13 Medicinal Plants Worth Planting
- Aloe Vera
The aloe vera grows only under the sun with well drained dry or moist soil. Although the plant tastes like turd, it’s still edible. The sap from aloe vera is extremely useful to speed up the healing and reducing the risk of infections for :
- wounds
- cuts
- burns
- eczema
- reducing inflammation
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Apart from its external use on the skin, aloe vera is also taken internally in the treatment of :
- ulcerative colitis (drinking aloe vera juice)
- chronic constipation
- poor appetite
- digestive problems
- Marsh Mallow
The plant of which marshmallows are made of. 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 is applied to :
- bruises
- sprains
- aching muscles
- insect bites
- skin inflammations
- splinters
The leaves are very edible, unlike the aloe vera. They can be added to salads, boiled, or fried. It is known to help out in the area of cystitis and frequent urination.
- Great Burdock
It requires moist soil and can grow shadeless. The great burdock is the pretty famous in the area of detoxification in both Chinese and Western herbal medicine. The root is is used to treat ‘toxic overload’ that result in throat infections and skin diseases like :
- boils
- rashes
- burns
- bruises
- herpes
- eczema
- acne
- impetigo
- ringworm
- bites
The leaves and seeds can be crushed to poultice it to bruises, burns, ulcers and sores.
- Pot Marigold
It grows in almost any type of soil condition. It has no problem with nutritionally poor, very acidic or very alkaline soils, just as long as it’s moist. Well known as a remedy for skin problems, the deep-orange flowered pot marigold variety is applied externally to :
- bites
- stings
- sprains
- wounds
- sore eyes
- varicose veins
Internally it is used to treat fevers and chronic infections. The tea of the petals tones up circulation and, taken regularly, eases varicose veins. Applying the crushed stems of the pot marigold to corns and warts will soon have them easily removable.
- Gotu Kola
The gotu kola acts on various phases of connective tissue development and stimulates healing of :
- ulcers
- skin injuries
- decreasing capillary fragility
- stimulation of the lipids and protein necessary for healthy skin
Leaves are thought to maintain youthfulness. Crushed leaves are poulticed to treat open sores. The gotu kola can also be used to :
- treat leprosy
- revitalize the brain and nervous system
- increase attention span and concentration
- treat venous insufficiency
- Camomile
With a sweet, crisp, fruity and herbaceous fragrance, has long been used medicinally as a remedy for problems regarding the digestive system. It has a soothing and calming effect in the area of aromatherapy, used to end stress and aid in sleep. The entire herb is used to treat common aches like toothache, earache, shoulder pain and neuralgia.
- Globe Artichoke
A bitter tasting plant that requires a lot of sun, the cardoon has become important as a medicinal herb in recent years following the discovery of cynarin. The cardoon leaves, best harvested before flowering, helps to :
- improve liver and gall bladder function
- stimulate the secretion of digestive juices
- lower blood cholesterol levels
- treat chronic liver and gall bladder diseases
- jaundice
- hepatitis
- asteriosclerosis
- early stages of late-onset diabetes
- Chinese Yam
A type of yam that can be eaten raw, the chinese yam can be easily grown, succeeding in fertile, well drained soil in a sunny position. It is sweet and soothing to the stomach, spleen and has a tonic effect on the lungs and kidneys. It is used internally to treat :
- tiredness
- weight loss
- loss of appetite
- poor digestion
- chronic diarrhea
- asthma
- dry coughs
- uncontrollable urination
- diabetes
- emotional instability
Externally, it is applied to :
- ulcers
- boils
- abscesses
The leaf, on the other hand, is used to treat snakebites and scorpion stings.
- Echinacea
One of the world’s most important medicinal herbs, the echinacea has the capacity to raise the body’s resistance to bacterial and viral infections by stimulating the immune system. It also has antibiotic properties that helps relieve allergies. Basically, the roots are beneficial in the treatment of sores, wounds and burns. It was once used by Native Americans as an application for insect bites, stings and snakebites. The echinacea grows on any well drained soil, as long as it gets sunlight.
- Siberian Ginseng
The siberian ginseng has a wide range of health benefits, mostly as a powerful tonic herb that maintains good health. It’s medicinal properties are used for :
- menopausal problems
- geriatric debility
- physical and mental stress
- treat bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy or radiation
- angina
- hypercholesterolemia and neurasthenia with headache
- insomnia
- poor appetite
- increasing endurance
- memory improvement
- anti-inflammatory purposes
- immunogenic purposes
- chemoprotective purposes
- radiological protection
- Great Yellow Gentian
The great yellow gentian root is a bitter herb used to treat digestive disorders and states of exhaustion from chronic diseases. It stimulates the liver, gal bladder and digestive system, strengthening the overall human body. Internally, it is taken to treat :
- liver complaints
- indigestion
- gastric infections
- aneroxia
- Sea Buckthorn
The sea-buckthorn has been used throughout the centuries in China to relieve cough, aid digestion, invigorate blood circulation and alleviate pain. The branches and leaves are used in Mongolia to treat gastrointestinal distress in humans and animals. The bark and leaves are used for treating diarrhea, gastrointestinal, dermatological disorders and topical compressions for rheumatoid arthritis. Even the flowers are used as skin softeners. The berries on the other hand are used together with other medications for pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiac, blood and metabolic disorders. Fresh sea buckthorn berry juice is known to be taken in the event of :
- colds
- fever
- exhaustion
- stomach ulcers
- cancer
- metabolic disorders
- liver diseases
- inflammation
- peptic ulcer
- gastritis
- eczema
- canker sores
- general ulcerative disorders
- karatitis
- trachoma
- Tea Tree
Even the aborigines have been using the tea tree leaves for medicinal purposes, like chewing on young leaves to relieve headaches. The paperbark itself is extremely useful to them as it serves to line coolamons when used as cradles, as a bandage, as a sleeping mat, as material for building humpies, as an aluminum foil, as a disposable rain coat and for tamping holes in canoes. The leaves and twigs, eventaully made into tea tree oil, is anti fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and deserves a place in every household medicine box. Tea tree oil can be used to treat :
- cystitis
- glandular fever
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- thrush
- vaginal infections
- acne
- athlete’s foot
- verrucae
- warts
- insect bites
- cold sores
- nits
- minor burns
