Chia Herb Garden

I had flashbacks recently while doing some shopping and saw chia herb garden kits on sale for Mother’s Day gift ideas. They are an excellent idea for the beginner herb gardener. The original chia pets are animal-shaped clay figures covered with chia, or Salvia hispanica, a sprout-like plant.

How to Grow a Chia Pet Herb Garden
Submerge the chia pet in water for 24 hours. Moisten about a half of the package of seeds with water until they become gelatin like. Take the ceramic figure out of the water, and place the chia seeds into the grooves of the chia pet.

Place the chia pet in a shallow container where it will receive plenty of sunlight. Keep the plant moist with water, emptying the excess water daily from the drip pan.

A wide variety of chia pets and chia heads are available based on popular cartoons like Elmer Fudd, Homer Simpson, Garfield, and recently the Chia Obama head.

Herbs Grown in a Chia Herb Garden
A chia pet herb garden is a great way to include the entire family, especially children, in a creative and edible project! When you purchase a chia herb garden kit, growing sponges are included along with time-release plant food and different chia herb seed packets. Organic chia seeds are available as well.

The most important step is in germinating the chia seeds. Soak the seeds in the chia sponges and plant in pots. Keep the seeds moist, and cover the pots loosely with plastic bags to increase humidity. This gives the herbs the benefit of a greenhouse effect.

When the chia seeds are sprouting, a warm soil temperature is important. Once plants sprout, move them to a southern exposure windowsill and water them as other houseplants. Allow the herbs to dry slightly between watering.

Beneficial Uses
Chia pets are familiar novelties to most people, but you may be surprised to learn that chia seeds have been used since ancient times. For centuries, the seed was a staple for the Aztecs. It is recorded as being useful as a high-energy food source.

Chia pet herb gardens offer benefits for men and women who want to use alternative herbal remedies instead of drugs. Herbs that can be successfully grown in a chia herb garden include parsley, chives, cilantro, marjoram, basil, thyme, and dill.

Parsley as an herbal remedy helps eliminate uric acid. The herb is used to treat gout and arthritis. It is taken to reduce inflammation, for lack of appetite, and urinary tract disorder treatment. Freshly picked parsley is high in iron and Vitamin C.

Chives are a good source of vitamin C, sulfur for antibiotic purposes, and possibly lower lipoprotein levels in the bloodstream.

Cilantro is used for stomach complaints and loss of appetite. Ancient Egyptians used the herb for urinary tract infections and headaches.

Marjoram is useful for treating indigestion, fever, flatulence, coughs, and sinus congestion.

Basil relieves gas and when brewed in tea aids digestion. Basil tea is useful in relieving stomach cramps, constipation, and vomiting.

Thyme may be brewed in tea, and herbalists recommend it as a beneficial gargle for tonsillitis and sore throats. A thyme herbal tea is an excellent choice for upset stomach.

Dill is used as an herbal remedy to relieve gas pains, colic, and indigestion. Dill seeds are chewed as a breath freshener and made into tea to stimulate lactation.

So, enjoy the novelty of your chia herb garden while enjoying the benefits of fresh herbs right in your kitchen!

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