Page 20 2023 Spring Home and Garden LINCOLN DAILY NEWS April/May 2023 Mints Mints truly are “whole body” kinds of plants. Their scents are known to assist in stress relief. They can be used to flavor foods and make teas. They can be used to help ease nausea, stimulate appetite, or support digestion. Mints have even been used as a pain reliever. Growing mints in Illinois is fairly easy. The two most common are peppermint and spearmint. U of I Extension suggests mints grow best in full sun but do tolerate partial shade. Mints are invasive and will take over a garden, so it is recommended they be grown in containers above ground. Lemon Balm Lemon balm has a strong scent of, as the name would imply, lemons with a dash of mint. Lemon balm has been linked to stress relief, easing sleeplessness and indigestion, and pain relief. It can be used in teas, tinctures, and ointments. According to the Mount Sinai website there is evidence lemon balm benefits also include treatment of cold sores, anxiety relief, and “may help improve cognitive function and decrease agitation in people with Alzheimer’s disease.” Lemon balm grows in full sun to partial shade and likes moist, well-drained soil. Like mint, lemon balm can overrun your garden if not tended to. In Illinois it is safe to plant two weeks or so after the last frost. Sage Sage, technically a mint, has long been used to calm anxiety, relieve stress, and is even thought to improve memory. In a scientific article published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s website, scientists used sage in a number of ways to test its medicinal uses. In their conclusion the scientists noted that “Salvia (sage) species may represent a natural, safe and effective treatment for many diseases and their symptoms.” They continue “these herbal medicines have been found to be very effective in the development of novel natural drugs to prevent, control and treat many minor health problems as well as more serious and complicated diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.” U of I Extension suggests Sage be grown in full sun with soils prepared with compost. Sage must be grown in very well-drained soil. Seeds may take several years to be harvestable, so cuttings are suggested. Lilac Lilac is known for its beauty as well as its scent. The fragrance is thought to provide a calming effect and ease anxiety. There is Continued --
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