8 Healing Plants and Herbs

From sleeping better to repelling bugs, discover the powerful properties of plants!

Catnip and mint can relieve a tummy upset.

Next time you’ve got a stomach ache or mild diarrhea, try brewing a tea using fresh catnip or Korean mint. Catnip — as well as being beloved by our pets — can also be used to treat gas and bloating, tummy aches, and migraines. Korean mint is commonly used to cure stomach pain and nausea as well as giving your immune system a boost with its cold and flu fighting properties.

Red clover and Navajo tea can fight infection.

Navajo tea has been used for centuries by Native Americans to relieve urinary tract infections such as cystitis, and keep their bodies healthy. The pink blossoms from red clover can be used in teas and ointments to cure coughs, colds, and skin irritation.

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Sage and black tea can bring color back to grey hair.

Want to bring your old brown or black tint back to your greying locks? Look to nature! Sage — which can calm inflammation and help cure colds — is also excellent at bringing bright color back to grey hair when used in a paste or ointment. Meanwhile black tea and coffee have staining abilities and can be rinsed through hair to bring back brown or black tints.

Aloe vera and jasmine can help you sleep.

For a good night’s sleep keep a potted house plant in your bedroom. Aloe vera produces oxygen at night which can help beat insomnia and improve your sleep quality, while jasmine plants reduce anxiety levels and help you maintain a deep sleep — and it smells good too.

Bamboo palm and golden pothos can make you more productive.

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Keeping a plant on your desk can help you stay focused while you work. They regulate humidity, reduce carbon dioxide, reduce stress and fatigue, and improve your memory — not bad for a little plant! Two particularly good species to try are bamboo palm and golden pothos. Bamboo palm combats indoor air pollution, promoting clear thinking, and easy breathing. Golden pothos removes toxins such as benzene and carbon monoxide from rooms as well as reducing bad smells.

Clean your air with a spider or rubber plant.

Houseplants are an excellent way of removing harmful toxins from the air in your home, including benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene. Rubber plants and spider plants are particularly good at clearing the air. Spider plants – which are also really easy to look after – are great at removing chemicals from the air, while rubber plants can take out toxins such as formaldehyde.

Lavender and snake plants can reduce anxiety.

Indoor plants can improve your mental and physical health, especially anxiety. Plants can reduce stress levels, improve your mood and boost your reaction time and concentration. Lavender is one of the best-known anxiety fighters – its scent slows down your heart rate, lowering blood pressure and stress levels. The snake plant (also known as ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’!) reduces anxiety, respiratory problems and headaches.

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Basil and mint can repel flies, mice, and insects.

Certain plants are great for warding off creepy crawlies. Mint repels mosquitoes, mice, and insects, so they are a great bedding plant to grow outside your home. Basil repels house flies and mosquitoes, so keep one by any open windows.