Grow These 8 Medicinal Herbs Right in Your Yard
How nice would it be to have a pharmacy full of natural remedies just steps from your front door? With a medicinal herb garden, you can make this dream a reality! Medicinal herbs have been used for centuries to soothe everything from headaches to upset stomachs. And the best part? Many of them are surprisingly easy to grow at home, even if you’re short on space or new to gardening.
Whether you're looking to start a wellness garden or just want a few multipurpose plants on hand, here are eight powerful medicinal herbs you can grow right in your own backyard.
1. Chamomile – Nature's Chill Pill
Chamomile is best known for its calming abilities. A cup of chamomile tea before bed can help ease anxiety and promote better sleep. It also has anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
Grow it: This daisy-like flower thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is the most commonly grown variety and reseeds itself easily.
2. Peppermint – Stomach Soother and Sinus Relief
Peppermint is a must-have for any herbal garden. It helps with digestion, soothes headaches, and can help clear blocked sinuses when inhaled as steam or brewed into tea.
Grow it: Peppermint is super hardy but spreads fast, so keep it in a container unless you want it taking over everything. Give it partial shade and consistent moisture and watch it thrive.
3. Lavender – Stress Relief
Lavender isn't just beautiful and good-smelling, it’s a powerhouse when it comes to reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Lavender oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties too, meaning it can be used for a bunch of different things.
Grow it: Lavender loves full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Give it space and prune regularly to keep it from getting woody.
4. Echinacea – Immune System Booster
Also known as coneflower, echinacea is often used to speed up recovery of colds and support the overall health of the immune system. It's also great for pollinators, like bees and butterflies, who love it.
Grow it: Echinacea is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun. Once established, it’s a low-maintenance perennial that comes back year after year.
5. Calendula – Skin Soother
Calendula flowers have long been used in healing salves and creams. They're great for soothing irritated skin, healing cuts, and reducing inflammation.
Grow it: Calendula can easily be started from seed in almost any soil. It likes full sun and will bloom from early summer into fall if you keep harvesting the flowers.
6. Lemon Balm – Calming & Digestive Support
As a cousin of mint, lemon balm has a bright citrus scent and calming effects. It's known to help with anxiety, insomnia, and digestive discomfort.
Grow it: Lemon balm does well in partial shade to full sun and prefers moist, rich soil. Like mint, it can spread, so it might be a good idea to plant it in a container.
7. Thyme – Great For Breathing Issues
Thyme has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and has traditionally been used to help ease respiratory issues. It also adds a nice flavor to meals.
Grow it: Plant thyme in full sun and well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant once established and is the perfect plant for edging garden beds or growing in pots.
8. Yarrow – Wound Healing
Used throughout history on battlefields to stop bleeding, yarrow is known for its ability to promote clotting and reduce inflammation. It's also used in teas for colds and fevers.
Grow it: Yarrow is incredibly hardy and thrives in poor soil with full sun. It spreads easily, so you may want to contain it in a container or give it a spot where it can sprawl.
You don't need a massive garden or a degree in herbalism to grow your own natural remedies. With a sunny patch of soil and a bit of care, these eight herbs can basically give you your own pharmacy right outside your door. Always research how to properly use natural remedies and consult a healthcare provider if you’re unsure. But when grown and used safely, these plants are a powerful addition to any home garden and medicine cabinet.