Herbs are not just for cooking, some of them can also be used as unusual home remedies. Have a read of these 5 uncommon uses for garden herbs – they may even save you a ton of money in the pharmacy.
Rosemary for Greasy Hair
Rosemary tea is a fantastic home remedy for greasy hair. As well as being beautifully fragrant, this particular herb is packed full of essential oils that will help to regulate the overproduction of oil in your hair.
Simply rinse your hair with fresh homemade rosemary tea for best results. To make the tea, put two tablespoons of dried rosemary into a saucepan and fill with boiling water. Allow to steep for 20 minutes before straining the tea into an empty shampoo bottle. After you have rinse out your shampoo, splash the rosemary tea into your hair – there is no need to rinse the tea out!
Tip for growing rosemary: Keep young rosemary plants pinched to maintain their volume, aim to prune moderately & regularly.
Caution: Not to be taken during pregnancy. Avoid large amounts of rosemary as it may cause excessive menstrual bleeding.
Sage for Oily Skin
If you have excessively oily skin, it is important to use a balancing facial toner. There is no need to splurge on expensive toners, instead you can use the common kitchen herb, sage, to make your own toner.
Sage has wonderful astringent properties to help tighten your pores and dry out any excessive oil. To make the toner, put a tablespoon of thyme into a cup and fill with boiling water. Allow the mixture to steep for 30 minutes before straining the liquid into a separate container. Once cool, simply dab directly onto your face avoiding your eyes. The toner should be keep refrigerated for no more than 5 days.
Tip for growing sage: Sage grows best when it is in direct sunlight on well-drained, light soils.
Thyme for a Cough
If you are suffering from a cough, try a cup of calming thyme tea. This herb is an expectorant which contains substances that will relax your respiratory tract.
To make the tea, place two tablespoons of fresh thyme into a cup of boiling water. Allow the herb to infuse for 5 minutes before straining.
Tip for growing thyme: Propagate your thyme every two or three years to avoid unkempt plants by sowing outdoors in late spring or early summer.
Basil for Warts
If you are prone to getting warts, try using some fresh basil. This herb contains virus-eliminating compounds. Crush a small handful of basil and tape it over your wart with adhesive tape. Repeat for a week, using fresh basil every day.
Tip for growing basil: Basil often grows best indoors on a windowsill in direct sunlight or in a greenhouse.
Fennel for Bad Breath
Fennel is an excellent remedy for bad breath. This herb is known to mask the odor of halitosis. Chew on some fennel seeds to combat your bad breath.
Tip for growing fennel: To maintain an abundant supply of young leaves, remove developing flowerheads and cut back the plants to a height of 30cm during the season.
Caution: Not to be used medicinally for more than six weeks.
Ecostore offer a beautiful range of grow houses and poly tunnels that would be perfect for starting your own herb and vegetable garden, browse through our range here.
Also to say thank our customers for your continued support throughout lockdown, we will be giving away free seedsticks with every order made on ecostore.ie starting from next week – stay tuned for more details!
