Questions about Herbs

[Zelda]

I am growing an herb garden but don't know a whole lot about it. I am wondering whether it is best to harvest herbs before, during or after they flower? Or does it depend upon the herb.

The other question I have concerns Yarrow. In another thread, I found out that the yarrow I grew by "accident" is good for a lot of things. Someone came to visit and said that the yarrow I have is "ornamental yarrow" and not good for medicinal purposes. Could this be true - and how do I, when buying seed or plants, tell the difference? She seemed to indicate that the color of the flowers made her think that. Thanks for any info. Zelda

[redneck]

im not much of agarener but a good bock for u to use is the herbal healer

[God's Helm]

If you are growing the herb for it's leaves: stop it from folwering (pick off the flower buds) or gather the leaves before the plant blooms.

As far as the "ornamental yarrow" being used for medicine: While I am not familiar with ornamental yarrow, there are several types of ornamental plants that I am aware of that you should not use in place of the more "natural" varieties. So I would err on the side of caution.

[battleax]

You do want to harvest right before they go to flower and are budding. I leave some of the flowers on our herbs and only harvest maybe 2/3 of each individual plant. I leave the flowers for the honeybees in our yard. I tried to collect seeds but didn't bother this year. After they have gone to seed I cut the plants back a bit. This works for me but it may not be the right way to do it lol

[aud_friggsdottir]

I think it really is dependent on the plant. I have comfrey and it depends on the season you harvest and what you are using it for. For instance, in the spring and summer we harvest that leaves because all the energy of the plant is there for growing. In the fall, we harvest the root because all the energy has left the leaves and moves into the root system for the winter. Also, sometime a plant has to go through a couple frosts or winter to really be an effective medicine (Echinacea and goldenseal are like this)

But that is for plants that come back ever year.

I agree with the caution for ornamental flowers...at the very least it is a hybrid and won't be effective. The worst it could be crossed with something dangerous and toxic.

Yarrow is a great and cheap herb to grow. I say check into natural varieties from maybe heirloom seeds company or any other organic type seed company.

There are TONS of herb sites on the net...just do a google search with the key words of the herb and "harvest" or "growing" and I am sure you will find a wealth of information!

FFF
Kathy

[Kai Forkbeard]

Heilsa,

Some Yarrow is yellow flowered and some is white. It doesn't neccessarily mean it is ornamental or not. Yarrow is an astringent and coagulant -- it helps blood clot and acts as a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory. If you want to harvest it for future use then take it before it flowers an store it in an air-tight container until it is needed.

Frith,
Kai.