Plants That Heal
Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff 
Has your mother ever treated your cough with something from the spice rack? For thousands of years, people from all corners of the globe have used herbs and plants to cure or prevent disease. There are several terms for this form of medicine: aromatherapy, homeopathy, floratherapy, alternative medicine, and herbal therapy.
Before using any of these remedies, you should check with your parents or a doctor. You never know if you might have an allergic reaction.
| Type of Herb or Plant | Type of Use |
|---|---|
| Aloe | External—burns, bites, cuts, or scrapes |
| Chamomile | External—bites, stings, skin irritations Internal—soothes stress and relaxes |
| Cranberries | Internal—Helps in the cure of urinary tract infections, heart disease cancer, gum disease, or ulcers. |
| Echinacea | Internal—Strengthens immune system |
| Fennel | External—Relaxant when used in a bath Internal—Helps indigestion, cramps, asthma |
| Feverfew | Internal—Soothes migraine headaches and upset stomachs |
| Garlic | External—Skin irritations, fungal infections, acne, earaches, bites, and stings Internal—Reduces cholesterol, wards off colds and flu, lowers blood sugar in diabetics, protects liver from toxins, kills intestinal parasites |
| Ginger | External—Soothes toothaches Internal— Lessens against dizziness and nausea, lowers cholesterol, keeps blood from clotting, prevents heart disease and strokes |
| Ginseng | Internal—Stimulates immune system, lowers high blood pressure and raises low blood pressure, increases ability to handle stress |
| Lavender | External—Used as a massage oil for headaches, tense muscles, sunburn, or insomnia Internal—Relaxant, relieves tension |
| Mint | External—Decongestant when added to bath water, soothes bites and stings, acts as an anesthetic and a muscle relaxant Internal—Relieves nausea or cramping |
| Sage | External—Soothes sore throat, gum disease, canker sores Internal—Helps improve memory and aging |
| St. John’s Wort | External—Can be used for bruises and sores Internal—Helps depression |
| Thyme | External—Eases pain relief, can be used as an antiseptic and antidepressant Internal—Digestive aid and cough suppressant |
| Witch Hazel | External—Reduces swelling and relieves body aches and pains |
