If you are going to plant a garden this spring or are thinking about plants you can plant on your balcony or terrace, make sure you consider marigold, lavender, sage, thyme and mint.
Especially if you are a parent and you are thinking that plants would be good to have on hand in your home as a natural pharmacy.
These medicinal plants are very resistant, so they can easily grow in small areas, and every effort you make will multiply your returns.
In your vegetable garden, some of them will serve not only as a decoration but also as an excellent protection against a variety of pests and diseases.
The selection of plants is really large, but these five plants represent a quality base from which you and your household will certainly benefit greatly.
1. Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Wherever it is planted, its beautiful yellow flowers will be a wonderful decoration from June up through to the first frosts.
If you miss the local weather forecast, these yellow flowers act as a meteorologist. If the flowers are closed after 7 o'clock in the morning, it will rain that day!
Tea made of dried marigold is anti-inflammatory and strengthens the immune system, regulates menstruation and soothes the stomach and intestines.
Because it is an extremely strong immunity-boosting plant, people with autoimmune diseases should not take it!
It is well known for its external use for skin diseases.
This plant has phytoncides in its roots which fight off nematode worms, so it is great to plant with carrots or between roses.
Healing Cream of Marigold
This beautiful natural cream will serve you as first aid for all skin problems: redness, inflammation, pimples and rashes. It will also relieve swelling and sunburn, insect bites and stings.
You can also use it as a lotion for the whole body, especially for dry and cracked skin areas such as the feet and elbows, or you may want to use it as a natural lip balm.
It will soften the skin, lessen the feeling of irritation and pain and provide superior protection against bacteria, viruses and fungi.
It can also serve as an aid for hemorrhoids, bruises and varicose veins.
Ingredients:
- 100 g of coconut oil
- 30 g fresh marigold flowers
- glass jar with a lid
Preparation:
In a bowl, dissolve the coconut oil over low heat.
Put the marigold petals in a jar and cover them with melted coconut oil. Close the jar lid, but not completely.
To create the rest of the cream, you need a container with water and cloth (gauze).
In a container with water, place the fabric on the bottom and place on it a jar of coconut oil and marigold.
Pour water into the pan to be heated up to a level that is slightly higher than the level of oil and petals in the jar.
Containers should be kept on low heat for between four and six hours, depending on how strong you want the effect of the creams to be.
The water should not boil – the jar must be warm, but not hot! After the time is up, drain the oil from the petals through the gauze or another cloth and press the fabric firmly to save every precious drop.
Pour the sieved liquid into a glass jar in which you will keep it. It will soon take solid form and you can then use it as a cream.
2. Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)
Lavender repels many insects and keeps away aphids and ants.
Their flower stalks are harvested just before they open; dry them so they can be used for various purposes.
As a tea it is best used in mixtures and it helps against migraines, insomnia, stress, hot flashes and fungi.
The Lavender Pillow
Fill small satin bags with dry flowers and put them in the closet. Such a pillowcase protects clothes from moths, and also refreshes the space and gives it a distinctive smell.
To get a fragrant cushion for resting and relaxing, fill a pillowcase (in your favorite color) with filling for pillows and dry lavender flowers.
Macerate lavender
Soak a handful of lavender flowers in a 2.5 dl olive oil jar.
Leave it in the sun for 40 days, then strain.
The resulting oil is excellent for dry skin, painful joints, and to massage paralyzed limbs after a stroke.
3. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Its extraordinary therapeutic quality expresses the old Roman proverb: "If death threatens, get sage from the garden!".
Pick the young shoots and leaves and dry them in the shade.
Sage tea is heated until it boils and is then left uncovered for three minutes over low heat, which evaporates the toxic ingredient thujone.
Tea made from dried sage acts as a bactericide, fungicide and antiseptic, therefore is excellent for the respiratory system, or gurgling when suffering from a sore throat or laryngitis.
It can help inflamed mucous membranes - mouth (ulcers), the stomach and intestines.
This tea can also help menopausal women, as it regulates heavy sweating and has a mild calming effect.
A stronger decoction (tea bath) helps with skin diseases, eczema and scabies, and various fungi.
If you want better, stronger and shinier hair that is more resistant to breakage, rinse with sage.
Sage, thyme and mint repel white butterflies and slugs; plant each of them with your cabbage family and all your green leafy vegetables.
4. Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
It is a small bush with dark-pink flowers that have an intense aroma.
It has strong antibacterial properties, so thyme tea acts against respiratory infections and all kinds of coughs, but also against the inflammation of the stomach, irregular menstruation, and in cases of problems with the bladder and kidneys.
It is a useful pasture for bees because it protects them from bacterial disease.
Lemon Thyme
To strengthen weaker children suffering from respiratory diseases, or for rheumatic patients, make a healing bath.
Pour thyme tea into a hot water bath. The bath should last about 20 minutes.
5. Mint (Mentha piperita)
Mint or peppermint is characterized by a strong smell of menthol, which has a cooling effect and acts as a natural anesthetic.
Mint leaves should be picked before flowering.
Mint tea stimulates the metabolism, facilitates breathing, works against indigestion and stomach cramps, and is good for pain in the gall bladder and other similar problems.
Although very popular and refreshing, it should be noted that drinking excessive amounts of mint tea can harm the heart, so do not overdo it.
Macerate mint
Pick the mint leaves in the sun and let them dry for two to three days.
Pour olive oil on them, cap them in a jar and leave them to get warm for 40 days.
Put the distilled oil into dark glass bottles.
This oil is great for massages to fight against rheumatism, gout, migraines and headaches.
Growing and harvesting
When selecting a location, note that these plants prefer a sunny place, protected from the cold and wind, so that they can achieve a high concentration of essential oils and medicinal substances.
Pick medicinal herbs for nice and sunny weather, and dry them in the shade, in a well ventilated place.
By drying certain parts of plants, you will have stock for all winter and make a base for your small home pharmacy.
Source:
http://alternativa-za-vas.com/en/index.php/clanak/article/home-pharmacy
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