4-Pack Includes: Andrographis (Chuān Xīn Lián), Codonopsis (Dang shen), Korean Mint (Huo Xiang), Mugwort (Ai Ye)
You might be surprised to learn that several herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as Andrographis (Chuan Xin Lian), Codonopsis (Dang shen), Korean Mint (Huo Xiang), and Mugwort (Ai Ye) are easy to grow. You can create your own medicinal garden in your home garden or on your balcony.
1) Andrographis – Andrographis paniculate – Chuan Xin Lian
Andrographis has similar protective effects as Echinacea, the North American herbal that is well-known for its cold, upper respiratory and flu fighting properties. The aerial parts of the plant are used, including the stem, leaves and small flowers. How to Plant: Ease of Germination: Moderate. Start Andrographis indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Soak seeds overnight in warm water. Then drain water and plant seeds 5mm (¼ inch). Andrographis can be slow to germinate, a heat mat helps germination. Does well in a 1-gallon pot.
2) Codonopsis – Codonopsis pilosula –Dang shen
The dried roots are used as ‘poor man’s ginseng’. Called Dang-shen in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the journal, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Lodi and colleagues (2023) write:
For thousands of years, the roots of this plant have been used as a food and medicine in Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea (He et al. 2014b, Zeng et al. 2022).
As a dietary supplement [food], the roots are used in wine, soup, tea, and porridge, especially during the winter. Codonopsis pilosula roots are used in chicken soup.
In recent studies, the compounds that have been isolated from C. pilosula roots have been found to possess several medicinal and therapeutic properties, such as immunomodulatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities, and are also used as gastroprotective, prebiotic, hypoglycaemic, hepatoprotective, renoprotective, and neuroprotective elements (Zou et al. 2020, Baiet al. 2020, Tang et al. 2021).
We love Joe Hollis’ Herb Walks (Mountain Gardens, North Carolina). Enjoy a Herb Walk with Joe as he tells you more about Codonopsis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVxNFPmLG8w
How to Plant: Ease of Germination: Easy. Sow indoors 6 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds 5mm (¼ inch) in soil, keep moist to germinate. Plant out when the danger of spring frost has passed. Or directly sow in spring in late May. Codonopsis does well in shady spots. It is a climbing vine, so it will need a trellis or some sort of vertical support.
3) Korean Mint – Agastache rugosa – Huo Xiang
A powerful pollinator and medicinal. Antiviral, antifungal & antibacterial properties. Korean Mint’s beautiful lavender flowers and dark green leaves make a sweet anise/licorice flavoured tea. Or put some young leaves in a salad. This lovely plant has antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial effects and is an important herb in Chinese Traditional Medicine. How to Plant: Ease of Germination: Easy. Direct sow in spring or start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost.
4) Mugwort – Artemisia vulgaris – Ai Ye
Mugwort is an eye-catching semi-shrubby plant (3-4 feet) with excellent aroma. Run your hands along its leaves and stalks and you will see what we mean–woodsy, earthy and spicy–which is also what the tea tastes like. It has beautiful feathery leaves with silvery undersides. How to Plant: Ease of Germination: Easy. It is probably best to start mugwort indoors because of its very tiny seeds. Sow seeds just below the soil surface 4 weeks before the last frost. A Turkish study (The influence of temperature and light on seed germination of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.), found that mugwort seeds are sensitive to temperature, but not light. The highest germination percentages were achieved at temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 °C. This means a heat mat is useful for germination, but if you don’t have one, just starting them indoors is fine. Transplant outside after the risk of frost has passed. How to Harvest: Harvest leaves when the flowers are just beginning to bud. Harvest the stalks (with leaves, flowers, buds) by cutting the stalks a few inches above the ground. Dry the plant by hanging the stalks. When dried, run your hands along the stalks to remove leaves and use for tea.
