4 Beneficial Winter Herbs to Grow and
Use
Depending on where you’re located geographically, it may be
that time of year where it’s nearly impossible to keep a garden thriving. That
being said, hope is not lost for a winter herb garden! Even if you don’t
consider yourself to have a green thumb, the following herbs are hardy enough
to last through harsher growing conditions.
Herbs that tend to thrive more in winter climates include
Rosemary, Parsley, Basil, Mint and Thyme and are also highly regarded in
traditional Chinese medicinal practices.
Rosemary
Being a hardy perennial herb that generally takes 14-21 days
to germinate, this plant will thrive year-round even in colder temperatures and
is cheap to replace if it does parish for whatever reason. This herb should be
started in flats roughly 10-12 weeks before the last frost, be grown in plenty
of sunlight and have adequate soil moisture (but not soil that is soaked).
Eventually, they will need to be transplanted for continued growth.
Rosemary is known to be beneficial to help aid with
migraines, poor memory, and digestive issues among other various ailments. In
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Rosemary is said to treat wind-damp-cold,
resolve phlegm, and tonify yang. It also enters the Lungs, Spleen, Kidney,
Heart and Liver.
Pair this herb with roasted garlic, lemon and olive oil to
drizzle over chicken for a fresh and filling entre.
Parsley
Although Parsley tends to grow more slowly over the winter taking
nearly 2-4 weeks before it even germinates, it blooms continuously to give you
a fruitful supply of herbs. Because it’s a slow-growing herb, we suggest
planting plenty of it to ensure you have enough to last over the winter. It
grows best in moist, fertile soil and can be over-wintered.
In TCM, Parsley is known for eliminating toxins, regulating
water, and tonifying blood. It’s also known for entering the Stomach, Bladder,
Kidney and is warm in temperature.
Prepare this herb with garlic, olive oil, and lamb to
indulge in a savory delight.
Basil
If you live in a climate that has limited sunlight during
the winter, such as the pacific northwest, this annual herb may be slower to
grow but generally takes 5-10 days to germinate. It thrives more when it’s
direct seeded versus being transplanted and is not drought tolerant and does
not do well under the stress of heat.
Basil can be used to resolve dampness, phlegm, promote qi
circulation and disperses cold. In ancient Chinese medical texts, it’s said to
enter through the Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine and Kidney.
Sweet Basil is the most common type of basil used and makes
a delicious snack when paired with mozzarella, tomatoes and a drizzling of your
favorite balsamic dressing.
Mint
We recommend planting this herb 6-8 weeks before placing
them outside in early spring, as they can withstand some freezing but
not much and thrive best in partial sun. Be sure to plant it in its own pot as
mint will take over the entire planter.
Mint’s aromatic, pungent and cooling properties enter
through the Lung and Liver. It also aids in promoting qi circulation, clearing
heat, rashes, head and eyes as well as expelling wind. It’s also been known to
reduce digestive irritations such as irritable bowel syndrome due to its
antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.
Add mint to your chamomile tea with a splash of lemon for a
tasty winter beverage.
New York Sports AcupunctureDr. Bishara Wilson, DACM, L.Ac.
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