Here is a complete list of the best herbs for preppers. From basil, to thyme, to sage—this list has it all. 

Whether you’re looking for a new spice to try out or just want more information about herbs and how they can benefit you and your health, this is the post for you.

Here are 13 herbs that will help add flavor nutrients to your meals without breaking the bank.

Let’s dig in.

The Importance Of Herbs

Herbs have been used medicinally for thousands of years and are essential to any prepper’s pantry. Herbal remedies can relieve common ailments, support healthy immune function, reduce stress levels and help to protect against disease-causing pathogens in the environment. 

Herbs offer potential health benefits and contribute to a well-stocked emergency supply by providing flavorings for food storage staples such as rice or beans that make them palatable when fresh produce may not be available during uncertain times. 

Additionally, many medicinal plants are incredibly easy to grow at home with minimal effort, so you don’t need much space or resources to start your own herb garden even if access is limited due it pandemics or other natural disasters. 

Utilizing herbal medicine means relying less on prescription drugs which often come with serious side effects. Instead, give our bodies what we need naturally through plant-based supplements! 

Furthermore, some herbs act synergistically meaning their combined properties create greater therapeutic value than each one individually – making them especially valuable additions to anyone’s first aid kit!

Can I Grow Herbs In My Own Backyard?

Yes, you can grow herbs in your own backyard! Growing and preserving fresh herbs is a great way to add flavorful ingredients to meals while reducing grocery bills. 

Herbs are relatively easy plants to start with for those just beginning their gardening journey or wanting an outdoor activity that’s low-maintenance but still rewarding. Here’s how: 

Step 1: 

Choose The Right Location & Soil For Your Herb Garden – Find the sunniest spot possible for maximum growth of your herb varieties (six hours minimum). 

Make sure it is well drained; raised beds work best if drainage isn’t available elsewhere on the property near where you want them planted. 

Add organic matter like compost into the soil before planting, which will provide essential nutrients as they develop over time from decomposing material within vegetable garden areas –this also helps retain moisture needed during times of drought stress too! 

Step 2: 

Decide What Types Of Herbs To Grow In Your Backyard – Consider what flavors or uses most appeal when selecting types of culinary and medicinal herbal species based upon preference/availability year-round through home cultivation practices versus store-bought options that may have already been processed with preservatives etc.

Step 3: 

Plant Your Herbs – Place each plant in the soil at least two feet apart from one another, and water well. 

Check regularly for signs of pests or disease; use natural methods such as companion planting if needed to control these issues organically without harsh chemicals that can potentially harm beneficial insects like bees! 

Step 4: 

Care For & Harvest Your Herbal Garden – Fertilize monthly with an organic fertilizer made specifically for herbs during active growth periods (spring/summer). Don’t forget about pruning too, so plants stay healthy and produce more flavorful leaves over time. 

And finally, when ready, begin harvesting by cutting off stems near ground level while leaving enough foliage intact on top branches above the cut line–this will help promote new shoots’ regrowth soon afterward!

Overall growing your own herb garden is a great way to have fresh ingredients available year-round right – plus it’s easy even beginners can do successfully given proper care instructions are followed accordingly throughout their gardening journey together.

If you are new to gardening, and don’t know how to start, our Gardening For Preppers (The Mega Guide) article is an amazing place to start.

1. Basil

Basil is one of the most popular herbs for preppers. This fragrant herb has a wide range of uses and benefits, making it an essential part of any prepper’s pantry. 

For culinary purposes, basil can be used in many dishes to add flavor while also providing antioxidants that help boost immunity and reduce inflammation. Basil pairs well with tomatoes or other vegetables when cooked into sauces or pestos; fresh leaves are great as a garnish on salads too! 

It’s even delicious by itself: try adding some chopped basil to your favorite sandwich for extra zing. 

Additionally, its aroma makes it useful in teas – simply steep some dried leaves into boiling water to make yourself a cupful of aromatic goodness anytime you need soothing comfort during stressful times like those experienced by preppers trying to stay ready no matter what comes their way! 

Beyond cooking applications, though, this plant offers multiple medicinal properties, making it especially important among survivalists looking out for themselves and members within their group(s). 

Its anti-inflammatory compounds have been known to ease pain associated with headaches or muscle aches. Furthermore, these same qualities may relieve digestive issues such as constipation/diarrhea & irritable bowel syndrome if consumed regularly over time via tea consumption daily made from either dry leaf material. 

Last but certainly not least, due to its natural antibacterial activity found naturally occurring inside the volatile oils produced within each individual leaf structure, basil acts excellent defense against potential disease.

2. Thyme

Thyme is an herb commonly used in cooking that has many benefits for preppers. It’s a perennial shrub with small, fragrant leaves and can be grown either indoors or outdoors depending on the climate. 

Thyme gives off a pleasant aroma when cooked, making it perfect for adding flavor to dishes while also providing medicinal qualities such as antiseptic properties against bacteria and viruses like E-Coli, staphylococcus and salmonella.

Thyme contains compounds called thymol which has been proven effective at fighting infections caused by fungi, parasites and other pathogens including yeast overgrowth associated with Candida albicans infection.

Furthermore, thyme helps increase circulation throughout your body due to its warming effect; this increases oxygen delivery into tissues making them more efficient during times of physical stressors common among prepping situations—such as prolonged periods without food or water storage shortages resulting from natural disasters or civil unrest scenarios.

Lastly, because thyme does double duty both in adding great taste as well as being medically beneficial –it goes down easy even for those who are pickier about what they eat! All these attributes make it one must herb any serious prepper should store away high on their list of essential items needed before SHTF arrives!

3. Rosemary

Rosemary is an herb with a long history of medicinal and culinary use. It’s often used to flavor dishes such as soups, stews, roasted vegetables, poultry, fish and more. Rosemary can be grown easily in the home garden or purchased at most grocery stores in fresh or dried form.

Rosemary offers many health benefits for preppers due to its high concentration of antioxidants which help reduce inflammation and fight disease-causing free radicals throughout the body. 

Additionally, it contains compounds like rosmarinic acid that have been found to support digestion by stimulating bile production while also helping maintain healthy blood sugar levels naturally when taken regularly over time — good news if you are stocking up on food supplies! 

Finally, rosemary oil has antiseptic properties, making it ideal for treating minor cuts, scrapes, wounds, bites, and more.

4. Sage

Sage is one of the most important herbs for preppers. It has a variety of uses and can be used in many survival situations. Sage leaves have antiseptic properties, which make them ideal for treating wounds or minor infections while out in the wilderness. 

They also help to relieve pain from bee stings or other insect bites as well as reduce inflammation associated with cuts, scrapes, and bruises when applied topically on affected areas.

In addition to its medicinal benefits, sage makes an excellent tea that helps digestion and relieves sore throats due to colds or flu-like symptoms; it’s even known for helping improve mental clarity! 

When dried properly – either by air drying inside tied bundles hung upside down indoors (for small amounts), freshly harvested sage leaves retain their flavor profile very nicely making it easy to store away without losing any of its potency over time thus providing long-term storage options if needed.

5. Peppermint

Peppermint is most often used for coughs and sore throats. It has a cooling effect when consumed in tea or when rubbed on the chest or back . It’s also known as nature’s natural pain reliever. 

Peppermint has anti-bacterial, antiseptic, sedative, and antispasmodic properties that can help you get rid of the symptoms of a cold or the flu . It also has mood elevating effects that can help improve your mental health.

6. Oregano

Oregano is a highly valued herb by preppers for its many uses. It has a strong, aromatic flavor and can be used to add complexity to meals or as a medicine when needed. 

Its leaves are rich in antioxidants which help protect the body from free radical damage caused by environmental stressors such as radiation poisoning, food contamination, air pollution and more. 

Oregano also contains powerful anti-microbial compounds that have been found effective against bacteria. 

This makes it great for treating gastrointestinal infections naturally without resorting to antibiotics which may cause collateral damage over time due to their broad spectrum approach towards killing off beneficial microbes along with bad ones. 

Additionally, oregano oil extracts possess properties known to fight off fungi making them useful tools during times of fungal outbreaks (common after natural disasters) where sanitation services might not be available right away

In terms of nutrition oregano offers plenty of benefits: it’s high in vitamin A & C content while being low in calories meaning you get all those vitamins your body needs to boost immune system functioning but don’t need too worry about putting on extra pounds either! 

Iron present within helps transport oxygen throughout our bloodstreams thus increasing energy levels important if we’re ever stranded out there somewhere relying solely upon ourselves having access to only limited amounts of resources at our disposal – something every survivalist should always consider when preparing themselves beforehand!

7. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves are an essential ingredient in Mediterranean cooking. They are used in many dishes including baked fish, poultry or lamb , and soups. They’re filled with vitamins A and C , calcium , iron, protein, zinc, and more.

Bay leaves also contain small amounts of phenolic compounds called tannins that are known to reduce inflammation in the body. This herb can also treat cholesterol disorders by cleansing your blood of phytosterols.

8. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It is native to Europe and the Mediterranean region, but can now be found growing all over the world. 

The leaves of lemon balm have a distinct citrus flavor and aroma which makes them perfect for adding to teas, salads, sauces or soups.

For preppers looking to stock up their herbal pantry with natural remedies they can use during an emergency situation, Lemon balm should definitely make it onto your list! 

This versatile plant not only has medicinal properties that are great for treating digestive issues including gas and bloating. Its calming effects also help reduce stress levels while improving sleep quality making it incredibly helpful when dealing with difficult situations where anxiety may build rapidly due to uncertainty about what will happen next. 

Additionally, if you need something fast acting then simply brewing some fresh tea from dried Lemon balm leaves helps provide an immediate soothing effect on both mind and body, This could really come in handy after hours spent working outside trying to get things back together again post-disaster!

9. Cilantro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50vF9H8Luas

“Cilantro” is a Latin American term and comes from the Nahuatl word for mint. It’s been used as both an herb and as a food ingredient since Aztec times. Cilantro can be used in dishes like guacamole, salsa, and salads.

Cilantro’s vitamins include which is great for your eye health and your skin, as it helps with collagen production and new cell growth. It also contains vitamin K, which is essential for blood the prevention of internal bleeding. 

10. Parsley

Parsley is a great addition to many dishes, especially those where you want to add more flavor without having loads of calories. It tastes good with chicken, lamb, vegetables, and fish . It’s also great as a garnish on other foods like pizza or pasta meals. 

Parsley’s vitamins include vitamin A, which helps with healthy skin and eye health. It also helps with blood clotting, as well as the prevention of internal bleeding. 

11. Dill Weed

Dill weed is one of the most popular herbs for preppers. It has a variety of uses and can be used fresh or dried, making it an excellent choice for any home food supply stockpile. 

Dill weed adds flavor to soups, salads, and egg dishes as well as being used in pickling recipes. Its mild taste makes it easy to use with many foods without overpowering them while still giving off its distinct dilly aroma that brings out flavors when added during cooking time.

Dill also offers multiple health benefits due to containing high levels of antioxidants which help fight free radicals responsible for aging skin cells. The herb’s essential oils have antifungal properties too so they make great additions to healing cuts and scrapes quickly. 

12. Turmeric

Turmeric is a popular spice with a bright yellow color. Its bright color comes from curcumin, which is what makes turmeric so healthy. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 

It can also treat prostate cancer and breast cancer. It’s widely known for its ability to increase cognitive function. 

13. Ginger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyiJM_zirY0

Ginger is probably most well known for its anti-nausea properties . It’s great for helping with morning sickness during pregnancy, gas and bloating. 

It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease the aches of headaches. Ginger is also known to be great at reducing arthritis symptoms, like joint pain and swelling. It’s popular in stir-fries, baked goods, and breads.

Conclusion:

When you make your next meal, or even when you’re looking to snack , be sure to think about the health benefits of these herbs and spices. The next time you’re having a bad day, try eating some rosemary — it can boost your memory and help improve your mood! Also be sure to try the other herbs in our list in order to lead a much healthier lifestyle!

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