If you appreciate alternative medicine, herbs are just one of the many options you have for treating minor illnesses/conditions.
Before modern medicine was as developed as we know today, our ancestors mostly relied on the herbal remedies that are abundant in their surroundings. Throughout the centuries, folk healers have collected invaluable knowledge on these herbs throughout centuries, especially those that can cure ailments.
Today, scientific studies have found that most of these age old wisdom turned out to be true – such as gingko biloba’s brain boosting powers, or ginseng’s ability to treat male infertility.
And the best thing about these medicinal herbs is that you can easily grow them in your backyard. By planting these herbs yourself, you’re getting them as fresh as possible, maximizing their potency. This also means that you’ll have some fresh herbal remedies around the clock, especially when you’re out of your standard over-the-counter medicine.
Here are some of the best medicinal herbs you can grow in your backyard today, which can be useful for minor conditions such as coughs, colds, or the flu.[1,2]
- Lemon Balm
If you can’t decide where to start, lemon balm is a perfect jack-of-all trades that has culinary purposes and can serve a wide variety of medicinal uses in your household.
Lemon balm come from the same plant as mint, which gives off a refreshing citrus-y scent and flavor. Traditionally, lemon balm had been used as a mild sedative, digestive aid, and for supporting cognitive function. Thanks to research, these age old claims have been proven, along with some newly discovered benefits.
Several studies have found that lemon balm is capable of[3]:
- Relieving stress and anxiety[4]
- Improving mental performance
- Treat insomnia
- Treat cold sores
- Relieve indigestion
- Treat nausea and headaches[5]
- Minimize menstrual cramps and toothaches
How to use: To use lemon balm for medicinal purposes, steep five to six leaves in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Drink several times within a day to address your tummy troubles, inflammation, pain, and nausea.
How to grow: Lemon balm is a versatile plant that thrives mostly in temperate regions, since it is unable to withstand too much heat. Like other plants belonging to the mint family, lemon balm grows best outside with some shade. Try to contain it in one pot as much as possible, as it can easily encroach the rest of your garden.
- Peppermint
Peppermint is another member of the mint family, which delivers similar medicinal properties as its siblings. It is well known for its pleasant minty taste, which is mostly used as a flavoring for breath mints, candies, or toothpaste. In traditional medicine, peppermint is utilized for its calming effects, such as for the treatment of flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, and anxiety.
Research has also verified that peppermint is capable of providing the following benefits[6]:
- Can ease an upset stomach
- Can help relieve headaches and migraines
- Can relieve clogged sinuses
- May help improve energy
- Can relieve menstrual cramps
- Can help relieve allergy symptoms
How to use: Peppermint is best consumed as a tea to provide relief for tummy aches or clogged sinuses, as an energy booster, or to calm you down before sleep time.
How to grow: As a member of the mint family, peppermint is generally easy to grow and requires minimal care. It thrives best in cold to mild climates and prefers moist but well-drained soil. It can thrive both indoors and outdoors, given that it is provided sufficient sunlight and shade throughout the day.[7]
- Rosemary
Although it is now commonly used to flavor steaks and pastas, the medicinal use of rosemary goes as far back as ancient Greece and Rome. It is believed that rosemary was primarily used for respiratory issues back during these early years. In the 13th century, rosemary was claimed to cure the Queen of Hungary of her paralysis. In subsequent years, rosemary was also used to treat skin ailments, baldness, melancholy (depression), gout, and even the Bubonic Plague.[8]
In modern medicine, rosemary is equally esteemed for its healing properties, and its oil is used to make medicines. Scientific research has also verified that rosemary is capable of providing the following benefits[9]:
- Can improve mood, memory, and overall brain health
- Can help treat baldness (rosemary oil)
- Can help treat high blood pressure
- Can help relieve stress and anxiety
How to use: Fresh rosemary leaves can be consumed as a tea to for its anti-inflammatory and calming effects. Additionally, you can make your own rosemary hair rinse at home, which is made by boiling fresh rosemary leaves with lemon juice. This hair rinse is perfect for oily hair.
How to grow: Rosemary is relatively easy to grow, and it thrives best in warm and moderately dry climates. It can tolerate cooler temperatures and can be difficult to grow in humid climates. Rosemary doesn’t require a lot of water (too much can damage its roots) and fertilizer.
- Chamomile
Chamomile tea has been sued for centuries to induce sleep and to ease stress and anxiety. If you’re looking for a quick and natural way to deal with the jitters, having a fresh source of chamomile may prove handy for you.
Aside from the aforementioned benefits, fresh chamomile tea can also help you deal with other ailments, including:
- Pain relief, such as for menstrual cramps[10]
- Reducing inflammation
- Treating cold and flu symptoms
- For treating indigestion
How to use: The easiest and most effective way to utilize chamomile naturally is by drinking it as a tea. For one cup of hot water, you’ll need a tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers, and let it steep for five minutes.
How to grow: The two commonly grown types types of chamomile are German (annual plant) and Roman (perennial). The German variety tends to grow more flowers, although both provide the same calming effect the plant is known for. Chamomile plants are best grown in temperate regions and can survive night temperatures as low as -10°C. Chamomile does not require a lot of watering and fertilizer, making it a perfect low maintenance addition to your lawn.[11]
- Aloe Vera
For thousands of years, aloe vera has been used to treat wounds, burns, and other skin problems. Nowadays, aloe vera remains a popular natural remedy for these skin troubles.
Researchers have also found that aloe vera has other capabilities beyond soothing your skin. As verified by research, fresh aloe vera can provide the following benefits[12]:
- For treating dry skin, burns, and acne
- For soothing stomach ailments (such as irritable bowel syndrome and constipation)
- Can be used for your skincare routine
How to use: Aloe vera gel can be safely applied topically and consumed (including the skin). Fresh aloe vera can also be processed into aloe juice or as a cream that you apply to your face.
How to grow: As a succulent, aloe vera doesn’t require a lot of water or fertilizer. It thrives best in warm and dry weather, although it can withstand most climates. Make sure that it is receives enough sunlight, as it can grow dormant when left too long in a shaded area.[13]
- Lavender
The lavender plant is famous for its pleasant fragrance and beautiful purple flowers. Throughout history, lavender is prized for its fragrance and antimicrobial properties – for instance, Cleopatra was said to have used lavender to seduce men and was hung above doors for protection against evil spirits (microbes). Classical Greek physicians even prescribed ingesting lavender for treating indigestion, sore throats, and headaches.
Thanks to modern scientific methods, most of these claims have been proven and tested. Additionally, researchers have also discovered more of lavender’s potential uses. Here’s what you can get out of fresh lavender[14]:
- Can be used to treat anxiety and depression
- Can help induce sleep and relaxation
- Can help improve memory
- Can help relieve pain, both inside and out
How to use: Fresh or dried lavender leaves and flowers can be used to make teas and tinctures, such as for treating insomnia, anxiety, or for improving cognitive function. If you have enough fresh lavender flowers (harvested right before blooming), you can make your own lavender essential oil as well.
How to grow: Although lavender originated from the warm and moderately dry Mediterranean, it can also grow in colder areas, such as in Western Europe. Lavenders can grow both in beds or pots, depending on how much you’ll actually need. Lavender is a low-maintenance plant, which only required well-drained soil and moderate watering.[15]
- Calendula (Marigold)
Calendulas can be easily recognized by their bright yellow petals. Aside from their pleasing appearance, experienced gardeners may include calendulas to trap pests, as bugs tend to be attracted to their sticky sap.
Since the time of the Ancient Egyptians, calendula is believed to have revitalizing attributes, and was used to decorate deities throughout different religions. In World War I, calendula was used as a natural healing agent for open wounds, as it showed to accelerate the healing process.[16]
According to research, here’s what fresh calendula tea and oil can do for your body.
- Can help treat wounds
- Has antifungal and antimicrobial properties
- Can help improve skin health
- Can help induce menstrual cramps
How to use: The easiest way to consume calendula is by drinking it as a tea. Alternatively, you can try creating calendula oil or cream for its topical application.
How to grow: Calendulas can thrive in nearly every climate, although it favors moderate temperatures. It only requires the occasional watering and does not need fertilizer to grow.
- Sage
Sage has a long history with alternative and traditional medicine, as it is packed with antioxidants and compounds that have strong healing properties. It is also commonly used as a ritual object during sage burning or smudging.
Because of its distinct, pepper-y flavor, sage is also popular for its culinary uses.
Some of the scientifically proven benefits of sage include[17]:
- Can help lower blood sugar levels
- Can be used as a natural treatment for wounds
- Can help improve mood and memory
- Can help provide relief for digestive problems
How to use: Sage can be safely consumed as a tea or applied to your skin topically as a cream or oil.
How to grow: Sage is a hardy plant that can thrive in most climates, except in very cold weather. It requires well-drained oil with regular watering, as too much hydration can kill its roots.
Conclusion
For thousands of years, our ancestors have relied on the abundant herbs that surround them for treating minor illnesses, back when aspirin or paracetamol were not yet a thing.
Many of these age-old wisdom has been confirmed by science, and many people continue to seek these herbal remedies with great success.
Thankfully, many of these can be easily grown in your backyard. These herbs will come in handy when you’re feeling a little ill, or if you just want to incorporate its health benefits to improve your health for the long run. Plus, most of these herbs can be used to spice up your food, making it a welcome addition to an edible garden!
References
[1] Sansone, A. (2020, January 27) 10 Best Healing Plants You Can Grow. Retrieved on December 7, 2020 from https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/g29804807/best-healing-plants/
[2] Gelman, L. (2020, May 25) 14 Medicinal Herbs You Can Grow in Your Backyard. Retrieved on December 7, 2020 from https://www.readersdigest.ca/health/conditions/medicinal-herbs-can-grow/
[3] Cronkleton, E. (2019, March 8) 10 Benefits of Lemon Balm and How to Use It. Retrieved on December 7, 2020 from https://www.healthline.com/health/lemon-balm-uses
[4] Scholey, A., Gibbs, A., Neale, C., Perry, N., Ossoukhova, A., Bilog, V., … & Buchwald-Werner, S. (2014). Anti-stress effects of lemon balm-containing foods. Nutrients, 6(11), 4805-4821. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6114805
[5] Akbarzadeh, M., Dehghani, M., Moshfeghy, Z., Emamghoreishi, M., Tavakoli, P., & Zare, N. (2015). Effect of Melissa officinalis Capsule on the Intensity of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in High School Girl Students. Nursing and midwifery studies, 4(2), e27001. https://doi.org/10.17795/nmsjournal27001
[6] Groves, M. (2018, October 12) 12 Science-Backed Benefits of Peppermint Tea and Extracts. Retrieved on December 8, 2020 from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/peppermint-tea
[7] The Old Farmer’s Almanac. (n.d.) Growing Mint. Retrieved on December 8, 2020 from https://www.almanac.com/plant/mint
[8] Grant, A. (2019, December 5) History Of Rosemary – Learn About Rosemary Herbal Uses. Retrieved on December 7, 2020 from https://blog.gardeningknowhow.com/tbt/history-of-rosemary-plants
[9] Bjarnadottir, A. (2019, November 7) 6 Benefits and Uses of Rosemary Tea. Retrieved on December 8, 2020 from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rosemary-tea
[10] Jenabi, E., & Ebrahimzadeh, S. (2010). Chamomile tea for relief of primary dysmenorrhea. Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility, 13(1), 39-42.
[11] Iannotti, M. (2020, July 7) Chamomile Plant Profile. Retrieved on December 8, 2020 from https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-grow-chamomile-1402627
[12] Cronkleton, E. (2018, December 12) How to Use Fresh Aloe Vera. Retrieved on December 8, 2020 from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-use-aloe-vera-plant
[13] Picard, C. (2018, April 5) How to Grow and Care for Aloe Vera Plants. Retrieved on December 8, 2020 from https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/g19682442/aloe-plant-care/
[14] Perry, N. (2019, December 17) A Love Letter to Lavender. Retrieved on December 8, 2020 from https://www.healthline.com/health/lavender-history-plant-care-types
[15] Balogh, A. (n.d.) The Fundamentals Of Growing Gorgeous Lavender. Retrieved on December 8, 2020 from https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/lavender.html
[16] Calendula Oil. (2020, November 26) Retrieved on December 8, 2020 from https://ayurvedicoils.com/tag/history-of-calendula[17] Shoemaker, S. (2019, November 29) 9 Emerging Benefits and Uses of Sage Tea. Retrieved on December 8, 2020 from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sage-tea
