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).

Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

Parts used: leaves, root, rhizome, seeds

Medicinal uses: Dried rhizomes and roots used as diuretic to treat edema, inflammations of the lower urinary tract, and to prevent kidney gravel. A warming and tonic herb improves poor circulation. Traditionally taken to improve digestion and as expectorant and emmenagogue. Also used as a spice and in liqueurs (Chevallier 227).

Additional uses: The leaves, stems and seeds all taste similar to celery. The leaves and stems can be used fresh or dried any way that celery is used (Kowalchik 369).

Cautions: Do not take during pregnancy, or if you suffer from kidney disease (Chevallier 227).

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

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Parts used: flowers (also edible)

Medicinal uses: Well known for its soothing and calming effect. It is commonly blended with other sedative herbs to relieve sleeplessness, irritability, headaches, and migraine. It also helps to alleviate depression. This plant soothes indigestions and colic and relieves gas and bloating. Its relaxing effect makes it helpful for some types of asthma especially where excessive nervousness is a feature. The essential oil is an exceptional first aid remedy. It is strongly antiseptic, helping to heal burns, wounds, and sores. It can be rubbed on insect stings and can be used to treat scabies and head lice. It relieves pain and inflammation. A few drops of the essential oil can be rubbed into the temples to relieve headache and to encourage sleep (Chevallier 110).

Additional uses: It’s exceptional fragrance and ease of drying make this plant an exceptional addition to dried flower arrangements and to potpourris. Vinegar steeped with lavender is reported to be very useful for oily skin (Kowalchik 351).

Cautions: Do not take essential oil internally (Chevallier 110).

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

Japanese banana (Musa basjoo)

Otherwise known as Japanese fiber bananas, they are cold hardy and can be grown in most any climate. Their fruit is inedible. The nectar of the flowers is sweet and drinkable.

Medicinal uses: The roots are diuretic, febrifuge and sialagogue. A decoction is used in the treatment of beriberi, constipation, jaundice, dropsy, restlessness due to heat, leucorrhoea and croton bean poisoning. The leaves are diuretic.

Other uses: A fiber is obtained from the leaf stems. Used for cloth, sails etc. The fiber can also be used for making paper. The leaves are harvested in summer and are soaked in water for 24 hours prior to cooking. The fibers are cooked for 2 hours with lye and then beaten in a ball mill for 4½ hours before being made into paper (www.ibiblio.org).

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