Do you want to improve your physical and mental health while also adding some color and flavor to your garden? Look no further than the world of medicinal herbs and plants. From reducing stress and anxiety to aiding in digestion and boosting immunity, these powerful plants offer a natural way to enhance your well-being. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, this article will take you on a journey through the diverse and fascinating world of medicinal plants and teach you how to grow your own healing garden. Get ready to discover the hidden powers of nature and learn how to harness them for your own benefit. So grab your gardening gloves and let’s dig in!
This post may contain affiliate links, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, this is at no extra cost to you.
Chamomile is a staple in my household, we use it daily in the evening for its relaxing and stress-reducing properties. Chamomile is wonderful to make as a tea and have before bed to help induce sleep; it is known to help with occasional insomnia. This flowering herb is also used to aid in the occasional upset stomach and improve digestion.
Plant German Chamomile seeds indoors about 6 weeks before the last frost date, and plant outside once the danger of frost is gone. This herb likes full sun to partial shade. When planting outdoors mix compost in with your soil to give the plant a nice boost while growing. Water as needed but do not saturate. German Chamomile is a perennial however, it is self-seeding so it will typically come back year after year. You can also collect and store seeds from the dried flowers to use next year. Chamomile produces small white flowers with yellow centers. To harvest, wait until the flower is fully open, then remove the flower from the stem. You can dry, freeze or have chamomile fresh.
Dandelion flowers, leaves, and roots are all edible and wonderful when added to a salad or used to make tea. These yellow flowers are a powerhouse herb that has many benefits to them. These plants are chock-full of antioxidants, are known to help fight inflammation, and they may also promote a healthy liver. You can consume dandelions fresh or you can dry them and use them to make tea.
Dandelions are perennials that can be grown in your medicinal herbs garden or pots. Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost, or you can wait till the danger of the last frost has passed and sow them directly outside. Dandelions prefer full sun to partial shade. Water regularly but be careful not to waterlog the plant. Be sure to harvest all the yellow flowers before they go to seed or you may grow an entire yard full of dandelions.
Lavender has been used for centuries for its relaxing properties. It’s been proven that smelling lavender can help reduce stress and anxiety. Dried lavender can be put in sachets and then placed in your pillowcase to promote sleep. You can also make a lavender tea to help support sleepiness at bedtime.
Plant lavender in a sunny spot in your garden that has well-draining soil. Lavender is picky about having well-draining soil so it may be beneficial to amend the soil with compost or some aged manure. It can be difficult to grow from seed, so it may be worth your while to get a young plant from your local nursery. Plant outdoors once the danger of frost has passed. This beautiful shrub is perennial and will come back year after year with good care. It can be planted directly into the soil or in a pot.
Benefits of garlic. Garlic is packed full of antioxidants and is shown to help prevent things such as the common cold! Anything that helps lower this risk of the common cold is a win in my books! It is also shown to help reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol.
To grow garlic you will plant a clove of garlic with its papery coating still on about 2 inches deep 6-12 inches apart, in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil in a sunny location. Garlic LOVES the sun! You can plant your garlic in the spring or fall. Bulbs planted in the fall will result in bigger bulbs produced since they will have longer to produce stronger roots. Bulbs planted in the spring will still produce but be smaller, but you can eat the garlic scapes (greenery above ground).
Lemon Balm is a medicinal herb that is a member of the mint family and has many health benefits associated with it. It’s shown to help with sleep due to its calming and relaxing properties, it can be used to help cold sores, works as an antioxidant and supports the liver, and can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. This herb can be consumed straight from the garden or added to cooking dishes. You can also dry the leaves and make a tea to sip on while you enjoy the calming effects.
Lemon Balm is very easy to grow, it is not too picky on soil type, but it does prefer well-draining soil. You can start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last freeze or sow directly in the garden after the last hard frost. Lemon Balm will quickly take over your garden by spreading if it is not maintained. This herb is also a perennial so it will come back from year to year.
Oregano is full of antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body, it also has antibacterial effects and helps boost the immune system. This herb is a delicious addition to meals, especially Italian cuisine. You can use it fresh or dry it and store it in your pantry for cooking.
To grow oregano, make sure you pick a sunny location, for oregano, the more sun the better. This plant can go with less watering than most others. Water when the soil feels dry. Oregano is self-seeding and will return year after year.
Peppermint is a medicinal herb often used to aid with digestive issues such as nausea, diarrhea, and gas, it may alleviate menstrual pain and may help with symptoms of the common cold. This herb can be consumed straight from the garden, added to drinks and foods, and it can be dried and used to make tea.
Peppermint is very easy to grow. You can sow it directly into your garden after the danger of the last frost has passed. This herb is not picky about its soil, although it does prefer well-draining soil, and can be grown in full sun to part shade. Just like lemon balm, peppermint will take over your garden if you do not cut it back. It is perennial and will come back year after year!
Rosemary is packed full of good things. It is shown to be full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps aid in digestion, can enhance memory and concentration, and provides neurological protection. This herb can be added to all kinds of cooking dishes.
To plant rosemary, choose a location in your garden that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. When planting add compost to the soil to help give the plant a boost. Rosemary is perennial and will return year after year.
Echinacea is known for its cold-fighting properties. It has been used as an over-the-counter cold remedy for quite some time. The gorgeous purple flower is loaded with antioxidants, is an anti-inflammatory, and may lower anxiety levels. This is a powerhouse of an herb to have in your garden. Dry the flowers and enjoy them in a cup of tea.
To grow Echinacea, sow the seed directly in your garden in the fall. The seeds need to go through a cold stratification to prepare the seeds to sprout. Then in the summer, you will be blessed with purple cone flowers! These cone flowers are perennials and will also self-sow by dropping their seeds, giving you more flowers the following year.
All of these medicinal herbs can be planted directly into your garden or can be planted into a raised garden bed for a container garden. Most of these you could also grow indoors next to a bright window.
Medicinal herbs are not only beautiful additions to your garden, but they also have incredible medicinal benefits. From soothing chamomile to immune-boosting echinacea, there are a variety of herbs that you can easily grow in your backyard. By incorporating these natural remedies into your daily routine, you can improve your health and well-being. So why not start planting your herb garden today? As the wise Hippocrates once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Who knew that medicine could be found right in our own gardens? Keep exploring the world of herbal remedies and see how it can enhance your life. Happy gardening!
Sign up below to join our community and get all things homemaking sent directly to your email! Also check out these posts:
Learn some unconventional yet highly effective tips and tricks for banishing animal urine odor from…
This easy skull DIY Halloween decoration will bring the perfect amount of spook to your…
Discover the secrets to successful fall gardening with garlic and elevate your harvest to new…
Learn the best techniques for cleaning your microfiber furniture, including natural and effective methods to…
As summer transitions to fall, continue gardening by planting hardy vegetables for a late harvest.…
Are you craving the juicy sweetness of a perfectly ripe cantaloupe, but don't know where…