Healing Gardens – Part 1

The following information is for educational purposes only. As with pharmaceuticals, plants may be harmful if used in excess or in combination with other medications. Before using any medicinal plant, consult your doctor and/or pharmacist.

In recent years, herbal medicines have acquired a bad reputation in many healthcare circles. Sure, there have been strange theories from the past – like the "Doctrine of Signatures" (advocated in the 1500s), which stated that a plant's appearance determined the parts of the body it would heal. The first healthcare professionals, however, used medicinal plants to cure people of a variety of ills, and the active ingredients in many modern pharmaceuticals are plant-derived. As the study of plants' therapeutic effectiveness increases, the list of plants with medicinal qualities is growing.

So with the return of spring and warmer weather, why not plant something more exciting than the standard petunia and geranium? Why not consider a medicinal herb garden? When you grow your own herbs, you know exactly what you are getting: no pesticides, fillers, or placebos.

Here are just some of the herbs I grow in my garden and use in my home. (NB: If purchasing medicinal seeds or plants, pay attention to the Latin name listed – there are many varieties in each family and not all are medicinal.)

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Plant: American and European Arnica (Arnica chamissonis and Arnica montana)

Appearance: A perennial that grows from one to two feet (30 to 61 centimeters). A pretty weed with bright yellow flowers.

Medicinal Qualities/Uses: Arnica is used externally for bruises, burns, and inflammations. Rub the flower petals on external cuts and bruises, or apply a tincture made from the flowers. The active components are sesquiterpene lactones, which reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Excessive use, however, can cause a rash on sensitive individuals. This herb should never be taken internally, as it may induce vomiting, an increased heart rate, nervousness, or even death.

History: Also known as leopard's bane, arnica is indigenous to central Europe and is protected in some areas. In Germany, more than 100 drug preparations are made from the plant.

Growing Instructions: I have not had luck growing from seed, so would recommend starting with a purchased plant.

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Plant: Borage (Borago officinalis)

Appearance: An annual that grows to 18 inches (46 centimeters). Borage has fuzzy, gray-green leaves and vibrant purple flowers that grow facing downward.

Medicinal Qualities/Uses: Seeds contain gamma-linolenic acid, an oil that is rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Used as a dietary supplement, this oil is said to help reduce body fat accumulation by increasing the metabolism of "brown" fat. The entire plant is edible. The stems, which taste like cucumber, can be eaten uncooked. The flowers can be used to flavor cold summer drinks (float them with your ice cubes). People sometimes candy the flowers and place them on top of fancy desserts. The leaves, which contain potassium and calcium, can also be boiled and eaten. And an infusion of boiled leaves (one ounce/30 milliliters to one pint/475 milliliters of water) can be used to relieve intestinal complaints.

History: The name derives from the Arabic abu buraq (father of sweat) due to the plant's diaphoretic qualities.

Growing Instructions: Borage will self-seed like crazy, if you let it.

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Plant: Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Appearance: An annual that grows to 16 inches (40 centimeters). Its flowers ranged from pale yellow to bright orange.

Medicinal Qualities/Uses: Petals can be used in ointments for burns and cuts. The active ingredient is salicylic acid. Not to be taken internally – it is used topically. Make a compress with ground petals and place on the skin to ease inflammation from insect bites, cuts, or burns. The petals feel soft to the touch, and they even look soothing! The petals are also edible, and add a nice bitter taste to salads.

History: The plant has been associated with both the Virgin Mary and, in the 1600s, Queen Mary. The flower has been used medicinally for centuries.

Growing Instructions: Commonly known as marigolds, these plants are easy to grow! The seeds look like thorny cat claws and germinate easily in moist soil. Colors range from pale yellow to orange. Mine are butter-yellow, and they look great against purple flowers. They like to be watered regularly in dry weather.

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Plant: Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea palida)

Appearance: A perennial that grows to three feet (91 centimeters). It has large purple or white flowers with spiny orange centers.

Medicinal Qualities/Uses: Different types of echinacea possess different qualities. E. purpurea is highly regarded as a blood purifier and immune-booster. Clinical trials have shown that the roots of E. angustifolia and E. palida contain echinacoside – a medicinal compound that protects collagen from free radicals. Of the three, E. angustifolia has the highest amount of the active ingredient alkylamide, which can be found in the roots and flowers. To treat a cold, upper respiratory infection, or bronchitis, take 900 milligrams of root per day with an alcoholic extract; it can also be taken with vitamin C. Expressed juice of E. purpurea has been shown to promote healing in bronchitis. These herbs should not be taken over extended periods of time, as they are thought to become less effective in helping the immune system. While recent studies have shown positive results in dealing with colds in adults, echinacea has been proven ineffective at preventing colds in children younger than 11, who may, in fact, develop a rash as a reaction the herb.

History: A native North American plant, echinacea was originally used by aboriginal Americans for snake-bites and for its anti-inflammatory qualities. Although research has shown Echinacea to be medically effective, more research needs to be completed to pinpoint the most potent compounds and uses.

Growing Instructions: Buy a plant, as growing from seed is difficult. Once the roots are established, it does not need much water – a good plant to Xeriscape with for drought-prone gardens. Don't harvest the roots until the plant is mature (about three to four years).

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Plant: Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Appearance: A perennial that grows from two to six feet (61 centimeters to 1.8 meters). Its small, yellow flowers bloom from June to October.

Medicinal Qualities/Uses: The entire plant is edible. The oil in the seeds contains linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, which can aid weight loss and ease symptoms of PMS, cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and eczema. Patients taking phenothiazine drugs (e.g., for schizophrenia) should not take evening primrose oil. And pregnant and lactating women should also avoid it, as it was traditionally used to initiate labor.

History: This plant was once grown for the roots, which were boiled and eaten. Native Americans used it as a painkiller and as an antidote for asthma. The flowers open in the evening, hence the name. It was naturalized in Europe starting in the 17th century.

Growing Instructions: This native North American biennial blooms from June to October. It enjoys dry soil and is, therefore, ideal to Xeriscape (see sidebar) with.

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Plant: Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium)

Appearance: A perennial that grows to two feet (61 centimeters). It has small daisy-like flowers, which have yellow centers.

Medicinal Qualities/Uses: Feverfew is known for relieving migraines but is also believed to lessen tension and arthritis pain. The leaves may be eaten (e.g., in a sandwich) or drunk in a tea. A tincture made with the leaves can be applied to an insect bite to relieve pain. Pregnant women should not take feverfew because it may cause uterine contractions. The active ingredient is parthenolide.

History: Ancient healing instructions stated: "Feverfew must be pulled from the ground with the left hand, and the fevered person's name must be spoken forth, and the herbalist must not look behind him."

Growing Instructions: This flowering herb is easy to care for but easier to buy as a plant than to start from seed. (However, feverfew appears in unexpected locations in my garden.) Once roots are established, the plant requires very little water.

For more medicinal plants, read Healing Gardens – Part 2.

Xeriscape

A method of gardening based on water-saving principles such as mulching, increasing organic matter content, and growing native plants that require less water.

Healing Gardens – Part 1

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Laura Crane

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