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My grandmother loved to garden! Eggplant, tomatoes, butternut squash and more were always in abundance in her Southeast Louisiana home. My grandmother would spend several hours a day tending to her large garden. What we didn’t eat that day, she froze for the winter. But her garden was more than an fruits and veggies. She also grew things like mint and aloe as a natural remedy source. Over the years I have implemented many of the tips she instilled in me at a young age for my own backyard garden.
Growing your own garden gives you the opportunity to commune with nature, all while allowing you to have specific herbs and vegetables on hand. Usually, gardeners focus on a specific area, growing such things as a vegetable garden or an herb garden. If you are hoping to start your very own healing garden, here are a few medicinal plants you need to have in your garden.
Ginger
This healing herb is great for treating gastrointestinal issues. It can be used to relieve nausea and an upset stomach. It can even help alleviate bloating and gas. Ginger is also used as a flavoring in food.
Chamomile
Chamomile is an herb that is commonly used in teas. It can be used as a topical treatment to help alleviate symptoms of colds and rashes. When consumed, chamomile is known to calm upset stomachs and to assist in solving sleeping problems.
Lavender
There are many uses for lavender, but the most common of these uses include treating such conditions as anxiety, insomnia and depression. The smell and taste of lavender can have a calming effect on a person, effectively relieving any fears or negative emotions.
Lemon Balm
This is a great herb to have on hand when it comes to gastrointestinal issues. This herb can be used to help treat digestive problems such as bloating, an upset stomach and even vomiting. It can also be used to help relieve minor pain.
Mint
Mint has a pleasing aroma and taste, making it a popular herb to be used in teas. The most common uses for this herb is to help treat indigestion and nausea. It can even be used to treat headaches.
Rosemary
This is a popular cooking herb since it is a source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. When consumed, it can aid in digestion and can help improve memory. Since it is rich in antioxidants, rosemary can be a good source to help lower the risk of developing cancer.
Aloe Vera
The gel inside of the aloe vera plant as a topical treatment for skin conditions. This gel can soothe sunburns and it can help moisturize dry skin. Since it is known to kill bacteria, aloe can be used on top of a shallow cut to help with the healing process.
Catnip
Although more commonly known as a plant for cats, catnip can also be used for a variety of health issues. It can be used to help with such conditions as anxiety, insomnia and frequent migraines. Some people even use catnip to treat colds and indigestion.
Sage
Sage is a known anti-inflammatory herb that can be taken to help ease inflammation. This herb has even been used to help improve memory and to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Sage can be consumed in a variety of ways and can be used as a seasoning in food.
Echinacea
This is a great herb to have around, especially if you enjoy drinking tea. This herb can be used to help treat the cold and the flu. It is known to help calm upset stomachs and it can also help boost the immune system.
Have you considered creating a healing garden this spring? Don’t forget to pin this post for later use.
I already grow a few of these, but look forward to adding more this summer. I really want to grown Lemon Balm and Rosemary. I may add more Lavender to the flower beds this year as well.
With my constant sunburn all summer long, regardless of sunscreen we keep a lot of aloe vera plants around the house and garden. I never thought if catnip and rosemary though as healing agents. Luckily I still have room to add them in. Thanks for the awesome tips!
I grow rosemary and use it frequently in cooking but until reading your post, I never knew the health benefits!
Great post and you have listed some very important veggies & herbal that will indeed assist you with your health. Many I have planted but I hope to incorporate more of these into my garden! Thanks!
My husband is really into horticulture and it is a blessing to be able to go into our garden to get items we need. I’m going to ask him to grow ginger. Thanks.
I HAVE thought about growing a healing garden! I have rosemary growing already. We had aloe, but our winters are getting colder and we lost it a couple years ago. I’ve pinned this post and I’m going to get moving on this!