As medication prices and drug shortages continue to increase, more and more people are turning to home remedies and natural cures to help treat their ailments. And why not? There are many things you can use to heal “naturally,” and in a manner much easier than you may think.
Here are six natural cures that can be grown in your backyard . . . and with very little work.
Aloe Vera
Aloe plants are very easy to find – most places that sell plants will have them. They are also very hardy and easy to take care of. All they need to thrive is sandy soil, plenty of sun, and infrequent watering. Depending on where you live, you might have to keep them indoors if the weather is frequently cool and cloudy, because this is a desert plant that needs dry, sunny conditions. Cutting open a leaf reveals aloe “goo” that can be used to treat psoriasis, minor burns, sunburn, insect bites, cuts, scrapes, and rough skin.
Guava
Guava is easy to maintain and care for, especially if you happen to live in the Northeast. It’s well adapted to hot summers and cool winters. It’s a small shrub, and its leaves have been used since ancient times to cure digestive problems like diarrhea and dysentery; not to mention it’s benefits in addressing nausea, vomiting, menstrual pain, sore throats, coughs, swollen gums and ulcers in the mouth. By drying the leaves, you can even make your own tea!
Mint
What kind of homegrown remedy list would this be if we didn’t include mint? A very popular backyard natural cure, mint grows quickly during the spring season. It’s very flexible and can grow in most types of soil; and it doesn’t require frequent watering. Not only does mint help with gingivitis and inflamed digestive tracts, but mixing it with honey in a cup of hot water is a great way to settle upset stomachs.
Calendula
Though it can be grown in your home garden, calendula – better known as pot marigold – tends to grow better indoors. It blooms all year long, and its leaves have been known to serve as highly effective antifungal and antiseptic remedies.
Cilantro
Another easy to grow plant is cilantro, which does best in a cool, moist garden that doesn’t get a lot of sun. A favorite herb used in many Spanish and Thai dishes, the distinct flavor makes it an ideal remedy in disguise. It’s a powerful antioxidant and helps aid digestion. Removing much of the toxic agents in the body, it leaves you feeling cleansed and energized. By sowing seeds every two weeks, you will be rewarded for your efforts by having a continuous, yearlong crop.
Tulsi
While it might not be the easiest plant to find, once you do get your first seeds you will be pleased with how easy Tulsi is to grow. Frequently watering the seeds will produce the first plants within just a few weeks, and you just have to maintain constant sun and plenty of water to keep these hardy plants growing. Tulsi is also known as Indian basil, and has been used in India for thousands of years due to its healing properties. The plant is said to effectively combat stress, ulcers, heavy metals and inflammation.
Cited Sources
Wolters, Ann. "How to Dry Home Grown Guava Leaves for Tea." EHow.com. EHow Health. Web. 21 May 2012.
Altshul, Sara.
"Can Homegrown Aloe Help Treat Psoriasis?" Health.com. Health Magazine. Web. 21 May 2012.
"Home Grown Herbs for Holistic Nutrition." MedIndia.net. Med India Network for Health. Web. 21 May 2012.
Doyle, Robin Elyse. "Homegrown Herbal Remedies." HealthLine.com. HealthLine, 31 Mar. 2011. Web. 21 May 2012.
