10 Disease-Fighting Herbs That Are Easy To Grow

According to many of us, a garden should be full of flowering and ornamental plants. However, it’s a shame if we are not making an effort to grow some diseases-fighting medicinal herbs in our gardens; mainly because they don’t require much effort. Even if you live in the middle of a bustling city, you can still grow these medicinal herbs in planters and pots. Having medicinal plants right in your home means, you are more likely to have them as natural remedies for various ailments, which can do wonders to your health in the long run.

The following herbs are a must-have in your garden for their proven health benefits.¹

1. Black Cohosh

This shrub-like plant is a perennial slow grower and has been used since the 19th century to treat a wide variety of diseases. It has been considered very effective in treating sore throats, bronchitis, gynecological disorders like vaginitis, menopausal and premenopausal symptoms. The roots and rhizomes of black cohosh are the medicinal portions of the plant.

Steps To Grow Black Cohosh

• Sow the mature seeds of black cohosh
• Plant them 1 ½ to 2 inches apart and about ¼ inch deep in moist soil that’s high in organic matter and cover it with a 1-inch layer of mulch
• The plants shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight and it’s best to sow them in cold weather so that they germinate in spring
• Water them regularly and since they are slow-growers they would need some patience²

2. Echinacea

A well-renowned herb used to treat infections of the respiratory tract, Echinacea extracts have been used widely in herbal medicines. It has proven to boost the immune system and ward away microbial infections.

Steps To Grow Echinacea Plants

• Fill a pot with good organic potting compost.
• Make a small hole in the soil and place the seeds deep inside and close the hole
• Spray water daily until the seeds germinate and make sure to keep the pot in the sun
• Once the plants are at least 3 inches tall, transfer them to a sunny spot in the garden
• Your Echinacea plants will bloom in summer, you can collect the cones and dry them to harvest them later³

3. Evening Primrose

Evening primrose essential oil has been proven to be effective in soothing symptoms of arthritis and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It’s also a rich source of essential fatty acids and is used as an ingredient in cosmetics.

Steps To Grow Evening Primrose Plant

• The plant thrives on neglect and is pretty much self-sufficient, so choose a sunny place in your garden with well-drained soil
• If you have multiple seeds, place them at least 3 inches apart in the soil as they are non-fussy plants that sprawl
• Just water them enough and don’t over-water them
• As they tend to grow tall (up to 3ft), it’s best to place a support for the plant⁴

4. Feverfew

Leaves of the feverfew plant have been scientifically proven to be very effective in providing relief for a migraine and associated symptoms. The only thing to watch while having feverfew is that it shouldn’t be consumed during pregnancy as it can cause uterine contractions.

Steps To Grow Feverfew

• Choose well drained, loamy soil to sow feverfew seeds and ensure that the soil has a high organic content
• Add fertilizer only after the first year of growth
• Prune once the flowers bloom⁵

5. Garlic

The wonder herb garlic has a plethora of heath benefits. It can lower bad cholesterol levels, prevent progression of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Steps To Grow Garlic Bulbs

• Choose a soil filled with good compost under direct sunlight for growing garlic
• Break a garlic bulb and place each clove at least 6 inches from each other, at least 3-4cm in soil with root down
• Water until it germinates, then water it sparingly
• Adding sulfate of potash can provide it with all the necessary nutrients to grow⁶

6. Gingko Biloba

This herb is a historically known plant for its resilience even during the second world war. Also known as maidenhair it provides relief for poor circulation, memory loss, and aging-associated conditions.

Steps To Grow Gingko Biloba Plant

• Use a pot filled with good quality multi-purpose compost and add 10% grit to this
• Place a germinated seedling with its root bulb at least 1 inch in the soil
• Keep watering it daily and make sure that there are good drainage holes in the pot
• Trimming can be done to help it grow faster⁷

7. Basil

Basil is an indispensable addition to any herb garden. It has a wide variety of benefits from clearing the respiratory tract to improving digestion.

Steps To Grow Basil Plant

• Choose a medium-sized pot and add well-drained soil
• If you are sowing seeds, they will take about 6 weeks to germinate but a cutting of basil will grow relatively faster
• It doesn’t prefer cool weather and hence needs to be positioned in direct sunlight⁸

8. Goldenseal

A native to America, the goldenseal is popularly known for its antiseptic, antimicrobial properties. It can also soothe inflamed nasal lining and help in relieving upper respiratory tract infections.

Steps To Grow The Goldenseal Plant

• Choose potting soil rich in humus for growing goldenseal
• One root per pot is the ideal way of planting it in the pot
• Add mulch, spray water and leave the pot in shade⁹

9. Green tea

This brewable plant takes a lot of patience as it needs 3 years to reach the stage of harvesting. It has protective effects against arteriosclerosis, cancer and even aids in weight loss.

Steps To Grow Green Tea

• Choose soil that’s well-drained and sandy with a bit of an acidic pH
• Add some sphagnum moss to the soil to boost its nutrients¹⁰

10. Hawthorn

Hawthorn is popularly known for providing relief for cardiovascular disorders like angina, hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Steps To Grow Hawthorn

• Place the seeds in moist sand deep within a large pot
• Cover the pots with mesh and leave them in a cold place
• Ideally, the seeds will sprout after 2 springs¹¹

Now, it’s time to do away with the waiting and get your hands dirty doing some gardening.