How To Grow a Physic Garden

How To Grow a Physic Medicinal Garden

Thinking of growing your own medicinal garden but not sure which plants to plant? These 8 plants are easy to grow and are perfect for starting off your own physic garden,

What Is a Physic Garden?

Physic gardens have been around for hundreds of years and are nothing new. They are collections of medicinal healing plants traditionally grown by physicians and monks.

In fact, some of the earliest physic gardens recorded date back to the year 1334!

The good news is that growing your own medicinal garden isn’t hard.

By investing a little time into your garden, you will have the organic natural supplies to create your own healing teas, infusions, and balms.

But first…

Annual, Perennial, or Biennial?

Now before growing your medicinal plants, it’s good to know whether they are annual, perennial, or biennial.

Why does this matter? Well because some plants will require planting every year and others will not!

In the most basic terms:

Annual – This means that the plant will need to be planted every year.

Biennial – The plant will need to be replanted every two years.

Perennial – The plant will continue to grow every year.

 

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So now that’s covered let’s move on to 8 medicinal plants to start off your physic garden.

 

8 Medicinal plants To Grow In Your Physic Garden

Chamomile

Chamomile is one of the most famous medicinal plants due to its wide variety of health properties.

Chamomile is known for its ability to reduce stress and promote sleep, but this flower can also help with:

• Boosting your immunity
• Fighting off colds
• Reducing menstrual pain and muscle spasms
• Easing indigestion and gas
• Treating skin conditions and wounds
• Acne
• Anti-aging
• Lightening hair color
• Getting rid of dandruff

Use the flower heads from chamomile to make teas, infusions or even balms.

Taking care of your chamomile plant:

Chamomile plants are pretty fuss-free and grow well in plant zones 3-9 and do well in both partial shade or full sun. They are also drought tolerant. You can also grow chamomile indoors.

 

Plant type – Annual

Also Read (Chamomile Tea For Babies)

Basil

There is so much more to this aromatic herb than looking and tasting good in a Caprese salad!

Basil is absolutely bursting with health benefits, some of which may even surprise you!

Basil Can:

• Reduce Joint Pain
• Prevent and slow down damage to cells as it’s an Antioxidant
• Fight aging
• Lower Fevers
• Relieve anxiety, stress, and depression
• Improve digestion
• Help fight bacterial infections
• Reduce inflammation
• Boost cardiovascular health
• Enhance liver function
• Help heal wounds and cuts
• Lower Cholesterol
• Control appetite

 

Growing basil and harvesting

Basil is super easy to grow and can easily be grown indoors or outside. Harvest the young leaves as needed.

Plant Type – Annual

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is related to the mint family and also has lots of medicinal properties to offer. From easing upset stomachs to reducing anxiety.

Other Benefits of lemon balm include:

• Reduces anxiety and depression
• Improves sleep quality
• Enhances memory and brain function
• Can help with weight loss
• Fights Cancer
• Helps with hyperthyroidism
• Fights cold sore and herpes
• Reduce inflammation
• Can help with infant colic
• Helps relieve upset stomach
• Treat insect bites

Growing Lemon Balm 

Lemon balm can be grown both indoors and outside. It is a hardy perennial shrub that requires little attention.

You can use lemon balm leaves as an when needed, but for medicinal purposes, it’s best to wait until the plant starts to flower.

Plant Type – Perennial

Parsley

Got bad breath? Chew on some parsley! This kitchen staple has numerous health benefits that will make you want to eat more of it rather than using a small piece as decoration!

Benefits of Parsley:

• Prevents bad breath
• Eases gas
• Reduces body odor
• Fights cancer
• Keeps bones healthy
• Improves the immune system
• Is a natural antibiotic
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Helps detox the body
• Reduces Inflammation
• Packed with vitamin C

Growing Parsley

Parsley is a very easy herb to grow that doesn’t require a green thumb. Grow in your kitchen or garden.

Plant Type – Biennial

Sage

Sage’s genus name, Salvia, means “to heal” and has long been used for its medicinal properties. This evergreen is native to the Mediterranean and is excellent at healing throat infections.

Benefits of Sage:

• Reduces inflammation
• Lowers bad cholesterol
• May help with Alzheimer’s
• Fights Cancer
• Treat menopause
• Has astringent, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties
• Treat throat and mouth infections, and coughs

Growing Sage

Sage is one of the easiest herbs to grow, and thrive in the ground, in pots, or indoors! This plant is also fuss-free.

If planting indoors make sure it’s near a sunny window. Water when the soil is dry. Harvest sage just before flowers start to bloom.

Plant Type – Perennial

St John’s Wort

The herb St John’s Wort is famous for helping ease mild to moderate depression. However, it is always best to talk to your doctor first!

Benefits of St John’s Wort:

• Reduces mood swings
• Lowers anxiety
• Is an anti-depressant
• Helps ease withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, substances, and nicotine
• Contains Antiviral properties
• Anti-inflammatory
• Balances hormones
• Helps heal bruises and burns when applied topically

Growing St John’s Wort

This undemanding plant is easy to grow and produces beautiful yellow flowers. For medicinal purposes harvest the leaves, yellow flowers, and fresh buds.

 

Plant Type – Perennial

Thyme

Thyme may taste fabulous with your Sunday roast, but this popular herb is also a strong antiseptic and is great at treating coughs and congestion!

Benefits of thyme include:

• Lowers blood pressure
• Treats coughs and bronchitis
• Boosts immune system
• Enhances your mood
• Lowers cholesterol levels

Growing Thyme 

Plant thyme in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight, either outdoors or by a sunny window.

Plant Type – Perennial

Feverfew

Feverfew is related to the daisy family and while it may look sweet it packs a powerful health punch! The leaves and flowers of feverfew are often used to make tea for a whole host of health issues.

Benefits of feverfew include:

• Migraine and headache relief
• Lowers stress and anxiety
• Reduces inflammation
• Reduces pain thanks to its analgesic properties
• Helps lower fevers
• Reduces menstrual cramps

Growing feverfew

Plant in well-draining soil, in a sunny location.

Plant Type – Perennial

 

So there you have 8 easy to grow medicinal plants perfect for your herb garden!

Note: Always consult your doctor and/or a licensed herbalist before if you have any questions or to learn about any potential side effects.

 

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Already have a medicinal garden? Leave a comment with your favorite plant!