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How To Use Herbs for Healing (3 Homemade Herbal Remedies)

Getting started with medicinal herbs is much more straightforward than you might think. You just have to go for it and start! Herbs can solve many simple medical issues, as well as more serious issues. In this post, learn about some basic herbs to grow and use for getting started and taking care of some common ailments such as cuts, scrapes, sunburn or heat exhaustion.

Jars of dried herbs on a counter.

Why Use Herbal Remedies

You may not realize that medicinal herbs can save your life in an emergency. You can treat common viruses with medicinal herbs, you can use medicinal herbs on farm animals (and pets), and you can learn how to make herbal tinctures or homemade herbal capsules.

When getting started, it’s important to know how to use herb medicine safely. This post (and podcast episodes) are a great place to start.

This post was originally published with my interview with Doc Jones and has since been updated with my Pantry Chat podcast on summertime first-aid remedies.

Our bodies have been created to use natural plants, and aside from a few contraindications (listed below), you don’t need to fear getting started with medicinal herbs.

Read more about the medicinal herbs I’m growing in my cottage garden and how to design a cottage garden.

Do Herbal Remedies Work?

Doc Jones believes that herbs can solve over 95% of all medical issues. When he toured my herb garden, he called it a “medical paradise.” 

He shares that nearly every human ailment can be remedied with ten or fewer herbs (30 or fewer for animals). Don’t be scared or overwhelmed to get started. Pick one plant, read about it, plant it, then learn how to dehydrate herbs and turn them into salves, powders, or teas.

A great resource to learn more about herbs is Doc Jones’ book, The Homegrown Herbalist.

When To Use Medicinal Herbs

A woman's hand putting dried herbs into a mortar.

Legal Disclaimer: It’s important to note that I am not a certified medical practitioner or an accredited veterinarian. This post is not intended to diagnose or treat, but is for informational purposes only. Please contact your healthcare or animal care professional before introducing new herbal remedies into your wellness routine.

Doc Jones uses the adage, “Early, often and after.” 

  • Early – Meaning, at the very first sign of illness (or sometimes just feeling run-down).
  • Often – Use the herbal remedy multiple times throughout the day (sometimes as often as every two hours).
  • After – Don’t stop taking the herb just because you’re feeling better. Do your body a favor and continue taking the herbs for a few days after the symptoms have passed.

For example, if you think you’re coming down with a cold, at the first signs of symptoms, start taking elderberry syrup, then continue taking it a few times throughout the day, and for a few days following once your symptoms have passed. Evidence supports the claim that elderberries can help shorten a cold or flu. (Source)(Source)

You do need to be careful if using herbs during pregnancy, lactation, or when combined with certain medications, so talk with a naturopath or your healthcare provider. Learn more about how to use herb medicine safely here.

Best Medicinal Herbs to Start With

Peppermint plants

Choosing an herb shouldn’t be what holds you back from simply starting with herbal medicine. You can use herbs in every season.

Try something as simple as using peppermint for tea, making an immune-boosting tea, or using this easy remedy for seasonal allergies. Try regularly eating horseradish to boost your immune system and enhance your body’s ability to fight off infections. (Source)

Growing hops and catnip are other great options. They’re both very calming and make great teas. (Source) Grab my hops tea recipe here to help you wind down in the evening. (Source)

If you need help with getting started, these three herbs would be my top pick (especially during the summer months for all their great uses!): Calendula, plantain and peppermint.

Read on to learn why these are my favorite herbs and three easy herbal remedies to keep in your medicine cabinet!

Calendula (Calendula officionalis)

Calendula growing in the garden.

Calendula is an herb I reach for over and over for multiple uses. It’s very easy to grow, adds great beauty to the garden, and is generally resistant to a lot of pests and diseases.

Do be careful, as the seeds are prolific and can easily spread and take over an area (but that’s one of the reasons I love it!).

Benefits of Calendula

There are so many reasons why calendula will always make my must-have list of herbs! Because of these benefits, it’s an herb I reach for constantly for my children’s needs.

  • Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces redness and swelling, perfect for sunburn or rashes. (Source)
  • Wound-Healing Properties: Promotes skin repair, great for minor cuts or burns from summer adventures. (Source)
  • Antiseptic Properties: Helps prevent infection in irritated skin, keeping kids’ scrapes clean. (Source)

Safety Precautions: Do be mindful that those with allergies to the Asteraceae family (such as daisies or ragweed) may be sensitive to calendula. Test on a small skin patch first, or avoid altogether. Calendula is generally safe for kids and pregnancy, but consult a doctor if you have medical conditions or are on medications.

A woman holding a jar with homemade antibiotic ointment on her finger.

Calendula Sunburn Salve

Early season sunburns happen, as do those days where we might forget the sunscreen, or stay out in the sun a bit too long. I like to mix up a batch of this sunburn salve to keep on hand. This salve soothes red skin and is safe for kids.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin
Course: Herbal Remedy
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Steeping Time: 28 days
Total Time: 28 days 10 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Author: Carolyn Thomas
Cost: varies

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Herbal Oil

  • 1.5 cups dried calendula flowers or petals
  • 1.5 cups olive oil

For the Calendula Salve

  • 158 grams herbal oil
  • 40 grams beeswax pastilles
  • 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon lavender essential oil optional

Instructions

For the Herbal Oil

  • Gather your herbs and add them to a clean and dry pint jar.
  • Pour oil over the herbs until the herbs are completely submerged. Leave a little room at the top of the jar.
  • Place a lid on the jar and close snugly.
  • Find a warm area in your home and let the herbs infuse for about 2-4 weeks.
  • Occasionally, rotate or gently shake the jar to help the herbs and oil blend together.
  • After two weeks, strain the herbs out of the oil by pouring through a coffee filter, butter muslin or fine mesh strainer into a new, clean jar. If you would like a more powerful quality of oil, add another batch of dry herbs. Let the new herbs infuse in the same oil for two more weeks.
  • Strain the oil.
  • Date and label the jar.

For the Calendula Salve

  • Warm the beeswax and herbal oil in a double boiler. Once the beeswax is melted, remove it from the heat.
  • Add vitamin E and optional essential oils to the oil/beeswax mixture.
  • Stir together and pour into clean, dry containers.
  • Label with name, ingredients and date made.
  • Store at room temperature for up to 1 year. Use as needed.

Notes

To Use:
Dab a small amount of the salve on kids’ cheeks and shoulders (or wherever they’re sunburned) and gently rub it in for soothing relief.
  • You need calendula flowers and olive oil to make the herbal oil (directions below). You can grow your own calendula and then pick and dry the flowers, or purchase dried calendula flowers here. Use a good quality olive oil that you’d use for cooking.
  • I like to get beeswax pastilles because they’re easy to measure and melt. Make sure your beeswax is from the USA. Otherwise, it has the potential to be cut with other ingredients such as paraffin wax.
Tried this recipe?We want to see! Tag @homesteadingfamily on Instagram.

Plantain (Plantago major)

Broad leaf plantain plant growing in the ground.

This is one medicinal herb you may have growing in your yard without even realizing it! When foraging for medicinal herbs, always ensure you’re harvesting them from a location that hasn’t been sprayed with harmful chemicals. You can also seed plantain into your garden.

Benefits of Plantain

The benefits of plantain are many, but for us, we reach for it time and time again whenever we get mosquito bites bee stings, or splinters.

  • Anti-itch: Relieves itching from bug bites or stings, a summer must for kids. (Source)
  • Anti-inflammatory: Reduces swelling and soothes irritated skin, like mosquito bites. (Source)
  • Drawing agent: Pulls out toxins or splinters, ideal for minor skin irritations. (Source)

Safety Precautions: Plantain is a very safe herb with no common allergies, but always do a patch test for those with sensitive skin. There are no known issues for kids or pregnancy, but check with a healthcare provider if using for deep wounds or infections.

Ingredients for an herbal headache salve melting in a double boiler.

Plantain Bug Bite Balm

Mosquito bites itch like crazy during summer nights. This balm stops itching fast.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin
Course: Herbal Remedy
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Steeping Time: 28 days
Total Time: 28 days 25 minutes
Author: Carolyn Thomas
Cost: varies

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Herbal Oil

  • 1/2 cup dried plantain leaves
  • 1/2 cup fractionated coconut oil or olive oil

For the Balm

  • 35 grams beeswax pastilles
  • 110 grams herbal oil
  • 110 grams shea butter
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

Instructions

For the Herbal Oil

  • Gather your dried plantain leaves and add them to a clean and dry pint jar.
  • Pour oil over the plantain until completely submerged. Leave a little room at the top of the jar.
  • Place a lid on the jar and close snugly.
  • Find a warm area in your home and let the plantain infuse for 2-4 weeks.
  • Occasionally, rotate or gently shake the jar to help it blend together.
  • Strain the plantain out of the oil by pouring through a coffee filter, butter muslin or fine mesh strainer into a clean, dry jar.
  • Strain the oil. Label and date the jar. (Oil will be good for up to one year, store in a cool, dark location.)

For the Balm

  • Warm the beeswax, herbal oil and shea butter in a double boiler. Once the beeswax is melted, remove it from the heat.
  • Add olive oil and vitamin E oil.
  • Stir together and pour into clean, dry containers.
  • Label with name, ingredients and date made.
  • Store at room temperature for up to 1 year. Use as needed.

Notes

To Use:
Dab a small amount of the balm on itchy bites. I keep a tin in my purse so I always have it on outings, picnics or anytime we might need this “magic balm for itchies.”
Tried this recipe?We want to see! Tag @homesteadingfamily on Instagram.

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

Mint growing in the garden with a sign reading "Peppermint."

Peppermint is one of my favorite herbs because it’s readily available. You can buy it from nearly any nursery, purchase it in dried form, or grow it easily yourself. (Warning: grow it in a pot if you don’t want it taking over the area you’ve planted it!).

Peppermint’s cooling properties are refreshing on hot days. It’s the hero of our cooling spray!

Benefits of Peppermint

  • Cooling: Peppermint lowers skin temperature, which feels great on hot summer days, or days you’ve spent too much time in the garden.
  • Analgesic: Eases mild discomfort, like headaches from heat or minor skin irritation.
  • Digestive aid: Soothes upset stomachs, great for kids after too many picnic snacks.

Safety Precautions: Avoid use in infants or very young kids (under age 6) due to menthol; dilute properly for older kids. May cause skin irritation if undiluted; use in low concentrations for sprays. Safe for most, but consult a doctor if pregnant or on medications affecting digestion. Always start with a small amount and test on skin, especially for kids.

A clear glass bottle with all-purpose cleaning spray.

Peppermint Lemon Cooling Spray

Summer heat makes everyone cranky. This spray cools kids off while playing outside.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin
Course: Herbal Remedy
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooling Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8 ounces
Author: Carolyn Thomas
Cost: varies

Equipment

  • 8 oz Spray Bottle

Ingredients

  • 3/4 Tablespoon dried peppermint
  • 1/4 Tablespoon dried lemon peel optional
  • 8 ounces water or half water, half vodka for a shelf-stable cooling spray

Instructions

  • Steep peppermint and lemon peel in hot water like tea (about 5-10 minutes).
  • Cool and strain.
  • Pour liquid into a spray bottle.
  • Spritz on wrists, forehead and chest for instant cooling relief.

Notes

Homesteading Hack: Any time we use water in an herbal remedy, it means it’s not shelf-stable and will need to be stored in the refrigerator. This recipe will need to be used within about three days. But because it’s so simple to make (as easy as brewing a cup of tea), it’s no problem to mix up a fresh batch a few times each week.
Tried this recipe?We want to see! Tag @homesteadingfamily on Instagram.

Herbal Oils and Salves Class

A woman reaching for herbal oils in a cupboard.

If you like these simple homemade herbal remedies, consider grabbing my Herbal Oils and Salves Class, which offers step-by-step videos to make starting easy.

Dosing and Dosages

There are many ways to use herbs, whether as a tea, powder, or tincture. Some methods may be more effective, but the point is to get herbs into your body. 

You can even put some catnip straight into your mouth and chew it for a calming effect. Far too often, we complicate the process, which paralyzes us from even beginning.

  • Tea – place your fresh or dried herbs in a tea bag or a strainer and steep in hot water. Learn how to steep tea for medicinal purposes here (it’s done differently than a regular cup of tea!).
  • Powder – dry your fresh herbs, then grind them into a powder to be used. Powdered herbs can be used to make homemade herb capsules.
  • Tincture – steep your fresh herbs in alcohol, strain them, then use as needed. Learn how to make herbal tinctures here.

It can be that simple. The rule of thumb for actual dosing is to use one teaspoon of a powdered herb and twice as much for a fresh herb.

Where to Buy Herbs and Tinctures

Jars of dried herbs on a counter.

If you’re not already growing them yourself, you can purchase herbs and tinctures directly from Doc Jones’ website, Homegrown Herbalist. Or, from our friends over at Farmhouse Teas.

This is a great way to get started, learn about the herbs, and build up your herbal medicine cabinet. Then, start implementing and growing those specific herbs you reach for time and time again in your own garden.

Growing herbs is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to learn about herbs and actually start using them.

Where to Find Doc Jones

For more information on Doc Jones or the School of Botanical Medicine, visit the links below.

Woman holding a jar of garlic salve in her kitchen.
A man and wife smiling.

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Josh and Carolyn bring you practical knowledge on how to Grow, Cook, Preserve and Thrive on your homestead, whether you are in a city apartment or on 40 acres in the country. If you want to increase your self-sufficiency and health be sure to subscribe for helpful videos on gardening, preserving, herbal medicine, traditional cooking and more.

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