Last Updated: May 2026
Learn more about these medicinal plants and make effective home remedies for survival and off-grid living!
When I first started working with medicinal plants, I was completely overwhelmed by all the conflicting information out there. I owe almost all of my early success to keeping this exact guidebook dog-eared and covered in dirt on my potting bench.
Last update on 2026-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Know These Medicinal Plants for Your Own Good!
1. Marshmallow
You know you can’t make s’mores without marshmallows, of course. But did you know the sweet treat you know today was once made with the marshmallow plant?

When included in home remedies, it treats sore throat, cold, cough, and flu since it fights bacteria. It relieves skin problems and digestive complaints as well.
2. Aloe Vera
You may not have seen an actual aloe vera plant but it’s so popular but there’s no way you haven’t heard of it. It’s found in many products like shampoo, moisturizers, and healing ointments.
Aloe vera contains phytochemicals, effective in fighting fever associated with cuts and burns. It stimulates skin renewal too, so it helps fight skin aging.

What are Phytochemicals? These are organic compounds found in plants that fight pathogens and body invaders. Some are poisonous but many are used in traditional medicine, including aloe vera.
Living in a climate with harsh winters taught me the hard way that not every medicinal plant can survive the frost. Getting a reliable indoor setup going right on your windowsill is an absolute game-changer for keeping fresh remedies on hand year-round. That’s why I got this kit:
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO EASILY GROW 4 CULINARY HERBS AT HOME, IN ONE SLEEK BOX: 4 durable burlap pots, 4 moisture-proof seed...
- #1 GROWTH PERFORMANCE: The Planters’ Choice kit has the best growing success rate on the market. We package the seeds in...
Last update on 2026-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Pot Marigold
Like aloe vera, pot marigold is a popular topical treatment for various skin issues. Minor burns, infected cuts, blisters, and scars heal faster with pot marigold.
It also provides treatment for more severe skin problems such as acne, dandruff, and warts. Its properties also help reduce pain, muscle cramps, and stomach ulcers.
4. Chamomile
There’s a reason why chamomile tea is popular. It has qualities which combat anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia.
As an antioxidant, chamomile improves immune function, making your body healthier in general. It also reduces swelling, reduces pain, relieves constipation, and relaxes muscles.

A cupful of chamomile tea out in the mountains will totally do you some good.
I used to lose half my harvests to mold because I was just laying fresh flowers out on paper towels to dry. Upgrading to a proper suspended airflow system made a massive difference in preserving the potency and lifespan of my medicinal stash. Here’s what helped me:
- Efficient Herb Drying: You will get 4 pcs herbal drying racks, each equipped with 30 stainless steel detachable clips...
- Firm ang Safe: Made of high-quality stainless steel, rustproof and strong load-bearing capacity, providing a sturdy and...
Last update on 2026-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Chinese Yam
Oriental Chinese medicine and diet almost always include medicinal plants. The Chinese yam for one is often included in their cooking.
That’s because the Chinese yam fights whooping cough and digestive inflammation. It is even included in treatments to prevent cancer.
So just imagine what it can do against a simple cough and stomach upset. It also helps improve your diet, address menstrual issues, and fight fatigue.
6. Echinacea
Native American medicinal herbs list always include echinacea or the coneflower. This amazing plant boosts the immune system and resists bacterial and viral infections.

With echinacea’s antibacterial properties, colds, flu, as well as burns, wounds, and sores are no problem at all. It also provides relief to stings, insect bites, and snake bites.
7. Great Yellow Gentian

This medicinal properties of this plant provide relief to stomach complaints. It helps soothe stomach aches and diarrhea.
It also helps improve digestion as well as improve appetite. Aside from treating stomach issues, the yellow gentian is also used to reduce sore throat and jaundice.
RELATED: Triple A’s Of Nature’s Medicine: Antiviral ~ Antibacterial ~ Antibiotic
8. Siberian Ginseng

While look-alikes, Siberian, Korean, and American ginseng are not one and the same, all three have adaptogenic uses, though.
The Siberian ginseng, in particular, helps promote good health. It relieves stress and fights common ailments.
It is common in Asian medicine, but it’s gaining ground in the U.S.
Adaptogenic Definition: This natural substance helps the body adapt to stress. It also helps normalize the body’s physiological function.
When I first decided to grow my own remedies, I wasted a ton of time and money trying to hunt down specific heirloom seeds from a dozen different places. If I had to do it all over again, I would have just grabbed a massive, non-GMO seed vault like this right out of the gate:
- GROW NATURAL MEDICINE – Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea...
- RARE HERBALIST PLANTS – White Sage (Salvia apiana), Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis...
Last update on 2026-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9. Garlic

A very popular culinary ingredient, garlic boasts a lot of health benefits. That includes helping to control high blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and lower risks of heart disease.
Aside from all these, garlic also provides relief to colds as well as other viral infections. It is also an ingredient for homemade remedies to treat toothache pains.
10. Great Burdock

The Great Burdock is used as a remedy for various health issues. It may address indigestion, liver, and gallbladder problems. Rheumatism and gout may also be treated with this plant. Its ‘purifying’ properties aid in expelling toxins from the blood and the urine. This underground tuber stimulates the appetite and helps in dealing with anorexia. It also treats skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
11. Gotu Kola

Gotu kola aids in decreasing swelling and improving blood flow. For this reason, Gotu kola prevents or decreases the appearance of varicose veins and blood clots. It also helps in preventing scars, stretch marks, and other skin issues. It has the potential to relieve anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia as well.
Essential Oils from Medicinal Herb Plants
1. Peppermint

You know this soothing herb very well because it’s found in gum, toothpaste, even in beauty products. Yet, the health benefits of mint shine most when consumed fresh as tea or flavoring to food and drinks.
Peppermint improves digestion, relieves gas, and soothes common symptoms of colds. It also alleviates nausea headache or even fatigue.
2. Sage

Sage has properties that address both internal and external health issues.
It boosts memory retention, lowers cholesterol and sugar, and eases stomach pain and diarrhea. When used externally, sage provides relief to cold sores and mouth sores.
3. Tea Tree

From bacterial infections down to sunburns, tea tree oil proves to be an effective natural treatment for a long list of health issues.
Tea tree oil is often referred to as the “medicine cabinet in a bottle,” and for those reasons. In fact, it is common to find tea tree oil in most Australian households, where the tea tree is native.
However, for those days when you’re short on time but still want pure, organic oils for these recipes, it’s a lifesaver to have a trusted set sitting in your cabinet:
- Included in this Gift Set: Peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass & orange. essential oils gift set for aromatherapy...
- Certified Organic - Cliganic organic essential oils are proudly USDA organic certified to ensure ultimate quality and...
Last update on 2026-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cold and Sore Throat Home Remedy
- Use tea tree oil as a rub for colds
- Gargle with hot salt water for a sore throat
- Gargle with apple cider solution for a sore throat
- Mix water, lemon extract, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and turmeric root to make tea for a cold and sore throat
- Use eucalyptus oil as a rub for colds
Home Remedy for Flu
- Mix a cup of water and a cup of dried catnip, then add lemon extract and raw honey
- Take omega-3 oil supplements or eat foods rich in omega-3
- Heat water with elderberry extract, then add turmeric and cinnamon
- Heat water with a mixture of thyme and peppermint
- Fill a glass with licorice root and cover with water, then add honey
Expand your emergency preparedness skills by knowing medicinal plants for home remedies. Knowledge in traditional medicine is just as important as your survival gear.
When you’re in survival mode, you will have to forage for medicinal plants to make your own homemade treatment. Whether you’re an outdoorsman or not, you should know more about medicinal plants and their uses.
QUICK POLL
Medicinal Plants: Legit survival healing resource or just overhyped quack medicine?
What did you choose and why? Head down to the comments section and defend your choice.
3 thoughts on “Medicinal Plants You Need To Make Natural Home Remedies”
I use herbal teas for stress and for upset stomach or gas.
If I feel like I might be coming down with a cold or flu, I add to a cup of water (usually warm) 1 tsp. of organic elderberry syrup and a dropper-full of organic echinacea & goldenseal extract and I usually don’t have to drink this more than once to start feeling better!
I believe that God intended for herbs to help us stay healthy!
I almost forgot! When I get a toothache (which is rarely), I grind up some cloves and use a cotton swab to rub the ground cloves into the area of the tooth that is hurting. It works great!
Also, for muscle or joint pain, I use Boiron’s Arnicare! It helped a friend’s shoulder heal quickly after surgery! Her doctor was amazed!
Awesome to hear, Laura. Nature really did provide exactly what we need to keep our bodies going if we just take the time to learn how to use it. I’m a big believer in that, too. That clove trick is an absolute lifesaver when you can’t get to a dentist, and I’m definitely taking note of that Arnica tip. Thanks for dropping by and sharing what works for you.
Years ago I had an extremely severe congestion problem. I went to my doctor and he gave me samples of an inhaler and an nasal inhaler, telling me that the nasal inhaler would break through the congestion. I got home and read the instructions, and the first thing it said was to be sure the nasal passages were clear. I tried it anyway with the expected results–did nothing but drip back out my nose. I called my doctor and was informed to continue anyway (the lung inhaler gave me heart palpitations). That it would take two to three months to be effective. I had a friend who did Chinese herbal medicine and she asked if I’d be willing to try it. She provided me with some herbs, told me to make a tea and drink three cups a day for no more than three days. I did. In three days my sinuses and lungs were clear and I’ve had no problem since. Because of this I began to study herbal medicines and when I got bronchitis again, I used echinacea and goldenseal with great results. Today I still use echinacea but use garlic instead of goldenseal because of overharvesting. Yes, I have proof of herbs as medicine, but one must be careful becase there can be severe consequences is misused. I have been studying now for years. I love Rosemary Gladstar’s books, but use many others as well. One never knows where one will find an interesting or necessary bit of information not covered elsewhere.