Description
Balm of Gilead Seeds – Fragrant Perennial Herb
Grow your own Balm of Gilead with our quality Balm of Gilead Seeds. This fragrant perennial herb is valued for its distinctive lemon and camphor-like aroma and makes an interesting addition to the herb garden.
Balm of Gilead is native to parts of the Americas and the Canary Islands. It develops into an attractive, branching plant and can grow into a substantial shrub when given suitable conditions.
The aromatic leaves are particularly distinctive. They have a refreshing fragrance and can be used in a variety of traditional household and herbal preparations.
Growing Balm of Gilead
Balm of Gilead can be grown from seed and is also suitable for propagation from cuttings. Choose a sunny to partially shaded position with fertile, well-drained soil.
Sow the seeds in a suitable seed-raising mix and keep the growing medium evenly moist while they germinate. Once the young plants are large enough to handle, transplant them carefully into individual pots or directly into the garden.
Give the plants enough room to develop as they mature. Under favourable conditions, Balm of Gilead can grow rapidly and may reach around 1-1.5 metres in height.
The plant can also be propagated from cuttings. Place fresh cuttings in clean water and allow them to develop roots before planting them into suitable soil.
Aromatic Balm of Gilead
The leaves of Balm of Gilead have a naturally strong and refreshing fragrance with lemon and camphor-like notes. This makes the dried herb particularly useful for aromatic preparations.
Traditionally, the leaves have been used to make herbal tea, fragrant bath preparations, potpourri and herbal pillows. The dried leaves can also be used in aromatic household preparations.
For a traditional herbal infusion, place around 1 teaspoon of dried herb in a cup and cover with freshly boiled water. Allow it to steep for approximately 7 minutes before straining.
The dried herb can also be added to a bowl of freshly boiled water as an aromatic preparation. The warmth releases the plant’s naturally fragrant oils into the surrounding air.
Harvesting Balm of Gilead
Once the plant is well established, the fresh leaves can be harvested as needed. Choose healthy leaves and allow them to dry thoroughly if you wish to store them for later use.
For dried preparations, spread the leaves in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Once completely dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Balm of Gilead is an appealing choice for gardeners who enjoy fragrant herbs and plants with a variety of traditional household uses.
Plant Information
Common name: Balm of Gilead
Plant type: Perennial herb
Height: Approximately 1-1.5 metres
Propagation: Seeds and cuttings
Uses: Traditional herbal tea, aromatic preparations, potpourri and fragrant herb pillows
Form: Seeds
