10 Medicinal Plants Every Prepper should Grow in their Organic Garden...

You can make medicinal teas and salves from plants you probably have in your garden.  Not only do these plants have great medicinal properties they are a beautiful addition to any garden. 

Most leaves described below can be dried outside, or easily dried in the oven at 180 for 2 hours (with the door open).  If you have a dehydrator, here's the one we use (click link for product), you can dry them at 180 for 2 hours also.  The leaves can then be stored in an airtight container, like mason jar with an oxygen absorber to keep it fresh.  When drying raspberry leaves make sure they are thoroughly dry to prevent an upset stomach.  To steep the tea you can use any infuser or reusable tea bag filters.
 
To Make A Poultice or salve combine the dried plants with just enough hot water to moisten them.  The poultice should be a thick pasty consistency, apply the paste to a bandage or use gauze to hold in place.
 
Red Raspberry leaves can be used as an aid during pregnancy, they treat diarrhea and are used to ease menstrual cramps.  Gargling with this tea can be used for sore throat and mouth inflammation.
 
Black Raspberry leaves are great as an astringent and can be used for diarrhea. 

Calendula leaves and flowers can be harvested for tea.  However, the heads are more palatable. Calendula has been used for treating sore throat, menstrual cramps.  It can also be used as a poultice to treat almost any skin conditions.
 
Echinacea both the leaves and flowers of the Echinacea plant can be harvested to make tea, however you should wait two years to begin harvesting this plant for best results.  Echinacea is well-known as a cold remedy, it is an immune booster and is said to reduce the symptoms of cold and flu.  Research shows that it increases the number of white blood cells to help fight off infection.
 
Lavender tea is made from dried lavender flowers, lavender has many medicinal properties it aids in restful sleep, relieves stress, relieves headaches and calms nerves. 
 
Dandelion tea and dandelion root tea are both good for indigestion.
 
Daisy is a wild flower   The leaves and flowers are used to make medicinal tea.  The tea can be used to alleviate coughing and bronchial disorders, liver and kidney inflammation.  Daisy can also be used as a blood purifier and is great as an astringent.

Comfrey is commonly used to speed up the rate of healing of broken bones.  Comfrey has astringent and expectorant qualities.  It is an anti-inflammatory and helps to control bleeding, prevent scaring and treating existing scars, along with decreasing dryness and flaking of skin. The oil works as an anti-inflammatory, an analgesic and an aid in the healing of sprains and broken bones.  The root can be used for a stronger healing aid, while the leaves can be use for tea.

Oregano is an herb that can be used for tea because of its medicinal qualities; these include treatment of respiratory tract disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, menstrual cramps, and urinary tract disorders.  Oregano is high in antioxidants for immune support; it is an antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory. 

Garlic is a first rate antibiotic it can be used to create a poultice that can be applied to the skin but should be diluted with olive or coconut oil to prevent a rash.  Garlic mixed with honey and lemon makes a great tea that works wonders on a cold. 

I have added the links to the items in the post below, most of these can be purchased online dried so that you can use them while you establish them in your garden.

Recommendations for items mentioned in this article:

Tea infuser
Reusable tea bag filters
Ball mason jars
Oxygen absorber
Excalibur dehydrator
Nesco dehydrator
Dried red raspberry leaves
Dried calendula
Dried dandelion
Dried comfrey
Dried Oregano

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

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