Did you know you could grow your own medicine? There are so many reasons to do it! One of the best reasons is for the many benefits that it provides you and your environment. If you don't have space in your yard for a big garden, don’t worry; many of the plants can be grown in containers. To have the Echinacea growing in your yard when the cold or flu strikes, or some Aloe Vera for burns is a blessing.
The benefits of growing your medicine garden/medicine wheel are many. The nutrition and healing properties of the plant are only a couple of reasons.
- Saving Money - A packet of seeds only costs a couple of bucks; the plants will cost a little more. Over-the-counter medicines and prescriptions can cost anywhere from a couple of bucks to hundreds. A plant will continue to produce seeds so you can grow more plants -- a bottle of pills will only last so long. Using medicinal and nutritional herbs will prevent illness, eliminating possible doctor visits and money spent.
- Knowing What You Put Into Your Body – Knowing what you are putting into your body is very important, especially when you are sick. Many over the counter medicines, as well as prescription medicines, leave behind too many trace chemicals that are the cause of different side effects. Plants can have their side effects as well, but the side effects are usually mild and don't last long.
- The Experience – The time you spend working in your garden or with plants and the more time you spend working with the plants as medicine will help build a connection. The connection tends to lead you back to whatever and wherever your indigenous roots originated from. All races’ and cultures’ medicine goes back to the plants and minerals.
- Gardening Is Healthy– The act of gardening itself brings health benefits to the table. It may not always seem like much but working in the garden is a good form of stretching and exercise. Getting outdoors into the fresh air is purifying to the lungs and studies show that working with your hands in the soil can help depression.
- Self-Reliance Is Gained Becoming more independent and self-sufficient is an amazing feeling. Feeling independent can boost self confidence and appreciation for yourself. Self-reliance has been lost due to the dependency on others or corporations but it's making a comeback!
- The Beauty – Medicine is beautiful in all of its forms. When you are growing plants, no matter if they are fruits, vegetables, herbs or flowers, it brings a beautiful scenery and landscape to your property. Indoor plants will bring beauty and life within the home. I find a beauty in gathering and breaking the plants down; using my pestle and mortar to grind the leaves or seeds is a beautiful meditation. Let's not forget the incredible scents that you get to enjoy while you work.
- Helping The Environment – The more plants for bees that you have in your garden, the better. Hummingbirds, butterflies and various bees live off of the plants that surround them. Bees are a huge pollinator and it is important they have safe grounds and plenty to feed on.
The benefits to knowing and growing your own healing medicinal plants and herbs are beneficial in more ways than one. Knowing how to heal yourself and the ones you love provides a sense of security on a higher level. There is a comfort that resides in medicine that can bring you back to your roots. You tap into ancient memories that are reignited by the flame of life.
