6 Best  Medicinal Plants To Have In Your Garden.

6 Best Medicinal Plants To Have In Your Garden.

Hi there! If you’re someone who likes to take a natural approach to health and wellness, then having a few medicinal plants in your garden can be a great way to keep yourself and your family healthy. Here are five medicinal plants that you may want to consider growing in your garden

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is an ancient medicinal plant that has been used to treat various health conditions for thousands of years. Aloe Vera is one of the medicinal plants that are very easy to grow. It can be grown in a pot/container or planted directly on the ground.

To plant aloe Vera, you will need aloe vera pups preferably with a bit of root on them, a Pot or container, a well-drained soil ( a mixture of sandy and loamy soil). Aloe Vera does not essentially require watering but it requires abundant sunlight for up to 6 hours per day.

Aloe Vera takes about 3-4 years to fully mature. When the leaves are cut, it takes about 3_5 months to grow back. Aloe Vera creams, gel, and ointments contain the clear gel found in aloe vera leaves.

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                                         Aloe Vera plants

How To Extract Aloe Vera Gel From Aloe Vera Leaves

  • Cut the aloe vera leaf and place it in a bowl to drain the latex from the leaf( latex is the yellowish liquid that oozes out after cutting). Latex must be drained properly to avoid skin irritation.
  • Wash the leaf in clean water after draining the latex.
  • Cut the base( white part of the leaf) away with a knife.
  • Cut the spikes and the pointed tip of the leaf and rinse the leaf again in clean water.
  • Gently cut off the green part of the leaf with a knife or a peeler to expose the gel inside.
  • Rinse the gel in clean water after taking it out of the leaf.
  • Your extracted gel is ready for use

USES OF ALOE VERA/ ALOE VERA GEL

  • Lowering blood sugar

Consuming two tablespoons of aloe vera juice daily can lower blood sugar, especially in people with diabetes. Aloe Vera juice is gotten when aloe vera gel is properly blended and sieved.

However, people who take glucose-reducing medications should be careful when consuming aloe vera, because when both are combined, it can reduce your glucose count to a dangerously low level.

                           Aloe Vera juice

  • To clear acne

Aloe Vera gel can be applied to the face after washing in place of a cleanser. It boosts blood flow and kills off harmful bacteria on the skin. 

How to apply: Extract the gel from aloe vera and wash thoroughly. Wash your face with a bar of mild soap and warm water. Clean gently with a soft towel. Apply aloe vera gel on the face like a mask, wait for 20 minutes, and rinse off with warm water. Do this once daily.

  • Mouthwash

Aloe Vera extract has been recognized as a safe and effective alternative to chemical-based mouthwash. The plant’s natural ingredients, which include vitamin C, can block plaque. It can also be used to relieve bleeding or swollen gums. 

  • Hair growth

People often say aloe vera helps with hair growth but it has not been scientifically proven. However, researchers believe that aloe in a chemical compound found in aloe vera can be used to promote hair growth.

It has been used to improve hair health and reduce breakage. Aloe vera can also be used to reduce the grease or extra oil which makes hair greasy and itchy. Aloe Vera also strengthens the hair follicles due to the presence of various fatty acids Amino acids and various vitamins found in its gel.

How to apply: Extract the gel from aloe vera, and blend the gel into a paste. Apply the paste to the hair and cover the hair with a shower cap or airproof cap( once air comes in contact with the gel, it dries up and becomes difficult to remove with water), leave it on for 10-20 minutes or as desired. Rinse off with clean water. Do this once a week.

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  • For Glowing skin

Aloe Vera gel can be used to keep skin hydrated and glowing. It can also be used as an effective face moisturizer and pain reliever due to its water-dense leaves, combined with its complex carbohydrates. Products with 100% aloe vera gel can be purchased from stores.

  • Treatment of sunburn and mild burns

Aloe Vera can be used to cool or temporarily treat burns due to its soothing effect. Aloe vera helps to ease sunburn symptoms and reduces inflammation. However, serious burns (2nd and 3rd degree) should be referred to the hospital for immediate attention.

How to apply: Extract the gel from aloe vera and apply the gel to the burn region carefully, repeat this 2 times daily. 

  • Keeping some fruits fresh

Fruits like apples, tomatoes, grapes, etc have been subjected to a test using aloe vera gel. And it was discovered that fruits coated in aloe vera gel for preservation last longer than those that were not coated in aloe vera gel.

However, before Aloe Vera is applied generously to any affected part of the body, a brief application should be made to the wrist to determine if the individual is allergic to aloe vera or not. Before aloe vera is incorporated into any treatment plan, please visit a qualified doctor for advice.

Bitter leaf

Bitter leaf is a multi-purpose plant, its leaves can be cooked as a vegetable and its juice has various health benefits which include:

  • Weight loss: Some of the elements found in bitter leaf juice can help get rid of excess fat in the body.
  • Boost immune system: Bitter leaf juice can help boost the immune system and prevent the spread/development of cancer cells.
  • Reduce blood pressure and sugar: Bitter leaf juice can help the body to reduce or lower the blood sugar level as it is rich in potassium and sodium. It also reduces the level of salt in the blood.
  • Treatment of skin diseases like rashes, and ringworm: Bitter leaves can be squeezed and applied to the spot of those skin diseases for treatment.
  • It is also used for detoxification.

HOW to extract bitter leaf juice

  • Get some freshly picked bitter leaf and rinse it properly in clean water,
  • Blend the leaves smoothly with a blender or food processor
  • Strain with a sieve and your bitter leaf juice is ready.

OR

  • After washing your leaves, put your leaves into a bowl and add a pinch of salt. Squeeze the leaves together until the juice starts coming out and sieve the juice after squeezing.

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Lemon grass

  Lemon grass is a medicinal plant that is very easy to plant and maintain. It is most commonly used for making tea and used as an ingredient in some dishes.

Lemon grass benefits are

  • Treatment of common cold and cough
  • Used to treat stomach flu
  • Used for aromatherapy
  • Used to make essential oil
  • Used as an anti-inflammatory medicine.
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                          Lemon grass plant

Mint leaf

Mint is the general name for a group of plants with over 20 species examples including peppermint and so on. This leaf has a variety of uses and can be taken in various ways e.g incorporated into recipes, production of essential oil, production of tea, used in the production of mint-flavored beverages, used in salads, and can be used in the production of desserts.

Mint leaf

Mint leaf is identified by its strong smell and can be used both in its fresh and dried form.

Some of the benefits of mint leaves include:

  • It aids digestion: Menthol, which is found in mint leaves, aids digestion and reduces gassiness and bloating.
  • It can serve as pain relief: When applied to the skin, mint leaves perform a soothing function that helps to relieve pain. Menthol is found in most pain relief products.
  • Used to treat common cold: Menthol, which is found in mint leaves, is one of the ingredients found in most tablets or capsules used for the treatment of a cold.
  • Control of bad breath: Mint leaf is one of the main ingredients found in most toothpaste as it is commonly used for the control of bad breath. Chewing fresh mint leaves can also help with masking and controlling bad breath and mouth odor.

Mint leaves

                          Peppermint leaves

Ginger

Ginger has been around us for thousands of years, and people paid little to no attention to this plant. However, over the last 10 years or so, people have started paying attention to this plant for its various health benefits and uses which include: 

Ginger
  • Production of herbal tea
  • Production of essential oil
  • Treatment of common cold and flu
  • Detoxification
  • Incorporation into weight loss plan
  • Treatment of migraines and hypertension
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Treatment of nausea and vomiting
  • Treatment of arthritis
  •  Reduction of menstrual pain
Ginger plant
Ginger plant

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Garlic

Garlic just like ginger is another Medicinal plant that has been incorporated into a lot of recipes.

Some garlic benefits are:

Garlic
  • It aids digestion and detoxification of the body system
  • It aids in weight loss
  • It aids digestion
  • Cold and cough treatment
  • Reduction of blood pressure and sugar
  • Lowers risk of heart diseases
  • Reduces cholesterol level
  • It contains antioxidant which reduces the risk of certain diseases like dementia etc. 
  • It boosts metabolism
  • It works as a painkiller
  • It can cure athlete’s foot
  • Stress reliever.

However, excessive garlic intake can cause bad breath. 

Garlic plant
Garlic plant

Conclusion

In conclusion, having a garden with medicinal plants can offer many benefits to your health and well-being. Incorporating plants like aloe vera, lemon grass, ginger, mint, and garlic into your garden can provide you with a natural source of remedies for common ailments. From soothing burns and insect bites to promoting relaxation and boosting your immune system, these medicinal plants offer a range of healing properties that can support your overall health.

By growing these plants in your garden, you’ll have easy access to natural remedies that can help you feel better and promote a sense of calm and well-being. So, start planting your medicinal garden today and reap the many benefits of having these healing plants at your fingertips.