Ahhh, how I wish I could feel that more often, we tell ourselves, herbal tea in hand, wrapped in a bathrobe and completely relaxed after a day at the spa.
The experience is hard to recreate at home for most of us, but the herbal tea is within reach. In fact, several commonly used relaxing plants can easily be grown right on your balcony. In this article, I’ll introduce five medicinal plants that are easy to grow in pots and with which you can prepare delicious infusions to encourage relaxation.
Latin name: Matricaria recutita*
*Latin names are important for correctly identifying the plants you buy and/or consume. A single plant may have several common names, whereas it has only one Latin name: it’s a universal language.
The star of calming plants, chamomile, deserves the top spot on this list. In addition to helping calm the nervous system, this gentle, honey-scented flower contains anti-inflammatory compounds and supports digestion. That’s why it’s a go-to choice as an evening infusion.
Growing: Sow directly in a pot indoors in spring, and it can be moved outside after the last frost. Chamomile needs several hours of sunlight per day. It’s an annual plant, but it naturally self-seeds, provided the pot is wide enough to catch the seeds, which would otherwise fall to the ground.
Harvesting: Cut the young flower buds after the morning dew has dried. Be sure to leave a few on the plant for pollinators! Dry on a flat surface, in a well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight, leaving space between the flowers to prevent mould.
Consuming: As an infusion, using fresh or dried flowers. Add a few flowers per cup of hot water, to taste. Steep covered for about 7 minutes to prevent the infusion from becoming too bitter.
Latin name: Nepeta cataria
This plant affects our nervous system as well as that of felines. It’s mainly used when the mind seems overactive and thoughts are relentless. It’s also an interesting plant for children: it aids sleep, has a calming effect, and supports their digestion. Note that in a handful of individuals, the reaction to catnip is the opposite, and it can be stimulating! I therefore recommend trying it for the first time during the day to avoid discovering you’re among those it keeps awake.
Growing: In a pot from seeds or from seedlings purchased at a garden centre. It’s low maintenance and grows generously, provided it receives about six hours of direct sunlight per day.
Harvesting: Regularly harvest the flowering tops (leaves and flowers) throughout the summer. Cut the stem above a node, meaning above the point where two other stems attach. This encourages the plant’s growth, giving you a greater harvest yield.
Consuming: As an infusion, covered, using about 1 teaspoon of fresh or dried leaves per cup of hot water. Catnip is quite bitter, so aim for an infusion of less than 7 minutes to limit bitterness.
Latin name: Melissa officinalis
This delicious lemon-flavoured plant accompanies me in infusions throughout the year. Lemon balm is used in herbalism to tone the nervous system. It’s recommended for cases of insomnia, stress, irritability, and fatigue. In addition, the essential oils in the plant support digestion and have antiviral properties.
Growing: In a pot is preferable, as lemon balm can quickly become invasive in a garden (like mint!). It doesn’t tolerate prolonged full sun, so the plant should be placed in partial shade.
Harvesting: The leaves are most fragrant and flavourful when harvested before flowering. It’s therefore recommended to regularly trim the leaves above a node to encourage plant growth. Dry the leaves on a flat surface, in a well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight, leaving space between them. Dried leaves keep for a few months, then quickly lose their flavour and properties.
Consuming: As an infusion of fresh or dried leaves, using about 1 tablespoon per cup of hot water (250 ml). I discovered last summer that it adds an impressive, refreshing flavour to lemonade: simply crush fresh leaves directly into your glass or pitcher.
Latin name: Leonurus cardiaca
Its Latin name meaning Lion’s Heart, this plant has been used for centuries to calm “heart tremors.” Today, motherwort is recommended to help tone the nervous system and cardiovascular system, as well as for its calming properties. It is also traditionally used to support childbirth, as it helps women connect to their inner source of courage.
Growing: It’s a hardy perennial that can be sown outdoors as early as May. Use a deep enough pot, as motherwort needs room to establish its roots. Place the plant in full sun or partial shade.
Harvesting: Cut the flowering tops (flowers and leaves) regularly from June to August. Dry on a flat surface, in a well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight.
Consuming: Motherwort is very bitter, so it takes some courage to consume it as a regular infusion. With your dried summer harvest, you can make your own alcohol maceration (tincture), which is a traditional herbalist preparation. Consult the Mountain Rose Herbs column to learn more about this process. Once filtered, this maceration can be consumed at a rate of 1–2 ml per day as needed, before bed, for example.
Latin name: Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia.
Last but certainly not least, this other great classic of relaxation more than earns its place on your summer balcony. Lavender is used primarily for its calming, even mildly sedative properties. It also helps reduce spasms, and its essential oils support the digestive process.
Growing: Lavender seedlings need to be started early to get good results, so I recommend purchasing seedlings from a garden centre to transplant if you’re a beginner gardener. Place the plant in full sun, lavender loves warmth. The soil should be well drained, so make sure your pot has drainage holes so that rainwater can flow through properly.
Harvesting: Cut the flowering tops (flowers) during bloom. Dry on a flat surface, in a well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight.
Consuming: As an infusion of fresh or dried flowers, using about 1 teaspoon per cup of hot water. Cover during steeping so that the plant’s essential oils stay in your cup.
With these five plants on your balcony, you’ll have everything you need to brew delicious infusions worthy of a spa retreat, right in the comfort of your own home. What’s more, gardening itself will have additional beneficial effects on mood and stress. Don’t hesitate to experiment with flavours and blend plants to your taste!
As a naturopath, it is also my duty to recommend that you speak with your doctor, pharmacist, or a qualified herbalist before consuming medicinal plants on a regular basis. This ensures that their use is safe for you, especially if you take medication, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Happy gardening season, and above all, happy relaxing.
Written by Camille Duchaine, Certified Naturopath and Herbal Therapist
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