Nature has plants with healing properties ready for many ailments. These medicinal plants have accompanied man for thousands of years and can also be an effective and gentle alternative for diseases today. Many of these plants are native to our nature or grow under certain conditions also with us. So why not create your own medicinal plant garden and be able to use the healing powers of nature at any time? There are many different ways to use the plants for the sake of your own health. Tea, spices, pestos and also plant extracts are easy to make even for novices in this field.
Plants in a garden of medicinal plants
If you now want to create your own medicinal plant garden, you must of course make a selection and decide which plants should grow in it. Here, many domestic plants and, under certain conditions, also plants from other climatic zones offer themselves. A good basis for the garden offer plants, some of which are also often considered “un-herbs”, but are among the most medicinal herbs of all. These include, above all, nettle, dandelion, ribwort, lungwort and ground ivy. These plants are widespread and very robust. However, they have different requirements for the location. Nettle contains many important minerals and has a strong detoxifying effect. It supports the kidneys and should not be missing from any spring diet. The dandelion belongs to the bitter plants. Especially liver and gall bladder benefit from its bitter substances, and it is the detox plant par excellence. Ribwort also contains important minerals and is known for its expectorant effect. Lungwort and ground ivy are less well known, but can be found in many places in nature with a little attention. In addition, any medicinal plant garden can contain the classic herbs such as parsley, chives, lemon balm, rosemary, lavender and peppermint. They too are not only tasty spice herbs but have also found their way into the kitchen because they also have a medicinal effect. In addition, it is also a good idea to create a place for wormwood, wild garlic and onion in your own medicinal herb garden, because all these plants have a particularly strong effect on the organs that play an important role in the body’s detoxification.
Cultivation and care
Medicinal plants have different requirements for their locations. It is therefore useful to establish different areas. These depend on the particular conditions, that is, primarily on the soil conditions and sunlight. Some herbs need a lot of sun and a rather lean, permeable soil. This applies especially to the typical Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, lavender, or even oregano. If the soil in the garden does not have these conditions, a special area can be created with the help of sand and gravel. Larger stones can serve here as a boundary or form the basis for a spiral of herbs. The stones not only protect, but also store heat, which is very important for the sun and heat-loving plants from the Mediterranean region. In addition to rosemary, lavender and oregano, lemon balm and peppermint also feel at home here. Wormwood also originates from the Mediterranean region and therefore also needs a well-drained soil and a sunny, warm location. For proper care, it is important to avoid waterlogging, but still do not forget to water in hot summers. Native medicinal plants have less demanding requirements and do not need care. Especially the so-called “weeds” are characterized by the fact that they can thrive in harsher conditions. Humus-rich, nitrogen-rich soil allows these important medicinal plants to sprout. They grow in both sunny and shady locations and are very adaptable. A compacted, wet soil where waterlogging collects is good for growing plantain. Groundsel and lungwort also feel at home here.
Use for diseases and ailments
Native medicinal plants such as dandelion, nettle and ground ivy have a particularly beneficial effect on the detoxification organs. The dandelion strongly stimulates the liver-biliary system through its bitter substances. The nettle has a diuretic effect and helps to flush the kidneys.Since a good detoxification function of the organs is important for keeping the body healthy, these two plants can be used as a cure. They are prophylactically strengthening and can support the body in almost any type of disease. Nettle also contains a lot of iron and other important minerals. It is therefore a good remedy for iron deficiency. For stomach and intestinal complaints, wormwood and peppermint can be used in addition to dandelion. Lavender and lemon balm have an effect mainly on the nervous system. They can be used for complaints such as insomnia, nervous restlessness and anxiety. In addition, lemon balm is said to have a positive effect on shingles. The plantain species ribwort and broadleaf plantain, the lungwort with its blue flowers and also the ground ivy are the expectorants among the native medicinal plants. A syrup or tea made from these plants is excellent for coughs and bronchitis. Rosemary has also proven to be effective for colds, as it has a cleansing and protective effect. In addition to the healing effect, many of the medicinal plants also have a high content of important minerals and vitamins and can thus additionally serve as part of a healthy diet for health prophylaxis.
