Sensory Herb Garden

One of the benefits of working from home is that if I am feeling stressed, I can go out to my garden for some stress therapy. A few of my favorite stress-busting and uplifting garden plants are lemon verbena, lemon balm, peppermint, lavender, and rose. There's nothing like sticking your nose into a patch of one of these plants for instant aromatherapy. Just looking at plants helps bring the mind to a calmer state. Get out your magnifier, and lose yourself in the delicate intricacies of the leaves and flowers...it is quite amazing! I like to bring a pot or two indoors for winter enjoyment.

Plants that have a lemony scent – like lemon verbena and lemon balm – are reputed to be uplifting. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a member of the mint (lamiaceae) family and it grows and spreads easily. This herb makes a refreshing iced beverage and can be mixed with other uplifting herbs like peppermint and rose petals. The tea can be sweetened with a little honey and frozen into popsicles. The young, fresh leaves can be used in cooking where you would like to impart a lemony flavor. They are delicious with fruit or fish. Lemon balm can also be helpful for nervousness and digestive upsets, especially nervous stomach. Gather lemon balm leaves before the plant flowers.

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla) is perhaps my favorite scent of all and usually the first plant I go to in the garden when I need some stress aromatherapy. Lemon verbena also makes a refreshing tea and is useful for nervousness and depression. In the kitchen, this herb can be used in the same way as lemon balm.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is another member of the mint family, and is quite easy to grow. This herb is useful for nervousness and depression, and can help relieve tension headache and gas. Lavender can be used in a tea, but has a strong flavor and is best mixed with other herbs. A strong tea may be added to bathwater for a relaxing scented bath. The dried flowers may be placed in a small muslin bag and placed inside the pillowcase to help you drift off to sleep. Lavender flowers may be added to cakes, cookies, syrups, and jams. Watch the bees buzz about the flowers for summertime entertainment...it's often better than what is on TV!

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) makes a very refreshing tea and a delightful addition to fruit dishes. Peppermint is effective for a range of digestive and gastrointestinal upsets. Inhaling the scent of peppermint awakens the mind, improves concentration, and uplifts the spirit.

The scent of Roses (Rosa spp.) often induces a happy feeling. Fragrant rose petals can be used as a tea, but are often mixed with other herbs due to their strong flavor. Roses are often used for anxiety, grief, and depression. The petals can be added to baked goods like muffins and pancakes, and go well with fruits like strawberries, peaches and apples. They look beautiful sprinkled on a salad. Use only organic roses, as the commercial varieties are often heavily sprayed.

If you do not have room for a garden, most of these herbs grow well in pots in a sunny area. Herbs can be dried for later use. Herbs are best dried in a dehydrator, but if you do not have one, they can be dried in a hot, ventilated car (out of direct sunlight), a warm ventilated room, or in a very low oven with the door slightly ajar. Store dried herbs in airtight containers away from moisture and light.