The Medicinal Window Box by Anne Stone

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The Medicinal Window-box by Anne Stone

If you live in an apartment without a garden, or if your garden is

small, you may like to plant medicinal herbs in a window box.

Herbs will grow happily for one or two seasons in containers, but

fresh planting each spring is recommended to ensure healthy plants.

Herbs thrive in poor soil and a loam-based compost is suitable. If

using peat-based compost, add one part grit to five parts compost to

improve soil texture and drainage.

Choose slow-growing varieties of herbs and look out for some of the

attractive variegated varieties available. Plant the taller herbs at

the back and put trailing plants near the edge.

Suitable herbs to grow in a window box are; Purple Sage, used for

gargles for sore throats, hair rinses and teas.

Lemon Balm, used in teas and has a wonderful aroma.

Peppermint, may be used in teas for indigestion, nausea and headaches.

Wood Betony, adds color to the window box and the leaves can be used

to make a relaxing tea to counter stress and tension.

Thyme, eases coughs and chest complaints and is useful in mouth

washes.

Roman Chamomile, produces a steady stream of flowers throughout

summer for tea-making.

Self-Heal, is an attractive plant, useful in eyebaths for inflamed

or tired eyes.

Ground Ivy, is a very useful anticatarrhal for colds. Use the

leaves in infusions or tinctures.