Herbs That Heal - Natural Remedies You Can Grow at Home
Are you not a fan of over-the-counter medications and don't like pouring supposedly natural syrups into yourself? Then this article is for you - about herbs that you can grow yourself and make, for example, a tea against colds.Why Grow Your Own Medicinal Herbs?
Growing your own medicinal herbs gives you complete control over what you consume. You know exactly how they were grown, that no harmful chemicals were used, and you can harvest them at the peak of their potency. Plus, having fresh herbs on hand means you can prepare remedies immediately when you need them.
Best Herbs for Common Ailments
Herbs for Colds and Flu
Elderflower (Sambucus nigra) - One of the most effective herbs for fighting colds. Elderflower tea induces sweating, which helps reduce fever naturally. It also supports the immune system and has antiviral properties.
Linden blossom (Tilia) - Another excellent choice for colds. Linden tea soothes irritated throats, reduces fever, and helps with coughs. It's also calming, which helps you rest better when ill.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) - Perfect for respiratory issues. Thyme contains powerful antibacterial compounds and helps loosen mucus. It's excellent for coughs, bronchitis, and throat infections.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) - Ideal for sore throats and mouth infections. Sage has strong antiseptic properties and can be used as a gargle or tea.
Herbs for Digestive Problems
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) - Relieves digestive discomfort, bloating, and nausea. Peppermint tea is one of the most pleasant-tasting medicinal teas and works quickly.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) - Soothes the entire digestive tract, reduces inflammation, and helps with stomach cramps. It's gentle enough for children and sensitive stomachs.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) - Excellent for bloating and gas. Fennel seeds can be chewed directly or brewed into tea.
Herbs for Stress and Sleep
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) - Calms the nervous system, helps with anxiety, and improves sleep quality. It has a pleasant lemony taste.
Lavender (Lavandula) - Not just for sachets! Lavender tea helps with insomnia, nervousness, and headaches.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - One of the strongest natural sedatives. Valerian root helps with serious sleep problems and anxiety.
How to Grow Medicinal Herbs
Most medicinal herbs are surprisingly easy to grow. Many actually thrive on neglect - they prefer poorer soil and don't need much watering. Here are the basics:
- Location - Most herbs love sun (at least 6 hours daily). Mint and lemon balm tolerate partial shade.
- Soil - Well-draining soil is essential. Mediterranean herbs (thyme, sage, lavender) prefer drier conditions.
- Watering - Let the soil dry between waterings. Overwatering is the main killer of herb plants.
- Container growing - Most herbs grow excellently in pots, perfect for balconies and patios.
Harvesting and Storing
When to harvest: Pick herbs in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot. This is when their essential oils are most concentrated.
Drying: Tie herbs in small bundles and hang upside down in a dark, well-ventilated place. Direct sunlight destroys valuable compounds. Properly dried herbs should retain their color and aroma.
Storage: Store dried herbs in airtight glass jars away from light. They'll maintain their potency for about a year.
How to Prepare Medicinal Tea
The basic recipe is simple:
- Use 1-2 teaspoons of dried herbs (or 2-3 teaspoons of fresh) per cup
- Pour hot water (not boiling - around 80-90°C is ideal)
- Cover and steep for 5-10 minutes
- Strain and drink while warm
Tip: Covering the cup while steeping is important - it prevents valuable essential oils from evaporating.
Important Precautions
While herbs are natural, they're not always harmless:
- Some herbs interact with medications - always check with your doctor if you're on prescription drugs
- Pregnant and nursing women should be especially careful with herbal remedies
- Start with small amounts to test for allergic reactions
- Herbal remedies work best for minor ailments - serious conditions require professional medical care
Getting Started
Begin with 3-4 herbs that address your most common health concerns. For a basic medicinal herb garden, we recommend: peppermint (digestion), chamomile (calming and digestion), thyme (respiratory issues), and lemon balm (stress and sleep).
These four herbs are easy to grow, highly effective, and cover most common minor ailments. Once you've mastered these, you can expand your herbal pharmacy according to your needs.
Growing your own medicinal herbs connects you with centuries of traditional healing wisdom while giving you a safe, natural alternative to synthetic medications for common complaints. Start your healing herb garden today!
Herbs That Heal
The market is flooded with countless preparations for all kinds of ailments and illnesses. All claim to be guaranteed the best and promise to help. We can travel back in time and make our own homemade guaranteed remedies. But is this really going back in time? Rather the opposite. Homemade medicines are increasingly preferred and we all long to learn how to make them. Here you can read and try several recipes for common ailments such as runny nose or bloating.
The cornerstones of these remedies are herbs. You can grow herbs yourself. Order herb seeds from our e-shop. Some herbs you know well, some you may be growing for the first time.
Respiratory Problems
Sage
Common sage (lat. Salvia officinalis L.) - salvia comes from the word to heal. Sage is a versatile herb. It has strong antibiotic effects in treating throat infections, tonsillitis, and sore throats. We gargle with sage decoction. Sage tea with marjoram works in treating shingles. We drink the tea when treating bladder inflammation. Sage tincture is used against hair loss. Nursing mothers drink sage tea when stopping breast milk production.
Sage contains a mildly toxic substance - thujone. Long-term use is not recommended. It is not recommended for pregnant women.
Sage gargle effectively works against bad breath and fungi. Sage contains substances similar to the female hormone estrogen. It is therefore suitable for treating gynecological problems. During menstruation and menopause.
Plantain
Ribwort plantain (lat. Plantago lanceolata) - plantain syrup is effective against cough. Its effects are well known. Its preparation is simple.
Plantain syrup: Lightly dry 30g of plantain leaves. Cut them into smaller pieces and add to 25g of pure alcohol. Once everything is soaked, pour 225g of boiling water over the mixture. Let it stand for a day. Then strain and mix in 300g of sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil. Store jars filled with syrup in a cool, dark place.
Syrups, teas and mixtures made from dried plantain are medicinal. They help with runny nose and colds, sinus inflammation, hoarseness, sore throat and bronchitis. You can also use plantain for digestive problems. It helps treat constipation.
Savory
Summer savory (lat. Satureia Hortensis L.) - belongs among lesser-known herbs. A decoction made from savory helps with bronchial asthma and disinfects the airways. Savory lowers blood pressure and suppresses tachycardia. It is a well-known cardiotonic.
Savory decoction strengthens the mind, improves overall body resistance, and calms heart activity. It helps with the feeling of thirst in diabetics (tea prepared from savory). Savory supports digestion. It acts against bloating.
Savory decoction is prepared by mixing a teaspoon of dried savory with cold water and bringing it to a boil. Then remove from heat and let it steep for another 10 minutes. After that, use the decoction 2-3 times daily before meals.
Dried savory does not lose its distinctive taste. Savory cannot be overused. However, if you use it frequently, you may irritate your stomach, kidneys, and generally cause nausea.
For Women
Buckwheat
Common buckwheat (lat. Fagopyrum esculentum) - belongs among exceptional detoxifying herbs. It effectively cleanses the body. It improves metabolism. It helps reduce cholesterol levels. It takes care of good blood vessel permeability and thus improves heart function. It increases vein resistance - they burst less whether on the face or thighs. It works in treating hemorrhoids, leg ulcers, and nosebleeds. It is suitable for pregnant women. It maintains male potency. It treats intestinal problems. It warms and promotes blood circulation in the body.
Amino acids contained in buckwheat act preventively against cold sores. It is suitable for diets. It contains a large amount of fiber. Also a large amount of vitamins, iron, rutin, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, and others.
Recommendation: Buckwheat should become a regular part of your diet. Try buckwheat soup. Or just cooked buckwheat as a side dish instead of rice, for example, or in vegetable salads. You can also consume cooked buckwheat as a sweet dish. Preparation is very simple.
Digestive Problems
Fennel
Common fennel (lat. Foeniculum vulgare Mill) - suppresses bloating. It belongs among proven herbs. Fennel teas are given for "gas" even to the smallest children. It is part of tea for nursing mothers (it stimulates breast milk production). Fennel tea does not need to be sweetened, it is naturally sweet. If you are not a fan of drinking tea, prepare chicken or vegetable broth into which you slice fennel. Fennel has tasty bulbs similar to onions. They can be commonly purchased in supermarkets or at vegetable stands.
Drink fennel tea during diets - it rids the body of unnecessary toxins. Fennel decoction can be used for eye rinsing, it helps with tired and dry eyes. It has disinfectant effects. Oil rubbed into the skin rids the body of skin parasites. Fennel has a diuretic effect. Fennel helps with coughing up mucus.
TIP: Prepare fennel tea to boost your energy. It will improve your mood and increase your appetite.
Rosemary
Rosemary (lat. Rosmarinus Officinalis L.) - Rosemary is an integral part of Mediterranean cuisine. It is used for digestive tract pain. It helps with bloating. It supports bile production. It improves overall physical and mental condition. It removes fatigue. It increases very low blood pressure.
Rosemary ointments help with joint pain. If you inhale rosemary, you can also relieve hay fever.
Tip: Rosemary increases blood circulation in the pelvis, which may lead to easier conception.
Fennel tea supports the production of breast milk. It is suitable for breastfeeding mothers.
Toothache
Clove
Clove or buds of Clove Tree (lat. Caryophyllus Aromaticus L.) - did you know that this popular Christmas spice consists of unripe harvested buds? Clove is most commonly used for toothache - in dentistry. It soothes pain in the tooth nerve. It is used in the production of mouthwashes. It prevents periodontitis. For toothache, simply make a tincture.
Clove tincture - Add 10g of cloves and one small cinnamon stick to half a liter of spirits. Let it infuse for 14 days. Strain. Then apply to painful areas around the tooth. You can apply up to 6 times daily. If the pain persists, see a doctor. Do not underestimate toothache (inflammation can develop very quickly, etc.).
Clove has significant aphrodisiac effects. If you want to experience a night full of passion, try clove in combination with other aphrodisiac treats and perhaps aromatherapy. Let fragrant oils scent your bedroom.
Clove is suitable for aromatherapy. Clove oil creates a pleasant atmosphere. It relaxes the mind and body.
For headaches, massage clove oil into your temples. If you suffer from skin problems, wash your face with clove decoction.
Migraines and Headaches
Ginger
Ginger (lat. Zingiber Officinale rosc.) - is a basic component of Indian Ayurvedic medicine. It reduces the aggressiveness of gastric juices. It works effectively for migraines and headaches. It reduces motion sickness and pregnancy nausea. The effects of ginger do not transfer to the fetus, so it is suitable for pregnant women. Ginger helps jumpstart the entire organism. Its use will warm you up. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. It works against throat pain.
Compresses made from warm ginger decoction are applied to sore muscles and stiff neck.
Do you prefer home remedies or do you rather visit a doctor? What recipe made from home-grown herbs do you use for treatment?
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Author: Hana Michalíková