• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Homestead Lady

Building our self-sufficient lifestyle one level at a time.

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Blog
    • Whole Kitchen
    • In the Garden
    • The Hearth
    • Critters
    • Green Living
    • Prepared
    • Book Reviews
  • Shop
    • Your Cart
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Must Have, Must Grow Wellness Herbs

March 6, 2013 by Homestead Lady 26 Comments

When considering which herbal plants you might like to grow, you can easily become overwhelmed by all the options. Here’s a concise list of must have, must grow medicinal herbs.

Wellness Herbs to grow in your garden and use in your home l Homestead Lady.com

Interested in growing herbs but are short on space or new to them? Start with a few basic but wonderful herbs and grow them in containers! To learn how, please consider our book, Herbs in the Bathtub. This book outlines and educates you on several basic culinary and wellness herbs, including how to grow them and use them. To learn more, click below: 

Which are the Must Have Wellness Herbs?

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

Here is a list of some of my favorite commonly grown medicinal herbs, that is herbs that promote balance and wellness in the body. No herb is a magic pill that will heal everything.

Also, for this list, these are herbs I consider must have, must grow wellness herbs. You will notice that quite a few make themselves useful in the kitchen, too. I concur with Hippocrates, and feel that our food should be our medicine and our medicine should be our food.

This creation of this list was inspired by our original post, How to Plan and Plant a Medicinal Herb Garden.

Is this list comprehensive? No!!

For comprehensive, check out at least five ten books from the library. I originally started this list with the intent of giving you only five basic, grow-able herbs; as you can see, I can’t count. Included here are the cultural requirements for each herb, and what it’s typically used for.

Online Learning

For a comprehensive online, herbal learning experience, I suggest you enroll in The Herbal Academy’s courses. The kids and I are going through their beginner herbal course for school this semester. We’ll be ready for the intermediate by spring, though. The lectures are interesting, engaging and we’ve been having a lot of fun with the projects. The bloopers on the videos are good for a laugh, too. Hey, laughter is good medicine, too! For more information, click below:

Herbal Academy Online Courses

So, without further ado, here are Homestead Lady’s must have, must grow wellness herbs.

Wellness Herbal Terms

You’ll need to know some basic herbal vocabulary as you learn more about wellness herbs. Remember that all herbal actions/uses are only suggestions. Please see a qualified medical professional when necessary.

  • Vulnerary – Externally helps the body to heal wounds
  • Anti–microbial – helps immune system overcome pathogenic micro-organisms
  • Demulcent – Mucilaginous herbs which relax, soothe and protect tissue
  • Diaphoretic – Increases perspiration, dilates capillaries
  • Carminative – sweet, spicy aroma, promotes expulsion of gas and soothes the stomach

The Wellness Notebook is just what you need to help you be the expert in your family's heath. It's a

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

Wellness Herbs:

#1  CalendulaMust have must grow herbs www..homesteadlady.com - Kelly Biscotti's great article Growing Calendula in your garden

  • Calendula officinalis – Site – full sun to part shade – zone 3-10
  • Soil- tolerant of poor soils
  • Propagation – Direct sow in early spring through summer
  • Sometimes called “pot marigold” because it does well in pots
  • The seeds are large and easy to handle, so they’re great for kids
  • Even black thumbs can grow Calendula!
  • Externally it is often used as an anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, lymphatic, anti-microbial
  • Taken internally, it is used for digestion, normalizing menstruation, and as an anti-spasmodic
  • Also used in salves for every topical problem imaginable like:
  1. Infections
  2. Cuts
  3. Scrapes
  4. burns
  5. chapping 

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

#2  Cayenne

  • Capsicum Annuum – Site – Full Sun – zone 9 perennial grown as an annual in most areas
  • Propagation – start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost – protect from reappearing frost
  • Soil – same as for peppers, around 6.5 ph
  • One of herbal educator and practitioner, Dr. Christopher’s favorites!
  • Externally it can warm hands and feet; may also be used to east rheumatic pains and lumbago, and for hoarseness as a gargle
  • Considered anti-microbial and, although stinging, a very effective styptic!
  • Often taken as a general tonic specifically for circulatory and digestive systems
  • Considered a stimulant, good for the heart, arteries, blood flow, and nerves

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

#3 German ChamomileMust have, must grow herbs www.homesteadlady.com Chamomile - by homespun seasonal living

  • Matricaria Recutita – Site – Full sun to part shade, reseeding annual
  • Soil – Light and well drained, but will tolerate poorer soils – surprisingly tough little buggers
  • Propagation – One of the few seeds that need light to germinate
  • Sprinkle on soil and LIGHTLY mix with dirt in the late spring
  • Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a perennial, but typically the German is used medicinally
  • The flowers are often used as a nervine tonic and sleep aid
  • Also considered anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving, for a wide range of conditions along the digestive tract
  • It is also considered a blood thinner, so never use it during pregnancy or if you take similar medications – please consult your doctor

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

 #4 PeppermintMust have must grow medicinal herbs www.homesteadlady.com

  • Mentha Spicata (Spearmint) & Mentha Piperita (peppermint) Site – Partial shade or sun – zones 5-11 but will survive lower
  • Soil – Moist, well drained, alkaline
  • Propagation – Take root or stem cuttings, or divide it in spring and autumn
  • In summer, root stem cuttings in water
  • It is very invasive in the garden, so make sure you keep it contained or grow in pots
  • Considered carminative, anti-spasmodic, to combat gas and aid digestion; also considered a nervine, anti-emetic (vomiting), anti-microbial
  • Spearmint is considered better for kids as it’s more mild
  • Peppermint is stronger and considered better suited to adults
  • Mint is used in everything from toothpaste to candy – it’s one of mankind’s favorite flavors
  • Mint, combined with Elder and Yarrow make a traditional help to soothe cold/flu/fever

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

 #5 GarlicMust have, must grow medicinal herbs - www.homesteadlady.com - garlic

  • Allium Sativum – Site – Sunny, but tolerates partial shade
  • Will grow in most zones
  • Perrenial grown as an annual
  • Soil – Rich, moist and well drained
  • tolerates poorer soil
  • Propagation – plant individual cloves
  • 1 ½ inches deep in the fall for larger bulbs
  • Spring planting will also produce bulbs
  • Dig garlic bulbs in late summer and handle gently to avoid bruising
  • Both soft-neck and hard-neck varieties will store in a cool, dry place – braid and hang
  • Use fresh, dried, roasted or infused in oil or vinegar
  • Traidtionally considered an anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-biotic, suited to soothe the the heart and nervous system – traditionally used to kill everything from a sinus infection to ring worm!

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

#6 Echinacea

Must have, must grow medicinal herbs - www.homesteadlady.com - echinacea

  • Echinacea Angustifolia (one variety, but there are several) – Site – Full sun –any zone – wide range of soils and sites
  • Very drought tolerant – do not overwater
  • Propogation – seeds may require some chill – spotty germination
  • Won’t usually flower until second year, but you harvest one to two-year-old roots for medicinal use
  • An at risk plant due to popularity so give it a go – plant some next spring!
  • Angustifolia typically used, but Purpurea also can be used, as immune stimulant
  • Considered anti-microbial, anti-catarrhal (prevents inflammation of nose and throat)
  • As with most dosages, plan for 10-14 days on, 7 days off – or as prescribed by your holistic practitioner

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

#7 Yarrow

  • Achillea Millefolium – Site – full sun – zones 3-10-ish – Soil – any, but prefers well drained
  • Propagation – from seed or divide roots in spring; it can self sow – be careful
  • Considered one of the best diaphoretic herbs; also vaso-dilator and that may have diuretic properties
  • Used to soothe the tummy, and is also as an astringent and an anti-inflammatory
  • Externally used as a styptic

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

#8 Dandelion

  • Taraxacum officinale – Site and Soil – will grow pretty much anywhere
  • Propagation – Try and get it NOT to grow, I dare you
  • The root is a general tonic and used as a liver tonic, hepatic (cleanses the liver), increases bile flow, anti-rheumatic, and may help dump metabolic waste
  • Root can help relieve skin problems, may lower blood cholesterol and can be a mild laxative
  • The leaf can be a mild diuretic, and considered a great natural source of potassium which avoids potassium depletion
  • Leaves are commonly used raw in salads but are a bitter herb

To learn to make your own Dandelion Candy Cough Drops – click here

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

#9 Black ElderMust have, must grow herbs www.homesteadlady.com - Elderberries - by homespunseasonalliving

  • Sambucus Nigra (There are several varieties) – Site full sun to part shade – zones 4-9 – Soil with good organic content and drainage
  • They are prolific, heavy bearing, easy to grow sprawling bushes that can grow to 15’ but can be pruned to 8’
  • Need a pollinator to set fruit, so plan to plant at least two
  • Berries are high vitamin C, good for jams, tea, natural dye
  • Whole plant a nearly complete pharmacy!
  • Leaves are often used externally and are considered vulnerary and emollient; internally, leaves are thought to be purgative, expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic
  • Flowers prepared cold are thought to be diuretic and cooling; prepared warm they are considered diaphoretic and gently stimulating
  • Berries are thought to be diaphoretic, diuretic, aperient (mild laxative)
  • Herbal preparation to support healing for colds, flus, fever, bruises, wounds, sinusitis, hayfever, etc, etc.

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

*Photo credit for calendula: Kelly Biscotti and her great article on Growing Calendula in your Garden.

*Photo credit for elder berry and chamomile: Kathie at Homespun Seasonal Living – an absolute treasure of a website and I encourage you to visit.

Uses for Wellness Herbs:

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

  1. Calendula I use in almost every salve I make. It’s great in lip balm, too. Fresh petals are beautiful in salads.
  2. Cayenne is so easy to incorporate into Mexican dishes. I encapsulate it in my “multi-herbal-vitamin” and take a bit every day.
  3. Chamomile I put in many of my infusions or teas – especially for my kids. It is also wonderful in potpourri and salad.
  4. Peppermint is one I use in a lot of my kid’s tinctures to improve flavor, and for tummy upset. I also throw it into green and fruit salads, into smoothies and ice cream. When an herb grows so abundantly, I feel like that’s God’s way of saying I should eat a lot of it!
  5. Garlic is one I may even over use! Dehydrated, infused and strained in olive oil, it’s considered healing for ear infections. Roasted and added to flatbread with fresh rosemary, it’s a household favorite. In Russia, I used to eat it raw. Oi.
  6. Echinacea is so great to grow, and a dehydrator makes drying the roots so much easier. To learn to process echinacea root and flower, please visit this link from Hopeful Holistic.
  7. Yarrow is a wonderful bedding plant with its lovely flowers, and slightly apple-scented leaves. I grow it for both the humans and the livestock at my house.
  8. Dandelion is great because it grows. The roots do best in a dehydrator, as well. Greens, though, should be eaten fresh and with a nice vinaigrette. Try Dandelion flower jello or cookie.
  9. Elder berries are a soothing cough syrup. Make an infusion and add some raw honey – you’re kids will be pretending they have a sore throat just to get some.

Other Medicinal Herbs to Consider:

Bear in mind that these conclusions are NOT endorsed by the CDC or any other medical body.

If you ask five herbalists their opinion on the best herb, you’ll get fifteen answers. So, the more research the merrier!

  • Comfrey, also known as “Knitbone”
  • Fennel
  • Mullein
  • Marshmallow
  • Oregon Grape Root
  • Sage

Not necessarily to grow but to have:

  • Goldenseal
  • Ginger (have to be grown indoors if you want to try it)
  • Nettle (can grow it in most places, just have to learn to handle it)
  • Reishi and/or Shitaake mushroom (can be grown indoors, but you must learn the process)
  • Usnea lichen
  • Kelp and/or Bladderwrack

Things to Do With These Plants

There are so many things you can do with these medicinal plants. Let me use just one herbal writer as an example. Devon Young writes at Nitty Gritty Mama and she is an excellent herbalist – I highly recommend her site. Just from her articles alone, here are three things to do with herbal plants:

  1. Make a basic salve – easy peasy, anyone can do this with these instructions.
  2. You can also make a perfect infused oil every time – Devon will show you how.
  3. And, just for fun, use herbs in your homemade sodas – no, I’m not kidding, just see here.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, so have fun figuring out what to do first!

Resources for more Information on Wellness Herbs:

    • The ABC Herbal, by Steven Horne – a short, sweet family herbal
    • Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, by Rosemary Gladstar – this one lives in my kitchen
    • Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide, by Rosemary Gladstar – a little simpler than the above and more growing info but I honestly recommend both.
    • The Herbal Medicine Makers Handbook, by James Green – This is a great one in general but it also has growth tables in the back for planning your own garden – read our review of that book by clicking here.
    • Making Plant Medicine, by Richo Cech – owner of Horizon Herbs – kind of a cosmic guy but very knowledgeable and down to earth.
    • The Complete Book of Herbs, by Lesley Bremness – my first herb book and one of which I’m still very fond – Great recipes for food, crafts, lotions, oils, etc.
    • Growing and Using Herbs Successfully, by Betty Jacobs
    • Herbal Antibiotics, by Stephen Harrod Buhner – short and to the point
    • Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child, by Janet Zand – Great family resource book that breaks down ailments, conventional treatments, dietary helps, nutritional supplements, herbal treatments, homeopathics, acupressure, general recommendations, prevention.


Disclaimer: Information offered on the Homestead Lady website is for educational purposes only. Read my full disclaimer HERE.

You might also enjoy...

  • 24/7 Herbal Access : The Herbarium24/7 Herbal Access : The Herbarium
  • How to Plan and Plant a Medicinal Herb GardenHow to Plan and Plant a Medicinal Herb Garden
  • Got Mint?Got Mint?
  • Herb Plants: Basil and Its BenefitsHerb Plants: Basil and Its Benefits
  • Herbal Education for KidsHerbal Education for Kids

Share All Good Things.

FacebookPinterestTwitterEmail

Filed Under: In the Garden Tagged With: Foraging and Wildcrafting, Grow Your Own, Health, Herbs, Home Storage and Preparedness, Homestead Question, Medicinal Food, Natural

Previous Post: « Book Review of Herbal Tea Gardens
Next Post: Free Range Chicken Gardens Review »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nancy@livininthegreen says

    March 19, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    Thanks for the post. These are great recommendations too. I have most of them in the garden or use the ones I don’t (like garlic.) I also used echinacea purpurea as a tea for years with our kids. Only the leaves and flowers though. I used it with a garlic ear oil remedy and it always seem to help them a lot. Well thought out article and references…!

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      April 3, 2013 at 7:55 am

      So glad you found it useful! Thank you for the kind words. 🙂

      Reply
  2. annie @ montanasolarcreations says

    March 27, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Loved this article and just pinned it! The only thing we don’t grow in our own yard is the Elderberry but we just realized last fall after it was too late to harvest any berries that we were seeing it everywhere out in the woods where we go pick huckleberries. This year we are definitely going to wild harvest elderberries!

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      April 3, 2013 at 7:52 am

      How awesome that you live where you can wildcraft both! Where are you?

      Reply
      • Jo says

        May 25, 2017 at 1:11 pm

        I’m guessing she is in Montana.

        Reply
        • Homestead Lady says

          May 26, 2017 at 2:27 pm

          Yes, that’s my friend Annie from her cool blog Montana Solar Creations. I was just wondering where in Montana she was foraging. 🙂

          Reply
  3. Robb Simer says

    March 27, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    I’ve been looking for a website such as yours for a long time. I am getting a few (2-10) acres this year and plan to have an herb garden or two. [one for the kitchen, and one for medicinal purposes.] And I need to study up on medincal herbs and their uses. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      April 3, 2013 at 7:51 am

      Two – ten acres is a perfect amount, in my opinion. I think three is about all I can handle with so many little kiddos. Where are you looking to buy? Keep us posted on where you settle and how it goes!

      Reply
  4. Missy says

    March 28, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    I really enjoyed reading your post, and I’m sure I’ll refer to it often! I’m slowly incorporating a variety of flowers and herbs each year to my medicinal collection. Last year I planted a mint garden, containing three different types of mint. Of my collection, so far my favorites include Calendula and Lemon Balm, though the new one, Borage, I’m adding this year may quickly become a most loved.

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      April 3, 2013 at 7:47 am

      Borage is one of my most favorite flowering herbs! It’s so lovely and my goats find it quite tasty. I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  5. Amanda @Natural Living Mamma says

    November 2, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    This is the perfect list! I agree completely. Thanks for sharing on Natural Living Monday!

    Reply
  6. Lisa Bertolini says

    November 8, 2013 at 11:02 am

    Great post, hope you don’t mind…I pinned it. :O)

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      November 9, 2013 at 1:15 pm

      Love that you pinned it! Let me know what I missed and how it goes for you…

      Reply
  7. Rue says

    April 11, 2014 at 6:06 am

    what book would you recommend for someone just start out. I grow
    rosemary, basil, and oregano.

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      April 11, 2014 at 8:38 am

      I like the Lesley Bremness book The Complete Book of Herbs because its simple, lovely and very comprehensive for a book that’s not too unwieldy and long. Anything Rosemary Gladstar wrote is worth owning but they don’t have a ton of growing info in them. I really suggest going to the library and checking out every herb book you see and then finding one that speaks to your level of experience and your interest. I love the library for vetting books!!!

      Reply
  8. Janine says

    April 14, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    Do you grow all of these? That is amazing. Then harvesting and using must be time consuming and incredibly rewarding. I love the definitions you shared. I have been working on terminology and I love these. Thanks so much for sharing on Oil me up Wednesdays@ My lamp is full.
    Janine

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      April 14, 2014 at 10:16 pm

      Some years the peppers don’t take or the basil floods out or the chamomile burns up. That’s a garden, herb or otherwise. It is a huge amount of work taken all in all but its worth it to know I have medicine for my family. Thanks for hosting!

      Reply
  9. Sandra says

    April 16, 2014 at 8:07 pm

    Thanks for sharing your post at the HomeAcre Hop!
    I would love a herb garden. I have started planting some in pots in the windows. Hopefully a herb garden someday 🙂
    Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

    Reply
  10. Grace says

    April 29, 2014 at 9:17 am

    Wow! Looks like there’s some great information here, bookmarking this page to read later!

    Reply
  11. Sherri says

    September 21, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    Nice post, lots of good information on herb growing and usage.

    Reply
  12. Lee @ Lady Lee's Home says

    October 25, 2014 at 5:56 am

    One of my goals for our new farm is to have a medical herb garden. LOVE this post. Pinned. Thank you for putting this list together!

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      October 25, 2014 at 2:57 pm

      Oooh, Lee – let us know how it goes! I love herb gardens under construction – everything is such an intriguing surprise!

      Reply
  13. Mia says

    March 24, 2017 at 11:59 am

    I understand Sambucus leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides which are considered poisonous?

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      March 26, 2017 at 12:39 am

      Thank you for noting that, Mia! Not all herbal treatments are ingested, but it’s good to be aware of the properties of each plants. You can read this really cool e-publication from The Herb Society of America on Elder – especially interesting is the ethnobotanical section (how the Native Americans used elder).

      Reply
  14. Christina Hafen says

    May 3, 2020 at 6:18 pm

    Wonderful post! Can you plant your top herbs 🌿 you listed above all together in one bed about 4′ x 8′ ?

    Reply
    • Homestead Lady says

      May 4, 2020 at 5:51 pm

      You could probably fit everything except the elderberry which can reach five feet wide and tall – or bigger! Also, unless you’re planting only a few garlic bulbs, you really could plant an entire bed (or more) that size in just garlic. It all depends on how much garlic you want to grow – it stays in the garden nearly a full year, so it’s there taking up space that long.

      One other thing to consider is that mint of any kind is an aggressive spreader in most climates. You might want to give it its own corner of the yard if you have enough space and/or grow it in pots. All the others should do wonderfully well – good luck!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

The Do It Yourself Homestead

Get your copy now!

Pinterest Facebook Twitter Instagram Image Map

Search Our Site

Popular Posts

  • Candle Making Supplies l Make your own candle molds from upcycled materials l Hometead Lady (.com) l A DIY Candle Making Supplies: Make Your Own Molds
  • DIY Wattle: Cheap Garden Fence
  • How to Plan and Plant a Medicinal Herb Garden
  • Make Your Own Plant Pots and Baskets l Learn to weave a natural basket from materials you have on hand l Homestead Lady (.com) Make Your Own Plant Pots and Baskets
  • How to Make Your Own Prunes

Affiliate Disclosure

This blog participates in various affiliate programs which means that you might click on a link for a product from which I will make a small commission, although the price for you doesn't change any. Sweet. I try to find affiliates to work with that I believe my readers will enjoy. I have yet to find a provider for flying pigs, though. I'll work on that.

Amazon Disclosure

Homestead Lady is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Disclaimer

The information presented at Homestead Lady is for educational purposes only. No statement has been evaluated by any federal agency, medical expert, nutritionist or even my mom. Read at your own risk.

Copyright

All photos and posts are the property of their creators. The Homestead Lady grants non-exclusive use of one photo and up to 50 words from posts with attribution and link back to the original post on this site. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Copyright © 2021 · Midnight theme

Copyright © 2021 · Midnight Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in