Apart from their use in the kitchen many herbs have medicinal properties that have been used over the years by traditional healers. In fact a large proportion of the remedies we buy over the counter are manufactured from these very same herbs. With a little knowledge there is no reason why you should not use them to treat minor ailments. These fifteen medicinal herbs are described by Agatha Noveille in her article which I came across over on the Gardening Know How website.

Perennial plants can be thought of as a gardener?s best friend. After an initial planting, they come back year after year, largely fuss-free, so you can focus on enjoying your garden rather than cultivating and maintaining it. By planting perennial herbs, you can enjoy their beauty and their practical uses to support your health! Most herbs are even hardier than the average perennial once they are established, making them a fabulous choice for the perennial garden. As a bonus, pollinators and butterflies adore most herbs so you won?t be the only one enjoying your perennial plantings.
Herbs can adapt to a wide range of climates, and many aren?t even very particular about soil requirements. Here?s a quick guide to 11 medicinal herbs that grow back year after year, and just might be a perfect match for your garden.
Elecampane (Inula helenium)

This cheery member of the sunflower family prefers sun and a rich, moist soil. Elecampane has naturalized in parts of North America, but is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia, and has been a cherished herb for the lungs and digestion since ancient times. Elecampane?s yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom in the late summer. True to its sunflower family roots, this herb can grow to 6 feet in height, so be sure to give it plenty of room. You can divide elecampane roots in spring or fall to increase this herb?s presence in your garden, if desired.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Most wild yarrows have white or pink flowers, but garden hybrids may have many shades of pink or red. Achillea filipendula is a variety with yellow blooms. The leaves of yarrow form a dense mat or mound, and the flower umbels bloom on a stem that is about one foot in height. Creeping roots and self-seeding proficiency mean that this herb can become invasive in some settings, especially the wild varieties, but if you are going for drifts of natural-looking plantings there?s no reason to worry. If you prefer a more formal garden layout, garden hybrids tend to be somewhat better behaved. This herb is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. Yarrow likes a hot, dry habitat with full sun and is quite happy in poor but well-drained soil. Besides it?s feathery foliage and cheerful blooms, yarrow was cultivated in herb gardens as a wound plant and fever aid.

Go to the next page to see more of these medicinal herbs.
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