Natural Remedies You Should Grow In Your Garden

There is a pill for just about any ailment, but many argue that it's best to try natural remedies before reaching for pharmaceuticals. Thousands of plants can help cure everything from a sore throat, to dry skin, and even treat the flu. While some medicinal plants are exotic and can only be grown in specific conditions, you can grow many natural remedies conveniently in your backyard.

To create a medicinal garden in your backyard, include several popular and therapeutic herbs, including lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, holy basil, and white sage. Some flowering plants that are natural remedies include German chamomile, comfrey, and echinacea. Some unique plants worth having in a healing garden include catnip, yarrow, and bee balm. Aloe vera is a fantastic medicinal plant used for skin remedies.

With so many strains of cold and flu circulating, and with all the side effects some medications bring with them, it’s worth looking into herbal remedies. Sure, you can buy natural medicines anywhere, but why not grow them yourself? If you are interested in growing your own natural medicine, read our comprehensive list of the top medicinal plants you can plant in your garden.

14 Medicinal Plants You Can Grow In Your Garden

1. Lavender

Lavender is an easy-to-grow herb with seemingly endless uses. It has a relaxing and intoxicating smell, beautiful purple blooms that you can eat, and so much more. Lavender has been used for centuries as a natural medicine for several ailments.

Lavender has proven calming effects. Using lavender can relax your mind and your muscles. You can spread lavender oil on tight muscles to relieve tension. It can also be used as an antibacterial and anti-fungal medicine

2. Holy Basil

Holy basil, or tulsi, is a commonly used variety of basil in various styles of Asian cooking. In addition to its culinary uses, it has all sorts of medicinal benefits. It can be used to treat many stress-related issues.

It is used to treat high anxiety and ulcers and is considered a possible natural remedy to slow the growth of cancer cells. It can even be used with water to make an effective natural mouthwash to fight against gingivitis.

3. Calendula

Calendula is another medicinal plant that is as beautiful as it is therapeutic. This plant has lovely yellow blossoms, and you can use these blossoms to treat all sorts of skin issues. It’s a great household remedy for poison ivy. Simply add it to a hot bath with colloidal oatmeal to get the most of its benefits. A calendula bath can also help moisturize and soothe dry and itchy skin.

4. Bee Balm

Bee balm is another medicinal flowering plant. It is often planted in pollinator gardens to attract bees and other pollinators, as it is very effective in this regard. In addition to its pollinating benefits, it can help fight off and cure several infections.

You can use bee balm to treat yeast and fungal infections, as it has strong anti-fungal properties. It is also great at curing cold and flu symptoms. You can infuse it or drink it as a tea to enjoy these benefits. 

5. Aloe

Aloe vera is another widely used natural remedy. The main reason people purchase and use aloe vera is to soothe skin after it's burned. Aloe has a soothing and cooling effect on sunburn and other skin burns.

It is also great if you want to moisturize your skin without lotion. It is effective at locking in your skin’s moisture, so it doesn’t escape. This is particularly effective in dry climates, which is where aloe thrives.

6. Echinacea 

The cone flower is an easy-to-grow climbing flower, but it’s so much more than just a pretty flower. The cone flower is also called echinacea, and it happens to be one of the best natural immune system boosters you can find.

You can take echinacea regularly to keep your immune system strong. It is also great to take it at the first sign of a cold, or when traveling frequently. 

7. German Chamomile

Chamomile is one of the most popular herbal teas. There are many types of chamomile, but German chamomile is one of the best to grow in your garden and then consume. This herb has beautiful small white and yellow flowers that you can turn into tea.

Chamomile is great at relaxing your body and reducing stress and anxiety. It is also commonly used as a natural sleep aid, making it a healthy alternative to sleep medication.

8. Yarrow

Yarrow is another medicinal plant that doubles as a great pollinator. Its tall white flowers attract bees and other pollinators, and it also has some great medicinal uses.

This plant is great for accident-prone individuals. The plant can be used to heal wounds like cuts and scrapes. It is also great at clotting blood, making it an ideal plant for those who get more than their fair share of cuts and scrapes.

9. Peppermint

Peppermint is another herb that seems to have endless uses. You can use it as a fragrant oil, put it in flower arrangements to add a lovely aroma, and even make a popular and tasty tea with its leaves.

Peppermint tea not only tastes good, but it has many therapeutic benefits. It is fantastic for many digestive problems. It can help alleviate stomach cramps, reduce gas, and even aid in the process of digestion in general. It also acts as a natural decongestant, which is why peppermint tea is the perfect beverage when you have a cold. 

10. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is an under-utilized herb that would be a great addition to any medicinal plant garden. Not only can you cook with it, but it has very helpful medicinal uses. For one, it is a fantastic natural insect repellent, especially for mosquitoes.

You can also make an ointment with it and apply it to cold sores. This will help them heal and provide relief at the same time. 

11. Ginger

Ginger is used in everything from Asian cuisine to Christmas cookies. This flavorful and spicy root has many culinary uses, which alone makes it a great addition to your garden. It also offers lots of health benefits. This plant is one of the best natural digestive aids and healing roots on the planet. This is thanks to its bioactive compounds and antioxidants. 

Have a strong cup of ginger tea any time you have a stomach ache or bloating. Ginger is also a fantastic anti-inflammatory.

12. Comfrey

One lesser-known and highly potent medicinal plant is comfrey. Don’t be fooled by these lovely and delicate purple flowers on this plant; it packs a toxic punch. When consumed, this plant is very poisonous, but as a topical remedy, it is highly effective at helping wounds heal faster. 

Comfrey is also a great natural painkiller. Simply apply it to the area in pain (without ingesting it), and you should feel soothing and tingling results.

13. Catnip

Most people plant catnip because their cats are obsessed with it. But cats aren't the only mammals that can benefit from this plant. Catnip, when consumed as a tea, can reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and even help you sleep faster and better thanks to its active ingredient, nepetalactone.

14. White Sage

White sage is often burned at healing ceremonies, and even ritually in homes. This smoke is said to have many purifying benefits, but white sage is also great as a tea. Drinking sage tea can help cure a nasty sore throat, and a white sage ointment can help alleviate all sorts of skin issues.

Summing Up Natural Remedies You Should Grow In Your Garden

If you are interested in exploring more natural medicines, then consider growing your own medicinal garden at home. You can plant several popular herb species that have many healing benefits, including lavender, peppermint, white sage, lemon balm, and holy basil. Echinacea (cone flowers), German chamomile, comfrey, yarrow, and bee balm are all lovely flowering plants and pollinators that have many medicinal uses.

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