Flowering Perennial Herbs as Medicine

perennials

Aug 15

Flowers have been used all over the world in both traditional and modern medicine to treat any number of ailments. They hold the power to heal and sustain us. Whether in teas, extractions, tinctures, or salves, the flowers we grow have the potential to be a significant component in enhancing both our physical health and our mental well-being. Here’s a glimpse of the healing benefits of some common flowers that you may already be growing:

Calendula

I love growing calendula because it is such a cheerful flower. In addition to the bright pop it adds to any growing space, it also offers a wide range of health benefits. Calendula has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and is often used to treat wounds and other skin conditions.

How I use it: My go-to healing salve is one made with calendula flower-infused oil. It is one I make for pregnant friends for stretched and itchy belly skin, for new mothers for use as a diaper cream, for farmer friends for raw summer hands, and for everything in between. I also use calendula in tea to help ease digestive discomfort.

Echinacea

Echinacea (also called coneflower) is a perennial in many of our flower gardens. It stimulates immune function, helping to stave off infection, and has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.

How I use it: I make a tincture with echinacea to support my immune system, especially in winter. I take it at the first sign of illness—sore throat, fever, cough—to ease symptoms and to shorten their duration.

Yarrow

Whether cultivated or found in the wild, yarrow is a beautiful addition to a landscape. The white yarrow offers the most medicinal benefits and like calendula, is a powerful herb for healing wounds and treating other skin conditions. Taken internally, it can be used to treat fever by inducing sweating, it can aid in digestion, and can support respiratory health.

How I use it: I make a salve with yarrow-infused oil for the treatment of cuts and scrapes. I dry yarrow through the summer to have on hand throughout the winter as part of a tea blend to ease upset stomachs and to treat fever.

I encourage you to do your own research to discover how these flowers (and others!) in your garden can become part of your medicine cabinet. Herbal remedies are not necessarily intended to replace other medicines. It may be important to consult a healthcare professional if you are making significant changes to your medical care.