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The Wellness Garden: Edible Medicinal Plants for the Home Grower

The Wellness Garden: Edible Medicinal Plants for the Home Grower

Growing a Wellness Garden at home is an excellent opportunity to delve into a lifestyle that connects more closely to nature, to sustainable practices, and to a more holistic approach to health. It is no secret that most modern medicine is derived from plants, and while advances in medicine have positively transformed our modern society and life expectancy, turning to edible medicinal plants for common everyday ailments can be an empowering form of self-care.

With full control over the soil, and any inputs, the home gardener can ensure their plants are grown organically, sustainably and in the most health-conscious way possible. Having a wide selection of edible medicinal plants at your disposal can offer security in uncertain times, and allow you to take a preventative approach to avoiding long-term illness.

As we begin by exploring the history of medicinal plants and key plant families that are traditionally used for medicine, we will also take the opportunity to provide advice on planning and growing your own herbal wellness garden. We will also provide tips on how to make the most of the plants you choose to grow, and offer a couple of simple herbal tea recipes to get you started.

A Long History Spanning Across Cultural Divide

Using plants for medicine is a practice that began long before modern society - so far back in fact, that we cannot say with exact certainty when the first medicinal plants were discovered. From Egypt to China, medicinal formulas were found throughout historical artifacts of the most ancient civilizations on record (as far back as 3500 BC). 

Across the world, different cultures would rely on their geographic landscape, using native plants as remedies for everyday ailments. For deeper sickness, medicinal plants would be paired with prayer and ritual which was believed to offer the most effective cure. Perhaps the biggest shift came when Hippocrates, known as the Father of Medicine, began to change the way we approach curing illness in the human body - but natural remedies and plants still continue to be the foundation of medicinal cures, even in our modern times.

There are different ways to incorporate medicinal plants into our home remedy kits - from soothing teas, to topical salves, concentrated tinctures and more - recipes are readily available online and often only require a few basic ingredients. Additionally, simply consuming edible medicinal plants as part of our regular diet can have a range of benefits and provide an adequate intake of necessary vitamins and minerals that contribute to long-term good health.

Categorizing Key Plant Families Based on their Medicinal Use

Plant families are determined by the similarities in a plant’s characteristics, evolution, flowers and reproductive processes. From these factors, plants are categorized into larger plant families, and can often (though, not always) share similar uses and medicinal qualities. Certain plant families are known to have a higher count of medicinal plants than others, making them key categories to look at when considering edible medicinal plants for your garden. 

The top two plant families that include the highest number of edible medicinal plants are the Fabaceae Family (Legumes) and the Asteraceae Family (Daisy). While they both offer effective anti-inflammatory properties, the Asteraceae family is an important category for skin health and Immune support.

Asteraceae plants like echinacea, chamomile and yarrow are often used in cold remedies, boosting the immune system and offering relief from fevers and congestion. Coneflowers, Daisies and Calendula are commonly used for skin irritations and dermal healing.

Common Fabaceae Family medicinals include Licorice root, clover, alfalfa and Fenugreek. Plants in the Fabaceae Family are often regarded for their beneficial impact on digestive health.

Other key plant families that include a significant amount of medicinal plants are the Lamiaceae (or Mint) Family and The Apiaceae (or Carrot) Family. Plants in these families are commonly used as digestive aids and have significant antioxidant properties. Plants in the mint family are also known for their relaxing qualities and positive impact on mood.

Creating a Medicinal Garden Plan - The First Steps

There are a few important factors to consider when creating your medicinal garden plan - like choosing the best possible garden location (ideally a spot that gets over 6 hours of sun per day) and starting with high-quality soil. If some of your chosen medicinal plants are perennials, then choose their location wisely so they can continue to grace your landscape year after year. 

A system like GardenSoxx makes it easy to have full control over your growing medium - and starting with an organic soil or pure compost will ensure there are no contaminants that could negatively affect your medicinal plants.

Consider how much space you would like to give to medicinal plants. If you plan to also grow regular fruits and vegetables, you can look into companion-planting them with medicinal plants to maximize your space. If you prefer to dedicate most of your garden to medicine, consider how much of each plant you would like to grow, how large they become and how long they take from seed to harvest. 

Another important consideration is to know your growing zone, as not all plants will be appropriate for your particular climate. Choose plants that are either native to or well adapted to the zone in which you live. If it is your first time growing medicinal plants, consider beginning with ones that are easy to grow. Plants in the Mint family often grow prolific in different types of soil and conditions, but can spread quickly and should be container to a raised bed, container or have their own dedicated section of GardenSoxx.

Curating your edible and medicinal plants selection for optimal wellness

Choose medicinal plants to grow at home based on your personal needs and preferences, opting for a range of different benefits to begin stocking your natural herbal wellness medicine cabinet. When making your selection, consider the best times to harvest and the preservation techniques you plan to use - for example if you plan to dry a large amount of herbs picked at their peak, you will need space to hang them or lay them out or you may consider investing in a dehydrator for quick convenience.

By choosing plants that fall into each of the following categories, you can create a well-rounded natural medicine cabinet that can help cut back on the need for expensive store-bought supplements.

Anti-Inflammatory Plants:

  • Herbs/Flowers: Rosemary, Holy Basil, Fenugreek, Sage, Turmeric, Ginger, Calendula, Geranium, Cinnamon
  • Fruit/Veg Crops: Garlic, Cayenne Peppers, Tomatoes, Spinach, Collards, Kale, Strawberries, Blueberries

Plants for Digestive Support:

  • Herbs/Flowers: Peppermint, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Parsley, Ginger, Nasturtium, Licorice
  • Fruit/Veg Crops: Fennel, Apples, Carrots, Cabbage (Sauerkraut), Papaya, Leafy Greens

Immune-System Boosting Plants:

  • Herbs/Flowers: Echinacea, Astragalus, Oregano, Yarrow (for Fever), Ashwagandha, 
  • Fruit/Veg Crops: Elderberry, Citrus fruit, Raspberries, Blueberries, Kale, Carrots, Beets, Spinach, Garlic, Bell Peppers

Plants for Respiratory System Support:

  • Herbs/Flowers: Goldenrod, Thyme, Yarrow, Mullein, Marshmallow, Rosemary, Oregano, Sage
  • Fruit/Veg Crops: Pumpkin, Beets, Peas, Lentils, Apples, Mushrooms

High Antioxidant Plants:

  • Herbs/Flowers: Sunflower Seeds, Turmeric, Clove, Saffron, Marjoram, Rosemary, Thyme, Chrysanthemum, Hibiscus
  • Fruit/Veg Crops: Blueberries, Artichokes, Raspberries, Beets, Spinach, Broccoli, Grapes, Cherries, Black beans, Potatoes

Skin Healing Plants:

  • Herbs/Flowers: Aloe Vera, Calendula, Lavender, Comfrey, Rose, Bay Laurel, Cilantro, Licorice, Witch Hazel
  • Fruit/Veg Crops: Cucumber, Avocado, Sweet Potato, Watermelon, Strawberries, Carrots, Red Grapes

Antibacterial/Antimicrobial Medicinal Plants:

  • Herbs/Flowers: Oregano, Cinnamon, Salvia, Basil, Peppermint, Echinacea, Astragalus, Ginseng, Dandelion, Clove, Geranium
  • Fruits/Veg Crops: Garlic, Citrus, Onion, Apples, Cranberry, Black Currant, Chili Pepper, Pineapple

Sedative/Calming Plants:

  • Herbs/Flowers: Lavender, Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Valerian, Ashwagandha, Poppy, Passionflower, Lemon Verbena, Geranium, Holy Basil
  • Fruits/Veg Crops: Cherries, Kiwi, Tomatoes, Butternut Squash, Soybeans, Sweet Potatoes, Bananas

Tips for Planting Medicinal Plants and Maintaining Them

When starting a wellness garden of your own, consider planting medicinal plants from seed whenever possible. Buying quality organic seeds allows for full control from the very beginning and can offer you peace of mind that plants will be free of any chemical contamination. If you do not have the space or equipment to start your own seeds, buying organic seedlings from a reputable garden center is also a viable solution.


For seed-starting, consider using a quality sterile growing medium like peat moss or coco coir. Once the seedling is established, it can be planted outdoors in the ground or in a container like GardenSoxx. For planting, it is best to use a high-quality organic soil or pure compost that ensures adequate soil structure for optimal nutrient cycling and greatly reduces the risk of contaminants or soil-borne disease. Consider using water from natural sources that does not have added chlorine. Collecting rainwater or ensuring your water is naturally sourced (well water, spring water, etc) ensures much less risk for contamination and runoff that could include chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Feeding the soil with natural, organic soil amendments or pure compost tea is the best way to maintain healthy soil and promote vigorous growth in your plants. Using organic soluble fertilizers like kelp or worm castings can give a boost when needed, without harming your medicinal plants. Companion planting your aromatic herbs alongside your vegetable crops, using diatomaceous earth, and planting trap crops are all useful methods to keep pests away naturally without compromising the health of your plants.

Harvesting herbs often and deadheading flowers will allow plants to grow more prolific and healthy, maximizing your harvest throughout the growing season.

Making the Most of Your Wellness Garden - Recipes and Preserving Methods

Incorporating edible medicinal plants into your daily wellness routine does not have to be complicated. Fruits and vegetables with medicinal benefits should be harvested and consumed at peak freshness. The most beneficial way to reap the medicinal benefits from these plants is often simply to consume them raw, or lightly roasted (for heartier vegetables). Consuming nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables as part of your regular diet can offer a wide range of health benefits and help to strengthen our immune-system.

When harvesting from your medicinal herb garden, trim herbs often as they grow and either use fresh in teas or recipes or dry them to preserve for longer. Making herbal teas is an excellent and easy way to benefit from the medicinal qualities of herbs, and combining different plants can allow you to explore new flavors while enjoying multiple health benefits. Try these delicious and simple herbal tea recipes for yourself:

Herbs can also be infused into oils, vinegars or alcohol to create skincare products, oxymels or tinctures. These potent mixtures can be stored for longer periods of time and used as effective remedies when needed. Herb-infused oils can be incorporated into salves or balms for skin irritations, facial skin care, or applied to cuts and bruises to promote quicker healing.

Always be sure to keep your herbs well-identified in the garden to ensure you are using the right herbs for the required ailment. If you are taking any other medications, be sure to inform yourself about any potential interactions or side effects, as even herbal remedies can be potent and cause irritation when used in concentrated doses or alongside other medicine. Always consult a trusted healthcare practitioner before embarking on a wellness journey with herbal remedies.

Starting a Wellness Garden is an intentional step toward a personal journey into natural health. Incorporating edible medicinal plants into your everyday diet and routines can have an immensely positive impact on your overall health, while saving you money on expensive supplements and other medicinal products. There is no need to make it complicated, and simply starting a small herbal tea garden can be an impactful first step.

We hope that you can pull some inspiration from the information above and feel free to leave any questions, tips, or ideas in the comments below to continue this important conversation around natural wellness.

Other Resources to Explore:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/ethnobotany/medicinal/index.shtml

https://eares.org/siteadmin/upload/AE0317304.pdf

https://theherbalacademy.com/herbal-history/

https://www.healthline.com/health/herbal-medicine-101-harness-the-power-of-healing-herbs#reasons-for-using-herbs

 

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Loam is usually a high-quality soil that is rich in nutrients and works very well for the home garden. The drawback of loam is that it can be expensive, and if you are filling large raised beds, this may make it inaccessible for some growers. The quality of loam soil can also greatly vary depending on where it is sourced from, and the cheaper brands may not have the right balance of organic materials. Common Soilless Growing Mediums Peat Moss An popular growing medium for seed-starting, peat moss is naturally harvested from bogs primarily found in Canada and in Russia. Due to its sterile nature, peat moss is not vulnerable to common parasites or disease, which make it an excellent growing medium for establishing young plant roots. It boasts excellent water-retention, while remaining lightweight and has a slight acidity that can be beneficial for certain types of plants. It is also a low-cost option, but generally should be combined with other growing mediums for best results. 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While raised beds offer a larger area, they are still contained and the right companion plant pairings can help to truly maximize their potential. When companion planting in containers, you will want to consider the main goal of your companion planting technique which will help you decide which plants should be paired together. If your goal is to do your own pest control without the use of chemicals, you will want to think about the Trap Cropping method. This means planting specific crops that will lure pests in, thereby distracting and deterring them away from your main crops. Alternatively, you can also companion plant your crops with strong-scented herbs that help to deter pests altogether. Consider including plants that attract pollinators and other beneficial insects that will help to control pest populations and create a balanced garden ecosystem. If plant health and protection is your main concern, you will want to choose crops that can support and nurture one another - either by giving each other shade, physical support, or enhancing specific nutrients in the soil that other crops can benefit from. Try combining plants that grow up along a trellis with crops that create deeper root systems and prefer to be in the shade. Certain plants have the capability of producing and fixing nitrogen in the soil - and they are best planted with crops that require higher levels of nitrogen to thrive. If you are ultimately trying to save space, you will want to focus mainly on plants that grow well together and will not compete for nutrients or resources. You can also use companion planting as an opportunity to combine edibles and ornamentals to maximize functionality without compromising the beauty of your space. With companion planting, you can get creative with your landscape without the need to have a dedicated space for a separate vegetable garden. Best Companion Plant Pairings for Gardening Containers A common strategy when planting for pest control is to include aromatic herbs among your vegetable crops. Herbs like Rosemary, Lavender, Chives and Lemongrass have strong scents that deter a variety of garden pests, keeping them away from your vegetables. Mint is another common pest deterrent, but due to its invasive nature, keeping it contained to its own pot is strongly recommended. The strong scent of garlic and onions, combined with the small space they take up, make them excellent companion plants to put in between other vegetable crops. If you are trying out the Trap Crop method for pest control, Nasturtium companion plants are a top contender. This pretty (and edible) flowering plant can bring a pop of color to your garden, while drawing pests away from your more valuable vegetable crops. Sunflowers, Calendula and Marigold companion plants are also effective at attracting the insects that you do not want feeding on your edible crops. Plus, they draw in beneficial bugs and pollinators that can help boost garden biodiversity. Pairing plants together strategically to enhance plant health and yield is another popular companion planting strategy. As seen in the “Three Sisters” method, each plant plays a role that helps to support the other. The corn stalks provide a trellis for the beans, keeping them up and away from the squash. The beans fix nitrogen in the soil to help nourish the root systems of all plants, while the squash provides shade over the ground to hold moisture in the soil and also repels insects due to its prickly vines.  The nitrogen-fixing quality of beans and other legumes can be used to benefit a variety of other crops. Planting these alongside nitrogen-loving plants like Brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage), Nightshade (Tomatoes, eggplant and peppers) or near cucumbers will offer a beneficial boost during the developmental stages of these vegetable crops.  The shade provided by climbing or creeping crops (like squash, pole beans, melon and okra) can be beneficial for plants that are more susceptible to heat stress. Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach, herbs like cilantro and parsley, or root vegetables like radish and carrots will benefit from being planted next to crops that can provide shade for them as they grow.  Other companion plant pairings with known benefits: Basil & Tomato: Companion planting tomatoes with basil is a winning combination. These plants not only work well when combined together in a recipe, but when grown next to each other, they can actually improve their flavor and enhance their growth. Basil helps to deter pests from tomatoes, and also helps to suppress weeds. Carrots & Onion: Because they have complementary growth habits (with onions growing upward and carrots burrowing down into the soil), these crops make a perfect pair. Onions can repel potential pests like carrot flies, and carrots help to aerate the soil which benefits the onion crop. Marigold & Peppers: Marigolds make excellent companion plants for peppers in containers. As a crop that is often susceptible to nematode damage, peppers will benefit from being planted next to nematode-repelling marigolds. The pollinators that the marigold attracts will also help to improve yield and fruiting on the peppers. Cabbage & Dill: A known deterrent for pests, dill is excellent at keeping cabbage free of the dreaded cabbage worm, which can cause much damage to a crop. The large sprawling cabbage leaves offer shade for the dill plant, which can easily go to seed in high heat. There is also anecdotal evidence that dill can improve the growth and flavor of cabbage. Common Mistakes to Avoid when Companion Planting in Containers While companion planting in containers can be a fun way to experiment and try different combinations and plant pairings, there are a few things to be mindful of before jumping in. The most common mistake that is made is overcrowding the containers with too many plants. While the combination of plants may be known to be beneficial, the ideal space required for each separate plant variety should still be adhered to. Always ensure the container you are using is large enough to accommodate the plants you place in it. Although we discussed how certain crops can provide shade for others, do keep in mind that even crops that enjoy shade still require some sun in order to grow. Make sure the plants are positioned in a way that allows sun to reach the shaded plant at various times throughout the day. The last thing you want is for the plants to be competing for resources - so also make sure that companion-planted containers are getting enough water and nutrients for all plants to thrive. Recognize the fact that certain plants simply do not pair well together, and avoid combining them in the same container. Plants that require high levels of the same type of nutrients, or are susceptible to the same types of disease, should not be paired as companion plants. Oftentimes (but not always), crops in the same plant family should be kept separately, as they will compete for resources and risk being damaged by the same pests or plant disease. Plants like Mint, Lemon Balm, Oregano, Jerusalem Artichoke and Raspberry are not the best contenders for companion planting in containers as they can grow to be quite invasive. Plant them in a dedicated container to allow them the space to grow and thrive on their own. When using a companion planting method in containers, an important technique to consider is crop rotation each year. Using the same containers year after year for the same crops can lead to depleted soil and potential risks for pest and plant disease. Switching up your crops into different containers year after year will help the soil to replenish lost nutrients and allow plants the best possible chance to survive. Companion planting in containers can be a highly effective way to grow higher yields and healthier plants in areas where space needs to be used wisely. Not only can well-paired plants offer mutual benefits to one another, they can also create a welcoming atmosphere that is visually pleasant and full of helpful biodiversity. Especially in urban settings, companion planting can be a very positive step toward sustainable gardening that helps to maximize output while minimizing any potentially harmful inputs - allowing nature to do the work.

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