Growing an Aromatherapy Garden

Darin Engh, from Engh Gardens, highlights some of his favorite plants for growing an aromatherapy garden.

A fragrant garden has the power to bring sensual pleasure into our lives. Air-conditioning, pollution, fluorescent lighting, computer screens and traffic noise are facts of modern life we have learned to accept, but restoring our spirits in the wake of their onslaught has become something of a priority. Indulging our sense of smell has a powerfully therapeutic effect, intensifying our enjoyment of everything we do.

Perhaps the greatest gift a garden can give us today is to change our perception of time. If we feel rushed and overloaded, just stepping into the herb garden allows the plants to work their magic and dissolve the stressful sense of haste.

The first inhalation of soft, natural perfumes registers security and tranquility in the brain. This counters any adrenalin-producing thoughts and breathing becomes slower and deeper. The soothing scents, colors and sounds help untangle the stressed jumble of thoughts, worries and muscular tension.

When the mind is relaxed and open it allows our creative energy to bubble through, and we begin to experience new inspired ideas-philosophical light bulbs flash, mental adventures unfold, and solutions to problems materialize.

This process disengages the anxious thought patterns, moves into neutral and then allows fresh energy-promoted by aromatic herbs-to flood the system restoring internal balance and revealing new perspectives. These benefits increase each time we reenter the garden, as the memory of previous relaxation returns us more quickly to a calm and harmonious state.

To make lemon verbena water, tear the lemon verbena leaves and simply add it to the water. It makes a light refreshing drink to sip on a hot summer day!

DARIN’S TOP AROMATHERAPY PICKS

PLANT LIST:

For more information, contact Darin at Engh Gardens in Sandy or online at www.enghgardens.com.