think like Chervil it needs to be very fresh seed.

Wiggly Wigglers do a good range of native plants/herbs.

LJ - I am happy to provide specific info re contraindications or via PM to people wanting to try making their own products, if that is any help. I am a qualified aromatherapist (among other things) and make my own products for clients.

I am not a herbalist but have a lot of info to hand although I don't have recipes for making your own aspirin etc.

You are right to express reservations. Natural does not automatically mean safe although the majority of herbs used in teas etc are not in the same concentration as those in supplements. I would always stress that if someone has a health condition and/or is on medication they should seek professional advice either from their GP or a herbalist or pharmacist.

[Lesley Jay]

Earthbabe daft as this might sound I would count coriander seeds as part of the herb coriander. I do like the name though - The Herb Bed. We just need a few more positive responses to the idea then I can tackle Admin.

[STeALtH]

I'd also like to see a dedicated herb section, mainly from a culinary point of view as I've always used them alot in my cooking but also be interested in the medicinal herbs, used to grow feverfew for headaches.

Regards

S

[JennieAtkinson]

Yep I think it would be a good idea too. I have asked a number of questions about herbs in the past and often wondered where to put them on the Boards.

It is also quite a specialised subject in terms of what you can do with them after harvesting (cordials, drinks, etc.) and there may be some of our Grapes who can advise on that sort of thing (hope so, as a I got a beginners herbal remedy kit for Christmas!)

[Mrs Dobby]

A Herb Bed Forum would be great, not only for care and growing tips, and for culinary uses, but also for all manner of health / beauty / incense recipies aswell! Deffo a thumbs up from us both!

I have some experience with herbal uses, and a few good info sources to boot, so wouldnt mind helping out EB with any contra-indications or potential problems, but am not formally qualified in any way, so whether that would be a problem that you would have to consider I'm not sure!

We currently are growing (or will be shortly, or have in the past) Bay, Basil, Borage, Thyme, Mint, Parsley (both flat and curly), Chives, Garlic, Tarragon, Oregano, Sage, Bella Donna, Mugwort, Lavender, Wolfsbane, Hemlock, and a few others, plus have a largish collection of herbs (about 95 types of dried) for culinary / medicinal / incense uses!

[pigletwillie]

Lj will no doubt be able to supply us with some alternative uses for them, plus toad growing info so you have "eye of toad" ready to hand.

Ouch, that pea stick hurts!

[kirsty b]

I think the idea of a herb forum is a great idea. Also, the name The Herb Bed seems to have stuck already.

Kirsty

[Lesley Jay]

It will bloody hurt Piglet when I get my hands on you!!!!!

[pigletwillie]

Catch me if you can !!!

[Lesley Jay]

Oh I'll catch you alright Piglet!!! My pea stick is poised at the ready!!!

[JennieAtkinson]

Can you throw it from Cheshire to Leicestershire Lesley? Perhaps you missed your vocation in the Olympic team

[pigletwillie]

I keep getting stabbing pains in my arm Jennie so rather suspect that she is going at the wax effigy instead.

[Lesley Jay]

Jennie you would be surprised what I can do with my pea stick!!!