Feb 18, 20225 min read

All plants are medicine

Herbal medications have been used to treat ailments for centuries due to their ease of use and fewer side effects. The wisdom of the ancestors gradually faded into the background with the development of medicine and new medications. The National Geographic Society suggests that we just need to (re)learn how to use plants.

Trustworthy sources, such as associations, including the likes of the British Herbal Medicine Association and the European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (EHTPA), routinely promote the usage of natural medicines in Europe through the organisation of various seminars and by spreading awareness regarding the benefits of using herbal alternatives.

Here at Tower Farm, we support promoting the awareness of plant benefits and the careful use of well-known aromatic herbs. It is truly important to know how you can help yourself with the help of natural medicine and, at the same time, avoid harming yourself due to a lack of awareness.

We collected some plants that are in desperate need of consumer rediscovery.

1. Borage

Borage is commonly used for a garnish, but it is also sought after for its medicinal use. It has sudorific, diuretic, emollient, soothing, and expectorant properties.

Its oil is particularly rich with omega-6, linoleic acid (LA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). These ingredients prevent the top layers of epidermis from drying out; they rehydrate and improve the suppleness and elasticity of the skin. That’s how we can say that borage has anti-aging properties.

This plant also helps to strengthen nails and hair. Borage can also be used to treat dermatoses like psoriasis, dermatitis, and herpes.

Thanks to its high linoleic acid content, it helps reduce the symptoms of inflammatory diseases such as pain, swelling, or stiffness in the joints. Borage is also effective against certain diseases of the respiratory tract, such as coughs or rhinitis.

At the same time, we must warn you: borage contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids with hepatotoxic properties, especially in its stems and leaves. The flowers contain very small amounts. However, it is not recommended to consume borage on a regular basis.

2. Peppermint

This herb finds application in various products, from food to cosmetics, for its taste and scent. Not many know that it is a nice alternative to facilitate headaches and problems with digestion.

Peppermint tea is a refreshing, naturally sweet, caffeine-free beverage that can be enjoyed at any time. The menthol in peppermint oil increases blood flow and provides a cooling sensation, which should relieve pain.

While research on peppermint tea is limited, several studies outline the benefits of peppermint oil and peppermint extract. Those studies suggest that peppermint extract may help improve digestion, and improve concentration.

This mint also has antimicrobial properties that help to freshen your breath and get rid of the source of this smell in your digestive system. Because of menthol properties, it is an effective medicine to fight the common cold or infected mucus. The menthol makes you feel like you can breathe more easily.

3. Sage

Sage has a strong aroma and an earthy flavour, which is why it’s typically used in small amounts. Even so, it’s packed with a variety of important nutrients and compounds.

One teaspoon (0.7 gram) contains 10% of your daily vitamin K needs. This vitamin promotes bone health. A deficiency in this vitamin is linked to bone thinning and fractures.

One study found that drinking 1 cup (240 ml) of sage tea twice daily significantly increased antioxidant resistance of your body. It also lowered both total cholesterol and "bad" LDL cholesterol, as well as raised "good" HDL cholesterol.

It has antimicrobial properties that may kill microbes that encourage the growth of dental plaque.

Modern research has shown that sage can actually help make you wiser, improving memory and reducing inflammation.

There was a study to measure the impact of sage extract on patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease. Those taking the sage extract performed better on tests that measured memory, problem-solving, reasoning, and other cognitive abilities compared to the placebo effect.

What’s more, this aromatic spice houses caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, ellagic acid, and rutin, all of which play a role in its beneficial health effects. They lower the risk of cancer and improve brain function and memory.

This green spice is also easy to add to almost any savory dish. It can be enjoyed fresh, dried, or as a tea.

4. Thyme

Many people use thyme in their cooking without realising that it can help fight infections, relieve migraine pain, and clear out the lungs.

In a study looking at the effectiveness of thyme for acute bronchitis, patients who were given extracts of dry thyme and evening primrose had considerably faster healing times than those who were given placebo.

Thyme is rich in anti-spasmodic plant phenols, including thymol and carvacrol, which make it an effective cough suppressor. This herb's antibacterial and expectorant properties thin the mucus that the cough is trying to evacuate, while also mending and relaxing the bronchial system gently. Germany's "Commission E" approved thyme oil for treating bronchitis, whooping cough, and upper respiratory inflammation.

Furthermore, thyme is high in vitamin C. This vitamin is an antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage. It strengthens your immune system and lowers your risk of developing acute and chronic disorders.

Thyme has the ability to prevent bacterial growth and eliminate parasites. Compounds in the plant, such as thymol (a plant-based phenol particular to thyme), have been shown to prevent or neutralise bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasite diseases.

Thyme oil has demonstrated potential as a natural preservative of food products against several common food-borne germs that cause human sickness, even at low quantities.

5. Parsley

Parsley is a Mediterranean herb with a long history of use. Frequently it is used for culinary flavouring.

But even more, over the years, it is applied in therapeutic therapy for a variety of health problems, such as high blood pressure and allergies. In manufacturing, parsley seed oil is used as a fragrance in soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes.

The leaf, seed, and root are used to make medicine. This herb is high in antioxidants, carotenoids, and other vitamins that help the body and immune system to function properly. Vitamin K, which is necessary for bone health, is one of them.

Parsley seed was used traditionally as a carminative to decrease flatulence and colic pain. The root was used as a diuretic and the juice to treat kidney ailments. Parsley oil also has been used to regulate menstrual flow in the treatment of amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. At one time, parsley tea was used to treat dysentery and gallstones.