There are thousands of medicinal plants out there, but the nine herbs listed below can provide most of what you need to create a backyard pharmacy.
If you grow these herbs in your backyard, you won’t have to go out foraging for hours on end or put your faith in store-bought herbs that have been depleted of their nutrient content, says herbalist Dr. Nicole Apelian.
Here are 9 useful herbs you should have in your home garden:
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
The California poppy contains a variety of plant compounds, including alkaloids (allocryptopine and protopine) and flavone glycosides, which are said to exhibit pain-relieving, antispasmodic and hypnotic activities.
Herbalist Dr. Aviva Romm notes that California poppy is a relaxant herb that promotes sleep. It also has a calming effect and can be used to reduce anxiety and nervousness.
According to herbalists Rosemary Gladstar and David Hoffman, California poppy is a safe natural sedative to use for children, especially those who are over-excited and cannot sleep. To make a gentle, soothing tea, combine California poppy with chamomile, milky oats and marshmallow root.
California poppy is more powerful than morphine but is safer to use for treating and managing acute and chronic pain.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Essential oils, flavonoids, polysaccharides and triterpenoids are the principal constituents of calendula flowers. These plant compounds exhibit pharmacological activity, according to the book Medicinal Herbs in Primary Care.
Calendula has nourishing benefits for the skin and is used topically for treating wounds due to its soothing and antimicrobial properties. It may also be beneficial for chronic prostatitis, diaper dermatitis, episiotomy healing, gingivitis, leg ulcers (neuropathic and venous), radiation dermatitis, radiation mucositis and vaginal candidiasis. Calendula has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and cytotoxic properties.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
A well-known medicinal plant often referred to as the “star among medicinal species” and included in the pharmacopeia of 26 countries, chamomile has been an ingredient of several traditional, Unani (a system of medicine practiced in India), and homeopathy medicinal preparations. It is also used for colic, flatulence, hysteria and intermittent fever.
The essential oil derived from chamomile flowers has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anti-spasmodic properties. The herb can be used internally — mainly as a tisane (caffeine-free tea) — for diarrhea and nausea, disturbance of the stomach associated with pain, sluggish digestion, inflammation of the urinary tract and painful menstruation.
Externally, chamomile in powder form may be applied to promote the healing of wounds, skin eruptions, infections like boils and shingles, hemorrhoids and inflammation of the eyes, mouth and throat.
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
A study published in the Scientific World Journal reported that most parts of the chicory plant contain a wide variety of nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins (A, B1, B2, C), minerals (calcium, iron, potassium), soluble fiber, trace elements and bioactive phenolic compounds, which are responsible for the therapeutic qualities of chicory.
Inulin, coumarins, tannins, monomeric flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones are some of the major phytonutrients found in chicory plants. The health-promoting properties attributed to chicory include antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, anthelminthic, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, antioxidative, antiviral and immune-stimulating activities.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
A study published in the journal Pharmacognosy Review reported that echinacea’s bioactive components, namely, alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives, glycoproteins and polysaccharides, have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral and immune-stimulating properties.
Echinacea has long been used as a natural remedy for colds, flu and upper respiratory infections. It is useful for treating candida and other fungal infections, tumors and whooping cough. The herb is also known to boost the immune system.
Echinacea preparations are contraindicated for people with progressive systemic diseases, such as collagen disorders, leukemia and leukemia-like diseases, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis and auto-immune diseases.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Also known as bachelor’s buttons and wild chamomile, feverfew can help relieve inflammation that causes arthritis pain. Studies point to a substance called parthenolide as the active component of feverfew that helps relieve migraine and muscle spasms.
Feverfew is a home remedy for fever and pain. It can be added to teas or you can simply chew one of its leaves.
A poultice made from crushed feverfew leaves placed over the affected area can help with arthritis or muscle pain. It can also help reduce joint inflammation and relieve joint pain. Crush some feverfew leaves (soak them if dried) and place them directly over the joint. Cover with a clean cloth to hold them in place.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
Meadowsweet flowers are high in flavonoids, but the primary constituents of the herb are salicylates, particularly salicin, salicylaldehyde and methyl salicylate. In the digestive tract, these compounds are converted to salicylic acid, a substance that is closely related to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).
Sweetly scented meadowsweet tea is a natural analgesic. It helps relieve colds and fever as well as pain due to digestive problems, headaches and inflamed joints. The herb is also a natural diuretic and can be used as an astringent and skin conditioner by soaking the leaves in rainwater.
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Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
According to a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, peppermint leaves and oil can be used as medicine. Peppermint is effective against the common cold, cough, inflammation of the mouth and throat, sinus infection and other respiratory infections.
The active compounds present in peppermint leaves are rosmarinic acid and several flavonoids, primarily eriocitrin, luteolin and hesperidin. The main volatile components of peppermint essential oil are menthol and menthone. The herb has shown significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities, as well as high antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-allergenic potential. (Related: Learn how to grow these 8 medicinal plants in your indoor garden.)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
A popular folk medicine, yarrow contains flavonoids that increase saliva and stomach acid production to help with digestion. Alkaloids like azulene extracted from the flowers and leaves of yarrow have also been reported to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Yarrow can help relax muscles in the intestine and uterus and relieve menstrual and stomach cramps.
Yarrow essential oil is well-known for reducing inflammation. It is also great for relieving skin issues, such as burns, eczema, insect bites and rashes, because of its a cooling, soothing effect.
Grow medicinal plants in your backyard so you can have easy access to powerful natural remedies when SHTF.
Watch the video to learn about 30 medicinal plants the Native Americans used on a daily basis.
This video is from the Dilieze channel on Brighteon.com.
Join the conversation about this article at Late Preppers.
More related stories:
- 5 medicinal mushrooms you can grow in your home garden or forage in your backyard.
- Top 10 medicinal plants you can grow yourself.
- Heal yourself with medicinal plants you can easily grow in your own home.
- Sources include:
- AskAPrepper.com
- TheHerbalAcademy.com
- BotanicalInstitute.org
- ScienceDirect.com
- NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov 1
- NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov 2
- NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov 3
- PubMed.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov
- Brighteon.com
- NATURAL NEWS
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
