Top 20 healing herbs (effects and health benefits)

One of the main elements used is the so-called medicinal or healing herbs, which have properties that can help alleviate various minor discomforts and alterations. However, it must be borne in mind that these suppose a relief of the symptoms and an aid to the improvement of the healing of wounds, but they cannot replace conventional medical treatments or make serious diseases disappear.

What is called a healing herb?

Before commenting on some of the most relevant healing or medicinal herbs, it is necessary to define what a healing or medicinal herb is, which is often identified as a medicinal plant. Although it is generally used as a synonym for this last concept (including, for example, trees), technically when we talk about herbs we are referring to all that type of plant with a stem configured by soft and green tissue (never woody) and that die once they have produced offspring, usually at the end of the season, which have medicinal properties beneficial to human health.

A selection of the best healing herbs

This is a list with a score of the best healing or medicinal herbs, most of them widely known and even in many cases widely used by a large part of the population. It must be taken into account that although they have positive effects on health, most of them have some contraindication or are not recommended in specific situations, and some of them even have abortifacient properties.

Chamomile

The queen of infusions, chamomile or chamomile is one of the best known healing herbs and is used when trying to treat and reduce pain and discomfort of the gastrointestinal tract. It also has a relaxing and anti-inflammatory effect, something that makes it useful for treating muscle aches or headaches. It also has antibacterial properties that make it also used to clean wounds or as a rinse.

Rosemary

Common condiment in our kitchens, rosemary is another herb that has relevant medicinal properties. Rich in antioxidants and with a large number of essential components for health, this plant helps to delay aging and cell death caused by free radicals, as well as helping to improve concentration and performance and alleviate and enhance recovery from respiratory problems or digestive (including facilitating the expulsion of gases), facilitate menstruation and increase energy levels.

It also has, among others, antibacterial, liver-protective, healing, expectorant, and analgesic properties. Of course, like most of the rest of the exponents on this list, in excess, it can be toxic.

Sage

Sage is a well-known medicinal herb. Despite having abortive properties and being contraindicated in people with kidney problems. Or in nursing mothers and can become toxic in high amounts, has antibiotic and antiseptic properties, decreases diarrhea and blood glucose, triggers appetite, and increases energy, and helps reduce inflammation and intestinal pain. It is also a muscle relaxant and seems to facilitate stimulation and cognitive activity.

Mint

Mint we all use in the kitchen. This is a herb that is often used in medicinal products. It facilitates the functioning of the digestive system and the liver, in addition to being anti-inflammatory. And having expectorant and antitussive properties, contributing to the synthesis of sweat, having the analgesic capacity, and being stimulating and activating.

Valerian

This herb is especially known for its calming and relaxing properties. It also relaxes and allows to calm anguish, sadness, or anxiety while reducing alterations such as headaches, muscle pain, arrhythmias, or tachycardias. This is also anti-inflammatory.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort or St. John’s wort is an interesting medicinal herb. Which have the properties that help combat serious mental problems. Such as depression, having an antidepressant effect. In addition to this, it also helps to alleviate anxiety, pain, and insomnia problems and is useful when it comes to helping in various health problems related to the menstrual cycle, stomach problems, and even problems related to insulin.

However, it is important to note that it can negatively interact with drugs, especially antidepressants.

Filipendula ulmaria

This herb is called the queen of the meadows. the meadowsweet is one of the medicinal or healing herbs from which a component of great importance in medicine has been extracted, specifically from its flowers (although it is also present in other plants): salicin.

This name may not sound familiar to us, but if we add that acetylsalicylic acid comes from it, we will quickly see that it is the main active principle of aspirin. This component, therefore, has an analgesic effect. In addition, it also appears to have antibacterial properties, as well as anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Fennel

This plant, widely used in cooking, also has interesting medicinal properties. It also has antispasmodic activity at the visceral level, in addition to being a diuretic and allowing the reduction of fluid retention. Although they are not the only ones, other relevant properties are to contribute to the reduction of blood pressure or to serve as support in the regulation of the menstrual cycle or when reducing discomfort both of this and of the climacteric.

Licorice

This herb is used for the preparation of the sweet and it has also been attributed medicinal properties. Specifically, it has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, as well as reducing acidity. It also helps reduce body temperature and has an anesthetic effect.

Greater plantain

This plant has interesting properties that are useful. Among them we can mention the fact that it helps in the treatment of kidney and bladder problems, intestinal problems such as diarrhea (it is astringent), has anti-hemorrhagic and antiseptic properties, is anti-inflammatory and satiating, and contributes as an expectorant to the recovery of respiratory problems. It is also rich in antioxidants and appears to help lower blood pressure and blood sugar.

Mauve

Mallow is another herb with healing or medicinal properties, in this case, it is also anti-inflammatory, antitussive and expectorant, diuretic, antiseptic (useful in wounds), and with a very slight hypoglycemic action. It also facilitates intestinal transit, being a laxative. Useful in inflammations, arthritis, dental pain, gastroenteritis, or constipation, among others.

Calendula

This herb has powerful anti-inflammatory, healing, and antiseptic properties, being very useful for use on skin wounds. It favors the proper functioning of the menstrual cycle and has calming effects and helps to treat dental and digestive tract problems, among others.

Marjoram

Another of the considered medicinal or healing herbs is marjoram. It has antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic generating properties. Useful for respiratory and digestive problems, also reducing the absorption of carbohydrates.

Verbena

Verbena is a herbaceous plant of which some of its variants have interesting medicinal properties. One of them, known as the herb of Santa Isabel, has calming and relaxing effects, at the same time that it favors a positive state of mind. It is useful to reduce nervousness, insomnia, or headaches. As well as an astringent that hinders diarrhea and promotes tissue shrinkage. In addition, it is an antioxidant.

Oatmeal

When we think of oatmeal, we probably envision its culinary use in the form of flakes. But in addition to this, this herbaceous has very relevant properties at a medicinal level. First of all, this plant has the ability to strengthen our immune system. And increase energy levels, among other things due to its high number of vitamins. It also helps to reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, as well as having a laxative effect.

Coriander

Commonly used as a condiment, coriander also has medicinal properties. Among them is the fact that it helps to reduce cholesterol levels and reduces blood glucose levels. In addition to being a diuretic and promoting the elimination of toxins (especially at the level of heavy metals), having an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and even antispasmodic effect. It also favors the appetite, facilitates the expulsion of gases, and can serve as an expectorant.

Dandelion

Widely valued for its beauty on an aesthetic level and sometimes also consumed on a culinary level. Dandelion is also one of the healing or medicinal herbs. Specifically, it is a diuretic and stimulant. As well as that it is beneficial for the kidneys and liver (helping to filter the blood and prevent bleeding). It stimulates the appetite and is anti-inflammatory and healing. However, it can be harmful to pregnant women or people with bipolar disorder.

Basil

Again known primarily for its use as a condiment, this herb also has medicinal properties. Among them is the fact that it stimulates the appetite, makes vomiting difficult. And has antitussive, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties, among others. It is also rich in antioxidants, diuretics, slightly anticoagulants,s and improves our immune system.

St. Robert’s Wort

Another exponent of medicinal or healing herbs is the Geranium robertianum or St. Robert’s wort. It is also astringent, both with regard to the blood and the intestinal level (being useful in diarrhea). And is useful as a diuretic. Interestingly, and despite the fact that its flavor is good. Unlike most of the other exponents on the list, the herb of San Roberto generates an aversive odor when pressed.

Oregano

We end the list with a herb widely known and loved in our kitchens: oregano. This plant has a protective effect on the liver and an anti-inflammatory effect. Contribute to the expulsion of gases, strengthen bones and skin. Reduce pain, reduce blood glucose in diabetics, have an expectorant effect. Be rich in antioxidants and even prevent cancers such as breast.

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