The best medicinal herbs to grow in your garden are the herbs you’re going to use…
If you’ve spent anytime around here, you already know that I love herbal medicine. While I’m not formally trained as an herbalist, I’ve been studying the use of herbs in medicine for over 15 years. I have a pretty strong grasp on what herbs to use for which ailments and I will always reach for something in my apothecary before going to the pharmacy.
For the past several years, I’ve been slowly adding to my medicinal herb garden at home. I have a variety of perennials planted and each year, I sow new annuals that we might need. Here’s just a few of the herbs that I regularly keep in my garden:
- Chamomile
- Bee balm
- Arnica
- Yarrow
- Basil
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Marshmallow
- Peppermint
- Lemon Balm
- Lemon Verbena
- Thyme
- Lavender
In addition to those that I plant each year, we’re lucky enough to have the following growing wild on our homestead:
- Red raspberry
- Mullein
- Self heal
- Wild Violet
- Dandelion
- Plantain
- Jewelweed
- Feverfew
- Wood Sorrel
- and more!
But, here’s the thing…
You don’t need to grow #ALL.THE.HERBS.
Like I said above…the best medicinal herbs to grow in your garden are the herbs you’re going to use…
There’s no point in growing a bunch of plants that you don’t know how to use or that you’re not interested in using.
Do your research. Learn the herbal remedies that work best for the conditions you or your loved ones suffer from regularly.
However, there are some herbs that have multiple uses and are great to keep in every homestead first aid kit for regular and emergency use.
Below, I’ve listed 7 of the best medicinal herbs to grow for your first aid kit, along with some tips for uses of each one…
7 Best Medicinal Herbs to Grow in Your Garden
Calendula
Calendula is the perfect herb for skin ailments. Not only does it help to soothe regular dry skin and working hands, but it’s great for the following health issues, too…
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Dermatitis
- Fever reduction
- Sore throat
- Muscle spasms
- Varicose Veins
- Diaper rash
- and more!

Chamomile
Oh Chamomile…probably my very favorite herb of them all. Chamomile was one of the first herbs I experimented with…way back when and it quickly sent me down the rabbit hole that is herbal medicine. The benefits of this beauty are unnumbered, however, the most common uses are…
- Relaxation
- Anxiety
- Upset stomach
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Muscle spasms
- Menstrual disorders
- Hemorrhoids
- Rheumatic pain
- Inflammation
- and so much more!
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is another one of those magical herbs that soothes all sorts of ailments, but is most recommended as a calming herb. Use lemon balm tea or tincture to remedy the following ailments:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Indigestion
- Improve appetite
- Reduce stress
- Relieve menstrual pain
- and more!
Peppermint
We could go on all day about peppermint. The many benefits and uses date back as far as 1500 BC and it has been used throughout history for food, herbal medicine and religious ceremonies. Give peppermint a try for any of the following issues:
- Anxiety
- Digestive disorders of all kinds
- Common cold and flu
- Sinus infection
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Itching from bug bites, rashes, etc.
- Toothache and dental pain
- Nausea and Morning sickness from pregnancy
- and more!
Marshmallow
Marshmallow is a beauty of a flower often found along sunny dirt roads and grassy ditches. It looks a lot like a hollyhock flower, but instead of being ornamental, it’s a power packed herb waiting to help heal you! Try marshmallow to remedy the following ailments:
- Dry cough
- Inflammation
- Diarrhea
- Stomach ulcers
- Constipation
- Urinary tract inflammation/stones
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Dermatitis
- Insect bites
- Wounds
- Sore throat
- and more!
Yarrow
While it’s smell is, well…let’s than appetizing, Yarrow is another magical herb found in roadside ditches. It’s a wonderful remedy for so many issues and it can’t be discounted. Try yarrow for the following:
- Reduce Fever
- Colds/Flu
- Hay fever
- Diarrhea
- Relieve Toothache
- Stop bleeding
- Anxiety
- and more!
Garlic
You probably think of garlic as more of a spice than an herb, but it is in fact an herb…an incredibly powerful herb. An herb prescribed by the father of Western medicine himself, Hippocrates. Garlic contains natural antibiotic properties and is known to remedy all kinds of ailments from the skin to the intestines. It’s a really important herb to have in your first aid kit! Try garlic to remedy the following:
- Common cold/flu
- Respiratory ailments
- Parasites
- Fatigue
- Bronchitis
- Hypertension
- Flatulence
- Colic
- Intestinal worms
- Rheumatism
- Fever
- and more!
Whew…that’s alotta herbal remedies! I hope you’ve enjoyed checking out this article about the best medicinal herbs to grow in your garden. Now, get out there and do some planting!
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Have an Awesome Day!
~Vanessa

Vanessa Hamlin is the owner and founder of Food Life Design and VLHamlinDesign. With her passion for frugal living and homesteading, Vanessa loves to write about easy recipes, making money, gardening, home remedies and everything else that a good life entails! When she’s not writing for Food Life Design or creating products for VLHamlinDesign, you’ll find Vanessa reading, drawing, gardening, cooking or spending time with her family.