There has been much interest recently in the cultivation and use of medicinal plants for survivalists. Survivalists are people who want to be prepared in the event of an SHTF situation.
Fruits and vegetables are essential for having a medicinal garden. You can also plant many different herbs in the garden, such as mint or sage. Medicinal gardens can serve many meaningful purposes, including everything from treating illness to being more self-reliant.
A good survival medicinal garden has a wide variety of herbs and foods. You can also use herbs as part of your traditional meal preparation. Herbs can enrich our lives with their infinite value. You could have a better food experience and a backyard pharmacy to boot.
What Herbs Should I Grow in My Medicinal Garden?
You can grow many herbs in a medicinal garden that will help with survival situations. Herbs can serve many purposes. They can be used in combination with foods or to help treat illnesses or conditions. When it comes to successful survival, spices from a medicinal garden are just what the doctor ordered. The following include some herbs you can grow in your medicinal garden:
Mint
Mint can be used to help ease gastrointestinal discomfort, chest pains, and headaches. Mint is also a natural insect repellant if you have a bug or pest problem. Eating fresh or dry mint leaves can also help to improve brain function and cold symptoms. Mint leaves contain the following nutrients:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B-Complex
- Calcium
Mint also has anti-bacterial properties. The menthol in mint has also been known to treat asthma. You should plant mint in the spring after the last frost. You can put mint into salads and tea.
Sage
Sage is phenomenal for clearing up sore throats and coughs. Sage also helps to improve brain function and supports mental clarity. If you ever find yourself in an end-of-the-world situation, and you or someone you love has dementia, sage can be extremely helpful. Some nutritional content of sage:
- Vitamin K
- Zinc
- Copper
- Magnesium
Sage has also been beneficial in combating plaque and improving oral health. This herb would be advantageous when dentists may not be available to help in an end-of-world situation.
Cayenne
Cayenne is often a base ingredient in home remedies to treat a wide variety of ailments, such as kidney issues, arthritis, heart problems, and bleeding issues. Cayenne pepper can also add life to dull survivalist dinners, as it has a kick. Some nutritional content of cayenne:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Choline
- Lutein
Cayenne helps the body fight inflammation and improves circulation. It also helps to rid the body of free radicals, which can harm your health.
Echinacea
Echinacea should be part of everyone’s itinerary when it comes to making it through the cold and flu season. It has both antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming the herb at the onset of a cold or upon catching the flu can significantly reduce your sick time. Some nutritional content of echinacea:
- Antioxidants
- Cichoric acid
- Rosmarinic acid
Echinacea herb is best digested in hot tea, preferably with honey. Some research suggests that echinacea can significantly improve immune system functioning. It would be helpful to have in your survivalist repertoire.
Garlic
Garlic is a valuable vegetable used as an herb. It is suitable for many reasons. When a doctor is unavailable, having garlic around can help with heart issues, such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. The best thing about garlic is that you can eat it in spaghetti and other delicious dishes. Some nutritional content of garlic:
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
- Calcium
- Iron
Garlic also contains a fair amount of potassium and magnesium. You should plan to plant garlic in the fall, about four to six weeks before the ground freezes, for the best results.
Parsley
Parsley gives your energy a lovely boost because it improves blood circulation. You should use parsley directly after harvesting to get the best results. Parsley can be made into sauces, pestos, and dips. You can use it in pasta, sauces, salads, and meat dishes. Some nutritional content of parsley:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Magnesium
Parsley contains a large amount of flavonoid apigenin, which can act as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent. You should plant parsley about three to four weeks before your area’s last anticipated frost date in the spring.
What Foods Should I Grow in My Medicinal Garden?
Food can be medicinal. There are many foods you can grow in your survival garden to help you in an emergency. You need healthy, nutritious foods to feed you and your family, and you want foods that will sustain your lives if the unthinkable occurs. The following include some of the foods you should grow in your medicinal garden:
Carrots
Carrots are both nutritious and delicious. They are easy to grow in well-drained soil. Baby carrots are a big hit with kids and adults alike, and they will be ready for you to harvest in about 50 to 60 days. Larger carrots should take about 75 days to harvest. The following include some of the nutritional content of carrots:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B-6
- Vitamin C
- Beta Carotene
Carrots also contain a fair amount of fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Consumption of carrots has been linked to lower cholesterol and vision health.
Squash
The best thing about squash is that it is a versatile food for all seasons. You can have summer squash or winter squash, which are all yummy. Some of the best winter squash include zucchini and scallopini. The best winter squash includes buttercup squash and spaghetti squash. The following consists of some of the nutritional content of squash:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B-6
- Magnesium
As a tasty treat, you can have squash on top of pizza along with some gorgonzola and arugula. You can also make use of butternut or acorn squash as a filling in ravioli. Of course, the use of the cheese would depend on having access to it.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes can be considered both a fruit and a vegetable. They are wonderful in salads and good for canning and bottling. Tomatoes are best grown on the hot days of summer. Tomatoes are your best bet for a healthy food everyone loves. The following include some of the nutritional content of tomatoes:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B-6
- Magnesium
Another bonus of tomatoes is that they are packed with water, which means that they are ideal for helping you stay hydrated during the hotter months. Preserved tomatoes do not require refrigeration or cooking and are a great multi-purpose survivalist food.
Potatoes
Potatoes are an excellent survivalist food because they contain a wide array of nutrients. There have also been many times throughout history when people have survived off potatoes. Potatoes also have an excellent shelf life and can last longer if stored properly. The following include some of the nutritional content of potatoes:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B-6
- Potassium
- Manganese
Food is excellent medicine because it is natural, and everyone can benefit from it. Potatoes, in particular, are perfect for survival situations because they fill you up quite nicely.
Final Thoughts
A medicinal survivalist garden is imperative to keep you and your family safe and healthy. The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to keep ourselves locked down in the home.
With a medicinal garden, you would have enough food to keep your family well fed and herbs to use in the event an illness occurs, and it would be ideal to have a survival plan already in place.