Tryon Life Community Farm

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events.

Schedule:

- - Check the calendar for specific events!
  - ANY DAY: Host your own event! See here for details.
  Saturday: Open to the public daytime to drop in, bring a picnic, take a self-guided tour, etc.
  Landwork workparties 4th Saturdays. Call ahead with questions: 503.245.3847
Sunday: Open to the public daytime to drop in, bring a picnic, take a self-guided tour, etc.
Skillshares and workparties some Sundays. Call ahead with questions: 503.245.3847
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Scheduled class visits and events. Open to the public after 3pm until dark to enjoy the land.
Wednesday: Scheduled class visits and events. Open to the public after 3pm until dark to enjoy the land.
Thursday: Scheduled class visits and events. Open to the public after 3pm until dark to enjoy the land.
Friday: Open to the public daytime to drop in, bring a picnic, take a self-guided tour, etc.
SOME DAYS will be closed for private events. Check the calendar!

Garlic (Allium sativum) Non-Native

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Parts used: bulb (flowers are edible)

Medicinal uses: Garlic has been used since before the invention of antibiotics for the treatment of many infections from tuberculosis to typhoid. It was also used to dress wounds in the World War I. it is an excellent remedy for all types of chest infections. It is good for colds, flu, and ear infections, and it helps to reduce mucus. Digestive infections also respond well with garlic. It can also help rid the body of intestinal parasites. Garlic prevents circulatory problems and strokes by keeping the blood thin. It lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Garlic may be taken to support conventional antibiotics and to ward off their side effects. It also reduces blood sugar levels and can help in late onset diabetes (Chevallier 59).

Additional uses: The dried flower heads can be used in flower arrangements. As a companion plant garlic is considered to help control pests, especially aphids (Kowalchik 218).

Nutritional information: An excellent source of vitamin B6. It is a very good source of manganese, selenium, and vitamin C. it is also a good source of phosphorus, calcium, potassium, iron, and copper (Murray 201).

Cautions: Use caution if taking hypertensive or blood thinning medication (Chevallier 59).

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

Fig (Ficus spp.) Non-Native

Fig (Ficus spp.)

Parts used: fruit, latex

Medicinal uses: Fruit sugars within the fig have a pronounced but gentle laxative effect (especially the dried fruit); syrup of figs is still a mild laxative remedy; the fruits emollient pulp helps relieve pain and inflammation, and has been used to treat tumors, swellings, and gum abscesses – the fruit is often roasted before application; also mildly expectorant and when used with herbs such as Elecampane can treat dry and irritable coughs and bronchitis; the milky latex from the leaves and stems is a reputed analgesic and has been used to treat warts, insect bites and stings

Nutritional information: They are recommended to nourish and tone the intestines due to their high fiber content. Figs are also naturally high in natural simple sugars, and minerals. They are fairly rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and manganese (Murray 275).

Cautions: The latex is toxic and should not be used internally. Applied to the skin, it may cause an allergic reaction to sunlight (Chevallier 211).

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

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Non-Native

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Parts used: aerial portions

Medicinal uses: May be used to lower temperature and cool the body. Historically the plant has been used to induce menstruation and can be used to aid difficult births by aiding the expulsion of the placenta. In small quantities it can be used to prevent migraines. It is useful for migraines associated with menstruation and for headaches. The herb can also help arthritic and rheumatic pain (Chevallier 140).

Additional uses: The dried flowers can be used in flower arrangements. The fresh leaves and stems produce a greenish yellow dye in wool mordanted with chrome (Kowalchik 193).

Cautions: Eating fresh leaves may cause canker sores. Do not take feverfew if taking warfarin or other blood thinning drugs. Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding (Chevallier 140).

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

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) Native

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Parts used: leaves, stem bark, flowers, seed oil

Medicinal uses: The flowers, leaves, and stem bark have astringent and sedative properties. All can be used to treat whooping cough. It can also be taken for digestive problems and asthma, and used as a poultice to ease the discomfort of rheumatic disorders. The oil, when applied externally can be used for eczema, other itchy skin conditions, and breast tenderness. Taken internally the oil lowers blood pressure and prevents the clot of platelets. The oil is commonly taken for premenstrual problems including tension and abdominal bloating.

Cautions: Do not take the oil if suffering from epilepsy (Chevallier 240).

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

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) Non-Native

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.)

Parts used: leaves

Medicinal uses: A traditional Aboriginal remedy for infections and fevers. The herb is an antiseptic and is very helpful for colds, flu, and sore throats. A strong expectorant which makes it useful for chest infections including bronchitis and pneumonia. The diluted essential oil, applied to the skin as a chest or sinus rub, has a warming and slightly anesthetic effect, helping to relieve respiratory infections. This can also be experienced by using an infusion or tincture as a gargle. The diluted essential oil can also be used for pain relief. It can be applied to the affected area to relieve rheumatic joints as well as neuralgia and some bacterial skin infections (Chevallier 98).

Additional uses: The dried leaves and small branches can be used in potpourris as well as in flower arrangements (Kowalchik 186).

Cautions: Do not give to small children or infants (Chevallier 98).

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

Elecampane (Inula helenium) Non-Native

Elecampane (Inula helenium)

Parts used: root, rhizome

Medicinal uses: Dried roots and rhizomes used as an expectorant for treatment of coughs and bronchial catarrh. Traditionally used as a bitter tonic, stomachic carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, and diuretic. Root used against several intestinal parasites and for infections of urinary tract. Externally used as antiseptic to treat skin conditions.

Additional uses: Elecampane root has been used in the past as a flavoring for sweets. The root itself can also be candied as a sweet itself (Kowalchik 183).

Cautions: Can cause skin reactions. Do not take internally if pregnant or breastfeeding.

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

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) Native & Non-Native

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.)
There are native and invasive, non-native speicies of Elderberry in Portland

Parts used: flowering tops, berries

Medicinal and other uses: Flowers used to treat colds and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and hay fever. Dried fruits or fresh juice are used as an analgesic, diuretic, laxative and diaphoretic in cases of feverish catarrhal conditions. Flowers used in herbal teas and remedies, and for light alcoholic beverages. Berries are used as a natural coloring agent in food products. Yellow and violet dyes can be made from the leaves and berries.

Cautions: It is best to eat cooked ripe berries rather than raw. The roots, stems, and leaves are said to contain cyanogenic glucosides which are substances that release cyanide, care should be taken when ingesting (Kowalchik 178-9).

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

Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) Central American Native

Echinacea (Echinacea spp.)

Parts used: root and flower

Medicinal uses: Juice or dry herb used to treat colds and infections of respiratory tract, urinary tract, and to externally treat wounds, ulcers, and skin inflammations.

Cautions: High doses can cause nausea (Chevallier 94).

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

Dogwood (Cornus spp.) some varieties Native

Dogwood (Cornus spp.) some varieties

Parts used: root bark

Other uses: The root bark of Cornus spp. has been used in traditional fabric dyeing. Red is the most typical color produced by Dogwood.

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

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Native

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Parts used: leaves, root, flower

Medicinal uses: Leaf is used as a diuretic and to treat high blood pressure by reducing the volume of fluid in the body. The root is a very effective detoxifying herb. It works principally on the liver and gallbladder to help remove waste products, it also stimulates the kidneys to remove toxins in the urine. The root and leaf can also be used to prevent gallstones while the leaf may be used to help dissolve those that have already formed. It is beneficial for many conditions, including constipation, skin problems such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis, and arthritic conditions, including osteoarthritis, and gout (Chevallier 141).

Additional uses: The leaves and root of dandelion are edible and can be prepared in a variety of ways. The leaves are often eaten raw or cooked while the root can be added to soups or stews as well as stir-fries. Roasting is another common preparation for dandelion root and is often used as a substitute for coffee. The flowers can be made into wine. The flowers can also be used to make a yellow dye while the whole plant can be used to make a magenta dye (Kowalchik 141-2).