It’s possible to grow an herbal pharmacy in your backyard if you know the right plants to grow. Many plants have healing properties and can be used for soothing minor burns, preventing a cold, getting a more restful night of sleep, and to treat many other health issues.
There are several medicinal plants that you should grow in your garden so you will always have them on hand to treat minor afflictions. The plants not only have medicinal uses but are also useful in the kitchen. All these plants will look pretty growing in your landscape, plant some this spring so should a medical need arise, you will be ready with plant therapy.
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Echinacea
Also known as coneflower, echinacea is well-known for its ability to strengthen the immune system and stave off colds. At the first sign of an impending cold, flu, or other respiratory affliction, make some echinacea tea and drink.
Echinacea also has antioxidant properties that help control blood sugar and prevent it from spiking throughout the day. The plant also contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that lower blood pressure.
Make the health-benefiting tea by chopping a teaspoon of flower heads and placing it in a cup, then pour 1 cup of boiling water over it and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Drink up to four cups a day to boost your immune system, control blood sugar, and lower blood pressure.
Grow this medicinal plant in full sun and well-draining soil.
Also, Read: How To Grow A Survival Garden
Chamomile
Chamomile tea can be made from fresh or dried plant leaves and is great for use as a sleep aid.
The health-benefiting tea also reduces the pain of menstrual cramps, lowers blood sugar, reduces blood pressure, helps prevent osteoporosis, soothes an upset stomach, and reduces inflammation throughout the body.
Chamomile produces a daisy-like flower and grows best in partial shade. Plant seeds in late spring.
Dried chamomile flowers are used to make the soothing tea. Chop a teaspoon of the dried flowers and steep for 10 minutes in a 1 cup of boiling water. Drink 3-5 cups a day to help reduce pain, inflammation, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Enjoy a cup 30 minutes before bedtime to help you relax and sleep more soundly during the night.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is an easy-to-grow herb that has the flavor of lemon and can be used to replace lemons. Use fresh or dried leaves in any recipe the needs a little zest that only lemon flavor can provide.
This medicinal plant can be grown in a container on a sunny window sill or outdoors in a container or an in-ground garden. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Pinch the tops off the plants frequently to prevent the plants from blooming. If lemon balm blooms, their taste diminishes and it will slow down the growth of new foliage.
Dry the top portion of the lemon balm that has been pinched off by bundling them together and hanging upside down in a warm, airy location. Then store the dried lemon herbs in an airtight container for later use.
The dried lemon balm leaves are used to make a tea that will reduce fever, induce sweating, calm an upset stomach, relieve headaches, and promote sleep.
Peppermint
The delightful peppermint flavor found in candies and many other treats comes from the oil of the peppermint plant. The plant has quarter-sized green leaves that can be plucked off the plant and chewed to freshen breath and calm an upset stomach.
peppermint tea is made and used to stop nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and promote sleep. Make a tea by crushing 1 teaspoon of peppermint leaves and steeping in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes.
Grow this fragrant medicinal plant in a container because it will become invasive. Place the container in full sun and keep the soil moist.
Yarrow
Yarrow is an easy-to-grow member of the aster family. This medicinal plant produces white, yellow, or pale purple flowers all summer, is drought-tolerant, and spreads rapidly. It’s a great plant to grow in a difficult landscape location because it can become invasive with its rapid growth habit.
Yarrow has been used to treat minor cuts for centuries. To treat a minor cut and stop the bleeding, wash cut and crush a few yarrow leaves and place directly on the cut. Bleeding will stop and the wound will heal faster with the use of yarrow.
Yarrow tea is often used as a fever reducer and can be m
ade pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried leaves and steeping for 10 minutes.
Stay Healthy
Growing medicinal plants in your garden will help you stay healthy naturally and inexpensively.
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