Plants that will heal, cure and otherwise do good

I recently wrote a post on dangerous plants, I think it only right to follow this with a post on plants that will heal, cure and otherwise do good. My information has come from a remarkable collection of different books I forgot I even had. The first is the easy to read Grow your Own Drugs by James Wong, a modern book with lots of pictures, we love big pictures, and easy to follow recipes for cures. The most informative is the Complete Herbal Book by Terry Breverton, with its pages and pages of plants (hand drawn images), their uses and how they have been used in history. Overall an interesting read. Then the pocket guide size Herbs and Healing Plants by Dieter Podlech (a Collins nature guide) and the much older Edible and Medicinal Plants by Edmund Launert (Country Life Guides).

A vast majority of our medicines originate from plants. Before using any of these plants please read up on how to best use the plant as some parts of these plants might be poisonous. Always check you have the correct species first as not all species have the same healing properties.

The top ten (I like this already as there are so many to choose/go through) superstar plants. In the most popular order first.

Not surprisingly the first plant is:

Chamomile, Matricaria recutita – (Flowers and Leaves) Its used to sooth indigestion, colic and to ease tension, but also its good for skin irritations which i didn’t know. I unfortunately don’t like the smell, i think working with it didn’t help.

Lavender, Lavandula  – (Flowers and Leaves) Working at a lavender farm for a year I learnt a lot about these versatile plants, and grew to love them. It calms and relaxes so helps you sleep, eases pain (also inflicts pain when digging up old woody brittle plants) and is an antiseptic for cuts and bruises. It also is good for minor burns.

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis – (Herbs) Smells gorgeous, although I am a sucker for all plants that smell of lemon. It smooths nervous tension and anxiety, promotes sleep and is apparently good for cold sores.

Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis – (Herbs) Most of us have some type of rosemary in our gardens, if not just for putting with your roast chicken or just for the smell and delicate blue flowers. Other than for flavoring food its good for helping memory and concentration, improves mood and sweetens breath. I never knew any of that, how do I make it improve my memory? and my mood? Will look at his recipes later.

Sage, Salvia officinalis – (Herbs) Not a big fan of the typical sage smell, however you can get so many variations, pineapple sage is my favorite, it really does smell of pineapple. Love it. But sage is good for coughs and colds, congestion and hot flushes.

Peppermint, Mentha – (Herbs) I do like my mints, well providing I have contained them in pots as some mints like to believe they rule the roost and will take over any garden. I have worked with many mints and they work so well in the garden and butterflies love the flowers in mid to late summer. But peppermint is especially useful for aiding digestion, wind and headaches.

Now to the ones I am surprised about:

Echinacea – (Roots) I love this plant its the symbolic summer plant and even looks great dead! To be honest I actually thought this plant was poisonous. Curiously it boosts the immune system and helps to lesson the severity of colds and flu.

Marigold, Calendula officinalis – (Flowers and Leaves) Everyone has this in their garden, its so common and easy to grow especially as most of the time it self seeds if you let it. Marigolds are good for sunburn, acne and spots, soothes ulcers and digestive problems.

St Johns Wort, Hypericum perforatum – (Flowers and Leaves) Its used as a anti-depressant and promotes skin healing.

Viola, Viola tricolor – (Flowers and Leaves) This is one of my grandmas favorite plants. Its good as an anti-inflammatory, good for eczema and skin eruptions and loosens phlegm.

This list has forgotten the typical plants such as:

Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis – (Flowers and Leaves) Its sap which is like a gel is great for minor burns, cuts and skin abrasions. Its also good for helping to heal sunburn and frostbite. Do not take it orally!

Ginger, Zingiber officinale – (Roots) The ginger comes from the rhizome of a tropical plant. Its a natural anti-emetic to prevent and or control all kinds of nausea. In small doses it can be given to pregnant woman and children. Try ginger tea for a refreshing drink.

Witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana – (Trees and Shrubs) A very popular ingredient and name of many skin products. Its used for bruises, sprains, burns, spots and boils.

There are so many plants to mention, its really interesting to look at what the plants you have on your doorstep can do. Now all I need to do is buy a cauldron and start testing these recipes. Anyone offering to be my patient?