Your garden is an entire pharmacy, once you learn to identify and use the right plants. There are plants to reduce fever and congestion, ease indigestion, soothe inflammation, relieve pain, prevent disease, lower blood pressure and shorten the duration of infections. Consult your doctor for testing, diagnosis and dosages before taking any herbs to treat specific medical conditions. Some herbs can interfere with, reduce or increase the effects of pharmaceuticals and some can cause serious drug interactions.
Lemon Verbena
Lemon verbena, scientific name Aloysia triphylla or Lippia citriodora, has a mild sedative effect. When you boil the leaves in tea, inhaling the steam relieves nasal and bronchial congestion, indigestion and nausea. Infused leaves soothe puffy eyes, according to herbalist Lesley Bremmes. One variety, Lippia dulcis, is 1,000 times as sweet as sugar, making it an even better natural sweetener than stevia.
Forsythia
Its beautiful yellow-flowered branches grace spring gardens as early as February in some zones. Forsythia seeds are antibacterial and are used to treat boils and the root reduces fever.
Perennial Chamomile
Chamomile is used as a tea and a compress to treat headaches. Herbal researchers Christopher Hedley and Non Shaw state that inhaling the steam from an infusion of chamomile relieves chest congestion caused by allergies. “If you are allergic to any member of the daisy family, do not use chamomile, ” warns Lakota herbal medicine practitioner, Rev. Gene Rowand. “Taking any herb when you do not need it will habituate your body, rendering it ineffective.”
Bearberry
This low evergreen shrub used for ground cover has pinkish-white flowers and red berries. Native Americans used it as a survival food to prevent and treat scurvy and to add vitamin C to pemmican. The stems and leaves can be boiled to relieve headaches and reduce the duration of cystitis and urinary tract infections, relates naturalist Charlotte Erichsen-Brown. Boiled leaves can be applied to the body to relieve strained muscles.
About this Author
Jane Smith received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University in 1995. “Giving Him the Blues,” was published March 2008. She provided educational supports 11 years, served people with multiple challenges 26 years, rescued animals 5 years, designed and repaired household items 31 years and is currently an apprentice metalworker.
