In a small plot or on a balcony you can grow many beautiful plants with which you can also develop effective natural remedies.
Anyone, if you propose it, no matter how little space you have at home, can create your own medicinal garden, whether in your home garden, in the backyard, on the terrace or even on a balcony. Our ancestors, especially in rural environments, used to grow certain plants from which they obtained basic remedies to face some of their health problems.
Continuing this tradition not only allows you to procure simple and natural remedies yourself, but also provides an enriching experience that relaxes, trains attention and encourages contact with nature.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GROW MEDICINAL PLANTS?
If you have a large garden, you will surely quickly find a suitable place to create an apothecary garden. But even if you only have a small balcony, you don’t have to do without your green medicine cabinet, because many of the effective plants grow just as well in planters or pots.
No matter if it is a garden or a balcony, when planning your apothecary garden, you should take into account the different location requirements of the plants:
- Light conditions: Most plants prefer a sunny spot, but many do well for partial shade, and some even thrive best in a moist, shady place.
- Nutrients: As with vegetables, a distinction is made between high-consumption plants, medium consumption and weak nutrient intake.
- Water: While Mediterranean plants such as rosemary or lavender prefer a dry place, many native wild plants thrive best in somewhat moist soils. Some feel more comfortable on a floor that is always well watered.
- Terrain conditions: Some plants thrive best in sandy soils, others prefer to grow in moist, humus-rich soils.
WHAT MEDICINAL PLANTS CAN BE GROWN AT HOME?
Because the number of medicinal plants gives to fill complete encyclopedias, we are left with the classics. Almost all are easy to grow and help with everyday ailments such as colds, sore throats or insomnia.
If from time to time or regularly you suffer from a specific alteration, it is worth looking for the right medicinal plants. Let yourself be advised, for example, by a plant expert.
Whether woody plants (such as laurel, thyme, rosemary or sage) or herbaceous (mint, calendula, nettle or oregano), the variety of medicinal species that can be cultivated is very wide. And they do not necessarily have to present an austere appearance like nettle or onion. Here we present 6 of them that are beautiful and do not need much care.
14 MEDICINAL PLANTS YOU CAN GROW AT HOME
Some medicinal plants are very beautiful for their color and showiness. Here we have chosen seven that are easy to find and that, for the most part, do not require special care.
1. ECHINACEA, A GREAT STIMULUS OF THE DEFENSES
This North American plant (Echinacea purpurea) blooms in summer and until mid-autumn. In summer the flowers, large and showy, are collected, and in autumn, the root. It should be planted in full sun or partial sun, in parterre or planter, and is ideal for decorating terraces and patios. It requires little care.
- Properties: immunostimulant, antiseptic, antiallergenic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, sudorific, choleretic.
- Indications: being excellent to enhance the immune response, it is recommended to prevent or improve respiratory infections such as flu, colds, pharyngitis, laryngitis and sinusitis and combat allergic accesses with rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Externally, it acts as a very effective anti-inflammatory on wounds, burns, epidermal inflammations and oral and ocular inflammations.
- How it is used: in infusion, associated with other plants that complement its action, in tincture or syrup. The tincture or infusion is applied externally in scrubs, baths, eye drops and mouthwashes.
- Precautions: avoid orally in pregnancy and during lactation and if there is liver damage.
1. ECHINACEA, A GREAT STIMULUS OF THE DEFENSES
This North American plant (Echinacea purpurea) blooms in summer and until mid-autumn. In summer the flowers, large and showy, are collected, and in autumn, the root. It should be planted in full sun or partial sun, in parterre or planter, and is ideal for decorating terraces and patios. It requires little care.
- Properties: immunostimulant, antiseptic, antiallergenic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, sudorific, choleretic.
- Indications: being excellent to enhance the immune response, it is recommended to prevent or improve respiratory infections such as flu, colds, pharyngitis, laryngitis and sinusitis and combat allergic accesses with rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Externally, it acts as a very effective anti-inflammatory on wounds, burns, epidermal inflammations and oral and ocular inflammations.
- How it is used: in infusion, associated with other plants that complement its action, in tincture or syrup. The tincture or infusion is applied externally in scrubs, baths, eye drops and mouthwashes.
- Precautions: avoid orally in pregnancy and during lactation and if there is liver damage.
3. CAPUCHIN AGAINST FUNGAL INFECTIONS
One of the advantages of nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is that its flowering extends over many months, from spring to autumn. And the spectacle it offers is worth it: its flowers, orange or red, are large and showy.
The plant, native to South America (from the area of Ecuador and Peru), grows well in pots and planters, but also in flowerbeds. It prefers half shade and resists frost poorly. For medicinal use the flowering tops are collected, in spring or summer.
- Properties: expectorant, antibiotic, antitussive, diuretic, antifungal, rubefacient, scalp stimulant.
- Indications: it is recommended in respiratory tract infections (flu, pharyngitis) and urinary tract (cystitis, urethritis), as well as to prevent the formation of kidney stones and reduce urea rates in the urine. As a moderate diuretic, it helps treat edema and fluid retention. But mostly it is used in topical application on fungal infections on the skin, to relieve muscle tension and to stimulate or strengthen the scalp and slow down hair loss.
- How to use: internally in simple or mixed infusion (one tablespoon per cup of water, two cups daily), in liquid extract and tincture; and, externally, the most concentrated infusion or tincture in massage or friction of the scalp. It can be found as an ingredient in creams or ointments for fungi and in shampoos to strengthen hair.
- Precautions: avoid seeds, which are toxic, and do not take it orally in case of pregnancy, gastritis, hypothyroidism, kidney or heart failure.
3. CAPUCHIN AGAINST FUNGAL INFECTIONS
One of the advantages of nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is that its flowering extends over many months, from spring to autumn. And the spectacle it offers is worth it: its flowers, orange or red, are large and showy.
The plant, native to South America (from the area of Ecuador and Peru), grows well in pots and planters, but also in flowerbeds. It prefers half shade and resists frost poorly. For medicinal use the flowering tops are collected, in spring or summer.
- Properties: expectorant, antibiotic, antitussive, diuretic, antifungal, rubefacient, scalp stimulant.
- Indications: it is recommended in respiratory tract infections (flu, pharyngitis) and urinary tract (cystitis, urethritis), as well as to prevent the formation of kidney stones and reduce urea rates in the urine. As a moderate diuretic, it helps treat edema and fluid retention. But mostly it is used in topical application on fungal infections on the skin, to relieve muscle tension and to stimulate or strengthen the scalp and slow down hair loss.
- How to use: internally in simple or mixed infusion (one tablespoon per cup of water, two cups daily), in liquid extract and tincture; and, externally, the most concentrated infusion or tincture in massage or friction of the scalp. It can be found as an ingredient in creams or ointments for fungi and in shampoos to strengthen hair.
- Precautions: avoid seeds, which are toxic, and do not take it orally in case of pregnancy, gastritis, hypothyroidism, kidney or heart failure.
5. CHINESE PEONY, AN ALLY OF WOMEN
This plant from the Far East (Paeonia lactiflora), with large and fleshy roots, displays spectacular and aromatic pink, white or bicolor flowers. In the peninsula and the Balearic Islands there are three species of peonies, but they are protected and should not be collected. They can be planted in large parterres or large planters, in half shade, although it should be borne in mind that they take time to become large and need generous watering.
They can also be found in nurseries and gardens. They bloom from late spring to early autumn and, for medicinal use, the flowers and root are used.
- Properties: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative, astringent, anticonvulsant, purgative.
- Indications: traditional Chinese medicine knows it as bai shao yao and recommends it to tone the liver and spleen, combat migraine and regulate heavy menses. It is also indicated to relieve spasmodic pain of menstruation and hot flashes and night sweats of menopause. It is considered sedative, soothes irritability and palpitations, and relieves muscle tension and cramps.
- How it is used: in infusion or decoction, usually in mixed herbal teas (up to 3 glasses a day, in non-prolonged treatments), in tincture and in tablets.
- Precautions: should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation, and should not be given to children under 12 years of age.
6. THE RELAXING MILAMORES
Mila mores (Entrants rubber), also known as red valerian, is a very resistant and undemanding plant. Its flowers, white or deep or light pink, gather in dense cymes and can appear from late winter to the following autumn.
It is usually planted on slopes or rockeries, next to walls and steps. In autumn the root is collected.
- Properties: it is considered sedative, myorelaxant, antispasmodic and antiarrhythmic, because it shares, although attenuated, a good part of the attributes of its relative the common valerian.
- Indications: like valerian, it is ideal for relaxing and reducing nervousness and muscle tension, and can relieve occasional insomnia. It improves its action if combined with plants that complement it, such as hawthorn, hops or poppy.
- How it is used: in decoction, associated with other plants, two cups a day, the last one an hour before bedtime, or in tincture and fluid extract.
- Precautions: Considered safe.
7. ROSEMARY
Rosemary is one of the popular cooking plants due to its intense aroma. As an infusion, it promotes the healing of colds and relieves stomach cramps.
Like thyme, rosemary is one of the sun-loving plants.
8. SAGE
The large, fleshy leaves of sage don’t just promise to help with sore throats and stomach problems. You can also use them as a natural treatment for insect bites or for dental care.
- Sun: Most species of sage are very fond of direct or indirect sunlight, placing them in a well-lit place.
- Water: Water it when the soil is completely dry. During the growing season, water it regularly to keep the soil moist but not over-wet.
- Fertilization: Give it a liquid fertilizer well diluted in irrigation water once every 15 days in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, decrease the frequency of fertilizer.
- Pruning it: Pruning it can often help keep it compact and stimulate its flourishing. Most species of sage should be pruned in the spring and in the summer after flowering.
- Substrate: Sage prefers a well-drained, nutrient-rich substrate. It is recommended to use specific substrates for aromatic plants.
It is important to note that different varieties of sage may have different care needs, so it is advisable to investigate the specific needs of the species being grown to achieve the best result.
9. CHAMOMILE
Chamomile is one of the classic medicinal plants. You’ve probably inhaled chamomile when you had a cold or had an infusion to relieve gastrointestinal problems.
- Sun: The chamomile plant prefers direct to partial sunlight. Place it in a place where it receives direct sunlight during the morning and partial shade during the afternoon.
- Water: Water it regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Do not overwater it.
- Substrate: Chamomile prefers a well-drained and fertile substrate. It is recommended to use a mixture of potting soil and compost.
- Fertilization: It does not need much fertilization, but a diluted liquid compost can be added once a month during the growing season.
- Pruning: Prune it when the flowers have finished blooming to keep it compact and stimulate the growth of new flowers.
10. ST. JOHN’S WORT
St. John’s wort is a component of numerous medications and is primarily used for anxiety and depression. You do not need to swallow pills to take advantage of its mood-enhancing effects.
An infusion with the fresh plant also works. St. John’s wort oil is also easy to make and you can also use the plant as a natural additive for relaxation baths.
- Sun: St. John’s wort needs direct sunlight to thrive. Find a place to place it where it receives at least 6 hours of sun a day.
- Water: Water it regularly during active growth to keep soil moist, but not waterlogged. During periods of drought, the frequency of watering increases.
- Substrate: The St. John’s wort plant prefers a well-drained and slightly acidic substrate. Use a mixture of potting soil and peat or vermiculite.
- Fertilization: It does not require much fertilization, but an organic fertilizer can be added once a month during the growing season.
- Pruning: Pruning the St. John’s wort plant after flowering to keep it compact and promote the growth of new flowers.
Be sure to remove all dead leaves and flowers to prevent the spread of disease. Also, keep in mind that St. John’s wort can be an invasive plant, so keep its growth under control if necessary.
11. MINT
Mint tastes delicious in hot infusions and refreshing lemonades. Regular consumption of the popular plant also strengthens the immune system and speeds up metabolism.
Since mint tends to spread on the ground, it may be advisable to plant it in a pot. Keep it in a sunny corner or with partial shade and water it well, especially if the weather is dry and hot.
12. LEMON BALM
If you only know lemon balm as a tasty herbal teach, you will be surprised to learn about its various healing effects. You can use it, among other things, to make a natural lip balm against herpes and to relieve headaches, morning sickness or menstrual cramps.
Lemon balm is easy to care for and thrives best in a sunny, wind-protected place.
13. LAVENDER
Lavender is beautiful to look at, smells wonderful and even children can use it to support their health and well-being. It has a relaxing and sleep-inducing effect, among other things.
Lavender thrives particularly well in a sunny place in combination with dry, calcareous soil.
14. THYME
You are probably familiar with thyme as a typical spice of the kitchen. But did you also know that the small-leaved plant has numerous healing properties? You can use it, for example, for colds, stomach problems and sore throats.
Thyme prefers dry, loose soil and a sunny, wind-protected place.
There is a plant for every disease, as the monks of the Middle Ages already knew. Traditionally, they cultivated numerous plants in the gardens of monasteries so that they could quickly access the right medicinal plant in case of illness.
In earlier times, pharmacies also had so-called apothecary gardens, thanks to which they could always provide their customers with the various healing powers of nature.
Unfortunately, apart from some plant gardens in parks and botanical gardens, this practice has fallen into disuse, and most people today rely on products from the pharmaceutical industry, even to treat mild illnesses that do not require them.
But, of course, it never hurts to have a friend or a specialist to help choose the right plants for each place. Mariano Bueno’s book ‘Cultivar Tus Remedios’ (Ed. RBA) offers extensive information on how to choose and care for medicinal plants.
