The 10 best medicinal plants from your own garden

Medicine from your own garden? These ten plants feel just as comfortable in the front yard as in the pharmacy.

Herbs and medicinal plants are probably the oldest medicine in the world. With their active ingredients, they naturally help against many ailments and support the body. But anyone who thinks that medicinal plants are not only completely outdated, but also difficult to plant, is wrong. Often the little helpers thrive in the gardens at home without anyone suspecting their healing power. These ten plants not only fit in every bed, but also enrich every medicine cabinet.

Note: Even if the plants have positive effects on health, they are not a substitute for medicines. If you are seriously ill or are unsure about the dosage and use, please contact a doctor or pharmacist.

basil

basil is not only a hit as a delicious addition to tomatoes and mozzarella. The little herb also cuts a fine figure as a medicinal plant. The plant has an anti-inflammatory effect and can relieve swelling. In addition, basil with its essential oils helps against many gastrointestinal complaints. Regardless of whether you have a stomach ache or nausea: basil helps if you eat the wrong food.

lavender

This purple-colored plant can already be found in many gardens, and rightly so. Finally he sees lavender not only looks beautiful, but also has a bewitching smell. The lavender oil, which is obtained from the fragrant flowers, has a positive effect on the psyche. If you sleep poorly or wake up at night, a few drops of the oil on the pillow or a lavender bath will safely accompany you through the night. In addition to its calming effect, lavender is also a real insect repellent. Aphids avoid plants near lavender, and moths also stay away from wardrobes with a lavender bag.

chamomile

Who didn't have to drink chamomile tea when they were sick in bed as a child? chamomile is a real classic among the medicinal plants and not without reason. It relaxes the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract and thus helps against abdominal pain, has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. It also drives away bloating and flatulence and is the ideal plant for all kinds of abdominal pain. Simply brewed as a tea, it helps the digestion to get going again and looks good in every garden with its yellow-white flowers. However, allergy sufferers to daisy flowers should be careful when using chamomile, in rare cases allergic reactions can occur.

Lemon balm

Lemon balm is a real all-rounder in the garden. Not only does the plant smell particularly good (which is why it is also often referred to as lemon balm), but is also a pleasure as a spice. Melissa is also known as a medicinal plant. It has an anti-anxiety and calming effect (similar to lavender). It also relieves gas and bloating, and helps the stomach relax. However, the essential oil of lemon balm should never be used undiluted as it can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. Instead, a dish with lemon balm is not only delicious, but also protects against stomach ache.

Feverfew

Is that chamomile? Almost, because feverfew not only looks similar to the famous chamomile, but is also related to it. It is therefore not surprising that feverfew can also have a beneficial effect on the body. Already in ancient times the herb was used against birth pains, which is very likely to give it its name. In English, on the other hand, the plant is called "Feverfew" (freely translated: less fever), which indicates its fever-relieving effect. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Feverfew is easy to take as a tea, even if it tastes extremely bitter. However, caution is advised during pregnancy. Pregnant women should not take the herb as it can induce labor. People with sunflower allergy should also refrain from using the plant.

rosemary

Hearty dishes and a Mediterranean atmosphere characterize the Rosemary the end. But this popular spice can do a lot more. It's not just its aroma that makes it the perfect addition to fatty dishes. Rosemary also prevents the gas and bloating that may arise after such a feast. The spice not only stimulates digestion. The blood circulation in the skin is also stimulated by a bath with rosemary oil and the circulation gets going. During the massage, rosemary loosens cramped muscles and can help against sore muscles and back pain.

Marigolds

A yellow to orange-red flower dream - Marigolds (Calendula officinalis) are grown as a decorative element in many gardens. The beautiful flower can do a lot more. If the flowers are processed in ointments or creams, they help the skin to heal. The wounds close sooner and there is less inflammation, which is why the marigold is found in a variety of wound healing ointments. Inflammations in the mouth or throat also benefit from the medicinal properties of the plant. On the other hand, marigold can cause slight irritation on sensitive skin. On the other hand, people with sunflower allergy should completely avoid using marigolds, as allergic reactions can occur here.

thyme

In addition to rosemary and oregano is also one of them thyme to Mediterranean cuisine and is an indispensable part of any good herb garden. The aromatic shrub not only tastes good, however: the kitchen spice also does a good job in the event of a summer flu. The essential oils of thyme loosen stubborn mucus from the lungs and alleviate persistent coughs. It also relaxes the bronchial muscles and has a pain relieving effect. This can help alleviate the symptoms of acute bronchitis. However, you should never take thyme oil undiluted as it irritates the mucous membrane too much. Small children and asthmatics in particular should not take any essential oils from thyme, as this can lead to shortness of breath in them.

Meadowsweet

Was formerly Meadowsweet a common medicinal herb, today it is hardly known. But the plant with the sweet smell wrongly disappeared into oblivion. Meadowsweet is a real beauty with its filigree flowers on the large inflorescences. It also contains the precursors of salicylic acid. This active ingredient is best known for its sister, acetylsalicylic acid, which is probably part of the most common drug in Germany: aspirin. Meadowsweet also has anti-inflammatory and fever-lowering effects and relieves headaches and body aches, albeit not as strongly as the well-known headache remedy. Meadowsweet also improves cold and flu symptoms and is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Caution: People who are allergic to salicylates (for example aspirin) should also not take meadowsweet.

arnica

Almost wiped out - that was how popular it was arnica as a medicinal herb that collecting over the centuries led to the destruction of numerous stocks. But meanwhile the stocks have recovered and with the right care, the bright yellow flower can also thrive in home gardens. As an ointment and tincture, the plant helps against swellings, sprains or bruises and relieves pain, but should never get on open wounds. In homeopathy, too, the plant is often used against a variety of injuries. Except in the strong homeopathic dilution, arnica should not be taken. In larger quantities, the plant is poisonous and leads to vomiting, dizziness, headache, stomach ache and palpitations. Sunflower allergy sufferers and pregnant women should also refrain from external use, as it can lead to allergic reactions.

Would you like to create optimal growth conditions for your medicinal herbs? Then plant them in a high-quality organic soil like our Plantura Organic herb & sowing soil. The peat-free substrate is perfectly tailored to the needs of herbs.

Some medicinal herbs have an immune-boosting effect on us humans. Here you can find an overview of Herbs that strengthen the immune system.