Are you looking to upgrade your home health arsenal? Discover the surprising benefits of natural remedies and embrace the power of nature's finest; the best medicinal herbs.
Imagine having a curated selection of potent healing herbs readily available, just a few steps away, to address common ailments and promote overall well-being.
There are loads of herbs that can be used to promote health and wellness. But some are much more effective and worth keeping in the house all the time. These herbs help with many common ailments and all-around health and many can be grown in your own garden and used in cooking too.
In this article, we unveil the top 10 best medicinal herbs that are a must-have for every home.
10 Best Medicinal Herbs to Have on Hand
1. Unlocking the Power of Chamomile: One of the Best Medicinal Herbs for Relaxation and Sleep
A very versatile and useful herb to have on hand, Chamomile is a great addition to your first aid cabinet and kitchen cupboard. Best of all, it is easy to grow from seed. It is very well-known for its calming effects on nervousness or anxiety, but it also helps with stuffiness, constipation, upset stomachs and headaches.
2. Lavender: Harnessing the Benefits of One of the Best Medicinal Herbs for Calming Stress
Lavender is another herb that can help you sleep peacefully, especially if you suffer from insomnia. It helps relax the mind as well as the body which puts you in a better mood. This alone can help you sleep better as you feel calmer and less anxious.
Lavender can be used to reduce pain and muscle tension, especially after strenuous activity or exercise, and it is said that smelling lavender flowers has a very calming effect on people. So, pop a few stems of it under your pillow or beside you bed and take some deep breaths to inhale the delicate scent before you drop off to sleep. (4).
Easy to grow, lavender makes a pretty border with flowers that attract bees and butterflies. You will then have a ready organic supply at hand whenever you need it.
3. St. John's Wort: Exploring the Remarkable Healing Properties of One of the Best Medicinal Herbs for Mood Balance
St. John's Wort is used to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety and stress.
It can also be helpful for insomnia and nerve pain. Although it is very effective at improving mental health, do not take it alongside prescribed medication. This is because it can interact with it and cause side effects.
4. Turmeric: Discovering the Potent Anti-Inflammatory Effects of One of the Best Medicinal Herbs
Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this it can help reduce the pain of arthritis. It can also calm the gut and help with digestive problems, indigestion and ulcers. Turmeric can also help fight depression because it helps to improve brain function.
A compound in turmeric called curcumin has also been shown to help kill cancerous cells (6) which is a great reason to keep turmeric in the kitchen cupboard.
A point worth noting is that when hoping to cure cancer with herbs not all herbs are beneficial. If you are already receiving treatment then do not take St John's Wort or Ginkgo Biloba. This is because they make the cancer medication leave the body too soon and they won't work. (7).
5. Ginger: Exploring the Versatility and Health Benefits of One of the Best Medicinal Herbs
A great addition to the kitchen cupboard, ginger is not only delicious and makes foods much tastier, but it has medicinal properties too.
An ability that ginger shares with turmeric is that it is great at fighting cancer (8). If cancer is in your family it is well worth having ginger and turmeric in lots of meals to help protect yourself from this devastating disease.
Ginger can be added to lots of meals alongside turmeric such as curries, soups, stews and smoothies. Or learn how to make ginger shots here.
Ginger helps to reduce chronic pain, nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, morning sickness (9) and even arthritis. It can also help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels (10). If you have problems with indigestion, ginger is great at making you feel better (11). If this hasn't convinced you to use ginger on a regular basis I don't know what will.
6. Ginkgo Biloba: Unleashing the Cognitive Benefits of One of the Best Medicinal Herbs for Mental Clarity
This herb is a strong anti-oxidant and is anti-inflammatory (12) which is why it helps to prevent heart disease, arthritis and even cancer.
You can get it in supplement form so taking it daily makes great sense. It has been shown to be helpful in preventing Alzheimer's disease (13). Alzheimer's is linked to brain health as are depression, anxiety and ADD/ADHD.
Ginko biloba helps with circulation, especially in the brain and heart. (14). So it goes without saying that this potent herb can help keep you on top form mentally.
7. Rosemary: Nourishing Your Mind, Skin and Scalp with One of the Best Medicinal Herbs
Rosemary is another herb that is easy to grow in the garden and is great in recipes. It helps to improve memory loss and has even been shown to reduce the onset of dementia (15).
Rosemary can relieve headaches, especially migraines (16), treat asthma and bronchitis as well as ease menstrual cramps for women. It can also be used to treat depression (17). Do not use rosemary oil if you are on diabetic or blood thinning medication as it can make them less effective.
When it comes to the skin, rosemary's natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help protect against free radicals and soothe irritations. It can assist in reducing acne breakouts and controlling excess oil production, making it beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin.
Rosemary also promotes circulation, which can rejuvenate the skin and promote a healthy, radiant complexion. When it comes to the scalp, rosemary stimulates blood flow, which can encourage hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Whether used in culinary dishes or as an herbal infusion, rosemary is a valuable addition to your home for its medicinal benefits and aromatic charm.
8. Licorice Root: Delving into the Balancing Effects of One of the Best Medicinal Herbs in Ayurveda
Licorice has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce infections in the intestinal tract, ease indigestion and heartburn. It is also good for reducing inflammation on the skin so it helps ease the symptoms of acne, psoriasis and eczema (20).
it is also known for its soothing effect on the respiratory system, making it beneficial for respiratory ailments such as coughs, colds, and bronchitis.
In Ayurveda, licorice is highly regarded for its ability to balance Vata dosha. Vata is associated with qualities such as dryness, coldness, and instability.
Licorice, with its sweet taste and moistening nature, helps counterbalance these qualities by providing a grounding and nourishing effect. It has a soothing and calming effect on the nervous system, helping to reduce anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia, which are common imbalances of Vata dosha.
Having licorice root on hand allows you to tap into its healing potential whenever the need arises.
9. Lemon Balm: Tapping into the Versatile Healing Properties of One of the Best Medicinal Herbs
Lemon balm is a vital herb to keep in your home as a natural remedy due to its versatile healing properties. Its calming and soothing effects make it a go-to herb for reducing anxiety, stress, and promoting relaxation.
Lemon balm also possesses antiviral properties, (22) making it effective against common viruses like cold sores and herpes simplex.
Additionally, it aids in digestion, alleviates digestive discomfort, and supports healthy sleep patterns.
Whether used as a tea, tincture, or essential oil, having lemon balm on hand ensures you have a natural remedy to combat stress, promote well-being, and address common ailments with ease.
It grows easily in the garden and you can use it in cooking and to make a delicious tea.
10. Peppermint: Discovering the Soothing and Digestive Benefits of One of the Best Medicinal Herbs
This herb is helpful in treating gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. (23).
It also soothes aching muscles and tension headaches.
This herb can be grown in your garden easily. Use it to make a tea with boiling water or it can also be bought as a supplement or essential oil.
Add the oil to boiling water and inhale it to help you breathe when you are congested. (24). Peppermint is also great to have in your first aid kit to tackle the effects of hay fever. It reduces the allergic reaction that causes you to sneeze and have sore eyes (25).
Before You Go
In a world where synthetic medications dominate the shelves, it's time to rediscover the incredible healing potential of nature's medicine cabinet. The 10 best medicinal herbs we've explored in this article offer a holistic approach to health and well-being, gently nudging us to embrace herbal remedies as powerful alternatives to over-the-counter medications and pharmaceuticals.
By incorporating these herbs into our daily lives, we can experience the benefits of their natural healing properties while minimizing potential side effects.
So, why not embark on a journey of exploration and self-care? Consider giving these herbal allies a chance and witness the transformative effects they can have on your health. Embrace the wisdom of nature and unlock the potential for fewer side effects and greater vitality. Your well-being deserves the gentle touch of herbal medicine.
These ten herbs will keep you healthy if you use them on a regular basis. Most of them you can eat and the others can be bought as a supplement or the herb can be made into a tea. Why not try at least one of them and see if it makes you feel healthier?
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