Gardening isn’t just about creating a beautiful landscape—it’s about growing plants that support your health and well-being. If you’re interested in sustainable products and DIY remedies, then adding medicinal flowers to your garden is a wonderful place to start. These flowers don’t just enhance your garden’s beauty with vibrant colors and lovely fragrances, but they also offer incredible healing properties. Let’s explore three medicinal flowers you can grow and even use in homemade recipes.
Lavender
Lavender is like a hero among medicinal plants. Its calming effects are well-known, helping to ease anxiety, promote better sleep, and soothe irritated skin. With its lovely scent, lavender makes a fantastic addition to any garden and offers plenty of uses.
Lavender & Oats Soap Recipe:
- 500g soap base
- 2 tbsp oats
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 tbsp dried lavender flowers
Instructions:
- Melt the soap base in a double boiler.
- Add grated shea butter (if using) and mix well.
- Once fully melted, turn off the heat and mix in the lavender essential oil, oats, and dried lavender flowers.
- Pour the mixture into silicone molds and let it solidify.
Lavender-infused soap gives your skin a calming cleanse, making it ideal for relaxing after a long day. Plus, the oats gently exfoliate, leaving your skin feeling silky and smooth.
Calendula
Calendula, or pot marigold, is a fantastic flower celebrated for its skin-healing abilities. It’s often used to ease inflammation, heal cuts and scrapes, and calm dry or irritated skin. Having calendula in your garden means you’ll have this powerful flower at your fingertips all year long.
Calendula Skin Salve Recipe:
- Sun-dry fresh calendula for 5-7 days.
- Infuse dried calendula in your favorite oil (like olive oil) for 30 days.
- In a double boiler, melt 1 cup of calendula oil with 3 tbsp soy or beeswax.
- Optional: Add essential oils for fragrance, but keeping it simple is just as effective.
- Pour the hot mixture into containers and let it cool completely before use.
Calendula salve is a great natural alternative to store-bought creams, offering deep moisturization and healing for minor skin issues. Perfect for gardeners dealing with sunburn or scrapes!
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are not only stunning but also incredibly useful. These vibrant flowers are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants that help strengthen your immune system. You can eat both the leaves and flowers, which add a spicy kick to salads and other dishes. Plus, nasturtiums are great for natural remedies, offering more than just flavor.
Nasturtium Leaves Vellutata Recipe:
- 15-20 nasturtium leaves
- Any vegetables you like (carrots, potatoes, etc.)
- 3 tbsp oat cream
- Olive oil
- Optional: Croutons and nasturtium flowers for garnish
This creamy soup is a wonderful way to enjoy the benefits of nasturtiums. The leaves add a peppery punch, while the oat cream creates a silky texture.
Bonus Recipe: Nasturtium Flowers Butter
- 250g plant-based butter
- 1 handful of nasturtium flowers
- Salt & pepper
This butter is not only tasty but also packed with nutrients. Spread it on bread or melt it over cooked vegetables for an added kick of flavor and a dose of health benefits.
Sustainability Tip: Grow and Reuse
These flowers aren’t just good for your health; they also support a sustainable lifestyle. By growing lavender, calendula, and nasturtiums at home, you’ll make fewer trips to the store for skincare products and reduce packaging waste. Many of these DIY creations, like lavender soap, can be kept for months, letting you enjoy them well after the harvest season ends.
Adding medicinal flowers to your garden connects you to nature in a special way. They offer beauty, healing, and a sense of independence. So why not start growing these amazing plants and make your own eco-friendly remedies at home? 🌸
Happy gardening!
