PLANTS WERE OUR FIRST SOURCE OF MEDICINE, and truthfully, most pharmaceuticals contain plant based chemicals. They are terrific when used for preventative medicine, and are also gentle alternatives for many common ailments. There are hundreds available, but these are some that are easy to grow and/or easy to identify in the wild. This list includes the plant and traditional medical properties. I recommend you research them further when you decide to try out their benefits. Depending on the herb, they may be used in infusions, decoctions, ointments, lotions, extractions, as poultices, and eaten as vegetables. Most of this information is taken from "Culpeper's Color Herbal" (See Library).
I realized that not all the plants I'm familiar with are listed in Culpeper's book - and then it occurred to me that they would not have been in common usage during his time period. These herbs are listed under "New Herbs".
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HERBS FROM YOUR GARDENBlackberry
Blackberry roots and leaves are astringent and toning. Water taken from the boiled root can help with diarrhea.
BASIL
Basil is a common herb in gardens and used extensively in cooking, but it also has medicinal properties. It eliminates gas and eases "griping" pains in the abdomen. It's oil contains camphor.
Catnip
I've always planted catnip for my pets and it quickly takes over the garden. Catnip is of the mint family and once established, returns faithfully every year. Its medicinal benefits include reducing fever, anxieties and gas. As a tea, it's a great sleeping aid.
Chamomile
German chamomile is most commonly grown in gardens, but chamomile has many wild cousins. Its popularity is a result of its benefits in treating migraines headaches and gas. It can also help with earaches and toothaches. Of course, the traditional use is to calm nerves and aid sleep. It's popular for hypersensitivity and it's known to help regulate menstrual periods. I have also found it soothing for my skin.
Chervil
Chervil is another popular culinary herb, but it has many medicinal uses. It's good for gas and it can help with coughs as an expectorant. You can use the roots as an antiseptic. In fact, this was a popular herb in treating the plague. It's also recommended for high blood pressure and preventing anemia. Be careful not to confuse it with hemlock.
Cucumber
I doubt you can have too much cucumber. I try to eat them for snacks. Their juice is used in skin products, the seeds are a diuretic and supports kidney function. It also helps with rheumatism. I have found it a valuable soothing and cleaning herb and try to use it both internally and externally as much as possible.
Daisy (Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum)
Our garden daisy comes in a huge variety of colors. Once called the Ox-eyed Daisy, it's been compared to Chamomile. Daisies are known as a diuretic, anti-spasmodic and as a toner. It can also help with whooping cough and asthma. Bet you didn't know that about this cheerful, sunny plant!
Dill
A favorite among chefs, this herb has huge digestive properties. It's recommended for gas and stomach upsets. Culpeper also recommended it for women as a bathing herb and sleeping aid.
Fennel
Fennel has a wonderful liquorice smell and is used in the production of that candy. Traditionally it was used to relieve gas and as a laxative. New mothers will find it helps them produce more milk.
Fern - Caution!
A favorite among chefs, this herb has huge digestive properties. It's recommended for gas and stomach upsets. Culpeper also recommended it for women as a bathing herb and sleeping aid.late found them too bitter. Ho
Feverfew
I started feverfew in my garden last year and they showed up all over the place this spring. They look like daisies, but the flowers are smaller than domestic daisies and the stems taller than wild daisies. As the name suggests, they're good in treating fevers and headaches. Because it helps regulate contractions, it's recommended in tea form during labor. It can also relieve insect bites. When applied as a lotion it repels insects.
Foxglove - Caution!
Foxglove is a beautiful and popular plant in the garden, but I would never recommend it's use as a healing herb. Before its properties were isolated as digitalis, it was used for heart conditions. However, the dosage was tricky and overdoses caused death. I've also cautioned against confusing foxglove with comfrey.
Golden Rod
Golden Rod helps reduce nausea both as an infusion and in lotions. It has a gentle sweet smell that is calming. Used as a poultice, it will also help heal wounds.
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Heart's Ease, Wild Pansy
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