Among the uses that can be made of herbs, home remedies is one of them. Though generally known for its culinary usage, growing medicinal herbs is favored by many and has been used for many, many centuries. They are most often presented in the form of teas or infusions which makes them quite easy to consume.

Herbs of all types have been growing freely everywhere since vegetation has garnished this planet and has has shared its beneficiary effects with mankind for a long time and, for many purposes. Culinary, ornamental, fragrances and medicinal all plays an important role in our lives. Herbs are the ancestor and the principle active agent in modern pharmaceutical production.

Growing a Garden of Medicinal Herbs:
To start growing herbs for such a purpose, you will do so the same way you would grow any other herbs, flowers or plants. As most other herbs, they can be grown outside, in the garden, or inside of your home. Of course, you will need to choose which herbs you will be growing and the proper care needed to succeed, how to harvest and prepare them for storing.

Once you have chosen the herbs you wish to grow, you will go to the local gardening center and buy the plants and other supplies needed. The plants and good soil are pretty much all you need for planting in the garden, for growing inside you might also need pots, some gravel for proper drainage.

When planting, dig a hole for each plant making sure that there is enough room for the roots to be nested in without any bending. Proper sunlight, watering and weeding will vary according to the variety of plants you are growing. Be aware that an important factor to the choice of herbs you are growing. There are 3 main types of plants - annuals, biennials and perennials. These variations will strongly affect when and how the plant is to be grown.

Once your crop has reached maturity, it is ready to be harvested and prepare for storage. Medicinal herbs are dried the same as other herbs by hanging them upside down, stored in bags, or dried in the oven.

Medicinal Herbs: Which one and what for?
There is a good choice of herbs to choose from and it depends essentially on the needs you wish to cover. There are numerous other herbs available to care for  your health that you may wish to grow, but these are a few to get you started.

- Valerian, Passion Flower, Skullcap and Chamomile: Calming effect, will help assure a good night's sleep.
- Sweet Annie, Baikal Skullcap, Barberry, Meadowsweet, Marshmallow, Licorice and Ginger: Great for the digestive track and digestion.
- Saw Palmetto, Pygeum bark, Horsetail, Pipsissewa, Echinacea and Marshmallow: Beneficiary effects for male prostate health.
- St. John's Wort favors emotional well being and concentration.
- Reishi is a fantastic support to the immune system and milk thistle is good for the liver.
- Helonias, Black Cohosh,  Dang gui, Partridge Berry, Chasteberry, Angelica, Ginger and Licorice are all favorable to women's health.
- Hawthorn, fresh Skullcap, fresh Motherwort and fresh Cayenne are popular herbs to help with  cardiovascular health.

How to use these herbs:
As mentioned before, teas or infusions are the most common way to consume the herbs. Of course, fresh leaves are the best option for preparing the tea. but stored herbs will do the job just as well when out of season. In both cases you only need to apply boiling water over the stems, leaves or flowers for several minutes. It can be drank hot or you may prefer to let it cool down a bit

When using the herb's roots, the bark or any other hard part of the plant, you will need to do a decoction. To do so, you will put 1 teaspoon of dried herb (3 if fresh) for each cup you wish to make, add the water and bring to a boil. Do not use an aluminum pot, a glass or enamel saucepan should be used when doing this.Once boiled, simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Keep the lid on the saucepan so that all the essential oils and nutrients remains locked-in. Strain the flavorful potion and enjoy.

For more thorough information on growing medicinal herbs, please follow the links to my website or get the full blown version on everything you need to know covered in the ebook ''The Easy Guide to Successful Herb Gardening".