Why We Grow Medicinal Herbs: Simple Care from the Ground Up

At La Ferme À Ciel Sur Mer, we grow herbs that support health, the land, community connection, and daily life. Our focus on medicinal plants comes from a desire to offer something real—something people can use to feel better, care for their families, and reconnect with the natural world - in addition to stewarding our resources and caring for the land.

Medicinal herbs are gentle, effective, and often overlooked. They don’t demand attention, but are growing quietly in the margins, waiting to be noticed. That quiet strength and resilience is what drew us to them.

Here’s a closer look at why we center our farm around medicinal herbs—and what they offer to the people who grow, use, and love them.

We Believe in Everyday Herbalism

We didn’t set out to grow rare or exotic plants. Drawn to nature, to agriculture and the environment, I wanted to find a way that environmental stewardship of the land and profitable business aligned. After exploring many opportunities from Georgia to California, from pecans to grassfed beef to high-phenolic olive oil, we came back to what may be my favorite place - what became our farm in Quebec. 

The decision to grow herbs came out of a period of observation, of some upheaval and transition that led to transformation. It was serendipitous that our desire to steward land led to stewardship of our own health as well, and provided another layer to the idea that soil health leads to human health. Today, we grow over a dozen herbs for commercial sale and dozens more in our experimental garden on the farm. We grow what people actually reach for: herbs that calm the nervous system, support digestion, and help the body adapt to stress.

Plants like chamomile, lemon balm, and nettles are small but mighty tools for daily wellness. These are the herbs you can brew into tea, steep into oil, or sprinkle into the garden—all without needing a medical degree or a mountain of supplies. Our goal is to make herbal medicine accessible and accessible at a wildly high quality due to practices of growing harvesting and drying our herbs. We also aim through our blog to share the lessons learned on the farm and about our products and practices so those without time can buy from us and those with time can grow herbs on their own.

Plants with Purpose

Our herb list changes a little every year, but these are a few core plants we come back to again and again:

🌱 Tulsi (Holy Basil)

Supports mental clarity, resilience, and calm. We grow both Rama and Amrita varieties—fragrant, adaptable, and deeply supportive.

🌾 Milky Oats

A restorative nervine for tired, overworked systems. Think of it as nourishment for your frazzled nerves.

🌼 Chamomile

Soothing for digestion, gentle enough for children, and helpful for winding down at the end of the day.

🍃 Lemon Balm

Uplifting, antiviral, and aromatic. A great go-to when you need a mood lift or immune support.

🌸 Calendula

Bright, sunny flowers used in teas, oils, and skin salves. Also great for pollinators and soil health.

We grow these herbs because they’re versatile, approachable, and useful in everyday life. Whether you’re building your own home apothecary or just want a calming tea before bed, these are excellent places to start.

 

Our Herbal Process: From Seed to Sip

We start most herbs from seed in early spring, nurturing them through the seasons with hands-on care. Our season is short so we start in the greenhouse and transplant.  Our perennials stay in the ground two to four years and our roots between one and three years. Drying is done in small batches on low heat to preserve potency and aroma. Every tea blend or bundle starts with a seed, sunshine, and intention.

What Makes Our Herbs Different?

Many herbs on store shelves have traveled thousands of miles and sat for months in warehouses. Our herbs are harvested by hand and processed within days—so you get vibrant, full-bodied plants with integrity intact. By shopping directly from us you are getting the freshest product possible cared for by the farmers until days before arriving at your door.

Freshness matters. 

Growing with Community in Mind

We grow with our neighbors in mind. Whether it’s sharing tea at a market or swapping seeds with other growers, we believe herbalism is stronger when it's shared.

Our work is rooted in reciprocity—offering something meaningful to the land and to the people around us.

Rooted in Organic, Regenerative Farming

Every plant we grow is part of a bigger system—one that includes the soil, pollinators, wild edges, and weather patterns. Our growing practices are fully Organic with a capital ‘O’ meaning we not only follow the practices but we are certified so you can be sure that we are maintaining our organic roots.

That means:

• Composting to build fertility

• Avoiding synthetic inputs

• Harvesting by hand with care and intention

• Growing in small batches so each plant gets attention

• Planting cover crops to build soil and soil biology
  
  

Healthy plants begin with healthy ecosystems. When you grow and harvest medicinal herbs in harmony with the land, the final product carries that vitality. This stewardship is really a founding principle and core value of our farm. Stewardship of the land really underlies all our decisions and our aspirations with the farm that everything else is built on top of.

Seasonal Rhythm, Seasonal Support

One of the most rewarding parts of growing medicinal herbs is living in tune with the seasons. Our herbal harvests follow the natural rhythm of the year:

• Spring: Nutrient-rich greens like nettles and cleavers

• Summer: Blooming herbs like tulsi, chamomile, and lemon balm

• Fall: Root harvests—echinacea, marshmallow, dandelion

• Winter: Rest, blending teas, and preparing for the cycle to begin again
  
  

These seasonal shifts help us stay connected to the land and remind us that wellness isn't static—it's always changing, just like nature.

How You Can Start Growing Too

You don’t need acres to get started. A few pots of lemon balm or chamomile on a balcony can invite peace into your daily life. If you're curious, check out our guide on how to start an apothecary.

We also offer bundles and seeds to help you begin with confidence.

Why It Matters

We grow medicinal herbs because we believe in small, intentional choices. Making a tea for your child’s upset stomach. Reaching for a calming tincture during a stressful week. Stirring herbs into your skincare routine. These everyday decisions add up.

Our goal is to make those decisions easier, more beautiful, and more grounded in trust. When you know where your herbs come from, and how they were grown, they feel different in your hands—and in your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why focus on medicinal herbs instead of vegetables or flowers?
Medicinal herbs are useful, beautiful, and often perennial or self-seeding. They support health and well-being in practical ways. While we love vegetables too, herbs are the heart of what we do.

Are medicinal herbs safe for beginners?
Yes—many are! We focus on gentle, nourishing plants that are easy to grow and easy to use. That said, it’s always good to do your research or check with an herbalist if you're new to a specific plant.

Do I need a lot of space to grow medicinal herbs?
Nope. A few pots on a windowsill can go a long way. Chamomile, tulsi, lemon balm, and calendula all grow well in containers or small garden plots.

Can herbs really make a difference in how you feel?
Absolutely. Herbs won’t replace emergency care, but they offer meaningful support for stress, sleep, digestion, immune function, and more—especially when used consistently over time.

What’s the difference between culinary and medicinal herbs?
There’s often overlap! Herbs like thyme, rosemary, and mint are both flavorful and healing. The difference is usually in how much you use and what you're using them for.

Closing Thoughts

Growing medicinal herbs isn’t just about what we harvest—it’s about how we live. Slower. More attentively. With a little more care for the land and ourselves.

If you're curious about starting your own herbal garden or building a home apothecary, we’re here to help. Whether you start with one pot of chamomile or a whole row of tulsi, you’re part of a growing community rooted in connection, sustainability, and self-care.