The medicinal plants They are known worldwide for their natural properties, as they help relieve, prevent and treat certain health problems at home. In fact, the World Health Organizationin its Strategic Plan 2014-2023, points out the importance of promoting and including the use of natural medicines in the health systems of its member countries.
The phytotherapywhich is what is called the use of products of plant origin in order to prevent, cure or alleviate symptoms and diseases, It is considered a science and not a pseudoscience. According to the Phytotherapy Research Center (INFITO), “Phytotherapy, the use of medicinal plants that have health effects to treat and prevent diseases, is a therapeutic option validated by numerous scientific studies and hundreds of years of experience in millions of people”.
Growing medicinal plants at home is possiblewhether you have a small balcony or a large terrace and, in addition, they are very easy to maintain. Among the many benefits they have are stress reduction, relief from stomach problems and even insomnia.
What are medicinal plants?
medicinal plants They have been used since time immemorial to treat minor ailments and feelings of discomfort. These are plants or vegetables with positive properties for health and that can be consumed directly, macerated or in infusion with the aim of helping to improve health.
medicinal plants contain some substances (known as active ingredients and which are later used in other medications) that are useful for the treatment of various ailments, such as digestive, sleep, respiratory problems or to protect the immune system. They are also used to help you lose.
From the Phytotherapy Research Center (INFITO) they recommend always go to a professional to recommend us what we need. “The pharmacist is the most qualified professional to recommend medicinal plants, since he has studied them in his career in at least three subjects,” the entity says.
Likewise, and in terms of safety, they remind us that “medicinal plants have effects on health. Therefore, It must be a health professional who recommends them. Likewise, they must be administered with a package insert that indicates their indication, dosage and possible side effects.”
What medicinal plants ARE THERE?
There are countless species that contain healing properties. It is believed that there are more than a thousand medicinal plants that can help us improve our well-being.
Thanks to the substances that these types of plants contain in their leaves, flowers, stem or even their roots, they can be used to make different preparations intended to alleviate different ailments.
Some are better known than others and have gained popularity in the health field. Before telling you, what are the 70 that we have selected and their benefitshere we leave the list of the 100 most popular.
- Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
- Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
- Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
- Sage (Salvia officinalis)
- Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- Ginkgo biloba
- Nettle (Urtica dioica)
- Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Willow (Salix spp.)
- Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
- Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
- Tila (Tilia spp.)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
- Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
- Gentian (Gentiana spp.)
- Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)
- Melissa (Melissa officinalis)
- Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
- Mallow (Malva sylvestris)
- St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)
- Mugwort (Artemisia spp.)
- Rock tea (Artemisia vulgaris)
- Burdock (Arctium lappa)
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
- Lemongrass (Aloysia citrodora)
- Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
- Melilotus (Melilotus officinalis)
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
- Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
- Mistletoe (Viscum album)
- Pine (Pinus spp.)
- Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
- Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)
- Calaguala (Polypodium leucotomos)
- Centella asiatica (Centella asiatica)
- Coriander (Eryngium foetidum)
- Verbena (Verbena officinalis)
- Dong quai (Angelica sinensis)
- Boldo (Peumus boldus)
- Black sage (Salvia hispanica)
- Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
- Red clover (Trifolium pratense)
- Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
- Cow’s tongue (Plantago major)
- Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
- Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
- Sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.)
- Althea (Althaea officinalis)
- Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
- Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
- Harpagophytum (Harpagophytum procumbens)
- Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
- Iceland lichen (Cetraria islandica)
- Black currant (Ribes nigrum)
- Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
- Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
- Galbanum (Ferula galbaniflua)
- Tonka bean (Dipteryx odorata)
- Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.)
- Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
- Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
- Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
- Soursop (Annona muricata)
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
- Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
- Avocado (Persea Americana)
- Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
- Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
- Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
- Savory (Satureja hortensis)
- Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
- Borage (Borago officinalis)
- Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
- Coriander (Eryngium foetidum)
- Avocado (Persea Americana)
- Tonka bean (Dipteryx odorata)
- Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
- Blood grass (Rumex acetosella)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
grow medicinal plants at HOME
Are you thinking about create a garden or orchard medicinal and aromatic plants? Some people like to get ahead of the season by growing and planting some plants indoors during late winter and then planting them outside once spring arrives.
Most medicinal plants – but not all – prefer to receive between 6 to 8 hours of sun a day and have well-drained and slightly alkaline soils. In many species, the greater the amount of sunlight, the greater the concentration of essential oils in the plant, which will make your medicinal plants more powerful.
However, there are exceptions with some healing plants because they do best in shady gardens or acidic soils. Make sure you do your research What plants are ideal in the external conditions that your garden has before you start!
70 SPECIES and their benefits