There are thousands of medicinal plants out there, but the nine herbs listed below can provide most of what you need to create a backyard pharmacy.
If you grow these herbs in your backyard, you won’t have to go out foraging for hours on end or put your faith in store-bought herbs that have been depleted of their nutrient content, says herbalist Dr. Nicole Apelian.
Here are 9 useful herbs you should have in your home garden:
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
The California poppy contains a variety of plant compounds, including alkaloids (allocryptopine and protopine) and flavone glycosides, which are said to exhibit pain-relieving, antispasmodic and hypnotic activities.
Herbalist Dr. Aviva Romm notes that California poppy is a relaxant herb that promotes sleep. It also has a calming effect and can be used to reduce anxiety and nervousness.
According to herbalists Rosemary Gladstar and David Hoffman, California poppy is a safe natural sedative to use for children, especially those who are over-excited and cannot sleep. To make a gentle, soothing tea, combine California poppy with chamomile, milky oats and marshmallow root.
California poppy is more powerful than morphine but is safer to use for treating and managing acute and chronic pain.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Essential oils, flavonoids, polysaccharides and triterpenoids are the principal constituents of calendula flowers. These plant compounds exhibit pharmacological activity, according to the book Medicinal Herbs in Primary Care.
Calendula has nourishing benefits for the skin and is used topically for treating wounds due to its soothing and antimicrobial properties. It may also be beneficial for chronic prostatitis, diaper dermatitis, episiotomy healing, gingivitis, leg ulcers (neuropathic and venous), radiation dermatitis, radiation mucositis and vaginal candidiasis. Calendula has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and cytotoxic properties.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
A well-known medicinal plant often referred to as the “star among medicinal species” and included in the pharmacopeia of 26 countries, chamomile has been an ingredient of several traditional, Unani (a system of medicine practiced in India), and homeopathy medicinal preparations. It is also used for colic, flatulence, hysteria and intermittent fever.
The essential oil derived from chamomile flowers has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anti-spasmodic properties. The herb can be used internally — mainly as a tisane (caffeine-free tea) — for diarrhea and nausea, disturbance of the stomach associated with pain, sluggish digestion, inflammation of the urinary tract and painful menstruation.
Externally, chamomile in powder form may be applied to promote the healing of wounds, skin eruptions, infections like boils and shingles, hemorrhoids and inflammation of the eyes, mouth and throat.
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
A study published in the Scientific World Journal reported that most parts of the chicory plant contain a wide variety of nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins (A, B1, B2, C), minerals (calcium, iron, potassium), soluble fiber, trace elements and bioactive phenolic compounds, which are responsible for the therapeutic qualities of chicory.
Inulin, coumarins, tannins, monomeric flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones are some of the major phytonutrients found in chicory plants. The health-promoting properties attributed to chicory include antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, anthelminthic, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, antioxidative, antiviral and immune-stimulating activities.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
A study published in the journal Pharmacognosy Review reported that echinacea’s bioactive components, namely, alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives, glycoproteins and polysaccharides, have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral and immune-stimulating properties.
Echinacea has long been used as a natural remedy for colds, flu and upper respiratory infections. It is useful for treating candida and other fungal infections, tumors and whooping cough. The herb is also known to boost the immune system.
Echinacea preparations are contraindicated for people with progressive systemic diseases, such as collagen disorders, leukemia and leukemia-like diseases, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis and auto-immune diseases.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Also known as bachelor’s buttons and wild chamomile, feverfew can help relieve inflammation that causes arthritis pain. Studies point to a substance called parthenolide as the active component of feverfew that helps relieve migraine and muscle spasms.
Feverfew is a home remedy for fever and pain. It can be added to teas or you can simply chew one of its leaves.
A poultice made from crushed feverfew leaves placed over the affected area can help with arthritis or muscle pain. It can also help reduce joint inflammation and relieve joint pain. Crush some feverfew leaves (soak them if dried) and place them directly over the joint. Cover with a clean cloth to hold them in place.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
Meadowsweet flowers are high in flavonoids, but the primary constituents of the herb are salicylates, particularly salicin, salicylaldehyde and methyl salicylate. In the digestive tract, these compounds are converted to salicylic acid, a substance that is closely related to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).
Sweetly scented meadowsweet tea is a natural analgesic. It helps relieve colds and fever as well as pain due to digestive problems, headaches and inflamed joints. The herb is also a natural diuretic and can be used as an astringent and skin conditioner by soaking the leaves in rainwater.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
According to a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, peppermint leaves and oil can be used as medicine. Peppermint is effective against the common cold, cough, inflammation of the mouth and throat, sinus infection and other respiratory infections.
The active compounds present in peppermint leaves are rosmarinic acid and several flavonoids, primarily eriocitrin, luteolin and hesperidin. The main volatile components of peppermint essential oil are menthol and menthone. The herb has shown significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities, as well as high antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-allergenic potential. (Related: Learn how to grow these 8 medicinal plants in your indoor garden.)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
A popular folk medicine, yarrow contains flavonoids that increase saliva and stomach acid production to help with digestion. Alkaloids like azulene extracted from the flowers and leaves of yarrow have also been reported to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Yarrow can help relax muscles in the intestine and uterus and relieve menstrual and stomach cramps.
Yarrow essential oil is well-known for reducing inflammation. It is also great for relieving skin issues, such as burns, eczema, insect bites and rashes, because of its a cooling, soothing effect.
Grow medicinal plants in your backyard so you can have easy access to powerful natural remedies when SHTF.
Watch the video to learn about 30 medicinal plants the Native Americans used on a daily basis.
This video is from the Dilieze channel on Brighteon.com.
Join the conversation about this article at Late Preppers.
More related stories:
- 5 medicinal mushrooms you can grow in your home garden or forage in your backyard.
- Top 10 medicinal plants you can grow yourself.
- Heal yourself with medicinal plants you can easily grow in your own home.
- Sources include:
- AskAPrepper.com
- TheHerbalAcademy.com
- BotanicalInstitute.org
- ScienceDirect.com
- NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov 1
- NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov 2
- NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov 3
- PubMed.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov
- Brighteon.com
- NATURAL NEWS
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.