Folk healing has always been the core of many cultures, and in this ever-developing world, it’s always best to revert back to nature. The best way to achieve this is to grow plants that serve a dual purpose, such as purifying the air while also improving your mental well-being and physical health. Houseplants can add life to your home, all the while giving off an elegant vibe. At Podhghar, we offer guidance on gardening and pharmacology to enable an easy balance with nature. You are only a plant parent away from claiming authority over your health by simply planting these medicinal nurturers indoors!
Medicinal plants ensure a holistic approach towards ailments medicinally. Almost everyone in the modern world has multiple ways to ease pain, however most of them are associated with side effects which makes the use of plants much safer. The use of plants to overcome hindrances are many and cultures still continue to do so. Start off with planning proper indoor conditions and we, Podhghar, will assist you through achieving a healthy lifestyle.
Having indoor plants in your home is great for beautifying the space, but they can also help with some common health problems for many people. Let us explore some of the top indoor plants that can aid in your health and how you can grow them at home.
1. Aloe Vera 🌿
This succulent is amongst the most popular household plants, well recognized for its ability in healing skin damage. Apart from boosting skin health, Aloe vera gel has a lot to offer internally as well; it can help with controlling indigestion and enhances the detoxification process in the body.
How to Use Aloe Vera:
- For Skin Care: Simply slice a leaf and scoop out the gel. This can be used to ease off inflammation from sunburns, burns or cuts and accelerate the healing process. Aloe gel provides cooling relief after sun exposure to the skin.
- For Digestion: Soothing the digestive tract can be achieved by consuming aloe vera juice, as well as providing gentle laxative benefits if taken in small amounts.
🌿 Podhghar Tip: Keep aloe vera in a warm place and soak it in bright, indirect sunlight. To avoid root rot, soil must be dry and should only be watered infrequently. This plant is often overwatered, so ensure to limit the amount given.
2. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) 🌿
This plant can be commonly seen in the kitchen, and at Podhghar, we recommend Basil as a must-have. Often used in dishes, it contains numerous health benefits. It is well-known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative functions. Basil may help ease stress, encourage healthy digestion, and even defend against illnesses. Furthermore, it’s an essential addition to your indoor medicinal plant stash, and growing it at home offers a continuous supply throughout the year.
How to Use Basil:
- For Stress Alleviation: Steeping basil leaves in hot water releases compounds that enhance well-being and relax the mind, making it easier to unwind while reducing stress.
- For Coughs and Colds: Basil can relieve cold symptoms due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties. Drinking hot water with fresh basil leaves helps alleviate sore-throat, nasal congestion, and inflammation.
- For Digestive Health: Soaking basil leaves in hot water can promote aid healthy digestion by easing bloating and indigestion.
🌿 Podhghar Tip: Basil loves sunlight, so it’s best to keep the plant on a windowsill where it can get 6-8 hours of light every day. It prefers warm conditions as well, so be sure to keep it away from cold air flows. Basil grows best in rich, well-drained soil.
3. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) 🌱
This aromatic plant is refreshing as well as soothing on the digestive system. In addition to helping with digestion, it can also relieve headaches and muscle aches because of its cooling effect. Maintaining peppermint indoors is very convenient, and the plant will also freshen up the air in your home. Podhghar suggests growing peppermint indoors as it’s a wonderful herb that’s good for your health and leaves you feeling fresh and revitalized.
How to Use Peppermint:
- For Digestive Health: Drinking peppermint tea can help alleviate stomach distention along with gas and indigestion. The menthol within peppermint helps relax the muscle tissues of the digestive system, enabling better digestion.
- For Headaches: To get relief from tension headaches, have diluted peppermint oil applied on the temples. The cooling effect of peppermint oil further eases headache pain.
- For Respiratory Relief: Puffing mint’s menthol vapor is able to ease the softness of the nose and painful congestion, used often when suffering a cold or flu.
🌿 Podhghar Tip: Peppermint does best in areas with indirect light and moist soil. Watch out for overwatering; keep the soil damp but not overly wet, since excess water may lead to root rot. It is advisable to keep peppermint in a pot since it has the tendency to spread very quickly.
4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 🌸
As one of the most loved herbs, lavender number one is known for calming properties suitable for anxiety. This wonderful herb not only beautifies your indoor garden but is also an effective kitchen, preserving and medicinal herb. Podhghar believes lavender has the ability to improve the overall wellness of a person putting the soothing properties to work for both physical and mental health.
How to Use Lavender:
- For Relaxation: Put dried lavender sprigs in your pillow case, or diffuse lavender essential oil for sleep enhancement. Calming inhalation helps reduce stress, while sleeping can be deeper thanks to lavender scent.
- For Anxiety Relief: Drink lavender tea, or use lavender oil for aromatherapy for calming the nerves. Stressful feelings and anxiousness can be relaxed by the soothing effect of lavender enabling you to unwind.
- For Skin Irritations: Lavender oil may also be used on small burns, barked skin, and insect bites thanks to its antiseptic and skin-buffing properties.
🌿 Podhghar Tip: To encourage dense flowering, lavender should be grown in lean soils and full sun. Be careful not to soak the soil, as lavender likes it dry and prefers to have water withheld. Lavender responds well to pruning, especially after the flowering period, as this encourages dense fresh growth.
5. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) 🌱
Thyme is yet another useful specimen herb that can be cultivated indoors without much fuss. It is well known for its strong antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant activity. Aside from these functions, thyme can help strengthen the immune system, promote digestion, and support respiratory health. Due to these characteristics, Podhghar considers thyme a must-have herb for the indoor medicinal garden.
How Thyme Can Be Used:
- For Respiratory Health: A decoction of thyme leaves in hot water will produce a tea that helps with cough, congestion, and sore throats. Cleansing thyme-water is effective antiseptic wash for respiratory tract infections.
- For Digestion: Gas and indigestion problems can be treated by taking thyme in tea form. Its antispasmodic properties combined with bile stimulation, thyme promotes digestive processes and lowers bloating.
- For Active Antioxidants: Thyme helps protect your cells from damages due to free radicals due to oxidation. This enhances one’s overall health as well.
🌿 Podhghar Tip: Pruning is essential for thyme to encourage new growth, allow soil to dry up a little before watering, and ensure thyme receives direct sunlight as well as well-ventilated soil.
6. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) 🌼
Echinacea is one of the more popular herbs in holistic healing; it is widely known for its immune system boosting capacity. It is believed to lessen a cold’s intensity and duration. Echinacea has also found a place in herbal teas and tinctures. Besides boosting the immune system, it also helps ease out inflammation and pain, making it an all-round great herbal supplement to have in your collection. Podhghar encourages growing Echinacea indoors as part of a wellness plant collection.
How to Use Echinacea:
- For Immune Booster: Take Echinacea tea and don’t forget to enjoy the benefits of Echinacea’s immune boosting capabilities. It promotes white blood cell production which ensures the body is well protected from attacks.
- For Pain and Inflammation Relief: Echinacea has also been found sufficient to aid in discomfort and inflammation such as muscle or joint inflammation due to excess movement.
🌿 Podhghar Tip: Echinacea requires no less than 6 hours of sunlight each day and favors slightly dry and well-drained warm soil. Make certain that the soil is allowed to dry out between watering, since it does not appreciate being too wet.
7. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) 🌼
Chamomile is well-known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory effects. Usually, it is used in tea for sleep, anxiety, and digestion problems. Because of its mild nature, even children can use it. Podhghar thinks chamomile is a must-have plant to help set a soothing indoor atmosphere.
How to Use Chamomile:
- For Sleep: Most people use chamomile tea for mellowness and refinement of sleep. Its light sedative qualities calm the nervous system.
- For Digestive Health: It can also relieve the stomach and help with indigestion or nausea. It is very gentle to the digestive tract and can reduce aches or bloating.
- For Skin Care: It can also be used on the skin to relieve rashes, eczema, or other irritations. Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory effects promote healing while reducing redness.
🌿 Podhghar Tip: Nourish the health of chamomile by keeping it in a cooler place. Growing it in a bright, indirect sun area and moderately moist soil will also work. Remember not to skip trimming the flowers regularly as it helps in new growth.
Final Thoughts: Grow Your Own Indoor Medicinal Garden 🌿
Having medicinal plants at home cultivates not only a green oasis but also your very own remedy garden. At Podhghar, we believe that growing plants indoors is not just an investment in nature but also a step towards enhancing your well-being. These plants are much more than decorative additions to the household; they play an essential role in your wellness routine, offering natural remedies right at your fingertips.
At Podhghar, we assist you in choosing the right indoor-friendly medicinal plants and give you all the guidance you need to make them thrive. It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new or an experienced plant caregiver, with us you can build your own herbal haven and reap the rewards of these mighty plants! 🌱💚
This empowering practice of growing plants indoors will directly enhance your health, in the long run, working to enhance your overall wellness. With guidance from Podhghar, you can cultivate an indoor garden that’s full of herbs that support your body as well as soothe your mind and emotions.