13 Medicinal Plants Every Prepper Should Grow

Imagine walking into your local pharmacy and finding the shelves empty. Fragile supply chains and rising costs make this a real possibility for many families.

Pills expire and bandages run out but plants grow back every single year. You need medical independence and you cannot rely on a system that might break when you need it most.

A medicinal survival garden acts as a living first aid kit to keep you safe when help is not coming. Here are the most versatile plants backed by science to help you thrive.

1. Yarrow

This plant is often called the soldier’s woundwort because of its historical use on battlefields to stop bleeding. It is incredibly tough and loves full sun with poor soil which makes it perfect for a survival garden.

You can identify it by its feathery leaves and flat clusters of small white or pink flowers. It is an essential addition to your garden because it treats open wounds more effectively than almost any other natural remedy.

• Stops bleeding instantly when leaves are crushed and applied to a cut
• Reduces fevers when brewed into a warm tea
• Clots nosebleeds quickly by inserting a rolled leaf
• Disinfects wounds with its natural antimicrobial properties

2. Aloe Vera

You likely know this plant as a common household succulent but it is actually a powerful burn specialist. It grows best in sandy soil with very little water and should be kept in pots indoors if you live in a region with freezing winters.

The clear gel inside the thick leaves offers immediate relief for thermal burns and chemical burns. It is a renewable source of pain relief that reproduces easily through small offshoots called pups.

• Soothes first and second degree burns immediately upon application
• Heals blisters from hiking or heavy manual labor
• Reduces inflammation from bug bites and skin irritations
• Moisturizes dry and cracked skin in harsh weather

3. Plantain

This green leafy plant is often mistaken for a common weed but it is actually one of the best drawing agents in nature. You will find it growing in compacted soil along driveways or paths and it is very easy to transplant into your garden.

It excels at pulling toxins and foreign objects out of the skin which prevents dangerous infections. You can use it by chewing the clean leaf to mash it up and placing it directly on the skin.

• Extracts poison from bee stings and spider bites
• Draws out splinters that are too deep for tweezers
• Heals infected wounds by removing bacteria and pus
• Soothes rashes from poison ivy or stinging nettle

4. Comfrey

Gardeners and herbalists call this plant knitbone because it drastically accelerates cell regeneration and bone healing. It grows very fast in partial shade and produces large amounts of biomass that you can also use to fertilize your garden.

You must never ingest this plant as it can damage your liver but it is safe and effective for external use. It is the best remedy for deep structural injuries that might occur during physical labor.

• Speeds up the healing of closed fractures and broken bones
• Reduces swelling in sprains and twisted ankles
• Repairs deep bruising on muscles and tissue
• Acts as a high nitrogen fertilizer for other medicinal plants

5. Garlic

This pungent bulb is a powerhouse of natural medicine and contains a compound called Allicin which is a potent antimicrobial. You should plant individual cloves in the fall to harvest a full bulb the following summer.

It is effective against many types of bacteria that have become resistant to modern antibiotics. It serves as both a staple food source and a critical medicine for fighting internal infections.

• Fights bacterial infections similar to penicillin
• Boosts the immune system to prevent colds and flu
• Lowers blood pressure naturally when eaten regularly
• Treats fungal infections when applied topically

6. Echinacea

You might know this purple flower as the purple coneflower and it is famous for its ability to boost the immune system. It thrives in full sun and is drought tolerant once it establishes its deep root system.

The roots contain the strongest medicine and are used to increase white blood cell counts at the very first sign of illness. It is a long term investment for your garden because the roots take a few years to reach full potency.

• Stimulates the immune system to fight off viruses
• Shortens the duration of colds and respiratory infections
• Reduces inflammation in the throat and glands
• Treats snake bites in emergency situations as a poultice

7. Thyme

This low growing herb is a fantastic ground cover that loves the sun and contains a strong antiseptic called Thymol. You can smell its medicinal power just by crushing the tiny leaves between your fingers. It is excellent for respiratory issues because it helps clear mucus from the lungs and fights chest infections. It is also one of the easiest herbs to dry and store for long term use in your pantry.

• Clears chest congestion and treats bronchitis
• Acts as a strong antiseptic mouthwash for dental hygiene
• Soothes sore throats when brewed into a strong tea
• Disinfects surfaces when distilled into an oil

8. Calendula

This bright orange flower is a gentle fungal fighter that is easy to grow from seed and self sows every year. It produces sticky resinous flowers that are infused into oil to treat skin conditions like ringworm or trench foot.

It is safe enough to use on babies and people with sensitive skin who cannot tolerate harsh chemicals. You can harvest the flowers continuously throughout the summer to build up a large supply of medicine.

• Kills fungal infections on the skin and feet
• Heals cuts and scrapes without stinging or irritation
• Soothes diaper rash and other skin inflammations
• Stimulates lymphatic drainage to clear toxins

9. Peppermint

You will find this plant to be an aggressive grower that is best kept in containers so it does not take over your entire garden. The leaves contain menthol which acts as a mild topical anesthetic to cool the skin and block pain signals.

It is primarily used to settle the stomach and treat digestive issues which can be debilitating in a survival situation. It also helps keep you alert and focused during long periods of work.

• Relieves nausea and vomiting instantly
• Cools the skin to relieve muscle pain and headaches
• Reduces gas and bloating after eating
• Repels mice and other pests from your food storage

10. Lemon Balm

This member of the mint family grows well in part shade and smells like sweet lemons when you brush against it. It acts as a mild sedative and is essential for treating high stress survival anxiety or insomnia.

It also has strong antiviral properties that help with cold sores and other viral skin issues. You can drink it as a tea daily to maintain good morale and keep calm under pressure.

• Calms anxiety and reduces panic attacks
• Promotes restful sleep during stressful times
• Treats cold sores and viral skin eruptions
• Repels mosquitoes when fresh leaves are rubbed on skin

11. Lavender

This aromatic herb needs dry and rocky soil to thrive and is known for its ability to calm the nerves while disinfecting wounds. The oil found in the flowers is a powerful antiseptic that kills bacteria while also acting as a sedative.

It is a versatile plant that treats both the physical body and the mind at the same time. You can use it to clean a wound and then inhale the scent to lower your heart rate.

• Disinfects cuts and scrapes as a natural wash
• Relieves tension headaches and migraines
• Induces sleep and relaxation
• Soothes burns and insect bites

12. Cayenne Pepper

These hot peppers need heat and sun to grow and they contain capsaicin which is a powerful circulatory stimulant. Herbalists use cayenne as a shock treatment to stop heart attacks in progress by opening up the blood vessels.

It is also used to warm the body rapidly if someone is suffering from hypothermia or cold exposure. You can dry the peppers and grind them into a powder that lasts for years in storage.

• Stops bleeding when powder is poured directly on a cut
• Warms the body to treat hypothermia and frostbite
• Relieves joint pain when applied as a cream
• Increases blood flow to extremities

13. Rosemary

This woody shrub loves full sun and acts as a powerful preservative for fats and meats due to its antioxidant properties. It stimulates circulation to the brain which helps with focus and memory during tiring tasks.

It is evergreen in many climates which means you can harvest fresh medicine even in the winter months. You can use the strong branches as skewers for cooking food over a fire to add flavor and preservation.

• Preserves meat and fats from going rancid
• Improves concentration and mental clarity
• Stimulates blood flow and circulation
• Relieves indigestion and stomach upset