Herbs: Nature's Medicine

Below are some common uses of healing herbs that may be growing in your garden. Fresh herbs are an addition to any kitchen and most are aromatic. These are traditional and historical uses of common garden herbs. This information is not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment. Ask your doctor about possible drug - herb interactions. Please consult your physician before using any medicinal herbal remedies.

The Healing Garden

Aloe Vera - (Aloe vera) Juice used as first aid on burns and cuts; stops pain, reduces the chance of infection and scarring; easy to grow indoors.

Angelica - (Angelica archangelia) Root is used for ulcers, vomiting, stomach cramps, toothaches, headaches, wound healing, fevers and weakness.

Arnica - (Arnica chamissonis) Tincture or compress for bruises, sprains, warts, and angina pectoris; grows locally, especially in the mountains; external use only, toxic.

Betony - (Pedicularis spp.) Tea or tincture is a great muscle relaxer; local 'weed', often growing on trees.

Black Cohosh - (Cimicifuga racemosa) Sedative, hot flashes, cough remedy, neutralizes poisons in the bloodstream.

Bronze Fennel - (Foeniculum vulgare purpureum) Relieves colic, abdominal cramps, gas, rheumatism, eyestrain, coughing and hoarseness; grows locally.

Calendula - (Calendula officinalis) Used for wound healing, sprains, boils, pulled muscles, gastritis, menstrual problems, ulcers, diarrhea, cramps, abscesses; grows locally.

Camellia - (Camellia sinensis "Blushing Maiden") Garden plant related to tea.

Chamomile - (Anthemis nobilis) Tea for nerves and menstrual cramps, upset stomach and colitis, eczema and inflammation, fever and restlessness; grows locally.

Chick Weed - (Stellaria media) Can be used as a vegetable, also laxative, bruises, skin problems; grows locally.

Chinese Forsythia - (Forsythia suspensa) Eaten in China with salt & oil; Food stuff used in times of famine.

Comfrey - (Symphytum officinale) Heals wounds, fractures, ulcers, cuts, and stops hemorrhaging. Topical use, and can be toxic.

Common Sorrel - (Rumex acetosa) Can be used for stomach hemorrhage; excessive menstruation; kidney stones; mouth & throat ulcers, skin problems.

Cone Flower - (Echinacea angustifolia) One of the "blood purifying" plants for acne, boils and eczema.

Dandelion - (Taraxacum officinale) Promotes bile production, diuretic, detoxifier, tonic and stimulant; dyspepsia, constipation, fever, insomnia, gall stones, jaundice, liver problems, rheumatism, gout, stiff joints, grows almost everywhere.

English Lavendar (Lavedula officinalis) Gas, migraine, fainting, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, antiseptic, grows locally.

Fever Few - (Tanacetum parthenium) Headaches, migraines, fever with chills, arthritis, dizziness, tinnitus, colic, indigestion, gas, colds. Alcohol DT's, purgative.

Fo Ti - (Polygonum multiflorum) Stomach disorders, constipation, anti-inflammatory.

Garden Sage - (Salvia officinalis) Culinary, antispasmodic, astringent, good for sore throats.

Ginger - (Zingiber officinale) Warming tea for colds & upset stomachs (flatulence), flavoring for cooking. For soothing a sore throat, chew some root stalk.

Goldenseal - (Hydrastis canadensis) Antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, laxative, sore gums, vaginal douche, nasal congestion, ringworm, morning sickness.

Gotu Kola - (Hydrocotyl asiatica) Ayurevedic herb. Increased mental clarity & longevity.

Greater Celandine - (Chelidonium majus) Good for herpes, eczema, ringworm, warts, asthma, effects on stomach, liver, and gall bladder. Use with caution!

Greek Mullein - (Verbascum olympicum) Coughs, hoarseness, bronchitis, whooping cough, intestinal cramps, insomnia, warts, wounds, and it grows locally.

Honeysuckle - (Lonicera fragrantissima) Diarrhea, fever, flu, cough, laryngitis, boils, swollen lymph glands, food poisoning.

Horehound - (Marrubium vulgare) For coughs, bronchitis, hoarseness, typhoid fever, para-typhoid fever. Calms the heart; stomach tonic; persistent skin problems.

Lady's Mantle - (Alchemilla vulgaris) Lack of appetite, rheumatism, stomach ailments, diarrhea, enteritis, menstrual problems, internal bleeding, vaginal discharge.

Lance-leafed Plantain - (Plantago lanceolata) Astringent, demulcent, expectorant, hemostatic, G.I. ailments, worms, cough, insect bites, hemorrhoids. Grows locally.

Lemon Balm - (Melissa officinalis) Used in tea or tincture; as a mood elevator, sedative. Grows primarily near the coast.

Motherwort - (Leonurus cardiaca) Used for nervous heart problem, stomach gas & cramps, menopausal problems, shortness of breath and congestion. Grows locally.

Mullein - (Verbascum thapsus ) Biennial, flowers are used in tea for chest ailments, such as coughs or chronic bronchitis. Grows locally.

Nettles - (Urtica dioica) Astringent, diuretic, tonic, could be eaten as an early spring 'green'. (Must be cooked and drained to be safe.) Local weed.

Oregon Grape - (Mahonia nervosa) Antimicrobial for skin and G.I. Stimulates digestion. Grows locally, and is the Oregon state flower.

Passion Flower (Vine) - (Passiflora incarnata) Insomnia, restlessness, hysteria, nervous headache, cultivated locally.

Peppermint - (Mentha piperita) Good for indigestion, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, IBS, nervousness, headache, itchy skin conditions. Grows locally.

Purple coneflower - (Echinacea purpurea) Immune stimulant. Blood purifier, weight loss aid, grows locally.

Roman Chamomile - (Chamaemelum nobile) For flatulence, colic, indigestion, children's fever with restlessness, stomach cramps, calluses, painful joints, wounds. Grows locally.

Rosemary - (Rosemarinus officinalis) Good for migraines, stress headaches, poor circulation, indigestion, nausea, gas, asthma, can be grown locally but doesn't like harsh winters.

Rosemary - (Rosemarinus officinalis " Salem ") Culinary herb.

Skullcap - (Scutellaria lateriflora) Used as a nerve sedative, and for insomnia.

Spearmint - (Mentha spicata) Used for nervousness, insomnia, cramps, coughs, migraines, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, grows locally.

St. John's Wort - (Hypericum perforatum "Medizinal") Perennial, flowers can be used for mild depression, from life changes/stress. Oil is used topically for muscle, nerve pain. Grows locally.

Stevia - (Stevia rebaudiana) South American herb used for sweetening.

Tea Tree - (Melaleuca alternifolia) Fungicide, antiseptic.

Valerian - (Valeriana officinalis) Sedative, anti-spasmodic, grows at higher elevations.

Vervain - (Verbena officinalis) Good for whooping cough, jaundice, kidney & liver problems, eczema, wounds, dysmenorrheal, stimulates milk flow. Grows locally.

White Sage - (Salvia apiana) Garden plant used by Native Americans in healing services and smudging.

Wild Yam - (Dioscorea villosa) Diuretic, expectorant, neuralgia, and pains in the urinary tract, morning sickness.

Wormwood - (Artemisia absinthium) Indigestion, stomach pain, heartburn, gas, lack of appetite, stimulates liver and gall bladder. Improves circulation, expels intestinal worms. Use with caution.

Yarrow - (Achillea millefolium) Anti-inflammatory, hemostatic (stops bleeding, cuts, nose bleeds), hemorrhoids, ulcers, lowers fevers, rheumatoid arthritis, cystitis. Local weed.

Yellow Doc - (Rumex crispus) Laxative, astringent, skin eruptions and sores; grows locally.

Yerba Mate - (Ilex paraguariensis) Stimulant, headache, migraine, neuralgia, insomnia, fatigue, grows in South America .

These are traditional and historical uses of the herbs in this garden. This information is not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician before using any medicinal herbs.