Healing Herbs 2025

When many people think of herbs, they think about making food dishes taste better — parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme and all that. But herbs provide so much more than just flavor. Although we live in an era of manufactured medicines, herbal remedies have been around for thousands of years. Their ability to heal and boost physical and mental well-being is common knowledge. Did you know that at the beginning of the 21st century, 11% of the 252 drugs considered basic and essential by the World Health Organization were of flowering plant origin? Some of the great things about herbs is that many are free to forage and most are easy to grow at home. And there are so many ways to use them, from herbal teas and tinctures to…

I still remember my first city garden: a 4-by-5-foot, cinder-block raised bed in the corner of a tiny, concrete backyard. I was so excited to finally have dirt of my own that I ran to the nursery and bought one of every kind of seedling they carried. Of course, the fruits of my reckless abandon were almost entirely zucchini, and I wept as I watched those courgettes overgrow everything — except the herbs! Undaunted, the peppermint, thyme and oregano thrived, providing me with far more flavoring and garnish than my poor vegetable harvest, limited cooking repertoire and small family required. That summer, using my herb haul to the fullest became my goal. Certainly, I could dry or freeze the overage, but that seemed a lackluster end for my accidental herbal…

“I encourage everybody to make a little jar of something yourself because you will feel so good about doing it,” says herbalist Susan Hoffman, who spends blissful workdays in her lush gardens in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Her family-run company, Wild Hill Soap & Herbals of Vermont (www.wildhillherbals.com), crafts a wide range of herbal products entirely by hand, transforming infusions, plant essences and essential oils into unique and practical products. Today, Hoffman’s herbal wisdom appears innate, but this was not always the case. Q: What made you decide herbalism was your path? A: When I became pregnant with my daughter, I broke out in a severe rash from head to toe. Regular doctors had absolutely nothing for me, so I started my journey of exploring other options and herbalism…

When it comes to growing herbs, it’s easy to want to start growing everything you read about. However, as many overeager gardeners have learned, it’s easy for your garden to get out of control — and that’s not sustainable for your sanity. As you get your feet wet with medicinals, there are a few herbs you’ll definitely want to have by your side. These herbs are safe to use on a regular basis, they’re easy to grow, and most of your preparations will include at least one of them. In short, these plants are well-loved for a reason, so get your herb garden off to a healthy start by planting them first. CHAMOMILE Chamomile is a flower in the Asteraceae family, making it a relative of the daisy. It’s noted…

During the growing season, many gardeners find themselves with a bounty of fresh herbs. You can’t always expect the herbs you need for good health to be in season when you need them, so you’ll want to find clever ways to keep them so you can make use of their medicinal powers all year long. While drying and freezing are always an option, there are plenty of other creative ways to capture the flavor and usefulness of those herbs until their season to flourish comes around once again. HERBAL VINEGARS To make herbal vinegar, fill a jar ½ to ¾ full with fresh herbs. Pour vinegar over the plant matter until the jar is filled. Cover and tuck inside a cabinet or pantry for about four weeks, shaking occasionally. In…

Capsaicin, a compound found in hot peppers, has traditionally been used to treat pain associated with arthritis, shingles, psoriasis, strained muscles, rheumatoid arthritis, backache and diabetic neuropathy. While you can find a variety of topical capsaicin gels, creams and lotions at your local drugstore, it’s simple and more cost-effective to make your own version at home. The first step to turning peppers into a salve is to make an infused oil. Sunflower oil is especially nice to use, but you can also use olive, avocado, sweet almond or any other light oil that you like or have on hand. If you use a thicker oil, such as coconut, decrease the amount of beeswax you use when making the salve. You can add other herbs in addition to the cayenne if…