Gardening is an amazing hobby. Not only does it helps relax you, it feels great when you see your hard work providing results in the form of shrubs, trees, fruits, and colorful flowers. The benefits, however, do not end here. Many flowers and herbs that you can grow in your garden have medicinal properties and can have a great impact on your health. You can use them to cure many problems.
Mother Nature offers so many types of medicines that you will be amazed to learn. In fact, many herbalists from all over the world use various herbs and plants that you already have in your garden to cure many health issues. These natural remedies do not cost you anything, are safe and provide amazing results.
Let us get to learn about 10 such natural remedies that are available in your garden.
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10. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is great for your skin, hair, and can also help cure minor burns. When we work in the kitchen many a time we encounter minor burns. To deal with such little problems all you need is the Aloe Vera plant growing in your garden. Since it is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, this gel helps soothe minor burns. Together with helping reduce inflammation, it can heal the damaged skin fast and prevent infection.
If you experience a minor burn, straight away cut open an aloe plant, remove its gel, and apply the pure gel directly on the burned area. You need to repeat this twice a day for a week.
9. Dandelions
Dandelions, the much-hated weeds, can work as a diuretic. They are also rich in potassium, which according to experts gets lost during excessive urination. Some people use it topically to cure eczema and some take it internally for intestinal disorders and arthritis. Its leaves are known to help regulate the blood sugar levels.
8. Sage
If you are suffering from a cough that just does not seem to go away then simply go to your garden and pluck some sage. Sage is rich in anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties that can help relieve a persistent cough and whopping cough symptoms, which can make a person feel very tired. Not only does sage help soothe a cough, it also cures a sore throat, fever, and reduces inflammation and irritation in the respiratory system.
To get rid of a cough you need to add 2 teaspoons fresh or 1 teaspoons of dried sage leaves in a cup of water. Boil it, take it off the gas and then let it steep for about 10 minutes. Strain this tea, add some honey, and then drink it 2-3 times a day.
7. Lemon Thyme
Lemon thyme works as a digestive aid for kids with upset tummies. Also, it has antibiotic properties which are known to cure wounds. You can even use it to relieve muscle spasms, ease digestion, relieve asthma, and promote relaxation.
You need to use the leaves of the plant to make the brew. Just boil some water, and pour it over 2 teaspoons dried or 1/4 cup fresh lemon thyme leaves. Cover and let it steep for 5 minutes. After this, you can strain and drink the tea and enjoy the benefits.
6. Peppermint
Headaches are one of the most common problems that we all suffer from. Be it a migraine headache or a headache resulting from tension, peppermint can help cure it. Peppermint, owing to its analgesic effects, helps minimize sensitivity to pain. Also, it contains menthol which opens up the clogged blood vessels that may cause a headache.
Go to your garden and pluck a few peppermint leaves, allow them to dry, and store it in a container. Now, whenever you experience a headache just take a cup of boiled water and add 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves in it. Cover it and let it steep for about 10 minutes. Strain the tea, add a little honey to sweeten it, and sip it slowly to get rid of your headache.
5. Sunflower
Sunflower is rich in many types of nutrients, including vitamin E, B vitamins, copper, phosphorous, thiamine, selenium, and so on. They are also a rich source of fiber and have fatty acids called linoleic acid. Sunflower is known to help reduce risks of heart disease, supports thyroid function, balances blood sugar levels, and improves skin health.
You can add the sunflower seeds to your meatballs or veggies burgers, and toss some of them on to your salad, and enjoy its great benefits.
4. Holy Basil
Stress is something almost everyone suffers from, all owing to the extremely hectic lifestyles that we lead, and this can also have an impact on our mental and physical health. To deal with stress you can use the basil leaves growing in your garden. Holy basil has anti-stress agents that improve the natural response of your body to emotional and physical stress, and this helps your body function normally even when under stress. Thus, it will have a less negative impact on your body.
You can either just chew 10-12 basil leaves every day. Or, you may drink basil tea regularly. Just add 1 tablespoon of freshly plucked basil leaves in a cup of boiled water. Cover and allow it to steep for about 5 minutes. Now strain and drink the tea.
3. Chamomile
An upset stomach or diarrhea can make you spend most of your time in the bathroom. It makes you lose water and nutrients from your body and you start feeling weak. If you have chamomile growing in your garden you can use it to soothe your digestive system fast.
Just add a teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers to one cup of hot water. Allow it to steep for 5 minutes and then strain it. You may add a little raw honey and drink the tea while it is warm.
2. Plantain
Minor wounds do occur once in a while and we can easily treat them using some plantain leaves. Plantain contains tannins that act as an antibacterial agent and helps reduce inflammation and pain. It can even reduce any associated itching.
You simply need to make a paste of some plantain leaves and apply it directly on the wound or cut. Let it dry and then wash off with fresh water. Repeat this procedure at least a few times a day until your wound gets better.
1. Rosemary
If you have started forgetting things easily then you need to start using the rosemary growing in your garden. Even if you use a little rosemary regularly it can help improve your memory and also prevent conditions like dementia, and Alzheimer’s. You just need to sniff on some rosemary herb and it will help boost your brain power and memory.
If you already have these herbs and plants growing in your garden, start using the right away. If not, then grow these amazing plants and herbs and you will not likely have to spend a huge amount on doctor’s visit for small health issues, and will rather treat them at home itself.