5 Rare Herbs You Can Grow in Your Kitchen
(That Also Help With Anxiety)
There’s something powerful about growing your own healing. When I started my anxiety recovery journey, I didn’t expect plants to be a part of the process. But here we are — years later, and I’ve got a mini indoor jungle of herbs that do more for my nervous system than most supplements ever did.
There’s a deep kind of peace that comes from tending to something quiet. No screens. No pressure. Just you, a bit of soil, and the reminder that slow, steady growth is good enough.
And while most people know about chamomile or lavender, there’s a whole world of lesser-known herbs that thrive indoors and actually support your mental health. So if you're looking to build a kitchen garden that's beautiful, low-maintenance, and gently healing, these five calming herbs are a must.
Whether you’re working through stress, burnout, panic, or just need to feel a little more grounded (hi, fellow overthinker), this list is for you.
1. Lemon Balm – The Gentle Uplifter
This herb is like a therapist in a plant. Its citrusy scent alone can shift your mood — but it also works internally to help reduce stress and restlessness. Lemon balm tea is one of the best herbal remedies for anxiety I’ve ever tried, and it’s incredibly beginner-friendly to grow.
Why it helps: Soothes the nervous system, supports better sleep, may reduce mild anxiety
Flavor profile: Bright, lemony, slightly minty
Growing conditions: Grows well on a sunny windowsill. Keep the soil moist and trim it often to encourage growth.
Bonus Tip: Combine it with skullcap for a more powerful calming effect — especially at night.
Ways to Use:
Brew into tea
Infuse in honey
Chop into a calming salad
Links to Lemon Balm:
2. Holy Basil (Tulsi) – The Resilience Rooter
Tulsi isn’t just an herb — it’s a ritual. Revered in Ayurvedic medicine, holy basil is one of the best adaptogenic herbs for emotional balance. It helps you stay steady through the stress, without knocking you out. Think of it as a calming anchor for those stormy days.
Why it helps: Reduces mental fog, helps regulate cortisol, supports mood clarity
Flavor profile: Slightly spicy and earthy with a touch of sweetness
Growing conditions: Loves warmth and sunlight. Keep it indoors near a window, and pinch off the flowers to extend its growing season.
Why I Love It: It helps me feel grounded without feeling sluggish — like herbal clarity.
Ways to Use:
Make tulsi tea
Add to soups or stews
Create a calming facial steam
Links to Holy Basil:
3. Skullcap – The Tension Tamer
Okay, yes, it sounds like a villain from a fantasy novel. But skullcap is actually a deeply soothing nervine herb that’s especially helpful when anxiety manifests as physical tension: clenched jaw, tight shoulders, racing thoughts you can’t shut off.
Why it helps: Relieves nervous tension, supports the body during panic attacks, gently sedating
Flavor profile: Mildly bitter, earthy — best mixed with lemon balm or honey
Growing conditions: Partial shade, well-drained soil, water regularly but don’t overdo it
When to Use It: I like it at night when my brain won't shut up and my neck feels like it's in a knot.
Ways to Use:
Infuse into tea blends
Add to a calming bath
Take as a tincture in the evening
Links to Skullcap:
4. Chamomile – The Sweet Sleep Whisperer
You’ve heard of this one — but it’s worth repeating because chamomile is that girl. German chamomile in particular is a dream to grow indoors. It’s one of the best-known natural sleep remedies, and its calming effect extends to digestion, too (which is great, since anxiety loves to live in the gut).
Why it helps: Promotes sleep, soothes digestive upset, calms emotional agitation
Flavor profile: Sweet, floral, a little apple-y
Growing conditions: Needs light and airflow. Keep the soil light and well-drained.
Bonus: The tiny daisy-like flowers are adorable — like nature’s own confetti.
Ways to Use:
Brew into bedtime tea
Add to bath soaks
Dry and use in calming sachets
Links for Chamomile:
5. Passionflower – The Deep Breather
Passionflower is the ultimate unwind herb. It helps turn the volume down on spiraling thoughts and supports deeper, more restorative sleep. It’s also a vining plant, so if you want a beautiful calming vine climbing across your kitchen window, this is it.
Why it helps: Supports deep relaxation, relieves stress-related tension, helps with insomnia
Flavor profile: Mild, grassy, slightly floral
Growing conditions: Needs support to climb (small trellis or stake), plenty of indirect light
Why I Swear By It: It works on those nights when nothing else seems to — and it helps my body let go.
Ways to Use:
Brew into sleep teas
Combine with lemon balm and chamomile for a nighttime blend
Use as a tincture before bed
Links to Passionflower:
💬 What These Herbs Have Taught Me
These plants don’t just offer relief — they’ve taught me patience, care, and how to be present. Watering them every morning became my meditation. Harvesting a few leaves for tea felt like claiming a tiny win. Watching them grow gave me permission to believe I could heal too — slowly, quietly, and deeply rooted.
So if you’re in a season of healing or simply looking for natural remedies for anxiety that actually feel good to use, try starting with one of these herbs. Grow it, tend to it, and let it tend to you.
💼 Build Your Own Calming Kitchen Garden
I created a little list of all the supplies that helped me start my herb garden — from seeds and starter kits to herbal teas and calming tools: 👉
Or, browse the herbs above and click through to build your own ritual. Every plant is a little reminder that you don’t need to rush to feel better. You’re already doing the work — now you’re just growing your support system, leaf by leaf.
Stay rooted, Michele
