Medicinal herbs, how to grow and diy herbal remedies

1. Herbal Wellness
Medicinal herbs that we grow
and DIY herbal remedies
Presented by Jenny Jackson
co-owner of Jenny Jack Farm
Pine Mountain, Ga

2. I’m a farmer, not an herbalist!
Only in recent years have I started to discover how herbs can
enhance our health and well being. Through reading, online
classes, workshops and limited experience I’ve gained a very
small amount of knowledge into this expansive world.
This information is not meant to replace the advice of your
health care professional.

3. The Art of Using Herbs for Healing
Although plants can be used to treat symptoms, more importantly they can play a
big role in preventing illness.
Herbs can stimulate the vitality of the human body to throw off the sickness, but
this takes consistent dosage and patience.

4. The Art of Using Herbs for Healing
The root cause of the health problem must be identified and altered first (often
found in poor diet, stress, and/or sedentary lifestyle) THEN herbs can help aid the
body in healing.
Don’t expect plants to be cure-alls.

5. How Does Herbal Medicine Work?
Medicinal plants contain high concentrations of:
● Essential nutrients that our bodies need to be healthy
● Certain chemicals that bolster our immune systems
● Substances medicinal plants produce:
1. bitters (benefit the liver and digestive system)
2. saponins (help shift mucus and may also have hormonal activity)
3. flavonoids, (anti-inflammatory and benefit the circulation)
4. tannins (astringe the tissues aiding healing)
5. mucilage’s (benefit the mucus membranes, respiration and digestion)

6. Medicinal Herbs that we grow on our farm
Holy Basil- Ocimum sanctum- aka Tulsi
● Adoptogen- helps the body deal
with stress
● Helps restore vitality and
renews energy

7. How to grow Holy Basil
● Super easy to grow annual that readily
re-seeds so be careful where you plant!
● Not invasive, but produces a lot of seed
which is easy to collect.
● Wonderful plant for pollinators! Plant on edge of your vegetable garden.
● Full Sun, Frost Sensitive

8. Medicinal Herbs that we grow on our farm
Ginger- Zingiber officinale
● Anti-inflammatory
● Helps repair damaged joint
● and cartilage tissue
● Improves circulation
● Anti-nausea
● Antisetpic
● Decongesting

9. Medicinal Herbs that we grow on our farm
Turmeric- Cucurma longa
● Anti-Inflammatory
● Inhibits growth of and even KILLS some types of cancer cells
● Digestive Aid
● Immune Booster

10. How to grow ginger/turmeric
From Windcrest Farm:
Container or Grow Bag: Turmeric/Ginger rhizomes grow outwards and downwards so your container
should be large and/or “flexible.” Only a small seed piece of rhizome planted per pot.
Transplant seed pieces into your pot or grow bag using a soil-less media such as coir or a lightweight
potting mix. Use media that is well-drained and not decomposing.
Place about 8-10” of media mixed with fertilizer and gypsum into the bottom of the container and place
seed pieces onto the media. Cover the seed pieces with one inch of soil media. Over the season you may
add a total of approximately 2-4” of soil on rhizomes that poke out of the soil for turmeric, add several
inches of media/compost to ginger as it grows.

11. How to grow ginger/turmeric
Harvest
Harvest happens about 8 months after plant have sprouted. Bring your pots inside before the air
temperatures dip below 50 - 55 degrees.
Simply pull up, cut tops off, wash and refrigerate.
What is ready in this time is Baby GingerTurmeric. This is very tender
with no skin, but it doesn’t store long. If you want to keep for more than
2 weeks, freeze it, tincture, dehydrate or cure it so it will last longer.

12. How to grow ginger/turmeric
You can purchase rhizomes from the grocery, but may have disease that would
not affect humans to ingest but may affect growing plants.
Certified disease free seed pieces can be
purchased from Puna Organics in Hawaii,
although you have to order months in advance!
Plants can be ordered through Strictly Medicinal Seeds

13. Medicinal Herbs that we grow on our farm
Elderberry- Sambus nigra
● Antiviral
● Immune Boosting

14. How to Grow Elderberry
● Native plant so easy to grow!
● Full Sun to Partial Shade
● 10-15 feet tall- can prune early spring to keep
lower
● Produces berries in mid to late summer

15. Medicinal Herbs that we grow on our farm
Aloe Vera- Aloe barbadensis
● Healing to burns, insect bites, acne, rashes, eczema, poison
oak/ivy
● Taken internally, it is a safe laxative
● Soothes digestive irritation and inflammation such as ulcers
● Helps ease arthritic pain applied externally or taken internally

16. How to Grow Aloe
● Super easy to grow!
● Mine thrive in partial shade and with very little attention.
● Protect from freezing temps by bringing inside a garage or on a porch covered
with a blanket.

17. Medicinal Herbs that we grow on our farm
Comfrey- Symphytum uplandicum
Used externally for healing wounds and broken bones. It is sometimes
referred to as “knitbone” for its ability to speed wound healing.
How does it work?
● Anti-inflammatory and speeds wound healing due to its natural
concentration of allantoin, a chemical that stimulates cell
growth/repair
● Because wounds heal faster, do not apply to open, fresh wounds
because it can seal it off before it has healed inside.

18. Medicinal Herbs that we grow on our farm
Comfrey- Symphytum uplandicum
Excellent plant to create high quality compost! Plant in or around your compost
pile. Has deep nutrient-mining capability and leaves loaded with phytonutrients.
From permaculturenews.org:
“It is this ability to help cycle nutrients through the soil that has given comfrey its designation as a
dynamic accumulator plant. Comfrey leaves make an excellent fertilizer, and provide a nutrient boost to
compost mixes. Additionally, comfrey leaves are used as a green manure and mulch, being cut, then
spread over planting beds and left to decompose on site, further helping to condition soils. It is important
to use only the leaves of the plant when mulching, as any cut stems have the potential to take root.”

19. Comfrey Precautions
From Mountain Rose Herbs:
“Much debate surrounds the safety of comfrey due to various parts and
preparations containing potentially toxic alkaloids. A large body of traditional use
supports its safety and efficacy if used intelligently and cautiously.
Not for internal use. Do not apply to broken or abraded skin. Do not use when nursing.”

20. How to Grow Comfrey
● Partial Shade is best in our hot, humid climate
● Well drained soil. Comfrey roots do not like to be kept wet!

21. Medicinal Herbs that we grow on our farm
A few more we grow but haven’t made medicinal products with yet:
● Rosemary- digestive aid; brain tonic; relieves headaches
● Sage- cold and flu fighter; sore throat remedy
● Calendula- healing for skin wounds; nourishing and
cleansing for lymphatic system

22. Medicinal Herbs that we grow on our farm
A few more we grow but haven’t made medicinal products with yet:
● Garlic- antiseptic; maintains healthy cholesterol; helps lower blood sugar;
immune boosting
● Lemon Balm- traditionally used to treat depression; anti-viral; calm
nervous and digestive systems due to volatile oils citral and citronellal
● Stinging Nettle- Rich in vitamins and minerals, esp Calcium and Iron; helps
with growing pains and join aches; natural antihistamine
● Cayenne- digestive aid; strengthens the heart; circulatory stimulant;
immune booster

23. DIY Herbal Products
Herbal Teas
Infusion vs Decoction
● Infusion is used for
flowers/leaves: steep herbs in
hot water for 30 minutes
or longer. Keep covered!
● Decoction is used for roots/barks : Simmer herbs in water on stovetop for
about 30 minutes. Also keep this covered!

24. DIY Herbal Products
Herbal Teas
● Make much stronger than beverage tea
….approx. 1 oz. dried herb to 1 pint water
● Drink 1 pint per day, throughout the day

25. DIY Herbal Products
Salve
First, make a medicinal oil using dried herbs:
● Chop herbs and put in double boiler. Cover with a couple inches high quality
oil (olive, coconut good). Slowly bring to a simmer, check temperature to
make sure doesn’t rise above 110. Simmer gently for at least 30 min to 1 hr.
Strain herbs out.
● Solar method- Place herbs in glass jar, cover tightly, set in warm sunny spot
and let steep at least 2 weeks

26. DIY Herbal Products
Salve
For each cup medicinal oil, use ¼ cup chopped beeswax.
Heat oil and wax together over very low heat, just until wax has melted.
Remove from heat and pour into tins or jars.
Store in a cool, dark place.

27. Essential Oils are NOT traditional herbal remedies
From wisewomantradition.com:
All essential oils are antifungal (kill yeasts), antibacterial
(kill bacteria), and anti-microbial (kill small things). In short,
all essential oils kill gut flora. They kill gut flora when inhaled,
put on the body, or used orally. Lack of gut flora interferes
with the immune system, makes the cells more resistant to insulin,
and raises cholesterol, to name but a few of the problems
associated with damage to gut flora.
Worse yet, essential oils melt plastic and take the finish off furniture. Their ability to melt plastic (and
plastic-based finishes on wood) hints at their ability to disrupt our hormones.

28. Essential Oils are NOT traditional herbal remedies
From Herbalist Susun Weed on why she uses infused herbal oils instead:
“Infused herbal oils use a small amount of plant material; essential oils require
tons of plant material. Infused herbal oils are safe to use internally or externally;
essential oils are poisonous internally and problematic externally. Infused herbal
oils are good for the skin; essential oils can cause rashes, burns, and other skin
reactions. Infused oils are used full strength; essential oils are diluted before use.
Infused herbal oils have subtle scents; essential oils have powerful scents.”

29. Use Essential Oils with Caution
Essential oils are very concentrated extracts of the volatile oils of plants.
Herbal medicines, on the other hand, are obtained from a part of the whole plant
and contain hundreds of plant constituents.
Herbalists believe that use of part of the whole herb has a more balanced and
safer effect.

30. DIY Herbal Products
Tinctures
Medicinal extracts using alcohol, vegetable glycerine or a.c vinegar as the solvent
Benefits:
● Shelf stable
● Convenient
● Concentrated
● Easy to make

31. DIY Herbal Products
Tinctures
● If using alcohol, should be 80-100 proof
● That’s best ratio of alcohol to water to extract
properties from herbs

32. DIY Herbal Products
Tinctures
1. Chop fresh or dried herbs
2. Place in jar- fill ⅓ to ½
3. Cover with alcohol by 2 in.
4. Let steep at least 2 weeks
5. Label
6. Store in a cool, dark place

33. Resources
1. Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs- a beginner’s guide
2. Learningherbs.com
3. Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine
4. Susun Weed- books and website
Where to find herbs:
1. Mountain Rose Herbs
2. Dayspring Natural Food Store in Auburn
3. Strictly Medicinal Seeds
4. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

34. Jenny Jack Farm
Open Wednesday Mornings, 9-12 April through December
Open 1st Saturday of each month, 9-12 April through August