A lot of the medicine that is currently distributed by the United States health system is extremely expensive and filled with unnatural chemicals that have horrible side effects. Adding medicinal plants to your garden can not only save your pocketbooks, it can also save your life!

These 10 medicinal plants can be grown in your garden:



1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera grows well under the sun with well-drained or moist soil. Its sap is useful for speeding up healing and reducing skin infections. It can help heal wounds, cuts, burns, and eczema.

Aloe can also help treat:

-Ulcerative colitis

-Chronic constipation

-Digestive problems

2. Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle is a quick-growing plant with leaves that are covered with tiny, silica-tipped hairs that can irritate the skin. Nettle prefers rich soil with good moisture content. They enjoy full sun or partial shade. Nettle is a great nutritious addition to the diet and has been used as an herbal remedy in many traditions.

Stinging Nettle can be used to remedy the following:

-Cleanses the blood

-Treats hay fever

-Arthritis and anemia

-Excessive menstruation

-Hemorrhoids

-Rheumatism

-Eczema

-Chicken pox

-Bruises

-Burns

3. Marsh Mallow



Marsh Mallow was widely used as a medicinal plant by the Greeks and Romans to soothe coughs, sore throats, indigestion, and to heal wounds. Marsh Mallows prefer partial sunlight but will grow well in the shade or in full sun. For the best growth, make sure to use rich soil that will retain moisture. Marsh Mallow leaves are edible and can be boiled, fried, or added to salads.

The root is taken internally to treat:

-Inflammations and irritations of the urinary and respiratory mucus membranes

-Counter excess stomach acid

-Peptic ulceration

-Gastritis

-Externally, the root can be applied to:

-Sprains

-Splinters

-Insect bites

-Bruises

-Skin inflammations

-Aching muscles

4. Fenugreek



Fenugreek has traditionally been used in cuisines in India for thousands of years. Although its seeds are most commonly used, fresh Fenugreek leaves can make a flavorful addition to salads and other raw dishes. It does best in full sunlight and grows in well-drained soil.

Fenugreek seeds can be taken to:

-Restore a dull sense of taste

-Freshen bad breath

-Inhibit cancer of the liver

-Lower blood cholesterol levels

-Treat inflammation and ulcers of the stomach and intestines

-Cure late onset diabetes

-Help poor digestion

-Help relieve labor pains

-Help with insufficient lactation

-Relieve painful menstruation

5. Great Burdock

Great burdock is a famous herbal medicine for detoxification in both Chinese and Western herbal medicine. Over the centuries, it has been used as an antidote for acute poisoning and parasites. Burdock is adaptable to different levels of light, from partial shade to full sun. It does well in sandy, well-drained soil.

The root is used to treat various skin diseases such as:

-Boils

-Rashes

-Burns

-Herpes

-Bruises

-Eczema

-Acne

-Bites

-Ringworm

-Impetigo

6. Arnica

Arnica grows well outdoors and is able to withstand temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Arnica is mostly used externally, but can also be used orally. Arnica thrives in nutrient-poor soil and grows best in direct sunlight.

Arnica is applied to the skin for pain and swelling associated with:

-Bruises

-Aches

-Sprains

-Arthritis

It can also be taken by mouth for:

-Sour throat

-Insect bites

-Sore gums

7. Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn has been used throughout the centuries in China to relieve cough, aid digestion, invigorate blood circulation and alleviate pain. It can grow in extremely frosty conditions and is easy to propagate. Sea buckthorn grows best in well-drained soil with a large amount of organic matter.

The bark and leaves are used to treat diarrhea, gastrointestinal, dermatological disorders and topical compressions for rheumatoid arthritis. The flowers can be used as skin softeners.

Fresh sea buckthorn berry juice is known to help:

-Colds

-Fever

-Exhaustion

-Stomach ulcers

-Cancer

-Metabolic disorders

-Liver diseases

-Inflammation

-Peptic ulcers

-Gastritis

-Eczema

-Canker sores

-General ulcerative disorders

-Keratitis

-Trachoma

8. Tea Tree

Native to Australia, tea tree tends to grow in warmer climates. In cooler zones, it can be grown in a container and moved to suit its needs. Aborigines have been using tea tree leaves for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. They chew on young leaves to relieve headaches.

Tea tree oil can be used to treat:

-Cystitis

-Glandular fever

-Chronic fatigue syndrome

-Thrush

-Vaginal infections

-Acne

-Athlete’s foot

-Warts

-Insect bites

-Cold sores

-Minor burns

9. Chamomile

German chamomile is well known for its herbal tea. It has a soothing and calming effect and is used to end stress and aid in sleep.

The entire herb can be used to treat:

-Toothache

-Earache

-Shoulder pain

-Neuralgia

10. Sage

The Latin word for Sage is Salvia, which means ‘to heal’. Sage grows best in rich, well-draining soil but it can tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions. The plant prefers full sun.

Internally, sage is used for:

-Indigestion

-Flatulence

-Excessive lactation

-Excessive perspiration

-Excessive salvation

-Anxiety

-Depression

-Female sterility

-Menopausal problems

Externally, sage is used for:

-Insect bites

-Skin infections

-Throat infections

-Mouth infections

-Gum infections

-Skin infections

With these 10 plants growing in your garden, you will have your own free farm-acy, helping to cure any ailments that come your way!

Ariana Marisol is a contributing staff writer for REALfarmacy.com. She is an avid nature enthusiast, gardener, photographer, writer, hiker, dreamer, and lover of all things sustainable, wild, and free.

Photo Credits:

Sean Hobson/flickr

J Brew/flickr

Phil Selens/flickr

Arizona Herb Association/flickr

Ella Depp/flickr

Maja Dumat/flickr

Arthur Chapman/flickr

John Tann/flickr

Swallowtail Garden Seeds/flickr

Alice Henneman/flickr

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