Grow natural remedies of naturopathy yourself

Grow your own natural remedies simply and inexpensively
Whether peppermint, lemon balm or valerian - natural remedies offer an uncomplicated and cost-effective alternative to conventional medicines and enjoy ever greater popularity. While exotics such as ginger and cinnamon need to be imported remotely, many other natural remedies can be easily grown in your home garden.

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Ointments, tinctures or teas
Healing effect of African plants in cancer
Local herbs optimally matched
Natural remedies in the overview

Nature offers numerous remedies that can also be grown in the local garden. Image: Schlierner / fotolia.com

Ointments, tinctures or teas

Naturopathic home remedies offer an alternative and cost-effective treatment option for harmless diseases and many useful options for prevention. In addition to physical and manual measures such as yoga, Chi Gong or the concept of "trigger points" traditionally include the medicinal plants that are used for example as a self-made ointment, tincture or tea or in the form of a finished remedy.

Healing effect of African plants in cancer

These include, on the one hand exotic plants such as devil's claw or ginger, especially African medicinal plants is often awarded a high effectiveness. For example, only a few weeks ago scientists from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) had found in laboratory experiments that "four tested benzophenones from Cameroonian plants were able to prevent the spread of the tested cancer cell lines, including sensitive and resistant phenotypes," the scientists said Article in the journal "Phytomedicine".

Local herbs optimally matched

Despite the attractiveness of the exotics experts point out again and again explicitly on medicinal herbs that grow in this country - because even the vernacular says: "A man heals best by what comes from the same earth as he." That plants in their naturally occurring environment St. John's wort, for example, shows the best effect, because the plant of the family Hypericacea increases the sensitivity to UV light, so that even smaller amounts of sunlight are sufficient to produce the so-called "happiness hormone" seretonin. While the power of St. John's wort in this country therefore makes sense for many people, the effect would simply fizzle in African countries, for example, in view of many intense hours of sunshine.

In addition to the aspect that medicinal plants in their natural habitat are apparently particularly effective, domestic plants have another decisive advantage over the exotic variants: they can be easily grown in your own garden and thus ensure an alternative home pharmacy on your doorstep.

Natural remedies in the overview

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Valerian impresses especially by its intense aroma - which cats supposedly like, but for humans, however, rather unpleasant. As a medicinal plant, the "real" valerian has always been known, it was already used in ancient Greece as a panacea. At the end of the 18th century, physicians recognized the calming and sleep-inducing effect of valerian - in later studies valerian had similar effects to the well-known sleeping and tranquilizing agent "oxazepam", although the medicinal plant has significantly fewer side effects. Those who want to plant valerian in their own garden should offer it sun or light shade, the soil should also be loose and deep, but a humus or sandy soil is usually not a problem. Sowing is either in March (under glass or foil) or Late summer right where the seeds are to be harvested.

Wild garlic (Allium ursinum)
The lily plant wild garlic is related to chives, garlic and the onion and is actually not as a wild vegetable directly to the (classic) herbs, although it is usually used in the kitchen as such. As a medicinal product, wild garlic was already known to the ancient Teutons and Celts - whereby the healing effect is attributed in particular to the predominantly sulfur-like essential oils in the leaves of the plant. These have a positive effect on digestion, respiratory system, liver, bile, intestine and stomach, in addition, often shows a curative effect in arteriosclerosis, hypertension and intestinal diseases. In addition, wild garlic should have an overall positive effect on the metabolism and the cholesterol level. Planting wild garlic does not present the gardener with any great challenge - the sowing takes place in March and only on sandy and dry soils it is recommended to fertilize it with compost. The leaves are harvested directly before flowering in May and June.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Comfrey, or "that does the bones well", has been known for over 2000 years as a medicinal plant, even then, the plant was considered helpful in fractures, dislocations and joint discomfort. In addition, there are special mucilages in the roots, which can be applied to the skin in the form of salves and envelopes, relieve mild inflammation and pain, and support wound healing. For growing in the garden, root pieces without sprouts are inserted 5 to 8 centimeters deep into the ground at a distance of one meter, whereby the comfrey likes it a bit shady and moist. The best time for planting is from April to May.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)
The root of the nettle facilitates urination in benign prostate enlargement and helps against mild urinary tract infections, the leaves also suppress inflammatory and cartilage-degrading proteins and can thus be helpful in arthritis. In addition, the Brennesel is generally considered a good source of vitamin C supplements. Since it is already present in many gardens anyway, it rarely needs to be planted extra - if it does, it will thrive optimally in moist and nitrogen-rich soil. Harvest is for the roots in late summer and for the leaves the period from spring to autumn.

Goldenrod / Giantrod (Solidago virgaurea)
The Goldenrod has been known for about 700 years as a medicinal herb for urinary tract infections such as urinary symptoms, it is also said to have an anti-inflammatory, slightly anticonvulsant and preventative effect against bladder stones. The Goldenrod is a fairly uncomplicated plant - it thrives in both light and partial shade, but it likes to have loose and light soil with enough lime.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
As a medicinal plant, black elderberry has long been known, even Hippocrates, doctor in ancient Greece, recommended the shrub as a water-driving agent - therefore, elderflower and berry are still considered a traditional remedy for fever, cold and cough. Despite its many qualities, the elder is undemanding in cultivation and thrives in principle on any soil - but preferably on moist, loamy soil with high humus and lime content. Elderberry bushes need a lot of space and grow in both the sun and partial shade - the best time for planting is October.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Already worshiped by the Teutons as a "sacred plant", chamomile is still considered a natural remedy in the field of natural medicine: whether with abdominal pain or sore throat, runny nose, cough or even with skin problems such as acne - the applications are diverse and the effectiveness is very high in many cases , For growing in your own garden is recommended humus rich, slightly loamy soil and lots of sunlight. The sowing takes place from April to May, ideally in rows about 30 centimeters apart - the more space there is between the individual chamomile plants, the better they can branch and form their flowers.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
The main active ingredients of peppermint are in the essential oil - the peppermint oil - which has a relaxing and expectorant effect and can thus help, for example, in irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, peppermint applied externally, for example, can also relieve headaches. For the planting of peppermint plants are best suited moist locations with light shade, which is planted either in the spring or autumn. Important in the cultivation of the peppermint is the avoidance of so-called "peppermint rust" - a dangerous pest, which spreads especially in narrow cultures.

Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage has long been known as a medicinal herb for hoarseness, sore throat and gingivitis, in addition, sage in higher doses can help against excessive sweating. Since the plant comes from sunny, warm, rather rocky environments, the sage grows here accordingly best in places with plenty of sunlight and permeable soil. The best way to grow the sage, when already preferred plants are bought from the gardener and then they are implemented in mid-May in their own bed.

When buying the plants pay attention to organic quality
If you want to cultivate your own alternative "medicine chest" in your own garden, but should be aware of the recommendation of the Federation for Environmental and Nature Conservation (BUND) in the choice of sources of medicinal plants and medicinal shrubs, because "wild forms, permanent herb - shrubs and pennyroyal Not all nurseries and perennials, and certainly not a DIY store, also offer for the kitchen - as well as native woody plants ", so the information on the website of the federation. In addition, the plants should be bought "in organic quality if possible" in the sense of the ecological idea. (No)