10 Medicinal Herbs Every Dad (or mom) Should Grow for Backyard Remedies

Gardening has become more than a hobby for me—it’s my way of bringing wellness to our home. Over time, I’ve found that growing medicinal herbs feels like keeping a small, green pharmacy right outside my back door, offering natural remedies for all kinds of everyday ailments.

Whether it’s easing a headache, soothing skin irritations, or simply creating a calming tea after a long day, these herbs have proven their worth time and again. Here are ten medicinal plants that I’d recommend every dad with a green thumb try growing. They’re easy to maintain, and each brings a unique set of benefits to any family’s wellness toolkit. For more on starting a healing herb garden, check out my guide on creating a healing tea garden.

Quikcly Find Healing Herbs For Your Family:

1. Chamomile

Chamomile is one of those comforting herbs that seems to embody calm itself. This little flower, with its daisy-like petals and soft fragrance, has become a staple in my garden, and it’s a pleasure to grow. Chamomile is one of the gentlest herbs around, but don’t let that fool you—it’s also incredibly effective. When someone in the house has trouble sleeping, I brew a warm chamomile tea, and its mild sedative effects help ease them into a restful night’s sleep. For digestive discomfort or a case of the nerves, it’s my go-to, offering gentle support without any harsh effects.

Chamomile’s growing habits make it a low-maintenance addition, perfect for someone who wants useful plants without a lot of fuss. It thrives in full sun, and once established, it doesn’t require much more than regular watering and well-draining soil. The cheerful blooms attract pollinators like bees, adding an extra layer of vibrancy to the garden. Chamomile is one of those plants that looks delicate but brings an impressive power, both in the garden and in a tea cup.

Medicinal Use: Calms nerves, aids sleep, soothes digestive issues.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil; grow from seeds or transplants.
Additional Benefits: Adds beauty to the garden with its gentle, white blooms and attracts pollinators.

2. Lavender

Lavender is a classic in any herb garden, and with good reason. This versatile plant is easy on the eyes and the nose, offering calming properties that are as powerful as they are pleasant. If you’ve ever rubbed a lavender leaf between your fingers, you know the unmistakable, relaxing aroma it releases—a fragrance that has a way of easing tension in an instant. I like to use lavender for everything from soothing minor aches to calming irritated skin, and just a whiff of it can make any stressful day feel a little lighter.

Growing lavender is relatively simple, especially if you give it plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil. Once it’s established, this drought-tolerant herb doesn’t demand much, making it an excellent addition to any garden. The plant’s purple blooms add a touch of elegance, and dried lavender bundles are fantastic for calming sachets around the home. A garden with lavender is a sensory delight, providing both beauty and wellness in one tidy package.

Medicinal Use: Eases anxiety, promotes sleep, soothes minor aches, calms skin.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil; drought-tolerant once established.
Additional Benefits: Dried lavender sachets offer calming scent and a natural moth repellent.

3. Peppermint

Peppermint is a plant that’s full of surprises. From the moment you crush a leaf, the sharp, fresh aroma of menthol clears the mind and invigorates the senses. In my garden, peppermint has earned its place as a digestive hero, relieving everything from minor stomach upsets to sinus congestion. It’s my first pick when I need a tea that both tastes great and helps with digestion. The plant grows rapidly, so I keep it in a container to prevent it from spreading, and it makes an ideal companion for areas around seating where its refreshing scent is always within reach.

Peppermint’s vigor and resilience make it easy to grow, though I’d advise confining it to a pot or a bed with barriers because it can quickly take over. It thrives in a sunny spot but can tolerate some shade. Beyond tea, I also use peppermint leaves to create a cooling compress for headaches or to freshen up the house. This hardy herb packs a powerful punch and has become a staple in my herbal “medicine cabinet.”

Medicinal Use: Relieves digestion, clears congestion, alleviates headaches.
Growing Conditions: Vigorous grower; best in containers or confined beds.
Additional Benefits: Refreshing tea, headache relief, pleasant fragrance for seating areas.

4. Calendula (Pot Marigold)

Calendula is a visual treat in the garden with its bright, sun-kissed blooms, but its real value is in how it cares for the skin. This plant has been my go-to for minor skin issues, including cuts, rashes, and insect bites. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make calendula an ideal herb for a natural, soothing balm. I’ve even infused its petals into oils and used them in homemade salves to keep on hand for those small accidents that inevitably happen.

Growing calendula is a breeze; it loves full sun and is one of the most forgiving plants out there. With a little space to spread, calendula will bloom continuously throughout the summer, bringing a pop of color to the garden. Beyond its medicinal use, I appreciate how calendula attracts pollinators, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem. It’s one of those herbs that feels like a gift to both the garden and the family’s wellness.

Medicinal Use: Soothes skin irritations, aids in healing cuts, reduces inflammation.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, blooms throughout summer; easy to grow from seed.
Additional Benefits: Eye-catching flowers that support pollinators and make beautiful infusions.

5. Echinacea (Purple Coneflower)

Echinacea is a standout in my garden, not only for its striking purple petals but for its immune-boosting properties. As someone who likes to be proactive during cold season, echinacea has proven its worth as an immune supporter. When winter rolls around, I use echinacea in teas to fend off colds, and its benefits have been a reliable addition to our home remedies.

This herb thrives in well-draining soil and loves full sun, making it a low-maintenance yet valuable addition to any garden. Its purple blooms attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects, adding life to the garden even when other flowers start to fade. Echinacea is not only a visual anchor in the landscape but also a wellness powerhouse that supports a healthy immune system.

Medicinal Use: Supports immune health, reduces cold symptoms.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil; plant seeds in spring.
Additional Benefits: Stunning purple blooms attract pollinators and add seasonal color.

6. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is like a gentle friend with a bright, citrusy personality. When I brush against it, the fresh lemon scent is an instant mood-lifter, and it’s great for those moments when I want to unwind. Lemon balm is perfect for calming anxiety and aiding sleep, and its refreshing flavor makes for an excellent tea that’s a little lighter than chamomile. However, it spreads quickly, so keep an eye on it if you don’t want it taking over.

This plant is low-maintenance, thriving in partial shade and moist soil, which makes it great for less sunny spots in the garden. I’ve also found that lemon balm is useful for keeping mosquitoes at bay, so I plant it around outdoor seating areas. Lemon balm is as pleasant to grow as it is to use, bringing both calm and brightness to the garden and to my cup.

Medicinal Use: Calms anxiety, supports sleep, relieves digestive discomfort.
Growing Conditions: Partial shade, moist soil; grows quickly.
Additional Benefits: Natural mosquito repellent, cheerful lemon scent that lifts spirits.

7. Thyme

Thyme is a small yet mighty herb that’s as valuable for wellness as it is in the kitchen. With its earthy, savory aroma, thyme has been a favorite addition to my teas and soups, especially during cold season. Its antibacterial properties make it effective for respiratory health and sore throats, so I often use it in steam inhalations or as a soothing tea.

Thyme loves sun and can handle dry conditions, which makes it perfect for sunny, low-maintenance spots in the garden. It doesn’t demand much water or care but still brings a lot of benefits. It’s versatile, functional, and adds a delicious depth to cooking, making it one of the most useful herbs I grow.

Medicinal Use: Antibacterial, helps respiratory health, soothes sore throats.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil; drought-tolerant.
Additional Benefits: Culinary favorite, great for teas and steams, hearty in dry conditions.

8. Sage

Sage is an herb that’s known for balancing both body and mind. I appreciate its earthy, slightly peppery flavor in cooking, and I’ve found its anti-inflammatory effects to be a reliable natural remedy for sore throats and digestive issues. Sage has even been touted for hormonal balance, which adds another layer to its benefits.

This resilient herb is drought-resistant and thrives in sunny, well-draining areas, making it easy to maintain. Sage is also highly aromatic, so I often dry it for teas or even smudging to clear the air. It’s one of those plants that carries tradition and usefulness in equal measure, adding a sense of rootedness to my garden.

Medicinal Use: Anti-inflammatory, aids digestion, supports hormonal balance.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, drought-resistant, low maintenance.
Additional Benefits: Wonderful dried for teas or smudging, aromatic addition to the garden.

9. Yarrow

Yarrow might be lesser-known, but it’s a powerhouse for natural first aid. Its feathery leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers add a delicate touch to my garden, yet this plant’s healing properties are robust. Yarrow has been my go-to for minor cuts and scrapes, as it helps stop bleeding quickly and can even ease muscle cramps.

This herb is as tough as it is beneficial, thriving in almost any soil and enduring drought. Yarrow not only provides a reliable remedy but also supports beneficial insects, adding to the health of the garden as a whole. It’s a plant that bridges beauty and function, making it one of my favorites for both wellness and aesthetics.

Medicinal Use: Stops bleeding, reduces fever, eases cramps.
Growing Conditions: Hardy, thrives in most soils, drought-tolerant.
Additional Benefits: Feathery leaves add texture, attracts beneficial insects.

10. Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy basil, or tulsi, is an herb I’ve come to treasure, both for its health benefits and its unusual flavor. When brewed as tea, it has a unique taste reminiscent of banana bread, adding a cozy comfort to my cup. Holy basil is a powerful adaptogen, meaning it helps with stress and immune support, making it a wonderful herb to have on hand when I’m looking for a natural pick-me-up.

Holy basil grows best in full sun with regular watering, and it’s fairly low-maintenance once it’s established. I use it fresh and dried, and it adds a slight spice to teas that’s unlike anything else in my garden. It’s one of those herbs that I find myself turning to again and again, for both its taste and wellness benefits.

Medicinal Use: Supports stress relief, boosts immunity, aids respiratory health.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, regular watering, grows well from seed.
Additional Benefits: Distinct, slightly spicy taste, great in teas, beloved for its adaptogenic properties.

Final thoughts:

Each of these medicinal herbs brings something unique to my garden, transforming it into a peaceful, fragrant retreat and a natural medicine cabinet all in one. From boosting immune health to easing stress, these plants provide simple, effective remedies that I can reach for any time. Growing these herbs has been a rewarding experience, offering both beauty and wellness with minimal effort. I encourage anyone who enjoys gardening to try growing a few of these versatile plants—they might just become your own green pharmacy.