Growing my own herbs for natural remedies has been a transformative journey for me, one that I stumbled upon pretty unexpectedly. It all began a few years ago when I was dealing with persistent headaches and occasional digestive discomfort. I had tried over-the-counter medications, but they only provided temporary relief, and I was searching for a more sustainable solution.

One afternoon, my daughter was invited for a playdate at a new friend’s home, and as I stepped into her backyard, I was greeted by a lush garden filled with vibrant herbs and aromatic plants. At that time, I focused mostly on what I was growing for my plate, not for teas or tinctures. Intrigued, I asked her about her garden, and she enthusiastically shared her passion for cultivating herbs that she uses for both teas and tinctures, along with smudge sticks and drying.

Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn’t help but be drawn into this world of herbal gardening. She showed me her collection, from chamomile to lavender, and even shared a cup of freshly brewed chamomile tea, with tea dried straight from her garden. She told me why my chamomile tea was always bitter—two minutes steeping max! The experience of chatting with her and sipping this tea just felt better than dropping a tea bag in from the grocery store.

Inspired by her garden and the idea of harnessing nature’s healing power, I embarked on my own herbal journey. I began with a small herb garden in my backyard, planting the herbs my friend had introduced me to. As my herbs grew, so did my knowledge of their medicinal properties. I learned how to make soothing chamomile tea for my headaches, infuse lavender oil for relaxation, and brew mint tea for digestion. With each harvest and remedy I created, I felt a deeper connection to the natural world and a profound sense of self-sufficiency.

Over time, my headaches became less frequent, and my digestive discomfort seemed to vanish. I was no longer reaching for over-the-counter medications; instead, I turned to my garden for relief. The satisfaction of knowing that I was nurturing my well-being with plants I had grown myself was immensely rewarding.

Now, I’d love to share some of what I’ve learned so that you, too, may be inspired to grow your own natural medicine!

Making your own essential oils: For $200 to $500 you can get your own distiller—here is an example—which will allow you to make hydrosol or pure essential oils. The main difference is that hydrosol has more water content and can be applied directly to your skin, whereas pure essential oils need to be mixed with a carrier oil. Jojoba, sweet almond oil, and coconut oil are all popular carrier oils.

Making balms for skin, hair, and nails: Balms are stored well in 2 ounce jars, so this recipe is for that size. Melt 3 tablespoons shea butter, 1 tablespoon beeswax, and 1 tablespoon coconut oil in a fondue-sized slow cooker over low heat until they’re liquid. Take it off the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons jojoba oil and 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil. Select your preferred essential oils (about 10 to 20 drops) and carefully pour the warm balm into the jar. Mix if needed.

Making teas: You can use a dehydrator to dry your herbs, or bake them for just a short while on your lowest oven setting until completely dry. After that, to make a cup of a custom blend, use 1 teaspoon of the primary dried herb and 1/2 teaspoon of the secondary dried herb. Make it sweeter with dried fruits and spices.

Making tinctures: Tinctures are potent herbal extracts obtained by immersing plant components like bark, berries, leaves (whether dried or fresh), or roots from one or multiple plants in alcohol or vinegar. The alcohol or vinegar effectively draws out the active constituents from these plant parts, resulting in a concentrated liquid form. The process is intricate—I suggest a good tincture book for this!

1. Fire cider for good health
Fire cider will keep colds away! There are plenty of worthwhile ingredients, but my guess is it’s the apple cider vinegar that’s the superhero here: most germs can’t survive the acidity of vinegar. There is any number of ways to make it, but this recipe is true to the original. Additions can be fresh or dried cayenne pepper to your taste, elderberry syrup, rosemary, orange, cinnamon, or turmeric. Fill a half-gallon canning jar with 1/2 cup freshly grated or diced horseradish root, 1/2 cup freshly chopped onions, 1/4 cup chopped garlic, and 1/4 cup grated ginger. Cover with apple cider vinegar, plus a couple inches. Cover with a plastic or glass lid (metal will corrode), set in a warm spot, and leave for four weeks, turning every day. Strain, add honey to taste (just enough to be palatable) and re-jar, then store in the fridge. A shot glass of it per day will do the trick!

2. Turmeric shots
This elixir is best taken as a shot, too! The fiery essence of ginger kick starts your digestion, while the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, enriched with flavonoids, work wonders in enhancing your gut microbiome. Just blend together 3 inches peeled ginger, 1/4 cup raw local honey, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice plus zest of one lemon, 1/4 cup water, and 1 tablespoon ground turmeric. Strain through cheesecloth, and store in the fridge. Turmeric contains curcumin, and is a strong anti-inflammatory.

3. Apple, lemon, ginger shot
For one last elixir, this one is for immunity! Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant! Blend together 1 peeled, chopped apple, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 inch peeled piece of ginger, 1 teaspoon turmeric, 1 cup water, and 2 tablespoons honey. Refrigerate for up to a week and drink by the shot!

4. Honey and lemon for sore throats
When that scratchy, painful throat hits, turn to the age-old remedy of honey and lemon. Mix warm water with honey and a squeeze of lemon juice to soothe your sore throat. The antibacterial properties of honey and the vitamin C in lemon can provide instant relief.

5. Ginger tea for nausea
Ginger is renowned for its ability to ease nausea. Simply grow your own ginger and harvest fresh ginger roots. Brew a cup of ginger tea by steeping peeled ginger slices in hot water. Sip it slowly to calm your stomach and reduce nausea, whether it’s from motion sickness or morning sickness.

6. Apple cider vinegar for digestion
Apple cider vinegar can aid digestion. You can make your own apple cider vinegar at home using apple scraps. To make it, collect peels and unused apple parts (no seeds), and place them in a sterilized fermenting container (follow its instructions). Fill 2/3 of the way with scraps. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar per cup of scraps, and mix with enough warm water to dissolve it, then pour over apple scraps. Cover and leave it in a dark, cool spot. Wait for bubbles to form, which may take a few weeks to months. Once it’s ready, strain out the solids, and your homemade apple cider vinegar is ready for use. Once it’s reached the acidity you desire, store it in the fridge. Mix a tablespoon of homemade apple cider vinegar with water and drink it before meals to help with bloating and indigestion.

7. Garlic vinegar for cold and flu
To get the beneficial properties of garlic, you need to let it sit for 10 minutes after chopping or crushing before consuming or cooking. This activates the allicin, responsible for all its benefits, like cancer prevention and lowering blood sugar. Make garlic vinegar and drink it by the shot. Fill 3/4 of a pint jar with peeled and chopped garlic. Let it sit for 10 minutes, add 1/4 cup of honey and fill the rest of the jar with apple cider vinegar (1 to 2 cups). Cover with a plastic/glass cover (metal will erode), store in a dark place, and shake once daily for two weeks. Strain, then re-jar. It should keep for up to a year, and you can take it 1 teaspoon at a time!

8. Lavender oil for sleep
To help with rest and anxiety, harvest lavender flowers and make a salve using the method above, but add lavender into the mix, and strain it out after 20 minutes. Or simply use lavender essential oil!

9. Cranberry juice for UTIs
If you have space in your garden, consider growing cranberry bushes. Harvest fresh cranberries and make your own unsweetened cranberry juice. Drinking homemade cranberry juice can help maintain urinary health!

10. Peppermint tea for headaches and digestion
Harvest fresh peppermint leaves and brew a cup of peppermint tea. The menthol in peppermint can provide relief from tension headaches. It can also soothe digestive discomfort and ease indigestion.

11. Chamomile tea for anxiety
Dry your chamomile flowers. For a cup of tea, use 2 teaspoons fresh chamomile flowers or 1 teaspoon dried. Chamomile is a mild tranquilizer and sleep-inducer. Sip on a cup of homemade chamomile tea to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. It’s an excellent natural remedy for stress relief.

12. Rosemary oil for mouthwash and memory
Rosemary oil’s antimicrobial properties mean you can use it as a mouthwash. Boil 2 cups of water with a handful of rosemary springs and 1/2 ounce whole cloves. Jar it up, let cool, and it’s ready to use! Also, rosemary essential oil is as a memory aid—one study found noticeable improvements in cognitive performance within 20 minutes of inhaling rosemary essential oil.

13. Lemon balm for stress reduction
Harvest lemon balm leaves and brew a cup of lemon balm tea. It can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

14. Basil for headache relief
Studies have shown that basil essential oil can be applied to your temples for natural headache and migraine relief.

15. Thyme for cough and cold
Harvest fresh thyme leaves and use them to make thyme tea. It can help soothe coughs and alleviate cold symptoms.

16. Avocado for stretch marks
Mix the pulp of half an avocado with a spoonful each of honey and lemon juice. Apply this mixture daily to stretch marks, massage in a circular motion, then rinse. The oils in the avocado are what make this remedy work.

17. Sage for sore throat
Harvest fresh sage leaves and use them to make sage tea. Gargle with sage tea to relieve a sore throat and reduce inflammation.

Studies have noted that sage—with its high level of antioxidants—may fight certain types of cancer, including those of the mouth, colon, liver, cervix, breast, skin, and kidney. Though more research is needed, sage has shown promise in suppressing cancer cells as well as stimulating cell death. In one study of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, those taking the sage extract performed better on tests that measured memory, problem-solving, reasoning, and other cognitive abilities.

Starting your own medicine garden

Beyond the physical benefits, my herb garden has become a place of solace and serenity. Spending time tending to my herbs has become a form of meditation, a way to disconnect from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with the earth. It was therapeutic in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

Today, my herb garden has grown beyond my initial expectations. I’ve added new herbs and plants to my collection, each with its unique purpose. Whether it’s crafting herbal salves, brewing tinctures, or simply enjoying a cup of herbal tea, my garden has become a source of healing, wisdom, and peace. Through my herbal journey, I’ve learned that sometimes, the most profound solutions to our health challenges can be found right in our own backyard, waiting to be nurtured and embraced.

The home remedies above offer natural and effective solutions for a variety of common ailments. While they can be incredibly helpful, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for severe or persistent health issues. Incorporate these plant-based remedies into your wellness routine, and you’ll have a sustainable and natural toolkit of solutions at your fingertips for when you need them most.