Plant These Now to Start Your Own Medicinal Garden
Growing a medicinal garden is not only a form of gardening but an age-old practice that brings healing herbs right to your doorstep. For those interested in a more natural approach to health and wellness, cultivating a medicinal garden can be a rewarding experience. This guide will walk you through what to plant, their uses and benefits, and companion planting tips.
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Choosing Your Medicinal Plants
When selecting plants for your medicinal garden, consider the following herbs well-known for their health benefits:
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known for its soothing properties, particularly for skin ailments like burns, abrasions, and psoriasis. The gel inside the leaves can be applied directly to the skin.
Lavender
Not only does lavender have a soothing scent that promotes relaxation and sleep, but it also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. You can use the flowers to make teas or infused oils.
Peppermint
Peppermint is famed for aiding digestion and can relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Use its leaves in teas or as an essential oil.
Chamomile
This calming flower is often used in teas to aid with sleep, reduce anxiety, and calm an upset stomach.
Echinacea
Echinacea boosts the immune system and can decrease the duration and severity of colds. The roots and flowers can be used to make teas and tinctures.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm can improve mood and cognitive function, aside from having antiviral properties. It’s excellent in teas or as a topical application.
Calendula
With its ability to promote skin healing and health, calendula can be used in salves and is also beneficial for digestive health when taken internally.
Ginger
Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory and can reduce nausea. Use the root to make teas, tinctures, or infusions.
Turmeric
Well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can be used in cooking or as a supplement.
St John’s Wort
Traditionally used for depression and anxiety, St John’s Wort shows promise in wound healing when used topically.
Garlic
With potent antibacterial and antiviral properties, garlic boosts heart health and strengthens the immune system.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus leaves are famous for their ability to help clear congestion and fight respiratory infections. Use the leaves in steam inhalations or as an essential oil.
Rosemary
Rosemary improves digestion and memory and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. Incorporate it into cooking or make a rosemary oil infusion.
Sage
Sage has both cognitive-enhancing properties and digestive health benefits. Use it in cooking or tea.
Thyme
Thyme contains antibacterial properties and can be used to treat coughs. It’s a versatile herb for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
Lemon Verbena
With its calming properties, lemon verbena helps with digestion and can aid in reducing inflammation. It’s best used in teas.
Marshmallow
The roots and leaves of marshmallow provide relief from irritation and inflammation in the mucous membranes.
Arnica
Typically used for pain relief, especially for bruises and sprains, arnica should only be used topically in creams or gels.
Catnip
Beyond its effects on cats, catnip can be a mild sedative for humans and is useful in relieving stomach cramps and inducing sleep.
Feverfew
Feverfew is known for its ability to treat fevers and migraines. It can be eaten fresh or dried.
Yarrow
Yarrow has traditional use as a wound healer due to its astringent properties and can reduce bleeding.
Mullein
Used for its ability to ease respiratory problems, mullein can soothe bronchial tubes and expel mucus.
Hops
Commonly known for its use in brewing beer, hops have sedative qualities that aid with sleep disorders.
Hyssop
Hyssop has expectorant properties, making it useful to relieve coughs, as well as antiviral qualities.
Motherwort
Known for its heart tonic properties, motherwort can aid in reducing heart palpitations and improving heart function.
Lemon Drop Toothache Plant
This plant’s leaves and flowers can be chewed for a numbing effect to relieve toothache pain.
Horehound
Traditionally used in cough remedies, horehound works as an expectorant.
Companion Planting
Many medicinal plants are also great companions in the garden. For instance:
- Chamomile can enhance the growth and flavor of nearby plants.
- Garlic can deter pests from roses and raspberries.
- Yarrow can attract beneficial insects while improving soil quality.
- Lavender can deter deer and rabbits and is a great companion for most plants.
- Calendula repels a number of unwanted insects.
When starting your medicinal garden, consider the companion planting method, which not only conserves space but also helps in preventing pests and diseases naturally. Keep in mind that some plants, such as sage and rue, or fennel and wormwood, should not be planted together as they may hinder each other’s growth.
To sum it up….
Starting a medicinal garden can be a fulfilling journey into the world of natural healing. With the right plants and care, you can cultivate a source of health and tranquility right in your backyard. Remember to research each plant thoroughly, as some herbs can interact with medications or have adverse effects if used improperly. Happy planting!
