Discover Rare Medicinal Seeds from Strictly Medicinal

An Overview of Strictly Medicinal Seeds

Strictly Medicinal Seeds is a small, family-owned company specializing in organic, open-pollinated, and heirloom herb seeds. Located in Williams, Oregon, Strictly Medicinal Seeds offers an extensive selection of medicinal, culinary, and aromatic seeds from around the world. Their mission is to provide high quality, non-GMO seeds to home gardeners seeking to grow natural remedies, spices, and edible plants.

Origins and History

Strictly Medicinal Seeds was founded in 2004 by Marc Keith, a passionate herb grower, and his partner Hillary. Marc's interest in herbs stemmed from seeking natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals. The company started as a part-time operation focused on sourcing and selling quality medicinal seeds.

Over the years, Strictly Medicinal Seeds has grown through word of mouth and now offers over 600 unique seed varieties. All seeds are non-GMO, open-pollinated, and ethically produced by small, organic farms around the world. The company continues its dedication to providing home growers with hard-to-find medicinal seeds.

Seed Selection

Strictly Medicinal Seeds carries a diverse array of seeds for culinary, medicinal, and ornamental plants. Their selection includes common kitchen herbs, native wildflowers, tropical plants, natural dye plants, and rare medicinal herbs. Some top seed categories include:

• Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary - culinary herbs
• Echinacea, lobelia, valerian - medicinal herbs
• Calendula, nasturiums, cosmos - edible flowers
• Lavender, yarrow, bee balm - aromatic herbs
• Ginger, turmeric, fenugreek - medicinal roots
• Milk thistle, astragalus, ashwagandha - Chinese herbs

Strictly Medicinal Seeds offers individual seed packets or themed collections focused on herbs for tea, microgreens, butterflies, mushrooms, and more. Seeds can be purchased online or through their printed catalog.

Seed Quality

All seeds from Strictly Medicinal Seeds are certified organic, non-GMO varieties grown without chemicals or synthetic inputs. Seeds are sourced from over 60 small farms around the world, including family-operated businesses in the U.S., India, Turkey, France, and Egypt.

Strict protocols are followed to ensure seed purity, germination rates, and cleanliness. Seeds are hand-cleaned and independently lab tested. Only seeds with germination rates of 90% or higher are sold to customers. Strict quality control ensures the seeds' purity, viability, and reliability.

Popular Medicinal Seeds from Strictly Medicinal

Strictly Medicinal Seeds offers hundreds of medicinal plant varieties used for their healing properties. Some of their most popular medicinal seeds include:

Echinacea

These brightly colored coneflowers are popular herbal remedies. Echinacea seeds produce purpurea, angustifolia, and pallida varieties used to support immune health and fight infections.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm seeds grow this calming herb used to relieve anxiety, stress, insomnia, and upset stomach. It has a pleasant, lemony aroma and flavor.

Valerian

Valerian root is renowned for its sedative effects to promote relaxation and sleep. These pretty, fragrant flowers also attract butterflies and bees to the garden.

Skullcap

This mint family herb has been used for centuries as a soothing nervine. Skullcap seeds grow plants to make tea and tinctures that reduce anxiety, stress, and muscle tension.

Ashwagandha

In Ayurveda, ashwagandha root is revered for its adaptogenic properties to boost energy and vitality. The seeds produce an annual shrub with medicinal roots and berries.

Astragalus

Astragalus has a long history in Chinese medicine as an immune booster. It thrives in dry climates, grows 3-5 feet tall, and produces edible beans when pollinated.

Passionflower

This exotic, beautiful vine flower has medicinal leaves and roots used for anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, and pain relief. Passionflower attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to gardens.

St. John's Wort

A popular herbal remedy for depression, anxiety, and nerve pain. St. John's wort seeds produce cheery, yellow medicinal flowers that bloom in summer.

Milk Thistle

Known for protecting the liver, milk thistle seeds produce tall plants with distinctive purple flowers. The seeds and leaves have been used for centuries as liver tonics.

Culinary & Edible Seeds

Beyond medicinal varieties, Strictly Medicinal Seeds offers a mouthwatering selection of culinary seeds for the edible garden. Some of their most popular culinary seeds include:

Basil

Available in over 15 basil seed varieties including sweet, cinnamon, lemon, Thai, and purple basils. These aromatic seeds are perfect for pesto, salads, pasta, pizza and more.

Oregano

Grow pungent, flavorful oregano in the garden for Italian dishes, meat rubs, soups, and sauces. Varieties include Greek, Italian, and compact oreganos.

Cilantro

Plant these fast-growing seeds for fresh cilantro leaves to flavor salsas, curries, chutneys, guacamole, and Mexican cuisine all summer long.

Garlic

Grow an endless supply of garlic from these vegetable seeds. Varieties include hardneck, softneck, and elephant garlic.

Onion

Chopped onions add flavor and nutrients to almost any savory dish. Onion seeds produce yellow, white, and red storage onions for the garden.

Tomatoes

Strictly Medicinal offers over 25 organic, heirloom tomato seeds for fresh garden-grown fruits all summer long. Choose from cherry, paste, slicers and exotic colors.

Peppers

Add some heat to dishes with pepper seeds that produce jalapeños, habaneros, Anaheims, Hungarian wax, bell, and other tasty peppers.

Lettuce

Grow nutrient-packed salad greens with lettuce and mesclun seed mixes. Options include crispy romaine, butterhead, red and green leaf lettuces.

Microgreens

Strictly Medicinal sells seeds for nutrient-dense microgreens including kale, Swiss chard, beets, radish, sunflower, pea, and broccoli sprouts.

Growing Tips for Medicinal Herbs

Follow these tips to successfully grow cherished medicinal herbs from seeds:

Start Seeds Indoors

Many herbs grow best started from seed indoors. This protects delicate seedlings and gives plants a head start on the growing season. Start seeds 6-8 weeks before your last frost date.

Use Seed Starting Mix

Use a light, sterile seed starting soil mix to prevent damping off disease. Look for mixes containing peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.

Provide Warmth and Light

Herb seeds germinate best around 70°F. Use a heat mat or top of the fridge. Ensure strong light up to 16 hours per day with grow lights or a sunny window.

Watch Moisture Levels

Water seeds sparingly, keeping soil moist but not sopping wet. Covering seed trays with plastic domes or plastic wrap helps retain humidity.

Transplant Carefully

Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Take care not to disturb the delicate roots when transplanting.

Grow in Loose, Rich Soil

Most medicinal herbs thrive in loose, well-draining loam amended with compost. Ensure soil is nutrient-rich with plenty of organic matter.

Provide Proper Sun and Space

Plant herbs in full sun to partial shade depending on variety. Follow spacing guidelines on seed packets to prevent overcrowding.

Harvest Often

Harvest herbs frequently to encourage regrowth. The more you harvest, the more herbs will produce until first frost.

Dry or Freeze for Storage

Preserve medicinal herbs by air drying, dehydrating, or freezing leaves. Store dried herbs in sealed glass jars out of light.

Creating an Herbal Medicine Garden

Growing your own medicinal herbs from seeds is deeply satisfying and empowering. Follow these tips for creating a thriving herbal medicine garden:

Make a Wish List

Decide which medicinal herbs you'd like to grow based on health goals. Choose herbs to support immune health, aid digestion, boost energy, relieve stress, promote sleep, etc.

Select Your Site

Choose a sunny spot for most herbs, away from trees that compete for water and nutrients. Many medicinal plants thrive in relatively poor, dry soil.

Improve Your Soil

Test soil and amend with compost as needed to create loose, fertile soil. Most herbs love rich soil with plenty of organic matter.

Map Out Your Layout

Consider height, spacing needs, and sun requirements when mapping out plants. Place taller herbs toward the back and lower growers in front.

Prepare for Planting

Clear area of weeds and rocks. Add soaker hoses or drip irrigation if desired. Prepare beds and amend soil 4-6 weeks before planting.

Start Seeds or Buy Transplants

Either start seeds indoors or purchase young plants. Transplants allow you to skip the seed starting process.

Water and Mulch Well

Ensure consistent moisture for young plants. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to conserve water and block weeds.

Harvest Often and Preserve

Snip leaves or roots frequently to encourage growth. Preserve your herbal bounty by drying or freezing for winter use.

Medicinal Uses for Popular Herbs

Here are some common ways to use popular medicinal herbs from your garden:

Chamomile

Drink chamomile tea to relieve stress and mild anxiety. Place cooled tea bags over tired eyes.

Calendula

Use calendula flowers to make skin salves that heal cuts, burns, diaper rash, and eczema.

Peppermint

Inhale peppermint essential oil or drink tea to ease nausea, gas, and digestive issues.

Lemon Balm

Brew lemon balm tea or take tincture to calm the nervous system and promote sleep.

Echinacea

Take echinacea extracts at first sign of cold or flu to boost immune response and fight infection.

Thyme

Use thyme essential oil diluted in coconut oil to treat skin infections and combat acne-causing bacteria.

Ginger

Drink ginger tea or chew raw root to relieve nausea and vomiting such as morning sickness.

Garlic

Eat raw garlic cloves or apply topically to deter insects. Contains antimicrobial compounds.

Valerian

Take valerian root tincture before bed to decrease anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Teas, Tinctures, Foods and Remedies

Once grown, there are endless ways to use medicinal herbs for health and wellness:

Teas

Pour boiling water over fresh or dried leaves, flowers, roots. Steep, strain, and drink. Calming, supportive, and mineral-rich.

Tinctures

Alcohol or glycerine extracts preserve and concentrate herbs' beneficial compounds. Versatile, long-lasting, and easy to use.

Infused Oils

Infuse olive or coconut oils with herbs to use topically for skin and muscle therapies. Anti-inflammatory and healing.

Salves

Mix herbal infused oils with beeswax to create thick salves for using on cuts, burns, rashes, and sore muscles.

Syrups

Simmer herbs into a sweetened syrup to soothe coughs, sore throats, and upset stomachs. Use honey, maple syrup, or glycerine to preserve.

Baths

Add strong herbal tea or essential oils to baths to soak away aches, pains and anxiety. Absorbs active compounds through skin.

Foods and Cooking

Add medicinal herbs and edible flowers to everyday meals. Nutritious, flavorful, and health-promoting.

Poultices

Mash fresh herbs into a paste and apply to skin to reduce inflammation, swelling, burns, and infection in a targeted way.

Steam Inhalation

Breathe in medicinal oils and plant compounds to open sinuses, ease coughs, and deliver antimicrobial effects.

The Joy and Satisfaction of Growing Your Own

Studies show gardening and growing your own food has far-reaching positive impacts on physical and mental wellbeing. Cultivating your own medicinal herbs from seed offers many benefits:

Access to Hard-to-Find Herbs

Grow rare, expensive herbs at home you can't find elsewhere. Discover unique medicinal plants from around the world.

Control Growing Methods

Ensure your plants are grown organically and sustainably from seed to harvest. You oversee the entire growing process.

Save Money

No need to buy expensive dried herbs when you can simply walk outside and harvest. Growing your own is cost-effective.

Stronger Medicinal Value

Freshly harvested herbs retain more therapeutic volatile oils and plant compounds compared to store bought.

Hands-On Satisfaction

Nurturing plants from seed to harvest is rewarding and builds self-reliance. Stay active while caring for your garden.

Stress Relief and Relaxation

Working with plants inspires tranquility. Gardening also reduces cortisol levels and anxiety.

The Many Gifts of Gardening Medicinal Herbs

Beyond remedies, growing medicinal herbs blesses us with additional gifts:

Beauty and Fragrance

Medicinal gardens provide visual interest with diverse colors, shapes, and textures. Flowers and foliage release lovely scents

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.