Natural Health Tips - Grow Your Own Herbs

Herb gardens date back as far as the 15th century. Just as herbs have many different uses, so did the types of gardens grown. Every monastery, estate and farmhouse had an herb garden in some form. Herb gardens were a way of life for most people. The midwives had gardens that would contain herbs helpful to women, housewives had gardens that grew the herbs needed for cooking, and English estates had elaborate gardens that graced the property both visually and aromatically. Below are some of the most common types of herb gardens:

Aromatic: This type of herb garden is grown mainly for its aromatic qualities. The flowers are used in floral arrangements, or dried, or the oils extracted for perfume or candles. Some plants you might use are rosemary, lavender, and peppermint.

Culinary: This category probably springs to mind automatically. We cook with herbs everyday and many of them are very easy to grow. Basil, oregano, dill, sage and parsley are just a few herbs common to culinary herb gardens. Rosemary can also be included in this category.

Medicinal: For ages, people have been growing herbs for their medicinal qualities. Herbs like garlic, chamomile, catnip (just make sure the neighborhood cats don't discover it!), and, echinacea all have medicinal benefits.

Ornamental: While herb gardens do provide a function, they don't have to look like a pile of weeds. Many gardens are laid out with the color and textures of the plants in mind and make for lovely decorative gardens.

The beautiful thing about the above categories is that you can mix and match as much as you like. There is no hard, fast rule that says you can't grow an ornamental/aromatic/culinary/medicinal herb garden all rolled into one. Experiment, take a good look at what you use on a regular basis and see if you can grow that. An herb garden can be as small as a box on your windowsill or as big as your back yard. It all depends on how ambitious you are and how green a thumb you have!

Traditional Healing in Modern Medicine

You've heard that it's takes a village to raise a child, but Dr. Mehl-Madrona believes that it often takes a community to heal someone who is ill. The indigenous ways have much to teach us. In his books and this interview he tells us stories that he's told to his patients to help in their healing process. These stories give us universal wisdom and strength.

• Discover how to use the community to help your friends and family heal
• See how to integrate contemporary medicine with traditional healing
• Learn the traditional meaning of the Four Directions
• See how you can use stories to enhance the healing process
• Discover the hidden meaning of the Native American Medicine Wheel
• Be Inspired to live in harmony with the seasons and nature
• Learn about the real meaning of “success” in healing
• Explore how to use our ancestors’ spirits in healing and story
• Find out what the benefits of ceremony can be in your life
• Learn to create your own ceremonies for daily living
• See how the Ravens Beak story relates to modern health issues

Lewis Mehl-Madrona holds an M.D. from Stanford University and has been a practicing doctor for over 20 years. An experienced healer who has led many Native American healing ceremonies, Dr. Mehl-Madrona has also headed traditional medical clinics, helping AIDS and cancer patients as well as researching the benefits of relaxation techniques to aid in the natural correction of breech positioned babies. He is currently an Associate Professor of Family Practice at the University Of Hawaii School Of Medicine. He has been studying and working in the field of Native American and indigenous healing for many years.