Since I began learning about herbal medicine almost 2 decades ago, I’ve held firm to the story that I did not grow up around plants in this way. My mom and both of my grandmothers were all gardeners to some extent, but not herbalists.
The other day, I burned my arm with hot steam from the kettle. I was distracted and beginning to feel overwhelmed and boom I hurt myself. As is usually the case. I immediately went to the sink and started running cold water over the burn, and then as soon as I could I went and broke off leaf of aloe vera to use immediately. It was completely instinctual- I didn’t have to consult one of my books to see what herbs are good for burns. There was a pathway already carved out in my neural network. The mechanics of my body knew what to do. It was second nature because I cannot remember a time that my mother did not have an aloe vera plant growing. Further, I can’t remember a time that I haven’t had one in any of the houses and apartments I have ever lived in. Where did I get an aloe vera plant in our crappy moldy Victorian terraced house in Southampton, England? I have no memory of how it came to be there, but I know we had one. I know we had one in Spain, because the huge loft floor to ceiling window light allowed our largest aloe plant to flower, and I had never seen that happen before! I’ve always had an aloe vera plant, and I’ve always used it- for burns, other skin irritations, sunburns, even blended into drinks and smoothies when my digestion feels a little off.
And truly, this is how our relationship with plants should be- so intimate that it’s second nature. This is how we really get to KNOW a plant beyond the memorized uses and active constituents. We know them so well that we take them for granted, even. I didn’t even consider Aloe vera to be “an herb” in that way. I didn’t even give it credit for the lifelong relationship that we have.
And it got me thinking about what, then, are other plants, other herbs that are just as easy to grow in pots or to have on hand. What other plants can we use to have a tiny fresh apothecary anywhere we go and have them be a part of our wellness routines? I’ve narrowed it down to 5, and I’d like to share what plants I believe every household should have on hand.
Aloe vera can be easily grown as a houseplant, as long as you have a sunny spot to place it. I find that Aloe does especially well if allowed to be outside during the warm seasons as long as adequate rainfall or water are provided. As mentioned earlier, aloe is emollient for the skin, and a vulnerary. It is especially soothing for burns and sunburns because of the thick, coating quality it has when applied topically to the skin as a vulnerary. You can see burned skin immediately soak up the moisture from aloe into the dry and damaged cells. You can tell when you need it. Aloe is also wonderful in skin care, due to moisture retaining and skin healing properties including compounds which promote tissue repair. I’ve been getting more serious about my skin care routine since I turned 40 and sometimes if I don’t have any products to use on hand, I will use fresh aloe after washing my face.
Internally, aloe has a laxative effect, which may or may not be something you are looking for. If you aren’t but would like to make use of the soothing gel for digestive irritation, simply scoop out the gel from the inside of a leaf but be careful to avoid the skin or the yellowish inner lining of the skin.
Aloe vera is probably the easiest plant to use effectively, just cut open a leaf and rub the exposed goo on your body!
One of our aloes that lives inside, desperate for a propagation session
There are so many different types of mint (peppermint, spearmint, water mint, chocolate mint, orange mint and more), most of them would work just fine growing in a pot. If you have an outdoor spot to put your potted plants, just like the aloe, mint will benefit greatly in the summertime. Mint can be used most obviously as a flavoring agent or simply a nice tasting tea, but some of the specific uses for mint would be- as a digestive herb, for mild nausea or after overindulging. Mint is both carminative and aromatic. Really, any time that your digestive system feels like it needs a little attention as it has an overall relaxing effect (antispasmodic) on the tissues of the digestive tract. When you know, you know. In addition, it’s a great respiratory herb for any congestion- the aromatics help to open up stuffy noses and chests. You can use mint in this way as a tea, or as a respiratory steam (my favorite way!) Finally, mint can be used as a nervine– an herb to soothe the nervous system during moments of emotional distress.
Depending on which mint you have access to, do some research on the specifics of that mint but most of them can be used interchangeably. A nice tasting mint tea is the most pleasant and easy way to utilize mint as a medicine. Lightly steep fresh or dried mint leaves, taking care to cover the pot while you do as the aromatics tend to volatilize easily- you want the in your tea not the surrounding air!
Water mint popping up from the leave after a winter being dormant
Lemongrass is the one herb here that might seem exotic to many, but it grows incredibly well in our growing zone. It is an actual grass, growing in a clumping fashion and propagation is quite easy. It dies back in the wintertime, but here in early April, it is beginning to come back. Once you have it established, it really requires little attention and offers so much back! First, as a tea it has a wonderful lemony flavor. It has an energizing feel to it but is also quite calming. It’s interesting to note that beekeepers use lemongrass essential oil in a number of ways in the hive, including inside of an empty hive as a swarm lure because the smell of lemongrass is the smell of a happy hive! Drinking the tea of this plant does generally induce feelings of wellbeing. Of the plants included, this would be my go to for any strong feelings that are felt as negative in the body, or where the emotional “lift” of a nervine herb is needed. It is said to have stimulant properties, although in my experience it is minimal. Either way, I think that is the “lift” that I mean, and can be especially helpful for the kind of depression that makes you feel uncomfortable heavy and sluggish, lacking in motivation.
Additionally, lemongrass is traditionally used for fevers, coughs and colds. It is a diaphoretic herb that can help the body sweat out a fever. It can also be used to deter mosquitoes. If you have a patio, growing some in a pot around your seating area can be an attractive way to make sitting outside in the summer months more enjoyable.
Using lemongrass can be as simple as making a tea with the fresh or dried leaves, and/or the chopped root. I like to braid fresh bundles of fresh lemongrass together and let them dry to use later in tea, or added to broths, soups, stews or curries where I would like to have the fresh lemony flavor added in.
one clump of lemongrass ready to be harvested and divided
Ginger is a hot and warming plant. In that way, it increases peripheral circulation and can be used as an anti-inflammatory for painful rheumatic conditions like arthritis and joint pain that feel better with the application of heat. A ginger foot bath for painful feet or even a ginger bath is a great way to achieve this. Due to this same warming and diffusive action, ginger is also an effective diaphoretic herb in the case of fevers- increasing circulation and sweating in order to ultimately break a fever. It can be used to aid the digestive system for more intense nausea, especially in the case of travel/motion sickness. Further, it’s soothing antiseptic actions on the digestive tract make it an excellent choice for GI infections. Ginger can also be a powerful ally for menstrual cramps and PMS, in no small part due to this inherent warming action that ginger has on the smooth muscle tissues of the uterus.
ginger in the garden the first year we ever grew it!
Although ginger is native to Asia and has not been commonly cultivated here, the truth is that Louisiana is a great climate for growing ginger. We have grown ginger, and related turmeric and galangal for a number of years now and it will even overwinter during mild winters. If you don’t have the space, the patience or the desire to grow ginger yourself, it is found these days at just about every supermarket out there. It’s definitely a staple of a well-stocked herbal kitchen.
I find that grating ginger works well to make a quick and effective tea. 1 tsp per cup of water, boiled for a few minutes and then drinking. You could also soak a washcloth in the tea and place it on the body as a liniment. For this, you would want a larger amount of tea and could simply chop a large root per saucepan of water.
beautiful harvest of fresh homegrown garlic
I feel like garlic doesn’t need a much of an introduction speaking to its utility in the kitchen. It is indispensable to many varying cuisines and flavors. Garlic is an amazing medicinal powerhouse on its own. Antimicrobial and stimulating for the production of white blood cells, garlic has been used for many different types of infections. Similarly, garlic is an anthelmintic herb that has been traditionally used as a worm/parasite treatment. It is also extremely healthy for the heart and circulatory system. Garlic is a very hot herb and it does not agree with some people especially in the digestive system in large doses. Just be aware and watch for stomach irritation, especially in kids. Garlic ear oil is a classic remedy for mild ear infections.
Although garlic is extremely easy to grow, even here in Louisiana if you use the right variety of garlic (softnecks, turbans and creole varieties do especially well here. It’s the hardnecks that don’t) and have the garden space to give up during the long growing season. You could grow a small crop easily in a raised bed or even a large planter on a patio, but it is also easily available to purchase cheaply at any grocery store. It is something that most kitchens already have on hand and getting to know garlic in another way is a simple step forward.
One of my favorite ways to prepare garlic for medicinal (and culinary) use is to make a garlic honey. You simply fill a glass jar with peeled cloves and cover with honey. Let sit for a month or so, checking it regularly to make sure honey is covering the garlic fully and opening to let it burp (this does ferment a bit- thats normal and it’s alive!) You can then eat the garlic cloves whole, or add them to recipes and even use the garlic flavored honey in marinades, salad dressings, etc. It also lasts virtually forever. Give it a try.
With these 5 plants, we have remedies on hand for burns, sunburns, muscle aches and pains, digestive discomfort and nausea, infections in general, mild ear infection, menstrual pain, the heart and circulatory system, cough, colds and fevers, mild emotional fluctuations, stuffy and congested noses and chests, and rashes, scrapes and abrasions. This is by no means an exhaustive list and within each plant there are layers upon layers of information that I can’t even begin to cover in the limited scope of this article. I am also learning daily more about these and other plants! That’s an excellent place to start developing deep and lifelong relationships with these plants, discovering your own information about them and honing the skills to quickly and effectively use them!
