As we all know, herbs have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, and some of the most potent medicinal herbs can be grown indoors. Imagine having a medicinal herb garden in your home whenever needed! That’s why we will introduce you to our simple medicinal herbs list, with six of the most popular and useful indoor medicinal herbs.
We’ll discuss why these plants are beneficial, how to use them for various ailments, and how to grow them indoors, even if you’re only homesteading as an apartment dweller for now.
Your Medicinal Herbs List: Which Herbs to Grow in Your Home
First things first, how do you decide which medicinal herbs to grow indoors? After all, you don’t want to spend time and energy growing herbs you won’t use. You also don’t want to go without the herbs you need. Here are some things to consider.
What Are Your Family’s Common Ailments?
Maybe you and your family get a lot of sun during the summer months while gardening with your kids. This probably means you deal a lot with sunburn. Perhaps you deal with pain from sore or injured muscles. Do respiratory illnesses get passed back and forth between your family members all cold season long?
Thinking about your family’s common ailments will aid you in choosing the right medicinal herbs for your home. However, it’s always important to consult with a healthcare professional before adding medicinal herbs to your healthcare routine.
Consider Your Indoor Space
The types of medicinal herbs you can grow in your home will depend on the amount of space you have that gets a lot of natural light. If you don’t have a space that has a lot of light, don’t fret. You can also set up quality grow lights to supplement a lack of natural light.
Consider Your Pets
There are a lot of indoor plant varieties that are harmful to household pets. Be sure you educate yourself on which varieties are unsafe for your furry friends or ensure your plants are housed in an area your pets can’t access.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent that is incredibly easy to grow indoors. It is often used as a topical treatment for skin conditions such as sunburns, rashes, minor cuts, and even psoriasis. That’s because aloe contains polysaccharides, which help to reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. It is also a natural moisturizer and can be used to soothe dry and irritated skin.
How to Grow Aloe Vera Indoors
Choose a pot with good drainage, fill it with well-draining Aloe Vera soil, and place it in a bright, sunny location. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Aloe vera can also be propagated by planting its pups in separate pots. With proper care, your aloe vera plant will thrive and provide you with its many benefits.
How to Use Aloe Vera Medicinally
To use aloe vera for skin conditions, simply break off a leaf and slice it open. You’ll notice a slimy gel substance, which is the stuff you need to extract. You can dig out the gel with a spoon or simply rub the inside of the leaf directly onto the skin in the affected area. Aloe vera can also be taken internally to promote digestive health.
House Leek
House leek, also known as Sempervivum tectorum, is a hardy succulent that has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. It is commonly used to treat minor burns and insect bites due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. House leek is also believed to have astringent properties, effectively treating wounds and skin irritations.
How to Grow House Leek Indoors
Choose a pot with good drainage and fill it with well-draining soil. Place the plant in a sunny location and water it sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. It prefers cooler temperatures and can be propagated by planting its offsets in separate pots.
How to Use House Leek Medicinally
To use house leek for medicinal purposes, simply crush the leaves and apply the juice or gel to the affected skin area. It can also be consumed internally as a tea to aid digestion or as a tonic to boost the immune system. It’s important, however, to consult with a healthcare professional before using house leek medicinally, especially if you are pregnant or have underlying health conditions.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a popular herb commonly used to treat digestive issues, such as bloating and gas. It contains menthol, which has a relaxing effect on the muscles of the digestive tract. Peppermint is also effective for treating headaches, reducing inflammation in sore muscles, and even preventing pests in your garden.
How to Grow Peppermint Indoors
You can grow peppermint plants from seed easily! Choose a pot with good drainage and fill it with well-draining soil. Place it in a bright, sunny location and water it regularly to keep the soil moist. Peppermint prefers cooler temperatures and can be propagated by planting its cuttings in separate pots.
How to Use Peppermint Medicinally
To use peppermint medicinally for digestive issues, steep the leaves in hot water to make tea. Peppermint essential oil can be made from most areas of the plant by using a distillery kit. The oil can be applied topically to soothe sore muscles and alleviate pain. It can also be inhaled in steam to relieve congestion and improve respiratory function.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is also a member of the mint family and is commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia. It has a calming effect on the nervous system and can help to improve sleep quality. This herb is also effective for treating cold sores due to its antiviral properties.
How to Grow Lemon Balm Indoors
Choose a pot with good drainage and fill it with well-draining soil. Place your lemon balm plant in a bright, sunny location and water it regularly to keep the soil moist. Lemon balm prefers cooler temperatures and can be propagated by planting its cuttings in separate pots. Use pruning sheers to prune the plant regularly to encourage new growth and prevent it from becoming too leggy.
How to Use Lemon Balm Medicinally
To use lemon balm for medicinal purposes, steep the leaves in hot water to make a tea that helps soothe anxiety and cure insomnia. Lemon balm can also be taken in supplement form or used topically to treat cold sores.
Chamomile
Chamomile is an herb commonly used to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. It contains apigenin, which has a calming effect on the nervous system. Chamomile is also effective for treating digestive issues, such as gas and bloating.
How to Grow Chamomile Indoors
To grow chamomile indoors, place chamomile seeds in a pot with good drainage and well-draining soil. Then, place it in a sunny or partially shaded location and watch it grow!
How to Use Chamomile Medicinally
To use chamomile for medicinal purposes, steep the flowers in hot water to make tea. Chamomile can also be used topically to soothe skin irritations.
Thyme
Thyme is commonly used to treat respiratory infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. It contains thymol, which has antiseptic properties that can help to fight against bacteria and viruses. Thyme is also a natural expectorant, effectively and naturally treating winter ailments like coughs and congestion.
How to Grow Thyme Indoors
To grow thyme indoors, place it in a pot with well-draining soil and place it in a sunny location.
How to Use Thyme Medicinally
To use thyme for medicinal purposes, steep the leaves in hot water to make tea. Thyme can also be used topically to treat skin infections and wounds.
Related Article: Want a Thriving Countertop Herb Garden? Here’s How to Keep Herbs Alive Indoors in Winter
Ready to Turn Your Medicinal Herbs List Into a Holistic Garden?
These six indoor medicinal herbs are a must-have for anyone interested in natural healing. They are easy to grow, have numerous health benefits, and are herbs that can be preserved and used in various ways. Whether using them to soothe a burn, calm anxiety, or treat a respiratory infection, these plants are a valuable addition to any homesteader’s medicinal herbs list.
FAQ: Medicinal Herbs List
Can these herbs be grown outdoors as well?
Yes. These herbs can be grown outdoors, but they are also well-suited for indoor growing.
Can these herbs be used to replace prescription medication?
It is important to consult a healthcare professional before replacing prescription medication with herbal remedies.
Can these herbs be used to treat serious medical conditions?
While these herbs have numerous health benefits, they should not be used to treat serious medical conditions without the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Are there any side effects to using these herbs?
While these herbs are generally safe, some may experience allergic reactions or other side effects. It’s important to start with a small amount and monitor for adverse reactions.