For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
Isaiah 61:11
By Dr. Sylvia Adjoa Mitchell
TIME TO PLANT
The best time to plant a tree is when you were a child, the next best time is now. In this article, we will be sharing how to plant a herbal garden. After you learn to grow these, you can add others.
HERBAL GARDEN
Herbal gardens make a great gift.
I remember two occasions that I did so. One was to the then Custos of Kingston, Mrs. Marigold Harding, before she retired in 2015; and the other was to the Hon. Portia Simpson Miller at the launch of the National Nutraceutical Industry, held at Hope Gardens on March 5, 2015.
The plants in the baskets were lemon grass, aloe vera, ginger, leaf of life, French thyme, peppermint, colic mint, rosemary, basil, bottle brush. Some time afterwards, I was blessed to see Mrs. Harding’s herbal garden. If you follow the instructions below; there’s no reason you won’t be able to make your own!
JAMAICA’S REPUTATION FOR GOOD QUALITY HERBS
Jamaica has a reputation of producing high quality herbs. Jamaican-grown ginger, sorrel, Blue Mountain coffee and so many others, are the standard by which those from other countries are measured. So “Eat what you Grow, and Grow what you Eat”! Home food is indeed the best food.
KNOW YOUR PLANTS
Sinkle Bible (Aloe vera)
Uproot, with as many roots as you can, the small side plants growing beside the adult ones, then plant them in the garden. Water in well, but be careful not to over-water.
Fever grass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Infuse alone as a refreshing tea or for fevers. Contains citral and other anti-viral phytochemicals. Divide an old bunch into individual plants. Pot them. Once established, plant into the garden.
Moringa (Moringa oliefera)
Moringa seeds are abundant in number and easy to germinate. Place 1-3 seeds in a pot and when grown to about 6 inches, transplant the best-looking plant in the garden in a central spot. It will grow into a very tall tree if you let it; so be prepared to harvest the leaves often if you want to control it.
Leaf of Life (Bryophyollum pinnatum)
Used as a herbal remedy for an array of human disorders, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bruises, wounds, boils, abscesses, insect bites, arthritis, rheumatism, joint pains, headaches, earaches, and body pains. Also helps maintain memory. Can be eaten as is or chopped with garlic and as a vegetable garnish. Only a leaf is needed to make a new plant. Place one in a plastic bag with a little water. Once the little plants appear, place in the garden in the spot you want it to grow, cover with soil and water it in.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
When you cut the ginger, some are yellow and some have a bluish tint. These are two different varieties, aptly named yellow and blue ginger. Ginger leaves are thinner than turmeric leaves. A little patch of ginger under a tree or in a couple pots is all you need. The rhizomes grow up so plant in a furrow and add soil as the plant grows. Do not overwater. The plant will die down when the rhizomes are ready to be harvested. Wash them off and they will be available for use until they sprout; then replant for another season.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric also grows from its rhizomes, but it grows down, so plant on top of the hill. Both turmeric and ginger are shade plants.
Tuna (Opuntia spp)
Plant one of the mature flattened leaves (called a nopal) in the ground, it’s as simple as that.
Sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Sorrel has a variety called ‘bashment’ that can be grown every four months, so you don’t have to wait for Christmas. It looks the same as the one that is ready at Christmas, so be sure to ask a professional for help.
Scatter your sorrel seeds on good ground and that is about it. After harvesting the crop, remove the calyx for use, and dry the seeds for planting. The red calyx can be used right away but with a little practise can be dried also for future use.
French thyme (Plectranthus amboinicus)
Has a lovely aroma and is a very showy plant for the front yard. Can be used in cooking as flavouring. Infusion can be made for indigestion and stomach aches. Bury a portion of a long stem into a pot. Once it starts growing, sever the growing stem from the mother plant. After another week, transplant to the garden.
Colic mint (Lippia alba)
Refreshing morning drink as an infusion. Can be used to relieve baby colic. Has sedative properties, also anti-bacterial, antifungal, and anti-viral. Cut a piece of stem and place into a pot with garden soil. Press the soil towards the stem and water. When new growth appears, replant in the garden.
Basil (Ocimum micranthum)
Makes a refreshing tea as an infusion. Can be used for fever, bronchitis, and colic in children. Ground leaves and smell them for colds. Basil produces seeds. Place the seeds into a pot. When it has grown into a small plant, transfer into the garden.
HARDER TO ROOT PLANTS
These last three plants are harder to root than the other herbs. If you need help, please contact me.
Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis)
Related to Eucalyptus. Infusion tea can be used for sinus. Found to be anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.
Peppermint (Satureja viminea)
Refreshing morning drink as an infusion. It has a sedative effect and can be used for insomnia, gas pains, and colic.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Used for cooking as it has a nice flavor. High in iron, calcium, and vitamin B6. Has a reputation for improving memory. Carnosic acid found in rosemary has been found to shield brain from free radicals, lower risk of strokes, and Alzheimers disease. Also contains the antiviral – rosmarinic acid.
TIME TO GET PLANTING
Plant herbs in the soil or in pots. Put the taller plants towards the back of the garden. Do not plant the trees or shrubs too close to the house and do not make the beds too wide. Trim herbs often. Dry them and use them in your cooking and drinks. Send me pictures of your garden; if I get enough, there will be a prize for the best one!
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- Dr. Sylvia Adjoa Mitchell is a Senior Lecturer, Medicinal Plant Research Group, The Biotechnology Centre, UWI, Mona. Jamaican-raised & naturalized, she is African-born with English ancestry. Contact: 876-545-2646.
- Freedom Come RAIN Disclaimer: Articles carried by FCRAIN newspaper, similar in nature to the one above, are for informational purposes only. Kindly be aware that your health is your own responsibility.