Dandelion, Dill, herbs beginning with D on gardenaire.com

HERB	SOWING	INFO	USES
DANDELION, Taraxacum officinalis		As dandelions can be a problem in the lawn be vigilant and do not allow them to set seed.	The flowers and leaves are delicious in salads and the leaves especially are good for the enamel on your teeth.
DILL, Amethum graveolens	Outdoors April-May	Sow your seeds in a sunny sheltered position. Put a fine cloth over the seed heads in late summer.	Very rich in minerals it improves the nerves, hair and nails. Use in salads and with fish.
DOCK, Rumex aquaticus		As it generally thought of as a weed it is easy to grow but can become a pest if allowed to set seed so do watch it.	Commonly used to sooth the skin after contact with nettles. Generally used externally for skin inflammations and rashes, bruise the young leaves and apply to the area required.
ELDER, Sambucus nigra	Plant from cuttings	I am sure it is possible to grow from seed but a quicker way would be to take cuttings in spring and nurture that way.	A favourite herb of the first great doctor,Hippocrates. All parts of the plant can be used but the gypsies wont burn it as it is sacred to them because of its medicinal properties.
FENNEL, Foeniculum officinale	Outdoors April	Sow your seeds at the back of your herb bed in a sunny position.	Fennel seeds are great for indigestion, chew two seeds after a meal to cure it. If more are eaten they work as a natural laxative.
FENUGREEK, Trigonella foenum-graecum	Outdoors April	Likes sandy well drained soil in a sunny position..	The value of this plant is in its seeds as a general tonic and to increase body weight, probably not too popular these days.
FEVERFEW, Matricaria parthenium	Outdoors April	Sow your seeds in a sunny position. Will even grow on wasteground.	Infuse leaves and flowers for headache, migraine, and rhuematism. Traditionally used in the prevention of a miscarriage.
FLAXSEED, Linseed Linum usitatissimum	Outdoors April	Sow your seeds in a sunny position.	To prepare the seeds soak over night then drain away the water, this is to remove some irritant properties. It is a valuable nutritive food and it heals as it feeds, soothing the throat and entire stomach.
GARLIC, Allium sativum	Outdoors April	Plant bulblets in a sunny position 15-30cms apart	It is one of the most powerful antiseptic herbs known to the herbalist. It helps the whole body both internally and externally. It is best eaten raw but if you dont like the taste then it is available in different forms in your local health shop. It is specifically good for TB and disorders of the blood and lungs.
GINGER, Zingiber officinale	Indoors	Some ginger roots that we buy in the supermarket have a small green bud on them, if you plant this whole chunk in a pot with the bud sticking out and water, it will grow quite rapidly.	It is well known for its anti sickness properties especially travel sickness. It is stimulating, warming, aromatic and a good digestive. Used to help sore throats and colds.
GOLDEN SEAL, Hydrastia Canadensis	Outdoors April	It is best suited to a damp area in semi-shade.	Otherwise known as Turmeric or Ground Rasberry. What a wonderous herb with so many uses. In Thailand a paste is made and spread over the stomach when a woman has had her baby to lessen the effect of stretch marks. The American Indians consider it a cure all. It has so many uses here are just a few. Morning sickness, eczema, ringworm, stomach ulcers, diabetes and mouth complaints.
GROUNDSEL, Senecio vulgaris	Outdoors April	Plant anywhere even in bad soil.	Extremely rich in minerals it is good for poor general health, diseases of the kidneys and bladder and weakness of the eyes and of memory.