The best plants for minor ailments and everyday self-care
The best plants for minor ailments and everyday self-care
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1/6 The healing power of plants
At Chelsea Physic Garden, a Food is Medicine Trail starts this month to highlight plants you can grow as tonics, pick-me-ups and other soothing remedies to handle the stresses of modern life.
Many are surprisingly easy to grow, even in limited city spaces. We asked Chelsea Physic Garden’s head of plant collections, Nell Jones, to share her tips for the best "wellbeing” plants to grow at home.Chelsea Physic Garden
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2/6 Peppermint
This garden herb is full of aromatic menthol which calms the digestion. It's great in pots on shady windowsills because it doesn't need much sun.
Shutterstock / marilyn barbone
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3/6 Rosemary
Greek scholars wore garlands of rosemary to sharpen their wits and there has been research into its use to combat Alzheimer’s disease. This beautiful evergreen, fragrant herb can last 20 years and get quite big, says Jones, so if you’re growing in a pot select a compact variety.
Shutterstock / marilyn barbone
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4/6 Turmeric
An exotic-looking houseplant with benefits, turmeric has historically been used in Ayurvedic medicine of South Asia for many conditions, including breathing problems, rheumatism and fatigue. Plant these in pots then put the whole pot into a sealed plastic bag like a tent and keep in a warm place until you see the stems rising above the soil.
Alamy Stock Photo
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5/6 Aloe Vera
Not only do these spiny succulents look beautiful, but the clear gel inside is soothing on minor scalds, sunburn or abrasions. Keep a pot of aloe vera on the windowsill in the kitchen and when you need to, break off a leaf, cut it lengthways and apply the gel to the skin.
Shutterstock / PhotoSGH
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6/6 Chamomile
Trouble sleeping? It’s easy to grow chamomile in pots and half-a-dozen flowers are delicious added fresh or dried to hot water to make a soothing mug of tea before bed. It can also help with period pains. Buy Roman chamomile to be sure of getting flowers.
Shutterstock / azure1
Modern medicine owes a lot to the plant kingdom, from the treatment of heart disease to lung disorders.
But plants can be useful for minor ailments and everyday self-care, too. Growing for wellness is going mainstream.
A recent survey by Wyevale Garden Centres found that more than two thirds of British gardeners consider the health and wellbeing properties of a plant before they buy it.
At Chelsea Physic Garden, a Food is Medicine Trail starts this month to highlight plants you can grow as tonics, pick-me-ups and other soothing remedies to handle the stresses of modern life.
Many are surprisingly easy to grow, even in limited city spaces. We asked Chelsea Physic Garden’s head of plant collections, Nell Jones, to share her tips for the best “wellbeing” plants to grow at home.
Peppermint
This garden herb is full of aromatic menthol which calms the digestion. It’s great in pots on shady windowsills because it doesn’t need much sun.
“It’s really easy to take cuttings from someone else’s outdoor plant,” says Jones. “Just cut some stems about 10-15cm long, put them in water and change the water regularly. Within a week or so you will get roots on the bottom of the stems.
“You can then pot them up into a free-draining compost — add grit if you can — and grow them on.
Just pick the leaves when you like, put them in a mug and pour hot water on them for a refreshing tea.”
Black peppermint makes a particularly lively brew.
Rosemary
Greek scholars wore garlands of rosemary to sharpen their wits and there has been research into its use to combat Alzheimer’s disease.
This beautiful evergreen, fragrant herb can last 20 years and get quite big, says Jones, so if you’re growing in a pot select a compact variety.
Make it into a herbal tea if you’re feeling befuddled by adding a few sprigs to a cup and pouring boiling water over.
It also makes good insect repellent: “Boil it up with water for 30 minutes, then decant it into a bottle,” says Jones.
Turmeric
An exotic-looking houseplant with benefits, turmeric has historically been used in Ayurvedic medicine of South Asia for many conditions, including breathing problems, rheumatism and fatigue.
“You can grow this from tubers that you buy in the supermarket,” says Jones.
“Plant each rhizome making sure you have at least two or three eyes on it, cover them with soil, water in and put the whole pot into a sealed plastic bag like a tent.
Keep it in a warm place until you see the stems rising above the soil. It doesn’t matter at this stage whether it is in darkness or light.
Once the stems and leaves are above the soil, put them on a windowsill to grow on.”
When it dies away naturally over winter, dig up the bright orange roots to grate into smoothies, marinades or salad dressings.
“You can also make a delicious turmeric latte by blending turmeric powder with milk, cinnamon and agave nectar,” says Jones.
Aloe vera
Not only do these spiny succulents look beautiful, but the clear gel inside is soothing on minor scalds, sunburn or abrasions.
Keep a pot of aloe vera on the windowsill in the kitchen and when you need to, break off a leaf, cut it lengthways and apply the gel to the skin. You may not even need to buy a plant.
“Find a friend who has an aloe vera and rehome the babies,” suggests Jones.
“Mature plants often produce offsets known as pups or babies. Snip them off with 1-2cm of stem. Leave the pup out of the soil for two or three days so the wound on its stem can heal. Then plant it into a mix of compost and grit. Aloes are pretty bulletproof, but keep them in a bright,sunny space and only water every couple of weeks.”
Chamomile
Trouble sleeping? It’s easy to grow chamomile in pots and half-a-dozen flowers are delicious added fresh or dried to hot water to make a soothing mug of tea before bed. It can also help with period pains.
Buy Roman chamomile to be sure of getting flowers.
- The Food is Medicine Trail runs from Monday, May 20 at Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Hospital Road, SW3 4HS. See chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk for further details.
