Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Parts used: aerial parts, essential oil

Medicinal uses: Helps to settle flatulence and stimulates the flow of bile; strongly antiseptic, it may be taken to treat respiratory conditions such as coughs, tonsillitis, bronchitis, and asthma; also considered to be a useful promoter of menstruation; the diluted oil can be applied to toothache or painful joints (Chevallier 242).

Additional uses: This plant is well known for its culinary uses. Flowers of oregano can be used in flower and herb arrangements (Kowalchik 403).

Cautions: Do not take medicinal does during pregnancy. External use may cause irritation to the skin. Do not take the essential oil internally (Chevallier 242).

Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plant Guide (Check out all plants growing in Tryon Farm's medicinal garden!)
 

Oak, Garry (White) (Quercus garryana)

Parts used: acorns, bark

Medicinal and other uses: The acorns were leached of tannins and eaten, often ground into flour. The bark was one of the ingredients in the Saanich ‘4 barks’ medicine used against.

Cautions: None stated tuberculosis and other ailments (Pojar 50).

Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plant Guide (Check out all plants growing in Tryon Farm's medicinal garden!)
 

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Parts used: leaves, root

Medicinal uses: A digestive and tonic herb, it has a wide variety of traditional uses. Milder in action than most Artemisia species, it can be taken over the long term at a low dose to improve appetite, digestive function, and absorption of nutrients. In addition to encouraging the elimination of worms, mugwort increases bile flow and mildly induces the onset of menstruation. Mugwort is also an antiseptic and has been used in the treatment of malaria (Chevallier 173).

Additional uses: Mugwort leaves have a sage-like smell and are used to repel moths. The plant dries well and can be used in less formal herbal arrangements (Kowalchik 392).

Cautions: Do not take during pregnancy (Chevallier 173).

Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plant Guide (Check out all plants growing in Tryon Farm's medicinal garden!)
 

Mint (spearmint (Mentha spicata) and peppermint (Mentha piperita.))

Parts used: aerial portions

Medicinal uses: To treat digestive disorders, to mask unpleasant taste of other herbs, irritable bowel syndrome, ailments of the gall bladder and bile duct, and catarrhs of the respiratory tract. Oil is antimicrobial, antiviral, and mildly anesthetic. Can be used topically to relieve pain, including headache and mucosal inflammation of the mouth (Chevallier 116).

Additional uses: Infused mint water can be used to tone and refresh the skin, especially in warm climates, be they humid or dry. It can be made by steeping 1 cup of spearmint or peppermint leaves in 1 quart of cool water, strain and chill. Use as needed. As a companion plant it is said to repel a variety if garden pests (Kowalchik 386).

Cautions: Do not give peppermint to children under 5 (Chevallier 116).