Gardens in general have a highly therapeutic effect, but there are also many herbs with medicinal benefits that can help people with different health problems, such as anxiety, stress, stomach problems, arthritis, headaches and much more. So, if you have a green thumb, here’s how to plan and plant your medicinal herb garden and enjoy the benefits.
Planning the garden
No matter what kind of garden you’re making, you’re probably going to spend a lot of time gardening, relaxing and soaking in all the smells and colors that your herbs, flowers and trees provide. That’s why you need to create a garden that will engage all your senses. For instance, use plants with a variety of textures, colors, and scents, and don’t forget to include seasonal plants that will help you get in sync with the cycle of nature.
Provide shade and seating
Also, make sure to have some shade in your garden, so you can enjoy it even during the hottest of days. You can do that by installing parasols, trellises and even some plants. These instalments can also protect you and your garden from the wind. Also, add some comfortable seating that will offer you a quiet place to relax and meditate. Choose chairs or benches with back support and arm rests, and throw in a pillow and blanket for colder evenings.
Have tools and gear at hand
No matter how small you intend your garden to be, you must get some basic gardening tools and protective gear. A cultivator, fork and trowel are must-haves, together with a shovel, pruners and a good, long hose. You’ll also need some gardening gloves and work boots for protection. Once you’re all equipped, you can start planting.
Which plants to add?
There are many herbs that can be used for medicinal purposes in forms of teas, food or baths. These can be used to soothe and heal both body and mind, so choose those that best fit your needs.
- Echinacea
This purple flower is one of the most popular garden plants, mainly because of its beautiful flowers. This plant is also quite easy to grow and it can withstand droughts, disease and insect infestations without a problem. You can use Echinacea roots, seeds and flowers and make tea that is great for your immune system.
- Chamomile
Here’s another easy-to-grow herb that can be used for making different herbal remedies. When it comes to chamomile, only flowers are used, and they can be either dried or fresh. Chamomile is great for relaxation, treating sleep disorders, colds, stomach aches and inflammations.
- Calendula
Calendula is one interesting plant with beautiful yellow or orange flowers, and they are the part of the plant that is used for medicinal purposes. Calendula can also be used either fresh or dried for making tea and relaxing baths. It’s also used for sore throat, menstrual cramps, stomach aches and for clear and healthy skin.
- Peppermint
Peppermint is great for absolute gardening beginners since it’s very easy to grow. It can be planted in the soil or put in a container. It spreads very fast, so a container might be a better choice since it will keep its size under control. Peppermint works wonders for stomach aches, colic, asthma and other respiratory problems, headaches and stress. The leaves are used here, both fresh and dried, for relaxing tea and baths.
- Nettle
Even though stigmatized by many people, nettle is actually an amazing medicinal herb. It can be used for making tea and as food in salads, soups and stir-fries. Nettle is high in minerals, vitamins and iron, and is great for allergies, arthritis and kidneys.
These are just some of the plants great for different medical conditions, and there are many more. Once you plant your garden, you’ll get to reap many health benefits and enjoy your handiwork. You work will be well worth it and you can be proud that you have a garden that you have created that will heal the mind, body and soul.
I love my herbs and reading about other people’s ideas for them, so this was a good find. My favorites are rosemary, sage (salvia), thyme and mint because they all double up as medicinal and culinary herbs plus they make nice teas. Another one that I like to grow is horseradish – it’s so easy but it does spread fast so need to keep an eye on it. I love the powerful hot ground root in spicy dishes and the tea it makes is great for clearing sinuses when I get a cold. Anyway, thanks for the article Marla!
Hi Natalie,
Glad you found my article helpful. I too love herbs that are both culinary and medicinal. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Please come back and check for regular updates. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day!
I love our herb bed and I also grow flowers in the veg garden, primarily to deter pests but also to simply look lovely! Just one point though – the picture you have of Calendula is in fact not correct and shows either a French or African Marigold (Tagetes patula or erecta). These are edible but very pungent and are a different species to Calendula or English Marigold. I grow them to deter aphids from my vegetables. #GoingGreenLinky
HI Rosie,
Thank you for letting me know about the picture – I have changed it and hopefully have got the correct species of Calendula this time. Appreciate you letting me know. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day!
Marla,
I love the idea of having an herb garden.
Is the nettle the same as stinging nettle?
My CSA farm grew stinging nettle, I picked some and boy does that sting. It felt more like a burn and lasted for days. I now buy my nettle for nettle tea online. I’ve grown mint in the past and would love to try chamomile. Thanks for the informative post
Hi Judee,
Yes the nettle is the same as stinging nettle and it gets its name became of the stinging effective it has. It does have many medicinal purposes and in some cases they use the dried leaves and other times its the roots that are used for certain condition. It also can be made into a tea that can be very beneficial. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day.
Lovely post. I’m desperate for a garden to make a proper herb bed. We move to often at the moment to make it work. Love your choice of plants too. #goinggreen
So glad you liked my post. Hope your able to have that garden soon that you want so bad. Thanks for stopping by, commenting, and come back soon. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day!
Great ideas for planting useful, but very pretty herbs. I am planning my allotment planting for the winter and spring at the moment, so perfect timing. I think the local bees will love these too. Thank you. Visiting from #GoingGreenLinky
Glad to hear you are planning your herbs for winter and spring and so glad to know that my article has helped you in that planning. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a healthy happy & blessed day!
Great info! Pinned and shared. #GoingGreen
HI Carol,
Glad you found my information informative. Thank you so much for sharing on social media, commenting, and stopping by. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day!