Growing a Wellness Garden
Long before we began sorting pills in plastic bottles and stirring supplement powders into glasses of water, humans sustained their health with the resourceful use of medicinal plants. Granted, this had mixed results, and modern medicine offers solutions that can’t be found in basic leaves and roots. However, some plant life is still unquestionably linked with bettering our wellness—and science can prove it.
If you’re looking to sustain your health while keeping one foot in nature and enjoying a satisfying hobby, try growing your own remedies at home, whether by tilling them in a dedicated spot in your garden or simply potting them by a window. These are some of the best plants you can cultivate, each of which is easy to grow and packed with benefits.
Aloe vera
This popular houseplant has been used as a topical protectant for thousands of years and is pervasive in various skin-care products to this day. The magnificent gel inside each plump leaf is perhaps most well-known for its ability to soothe sunburns and heat-related burns, but it offers virtually endless other skin remedies as well, including improved elasticity, hydration, and general wound recovery. When grown indoors, it can also help cleanse the air of common household toxins and potentially enhance sleep.
Aloe vera is just as hardy as it is healing. Simply plant it in a succulent mix—ensuring good drainage—and in bright, indirect sunlight, water the soil once every two weeks or whenever it’s completely dry, and witness it grow surprisingly quickly. Though aloe can stand up to drought, it’s sensitive to freezing conditions, so it may fare better in an indoor garden depending on your location.
Dill
Tangy, fresh-tasting, and reminiscent of pickles, dill offers a long list of medicinal upsides, including improved digestion and insulin management, inflammation reduction, and immune support. Thanks to helpful compounds in the herb, such as flavonoids and tannins, it may even be effective at preventing peptic ulcers and certain cancers.
Dill admittedly won’t be the most beautiful plant in your garden—it’s also referred to as “dill weed,” after all—but the full, dense shrub may be attractive as filler alongside more prominent and decorative plants like flowers. Further, the herb can actually help protect brassica vegetables like brussels sprouts and cabbage from pests (though it has been known to stunt carrot growth for some reason) and attract beneficial insects like black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Place it in rich, well-draining, and slightly acidic soil and in a spot that receives full sun; because of these sun-basking needs, however, it may not grow as well indoors.
Garlic
This is one of the most versatile vegetables on earth and a staple in cuisine worldwide, lending dishes not only a distinct aromatic zing but also various undeniable health benefits. It won’t do your breath any favors, but it has historically been used to help prevent infections, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, treat liver disorders, and so much more. It has even been known to aid in preventing cancer.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends replanting individual cloves of garlic, though you’ll want to avoid bulbs from your local grocery store. Place one in fertilized soil in a location that gets six to eight hours of full sun. Additionally, you may want to fence it in to deter your pets since garlic is toxic to them. Spacing, preparation, and care needs for this plant are fairly complex—and vary based on the species you select—but the harvest is well worth the investment.
Mint
Though mint is prominently associated with fresh breath (making it especially helpful to those with a vast garlic harvest), the many varieties of this herb—including peppermint, spearmint, and Cuban mint—are as healthy as they are tasty. Each is rich in essential nutrients like iron, fiber, and manganese, and spearmint in particular can be an excellent digestive-health aid when brewed as a tea, offering nausea and stomach discomfort relief.
Given its benefits, distinctly refreshing flavor, and countless culinary uses, it’s no wonder that mint is such a popular herb in home gardens. Then again, that may be unintentional; this incredibly fast-growing and cold-resistant plant has been known to overtake flower beds and even creep into lawns as it thrives. For this reason, it may be best to grow mint indoors or in isolated planters. Use rich, moist, and well-draining soil and pick a spot in partial-to-full sun, then have your garden shears ready for a hefty harvest.
Rosemary
A sharp, needlelike herb that’s packed with flavor and pairs well with meat dishes, rosemary happens to be loaded with health-boosting properties as well. It’s brimming with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may enhance your immune system and even increase circulation—an especially important perk for those living with diabetes or certain cardiovascular diseases. It also offers several potential mental enhancements like improved memory, earning it the nickname the Herb of Remembrance.
To raise a rosemary shrub at home, plant it in full sun amid fertile, well-draining planting mix. This drought-tolerant plant is ideal for warm climates, only withstanding temperatures as low as about 15 to 23 degrees. So if you live in a colder region of the country, consider putting it in an indoor pot at a sunny spot. Care for it diligently, and your rosemary may sprout beautiful blue flowers, which are also edible and mildly sweet.
The term “medicinal plant” is certainly a broad one; after all, any fresh produce, including the aforementioned herbs and vegetables, is sure to offer tremendous benefits, fostering both your well-being and your connection to nature. Just remember that while folk medicine and herbal healing have their uses, there’s no replacement for seeing a physician to address your health-care needs. But sprinkling in some doctor-approved natural remedies could be an underutilized strategy to preserving your daily wellness.