Today I want to talk about something that could literally save your family’s life during a crisis. Which is growing the best medicinal herbs and homestead remedies. As we experienced with the covid outbreak. When supply chains break down and pharmacies run empty. Having a well-stocked herbal medicine cabinet growing right in your backyard becomes invaluable. Nothing beats growing your own natural medicine for your family.
God gave us everything we need on this earth, including plants that heal. As it says in Genesis 1:29, “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth.” It’s our responsibility as good stewards to learn how to use these gifts wisely.
Why Every Homestead Needs an Herbal Medicine Garden
I know you’re grown adults, and I can’t tell anyone how to live their life. But let me share what I’ve learned about herbal preparedness over the years. When Chaos scenarios hit – whether it’s natural disasters, economic collapse, or supply chain disruptions – having immediate access to natural remedies becomes a game-changer.
The beauty of medicinal herbs is they’re renewable, sustainable, and many are incredibly hardy. Unlike pharmaceutical medications that expire and require complex manufacturing, herbs can be grown, harvested, and preserved using simple homestead techniques.
The Top 7 Essential Herbs and Homestead Remedies Every Prepper Should Grow
Based on my research and practical experience, here are the must-have herbs for your crisis medicine cabinet:
Rule #1: Start with Garlic – Your Antibiotic Powerhouse
Garlic stands out as perhaps the most valuable herb you can grow. This incredible plant has been used for approximately 5,000 years and works like nature’s antibiotic. It’s proven effective for treating colds, flus, sore throats, and digestive issues by boosting immune function and stimulating white blood cell production.
For growing success, plant hardneck varieties in cooler climates and softneck varieties in warmer regions. What I like to call the “set it and forget it” approach works perfectly with garlic – plant cloves in fall, harvest bulbs in summer.
Rule #2 of Our Homestead Remedies and Our Best Medicinal Herbs: Echinacea for Immune System Support
Echinacea is your immune system’s best friend during crisis situations. This purple coneflower is incredibly valuable for preventing and fighting infections. Plant it in a sunny spot in spring, but here’s the key – you need patience. Allow two full growing seasons before harvesting the roots.
The investment pays off big time. Once mature, you can harvest echinacea roots every couple years, making it a reliable long-term asset for your homestead medicine cabinet.
Rule #3 of Our Homestead Remedies and Natural Medicines: Calendula – Your Wound Care Specialist
Calendula (pot marigold) excels as what I call your “first aid flower.” These bright yellow and orange blooms are powerhouses for topical healing – cuts, scrapes, burns, and skin irritations. Calendula grows prolifically in summer conditions and is beloved by beneficial pollinators too.
The best part? It’s incredibly easy to grow and produces flowers continuously throughout the growing season when harvested regularly.
Rule #4 of Our Homestead Remedies and Our Best Medicinal Herbs: Yarrow – The Bleeding Stopper in Herbal Medicine
Yarrow earns recognition as the absolute best herb for managing bleeding emergencies. This hardy perennial spreads readily once established and has been used historically on battlefields to stop hemorrhaging.
In a crisis scenario where professional medical help isn’t available, having yarrow growing nearby could literally save lives. It’s also excellent for fevers and general pain relief.
Rule #5 of Our Homestead Remedies and Natural Medicine: Lavender for Stress and Sleep
During high-stress crisis situations, lavender becomes invaluable for calming anxiety and promoting restful sleep. This beautiful herb serves multiple purposes – it’s aromatic, therapeutic, and makes your homestead more pleasant.
Lavender is also naturally pest-repelling and drought-tolerant once established, making it perfect for low-maintenance medicinal gardening.
Rule #6 of Our Homestead Remedies and Natural Medicine: Lemon Balm – Is the Natural Sedative of Herbal Medicine
Lemon balm is a potent herbal medicine, which offers powerful calming properties and is part of the mint family. Warning: it can spread aggressively, so contain it in dedicated beds or containers. As a perennial, it returns reliably each year and provides excellent value for nervous system support.
Rule #7 of Our Homestead Remedies and Herbal Medicine: Chamomile – The Gentle Healer
Chamomile functions as a popular relaxant and mild sedative with a pleasant honey scent. It’s incredibly easy to grow and essential for herbal teas that calm nerves and aid digestion.
Root Herbs: Your Long-Term Crisis Insurance
Don’t overlook the power of root-based medicinal herbs. These underground powerhouses offer concentrated healing compounds and store exceptionally well for extended crisis situations.
Marshmallow root is exceptionally versatile and gentle, perfect for respiratory and digestive issues. Burdock root provides powerful detoxification properties and stores well when properly dried. Elecampane, comfrey, and valerian are also important root herbs worth cultivating.
The key with root herbs is planning ahead – they need space for future harvesting without disturbing surrounding plants.
Growing Guidelines for Medicinal Success
Here’s what I’ve learned works best for growing medicinal herbs:
Location is everything – Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Amend with compost, mulch, and natural fertilizers for optimal growth.
Timing matters – Many herbs can be started from seed after your last frost date. Calendula, holy basil, fennel, borage, and California poppy are excellent seed starters.
Climate considerations – Match your plant selections to your hardiness zone. Cayenne works as a perennial in zones 9-11 but acts as an annual in northern areas.
Container growing – Many herbs thrive in containers, making them perfect for apartment preppers or those with limited space. Lavender, rosemary, and most culinary herbs adapt well to pot culture.
Harvesting and Preservation for Crisis Readiness
Proper harvesting and preservation techniques ensure your herbs maintain maximum potency:
Harvest timing – Pick herbs in the morning after dew has dried but before the heat of the day. This preserves essential oils and active compounds.
Drying methods – Hang herbs in bundles in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Properly dried herbs maintain potency for 1-2 years.
Storage solutions – Store dried herbs in airtight containers in cool, dark locations. Glass jars work better than plastic for long-term storage.
Tincture making – Learn to create alcohol-based tinctures for concentrated, shelf-stable remedies. These can last 5-10 years when properly made.
Simple Crisis Remedies You Can Make Today
Start with these basic preparations:
Echinacea-Elderberry Tea – Combine dried echinacea root with elderberry for powerful immune support during cold and flu season.
Calendula Oil – Infuse calendula flowers in olive oil for topical wound care and skin healing.
Garlic Honey – Crush fresh garlic cloves into raw honey for antimicrobial medicine that stores well.
Chamomile Sleep Tea – Steep dried chamomile flowers for natural relaxation and better sleep during stressful times.
Biblical Stewardship and Self-Reliance
Growing medicinal herbs represents responsible stewardship of the gifts God has provided. It’s about being prepared, not out of fear, but out of wisdom. Proverbs 27:14 reminds us, “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.”
By cultivating these essential herbs, you create a resilient, renewable source of natural medicine tailored to your family’s needs. Chance favors the prepared mind! Start small with 2-3 herbs this season and expand your medicinal garden each year.
Remember, this isn’t about replacing professional medical care when it’s available – it’s about having backup options when it’s not. In crisis situations, having these natural remedies could make all the difference for your family’s health and well-being.
Your future self will thank you for taking action today and building this critical piece of your preparedness foundation.
Disclaimer: This post is in no way professional medical advice. It is simply a means to educate people on first-aid techniques that can be employed in order for you to stay safe and healthy enough, long enough to seek professional medical advice about any conditions that you may have. They are not the end all, cure all, to every ailment. So please, seek the advice of your doctor if you are experiencing chronic ailments.
If you enjoyed this post and would like to show your support for our site, feel free to browse our less-lethal defense weapons and personal security products shop and as always, remember… Chance, favors the prepared mind.
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