Herbs | Benefits/Uses | Taken |
---|---|---|
Catnip | Relieve muscle spasms in the intestinal tract, treat issues like arthritis, coughs, hives, fevers, and viruses | Tea, medicine |
Chive | To expel parasitic worms and to reduce the risk of cancer | Salads, garnish meals, medicine |
Coriander | Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, balances blood sugar levels, and protects against food poisoning and digestive problems | Chunky sauces,soups, stews, dals, pickles |
Dill | Provides anti-inflammatory antioxidants | Salads, seafood and vegetables |
Fennel | Improve heart health, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, and even provide anticancer effects | Cooked, raw |
Garlic | Use for high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood, and hardening of the arteries | Supplements, season dishes, raw |
Marjoram | Used for coughs, gall bladder complaints, stomach cramps and digestive disorders, depression, dizziness, migraines | Salads, garnish soups, meat dishes, medicines, raw, teas |
Oregano | Reduce cough, help with digestion and with fighting against some bacteria and viruses | Salads, food, juice mixture, supplements |
Parsley | Strengthen immune system, bone health, inflammation, supports heart health | Garnish, condiment, food, and flavoring, tea |
Sage | Help promote oral health, brain function, lower cholesterol and blood sugar | Foods, tea |
Thyme | Fighting acne, regulating mucus, fighting infections, lowering blood pressure | Condiment, food, tea |
Angelica | Strengthen the heart and provide an antidote against general debility | Tea, candied as a cake topping decoration, in fruit salad, in ice cream |
Boneset | Treat stomach problems, colds, and fevers, in addition to arthritis and rheumatic ailments | Medicine, tea |
Calendula | Speed the healing of wounds, have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects | Tea, liquid extracts or tincture |
Chamomile | An anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, nervine, stomachic, tonic, and vasodilator. Anti-inflammatory properties make it good for rheumatism, arthritis, and other painful swellings | Tea |
Echinacea | Shorten the duration of the common cold and flu and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever | Supplement |
Feverfew | Used to treat headaches, inflammation,menstrual problems such as cramping and irregularity. It can also be taken for problems such as joint | Tea, supplements |
Mullein | Treat a number of respiratory conditions, from a mild cough to bronchitis and asthma | Tinctures, teas, capsules, and elixirs |
Nettle | To treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia | Extract, capsules, tablets, and as root tincture (a solution of the herb in alcohol), juice, or tea |
Pleurisy Root | In the treatment of many lung diseases, of diarrhea, dysentery, chronic rheumatism, and as an expectorant | Tea |
Skullcap | An anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, slightly astringent, emmenagogue, febrifuge, nervine, sedative and tonic | Tea |
Add these non-hybrid healing herbs to your diet and medicine cabinets and enjoy their benefits.
Non-hybrid healing herbs are medicinal plants that have not undergone hybridization or modification of any sort. These herbs have remained for hundreds of years and are known to be very powerful and effective for different ailments and health conditions.
From the parsley plant we all use in our dishes to other uncommon ones, we’ve gathered healing herbs that are naturally pollinated and contain essential compounds that are beneficial to the human body.
Here are 21 non-hybrid healing herbs you should know:
- Catnip
- Chive
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Fennel
- Garlic
- Marjoram
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Sage
- Thyme
- Angelica
- Boneset
- Calendula
- Chamomile
- Echinacea
- Feverfew
- Mullein
- Nettle
- Pleurisy Root
- Skullcap
In this post, you’ll learn about these herbs, know some benefits they offer, and discover how you can use them (a few of which we already use in our meals).
Catnip
Catnip also known as nepeta cataria is a plant from the species of Lamiaceae. The plant is native to different parts of the world, including Europe and China, and is praised for its healing properties. It’s widely used to treat coughs, fevers, arthritis and viruses. Some even opt for it to repel mosquitoes. The catnip leaves are gathered, dried, and turned into powder then stored for medicinal purposes.
Chive
Chive is a plant native to Asia and Europe. It belongs to the lily family and has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 4000 years now. The stem of the plant has mild onion and pronounced garlic flavor, making it a culinary herb used in dishes. But apart from the desired flavor it gives to dishes, the plant is also widely known as a healing herb that serves as an antidote to some poisons, fights cancer, diabetes, and ailments of the liver and expels parasitic worms.
Cilantro
Belonging to the Apiaceae family, cilantro is traditionally used in cooking. It’s known for its spicy taste and is widely used among Asians and Americans. The plant contains nutrients like vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, and so on that are beneficial for the body. And it has helped deal with blood pressure and digestive issues.
Dill
Dill is an annual herb native to Iran and North Africa. Its weed is widely used as a spice for dishes like sauces and vegetables. As a herb, it provides anti-inflammatory antioxidants that help combat cholesterol, diabetes, and many more. Taking it in forms such as extracts, teas, or powders can be very helpful.
Fennel
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a versatile herb with culinary and medicinal uses. Rich in anethole, flavonoids, and vitamins, it improves heart health, reduces inflammation, and balances hormones. Historically valued, fennel supports health with its anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits, making it a staple in herbal remedies.
Garlic
Garlic is a well-known herb that is related to onions and chives. The plant comes in different varieties and has a lot of benefits attributed to it. For instance, it is used for high blood pressure, supports bone health, and hardens the arteries. As a popular potent herb, people use it in their dishes, take it raw, or use garlic supplements for its health benefits.
Marjoram
Known for its health benefits, marjoram (Origanum majorana) is used in a variety of foods. The herb possesses citrus flavors and replaces oregano in some Middle Eastern countries. It is grown in North Africa, Western Asia, and the Mediterranean and is used in treating coughs, digestive disorders, and migraines.
Oregano
Oregano contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that make it a medicinal herb widely used in different parts of the world. Belonging to the mint family, this herb is a cousin to thyme and marjoram. And like them, it is used to effectively fight against bacteria and counter different conditions in the human body.
Parsley
Parsley is a plant with many benefits. It belongs to the Apiaceae family and it’s native to Greece. The herb is a powerhouse that helps with numerous ailments including blood pressure and heart issues and is popularly used for different foods. It is used in sauces, salads, and teas.
Sage
Sage, also called common sage (Salvia officinalis) is native to the Mediterranean and belongs to the mint family. The leaf of the herb is grayish and possesses a lot of health benefits. Traditionally, the sage is believed to have healing powers, making it a herb that has been enjoyed for the longest time (both as a medicinal herb and for culinary purposes).
Thyme
Native to Eurasia and North Africa, thyme is a flowering plant that belongs to the mint family. This plant has been used as a medicinal herb and for cooking for years now, as it contains nutrients that are powerful and beneficial. Presently, the plant is known to be a potent agent that suppresses coughs and fights colds.
Angelica
Popularly called wild celery, Norwegian angelica, and garden angelica, angelica is a biennial plant that’s in the family of Apiaceae. The herb is native to Syria but common in many areas in western Asia and Europe. Widely planted for its sweet-scented roots, angelica does much more than that. It’s an antidote against debility, a tonic for children and women, and it helps in strengthening the heart.
Boneset
Boneset, also known as eupatorium perfoliatum or common boneset is a traditional medicinal herb known for its potent healing properties. Historically used by Native Americans, the boneset is valued for its ability to treat fevers, malaria, and colds. It also supports the immune system, reduces inflammation, and alleviates pain, making it a crucial herb in herbal medicine.
Calendula
The calendula flower petals are known to be medicinal. It has been used since the 12th century and has great benefits attached to it. A few of those benefits are that it speeds the healing of wounds since it contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, and benefits the heart.
Chamomile
This herb, chamomile, is added to beverages and made as tea for a soothing experience. The benefit of it ranges from calming the nerves to supporting digestion and dealing with health issues such as rheumatism, and arthritis.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a flowering plant that is native to Eastern and Northern America. It is also known as purple coneflower, and popularly celebrated for its immune-boosting properties. The plant has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, making it widely used in herbal medicines for various health conditions.
Feverfew
The North Americans came to know this herb in the 17th century, and it hasn’t left since then. Feverfew has healing properties that help with migraines, fever, and menstrual problems. There are other benefits attached to taking the herbs, including reducing painful inflammation.
Mullein
Recognized for its soothing properties, mullein is often used to alleviate respiratory issues such as coughs, asthma, and bronchitis. Its leaves and flowers are rich in compounds that have expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects, making it effective in relieving congestion and promoting respiratory health. Additionally, mullein is used topically to soothe skin irritations and inflammation.
Nettle
The use of nettle has come to evolve. With its medicinal properties, the plant is used to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, anemia, and recently, urinary tract infections. The plant is taken in the form of juice, tea, extracts, and capsules.
Pleurisy Root
Pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa) is a lesser-known herb. But while it’s not popular, this herb is packed with powerful medicinal properties. It is used to treat respiratory conditions such as pleurisy, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Additionally, pleurisy root has anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for reducing inflammation and pain.
Skullcap
With its mild sedative properties, skullcap is commonly used to alleviate anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It contains flavonoids and other compounds that help regulate neurotransmitters in the brain, promoting a sense of tranquility and easing tension. Plus, skullcap has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, making it beneficial for health and well-being.
While these non-hybrid healing herbs have been used for the longest time and are effective, we advise that you speak with your healthcare provider before you start any remedy.