Herbs have long been the secret ingredient that elevates everyday cooking, adding flavor, fragrance, and color without relying on extra salt, sugar, or fat. But their value extends far beyond the kitchen. For thousands of years, people also have turned to herbs for their medicinal properties, using them to soothe ailments, support healing, and promote overall well-being.
Our Oldest Remedies
The medicinal use of plants, namely herbs, predate written history. Since our earliest ancestors chewed on certain herbs to relieve pain, or wrapped leaves around wounds to improve healing, natural products have provided the means to treat myriad maladies.
After the advent of molecular biology and modern chemistry, which allowed for the isolation and manipulation of specific active compounds, the use of herbs for their healing properties was mostly relegated to traditional medicines, old wives’ tales, and even witchcraft. (Students at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California in Santa Barbara wrote up a fascinating study delving into the medicinal abilities of witches’ “potions” and their bioactive compounds.)
But if history is a pendulum — as many believe it is — the use of herbs and other natural remedies is once again gaining relevance, thanks to distrust towards the pharmaceutical industry, a growing interest in holistic health practices, a frustration with the healthcare system, and the accessibility of herbal supplements.
Common herbs, spices, and plants found in your backyard can be used to naturally relieve pain, boost immunity, and support healing. Herbs can be ingested whole, or applied topically as a skin treatment with essential oil extracts to create creams, lotions, balms, salves, soaps and oils. Herbs can also be used in aromatherapy to combat pain and anxiety while reducing stress and promoting relaxation through the olfactory senses.
Before you use herbs for their medicinal properties, please be sure to do extensive research and, most importantly, speak with your doctor. “Natural” does not always mean “safe,” and many herbs can have dangerous interactions with certain medications and health conditions.
Common Medicinal Herbs You Can Grow and Use At Home
Lavender
This popular, purple perennial is widely recognized for its calming, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Primarily used via aromatherapy or topical application, its active compounds (like linalool, which has been shown to reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure) interact with the nervous system to relieve depression, improve sleep quality, and ease menstrual pain.
Lavender is remarkably versatile; the flower, stem and leaves can be used in cooking, or as an essential oil, extract, or tea. Integrative medicine specialist Yufang Lin told the Cleveland Health Clinic that the best form of lavender to take depends entirely on what you’re using it for: “If you’re using lavender to improve mood, essential oil aromatherapy is the way to go,” she says. “If you’re using it for muscle pain or soreness, apply lavender-infused massage oil directly to the area of discomfort.”
Quick note: there is a big difference between essential oils — which are concentrated plant extracts, and should be used very carefully — and herbally-infused oils. Lavender essential oils are very strong, should be diluted before using on your skin, whereas lavender-infused oil is safe to make and use on its own.
Home gardeners can get the most benefits out of their lavender by drying it and then using for cooking (it’s an essential part of the French spice mixture herbs de Provence and is wonderful in many desserts), making tea, or as aromatherapy in soap, sachets, and scented baths. You can also make your own lavender-infused oil.
Peppermint
According to the Cleveland Clinic, peppermint essential oil can be diluted and used topically to ease tension headaches and muscle soreness, and its cooling, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make it a popular remedy for itching, eczema, and insect bites. Thanks to its high menthol content, inhaling steam with a few drops of peppermint essential oil can also shrink swollen nasal membranes and help loosen mucus in the chest.
While most studies have focused on its essential oil, peppermint leaves have been used medicinally for digestive disorders going all the way back to ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. For those looking to use the peppermint straight from their garden, peppermint tea after a heavy meal is well-known to ease gas, bloating, and indigestion.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which are thought to help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation. It is also considered a cognitive stimulant, reputed for boosting alertness and focus and improving memory performance. Traditionally, the herb has been used for digestion problems, including heartburn, intestinal gas, and loss of appetite.
To improve digestion and/or enhance memory and focus, you can make your own rosemary infusion/tea. Pour 1 cup of boiled water over 1 tsp dried or 2 tsp fresh rosemary leaves, cover, and steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain, and drink.
Most recently, rosemary oil has also become a popular choice for skincare, as it can help reduce acne, improve skin complexion, and promote hair growth. To make your own, partially dry rosemary sprigs and then place in a jar of olive oil for several weeks, allowing the oil to absorb the rosemary’s properties. According to Mudbrick Herb Cottage, an Australian proprietor of fresh herbs and dried preparations, rosemary-infused oil is great when used topically for muscle pain or as a scalp treatment for dandruff.
*featured image courtesy of mtreasure via CANVA
