Backyard medicine cabinet

Don’t go for that pharmacy remedy—grow medicinal herbs instead. In fact, you might already have some in your backyard. Here are a few herbs with medicinal properties.

• Common sage: It’s useful for treating fevers, diarrhea, excessive phlegm, throat inflammation, asthma and bronchitis. Dry and eat the leaves or brew them fresh in tea.

• Peppermint: It can relieve gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, colonic spasms and gastric emptying disorders. Extract the essential oil by crushing the leaves, packing them into a lidded jar and steeping in vodka. The longer it steeps, the more powerful the extract.

• Catnip: It can treat insomnia and anxiety and acts as a sedative for children. Dry the leaves and mix with honey or brew them in tea.

• Rosemary: It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Brew the needles in tea.

Source: Yes! Magazine