Best Medicinal Herbs to Grow in Your Garden

Feel free to share

15 Medicinal Herbs to Grow and Harvest

Long before the miracles of modern medicine, people relied on what they found in nature to keep them healthy and help them heal. Today, you can still create a variety of vital home remedies with these best medicinal herbs to grow in your garden.

It’s important to note that you should always consult with your doctor about your medical concerns, and these medicinal herbs should never be used in place of your doctor’s advice.

It’s also very important to understand how to use these herbs properly. If you’re interested in taking an herbal remedy course, I highly recommend the courses from Herbal Academy.

They have options that range from an Introductory Herbal Course and a Botanical Skin Care Course to Herbalism for Kids and a Natural Perfumery Course. These self-paced online courses are affordable, convenient, and provide everything you need to know about supporting your own wellness naturally.

Once you’re ready to start growing and making your own herbal remedies, consider planting a few of these best medicinal herbs.

1. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a fantastic medicinal herb to grow in your garden because it has so many wonderful uses. Although it’s strong and effective, it’s still gentle enough for children to use.

If you’re feeling stressed, crushing some lemon balm leaves in your hand and inhaling the fragrance can help. Best of all, stress relief isn’t the only medicinal use for lemon balm.

Medicinal Uses for Lemon Balm

Promotes sleep
Calms nerves
Alleviates upset stomachs
Eases colds
Reduces fevers
Soothes coughs

2. Calendula

Calendula is well known for its skin soothing properties. This is why you’ll often find it in everything from zero waste lotion bars and the most effective natural deodorants to natural shave soap bars and the best chemical-free sunscreens.

The bright and cheery flower is a beautiful addition to every garden. Since the flowers drop their seeds, the plants will easily grow back year after year. And pollinators love them!

Medicinal Uses for Calendula:

Relieves rashes
Eases wounds
Calms skin issues
Relieves muscle fatigue

3. Peppermint

Gardeners Basics, Peppermint Seeds for Planting is A Heirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO Herb Variety- Great for Indoor and Outdoor Gardening and Herbal Tea Gardens

You’ll notice several herbs on this list that are great for cooking and healing, and peppermint happens to be one of the them! Not only is peppermint tea excellent for upset stomachs, but a quick sniff of some crushed up leaves is also an amazing natural energy booster.

It’s important to note that like a lot of other plants in the mint family, peppermint spreads quickly and can easily takeover a garden. If you want to grow some peppermint in your garden but keep it under control, it’s a good idea to grow it in a container to discourage its spread.

Medicinal Uses for Peppermint:

Eases stomach issues
Calms motion/morning sickness
Relieves sinus problems
Soothes headaches
Cools skin on hot days

4. Bergamot

Sometimes also called bee balm or monarda, bergamot is known for its anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Not only does the pinkish-purplish flower look beautiful, but it also attracts all kinds of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Medicinal Uses for Bergamot

Eases coughs and sore throats
Reduces gas
Calms stomachaches and cramps
Soothes skin
Eases headaches

5. Chamomile

A lot of people know chamomile tea is a fantastic way to naturally ease yourself to sleep. The herb has a slightly sweet, fruity flavor that’s also great for relieving gas pain and upset stomachs.

Plus, not only can you use the flowers for medicinal purposes, but you can also dry them and use them in floral arrangements, crafts, wreaths, and more.

Medicinal Uses for Chamomile

Promotes sleep
Calms nerves
Eases upset stomachs
Reduces gas
Eases menstrual pain
Soothes inflammatory skin conditions

6. Lavender

Lavender is another herb known to help calm the body and ease it into sleep. The plant is also thought to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help heal minor scraps, burns, and bug bites.

Not only do bees love lavender blossoms, but the plant is also very easy to take care of in the garden since it’s drought tolerant and deer resistant.

Medicinal Uses for Lavender

Promotes sleep
Calms nerves
Eases headaches
Reduces menstrual pain
Soothes skin irritations

7. Echinacea

If someone in your house brings home a cold, you’ll be glad you have some echinacea growing in medicinal garden. That’s because the plant helps boost the immune system and helps the body fight infections.

You can use echinacea to naturally shorten the duration of a cold, and to reduce the symptoms of a cold, such as a cough, sore throat, and fever.

Medicinal Uses for Echinacea

Eases sore throats
Reduces coughs
Boosts the immune system
Calms nerves

8. Oregano

You love to cook with oregano because it tastes so good with a variety of different foods. But did you know it also has medicinal qualities? It has great antibacterial properties and is loaded with antioxidants.

Since it’s so easy to care for, it’s also one of the best herbs to grow in an indoor herb garden!

Medicinal Uses for Oregano

Eases coughs
Soothes sore throats
Loosens congestion
Settles nausea
Helps with digestion
Relieves muscle and joint pain

9. Sage

Sage is another popular culinary herb that has many uses around the home. Not only can the plant naturally keep mosquitoes out of your yard, but you can also use it to help soothe a variety of ailments.

The plant is high in antioxidants and packs a healthy dose of important vitamins and minerals. While we use the leaves for medicinal purposes, the plant’s pretty purple-blue flowers will attract pollinators to your garden.

Medicinal Uses for Sage

Aids in digestion
Relieves gas/bloating
Eases toothache/mouth sore pain
Soothes sore throats
Eases menstrual pain

10. Anise Hyssop

Anise hyssop is a perennial plant that does well in the garden. Since the plant grows throughout North America, it’s no surprise that Native Americans relied heavily on its medicinal powers.

It’s part of the mint family, and indeed has a minty, licorice flavor. The plant is fairly drought tolerant once established, so it’s something most people can easily grow in their garden.

Medicinal Uses for Anise Hyssop

Reduces coughs
Eases sore throats
Relieves gas and bloating
Soothes wounds, burns, and infections
Relieves congestion

11. Tulsi

Tulsi, sometimes also called holy basil, is a valuable medicinal herb. In India, it’s called the Queen of Herbs because of its ability to promote a healthy mind and body.

It’s an adaptogen, which means it can help your body deal with stress. It’s also a great energy booster!

In addition to having some in your garden, you can also easily grow it indoors for a continuous supply of fresh leaves during the winter.

Medicinal Uses for Tulsi

Eases sore throats
Relieves nausea and upset stomachs
Soothes bug bites
Increases energy
Promotes mental balance

12. Elecampane

Elecampane Seeds (Inula helenium) Packet of 40 Seeds

If you feel like you and your family deal with a lot of coughs and sore throats throughout the year, elecampane is an excellent medicinal herb to have on hand. This soothing herb has been used to treat coughs associated with colds, bronchitis, asthma, and more.

Since the root of the plant is used in herbal medicine, it’s best to let it become established before you start harvesting it.

Medicinal Uses for Elecampane

Reduces chest/lung congestion
Eases coughs
Relieves sore throats
Soothes nausea, gas, and upset stomachs

13. Garlic

If you love to add garlic to your food, you’re in luck! This herb tastes great and offers a variety of medicinal benefits.

Garlic is a powerful immune booster that’s great for fighting off a cold. Keep a jar of honey-infused garlic around the house at all times. At the first sign of illness, start eating a clove or two a day to stop that cold in its tracks.

Medicinal Uses for Garlic

Helps fight colds
Improves gum health
Has strong antibiotic properties

14. Yarrow

As a mom to a very accident-prone young boy, I think yarrow is one of the best medicinal herbs to grow because of its wound-healing abilities. In fact, its genus name, Achillea, comes from the mythological Greek warrior Achilles, since he used yarrow to treat his soldiers’ wounds.

However, yarrow isn’t just for scrapes and bruises. It can also help with colds and digestive issues.

Medicinal Uses for Yarrow

Stops bleeding
Heals wounds
Reduces fevers
Relieves toothaches
Eases digestive disorders

15. Dill

Humans have been using dill as a medicinal herb for more than 2,000 years. While you might use the leaves to add flavor to a variety of dishes, you can also use the seeds in home remedies.

Not only is dill exceptionally good for digestive issues, but it can also help fight colds and boost the immune system.

Medicinal Uses for Dill

Soothes menstrual cramp pain
Eases upset stomachs
Reduces gas and bloating
Clears respiratory congestion
Eases coughs
Promotes healthy gums

The Best Medicinal Herbs to Grow at Home

In addition to growing food you can eat in your garden, you can also grow plants that can aid in your health. As you’re planning your garden, make sure you set aside space for these best medicinal herbs to grow at home.

More Helpful Gardening Tips to Explore

Did you enjoy learning more about the best medicinal herbs to grow in your garden? Are you looking for even more tips that can help your garden thrive? Then please be sure to take a look at some of our other popular posts: