Which Houseplants Have Medicinal Properties?

Plants have been used to make medicine for centuries, but some stand out above the rest for their many healing properties. Some plants make teas or, with aloe, their leaves broken open and the gooey ooze used as a balm. From aiding in digestion to soothing burns and insect bites, these houseplants are known for their healing properties. Fortunately, most are deceptively easy to grow indoors as houseplants. 

Sage

This easy-to-grow herb has a range of health properties. Mostly it’s an anti-everything: anti-microbial, antioxidant, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. As a result, it may reduce swelling and help prevent infection. As an antioxidant, it helps fight off the free radicals that cause chronic diseases such as cancer. 

The next time you walk past a tiny sage plant in a four-inch pot at the nursery, you might bring it home to live on the windowsill of a south- or west-facing window. 

Ginger

You can grow ginger simply by bringing a root home from the supermarket and plopping it into a pot filled with soil. It will eventually sprout roots if kept in the right conditions. Pick a bumpy piece of ginger and soak it overnight in water. Cut the root into smaller pieces and plant them in a tall, deep container. Keep them warm and moist, and you should soon have sprouts. Once you have your very own ginger plant, you can use it for many things, including:

• Soothing nausea and motion sickness

• Curing upset stomach

• Reducing inflammation 

• Decreasing arthritis pain

• Preventing cancer

To harvest your ginger plant, simply cut a fresh piece from the root when needed and return the rest to the soil. 

Basil

Basil is an herb used in pasta sauces, pestos and more. It adds a zesty element to your dishes and can give your health a nice boost. Basil is best known for its healthy components which include vitamins A and C, manganese, iron and the good fatty acid. Use it as an antioxidant or antiseptic. Basil can also help relieve gas, soothe your cough and lessen nausea. As a houseplant, it’s a good option to have on hand. It’s also attractive and easy to grow. Basil prefers at least six hours of sun daily and needs regular watering. 

If you’ve been thinking about starting a few plants indoors, consider planting ones that have health-driven properties. The ones listed here all have culinary value, and they’re all useful in multiple other ways. And if you enjoy outdoor gardening, you can expand your inventory of medicinal plants.

As always, if you decide to use these plants for any health benefits, be sure to check with your doctor or other medical professional before consuming any new herb or plant for its healing properties.