Medicinal Plants and How to Use Them
Plants have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years and are still used today because of their many health benefits! Herbs can be used for all sorts of things including helping to heal colds, aiding in pregnancy, soothing aches and pains, and filling your body with necessary vitamins and minerals. Whether you like to forage your own herbs, or you simply buy them from your local health food store, this list will aid in helping you decide which plants can benefit your daily life!
What Plants are Used for Medicinal Purposes?
There are hundreds of herbs and plants used for medicinal purposes. Even the ones you cook with on the regular like rosemary, ginger, and cinnamon. Food really is medicine, so using tasty herbs in your meals doesn’t only add flavor, but also some really awesome health benefits. Ok, let’s get into it.
Ginger
Ginger is often used for boosting one’s immune system and aiding with lessening the symptoms that are common with colds. Because ginger is anti-inflammatory, it can help soothe sore throats and even be used as a preventative during cold and flu season. It is also popular among those who struggle with nausea and digestional issues and women who are pregnant (especially those in their first trimester.) How to use: Our favorite way to use ginger is to peel a fresh thumb of ginger, slice it, and then simmer it in a pot of water (enough for a serving or two) for about 10 minutes. This creates a very lovely fresh ginger tea that is both soothing and delicious. Add some raw honey for even better results.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a classic and for good reason. It’s often drunk as a tea when you’re feeling under the weather and can help with indigestion and nausea. However, it may most commonly be used as a sleep aid. Chamomile’s chemical makeup includes a flavonoid called apigenin, which can produce sedative effects. How to use: My favorite way to use chamomile is simply by brewing it into a cup of tea with honey, but I recently made these delicious Chamomile and Honey Herbal Marshmallows and they turned out so good!
Echinacea
Echinacea, or purple coneflower is a flower that is commonly grown in gardens that is both beautiful and useful. Both the roots and leaves are used and are most commonly made into tea. It is commonly used as an immune booster and aid for colds, as it is anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. Echinacea is full of antioxidants and is the perfect addition to your medicine cabinet. This herb is easy to forage, so keep your eyes out when hiking or taking walks. It is also an easy flower to grow yourself, and the benefits of this herb make it super worth it. How to use: Brew into a tea or infuse into a tincture. If you don’t want to grow your own, echinacea tea can be easily sourced at many stores.
Nettle
Yes, Nettle! Maybe more commonly known as stinging nettle, making it a plant most people try to stay away from. But nettle is a hero herb that has so many benefits like being high in iron, meaning you’ll want to add it to your cupboard asap. An article in the National Library of Medicine says that, “Stinging nettle has antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-infectious, hypotensive, and antiulcer characteristics, as well as the ability to prevent cardiovascular disease, in all parts of the plant (leaves, stems, roots, and seeds).” It can be used to treat rheumatism and arthritis and much much more. Nettle is a common herb to forage, just make sure you either wear gloves, or grab the leaves tightly, so as to not get stung. How to use: You can use Nettle in place of spinach in recipes by adding it to soups and stews. Some people like to put it in cakes, or simply brew it into tea.
Red Raspberry Leaf
Raspberry leaf is known to be beneficial for women’s health. It can help to reduce menstrual cramp pain and support fertility. The leaves have been used since ancient times to prepare for birth and breastfeeding. It has a very pleasant flavor and works well dried and brewed into tea. It also shares some of the same properties as Blackberry leaves. How to use: Brew into a tea and enjoy with a spoonful of honey.
Rosemary
You may know of rosemary as simply a kitchen herb, but it has also been used as a medicine for thousands of years. It can aid with better blood flow and can be used as an anti-inflammatory. Rosemary is incredibly easy to grow and source at the store, so it is very readily available. How to use: My favorite way to use rosemary is in a facial steam to help with congestion. First, boil a kettle of water, then pour it into a deep sided bowl with a few sprigs of rosemary. Let it steep for a couple of minutes, then grab a towel to place over your head and the bowl of water. This will trap the steam in around your face. Breath in and out deeply, taking breaks if needed. I find this really helps to loosen congestion and clear my airways.
Turkey Tale
Turkey tale is a mushroom that can be found all around the world that has many health benefits. Turkey Tail has a long history as a plant medicine and has been used in traditional Chinese medicinal practices for hundreds of years. It is great for boosting your immune system and may also benefit brain function. How to use: Turkey Tail is best when made into an alcohol based tincture. You can also dry it and use it in tea or broth, but it doesn’t have the most pleasant flavor.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a root that is another powerhouse in the natural medicine world. It has so many benefits including stress relieving properties, helping with focus and memory, and helping to improve sleep. How to use: Ashwagandha is readily available in pill and powder form and can be taken as a supplement, or added to smoothies.
*This is not professional medical advice and we are not doctors. Please use your own discretion when consuming plant medicines. It is at your own risk.
