If you’re looking for natural, non-prescription ways to support better health and wellness, look out your window. Growing medicinal plants and medicinal herbs offers excellent alternatives for treating everything from sunburns and headaches to anxiety, allergies and so much more.
No matter where you live, it’s possible to create a respectable herbal collection in everything from backyard gardens to patio pots and even indoors. We’ve rounded up a list of the best medicinal plants to grow in Central California – and what they are each commonly used for. You can find all of these listed below at Luis’ Nursery here in Visalia, along with advice for everything you need to plant, grow and nurture these beneficial herbs and plants.
(*Please discuss using medicinal plants and herbs with your health care provider before doing so to avoid potential risks such as allergies or drug interactions.)
Best medicinal plants and their uses
Yarrow: Yarrow is used for fever, common cold, hay fever, diarrhea, and to relieve gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort. Some people chew the fresh leaves to relieve toothache.
Calendula (aka: pot marigold): Used to treat minor cuts and scrapes, fevers, varicose veins and infections. Also helps heal insect bites and bee stings.
Lavender: Just the smell alone stimulates relaxation and calm. Applied to cuts, bruises, acne, burns and insect bites it can sooth while also functioning as an antiseptic.
Mint (Peppermint, Spearmint): If you have digestion or gas, sipping tea made of this medicinal herb might provide relief. It also may help soothe headaches.
Basil: That herb you love to eat in pesto and in pasta is also shown to help with lack of appetite, cuts, scrapes, digestion issues and flatulence.
Passionflower: These leaves and flowers are often used to help promote sleep and alleviate pain such as menstrual cramps and headaches.
Rose: Roses have a wide range of medicinal properties and are used in teas, tinctures, salves, tonics, poultices and aromatherapy. They are attributed to have anti-inflammatory properties, cooling effects for burns, stings and sunburns, analgesic soothing for sore throats, can boost liver function, and promote calming and anti-anxiety. Plus they are loaded with nutrients including Vit C, A, E, B-complex, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Sage: Studies suggest beneficial for sore throat, mood, memory, and blood cholesterol levels.
Elderberry: The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost immune system. They also help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and prevent and ease cold and flu symptoms.
Thyme: The active ingredient in thyme is called thymol, and it’s used as a strong antiseptic.
Aloe Vera: This plant is most famous for its ability to relieve pain and boost healing for all types of burns, cuts, scrapes and skin conditions such as eczema. Simply cut open the leaf to expose the gel inside and then spread it over the affected area.
Lemon Balm: A relative of mint, lemon balm is a medicinal herb that may help relieve anxiety, insomnia, wounds, insect bites, and upset stomach. It also can speed healing of cold sores.
Lemon Verbena: Often used in teas or tinctures, lemon verbena is also useful for nausea from motion sickness as well as queasiness brought on by various infectious illnesses.
Moringa: The leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are all used for a very wide variety of issues including: arthritis, asthma, constipation, stomach pain, ulcers, headache, kidney stones, and fluid retention.
Insulin Plant: The leaves are rich in protein, iron and antioxidant components such as B-carotene and a-tocopherol. These properties, in combination with its “natural insulin” content (phyto-compounds that simulate the metabolic action of insulin when ingested), aids in ability to lower blood sugar in individuals with diabetes. Also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.
Tecoma Stans: Herbal medicine used for treatment of diabetes and digestive problems.
Oregon Grape: Oregon grape is used for stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), upset stomach, to treat infections, and to cleanse the bowels.
California Bay Laurel: A tea used for sore throats and colds. Leaf oil is used to treat earaches and sores and to prevent allergies in the spring.
Rosemary: Helps memory and concentration, improves mood, and sweetens breath.
