30 plus medicinal flowers (and how to use them)

 Medicinal flowers including agrimony, boneset, calendula, lavender, St. Johns wort, yarrow, and others.

Medicinal flowers are a great way to grow homemade herbal medicine, all while brightening up your garden space with colorful blossoms.

Flowers are a beautiful addition to any garden, but some do more than please the eye!

When we adding more flowers to our gardens, my main focus was on edible flowers that will bring my little ones to the yard.  They love seeking out sweet fragrant blossoms, and knowing they can safely eat them means we’re all happy.

While doing research on all those useful flowers, I found that they can be even more than beautiful and delicious.  Flowers can also be medicinal!

We grow and use a lot of medicinal plants on our homestead, and the medicinal flowers are some of my daughter’s favorite.  She has a special affinity for them, and they’re a lot easier for her to remember than the leaves, roots, and bark.

Even as a preschooler she knew that she could run and harvest chamomile blossoms to help her baby brother when teething pains brought tears to his eyes.   It gave her a sense of empowerment, and this mama’s not going to turn down anyone going the extra mile to help out.

Many people have an affinity for medicinal flowers, and the showy blossoms are often easier for people to identify and remember than most other medicinal plants.  They’re a powerful addition to your herbal medicine chest and a spectacular addition to any garden.

Keep in mind that while many medicinal flowers are subtle, mild, and relaxing, like chamomile and lavender…some are not so gentle.  Some have incredibly potent medicinal actions and they shouldn’t be used without consulting a doctor or herbalist.  Foxglove is one good example and is listed for informational purposes only.  It can be toxic or harmful if used improperly, and should not be used unless under the guidance of a qualified medical professional.   Many of these medicinal flowers are for external use only (arnica and comfrey are good examples), so pay careful attention to the appropriate herbal preparations for each plant as well. 

Be aware that I am not a clinical herbalist, and this is based on my own research and personal experience using medicinal plants.  I do not claim to have the experience that’d qualify me to advise you on your health, and I’m only providing this as a reference to encourage a broader interest in medicinal plants. 

This is not meant to be an all-inclusive guide, but instead a starting point to help you further appreciate the medicinal flowers growing all around you.  Please use this as a jumping-off point, but always do your own research and verify anything you read with multiple sources.  Please consult a qualified herbalist before attempting to use any of these medicinal flowers.

Medicinal Flowers

Most medicinal flowers are also edible flowers, and they can be taken internally as teas, infusions, cordials, and tinctures.  Some, however, are only for topical uses and should not be consumed (arnica is a good example).  Be sure you understand the proper herbal preparations for each medicinal flower in your garden.

If you’re new to making homemade herbal medicine, I’d suggest taking the herbal preparations mini-course from the Herbal Academy of New England.  It’s one of their most inexpensive courses for beginners, and it’ll cover everything you need to know to make more than a dozen different herbal preparations at home.

Much of that same information is covered in their introduction to herbal medicine course and the family herbalist group of courses, but just in a much greater depth.

Often in herbal preparations, herbs are mixed to complement and amplify the medicinal actions.  If you’re interested in developing your own herbal formulations, I’d recommend taking this online course in Mastering Herbal Formulations from the Herbal Academy.

I’ve taken all of these courses and they’re informative, inspiring, and artfully presented.

List of Medicinal Flowers

If you’re just looking for a list to help inspire your garden, this list of medicinal flowers covers most of the most common medicinal flowers anywhere.  Most grow like weeds and can be foraged in the wild, but they’re still strikingly beautiful.

Others are a bit more finicky in terms of growth habits, but they’re the exception.  Most of the well-known medicinal flowers are plants our ancestors harvested in the wild, and then brought into their cottage gardens for both their beauty and medicine.

• Agrimony (Agrimonia sp.)
• Angelica (Angelica sp.)
• Arnica (Arnica montana)
• Bee Balm (Monarda sp.)
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
• Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)
• Borage (Borago officinalis)
• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
• California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
• Clover, Red (Trifolium pratense)
• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita and Anthemis nobilis)
• Daisy (Bellis perennis)
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
• Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
• Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
• Foxglove (Digitalis lanata)
• Hawthorn Flowers (Crataegus sp.)
• Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)
• Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
• Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis)
• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
• Nasturtium (Tropaeolum sp.)
• Passionflower (Passiflora sp.)
• Peony (Paeonia sp.)
• Pineapple Weed (Matricaria discoidea)
• Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota)
• Rose (Rosa sp.)
• Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris)
• Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
• Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
• Veronica (Veronica sp.)
• Violets (Viola sp.)
• Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Agrimony (Agrimonia sp.)

Agrimony is a group of flowering plants found throughout the Northern hemisphere. These are perennial plants, prized for their history as medicinal plants. While scientists may not be able to prove all of the benefits, herbalists and hundreds of years of tradition say that this herb is truly effective. 

Ancient herbalists used agrimony in different tonics and brews. The old reputation follows this herb, and once you know the tall spikes of yellow flowers, you’ll be able to spot them all summer long. 

Agrimony Benefits

Most parts of the plant, including the flowers and the leaves, are used medicinally. The compositions in the plant act as an astringent, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory agent in your body, so it has many other uses. (Study)

One of its best-known uses is as a coagulant to reduce bleeding, so this means that agrimony may be used to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and help with wound healing. That’s not the only benefit of this long-standing medicinal flower. 

The traditional medicinal uses of Agrimony include:

• Eliminates diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms 
• Improves sore throats, coughing, and bronchitis 
• Speeds up the recovery of colds and flu 
• Heal’s skin conditions and blemishes 

Growing and Using Agrimony

Agrimony grows in USDA zones 6 to 9, preparing locations with full sunlight and well-drained soil. It’s okay to plant it in partial shade, but it needs more sun than shade throughout the day.

Overall, agrimony is not a picky plant, growing in most soil types and conditions. It prefers a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0, and it’s best to mix in some well-rotted compost to add nutrients and improve drainage. 

Angelica (Angelica Sp.)

Angelica has a long history as a medicinal plant, dating back to medieval times. It’s a garden perennial that many grow for its pretty ornamental flowers, but if you want to add medicinal flowers to your garden, Angelica has plenty of uses to treat ailments. 

This medicinal plant belongs to the parsley family and has large leaves with umbels of white flowers the size of a grapefruit. It truly stands out in your garden, and it has a nice aromatic odor that reminds some people of juniper. There’s no wonder that this plant makes its way into so many flower gardens. 

Angelica is best known as candy – historically – because when you cook the hollow stems in sugar, it tastes amazing. It’s an ingredient in some alcohol, and the leaves also serve as a seasoning for meat dishes, soups, and stews. 

Angelica Benefits

Evidence shows that Angelica treats a range of problems; it’s best known as a treatment for malaria, anemia, and arthritis. It may serve gynecological purposes like starting a menstrual period. That’s why it’s often recommended to avoid it if you’re pregnant. 

Believe it or not, historically, angelica was used as a remedy for the bubonic plague and used as a general tonic for digestive problems, bronchitis, chest colds, and more. Some studies suggest that angelica may have a place in breast cancer treatment! (Studies)

The traditional medicinal uses of Angelica include:

• Treats heartburn and intestinal gas 
• Increases Libido
• Treats joint pain 
• Improves your appetite 
• Limits headaches
• Relaxes your body for sleeping 

Growing and Using Angelica

Most people can grow Angelica. It prefers to grow in areas with rich, moist soil with full sunlight. It’s a biennial, so it will produce seeds in the second year, similar to carrots and members of the parsley family. 

It’s best to plant this flower annually to have a continuous supply. Since it has an extensive root system, transplanting it isn’t so easy, so once it’s planted, it’s there to stay until it dies. 

Arnica (Arnica sp.)

Many people are familiar with arnica since most pharmacies sell arnica gels for sore muscles. You might not know that this is a perennial, medicinal flower that grows well in temperate climates, handling frosts like a champ. 

It’s easy to confuse the plants with daisies because they bloom throughout the summer with similar flowers. Some like to put them in flower displays, but the flowers are well-known for their medicinal purposes, but make sure you cut them as soon as they bloom to ensure they are picked at the peak time. 

Arnica is another herb with a long medicinal history, dating back into the 1500s (or earlier) and it’s still used today. Herbalists created creams, ointments, salves, and liniments from this herb. It must be effective if it’s still as popular today as it was centuries ago! 

Arnica Benefits 

Arnica is typically used topically, and when done so, it has many benefits. We most often use it to treat bruises, sprains, muscle aches, and joint pains. Evidence shows that arnica may help to treat minor burns as well.

However, remember that the only safe way to use arnica is topically; you should not ingest this medicinal herb. It’s best used as a topical cream or ointment. 

The traditional medicinal uses of arnica include:

• Treats sore muscles 
• Reduces joint soreness and aches 
• Decreases bruising
• Reduces swelling around bug bites

Growing & Using Arnica 

Arnica grows well in USDA zones 4 to 9, and some varieties grow in zone 3. The plant requires full or partial sun; make sure you check the specific variety you grow to know the sun preferences. 

Arnica is known as an easy plant to grow because it’s not picky about where it grows. That’s why you may find it growing wild in some areas. The only thing it dislikes is waterlogged, soggy ground, so make sure you pick a well-draining area.

Bee Balm (Monarda sp.)

Bee balm is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the mint family with flowers ranging from bright red to white. Many varieties are perennials, typically reaching three feet tall. When growing this plant, remember that it is as invasive as other members of the mint family. 

Bee balm has a long history of being a medicinal flowering plant. All parts of the plant have medicinal properties, and the flowers make delicious herbal teas. 

We know that this herb has antimicrobial and soothing properties, so it’s often used as a cold and flu treatment. The soothing effect treats many digestive problems like indigestion and bloating. 

Bee Balm Benefits 

You can find many different traditional uses for bee balm since it has been used for centuries as both a kitchen herb and in herbal medicine. It’s best known for its medicinal properties, such as antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. 

The traditional medicinal uses of Bee Balm include:

• Treats bug bites
• Reduces anxiety
• Gets rid of gas and nausea 
• Treats sore throats 

Growing & Using Bee Balm 

Bee balm is one of the easiest plants to put in your garden. It prefers a sunny location but tolerates some shade, especially in areas with hot summers. The plants grow well as long as the soil stays moist, and they need a good general fertilizer. Make sure you deadhead the plants to keep them growing and creating new blooms. 

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Most people easily recognize a black-eyed Susan flower; it’s a common perennial wildflower found abundantly throughout North America. These plants often reach up to three or four feet tall with dark brown centers and yellow, daisy-like petals. You see them blooming along roadsides starting in June and lasting all summer. 

However, chances are you had no idea that this flower is related to echinacea and has many of the same properties. Historically, Native Americans used its flowers to treat ailments like earaches and snakebites. Always avoid the seeds; these are not safe for consumption!

Black-Eyed Susan Benefits 

You’ll find plenty of benefits for black-eyed Susan flowers. Some studies show that this medicinal flower stimulates your immune system like echinacea, perhaps even better! So, it’s possible to add this flower to your cold-fighting arsenal. (Study)

This may be due to the roots having immune-stimulating properties. Some studies indicate that the immune boosting properties may be better than echinacea, and this plant also has antibacterial effects against tuberculosis! (Effects)

The traditional medicinal uses of Black-Eyed Susan include:

• Getting rid of parasitic worms
• Treating earaches
• Treating minor cuts and scrapes
• Reducing inflammation around minor wounds. 

Growing & Using Black-Eyed Susan 

Growing black-eyed susan flowers in your garden is easier than you may imagine. These flowers require little to no work since they are wildflowers, and they generally need little to no help from humans. 

The best thing you should do is to find a spot in your garden that receives sunlight; the plants need six to eight hours of sun every day.

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)

Another common North America wildflower with medicinal properties is blue vervain. This flower grows alongside streams and open areas; you’ll notice the blue-purple blooms that appear from July to October.

Since blue vervain is a native plant, we know indigenous people used this herb for health benefits, and a lot of folklore surrounds this plant. It has many nicknames, like “Herb of the Cross” because it’s believed that this herb stopped Jesus’ wounds from bleeding, and we know Hippocrates and the ancient Egyptians used this herb.

What a rich history! 

We know that this herb has many potential uses such as treating anxiety, depression, and insomnia problems. It’s possible to use blue vervain internally and externally, but consuming too much could interfere with blood pressure medication or hormone therapy. Consulting your doctor if you’re on these medications is essential. (Study)

Blue Vervain Benefits 

Several studies focus on the benefits of blue vervain as a medicinal flower. Aside from treating anxiety and helping with sleeping problems, evidence shows that it has pain-relieving properties and reduces inflammation. It’s suggested that it will also treat stomach ulcers.

Another traditional benefit is that blue vervain helps nursing mothers by stimulating breast milk production. This is considered an herbal galactagogue that has helped mothers for hundreds of years. (Benefit)

The traditional medicinal uses of blue vervain include:

• Treats depression 
• Stops cramps and headaches 
• Gets rid of coughs 
• Treats minor cuts and scrapes 

Growing & Using Blue Vervain  

Blue vervain is a beautiful flower that grows up to three feet tall, blooming from mid-summer to early fall. Gardeners can sow the seeds directly in late summer or early fall, but they also have to be cold stratified, so you can keep the seeds in the refrigerator for up to two months.

This plant grows best in full sunlight or partial shade. Make sure the soil is full of nutrients, but make sure it’s well-draining since soggy roots will kill this plant.