Simply put, we need plants in our lives. They provide nourishment and give us oxygen through photosynthesis. Those of us who garden gain emotional well-being from working with plants by watching them grow and develop. 

Plants also provide powerful healing properties and have been the foundation of the pharmaceutical industry for decades. Many modern medications trace their origins to plants and herbs, yet as a society, we have distanced ourselves from the natural sources of so many health-promoting compounds. 

HEALING POWERS OF PLANTS

For thousands of years, folklore and mythological stories have given us insights into the healing abilities of plants. Sage, for instance, has a long history of medicinal use. Its name is derived from the Latin “salvus” meaning “to save” and “salvere” meaning “to heal.” 

Once primarily used for sore throats, modern science has now confirmed that sage contains compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and neuroprotective effects. Science validates sage as a healing plant.

Some plants act as natural multivitamins. Basil is rich in vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron, and contains an essential oil with antibacterial properties. 

Plants like comfrey, nettles, dandelion and amaranth have long been prized in herbal medicine. Beyond their healing qualities, these plants draw minerals from the soil and store them in their tissues. When consumed, we absorb those trace elements, which are crucial for maintaining healthy bodily functions. 

Our DNA and every cell in our bodies rely on trace minerals to work properly. Biodynamic growers add these mineral-rich plants to their fertilizer blends, and even incorporate them into compost tea at the start of the brewing cycle, increasing the nutrient content in the tea.

RAINBOW OF HEALTH

One of the joys of gardening—whether you’re growing lettuces, herbs or greens in a backyard garden or pots on a windowsill—is the ability to harvest fresh plants that contain living compounds, many of which are heat or oxygen sensitive. 

Chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, is a prime example. A byproduct of photosynthesis, it helps heal skin conditions, promotes red blood cell production and reduces inflammation. However, heat or light exposure after harvest can break down chlorophyll, diminishing its nutritional value. Eating fresh, raw greens captures the maximum amount of nutrients and is a great reason to grow your own food.

Carotenoids are another important compound produced in plants, especially those with orange or yellow flesh. Carrots and yams are the most common, but don’t overlook cantaloupes, yellow peppers and winter squash. Carotenoids are a source of vitamin A and are rich in lycopene, which supports heart health, and zeaxanthin, which promotes eye health.

The most potent health-promoting compound in plants is anthocyanin, found in crops with blue or purple pigments. Red cabbage, eggplant, black currants, grapes and even edible flowers are excellent sources of anthocyanins, which all grow well in Colorado. 

Ironically, purple carrots and potatoes were once the norm, but were bred out of existence in an effort to make them milder and sweeter (anthocyanins give food a slightly bitter taste). Research at the Plants for Human Health Institute at North Carolina State University has demonstrated that anthocyanins reduce inflammation, inhibit cancer cell formation and proliferation, and protect against diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Even more remarkably, anthocyanins boost levels of Bifidobacterium in the gut, supporting digestion, immunity and overall health.

We’ve all heard the advice to “eat the rainbow,” and now with science backing up this notion, it’s time to start growing the rainbow too! When planning your garden this year, consider planting crops in a variety of colors—reds, yellows and purples, in addition to the familiar greens. 

Red tatsoi, purple cauliflower and yellow Hungarian peppers add color to your garden, while also contributing to your overall health. These colorful plants may help “save” and “heal” your health in ways that go beyond simple nutrition.