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My list of favorite herbs is long. The longer I study herbs, the longer my list grows. Herbs have been used traditionally for their medicinal properties for hundreds of years. When you grow herbs yourself, you can make your own medicine for almost free!
Medicinal plants can be grown and made into oils, infusions, salves, poultices, tinctures, syrups, teas, and more, depending on which herb you are using.
Here are 7 medicinal herbs to grow in your garden that will give you a good start for your family’s health:
Echinacea
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This “purple coneflower” is not just a favorite because of its beauty, but it is also one of the herbs I use most often when illness strikes. Echinacea is well-known as a powerful natural antibiotic.
Growing echinacea: Echinacea purpurea needs rich soil, regular watering, and full sun.
Peppermint
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Peppermint is very useful for the entire body. It helps fevers, headaches, the respiratory tract {opens up airways}, digestion, muscular system, and offers pain relief. Peppermint also deters spiders and mice, which is another beneficial way to use it!
Growing Peppermint: Has no special soil needs. Can be grown in full sun, shade, or partial shade. Grows great in a pot. Grows well with yarrow and wormwood.NOTE: Peppermint will spread everywhere if you plant it in the ground! If you don’t want that to happen, be sure to plant it in a pot.
Lavender
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Lavender works great for the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety. It also offers pain relief, treats acne and burns, and moisturizes the skin.
Growing Lavender: Lavender needs full sun or afternoon shade. Well-drained soil is mandatory. It grows well with yarrow, echinacea, and hyssop.
Patti says
I love the idea of using natural remedies, and grow these 3 (coneflower, lavender and peppermint) but how are the best used? (Article said 7…only three showed up for me…would love to know the other 4. Thanks! God bless!
Jill says
Hi Patti! I apologize that the link to the full article is not showing up for you! You can find the full article that I wrote here: http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/2014/04/7-medicinal-herbs-to-grow-in-your-garden/
Let me know if you have any other questions! 🙂
Julie Atkins says
Thank you!!
Jill says
Thanks for reading, Julie!
Gentle Joy says
I love using herbs for so many things….and am excited to get things growing again. 🙂 Thanks for the reminder to get things going. 🙂
Jill says
I agree that it’s lots of fun growing your own herbs! 🙂
Jelli says
Thanks so much for sharing this idea! I have some veggies in the garden but no herbs at all. Don’t know where I can find these seeds here in the tropics, but I’ll be on the lookout. Thank you, Jill!
Jill says
I bought most of my seeds this year from sandmountainherbs.com. Thanks for reading! 🙂