Written by Avi Dew on August 27, 2020

The Best Medicinal Plants to grow at your home & garden- Part B

Last time we introduced to 4 medicinal plants to easily grow and use at your home.  You can improve your immune system, skin condition, digestion, mood, well-being and more with plants through using ancient knowledge.

Here are 3 additional easy-to-grow and easy-to-use medicinal plants and herbs for first-time gardeners.

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Aloe verais a succulent plant it originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but grows wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and desert climates around the world. It is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses and it is one of the most widely used medicinal plants on the planet. The species is also used for ornamental purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant. To grow Aloe vera is easy once you realize it is a succulent, they all do best in dry conditions. That is the reason it is important to make sure it is well drained, Aloe vera plants cannot tolerate standing water. The soil should be allowed to go completely dry before being watered .Outdoors its best to locate it in shady area, when growing in your house look for a place that contains proper light, they do best in south- or west-facing windows. Using Aloe vera has a long history of medicinal purposes, dating back to ancient Egypt. From relieving heartburn to potentially slowing the spread of breast cancer, researchers are just beginning to unlock the benefits of this universal plant and its many byproducts. For any kind of skin rash, bug bight, cuts, bruises, burns and more skin disorder it will be a well serving first aid to cut a little peace from a leaf and spread the Aloe gel it contains. Consuming 1 to 3 ounces of aloe gel at mealtime could reduce the severity of GERD and may also ease other digestion-related problems. The plant’s low toxicity makes it a safe and gentle remedy for heartburn. Researchers show that Aloe vera extract is a safe and effective alternative to chemical-based mouthwashes. The plant’s natural ingredients, which include a healthy dose of vitamin C, can block plaque. It can also provide relief if you have bleeding or swollen gums. Ingesting two tablespoons of aloe vera gel per day can cause blood sugar levels to fall in people with type 2 diabetes; but, the juice along with diabetes medications could possibly lower your glucose count to dangerous levels. If you have Crohn’s disease, colitis, or hemorrhoids you shouldn’t consume aloe vera without consulting professionals, it can cause severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Moreover, use caution if you’re taking other medications. It may decrease your body’s ability to absorb the drugs. As a nightly facial or hair mask, no caution needs to be taking. Spread it at evening on the wanted area, leave it overnight and enjoy the nourishment, elasticity and shine it provides.

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic is a perennial flowering plant growing from a bulb, it has a tall, erect flowering stem that grows up to 3 ft (1 m). The plant may produce pink to purple flowers from July to September in the Northern Hemisphere. It has a history of several thousand years of human consumption and use. It was known to ancient Egyptians, and has been used both as a food flavoring and as a traditional medicine. You can grow Garlic easily at your garden. You can buy garlic for both spring and autumn planting; however it’s best to plant garlic in autumn, as the cloves need a period of cold weather to develop into bulbs. To plant garlic, split the bulbs into individual cloves and plant them with the pointed end upwards. At the soil, plant the cloves at twice their own depth. Garlic needs a lot of sun, but it will tolerate partial shade. Newly planted garlic needs to be kept moist to help the roots to develop. Don’t overdo the water, however, as garlic does not grow well, or may even rot, if sodden during cold months. Watering garlic is not necessary unless there is a drought, Reduce the watering gradually as the season warms up. The garlic needs a hot, dry summer to allow the bulbs to mature. As the garlic plants begin to grow, long green stalks called scapes will emerge. Pull off a few scapes and eat them if you wish, they are such a good addition to a salads, eggs, sandwiches, stir-fries or stews. Harvest garlic in summer when the leaves turn yellow. Garlic is used and well known for disinfection, helps phlegm, causes sweating, removal of intestinal parasites, strengthening the stomach and improving its activity, benefit in infections in various systems, benefit in colds and coughs, strengthening the immune system and for Anti-cancer activity. Having garlic in the garden also keeps the pests away.  Sages of the Mishna and the Talmud of the Jewish culture said that garlic “Satisfies, boils, brightens the face and multiplies the sperm, and kills pests in the gut, brings in love and takes out jealousy”. For receiving its benefits better to eat it raw, freshly chopped. When starting a cold coming you can take a handful of cloves, cut every big clove in 2 and swallow it just like a pill. For skin infections, bugs bights, eye stye; just cut a clove and rub the inner damp part, it eliminates bacteria but it surly burns… use with cautious!

Mint (Mentha)

Mint contains many plant species, including peppermint and spearmint. It is a popular herb that people can use fresh or dried in many dishes and infusions. Manufacturers of toothpaste, gum, candy, and beauty products often use mint oil. Growing mint is easy, besides watering the only maintenance required will be to make sure that you keep the mint in check and watch for overgrowth, it will take over your garden if you let it. Partial shade is every mint plants wet dream, though it keeps well in full day of sun if you water daily and will thrive in full shade as well. Mint can grow indoors on a well-lighted windowsill. Harvest or shear the plants to keep them lush with leaves. Mint was in use throughout history in medicine, people have used different species of mint plants for internal uses. Different types of mint plants offer a range of antioxidant qualities and potential health benefits; especially for people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Mint is one of the herbs that contain an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent called Rosmarinic Acid, which is also known for reducing symptoms of asthma. As a tea, mint works against harmful microbes, regulates muscle relaxation, and helps control inflammation. Peppermint oil is used as a remedy for a range of gastrointestinal conditions, including indigestion, IBS, stomach pain in children, have anti-allergenic effects and helps reducing feelings of sickness. The leaves are excellent for eating, it is best to add them raw or at the end of the cooking process. This helps them maintain their useful ingredients, their natural delicate flavor and texture. You can use it fresh as a healthy addition to your drinking water, fruits or veggie salads, hot or cold deserts, smoothies and stews. Indoors, you can use fresh mint bundle or a plant to deodorize a room, fresh mint water will wake up your skin and freshen your breath. In the garden Mint is rich in nectar and pollen, and its small flower clusters keep these sweet treats easily accessible for helpful bugs such as honeybees and hoverflies. Dry mint bundles together with thyme inside a small pillow placed in your pet’s bed helps keep the fleas away.

Those were 3 important plants to grow and use for maintain your health easily. Well known as durable plants, First aiders and powerful preventers. I can promise you that if you daily perform raw garlic eating, mint water drinking, and nightly Aloe hair and facial masks, everything will be better. Does 3 incredible plants are so much advantage and consume so little, just follow the growing tips and enjoy all the magic that comes with it.  

* This blog is a recommendation and should not be considered as professional advice.