Best Herbs to Grow for Medicinal Use: Herbalists Complete Guide

By Alex Assoune Jun 25, 2025

Growing medicinal herbs at home is one of the most rewarding ways to take control of your health naturally. Not only do these plants support the immune system, relieve stress, and treat common ailments, but they’re also easy to grow in gardens, pots, or windowsills. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced herbalist, cultivating your own healing herbs ensures freshness, quality, and sustainability.

This article explores the best herbs to grow for medicinal use, how to care for them, and the benefits they offer.

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Why Grow Medicinal Herbs at Home?

Herbs have been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Today, many people are returning to natural remedies for mild health issues, stress relief, and daily wellness support.

Benefits of growing your own medicinal herbs:

Cost-effective: Once established, herbs are far cheaper than store-bought supplements or teas.
Fresh and potent: You can harvest herbs at peak potency.
Sustainable: Reduce your reliance on overharvested wild herbs.
Personal connection: Growing herbs deepens your understanding of plant medicine.

Top 20 Medicinal Herbs to Grow at Home

Here are 20 of the best and most useful medicinal herbs to grow yourself, with tips on how to use them.

1. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Uses: Calming, anti-inflammatory, digestive aid.
Grow tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Harvest flowers for tea or skin treatments.

2. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Uses: Reduces stress, supports sleep, antibacterial.
Grow tips: Needs sun and dry, sandy soil. Great for borders and pollinators.

3. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

Uses: Soothes digestion, relieves headaches, clears sinuses.
Grow tips: Grows best in partial sun. Keep in containers to prevent spreading.

4. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Uses: Boosts immune system, fights infections.
Grow tips: Full sun and rich soil. Flowers and roots are both used.

5. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Uses: Calming, anti-viral, helps insomnia.
Grow tips: Prefers partial shade and moist soil. Easy to grow and quick to spread.

6. Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum/Tulsi)

Uses: Adaptogen, reduces stress, supports immunity.
Grow tips: Warm weather, full sun. Needs regular watering.

7. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Uses: Skin healing, anti-inflammatory, antifungal.
Grow tips: Plant in full sun. Collect flowers for oils, salves, or teas.

8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Uses: Stops bleeding, supports digestion, reduces fevers.
Grow tips: Drought-tolerant and hardy. Great in sunny, dry spots.

9. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Uses: Antimicrobial, supports respiratory health, aids digestion.
Grow tips: Needs full sun and well-drained soil. Perennial in warm climates.

10. Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Uses: Anti-inflammatory, soothes sore throat, improves memory.
Grow tips: Likes sun and dry soil. Excellent in raised beds or containers.

11. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Uses: Improves circulation, memory, hair growth.
Grow tips: Prefers sunny, dry spots. Drought-resistant once mature.

12. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Uses: Sleep aid, muscle relaxant, anxiety relief.
Grow tips: Needs full sun and moist soil. Harvest roots in the fall.

13. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

Uses: Nervine tonic, reduces anxiety, eases tension.
Grow tips: Thrives in part shade and moist soil. Harvest aerial parts.

14. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Uses: Natural antidepressant, nerve pain, wound healing.
Grow tips: Full sun, well-drained soil. Flowers used for oils and tinctures.

15. Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

Uses: Soothes mucous membranes, coughs, and digestive issues.
Grow tips: Likes moist soil and full sun. Harvest leaves and roots.

16. Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Uses: Anti-inflammatory, iron-rich, supports allergy relief.
Grow tips: Moist, nitrogen-rich soil. Harvest with gloves to avoid stings.

17. Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Uses: Soothes throat, ulcers, and inflammation.
Grow tips: Needs long growing season, sandy soil, and sun.

18. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Uses: Adaptogen for stress, anxiety, and adrenal support.
Grow tips: Warm climates and sandy soil. Harvest roots after one growing season.

19. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Uses: Digestive aid, relieves bloating and gas.
Grow tips: Full sun, well-drained soil. Use seeds and leaves in teas.

20. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Uses: Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, supports digestion.
Grow tips: Plant after frost. Harvest leaves regularly to encourage growth.

Tips for Growing Medicinal Herbs

Growing herbs doesn’t require a large garden. Many of these herbs thrive in pots, windowsills, or raised beds. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Sunlight Matters

Most medicinal herbs love sunlight—at least 6 hours a day. Make sure to place containers or beds in sunny areas unless growing shade-tolerant plants like lemon balm.

2. Know Your Soil

Good drainage is essential. Use well-draining potting mix or amend garden soil with compost and sand.

3. Label Your Plants

Some herbs look very similar. Labeling ensures you harvest the right plant.

4. Harvest at the Right Time

Leaves: Before flowering.
Flowers: At peak bloom.
Roots: In fall, after foliage dies back.
Seeds: When fully dry on the plant.

5. Preserve Your Herbs

Air-dry, dehydrate, or freeze herbs to use them year-round. Store in a cool, dark place to preserve potency.

How to Use Medicinal Herbs

You don’t need to be an herbalist to use homegrown herbs. Here are a few basic methods:

Teas (infusions): Pour boiling water over dried or fresh herbs and steep.
Tinctures: Steep herbs in alcohol for several weeks to extract properties.
Salves and Oils: Infuse herbs into oil, then use topically.
Poultices: Apply mashed fresh herbs directly to the skin.
Capsules: Grind dried herbs and pack into gel capsules.

Always research dosage and potential interactions, especially if you're on medications, pregnant, or nursing.

Bonus: Easiest Herbs for Beginners

If you’re new to gardening or herbal medicine, start with these:

Peppermint – Grows like a weed, very forgiving.
Calendula – Easy to grow, even in poor soil.
Chamomile – Self-seeding annual that needs little care.
Lemon Balm – Hardy and fast-growing.
Basil – Fast-growing and versatile.

Precautions and Safety

Although herbs are natural, that doesn’t always mean they’re safe for everyone. Some herbs may:

Interact with medications
Affect hormone levels
Trigger allergic reactions
Be unsafe during pregnancy or breastfeeding

Do your research and consult a professional herbalist or healthcare provider before introducing new herbs, especially in concentrated forms like tinctures or capsules.

Final Thoughts

Growing medicinal herbs is a simple, empowering way to take charge of your health. From calming teas to healing balms, these plants offer a natural pharmacy right in your backyard. Start with a few of your favorites, learn how they grow, and expand your herbal garden as your knowledge deepens.

Whether you're looking to treat minor ailments, manage stress, or just reconnect with nature, a homegrown herb garden is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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