In uncertain times, having your own life-saving medicinal herbs garden can be a game-changer. Not only does it offer life-saving self-sufficiency, but it also provides peace of mind knowing you have natural remedies at your fingertips. Growing life-saving medicinal herbs at home is an empowering, affordable way to take control of your health and ensure that you’re prepared for emergencies when professional medical care may not be readily available. With the right healing plants, you can address common ailments, fight infections, speed up wound healing, and even save lives.
Luckily, starting a life saving medicinal herb garden is easy—even for beginners. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn the step-by-step process to establish your own life-saving medicinal herb garden, the best healing herbs to include, and how to transform them into effective remedies for everyday use. By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to cultivate your own natural medicine right in your backyard.
Why Every Prepper Needs a Life-Saving Medicinal Herb Garden
In a disaster scenario, prescription medications may be hard to come by and pharmacies could be closed. Having a renewable supply of life-saving medicinal herbs that you can grow yourself provides a natural alternative to relying solely on manufactured pharmaceuticals. Here are some of the key reasons every prepper should consider growing a medicinal herb garden:
- Natural remedies tend to have fewer side effects than prescription drugs
- It’s affordable to grow your own vs buying herbs or supplements
- Medicinal herbs regrow each year, providing a sustainable medicine source
- Boosts self-reliance and peace of mind, knowing you can heal yourself
- Could potentially save lives if access to doctors/medications is cut off
- Many medicinal herbs are also edible and nutrient-dense
- Tending an herb garden is a relaxing, rewarding hobby
Getting Started: How to Grow Your Own Life-Saving Medicinal Herbs
Follow these simple steps and you’ll quickly be on your way to cultivating a thriving medicinal garden in your own yard:
- Pick the ideal location
- Most medicinal herbs need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily
- Choose a spot that gets plenty of light and has good soil drainage
- Consider containers if space or soil quality is an issue
- Prepare your soil
- Loosen soil to 8-12 inches deep and remove grass, weeds, rocks
- Mix in aged compost or organic fertilizer to enrich the soil
- Good soil health is key for growing strong, abundant herbs
- Select the best herbs for your needs
- Choose medicinal varieties that grow well in your climate
- Focus on herbs that address your most common/likely health concerns
- See the list below for the top healing herbs to include
- Plant your herb seeds or seedlings
- Follow instructions on the seed packet for planting depth/spacing
- Water deeply but infrequently, only when top inch of soil is dry
- Label your plants to easily identify them as they grow
- Mulch and fertilize regularly
- Apply a 1-2 inch layer of natural mulch to retain moisture
- Feed plants monthly with liquid seaweed or compost tea
- Pinch off flower buds to encourage leafy growth vs seeds
- Harvest and use your herbs
- Gather leaves/flowers as needed once plants are established
- Ideal time is early morning, after dew has dried, before heat of day
- Use fresh or preserve by drying, tincturing, or infusing in oil/honey
15 Powerful Herbs for Your Medicinal Survival Garden
While any healing herbs that grow well in your area can be included, be sure to prioritize these 15 potent medicinal varieties:
- Aloe Vera
- Gel from leaves heals burns, wounds, cold sores, and digestive issues
- Also moisturizes skin and reduces inflammation
- Astragalus
- Root is an adaptogen that boosts immunity and protects liver
- Speeds healing of wounds and aids digestion
- Calendula
- Anti-inflammatory petals improve skin problems like acne, eczema
- Also soothes digestive tract and promotes wound healing
- California Poppy
- Relieves anxiety, insomnia, and nervous tension
- Also eases pain, muscle spasms, and bladder issues
- Cayenne
- Stimulates circulation, digestion, and detoxification
- Also good for colds, flu, arthritis, nerve pain, and preventing heart disease
- Chamomile
- Calms digestion, reduces anxiety and stress, and promotes restful sleep
- Also speeds wound healing and relieves muscle pain
- Echinacea
- Boosts immunity to prevent/treat colds, flu, and respiratory infections
- Also cleanses blood, lymphatic system, and speeds wound healing
- Elderberry
- Potent antiviral reduces severity/duration of flu and colds
- Also lowers inflammation, soothes nerves, and protects heart
- Feverfew
- Eases headaches, migraines, menstrual cramps, and arthritis
- Also reduces fever and risk of blood clots
- Lavender
- Relieves anxiety, insomnia, depression, headaches, and pain
- Also speeds healing of cuts, burns, and insect bites
- Lemon Balm
- Lifts mood, sharpens memory, and induces calm
- Also aids digestion, reduces high blood pressure, and repels insects
- Peppermint
- Alleviates IBS, indigestion, nausea, gas, and headaches
- Also boosts energy and aids concentration
- Rosemary
- Stimulates brain function, memory, circulation, and hair growth
- Also improves digestion and joint pain
- St. John’s Wort
- Relieves mild/moderate depression, anxiety, PMS, and menopause
- Also speeds wound/burn healing and fights viruses
- Thyme
- Powerful antimicrobial treats colds, flu, bronchitis, and coughs
- Also aids digestion and provides antioxidants
5 Easy Ways to Use Medicinal Herbs from Your Garden
Once you’ve successfully grown your own healing plants, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! Here are five simple methods to prepare and utilize medicinal herbs at home:
- Herbal Tea
- Boil water, pour over 1-2 tsp dried herb (or 2-4 tsp fresh) per cup
- Cover and steep 10-15 minutes, strain, and sweeten if desired
- Drink 3-4 cups throughout the day for therapeutic effects
- Herbal Tincture
- Pack clean glass jar with fresh herb (or half full of dried)
- Pour in 80-100 proof alcohol (like vodka) until herb is fully submerged
- Seal jar tightly and store in cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking daily
- Strain mixture through cheesecloth, discard herb, and store liquid in dark bottle
- Take 1-2 dropperfuls diluted in water as needed
- Medicinal Oil
- Place dried herb in clean, dry glass jar and cover with carrier oil (like olive oil)
- Stir well, seal, and let infuse in warm spot for 2-4 weeks, shaking often
- Strain oil through cheesecloth, squeeze out herb, and store in dark glass bottle
- Use externally as a massage oil, salve, or lotion for skin issues and pain
- Healing Salve
- Combine 1 cup infused oil with 1/4 cup beeswax in a double boiler
- Gently heat until beeswax is melted, stirring to combine
- Pour into clean tins or glass jars and let cool completely before sealing
- Apply liberally to cuts, scrapes, bruises, rashes, achy joints/muscles
- Herbal Honey
- Fill jar halfway with dried herb and pour in raw honey to the top
- Stir well to combine, remove air bubbles, and seal tightly
- Let infuse for 1-2 weeks in a cool, dark place, turning the jar daily
- Enjoy by the spoonful or stir into tea to soothe coughs, colds, and sore throat
How to Take Care of Your Medicinal Herb Garden
Maintaining your medicinal garden well is key to an abundant, ongoing herb supply. Follow these tips to keep your healing plants thriving year after year:
- Water deeply but infrequently, only when top inch of soil feels dry
- Aim for 1-2 inches of water per week during growing season
- Mulch plants with straw, leaves, or grass clippings to retain moisture
- Feed monthly with liquid kelp, fish emulsion, or aged compost
- Prune plants after flowering to encourage new, bushy growth
- Weed beds regularly so herbs don’t have to compete for nutrients
- Bring potted perennial herbs indoors to overwinter in cold climates
- Gather herbs regularly to promote continued growth
- Allow some plants to flower and go to seed for next year’s crop
- Dry herbs on screens in a dim place with good air circulation
- Store dried herbs whole in airtight glass jars away from heat/light
Final Thoughts
As you can see, starting your own medicinal herb garden is a simple, affordable way to boost your self-reliance and natural medicine cabinet. By devoting a little time and garden space to these powerful healing plants, you’ll soon enjoy the security of a renewable source of safe, effective remedies to keep you and your loved ones healthy in any circumstance.
Not only will tending your herb patch bring you peace of mind, but working with these ancient healing allies is a relaxing, grounding hobby that can help you feel more connected to nature and your ability to heal yourself. So choose a sunny spot, amend some soil, and start planting the seeds of greater independence, resilience, and herbal wellness today – your future self will thank you!
Ready to start growing your own natural remedies? The Medicinal Seed Kit is the perfect way to dive into the world of herbal medicine. This kit includes a carefully selected variety of medicinal plant seeds that you can grow right at home, giving you the power to create your own natural remedies for pain, stress, digestion, and more.
By growing these plants, you’ll not only have access to fresh, organic herbs for your health needs, but you’ll also learn about the powerful healing properties of each plant. Imagine having a garden full of plants like echinacea, chamomile, and peppermint — all ready to be used as natural alternatives to over-the-counter medications!
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, the Medicinal Seed Kit provides everything you need to begin your journey toward self-sufficiency and natural wellness. Click here to get your kit today and start cultivating your own healing garden.
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