The Ultimate Guide to Non-Toxic & Pet-Friendly Medicinal Herbs & Plants

Ever wonder what herbs are safe for your beloved pets?  It is a concern for many of us who share our homes with our fantastic fur babies.  Are these plants toxic?! What will happen if my cat eats these leaves?

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I have had those same questions and concerns every fall when I need to bring in the massive amount of medicinal herbs that I have either purchased or planted throughout the summer and now they need a warm home for the winter.  

Well, I have done my due diligence to find out exactly what herbs can safely coexist with your furry family members and exactly how they will benefit your well-being.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an esteemed herb within the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine due to its wide-ranging health benefits and medicinal properties.  Ashwagandha is commonly available as a finely sieved powder that is usually mixed with water, ghee (clarified butter), or honey within the Ayurvedic practice. Many people will add it to smoothies or even their morning coffee to reap the benefits.   

It enhances the function of the brain and nervous system and improves memory. It improves the function of the reproductive system promoting a healthy sexual and reproductive balance.  

Ashwagandha strengthens the body’s resilience to stress, improves the body’s defense against disease by improving and enhancing the immune system and it also possesses potent antioxidant properties that help protect against cellular damage caused by free radicals. (planetayurveda.com)

Ashwagandha can be made into tea by adding boiling water to the root. It can also be ground into a powder with a coffee grinder or strong blender and added to a smoothie or coffee or any other substance of choice.

Finally, Ashwagandha can be made into a tincture by drying the roots and adding alcohol or apple cider vinegar and allowing that mixture to set for about 4-6 weeks.

Benefits of Ashwagandha

• BRAIN & COGNITION
• ENERGY
• IMMUNE SUPPORT
• STRESS SUPPORT
• SLEEP SUPPORT

BASIL

Basil  (Ocimum basilicum) is another herb that is not toxic to pets and good thing because this herb belongs on many kitchen counters.  Basil is one of the most popular and easy-to-grow culinary herbs to date.  

There are many different varieties of this sun-loving, warm seasoned plant, and all are considered safe for your pets to occasionally chomp on.  As far as medicinal basil goes, Holy Basil is the Holy Grail of basil plants.  

Holy Basil is another esteemed herb within the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine due to it symbolizing fidelity and spiritual enlightenment.  This plant can be made into a tea with either fresh or dried leaves. You could also tincture this basil with either alcohol or glycerine. Sawmill herb farm has two different recipes if you are curious.

 Holy Basil Benefits 

• STRESS SUPPORT 
• BRAIN AND COGNITIVE SUPPORT
• IMMUNE SUPPORT
• FOUNDATIONAL SUPPORT
• GLYCEMIC SUPPORT
• DIGESTIVE SUPPORT

CALENDULA

Calendula, sometimes referred to as pot marigold, is the third plant on our list that is pet friendly. Calendula is native to Europe but is grown as an annual in zones 3-11.  Calendula has been used for its medicinal properties since at least the 12th Century.  

Calendula’s flowers are the main part of the plant that are used medicinally.  The flower petals are harvested and then dried.  The dried petals are then used to make infusions, tinctures and salves.  

Calendula has been used to treat stomach upset, menstrual cramps and even hemorrhoids.  More commonly, calendula is used topically to heal skin ailments, though it can be consumed as tea.

Studies have shown that Calendula will help wounds heal faster, possibly due to the number of flavenoids present within the plant.  Calendula is used to treat burns, bruises, cuts and even minor skin infections.  Calendula has also been shown to help prevent dermatitis (skin inflammation) in people during radiation therapy. mountsinai.org

A calendula infusion can easily be created with just the dried petals or the whole flower head and your choice of oil.  Extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, or even jojoba oil are all good choices when making an herbal infusion.  Just make sure the petals being used are fully dried, otherwise, it could create mold within your infusion.  

Let the infusion sit for 4-6 weeks, shaking it every so often during that time.  Once it is ready, you will strain the oil.  Once it is strained, the oil can be used as is, or made into a salve with some of your other favorite medicinal herbs or essential oils.  Homesteadandchill.com has a lovely post about making Calendula oil if you are interested in making a batch for yourself. 

Calendula Benefits

• ANTISEPTIC
• ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
• PROMOTES HEALING
• CELL REPAIR/GROWTH

CAT MINT

Cat mint, not to be confused with catnip, is another pet-friendly medicinal herb to add to your apothecary.  Cat mint while it is quite similar to catnip, does have its own uniqueness.  Cat mint bears more flowers which are quite attractive to both gardeners and pollinators alike.  Cat mint is not quite as enticing to felines as cat nip is either.

Cat mint can be used fresh or dried in culinary dishes or herbal remedies as well.  The leaves can be harvested and dried and used in tea or tincture form.  Cat mint helps to alleviate respiratory conditions (coughing and/or congestion), menstrual cramping and has even been shown to calm nervousness. 

 If for no other reason, consider planting this in your garden just to attract all your favorite pollinators, since this plant requires no effort and will provide you with beautiful blooms all summer long!

CHERVIL

Chervil is considered to be more of a culinary herb as opposed to a medicinal herb and it is not very well known in many areas, however, I thought it deserved a mention even though it may not be a superstar among some herbalists.

Chervil may be a very delicate herb but it really is a nutritional powerhouse. Chervil is effective in treating an array of disorders such as skin disorders, like eczema and acne when ingested or used topically.  

Chervil is effective at treating bronchial conditions due to its expectorant abilities by removing mucous from the respiratory system.  It increases blood circulation which helps to regulate blood disorders: high and/or low blood pressure.

Chervil is rich in vitamin c, iron and zinc which helps to remedy anemia.  There are so many other notable benefits to this rather unknown herb that I found myself ordering a packet of seeds to attempt to grow my own this spring as I write this post.  Planetayurveda.com has provided me with the information I found on this particular plant and they have a very informative post about all of this little gem’s benefits.  

Chervil Health Benefits

• EXPECTORANT
• ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
• ANTI-OXIDANT
• DIGESTIVE

CILANTRO (Coriander)

Guacamole anyone? I mean you can’t make that famous green goodness without this all-star herb! Cilantro, love it or hate it, there isn’t much middle ground for this culinary treasure. 

Cilantro is packed with many medicinal components.  This herb is traditionally a culinary herb so if you don’t mind the flavor then go ahead and dig in.  This plant has been known to help treat diseases such as blood sugar disorders, high cholesterol, swellings, smallpox, digestion, mental disorders and even mouth ulcers, at that’s just a short list!  Cilantro has also been known to assist in the removal of heavy metals within the body. Thank you planetayurveda.com again for the wonderful summary on cilantro. 

• Benefits of Cilantro
• Digestive
• Anti-Microbial
• Anti-Convulsant
• Sedative
• Anti-Oxidant

DILL

Who doesn’t love a good pickle every now and again? Well, without this lovely plant, pickles just wouldn’t be dill, would they? Dill is not just beautiful, lacey and airy when in bloom, it is also quite prominent in the Ayurvedic practice as well.

Dill is a powerful digestive support.  Dill helps to prevent free radicals and toxins within the body.  Dill can also help to stimulate the uterine system and even reduce pain in the uterus while also relieving menstrual cramping.  

Benefits of Dill

• Anti Inflammatory
• Digestive
• Respiratory
• Women’s Health

ECHINACEA

Echinacea is probably one of my favorite plants for the garden and I am not alone in this opinion.  If you want a close encounter of this beauty, you’ll be battling pollinator after pollinator every step of the way.  

Besides being a lovely attractor of the bees and the butterflies, this plant packs a healthy punch for your immune system!   Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.

According to Mount Sinai, Several studies suggest that echinacea contains active substances that boost immune function, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. 

For this reason, professional herbalists may recommend echinacea to help treat urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast (candida) infections, ear infections, athlete’s foot, sinusitis, hay fever, as well as slow-healing wounds.

Echinacea is typically taken as a tea, tincture or capsule.  All parts of the plant (roots, leaves, flowers) are considered medicinal.  Rosemary Gladstar shares her recipe here: 

ECHINACEA BENEFITS

• IMMUNE SUPPORT
• ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Lemon Balm

Lovely lemon balm, the smell is just so addictive that I wish my kitchen (& every other room in my home) would smell this way after a good cleaning.  Even if it weren’t probably one of the most versatile herbs to treat so many ailments, I would still adore this sweet-smelling superstar.  

Lemon balm is typically used in tea form to treat oh so many ailments.  Let’s just go ahead and list in alphabetical order: acne, depression, digestion, fever, headaches, obesity, soreness and vomiting.  

Lemon balm can also be made into a tincture, poultice or salve to have readily available.

Benefits of Lemon Balm

• Digestion
• Headaches
• Relaxation
• Healing 

Rosemary

Refreshing and remarkable rosemary.  Rosemary is well known for its medicinal properties.  Rosemary is used to strengthen memory, increase and/or improve respiratory conditions, increase hair growth, can help with digestion and increase urinary health. 

Did I mention that it smells divine too? Rosemary can also increase circulatory and lymphatic systems and help with skin disorders as well.  

Rosemary can be used as a tincture, oil infusion, or tea.  I personally have a batch of infused rosemary brewing on my counter now.  I have had great luck with growing rosemary indoors as long as it gets a few hours of direct light and doesn’t get too dry.  

Benefits of Rosemary

• Respiratory
• Headache 
• Memory
• Hair Growth

Sage

Savory sage, where would Thanksgiving be without you? Sage has been widely used within the culinary world, but it also has its place within your herbal apothecary too.  There are many different varieties of sage but for this article, I am referring to salvia officinalis or garden sage.

Sage has been used to treat digestive and circulation disorders, respiratory conditions (bronchitis, cough, asthma), mouth and throat inflammation, excessive sweating, depression and even certain skin disorders.  

In addition, sage essential oil has been shown to have antispasmodic, antiseptic and astringent properties.  Sage can be made into a tincture, oil infusion or tea.  

Benefits of Sage

• Respiratory
• Digestive
• Skin
• Inflammation

Thyme

It’s finally time for thyme!  So many varieties of time, each with its own unique characteristics.  Thyme is so dainty and sweet, I just adore this plant.  Enough about my feelings though, let’s discuss this plant’s medicinal muscles.  

This herb has been shown to be very effective at treating respiratory issues, colds, digestive disorders and even in diabetes.  Thyme can assist with intestinal infections while aiding in the removal of certain parasites and bacteria. The essential oil has been used to relieve soreness in joints and ligaments.  

Benefits of Thyme

• Digestive System
• Respiratory System
• Immune System

Turmeric would be next on the list, as it is listed as non-toxic and was even suggested as beneficial in dogs, but I found mixed reviews on whether they were safe for your feline friends so I will leave that up to your own research with this one.  Not interested in growing turmeric, but want the benefits, consider taking a supplement.

Valerian 

Valerian is another Ayurvedic herb widely used to treat insomnia.  The roots of this plant are the most medicinal in treating sleep disorders such as insomnia or helping to alleviate anxiety.  

Valerian has also been shown to reduce menstrual cramps, treat menopausal symptoms, improve memory and even lower blood pressure.  Interested in making your own sleep tincture with valerian root, feel free to head over to this (much shorter) blog post that walks you through the simple steps to making one for yourself.  

Whelp, that about sums up your pet-friendly gardening guide.  I am certain there are more plants than what is listed above, but those I chose, I could safely say are, well, safe.  

Thank you for reading and happy petting, err, I mean planting 🙂

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