My earliest memories are of toddling around in the garden with mother, almost from the time I learned to walk. At first, the only help I gave was to carry buckets of weeds out to the chook pen. But in time this progressed onto creating my own beautiful and productive gardens as an adult. Herbs are my Favorite group of plants because of their versatility and usefulness.

 

Herbs are important because they are a group of plants that cross over into several beneficial categories for humans, animals, other plants, and the environment in general. 

 

What Are Herbs Used For?

 

When people think of herbs, they typically look at things like herbal supplements or recipes. However, herbs are used for a wide range of things.

 

For human health internally, externally, and even mentally. For animal health, again both internal and external. As well as for the health and well-being of other plants.

 

They not only enhance the flavour of the dishes we cook but they add important vitamins and minerals that are needed to maintain good health.

 

Herbs are known to benefit mental health as well as physical health by way of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is a holistic herbal remedy using herbal and other plant extracts to promote both health and wellbeing. The extracts are usually warmed in an oil burner to diffuse their properties into the air.

 

Herbs are also used in natural cleansers for personal use, the house, and our pets. They not only add cleansing power but are also used for the benefits they have on our skin and hair as well as the pleasing fresh smells they can leave behind.

 

For natural pest control around the home and garden. For both deterring harmful pests that destroy vegetables, fruits, and other plants. And attracting beneficial insects that attack pests and pollinate flowers. They can also be used to deter fleas from our pets and keep ants and flies out of the house.

 

Herbs are used to benefit the health of other plants in the garden by way of companion planting. Certain herbs are said to be more beneficial to some plants but not so helpful for others. Therefore, companion planting is using this theory to plan the garden by planting herbs with the plants that they will benefit the most. For example, pennyroyal deters ants, so it is beneficial to plant it around roses because ants use aphids to get nectar from the rose flowers. Anyone who loves roses knows that aphids destroy roses.

 

In What Forms Are Herbs Available?

 

As well as having a wide variety of uses herbs are also available in a number of forms. And again, not all those are restricted to just one type of use.

 

Of course, in their natural form, herbs are plants that can be grown in the garden, in containers, or in pots in the kitchen ready for immediate use.

 

They can be dried then used in a variety of ways. Herbal teas are one form of dried herbs. Another is the type that is bought from the supermarket ready for use in cooking.

 

Herbal tinctures are another form. These are concentrated herbal extracts made by soaking fresh or dried herbs and other plant parts in vinegar or alcohol. Like other forms of herbs, tinctures have a variety of uses and benefits. For example, in pain relief, anxiety, sleep, and digestion to name a few.

 

Essential oils are yet another form – not to be confused with herbal tinctures mentioned above. Although, they are often used in similar ways.

 

What Are the Benefits of Herbs?

 

Herbs benefit humans, animals, other plants, and the environment in general. Historically, they have been used for many of the benefits mentioned above for centuries.

 

It is only with the increase of chemical alternatives that their usage declined. But many people are becoming more environmental and health conscious and are turning back to the natural remedies of old.

 

Because the ranges of benefits and uses are so wide and varied there are far too many to list in this post, but I will list a few examples:

 

• Chamomile makes a relaxing herbal tea but is also used in soaps because it can protect our skin.
• Pyrethrum is known for its use in fly sprays, but it is also beneficial for deterring all kinds of insects and pests from the garden.
• Basil is a quite common herb and one of the oldest. It is used to flavour cooking, but it is also said to enhance the benefits of the food it is being added to.

 

Where can you get herbs?

 

The best way to get herbs is to grow them. Even a small kitchen can manage a few small pots of herbs. Not only will you always have fresh herbs on hand for picking and adding to recipes. you will also enjoy their fresh clean smell.

 

Both seeds and seedlings are available to buy anywhere garden products are sold. Seeds are also widely available at online garden stores.

 

Chemists and supermarkets stock a wide variety of herbal products and supplements. These can also be purchased in online stores.

 

As for the variety of forms that herbs come in – these can be purchased almost anywhere both online and in store. For example, body building and fitness supplements are often available at your local gym.

 

Depending on how keen you are, it is also possible to make many of these yourself. Many people have started a small home side hustle by growing and selling their herbs and herbal products.

 

In Summary

 

As you can see, not only do herbs fall into several beneficial categories, but each individual herb also crosses over into several areas of health and wellbeing for humans, animals, and the environment. We can also see that the variety of forms available and the many ways they can be used shows that herbs could claim to be the most useful and essential group of plants available.

 

I have only begun to scratch the surface of the versatility and usefulness of herbs. And hopefully whetted your appetite and raised your curiosity enough that you will start to look at herbs in a different light. Not just the obvious ones of cooking and herbal supplements.