We all need to have drugs at home, but we should do the same with medicinal plants.
The 15 best medicinal plants (with their properties and benefits)
Medicinal plants cannot cure many serious health problems that we can suffer from, but they are an excellent remedy for some ailments. Generally resorting to medicinal plants is a less aggressive option for our body, and often as or more effective than certain drugs.
For millions of years our ancestors have resorted to these natural remedies . Little by little they expanded their knowledge about medicinal plants, knowing their properties and benefits when it comes to healing health problems. Despite the fact that today they have fallen into some disuse, they are always there for whoever wants to have them.
1. Aloe Vera
One of the most special medicinal plants is aloe vera . The juice stored in its leaves is used to heal all kinds of skin wounds, helping in skin regeneration processes. But it has many other beneficial properties for our body, such as its improvement in intestinal function and the immune system.
2. tea
Drinking tea on a regular basis is very good for our body . Beyond its stimulating properties due to theine, tea has great antioxidant capacity. If we infuse the tea we take advantage of all the benefits of its phytochemicals, which help us fight against free radicals and aging.
3. Ginger
Ginger is a plant that should also be at the top of the list . It is a very complete food due to its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and antiemetic properties (it prevents nausea). Adding ginger to your meals will also improve other ailments such as headaches or make you feel less tired.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric is another root with enormous benefits for our health . It provides many vitamins, minerals and antioxidant, antibiotic, analgesic and even antitumor substances. Its components also make it an excellent option to improve the condition of our immune system and it also has digestive properties.
5. Dandelion
The dandelion is a very purifying plant . Infusing this plant is an excellent option to take advantage of its properties and benefits in the form of a drink. It is especially indicated so that organs such as the liver and kidneys can detoxify and renew themselves, although it is also attributed the ability to stimulate our nervous system.
6. Chamomile
Chamomile is the medicinal plant of reference when it comes to improving digestion . It is taken around the world, being a plant that also has other properties and benefits. Its action to calm our nerves goes very well to combat stress and anxiety, and also helps the immune system. On the other hand, it has antiseptic properties in case of skin injuries.
7. Thyme
Thyme is best known for its antiseptic properties . It is used to combat skin problems, but it also works very well for other types of affections. Thanks to the fact that it contains many minerals and vitamins, it makes it a medicinal plant with antioxidant and antiseptic properties. It also improves appetite and also works well to combat respiratory diseases.
8. Passion flower
The best known properties of passionflower are those of improving sleep . It is commonly used to combat insomnia, and the substances they contain have sedative, antispasmodic, hypnotic, analgesic properties and allow muscle relaxation. Many people drink a passionflower tea before going to sleep to have a good quality of sleep.
9. Eucalyptus
The eucalyptus tree is especially known for its properties to combat respiratory diseases . Making vapors from its leaves or bark helps calm coughs, promote expectoration and prevent dryness of the respiratory tract. It is especially indicated for diseases such as bronchitis in which people suffer in their lower airways.
10. Oregano
Oregano is a spice that gives flavor to food, but it also has excellent properties . Its leaves contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine components, which is why it is also very good for combating conditions in the respiratory tract. It also improves headache and gastric problems.
11. Lavender
Lavender is taken for many reasons thanks to its many properties . To begin with, it is ideal for relaxing and combating stress and anxiety, and many people take it infused before going to sleep. It is also analgesic, helps fight heartburn and other gastric problems, improves circulation and has healing properties.
12. Peppermint
Peppermint is known for the good taste it leaves in your mouth when you chew it . Thanks to its aroma, it leaves your mouth feeling fresh and helps combat cases of halitosis, but the benefits of this plant are not limited to this. If we take mint we can improve the immune system and relieve headaches. On the other hand, it is also a plant that helps regenerate the skin.
13. Tila
Linden is known above all for its sedative and anxiolytic properties . It is surely the best known medicinal plant to combat nervousness. If our nerves are upset or we suffer from a lot of anxiety and stress, an infusion of tila will come in handy. It is also antispasmodic, so it is also an excellent option to take before going to bed in order to improve our quality of sleep.
14. Orange tree flowers and leaves
Orange flowers and leaves relax the nervous system . Its substances make it a powerful anxiolytic and also have a relaxing effect on our body. Both with the flowers and with the leaves we can make infusions, although there is also the possibility of consuming this plant through essential oils. It is very pleasant to go to sleep with the aroma of the orange tree in our room.
15. Back
Despite its bad reputation for its thorns, hortica is a great medicinal plant . If we brush our skin we can suffer hives, but it also has properties and benefits for our health. On the one hand, it contains a lot of iron and works well in cases of anemia, but it is also a plant with vasoconstrictive properties, which makes it possible to stop bleeding.
Bibliographic references
- Arsdall, A.V. (2002). Medieval Herbal Remedies: The Old English Herbarium and Anglo-Saxon Medicine. Psychology Press. pp. 70–71
- Garcia, R.H. (1991). Mexican healing plants. Mexico: Overview.
- Lyle, E.C. y Simon, J.E. (1989) Species and medicinal plants: Recent Advances in Botany, Horticulture & Pharmacology.
- Zin, J. and Weiss, C. (1980). Health through Medicinal Plants. Santiago: Salesian Ed.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.