Your grandmother was smart when she opted for herbs instead of pills. Modern day scientists are finding out what healers have known for ages; many kitchen herbs have healing properties that can be more effective than man-made medications, and pose fewer side effects – not to mention, they're less expensive!
Bring Hummingbirds Right To Your Window!
Check PriceThe best thing is that you can grow this whole natural pharmacy on your windowsill or in a small patch in the garden. Here are nine amazing healing herbs that should always be in your home and your medicine cabinet.
Save this article for later so you don't lose it. Enter your email and I'll send it to you now—plus you'll get my favorite backyard birding tips delivered to your inbox.
1. Turmeric – The Most Potent Natural Anti-Inflammatory
One of the ingredients in golden root is called curcumin with the ability to reduce inflammation more than many prescription medications. Studies suggest golden root can alleviate pain from arthritis, enhance cognitive ability, decrease the risk of heart disease, and more! To enjoy its many benefits, combine one teaspoon of golden root powder with warm milk. Add a little black pepper to help with absorption by 2000%! Enjoy!
2. Ingwer – Der beste Heiler für dein Verdauungssystem
Ginger works on multiple pain channels inside your body, which is why it is so effective for nausea, motion sickness, and upset stomachs. If you make ginger tea, use fresh ginger instead of dried for better results. Simply cut a thumb-sized ginger piece and add it to boiling water. Let it steep for about 10 minutes. Ginger can be used by pregnant women suffering from morning sickness, but it is recommended that they limit their intake to 1 gram a day.
3. Holy Basil – The Stress-Fighting Powerhouse
This isn’t your typical cooking basil! Holy Basil (Tulsi) helps lower the body's stress hormones naturally and helps manage stress. It also helps lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and improves your sleep quality without the grogginess associated with sleep medications. For an evening tea that helps you unwind, brew 1 tablespoon of fresh holy basil leaves in hot water.
4. Echinacea – Das Beste für dein Immunsystem
The purple coneflower improves immune function by stimulating white blood cell activity. Research shows that when taken at the first signs of a cold, it can reduce the duration of the cold by as much as 58%. To use it, you can create a tincture from the root and leaves, or dry the whole plant and use it to make tea. For best effectiveness, take it cyclically for 10 days on and 3 days off.
Get our free Hummingbird Attraction Guide! Plus, we'll send you our best tips for attracting more birds to your yard.
5. Calendula – The Champion Of Skin Healing
The compounds found in bright orange petals of Calendula speed up the process of wound healing and help with scar reduction. It has a gentle enough nature to be used on babies and is potent enough to heal severe cuts and burns. For a healing salve that outshines most over the counter ointments, infuse the petals in olive oil for 2 weeks, then strain.
6. Lemon Balm: A Natural Way to Help With Anxiety
This mint family member is lemony and contains elements that interact with GABA receptors, so it helps relieve anxiety without the sedative effects. Fresh lemon balm tea is tasty and effective, it calms the nerves in about half an hour. It is also antiviral so it is great for cold sore and digestive virus.
7. Chamomile – Beyond Just Tea For Sleep
Chamomile equals apigenin, which attaches to receptors in your brain to increase sleepiness and lower anxiety. Apigenin is also anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. You can use the flowers to make a tea, which is great for internal healing. You can also make a tea and use the tea bags on your skin and on your eyes for relief.
8. Oregano – An Antibiotic from Nature
Oregano oil is made with carvacrol and thymol. These can kill harmful bacteria like antibiotics do. They are great for respiratory infections and problems with the digestive system. Make sure to dilute the oregano oil first (do not use it straight) and combine it with a carrier oil or try steam inhalations with fresh leaves if you're having bronchial congestion.
9. Thyme – The Protector of the Respiratory System
Thyme essential oils are an expectorant that can assist with mucus clearance in the lungs and airways and are also antiseptic and antifungal. A simple thyme honey syrup can be made by layering fresh thyme and honey in a jar for a day and then straining it. This natural cough syrup beats most store bought versions.
Expanding Your Healing Herb Garden
Many healing herbs can be grown successfully in containers. They usually prefer well-draining soil and exposure to the sun in the morning. You can begin with a few basics such as ginger (which can be grown from grocery store roots), turmeric (which requires warm conditions), and chamomile (which self-seeds readily). You should harvest herbs when the dew has dried, but before the hot sun wilts them.
Safety First: Knowing When to Be Cautious
While herbs are considered to be safer than man-made drugs, they can still react adversely to other medications. For example, echinacea can cause negative reactions for people with autoimmune disorders. Turmeric, for example, carries a greater risk of bleeding. Ginger can potentially have a negative impact on people who take medications to help control their blood pressure. Always talk to your healthcare provider first prior to using herbs for medicine if you take prescription medication or have ongoing conditions.
You don't need a ton of space or a degree to start your own natural pharmacy. What it does take is patience and a respect for the plants. Begin with a couple, get to know each of their personalities, and expand your collection over time. Eventually, you'll be able to save money and avoid the negative side effects of synthetic drugs by using your own collection of natural healing remedies. They'll get stronger and more effective every season!
