Growing up as a kid my mom would be growing all different kinds of medicinal plants in her garden that she would have ready just in case my brother and I had a accident while playing army out in the woods with our friends. Like every summer one of us would get hurt and my mom would be right their with what ever would soothe our injuries. Here are a few that my mom would grow in her garden.
Aloe Vera
The aloe vera grows only under the sun with well drained dry or moist soil. Although the plant tastes like horrible, it’s still edible. The sap from aloe vera is extremely useful to speed up the healing and reducing the risk of infections. It’s good for:
Aloe Vera
- wounds
- cuts
- burns
- eczema
- reducing inflammation
And you ingest it for:
- ulcerative colitis (drinking aloe vera juice)
- chronic constipation
- poor appetite
- digestive problems
Marsh Mallow
Marsh Mallow
The plant of which marshmallows were once made of. The root is taken internally to treat :
- inflammations and irritations of the urinary and respiratory mucus membranes
- counter excess stomach acid
- peptic ulceration
- gastritis
Externally, the root is applied to :
- bruises
- sprains
- aching muscles
- insect bites
- skin inflammations
- splinters
The leaves are very edible, unlike the aloe vera. They can be added to salads, boiled, or fried. It is known to help out in the area of cystitis and frequent urination.
Pot Marigold
It grows in almost any type of soil condition. It has no problem with nutritionally poor, very acidic or very alkaline soils, just as long as it’s moist. Well known as a remedy for skin problems, the deep-orange flowered pot marigold variety is applied externally to :
Pot Marigold
- bites
- stings
- sprains
- wounds
- sore eyes
- varicose veins
Internally it is used to treat fevers and chronic infections.
The tea of the petals tones up circulation and, taken regularly, eases varicose veins.
Applying the crushed stems of the pot marigold to corns and warts will soon have them easily removable.
Camomile
Camomile
With a sweet, crisp, fruity and herbaceous fragrance, has long been used medicinally as a remedy for problems regarding the digestive system. It has a soothing and calming effect in the area of aromatherapy, used to end stress and aid in sleep. The entire herb is used to treat common aches like toothache, earache, shoulder pain and neuralgia.
Chinese Yam
A type of yam that can be eaten raw, the Chinese yam can be easily grown, succeeding in fertile, well drained soil in a sunny position. It is sweet and soothing to the stomach, spleen and has a tonic effect on the lungs and kidneys. It is used internally to treat :
Chinese Wild Yam
- tiredness
- weight loss
- loss of appetite
- poor digestion
- chronic diarrhea
- asthma
- dry coughs
- uncontrollable urination
- diabetes
- emotional instability
Externally, it is applied to :
- ulcers
- boils
- abscesses
The leaf, on the other hand, is used to treat snakebites and scorpion stings.
Echinacea
Echinacea
One of the world’s most important medicinal herbs, the echinacea has the capacity to raise the body’s resistance to bacterial and viral infections by stimulating the immune system. It also has antibiotic properties that helps relieve allergies. Basically, the roots are beneficial in the treatment of sores, wounds and burns. It was once used by the Native Americans as an application for insect bites, stings and snakebites. The echinacea grows on any well drained soil, as long as it gets sunlight.
Siberian Ginseng
The siberian ginseng has a wide range of health benefits, mostly as a powerful tonic herb that maintains good health. Its medicinal properties are used for :
Siberian Ginseng
- menopausal problems
- geriatric debility
- physical and mental stress
- treat bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy or radiation
- angina
- hypercholesterolemia and neurasthenia with headache
- insomnia
- poor appetite
- increasing endurance
- memory improvement
- anti-inflammatory purposes
- immunogenic purposes
- chemo-protective purposes
- radiological protection
Tea Tree
Tea Tree
Even the aborigines have been using the tea tree leaves for medicinal purposes, like chewing on young leaves to relieve headaches. The paperbark itself is extremely useful to them as it serves to line coolamons when used as cradles, as a bandage, as a sleeping mat, as material for building humpies, as an aluminum foil, as a disposable rain coat and for tamping holes in canoes.
The leaves and twigs, eventually made into tea tree oil, is anti fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and deserves a place in every household medicine box. Tea tree oil can be used to treat :
- cystitis
- glandular fever
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- thrush
- vaginal infections
- acne
- athlete’s foot
- verrucae
- warts
- insect bites
- cold sores
- nits
- minor burns
Sage
Salvia, the Latin name for sage, means ‘to heal’. Internally, the sage is used for :
Sage
- indigestion
- flatulence
- liver complaints
- excessive lactation
- excessive perspiration
- excessive salivation
- anxiety
- depression
- female sterility
- menopausal problems
On the other hand, it is used externally for :
- insect bites
- skin infections
- throat infections
- mouth infections
- gum infections
- skin infections
- vaginal discharge
Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle
It protects and improves the function of the liver (take note, alcoholics). Taken internally, milk thistle helps to treat :
- liver and gall bladder diseases
- jaundice
- hepatitis (liver inflammation)
- poisoning
- high cholesterol levels
- insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes who also have cirrhosis
- the growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers
- the effects of a hangover
Comfrey
Comfrey contains allantoin, a cell proliferate that speeds up the natural replacement of body cells. It is reputed to have teeth and bone building properties in children. Safer to use externally than internally, comfrey is used to treat a wide variety of ailments ranging from :
Comfrey
- bronchial problems
- broken bones
- sprains
- arthritis
- gastric and varicose ulcers
- severe burns
- acne
- cuts
- bruises
- sprains
- sores
- eczema
- varicose veins
There are so many different kinds of herbs to grow. You should grow the ones you would need the most and the grows best in your area.
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