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!)
 

Huckleberry (Vaccinium spp.)

Parts used: fruit, leaves, bark

Medicinal uses: The juice of the berries was consumed as a beverage to stimulate the appetite or as a mouthwash. The leaves and bark were used in decoctions that were gargled for sore throats or inflamed gums (Pojar 57).

Other uses: The fruit was traditionally gathered by many Native American tribes in the Pacific NW. The fruit was an important source of vitamin C and was often dried and useful in trading. The foliage is relatively high in carotene and carbohydrates.
 (http://extension.oregonstate.edu/warmsprings/huck.php).

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

Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)

Parts used: flowers, leaves, bark

Medicinal uses: Bark is diuretic and may be taken to relieve gout, kidney stones, and liver problems; leaves are astringent, useful for as a gargle and mouthwash for sore throats and canker sores; flowers are an antispasmodic and relieve coughs, traditionally taken to relieve asthma

Cautions: Do not take the berries as they are toxic (Chevallier 229).

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

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Parts used: fresh and dried rhizome

Medicinal uses: Used by Native Americans as an insect repellant, it was also used as a lotion for wounds, ulcers, and inflamed eyes. It is commonly used today as an astringent, antibacterial remedy for the mucous membranes of the body. It also counters infection as an eyewash or mouthwash. Taken internally goldenseal increases digestive secretions, astringes the mucous membranes and checks inflammation. It should not be used for long periods of time though as it inhibits the gut’s capacity to absorb some nutrients, most notably B vitamins.

Cautions: This plant is toxic if taken in excess. Do not take if suffering from high blood pressure. Do not take while pregnant or breastfeeding (Chevallier 107).

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