In Ayurveda, aloe vera is known as the “king of medicinal plants”, and Tulsi is known as the “queen of medicinal plants”. Tulsi or basil leaves can be used to cure cough, cold, bronchitis and loss of appetite. Another popular expectorant, dalchini or cinnamon, helps cure lung problems such as bronchitis, asthma and even heart disorders and fever. A curry leaf plant requires a lot of sun and frequent watering during the summer.
In winters, it can survive with weekly watering. Growing the plant in a pot will allow you to move it to a convenient area as the seasons change. Curry leaves are a common ingredient for tempering in Indian recipes. The Giloy plant is quite easy to grow in tropical climates such as India.
When the plant is small, it may be necessary to keep it in the shade so that it grows during extremely high temperatures. Once the plant has matured, it can survive very high temperatures in tropical regions. Giloy is known to boost immunity, control diabetes and respiratory problems. If you want to grow neem in a pot, you will have to place it in a sunny place.
You should also choose a pot with a top diameter of 7-10 inches and drainage holes for good growth. Neem leaves can be used for multiple purposes, which is beneficial for problems such as gum disease, diabetes and more. Neem oil is an effective herbicide. Tulsi is a tropical plant that needs a lot of sun to germinate.
The plant will need water if the topsoil is dry, which should be checked often. This variety of Tulsi, known as Rama Tulsi, can be easily observed on a plant. Tulsi plants should be pruned regularly to promote the growth of new leaves. Being one of the most common medicinal plants grown at home in India, Tulsi can be consumed in teas.
Wild turmeric is a root plant and has a sweet fragrance. This plant will grow best in a sunny place in a large pot. Wild turmeric has large green leaves and grows 3 or more feet tall. As the plant matures, each stem sends a spike of greenish-white flowers and sometimes roses.
Wild turmeric thrives in warm, humid conditions and in neutral, well-drained soils. Wild turmeric is known for its cosmetic benefits and can help reduce blemishes, dark circles and more. The Ashwagandha plant grows as a small shrub of 10 to 12 cm with yellow flowers. Extracts or powder of the root or leaves of the plant can be used for consumption. Ashwagandha is a drought-tolerant plant and its leaves are elliptical in shape and dark green in color.
The ripe fruit of the plant is a berry that usually has a red-orange color. The Ashwagandha plant is known to be beneficial in reducing anxiety, stress, depression and more. Medicinal plants are useful to have on hand to treat common ailments. You can use certain medicinal plants to relieve headaches, tummy problems and even irritation caused by insect bites. Plants can be consumed in teas, used as a garnish, applied topically as essential oil, or consumed as a lozenge. To help you decide which plants are best for you, we gathered our main medicinal plants - Catnip, Cayenne Pepper, Chamomile, Echinacea, Wild Turmeric, Tulsi, Neem, Curry Leaves, Giloy, Aloe Vera, their remarkable health benefits and how to use them.