The Essential Apothecary Garden

Story by Reana Kim, Share a Seed
Photos by Hannah Packman, Reana Kim, Emilia Kawashima

If the coronavirus pandemic created one small point of positivity, it was in snapping into focus something many of us had forgotten, or perhaps, never known – the importance of honoring the needs of our bodies and opening ourselves to the natural world. With health at the forefront of many minds, many Americans turned to gardening during the peak of the pandemic. Many are still gardening today. While the flower garden may be the predominant American model these days, it wasn’t so long ago that most home gardens weren’t just beautiful but also edible and medicinal. If you’ve only just started on your growing journey and the idea of a medicine garden has you breaking into a cold sweat – never fear! Apothecary gardening can be as simple as it is beneficial.

For me, apothecary work was a natural extension of the food growing I was already doing in my garden and community spaces. The more comfortable I became in growing food to fuel my body, the more I began to wonder about plants that might also aid in healing. I soon realized that many powerful, medicinal plants were already present in my garden (rosemary) and that others were familiar ingredients in products I used regularly (calendula). Once I realized how much I was ignoring by only understanding plants for their beauty or potential as fuel, my apothecary journey began.

Although I am a certified Master Gardener, my apothecary knowledge has largely been self-taught. I do a lot of reading, talking to other herbalists and practitioners, and a lot of experimentation! I’m a firm believer that you don't have to be a farmer to grow vegetables, and you don’t have to be a clinician to grow and utilize medicinal plants. In this blog, I’ll offer recommendations for two types of starter apothecary gardens: The Budding Herbalist’s Apothecary Garden and the Seasoned Chef’s Apothecary Garden. Each offering includes plants that are relatively easy to grow & pack a powerful medicinal punch. These are some of my favorites, but I encourage you to explore on your own and put together a mix of plants that best meet your growing and health needs.

The Budding Herbalist’s Apothecary Garden

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

A wooly, biennial herb that produces gray-green, hairy, flannel-textured leaves and spikes of bright yellow flowers.

Medicinal Properties: Mullein is one of the respiratory system’s best friends and is great for curing coughs, congestion, and bronchitis. The leaves and flowers of this plant are helpful in reducing mucus formation and stimulating the coughing up of phlegm.
Practical Uses: The most common usage is in tincture or tea for treating respiratory issues, but Mullein is also a good wound healer when applied topically via oil or salve.
Conditions and Care: Full sun to partial shade. Mullein is tolerant of a wide variety of soils and is drought and heat tolerant. Plant in the ground or in deep pots to allow room for healthy taproot growth.

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)

A relaxing herb more commonly known for its sweet smell than its medicinal properties. Lavender is a perennial shrub with spikes of violet-blue flowers that extend above the foliage.

Medicinal Properties: Lavender flowers can be used as an antispasmodic, antimicrobial, antidepressant, and to aid with sleep.
Practical Uses: Lavender tinctures and teas are great for stress and insomnia. Balms and essential oils made from lavender can help to heal burns, wounds, and sores.
Conditions and Care: Well-drained and low to moderately-fertile soil (this is not a plant that appreciates extra compost!). While lavender enjoys full sun, in hot summer climates, afternoon shade may help them thrive.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

A creeping perennial that can grow up to three feet in height and typically produces white flowers (some varieties can also produce yellow, red, orange, or gold flowers). Yarrow is known as an “herba militaris” due to its ability to staunch battle wounds and aid in recovery from a variety of illnesses.

Medicinal Properties: Yarrow’s aerial parts (flowers and leaves) can be used dried or fresh to treat a wide variety of ailments including urinary issues, fever, high blood pressure, and so much more. This plant is commonly used for cleansing and healing wounds, digestive infections, and for cold/flu recovery.
Practical Uses: Use yarrow as a poultice or ointment for treating wounds, or take internally as a tea or tonic to help treat a cold or for weak digestion.
Conditions and Care: Thrives in sunny, hot, and dry conditions. Yarrow will not tolerate wet soil and grows best when planted in-ground.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

A vivid orange flowering plant that can grow up to two feet tall, Calendula may be nicknamed the “Pot Marigold,” but unlike actual Marigolds (Tagetes), Calendula is an edible plant with numerous medical uses. In fact, Calendula is one of the most well-known and versatile herbs in Western herbal medicine!

Medicinal Properties: The petals of this sun-colored flower are an excellent remedy for inflamed and irritated skin due to their strong antiseptic and healing properties – I use this plant in almost every skin treatment I make! Calendula can also be used as a cleansing and detoxifying herb for chronic infections.
Practical Uses: Creams or ointments are the most common usage of Calendula, but it can also be taken orally as an infusion or tincture for fungal infections.
Conditions and Care: Calendula is an annual that appreciates partially shady to full-sun conditions, but will not do well in the hot summer heat. A generally hearty plant, calendula will grow well in deep pots or when planted directly in the ground.

The Seasoned Chef’s Apothecary Garden

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

This small, but mighty herb is prized as much for its prowess in the kitchen as it is for its abilities as an antiseptic and tonic. Thyme grows up to about 16 inches as a woody shrub with small leaves and delicate pink flowers, which can be used either fresh or dried.

Medicinal Properties: Thyme is an excellent remedy for the lungs and other respiratory ailments. This herb is best used as an antiseptic, expectorant, and antioxidant, as well as for relief of muscle spasms.
Practical Uses: Infusions, tinctures, and syrups.
Conditions and Care: Thyme prefers a warm, sunny position – the more sun it receives, the better the flavor! This perennial is fairly drought tolerant and needs well-drained, preferably alkaline, soil. Thyme planted in pots will return year after year and can thrive in poor, or even stony soils.

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)

A fragrant herb from the Mint family that grows as a perennial, evergreen shrub. It features slender, needle-like leaves on erect woody stems and produces clusters of small, light blue to white flowers that pollinators really seem to love.

Medicinal Properties: Rosemary has been used since time immemorial to strengthen memory and mental acuity, and it’s an herb I trust for all kinds of head-related ailments from migraines to concentration issues. This herb is known for its invigorating, warming qualities and is excellent as a stimulant, nervine, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant.
Practical Uses: Tincture and tea.
Conditions and Care: Rosemary demands a full day of sun and well-drained soil; it will not tolerate shady locations or wet soil. This aromatic herb grows well outdoors, indoors, in pots, or in the soil. So long as it can get enough light, it will be happy!

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Sage is well deserving of its name, which comes from the Latin “salvare,” meaning to cure. The grey-green or purple leaves of this powerful perennial can be used fresh or dried and they can create a slightly warm feeling when ingested.

Medicinal Properties: Research from ancient times through to today provides strong support for sage’s use in enhancing memory and focus. Its antiseptic and astringent properties make it great for sore throats and infections, and it can also be used to help regulate hormones caused by PMS or menopause.
Practical Uses: Fresh sage is great when rubbed on bites or stings and it also performs well when included in salves and ointments. Take as a tincture, tea, or tonic for internal issues.
Conditions and Care: Sage thrives in well-drained, sandy, and minimally fertilized soil and needs full to moderate sunlight. This is truly a plant that does best when you just let it be – the less you fuss, the better it tends to do!

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

A strong-smelling annual that can grow up to 28 inches and produces small, purplish, or white flowers. Holy basil comes from India, where it is revered as the herb sacred to the goddess Lakshmi, wife of the life-preserving god Vishnu. Tulsi translates to “matchless,” a good indication of what an unparalleled healer this herb can be!

Medicinal Properties: Holy basil has a wide variety of uses, including relieving fevers, bronchitis, asthma, stress, and mouth ulcers. It is also commonly used to lower blood sugar levels.
Practical Uses: Tinctures, teas, and other orally-taken preparations are how this herb is most commonly used, but it can also be made into a powder for use on mouth ulcers.
Conditions and Care: Holy Basil (also known as Thai Basil) is a perennial in its native, tropical climate, but will act as an annual in most US growing zones. The plant likes warmer temperatures but will tolerate sunlight conditions from full to moderate. Holy Basil grows great in pots and in the ground.

How To Forage Medicinal Herbs

Many of my favorite tools for apothecary work are the same ones I use day-to-day in my vegetable gardening: The Hori-Hori Knife – an excellent, all-around helper for planting, weeding, and harvesting and Work Gloves – not only do they keep my hands clean, they’re also thick enough to protect from thorns and prickly plants! But there are also some special tools that I’ve loved using for apothecary work, particularly if I’m foraging.

Foraging Bag: A must-have when you’re out foraging or even gathering in the garden. This bucket-shaped bag makes gathering herbs easy, and the swappable inserts really maximize use options.
Garden Scissors: These ambidextrous garden scissors are perfect for snipping fresh basil leaves, harvesting calendula flowers, or snagging a sprig of rosemary.
Herb Stripper: You’ve picked your herbs, but now you need to prep them! This tool is perfect for use on apothecary herbs like thyme and rosemary that need to be separated from the stem before use.

Even though this blog focuses on planting, foraging is an additional tool for any budding herbalist and can help you source medicinal plants that may be difficult to grow. Some extremely useful apothecary herbs are invasive weeds in many areas – like Mugwort, Passionflower, Thistle, and Dandelion – so you are likely allowed & encouraged to forage them! Learn more about how to sustainably forage in your area.

Medicinal Herb Garden Continuing Education

I’m a big fan of practical, hands-on learning, but when it comes to things you ingest, you really want to make sure you know what you’re doing! Thankfully, there're countless books, courses, and websites out there to guide you on your journey. Two starting resources are Herbalists Without Borders (HWB) and the American Herbalists Guild. As someone who engages in mutual aid (voluntary sharing of resources for communal benefit) apothecary, and seed-sharing work, I particularly love the work that HWB are doing and all the excellent information they have for members and for the public! If you’re looking for books on plants, I recommend starting with something focused on plants in your region versus a generalized encyclopedia. This guide will help you choose plants that will thrive in your garden and identify the herbs and flowers you’re most likely to find when out foraging. I’d also recommend using a free plant identification app like i-Naturalist so you can be extra sure that you’re choosing your plants safely and sustainably. Happy growing!

ABOUT

Reana is a DC-based policy and communications professional dedicated to making the food and farm system more equitable and sustainable. She has worked on food, agriculture, and social welfare issues for over ten years across three major US metro areas (Chicago, NYC, DC). Reana is master gardener who serves on the board for the Farmers Market Coalition and Slow Food DC and currently works in organic agriculture. She launched the Share a Seed project in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic to address the simultaneous loss of resources and rise in gardening interest. Reana loves connecting to fellow community members and showing that there is no one "type" of gardener, farmer, or outdoor enthusiast – getting your hands dirty is for everyone.

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