Top 10 Medicinal Plants To Grow At Home & Uses

In this article we will talk about 10 medicinal plants that a lot of people always have at home. The list of medicinal plants is immense and we do not pretend to exhaust it. Use this text as a guideline for you to know, to know how to use, some of the plants most used by Brazilians for healing.

The use of medicinal plants as a substitute for pharmacy remedy comes from far-off times – ever since humans hunted and collected, experimented with edible plants and watched for what they served. But in modern times and in all societies plants are used to heal where there are no doctors, pharmacy or money.

These are the knowledge that, from generation to generation, already take centuries of improvement, by trial and error. They belong to the culture of each people and region because the plants used are those that are most easily found or that are always cultivated because they belong to the local cuisine. This is the recognized “Popular Medicine”, which is based on the empirical knowledge of healers, shamans, shamans and doctors of bare feet – a way to seek health and healing that does not pass through pharmacies, diplomas or industrial chemical preparations and which , nor does it fail to produce good results.

As we see in the list below, all these are plants of European origin (except the brave lemon that is native, and the avocado, which is Central American) but of use and cultivation in our country since its colonization.

The medicinal uses we point out below are some of the many that can be made – the list of uses would also be too exhaustive – and are the most common, consecrated and recognized.

But, be warned: any excess can be harmful so do not abuse the herbs, even those known, and watch your body’s reaction to the expected effects and those that are unwanted.

Any of these plants you know well and know that you can use without fear of toxicity but, it is always recommended, caution in doses.

It is also important to know: some of these plants are photosensitizers because of their essential oils in relation to sunlight (lemon, holy grass, mint, rosemary, parsley) and you should pay attention to their use on the skin.

1. Garlic – Allium sativum

This is one of the powerful plants we always have in the kitchen.

The garlic raw is powerful healer broad spectrum. Its medicinal use is made in natura, in the form of tea (cloves of garlic, bark) and macerated in water or wine, tincture and oil .

Garlic has following properties :

• Vermifuge
• Antifungal
• Insecticide
• Bactericide
• Antibiotic
• Reduces blood pressure
• Fluidizes the blood
• Reduces inflammatory and catarrhal processes

Of all these plants spoken here, it is the garlic that has the greatest contraindications:

Eating garlic, or taking garlic oil capsules, is very dangerous for all those who:

• Have blood clotting problems
• Taking anticoagulant medicines
• Thrombosis or suspicion of non-consolidated thrombi
• Suffer from bleeding
• Very heavy menstruation
• Have very low blood pressure (especially in warmer weather)
• The week before surgery of any size (including dental)
• After surgery

If you consume: gingko biloba, ulmaria, sauce, evening primrose oil, krill oil, grapefruit or chestnut (all have anticoagulant action that will be potentiated with the concomitant use of garlic).

2. Lemon

In Brazil we have different lemons: Tahiti ( Citrus latifolia ), Lemon-Sicilian ( Citrus limon ), Lemon-Galego ( Citrus aurantifolia ), Limon-Carnation ( Citrus limonia ) and Brave lemon ( Siparuna apiosyce ).

All of these lemons have similar medicinal uses: they are refreshing, calming, digestive, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant (rich in vitamin C). The ripe fruits can be used in the diet and the tea leaves, fruits and flowers in the cure.

Common Uses for Lemon:

• Gastric problems (acidity, poor digestion, dyspepsia, gastritis, ulcer)respiratory problems. (bronchitis, dyspepsia, gastric embarrassment, gas, laryngitis, dry cough)
•  Omprove the immune system response
• Skin problems (spots, fungus, seborrhea)
• Fungal infections
• Activate the metabolism (to lose weight)
• Blood purifying
• Tune the blood
• Reduce arterial hypertension
• Reduction of fat intake
• Improves the absorption of iron from food
• Hepatic stimulant (keeps the gallbladder clean)
• Reduces uric acid
• Detoxifies the body
• Combat jaundice
• Combats nausea
• Rebalances the bowel

3. Lemon Grass ( Cymbopogon Citratus)

The lemon grass , also known as Prince weed, is a relative of the citronella Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus (which is not edible). This plant is used in food in Thailand and Sri Lanka, in salads, sauteed and as seasoning.

As tea, it has medicinal use under the conditions of:

• Fevers
• Pains
• Nervous problems (gastric, insomnia, restlessness, anxiety)
• Bacterial and viral infections
• Liver problems
• Gastric and intestinal spasms
• Stimulates peripheral circulation
• Stomach stimulant
• In lactation
• Anesthetic of the gastric mucosa
• High blood pressure

4. Sage – Salvia officinalis

Sage is a healing herb for many uses. It is also used as a condiment. It can be used in natural (leaves), tea leaves and flowers, macerated in water, wine or oil, baths of seat or of whole body, smoking, and inhalation.

• Colds of all kinds (lung, genitals, stomach and intestines)
• Bacterial and viral infections
• Colds, colds. bronchitis
• Enhances immune defense
• Genital fungal infections
• Skin problems (heals, disinfects, restores)
• Cardiovascular and circulatory system
• Inhalation to the respiratory tract
• Smoothing environments
• Relaxing and healing baths
• High blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Female problems: tpm, menopause, hormonal variations, menstrual cycle variations, amenorrhea, cystitis, vaginal dryness,

5. Basil ( Ocimum basilicum )

The basil is one of the great herbs to when you feel sick without knowing what you have. It can be used in tea, macerated in water or as a condiment.

Basil Uses :

• Exhaustion and depression
• Inflammations and fevers
• Activates the immune system
• Intestinal parasites
• Treatment of acne and skin infections
• Joint pain and rheumatism
• Treatment of open wounds and varicose ulcers
• Respiratory tract infections – bronchitis
• Nipple cracking
• Menstrual and gastrointestinal cramps
• Digestive problems
• Insomnia, anxiety, nervousness
• Heart and venous problems

6. Mint (Genus Mentha)

All the mints are great – for healing and for cooking. They can be used in tea, baths, plasters, macerated in water or oil and inhalation.

Each of the Mentha species has its specific uses in folk medicine but, basically, they are used as digestive and tranquilizers of gastrointestinal conditions as well as for the reduction of colds. They are also used as soothing to the nervous system.

7. Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis )

The rosemary is used as a condiment in Mediterranean cuisine, such as tea, garrafada, sitz baths or macerated in oil, in curing the following problems:

• Nervous system – depression, insomnia, anxiety, sadness
• Cardiovascular system – in cardiac weakness, heavy heart
• Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys and lungs
• Antiseptic, astringent
• Prostate
• Colitis
• Acne and skin inflammations
• No stress and memory loss
• Improves mood, appearance and increases longevity
• Recovers the vaginal muscles

8. Pumpkin ( Cucurbita Pepo )

Each type of pumpkin has its specific medicinal quality, which varies depending on the number of vitamins, minerals and fibers it contains, but in general, pumpkins are rich in vitamins A, B, C and E in phosphorus, selenium, potassium and calcium, and in optimal fibers. The more orange the squash of the pumpkin, the greater its content in carotene, fundamental for the health of the eyes.

Common Uses of Pumpkin in Cure:

• Cases of diarrhea and gas;
• The juice of the pulp is good for constipation;
• The poultice of the leaves is indicated in cases of burns, inflammations, and earaches;
• Seeds, roasted or raw, are excellent as a vermifuge;
• And, in general, the pumpkin is an excellent tonic for the brain, liver, kidneys and intestines;
• Tea from pumpkin seeds to cure colic, decrease kidney stones and calm fevers;
• Use pumpkin peel, directly on the forehead to relieve headaches;
• Pumpkin loin is recommended for the treatment of ear pain;
• The juice of the flowers is considered digestive;
• Crushed seeds provide a cooling juice, suitable for periods of fever and inflammation of the urinary tract, such as cystitis and prostatic hypertrophy

8. Parsley

All species of parsley are rich in iron and vitamin C, have diuretic, vasodilating and toning action. Both the root and the leaves and stalks of the parsley can be used in tea and macerated in water.

Indications for use:

• Diuretic, fluid retention, cellulite, swollen and heavy legs
• Heart failure and high blood pressure
• Poor urine, kidney failure
• Inappetence, anemia, physical exhaustion
• Dysmenorrhea
• Stimulating and fortifying
• Bladder infections
• Improves digestion
• Keeps the kidneys healthy
• Prevents bad breath
• Treats arthritis
• Cleans the blood
• Protects and stimulates the immune system

9. Avocado

The avocado is curative and food, rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, fiber and minerals. The pulp is consumed in natura, of the core and the leaves are prepared teas.

Uses indicated:

• Regulates blood circulation
• Lwers cholesterol (LDL)
• Stabilizes blood pressure
• Fighting nervous colitis
• Reduces blood sugar
• Has anti-inflammatory action
• Regulates menstruation problems
• Improves the appearance of the skin
• Strengthens the immune system
• Prevents heart disease
• Has antioxidant action
• Improves digestion
• Is antidiarrheal
• Prevents tumors
• Relieves joint pain
• Fighting heartburn
• Helps decrease body weight