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Many herbs are good for more than simply food. They work as herbal remedies for a variety of conditions. Out of all the herbs, here are the easiest and most useful ones to grow in a kitchen window.
Basil
Basil is a delicious herb. Famous for its use on Margarita pizzas and in pesto, it perks up any Mediterranean dish. When fresh, it has a strong anise-like scent that brightens your kitchen. Basil loves growing in a pot in a sunny space.
It takes basil seeds 5-10 days until germination. The little plants will need 10-12 weeks of growth until they are ready for harvest. When harvesting, pinch off the leaves on top or on the ends of branches for a healthier plant.
Basil has several medicinal properties. It is anti-inflammatory and often used for arthritis. It can either be eaten in food or torn into pieces and placed directly on the painful joint. Basil has lots of vitamins A, C, and K and mineral such as iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
Sage
Sage is very easy to grow. It’s often used with meats, potatoes, and soups because it tastes green, sharp, and warm. You can grow it from seed, but the easiest way to start it is by getting a cutting from a friend.
Sage takes 15=21 days to germinate. It can handle being put in a window with a little more shade than basil, but it still needs a good bit of sun. Once it is grown, you can pinch tips and pluck leaves as you want. Sage loves being harvested.
Medicinally, sage is known for its antiseptic and antibiotic properties. If you have a sore throat make a tea from sage and gargle it. Sage tea, drank this time, is also good for colds. Sage is a hormone balancer, as well, especially good during menopause.
Chives
Chives are tall green spears that taste like mild onions. They are excellent in salads and soups or sprinkled on top of baked potatoes. Put it in rice, stews, and veggie dishes to perk up the taste.
Plant extra chive seeds, because the plant likes to grow in clumps. They will sprout quickly, in 7-15 days. They need some sun during the day but can deal with a slightly shadier window. If you let them grow long enough, chives develop a pretty pinkish-purple flower that is also edible.
When eaten in food, chives help fight inflammation and digestive problems. They also work as an antibiotic and a great gargle for sore throats. Combine them with sage in a tea for gargling and you have a great sore throat remedy.
Oregano
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Oregano is another staple of Mediterranean cooking. Use it in any Greek or Italian food. Its taste is sharp and spicy, giving many red sauces their distinctive kick. If oregano is a bit strong for you, swap it for the closely related marjoram.
Oregano likes dryer soil than other herbs, and it helps if you can plant it in a terra cotta pot, which dries out faster than other types. The seeds germinate in 7-12 days and are ready for harvest in about 12 weeks. It has a pretty little flower that is edible along with the leaves.
To the Greeks, oregano is a cure-all, especially when blended with olive oil. It is said to help perk you up and get you going when you are dragging.
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