By Melissa Williams
No more shlepping to the store to get a chamomile tea or aloe vera gel. Instead grow the plants you need and have them on hand.
Lemon Balm
Grow lemon balm in full sun or partial shade. It grows well with other plants, so plant it alongside a few other sun-loving friends.
To use: Make a lemon balm tea to help relieve gas and bloating. It is also useful for anxiety. You can make a tea with fresh leaves. Steep one tablespoon fresh leaves in 1 cup of boiling water. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Aloe Vera
You know aloe is your go-to for sun relief, but why use the gel? Growing up, my mother always had aloe plants around for kitchen burns, which might be a sign as to how often we both tend to burn ourselves fumbling in the kitchen! Grow aloe in a pot in the sun, and water infrequently. This is a desert plant, so treat it as such.
To use: Just cut a leaf from the plant and break it in half. Apply the aloe directly to your skin.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a cheerful plant in the garden and does wonders for muscle cramps and insomnia. Chamomile is a bit more sensitive to too much sun, so choose a mildly sunny spot.
To use: You can toss chamomile leaves into the bath tub, or make a tea with one tablespoon fresh chamomile and 1 cup boiling water.
For more tips like these, visit HealingLifestyles.com
