This list of medicinal flowers will bring beauty and herbal medicine to your backyard garden.
When I decided I wanted to start a garden I knew that a big part of that would be growing plants that aided in common ailments my family experienced! I was excited to add common culinary and medicinal herbs like thyme, oregano, rosemary, and mint, but these herb garden favorites barely scratch the surface of the multitude of plants that you can incorporate into your backyard space!
Medicinal flowers not only provide some powerful medicinal benefits to your family’s health but they also add beauty and fragrance to your garden. In this post, I’ll share 13 of my top picks for medicinal flowers that you should consider adding to your backyard garden.
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12 Medicinal Flowers for Your Garden
While there are a myriad of herbal remedies and plants to explore, here is a list of the best medicinal flowers that are easy to grow and have been known for their healing properties:
- Calendula
- Pansies
- Hollyhocks/Marshmallow
- Bachelors Buttons
- Butterfly pea
- Yarrow
- Echinacea
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Feverfew
- Bee Balm
- Hyssop
- Rose
Most of these I am growing in my garden and have for the last two seasons! Many can also be perennial plants in your zone which means you’ll plant once and have medicine indefinitely! Now let’s take a deeper look into each of these medicinal flowers.
Note: This is only a small selection of the many medicinal flowers that exist. It is important to do thorough research before using any plant medicinally, as some may have side effects or interact with medications. Consult with a healthcare professional or herbalist before incorporating any new herb into your routine. Also, always be sure you are correctly identifying the plant before using it for any purpose.
Also Read: Top 20 Medicinal Herbs to Grow in your Garden this Year
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula is probably one of the most widely known herbs in western medicine. It is a great remedy for most skin ailments and has cleansing and detoxifying properties. It is also a beautiful plant with bright orange flowers that can be used to make natural dyes.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Calendula:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Relieves muscle spasms and stomach cramps
- Astringent
- Prevents hemorrhaging
- Heals wounds and skin conditions
- Detoxifying
- Reduces menstrual pain
Parts used: Fresh flowers and Calyxes can be used fresh or dry
Calendular also comes in a variety of colors! This Pink Sunset is one of my favorites!
Pansies
Pansies and Violas are common cool-weather flowers in most front yard landscaping, but their medicinal benefits are often less known! They come in a variety of colors and provide huge harvests of medicinal goodness.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Pansies:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Respiratory health
- Antioxidant
- Skin Health
Parts used: Flowers
Marshmallow or Hollyhock (Althea officinalis)
Marshmallow is a tall biennial plant with beautiful flowers that often self-seed. Their relative hollyhock comes in a multitude of colors and was once a common garden plant. Aerial parts are gathered in summer as the plant begins to flower.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of:
- Soothes mucous membranes
- Reduces stomach acid
- Soothes ulcerations
- Demulcent relieves dry coughs
- Soothes inflamed and dry skin
Parts used: Roots, leaves, flowers
Bachelors Buttons
Bachelors Buttons are a commonly grown flower in many wildflower mixes, but often not seen as more than a beauty in the garden! This flower is often used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Bachelors Buttons:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Diuretic
- Astringent
- Can aid in constipation
Parts used: Flower
Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea)
Butterfly pea is a gorgeous blue flower that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It is also known as “bluebell vine” and “clitoria ternatea.” The flowers have potent antioxidant properties and can be brewed into a tea or used to create natural dyes.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Butterfly Pea:
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Promotes brain health and memory function
- Boosts hair growth
- Natural dye for fabrics and food
Parts used: Flowers, leaves, roots
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a beautiful medicinal flower that comes in a variety of colors! You can often find yarrow growing along the sides of the roads as a “weed.” It is native to Europe, and has a long history of being used to stop bleeding. Yarrow is a perennial in many locations and can spread over time!
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Yarrow
- Wound healing
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce fever
- Mild diuretic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Promotes healthy menstruation (reduces heavy bleeding)
- Stops internal bleeding
Parts Used: All aerial parts are used both fresh and dried
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Echinacea (purple coneflower) is known as a powerful tonic for the immune system, giving it a boost in the face of bacterial and viral infections. It’s a fantastic medicinal herb that is often used as a preventative and treatment for upper respiratory infections.
Echinacea is native to central American and is widely cultivated throughout the U.S and Europe. It can be grown from seed or root division.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of:
- Immune modulator
- Antimicrobial
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Detoxifying
- Heals wounds
- Stimulates saliva
Parts used: Flower can be used fresh or dried. Roots are often dried.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender, known for its sweet fragrance and purple flowers is a powerful relaxing herb. This is very helpful for anxiety, depression and mood swings. It can be made into a tea or tincture, added to bath water, or used in aromatherapy through essential oils.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Lavender:
- Antispasmodic
- Relieves anxiety
- Antidepressant
- Antimicrobial
- Soothes indigestion and upset stomachs
Parts used: Flowers harvested near the end of flowering contain high levels of volatile oils important for their functions that are turned into essential oil.
German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita)
German chamomile is an herb that is safe for the entire family to use, its sweet scent and flavor are well known amongst tea drinkers. The scent slightly resembles that of apples. Chamomile can be used for everything for anxious minds to upset tummies.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Chamomile:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antiallergenic
- Relaxant
- Digestive aid for indigestion, acidity, bloating and colic
- Ease tense muscles and menstrual cramps
- Reduce irritability
Parts used: Flower heads can be used fresh or dry
Feverfew
Historically, feverfew was mainly used as a women’s issues herb. Currently these beautiful small white flowers are used for migraine assistance. These flowers are also beautiful in cut flower arrangements.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic
- Antirheumatic
- Promotes menstrual flow
- Reduces fever
- Migraine assistance
Parts used: Aerial parts are used fresh and dry
Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)
Like it’s name suggests, bee balm is a pollinator magnet. Wild Bergamot also featured in many gardens as an attractive perennial border plant. The leaves are commonly used to make a tea, and the flowers can be added to salads for a pop of color and flavor.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of:
- Diaphoretic
- Antiseptic
- Antimicrobial
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Diuretic
- Expectorant
- Sedative
Parts used: Aerial parts when flowering
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Hyssop is a semi-evergreen shrub native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Historically, hyssop was known as a cure all, but has been undervalued in recent years! This gorgeous flowering herb definitely attracts pollinators and is also beautiful in cut flower arrangements.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Hyssop:
- Calming
- Mucus reduction
- Can alleviate symptoms of asthma
- Soothes Digestion
- Expectorant
Parts used: Flowering tops
Wild Rose (Rosa Rugosa)
Roses are a medicinal flower that is often overlooked! More than just a beautiful addition to the garden, the rose flower, is packed with medicinal properties. While all roses can be used medicinally old-fashioned roses with a lot of scent tend to have higher medicinal properties! Three varieties that are great for medicinal harvests are: Rosa rugosa, Rosa canina and Rosa damascena.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Roses:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Rich in Vitamin-C
- Mood enhancing/Antidepressant
- Mildly sedative
- Astringent
Parts used: Flowers and hips (fruit) can be used fresh or dried. Rose petals can also be made into a tea or infused into oil for topical use.
The Power of Medicinal Flowers in Your Garden
As you can see, there are numerous medicinal flowers that can benefit your health and well-being. By incorporating these plants into your garden, you not only add beauty to your space but also have access to natural remedies. With proper research and guidance, you can harness the power of medicinal flowers for a healthier and happier life. So why not start planning your medicinal flower garden today? Happy gardening!