8 Medicinal Plants You Can Grow Indoors

Growing indoor medicinal plants greatly increases your capacity to cultivate a comprehensive apothecary for survival. Starting indoor healing of herbs and plant seeds is always a great idea, but you can cultivate so much more than the typical native medicinal crop species.

By growing indoors, you will introduce varieties of non-native and dwarf medicinal herbs, plants, and root in your apothecary plans. Two of Earth’s most powerful healing plants can only be grown at a handful of ultra-hot places in the United States. But, buying root or dwarf versions of these plants you can grow them indoors entirely or just rotate them outdoors during the summer months.

Because the first two medicinal plants on the list are rarely grown ever in the U.S. (at least not in a residential setting), I will go into more detail about their cultivation.

Tarragon

This healing herb will help treat stomach aches, toothaches, and insomnia. Tarragon may also help enhance insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar. It can also help to normalize sleep patterns and minimize Osteoarthritis-related pain, as well as cause an increase in appetite.

Tarragon Growing Tips

1. Seeds should be sown about four to six to a medium container.
2. Plant the seeds in a lightweight and moist potting soil.
3. Tarragon seeds should be covered lightly with a paper towel or cotton cloth to facilitate low light conditions until they have sprouted.
4. Once the seeds have grown at least two inches tall; they can be thinned out and each transplanted to their own pot.

Related: 10 Medical Home Emergencies and How to Treat Them

Dwarf Moringa Tree

Not only can you eat almost every part of the Moringa Tree, it is also filled with so many healing properties that it has been dubbed for a long time “The Tree of Life.” Moringa trees are also highly regarded for how quickly they grow. Unfortunately, for preppers not living in southern Florida regions of Texas, California, and Arizona, it has long been thought difficult to grow such plants.

Growing indoor dwarf moringa trees is entirely feasible regardless of the climate you happen to be in. Buying a packet of 10 dwarf moringa tree seeds cost me a whopping $3.50 – and they all sprouted within a single week.

• Moringa trees are rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, protein, essential amino acids, beta-carotene, and manganese.
•  Both the gum and the bark from the tree can be eaten for to garner their medicinal properties and nutrients.
• The leaves from the tree can be eaten raw, dehydrated, or infused into a tea.
• The pods can be cracked out and the inside consumed or eaten much like okra.
• Flowers from the moringa tree can be eaten raw but are far more tasty when fried or broiled.
• The seeds growing inside the drumstick portion of moringa trees contain ben oil. Not only is the oil a powerful component in natural remedies, it can also be used as a mechanical and firearms lubricant. The oil can also be used to filter water to make it potable.

It will take two years for you to plant the moringa tree seeds in a 16 inch diameter container to sprout. In a single container, you can plant about eight seeds and then thin them out as required. You may pinch off the growing dwarf tree’s leaves to be used for medicinal purposes as it grows to mature state.

Moringa trees are not growing well in soggy soil and will need to be put in both a soil and a container to promote drainage efficiency. If the leaves on the tree begin to turn yellow, add some magnesium to the soil – egg shells, epsom salts, or highly recommended shells of oysters.

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Turmeric

If only one medicinal plant could be cultivated indoors, it should be turmeric. The only source of the potent antioxidant is this bright orange spice, curcumin. This turmeric portion is obtained from the dried rhizome or root cuttings from the turmeric plant.

For thousands of years, curcumin has been used by herbalists, reducing joint and muscle pain and arthritis stiffness. It may also be beneficial in improving brain health and function and battling against certain cancers, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease.

A U.S. National Medicine Library and National Health Institutes study maintains that curcumin may also enhance the role of endothelium (blood vessel lining) – helping to prevent heart disease.

Turmeric Growing Tips

1. Purchase root cuttings at a local supplier or online. One turmeric root should be enough to grow multiple new cuttings.
2. Break up the rhizome into small portions. Each one of the pieces must have at least one bud on it for it to grow.
3. In a large growing container (5-gallon bucket recommended) place on of the rhizome pieces. The larger the pot, the bigger and stronger the turmeric start will grow. The growing container must have drainage holes drilled into the bottom to prevent the root stock from becoming over saturated. Plant the starts in potting soil that has been slightly moistened.
4. The turmeric rhizomes should be planted two inches deep. The buds on the root stock must be facing upward.
5. Turmeric quickly thrives in full sun conditions, but will still flourish beneath grow lights. It is highly recommended to move the growing container outside during the late spring and summer months – but only after the threat of any lingering frost has passed.
6. Turmeric should be watered approximately every two days to ensure it remains moist beneath the hot summer sun or artificial grow lights. Misting the turmeric lightly in between waterings may also be necessary to prevent the soil from drying out. Be mindful not to make the soil soggy or it will likely cause the turmeric to rot.
7. It typically takes between eight to 10 months for the turmeric to mature. Harvest each root as one whole piece. Remember to save some pieces of the rhizome for starting more turmeric. Never replant in the same soil the turmeric was just harvested from, it will be too depleted of nutrients.

Boil the rhizomes for about 45 minutes to process the harvested turmeric. Place them on a drying rack for seven days at a spot which is no hotter than room temperature (cooler is better; but the spot can’t be damp). Peel the dried rhizomes and powder the insides. Wear gloves, turmeric will stain anything it touches orange.

Related: 16 Free Alternative Pain Meds

Garlic

Garlic is a natural miracle “drug.” In 98% of the natural remedies I produce, this hardy and simple but time-consuming medicinal plant is a basic ingredient.

Garlic Top Medicinal Uses

• Draws toxins and impurities out of the body
• Treats and prevents gum disease
• Helps treat common cold and flu symptoms; especially a persistent cough
• Treats yeasts infections
• Garlic oil helps remove splinters
• Heals cold sore
• Soothes yeast infection discomfort and helps correct the problem

Garlic Growing Tips

1. Cloves can be planted in the same container but must be spaced 1 to 2 inches apart.
2. The root side of the clove – the narrow pointy part; must be placed down into the dirt first.
3. Plant the cloves between four to six inches deep in a compost rich potting soil.

Related: 16 Remedies for Radiation Exposure

Ginger

This medicinal root is highly regarded for its antioxidant properties, antibacterial, antiviral properties, and anti-nausea. The anti-inflammatory properties of Ginger make it a valuable natural remedy ingredient for fighting headaches, migraines, joint pain, and menstrual issues.

Ginger Growing Tips

1. Purchase ginger root from a garden supply store or get a root cutting from a friend. The root should boast a firm skin, be plump, firm, and have multiple eyes on it – similar to the type of buds that grow on potatoes.
2. Cut the ginger root into sections that each contain one bud.
3. Soak the ginger root pieces in warm water for eight to 12 hours. Drain the water and shake the root sections to a semi-dry state before planting.
4. Ginger root grows horizontally and will need a wide plant and well-draining compost rich potting soil to thrive.
5. Plant the root with the eye pointing toward the soil surface.
6. Plant the root sections one to inches deep and immediately water lightly.
7. Ginger should not get a lot of sunlight and the container needs to stay warm throughout the growing period.
8. The soil needs to remain moist but fight the urge to over water.
9. Ginger sprouts should become visible in 14 to 21 days. It takes several months of growth before portions of the ginger root can be cut away and harvested.

Peppermint

This sweet herb can be used as a base in common cold and flu treatments that are intended to treat coughs and respiratory problems. Peppermint can also be a critical ingredient in natural asthma, tuberculosis, allergy, and home remedies for digestive problems.

Peppermint Growing Tips

1. Peppermint should be planted by a window that offer only light sun or partial shade.
2. It grows best in a lightweight and moist potting soil.
3. Place Light Full sun to part shade.
4. Space started plants approximately 18 to 24 inches apart.
5. Mature peppermint plants typically grow to hit one foot to three feet tall.

Related: 7 Chinese Herbal Remedies for Preppers

Echinacea

The beautiful plant can be brewed into a tea to help prevent and cure the common cold, flu, and associated breathability. Adults also eat the tea in a regular coffee cup, up to our normal times as soon as they start to feel ill. To defeat cold and cough symptoms may take a week to 10 days of echinacea tea treatment.

Often known as echinacea strengthens the immune system and helps prevent infection, as well.

Echinacea Growing Tips

1. These plants thrive on a small amount of water, yet the soil should not be allowed to dry out.
2. Echinacea will grow best in nutrient rich soil and full sun.
3. This medicinal plant can survive a light frost if you ever need to move them outside.
4. They take about 90 to 120 days to grow from seed to flower and can hit 48 inches tall.

Thyme

Thyme is one of the medicinal herbs that is easiest to cultivate and can be cultivated completely indoors-even in a windowsill. It is claimed that this soothing spice has insecticidal properties, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties. Thyme was used in Europe during the 1300’s to help protect people from “Black Death.”

Brewed or steeped thyme can also help ease sleep and alleviate stress. Drinking thyme tea can help reduce coughing fits and boost the immune system.

Also included in this medicinal herb is thymol, a natural biocide compound. This compound can aid in the destruction of infectious bacteria and other destructive organisms. A 2010 study maintains thymol could improve bacterial resistance to many types of medicines commonly prescribed, including penicillin.

Thyme Growing Tips

1. Grow in full sun.
2. Provide a steady supply of water, but avoid watering too much.
3. Use a lightweight and well drained potting soil.
4. Thyme grows best in a pH balance of 6.5 to 7.0.

I grow 36 kinds of medicinal herbs, plants, and roots within our homes and greenhouses. But, if I had only the space, time, and money to grow eight medicinal plants to deal with the most common health issues that might arise during a SHTF event, these would undoubtedly be the ones that I would most recommend.