4 Easy Medicinal Plants you can grow

By thenaturenurd -via APN

As preppers we should seek to become more self-reliant.  Producing/growing your own medicine is another way to do that.  I have four medicinal plants anyone can grow:  Aloe Vera, Peppermint, Garlic, and Sage.  As with any product used for Medicinal Reasons please CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if you think you might have complications from using any of the plants below.  I am not giving medical advice only hard research from reliable sources.  Please see the links at the bottom of the page for more information on each of these plants.

Aloe Vera (Aloe vera) is a great plant for many reasons.  It is considered a succulent, meaning its leaves are thick and fleshy.  Inside the leaves is a clear jelly like substance used as a topical ointment for skin irritations, cuts, and burns.  Aloe Vera has a long and storied history with humans.  It is depicted on the stone walls of Egypt over 6,000 years ago and was known as the "plant of immortality."  Typically it was a gift to pharaohs as a burial item.  The exact distribution of Aloe Vera is unknown.  However, it is thought that it originated somewhere in Northern Africa, the outlying islands such as the Canary Islands and possibly the Arabian Peninsula.  From these areas it was spread by human cultivation to East Asia, Europe and finally the Americas.  Aloe Vera grows best in sandy well-drained soils.  If you are going to keep it in a pot then make sure it drains adequately.  If you go into almost any Health and Beauty section of a pharmacy, grocery, or department store you can see products made from Aloe Vera such as lotions, sunscreen and balms.  Traditionally, in folk medicine, Aloe Vera was also used as a laxative when the dried juice called latex was taken orally.  It likes sunny spots, but not too much sun.  If you live in USDA planting zones 8-11, it is hardy in those climates.  It is intolerant of frost or snow so its best to take it in when it gets cold.  We have one in our kitchen window from a year ago and it has doubled in size and needs to be re potted.  You can get one of your own here.

Agrimony

By Jalapeno Gal77 -via APN

Agrimony is an herb commonly used throughout Europe for centuries.  It has been used for medicinal purposes such as wound healing, asthma or as a sedative.  After being introduced to North America, it was discovered that Agrimony had many other uses as well.

Uses
Agrimony has astringent action and is often used as an external lotion to sores and ulcers and makes a great gargle or mouthwash. It has also been used to help fight pimples and blemishes without the use of harsh chemicals on the skin.

Agrimony can also be used to fight these ailments: diabetes, gallbladder disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, fluid retention, bleeding, corns & warts, fever, upset stomach, sore throats (gargle with it), fluid retention, tuberculosis and as an antihistamine.

Alfala

By Jalapeno Gal77  via APN

Yup, you read that right!!  Alfalfa is an herb that humans can consume and is very beneficial.  Its not just for our horses, cows and goats.  Alfalfa was discovered by Arabs, known as the “Father of all foods,” and was originally fed to their horses because it was believed to give them great swiftness.

 The leaves are packed with minerals, calcium, potassium, magnesium and carotene.  Many people take this herbal supplement orally, and it has been considered safe for multiple medicinal purposes.  Others like to add this herbal sprout to their salads, sandwiches and other entrees, while some prefer to eat it plain just like a vegetable because it is rich in fiber and vitamins.  Alfalfa has 18.9% vitamins and protein, beef at 16.5%, milk at 3.3% and eggs at 13.1%. So if your not a beef eater, Alfalfa is a great way to substitute protein for your muscles.  Vitamins include: A,E,U,B6,K, and D.  Minerals include: Calcium, Iron, Potassium,  Magnesium, Sodium, and Manganese.

 Angelica

By Jalapeno Gal77 -via APN

Angelica
Angelic has been known for centuries to help, medicinally, in many ways.  The history of how Angelica came to be is very interesting.  It is said that Angelica was revealed in a dream by an angel to cure the plague.  According to history, this plant is believed to be “The Root of the Holy Ghost,” and has magical powers that are effective against evil spirits.  Angelica roots were also used by Native Americans in ceremonies to ward off any evil spirits or unwanted ghosts.  Towards the end of this article, I will provide different methods for making teas, cough syrups, and home made aromatherapy for your long hot bath.

Cayenne Pepper

By Jalapeno Gal77 - via APN

Cayenne Peppers! (One of my favorites!)

Who would have thought Cayenne peppers were used for medicinal purposes as well as culinary?  Known as a cure-all across the globe and very rich in multiple vitamins, cayenne is mostly known for its circulatory stimulate and is said to promote heart and blood vessels. Consumed by people for over 9,000 years now, cayenne peppers are also used in many different cuisines and over the last 30-50 years, have really been brought to attention as an herbal medicine.

Lemon Balm

By Jalapeno Gal77 -via APN

Lemon Balm is well known for its calming properties, much like a tranquilizer when sipped in tea.  I have found it great to start and end my day with as it calms me mentally and physically.  Lemon balm also seems to restrain the growth of virus and bacteria and because of these properties it is commonly used for cold sores, to induce sweating in those with fever, cleaning sores and cuts, and can be used on insect bites and stings.  Lemon Balm has no known reactions from its use and has been used medicinally and in culinary dishes for over 2000 years.

Hunting Wild Edibles

By Jalapeno Gal77 -via APN

What better way to take yourself back to your  roots than to find natural edible’s to make your own medicines or to eat?!  Collecting your own herbs can be tricky and very rewarding.  Identifying herbs that are safe can be a difficult process if you are not familiar with everything about the plant.

There are herbs all around you, in your yard, on the side of the roads, in the woods, at your nursery.   Once you educate yourself and become familiar with some of the basic herbs like, dandelion, lemon balm, angelica, alfalfa, chickweed, dead nettle, plantain, wild onion, etc, you will have so much fun collecting them and using them.

Dandelion

Herbal Joint: Herbs from A-Z; Dandelion

By Jalapeno Gal77 -via APN

The dandelion, well-known as an annoying weed in our grass, is actually a very useful flower.  A very interesting herb, it has one of the longest flowering seasons of any plant, it opens in the morning and closes in the evening to sleep, and their seeds can be carried up to 5 miles!!  The Dandelion is a perennial flower that is found in North America, Asia, and Europe, and can grow has high as 12 inches.  It is a bright yellow flower with tooth like petals.  In the seed stage, they are white and fluffy. You might remember as a child, picking those white cotton like flowers that you blow into the wind and make a wish on? 

However, there is another plant that looks similar to the dandelion when it’s in its seeding stage called Tragopogon dubius.  Some other common names are goats beard, wild oyster, and yellow salsify.   The only part that resembles the dandelion is the seed head.  The difference being that the goats head is much larger in diameter than the dandelion.   It is edible and is found mostly in the United States and Canada.

5 Herbs & Tinctures That Everyone Needs at Home & Their BOB's

5 Herbs & Tinctures That Everyone Needs at Home and Their BOB’s

By Jalapeno Gal77 via APN 

This article should be named “The 100 herbs needed to survive”, but then it would be to long to read.  In the meantime, here is a list of the herbs I feel we can’t do without in our home or our BOB’s.