Herbs for Natural Medicine / Survival Garden

Below is a running list of medicinal herbs and a synopsis of what they treat. Many of these herbs are easy to grow and cultivate.

The herbs in bold are currently growing in my yard or I have stockpiled from other sources.

1. Aloe Vera - Antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, wound and burn healer, natural laxative, soothes stomach, helps skin disorders.

2. Basil - Powerful antispasmodic, antiviral, anti-infectious, anti-bacterial, antihistamine, and soothes stomach. This herb inhibits inflammation and when heated and put on the skin, can help remove an insect or bee venom.

3. Black Cohosh - Relieves menopausal hot flashes, relieves menstrual cramps, helps circulatory and cardiovascular disorders, lowers blood pressure, and reduces cholesterol, useful for nervousness and stress. Note: Do not use during pregnancy.

4. Black Walnut - Good for eliminating parasites, good for fungal infections, good for warts and poison ivy, aids digestion.

5. Cinnamon - It has been proven that 99.9% of viruses and bacteria cannot live in the presence of cinnamon. So it makes a great antibacterial and antiviral weapon.

6. Calendula or Pot marigold - Used as an antiseptic, cleanser, skin healer (including mild burns as well as sunburn), and detoxifier. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory, and decongestant properties. If that isn't enough, it?s been used as mouthwash, hand cream, food garnish, and yellow dye.

7. Cayenne- Catalyst for other herbs, useful for arthritis and rheumatism (topically and internally), good for colds, flu viruses, sinus infection and sore throat, useful for headache and fever, aids organs (kidneys, heart, lungs, pancreas, spleen and stomach, increase thermogenesis for weight loss.

8. Clove Bud - Improves the immune system, they are also an antioxidant and doubles as an antibacterial and antimicrobial fighter.

9. Cypress - The therapeutic properties of cypress oil are astringent, antiseptic, antispasmodic, deodorant, diuretic, haemostatic, hepatic, styptic, sudorific, vasoconstrictor, respiratory tonic and sedative.

10. Dandelion - Helpful for PMS, good for menopause, increases ovarian hormones.

11. Echinacea (coneflower) - Boosts white blood cell production, immune system support, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antihistamine, and decongestant properties, good for colds, flu and infection. Note: Use no more than two weeks at a time. Do not use If you are allergic to sunflowers or related species.

12. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) - Used parts: bark, leaves, blooms and berries. Elder is considered to have antiphlogistic, cholagogue, diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant and laxative properties. There is a great variety of its medicinal uses. Extracts from the berries and flowers are commonly used in cases of common cold, influenza, fevers, sinusitis, rheumatism and sciatica. Elder is an excellent detoxifier, and as such, it can be used to clear skin infections (acne, boils, rashes) and as a general astringent. Remedy made from the flower tops is used to fight different sorts of allergies, ear infections, fungal diseases, and in treatment of different respiratory complaints (such as tonsillitis, laryngitis and flu. Infusion made from the flowers can also be effective against measles and chickenpox. Dried root is an excellent herbal remedy for dropsy. Safety: Elder shouldn't be used without an expert supervision because it could cause nausea and vertigo. Some herbs could react with certain medication. Therefore it is advisable to contact your doctor/herbalist before consumption of any herb.

13. Eucalyptus - Anti-infectious, antibacterial and antiviral.

14. Garlic - Helps fight infection, detoxifies the body, enhances immunity, lowers blood fats, assists yeast infections, helps asthma, cancer, sinusitis, circulatory problems, decongestant, and heart conditions.

15. German Chamomile - Helps stress, anxiety and insomnia, good for indigestion, useful for colitis and most digestive problems, effective blood cleanser and helps increase liver function and supports the pancreas. Improves bile flow from the liver, it is good for healing of the skin that might come from a blistering chemical agent. Also has an antihistamine and decongestant property.

16. Geranium - Dilates bile ducts for liver detoxification, antispasmodic, stops bleeding, anti-infectious, antibacterial.

17. Ginger - Helps nausea, motion sickness and vomiting, useful for circulatory problems, good for indigestion, and is also an effective antioxidant.

18. Lavender - Assists with burns, antiseptic, has decongestant properties and can help with asthma. Also used as a stress reliever, good for depression, aids skin health and beauty.

19. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) - used for treating digestive tract spasms, stomachache, high blood pressure, convulsions, pain, vomiting, cough, achy joints (rheumatism), fever, the common cold, and exhaustion. It is also used to kill germs and as a mild astringent.

20. Lemon Oil - Is known for its antiseptic properties, Essential Science Publishing says that: According to Jean Valnet, M.D. the vaporized essence of lemon can kill meningococcal bacteria in 15 minutes, typhoid bacilli in one hour, Staphylococcus aureus in two hours and Pneumococcus bacteria within three hours. Lemon also improves micro-circulation, promotes white blood cell formation, and improves immune function.

21. Lemon balm (also known as Melissa) - has antihistamine action and is useful to treat eczema and headaches. This essential oil has antihistamine properties and helps with allergies. Assists in issues with the nervous system, blisters, and has antimicrobial properties.

22. Lobelia (Indian Tobacco) - The aerial portions (mostly leaves and seeds) of the plant are used medicinally. Internally - Lobelia has long been used for asthma, cough and bronchitis. It increases salivation, can cause throat spasms and palpitations by merely chewing a portion of one leaf. It is used to help people stop smoking. It is also used to treat anxiety. Externally - It is sometimes added to salves to treat eczema and other forms of dermatitis. Other Uses - Lobelia is also used homeopathically either by itself or in combination with other products to help people stop smoking. It is also used homeopathically to help relax muscles, to ease nausea and vomiting and to treat various respiratory ailments. * Use with caution!

23. Marjoram (origanam majorana) - Anti-infectious, antibacterial, dilates blood vessels, regulates blood pressure, soothes muscles.

24. Marshmallow - Aids bladder infections, diuretic (helps fluid retention), helps kidney problems, soothes coughs, sore throats, indigestion, and as a topical agent it is said to be anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound-healing.

25. Mullein - Can be used as a laxative, good for asthma and bronchitis, useful for difficulty breathing, helps hay fever.

26. Myrrh - Anti-infectious, antiviral, soothes skin conditions and supports immune system. Also an antispasmodic that helps to reduce spasming due to spasms caused by nerve agents.

27. Orange - Fruit & Dried Peel (green and ripe) stimulates digestion and helps with constipation. Makes a cooling expectorant, especially for thick yellow phlegm. Calms nerves and help for insomnia and shock. Oil from blossoms is antidepressant and calming and can help chronic diarrhea.

28. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) - is a powerful antibiotic and has been proven to be more effective in neutralizing germs than some chemical antibiotics. It has been effective against germs like Staphylococcus aureas, Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Also has an antihistamine property.

29. Pine - Antidiabetic, cortisone-like, severe infections, hypertensive.

30. Rosewood - Anti-infectious, antibacterial, and antiviral.

31. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - Rosemary bush stimulates circulation and blood flow to the brain, thus improving concentration and cures headaches. Has an antiseptic, antibacterial, decongestant property. Cleansing and detoxes the body. Supports the liver and combats cirrhosis. Avoid if you have high blood pressure.

32. Sage - Used in anxiety, nervous disorders, as astringent, in abdominal disorders, anti inflammatory and decongestant.

33. Spearmint - To calm the Nervous System, aide with Nerve Agents.

34. Stinging Nettle - A lesser known antihistamine is Stinging Nettle. While the plant produces pollen, it also blocks histamine when ingested. Many praise Stinging Nettle for acting like an allergy pill, but without drowsiness. It is most commonly taken in pill form.

35. Tea Tree - Disinfectant, antibacterial, anti-fungal, burns, good for all skin conditions.

36. Thyme - Effective against Anthrax and Tuberculosis. Also has an antihistamine property.

37. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - Use all parts. Treatment for high blood pressure, bleeding internal and external, female issues, anti-inflammatory.

A couple of sources I reference:
Herbalist

WebMD (aloe vera) * You can search their site for information on other herbal remedies.

Book:
The Complete Medicinal Herbal

"the fruit of it shall be for eating and leaf of it for healing." (Ezekiel 47:12)

Blessings,
RWM :)