Want to start a medicinal herb garden but not sure which herbs to plant? This list of the top 20 medicinal herbs to grow can help you narrow down which plants to add to your garden.
One of the reasons many beginner gardeners begin their gardening journey is to have the ability to grow their own medicine! This can be an overwhelming process because nearly everything we eat has beneficial properties that can help aid many common ailments!
Having the ability to go into your backyard or your home stash to grab something for a sore throat or minor congestion is such a wonderful experience that can be experienced by anyone with the right planning. As with any remedy it should be stated that proper research and evaluation with a licensed professional is advised. This post is not medical advice and any claims made by this post are anecdotal and should be verified with your health professional.
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Starting a Medicinal Herb Garden
The first thing you should do before starting your medicinal herb garden is determine which ailments or issues you want to treat. This could be things that are common in your family like seasonal allergies or wintertime sniffles, digestive issues and bloating, or mild anxiousness.
The world of plant medicine offers a wide variety of options for aiding in the treatment from all sorts of issues!
Once you have your list of ailments you want to address, you can begin creating your list of medicinal herbs to grow in your garden space.
Top 20 Medicinal Herbs to Grow
While there are a myriad of herbal remedies and plants to explore, here is a list of the best medicinal herbs that are easy to grow and have been known for their healing properties:
- Rosemary
- Calendula
- Lemon Balm
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
- Sage
- Lavender
- Echinachea
- Garlic
- Turmeric
- Holy Basic
- Ginger
- Marshmallow
- Feverfew
- Rose
- Catnip
- Yarrow
- Elderberry
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 plants.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is a well-known culinary and medicinal herb native to southern Europe and the mediterranean. It’s been traditionally used to strengthen the memory. It’s an invigorating herb which can increase general zest for life.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Rosemary:
- Tonic – used to uplift wellbeing
- Stimulates blood flow
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Thought to stimulate adrenal glands
Parts used: Leaves are gathered in summer and used in preparations or distilled for their oil.
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!
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm brings a fresh fragrance to your garden and a calmness to your mind. This lemon scented medicinal herb is a powerhouse for improving mood and improving memory. Lemon balm has a long history of use for heart and mind comfort health benefits.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Lemon Balm:
- Relaxant
- Antispasmodic
- Antiviral
- Nerve tonic for nervous system
- Relieves cold sores
- Can improve nervous palpitations, irritability, and panic
Parts used: All Aerial parts can be used in a variety of preparations.
Oregano (Thymus vulgaris)
Oregano is a commonly used culinary herb with powerful medicinal value. Oregano is native to Europe and one of the first plants many beginner gardeners grow. It does have a tendency to grow invasively being a member of the mint family, so consider placing in a container instead of directly in your raised bed.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Oregano:
- Antiseptic
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Aids in gastric issues
- Decrease gas and bloating
Parts used: All aerial parts are used dry and fresh in a variety of preparations.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
This culinary and medicinal powerhouse could be one of the only medicinal herbs you grow for a range of benefits and uses. Traditionally it was used as a lung strengthener and beneficial for whooping cough. Modern research has shown its benefits in the following areas.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Thyme:
- Antiseptic
- Tonic
- Relieves muscle spasms
- Expectorant
- Expels worms
- Antioxidant
- Antibacterial
- Asthma and hay fever relief
Parts used: All aerial parts are used both fresh and dry
Peppermint
Many gardeners have a love-hate relationship with peppermint. Its sweet smell can permeate a garden space simply by brushing against it, and it’s ability to aid in digestive discomfort is unparalleled. But before you go adding peppermint in every garden bed beware. Peppermint is an invasive grower and can take over a garden within a season, so plant in its own container.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of:
- Antispasmodic
- Stimulates sweating
- Antimicrobial
- Analgesic
- Increase digestive juices
- Relaxes gut muscles
- Helps with bloating, gas, and colic
Parts used: All aerial parts used for their volatile oils in a variety of preparations.
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
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
When we think of sage, we often think of thanksgiving and turkey, but sages use dates back thousands of years! Sage is an excellent general cure and used in many preparations because of its wide range of medicinal purposes.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of:
- Antiseptic
- Astringent
- Clears mucus
- Nerve tonic
- Estrogenic
- Sooths sore throats
- Eases poor digestion
- Regulates irregular periods
Parts used: Leaves are used fresh and dry
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.
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. Itcan 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.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Garlic is a common crop grown for its culinary uses. But garlic is a powerful herbal remedy with many uses. Garlic can counter many infections, and is safe for whole home use.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Garlic:
- Antibiotic
- Expectorant (used in bronchial infections)
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces blood clotting
- Anti-diabetic
- Expels worms and intestinal parasites
Parts Used: Whole plant both dried and fresh
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
We often think of turmeric for is yellow color that tints curries in Indian dishes, but turmeric has a long list of medical benefits that make it a superstar in the garden! The fact that it is easy to grow helps as well!
Medicinal Properties and Uses of:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Lowers cholesterol
- Anti-microbial
- Antioxidant as a skin cream
- May have anti-cancer properties for those with high risk
Parts used: Most commonly only the rhizome is used, but the leaves and stems can be used for teas and cooking.
Holy Basil
Holy basil is revered in Ayurveda as a sacred herb. It is known as a adaptogen, able to balance, restore and protect the hormones which regulate stress and balance the body. Additionally, it’s most notably known for its ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
Holy basil is really easy to grow and is a beautiful plant which attracts many pollinators.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of:
- Antispasmodic
- Analgesic
- Lowers blood-sugar levels
- Reduces fever
- Adaptogenic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Adaptogenic
Parts used: Aerial parts are used fresh and dried
Ginger
Ginger is more than just a familiar spice and flavoring. It is one of the world’s best medicines. It’s revered in Asia, Europe, and Ayurveda. It’s native to Asia and grown throughout the tropics. For those in less than ideal climates, you can still grow ginger by starting it indoors and harvesting prior to your first frost.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Ginger:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Circulatory stimulant
- Antiemetic
- Anti-viral
- Digestive stimulant
- Morning sickness tonic
- Muscle pain reduction
Parts used: Medicinally, the rhizomes are used, but the leaves and stems can be used for teas and cooking.
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
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
Catnip
Catnip is another member of the mint family that is a safe herb for the entire household. It is native to Europe but grown as a naturalized plant in America.
Medicinal Properties and Uses of:
- Settles stomach
- Sedative
- Stimulates sweating
- Reduces fever
- Antiflatulent and can help sooth colic
Parts used: All Aerial parts
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
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Elder’s medicinal uses made a resurgence as more and more people were seeking ways to improve their immune system in the face of world-wide medical emergencies. The berry of this plant is often used in jams and syrups to help with colds and flu, but it is a powerful herb that can be used in many other ways!
Medicinal Properties and Uses of Elder:
- Antiviral
- Clears mucus
- Anti-inflammatory
- Diuretic
- Increases sweating
Parts used: Flowers and berries are used fresh and dried in a variety of preparations.
Also Read: 12 Essential Herbs to Plant in Fall
Other Medicinal Plants
While the herbs listed above are all powerful plants to add to your own garden, the following list of additional medicinal herbs are a great addition to your herbal medicine garden.
- Aloe Vera
- St John’s wort
- Passionflower
- Elecampane
- Comfrey
- Rose
- Nettle
- Valerian
- Common plantain
Harvesting Medicinal Herbs
Harvesting the various herbs will vary from plant to plant. Here are a few tips for harvesting herbs:
- Harvest highly aromatic herbs early in the morning when the oils are most concentrated in the leaves and flowers
- Harvest herbs like basil and mint often by pinching the tops to stimulate growing and decrease flowering
- Never harvest more than 1/3rd of the plant to avoid shocking the plant
- For perennial plants where you will be harvesting roots, wait until the second or third year to harvest.
- Harvest flowers when they are just beginning to open
- For plants with aerial parts, harvest before flowering for the most potent medicinal properties.
Storing Medicinal plants
There are several ways to preserve your medicinal herbs. Here are a few methods:
- Drying: This is the most common method for preserving herbs. Simply hang your herbs upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area until they are completely dried out. Then store in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
- Freezing: You can freeze fresh herbs like basil, mint, and parsley in ice cube trays with a little bit of water. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe container or bag and use as needed in recipes.
- Infusing: You can infuse your herbs into oils, vinegars, and alcohols for long-term storage and easy use in cooking or making natural remedies. Simply fill a jar with dried herbs and cover completely with oil, vinegar (you can use fresh herbs for alcohol infusions).
A medicinal herb garden is such a wonderful addition to any home garden. Not only do you get to enjoy the beauty and scents of these plants, but you also have easy access to natural remedies for various ailments. Plus, growing your own medicinal herbs ensures that they are grown organically without any harmful chemicals. So why not give it a try and start your own medicinal herb garden today?