5 Herbs for Everyday Ease

Let Nature Teach Simplicity and Support

In the days leading up to my move from Asheville, I found myself spending more time in the garden. I hadn’t planned a big harvest this year as I knew I’d be leaving, but I still added to the herb beds and tucked more native plants into the soil for the pollinators. A quiet offering to the land and the new owners of the home. 

It’s interesting how quickly something becomes a habit. How the simple act of walking outside, often barefoot, listening to the birds sing while pulling weeds, can drop you right into a meditative state. It’s a habit that my body and mind crave each and every day. 

Rosemay

The sun would meet me warming my shoulders while my hands worked through the soil. And without effort, I would feel a little more like myself. More alive. More grounded. A little stronger. More resilient. And definitely more clear and sure of the path forward, even when the destination remained hidden. That’s the thing about trust. It lives in the step, not always the view. The garden always offered me a perspective shift.

I’ll miss this garden. I’ll miss the lemon balm spilling over the stones, the rosemary that stood tall through every season, the lavender that whispered peace when I needed it most, the mint that took over with unapologetic confidence, the tulsi that smelled like a dream come true, and the anise hyssop constantly luring in the bees and butterflies with beauty and nourishment. 

Lemon Balm

California will have its own rhythm, but this little patch of Earth in Asheville steadied my soul. This little garden held me through seasons of change. It taught me how to listen and how to begin again. Every lesson it offered still lives in me.

Below are five of my favorite herbs that, in their own quiet ways, make life easier. You don’t need a degree in herbalism to love and tend them. Just a few pots on a windowsill, or a little patch of sunlight, a little care, and a willingness to listen.

If you are new to growing herbs, just start with one. Tend to it. Let it tend to you. The Earth always offers support—it’s just a matter of remembering to receive it.

*The video is from my last day in my garden. Guess what bird is singing?

1. Lemon Balm

The nervous system’s best friend.

Use it when: Your mind won’t stop racing and you’re desperate for a little peace.

This heart-shaped leaf has been called “the gladdening herb” for good reason. Lemon balm soothes anxiety, eases tension headaches, and supports digestion. A warm cup of tea at night quiets the mind and softens the edges of a long day. It’s gentle, but powerful. It is almost like someone rubbing your feet after a long day.

Try this:

— Steep fresh or dried leaves for a calming tea.

— Muddle into sparkling water with lemon and honey.

— Make a lemon balm honey syrup to drizzle over berries, yogurt, or toast.

It’s comfort in a cup. A hug in herb form.

2. Rosemary

The clarity bringer.

Use it when: You feel foggy, scattered, or low on energy.

Rosemary sharpens the mind, enhances memory, and brings blood flow to the brain. It’s been used for centuries in both medicine and ritual. Burned for purification, infused into oils for remembrance, steeped for mental clarity. It awakens what’s been dulled, restores what’s been lost, and calls your energy back to center.

Try this:

— Add a sprig to your morning shower for an herbal steam.

— Brew as tea when you need to focus.

— Infuse olive oil with rosemary and use it on roasted vegetables.

It’s not just for cooking. It’s for remembering who you are.

3.  Tulsi (Holy Basil)

The sacred stabilizer.

Use it when: Stress feels chronic and your spirit feels thin.

Tulsi is a revered plant in Ayurvedic Medicine, known as the Queen of Herbs. It’s an adaptogen, helping the body recalibrate in times of stress, while uplifting the mood and clearing emotional fog. It doesn’t just calm you, it centers you. 

Try this:

— Sip tulsi tea daily to support the nervous system and adrenal balance.

— Add fresh tulsi leaves to a warm bath for energetic cleansing.

— Burn dried tulsi like incense in a simple morning ritual.

It’s not just for stress. It’s for remembering your wholeness.

4. Mint

The fresh perspective.

Use it when: You feel stuck, sluggish, or heavy in the mind, body, or mood.

Mint is bright, bold, and awakening. It soothes digestive discomfort, cools inflammation, and clears mental fog. Just crushing a leaf between your fingers can shift the energy of a whole day. It’s the herb of clarity and movement. Of refreshment and relief.

Try this:

— Add fresh mint to water with cucumber and lime for a cooling tonic.

— Chew the leaves after a meal to support digestion.

— Inhale the scent when you need a reset—emotional or energetic.

It’s not just for flavor. It’s for finding your way forward.

5. Anise Hyssop

The gentle uplifter.

Use it when: You feel low, tender, or in need of something sweet but grounding.

Anise hyssop is a pollinator’s dream and a healer’s delight. With its soft purple blossoms and subtle licorice scent, this herb soothes the stomach, calms the nerves, and lifts the heart. It’s a mood-brightener with quiet joy tucked into every leaf.

Try this:

— Steep the leaves and flowers into tea for gentle emotional support.

— Sprinkle the petals into a salad for color and calm.

— Dry a bundle to hang in your kitchen or bedroom for a fragrant reminder of ease.

It’s not just for sweetness. It’s for softening sorrow into light.

Anise Hyssop