Medicinal herbs from the garden

Medicinal herbs: how to prepare and use them.

Tea, dose, how often a day — for each herb according to the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). And then how to grow it in a raised bed.

27herbs with a method per the EMA44herbs to grow

1 · Preparation and use

What do you need it for?

Choose what you want help with. We show the herbs the EMA lists for it, each with its recipe right away: dose, time, how often a day.

Form per the EMA:
29 herbs · all with EMA data
Digestioncaraway

Caraway

Carum carvi

Mild indigestion, bloating and flatulence

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose0.5–2 gof dried fruit in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often1–3× a day
from 12 yearsFull method
Muscles, circulation and moreSleep and stresscommon hawthorn

Common hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

Temporary nervous heart complaints (e.g. palpitations) once a doctor has excluded serious conditions · Mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1–2 gof dried leaves with flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How oftenup to 4× a day
from 12 yearsFull method
Sleep and stresscommon hop

Common hop

Humulus lupulus

Mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose500 mgof dried cones in 150–200 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How oftenup to 4× a day
from 12 yearsFull method
Urinary tractDigestioncommon juniper

Common juniper

Juniperus communis

As an adjunct to flush the urinary tract in minor urinary complaints · Mild indigestion, bloating and flatulence

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose2–2.5 gof dried berries (cones) in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often1–3× a day
adults onlyFull method
DigestionMuscles, circulation and moreCough and throatSkin and minor woundscommon sage

Common sage

Salvia officinalis

Mild indigestion, bloating and flatulence · Excessive sweating · Minor inflammation of the mouth or throat · Minor skin inflammation

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1–2 gof dried leaves in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often3× a day
adults onlyFull method
Cough and throatcommon thyme

Common thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Productive (chesty) cough with a cold

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1–2 gof dried aerial parts in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often3–4× a day
from 12 yearsFull method
DigestionMuscles, circulation and moreSkin and minor woundscommon yarrow

Common yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Temporary loss of appetite · Mild spasmodic digestive complaints including bloating · Minor menstrual cramps · To help heal minor superficial wounds

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1.5–4 gof dried aerial parts in 150–250 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often3–4× a day
from 12 yearsFull method
Cough and throatelder

Elder

Sambucus nigra

Symptoms of the common cold

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose2–5 gof dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often3× a day
from 12 yearsFull method
Sleep and stressEnglish lavender

English lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1–2 gof dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often3× a day
from 12 yearsFull method
DigestionSkin and minor woundsMuscles, circulation and moreEnglish oak

English oak

Quercus robur

Mild diarrhoea · Minor inflammation of the mouth lining or skin · Itching and burning with haemorrhoids once a doctor has excluded serious conditions

Herbal teaat home
Dose3 gof dried bark in 250 ml of water
How often3× a day
adults onlyFull method
Skin and minor woundsMuscles, circulation and moreEnglish walnut

English walnut

Juglans regia

Minor skin inflammation · Excessive sweating of hands and feet

Compressat home
Dose4–6 gof dried leaves in 200 ml of boiling water
How often2–4× a day
adults onlyFull method
DigestionMuscles, circulation and moreCough and throatfennel

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

Mild spasmodic digestive complaints including bloating · Minor menstrual cramps · Productive (chesty) cough with a cold

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1.5 gof dried fruit in 250 ml of boiling water
Steep15 min
How often3× a day
from 4 yearsFull method
Muscles, circulation and moreCough and throatgarlic

Garlic

Allium sativum

As an adjunct to help prevent atherosclerosis · Symptoms of the common cold

Powdered herbfrom a pharmacy
Dose300–750 mg
adults onlyFull method
Muscles, circulation and moreginkgo

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba

Age-related cognitive impairment and quality of life in mild dementia · Heavy legs and cold hands and feet with minor circulatory disorders

Powdered herbfrom a pharmacy
Dose250–360 mg
adults onlyFull method
Muscles, circulation and moregrape vine

Grape vine

Vitis vinifera

Chronic venous insufficiency (swollen legs, varicose veins, heavy legs) · Discomfort and heavy legs with minor venous circulation problems · Itching and burning with haemorrhoids once a doctor has excluded serious conditions · Fragile skin capillaries

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose5–10 gof dried leaves in 250 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often2× a day
adults onlyFull method
Sleep and stressDigestionlemon balm

Lemon balm

Melissa officinalis

Mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep · Mild indigestion, bloating and flatulence

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1.5–4.5 gof dried leaves in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often1–3× a day
from 12 yearsFull method
Urinary tractlovage

Lovage

Levisticum officinale

As an adjunct to flush the urinary tract in minor urinary complaints

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose2–3 gof dried root in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often2× a day
adults onlyFull method
DigestionSkin and minor woundsmarjoram

Marjoram

Origanum majorana

Mild indigestion, bloating and flatulence · Irritated skin around the nostrils

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose2–4 gof dried aerial parts in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often1–2× a day
adults onlyFull method
Muscles, circulation and moreSleep and stressMidland hawthorn

Midland hawthorn

Crataegus laevigata

Temporary nervous heart complaints (e.g. palpitations) once a doctor has excluded serious conditions · Mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1–2 gof dried leaves with flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How oftenup to 4× a day
from 12 yearsFull method
Digestionpeppermint

Peppermint

Mentha ×piperita

Mild indigestion, bloating and flatulence

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1.5–3 gof dried leaves in 100–150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often3× a day
from 4 yearsFull method
Skin and minor woundsCough and throatPot Marigold

Pot Marigold

Calendula officinalis

Minor skin inflammation · To help heal minor superficial wounds · Minor inflammation of the mouth or throat

Mouth rinse and gargleat home
Dose1–2 gof dried flowers in 150 ml of water
How often2–4× a day
from 6 yearsFull method
Cough and throatSkin and minor woundspurple coneflower

Purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Short-term prevention and treatment of the common cold · To help heal minor superficial wounds

Expressed juicefrom a pharmacy
Dose1.5–4.5 ml
from 12 yearsFull method
Muscles, circulation and moreCough and throatDigestionraspberry

Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

Minor menstrual cramps · Minor inflammation of the mouth or throat · Mild diarrhoea

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1.5–8 gof dried leaves in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often3× a day
adults onlyFull method
DigestionMuscles, circulation and morerosemary

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus

Mild spasmodic digestive complaints including bloating · Minor muscle and joint pain · Minor peripheral circulation problems

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1–2 gof dried leaves in 150–250 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often2–3× a day
from 12 yearsFull method
Urinary tractsilver birch

Silver birch

Betula pendula

As an adjunct to flush the urinary tract in minor urinary complaints

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose2–3 gof dried leaves in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How oftenup to 4× a day
from 12 yearsFull method
Cough and throatSleep and stresssmall-leaved lime

Small-leaved lime

Tilia cordata

Symptoms of the common cold · Mild symptoms of mental stress

Herbal tea (infusion)at home
Dose1.5 gof dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
Steep5–15 min
How often2–4× a day
from 4 yearsFull method
Urinary tractzucchini, pumpkin

Zucchini, pumpkin

Cucurbita pepo

Lower urinary tract symptoms with benign prostate enlargement or overactive bladder once a doctor has excluded serious conditions

Seeds
Dose2.5–7.5 gof dried seeds
How often2× a day
adults onlyFull method
Cough and throatcommon ivy

Common ivy

Hedera helix

As an expectorant in productive (chesty) cough

oral liquidtablets or capsulesleaf
To the herb
Muscles, circulation and moreSkin and minor woundshorse chestnut

Horse chestnut

Aesculus hippocastanum

Chronic venous insufficiency (swollen legs, varicose veins, heavy legs) · Discomfort and heavy legs with minor venous circulation problems · Bruises (local swelling and haematoma)

tablets or capsulesoral liquidointmentseed
To the herb

Ways to prepare

How to prepare it.

Ways to make a tea from a herb, and ready-made products. Which way and how much is given for each herb.

Decoction

For roots, rhizomes and bark

simmer usually 15–30 min
  1. Cover the herb with cold water.
  2. Bring to the boil.
  3. Simmer gently, then strain.
Not for aromatic herbs: the volatile substances would boil off (EMA).
From the bed to the jarHarvestDryStoreTea or tinctureTemperature, drying time and how long it keeps are on each herb’s page.

Methods and times: EMA glossary on herbal teas (EMA/HMPC/5829/2010 Rev. 1)

2 · Growing

And now grow it.

All herbs with a preparation method fit into one raised bed. Drought-lovers on one side, those that want more water on the other.

Kitchen herbs

Chives, parsley, basil and thyme — the herbs a kitchen runs out of most often.

With a preparation method: common thyme

Mediterranean herbs

Sage, thyme, oregano and savory — fragrant herbs for a sunny, drier spot.

With a preparation method: common sage, common thyme

Herbs for tea

Lemon balm, mint, hyssop and sage — tea from the bed from spring to autumn.

With a preparation method: lemon balm, peppermint, common sage

More herbs

For growing and the kitchen.

Where to plant them, how much space they need and when they flower is on each herb’s page.

This is not medical advice. More
This is not medical advice. The data come from summaries of European Medicines Agency monographs (EMA, HMPC committee) on approved herbal medicines, not on home preparation; dosage and suitability are for a doctor or pharmacist to judge. If symptoms persist or get worse, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, for children and when taking medicines, consult a doctor. The source is given for each herb on its page.