Whenever you feel unwell, maybe the first thing you do is rush to the hospital to seek treatment or the drug store. Did you know that you can grow medicinal plants in your garden that help remedy or cure minor conditions? You only need to sweat a little bit and dedicate some time to attend to the plants.
These plants can grow in a garden and in containers too. You only have to provide them with the right growing requirements, such as light and water. With several types of medicinal plants available out there, it can be overwhelming when choosing which ones to grow. I have compiled a list of easy to grow plants with great medicinal uses you can try on your garden.
Calendula
Calendula, also known as marigold, is an annual plant with orange and yellow bright flowers that not only have medicinal properties but also add zest to your garden. This plant does well in sunny spots and is very easy to grow. Calendula is widely used in the cosmetic industry as an inflammatory, skin healing, and antimicrobial properties. It is also used to reduce fever, treat sore throats, and prevent menstrual cramps. Calendula flowers are edible and can be added to salads to add flavor and enhance their look, thanks to their bright yellow and orange flowers.
Lemon balm
Lemon balm is very aggressive and spreads very fast. You plant it, and within a few months, it has spread all over the garden. Though not a bad thing to have this useful medicinal plant in an entire garden, it can interfere with other plants if it spreads to where they are. You can avoid that by growing it in pots. This herb comes from the mint family and has a very nice smell. Growing lemon balm will also attract pollinators to your garden, which is a good thing for the rest of your plants. Lemon balm is used to reduce anxiety, treat indigestion, ease sleep disorders, and boost cognitive function.
Ginger
Ginger does well in wet, humid climates. Grow ginger in a sunny spot, free from winds. It is an easy to grow plant and has several medicinal and culinary uses too. Ginger can be added to fermented food, tinctures, tea, and some dishes to enhance flavor. Ginger is good at treating stomach upsets like nausea, decongesting the chest, and increasing blood circulation.
Hemp
Before we delve into the growth requirements and medicinal properties of hemp, it is good to know that the law does not allow hemp growth in some areas. Check whether it is permitted to grow hemp in your area to avoid getting into problems. Hemp does well in well-draining soils with an addition of organic matter to help in moisture retention. The plant is closely related to marijuana, but it has lower levels of THC than marijuana. Hemp seeds and hemp hearts have several medicinal uses such as reducing inflammation, managing low blood pressure and heart diseases, and relieving rheumatoid arthritis. In case you are wondering about the differences between hemp seeds vs hemp hearts, let me break it down for you. Hemp seeds develop after the fertilization of the female flowers and hemp hearts are the soft parts inside the hemp seeds.
Sage
Sage is one of the hardy perennials that produce flowers with colors like blue, pink, purple, and white. Sage requires well-drained soils and does well in full sun. Some medicinal uses of sage include relieving stomach upsets, reducing hot flashes that come with menopause, correcting excessive milk flowage in nursing mothers. Sage has an earthly taste and a very strong aroma that makes it an excellent addition to dishes. It is also worth noting that not all varieties of sage are edible.
Rosemary
Rosemary requires full sun, given its origin in the Mediterranean. If you live in cold climates, it is preferable to grow the herb in pots so that you can take them indoors during winter. Apart from its medicinal properties, rosemary can also be used to add delicacy to different dishes like red meat. It is a stimulant herb that helps in blood circulation and an antioxidant with pain relief properties. You can grow rosemary outdoors or in pots and place them in your kitchen.
Thyme
Thyme will tolerate some shade, although it prefers growing in full sun. Its microbial properties help in relieving cold symptoms. This spreading herb is hardy, and surprisingly, it does well in poor soils. Its disinfectant properties make it an effective wash for infections affecting the skin. Thyme is also used to stimulate appetite, treat skin disorders and boost immunity, thanks to its high vitamin C levels.
Garlic
Garlic is an easy-to-grow bulbous vegetable that requires fertile and well-drained soil for proper growth. It helps in boosting immunity and supporting the right blood pressure. Garlic is also used for treating colds, digestive problems, and sore throats. Besides the wonderful benefits that garlic offers to the body, it is also added to various dishes to impart flavor.
Prescription medicine does not have to be the only treatment solution. Even with several pharmaceuticals options easily available, using plants for medicinal purposes is also a good idea. And, the best thing is that you can grow these plants in your home, with much ease. Some medicinal plants have other uses, such as adding flavor to food and beautifying indoor and outdoor spaces.
