Tryon Life Community Farm

Upcoming Events

Artist’s Alchemy; Textile Upcycling
May 13th, 2025
A two part skillshares to upcycle tshirts into sewable patches and a history (more...)

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!

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Non-Native

Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Parts used: root, leaves, flowers

Medicinal uses: Dried whole herb used as digestive tonic for loss of appetite and dyspepsia. Traditional choleretic, cholagogue, carminative, diuretic, and “blood purifier.” Syrup is traditional tonic for infants and a cleansing medicine for suffering from rheumatism and gout (Chevallier 189).

Additional uses: As a culinary herb it has a flavor similar to dandelion. The leaves can be eaten fresh or cooked while the root is often roasted and used as either an addition or substitute for coffee (Kowalchik 86-7).

Cautions: None known (Chevallier 189).

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

Cherry: (Prunus spp.) Native and Non-Native

Cherry: (Prunus spp.)
Non-native (sweet Cherry) and Native (black Cherry)

Parts used: Sweet: stems, fruit; Black: inner bark

Medicinal uses: Sweet: stems have long been used for their diuretic and astringent properties; have been used for cystitis, nephritis, urinary retention, and gout. Cherries can be used as an overall regimen treating arthritic problems. Their high sugar content makes them mildly laxative. Black: the bark counters dry and irritable coughs; its astringency can also ease indigestion and the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, especially when these conditions are of a nervous origin.

Nutritional information: Sweet cherries are a good source of vitamin C and copper. They are also high in flavonoids including anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins (Murray 265).

Cautions: Sweet: the seeds are toxic and should not be taken internally. Black: the bark is highly toxic in excessive doses (Chevallier 256-7).

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

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Non-Native

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Parts used: aerial portions

Medicinal uses: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic. Topically treats inflammations of skin and mucosa, and other skin disorders. Internally treats flatulent nervous dyspepsia, gastritis, diarrhea, travel sickness, and mild anxiety. Volatile oil is inhaled to treat nasal catarrh, inflammation, and irritation of the respiratory tract (Chevallier 80).

Additional uses: With its distinctive apple-like fragrance, chamomile can be used as an aromatic addition to potpourris and dried flower arrangements. As a companion plant, chamomile is believed to contribute to the overall health of a garden. Cucumbers and onions are said to benefit especially as well as most herbs (Kowalchik 81-2).

Cautions: The fresh plant can cause dermatitis. Do not take the essential oil internally unless under professional supervision. Do not use the essential oil externally during pregnancy (Chevallier 80).

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

Celandine (Chelidonium majus) Non-Native

Celandine (Chelidonium majus)

Parts used: aerial portions

Medicinal uses: The fresh, toxic aerial parts can be used as a diuretic liver stimulant to treat liver, gallbladder, and digestive pains, as well as jaundice, and to reduce rheumatoid swelling. Externally, the purgative, caustic, orange sap is an ancient remedy for warts, corns, and ringworm.

Cautions: This plant should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner (Bremness 239).

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

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) and Catmint (Nepeta faassenii) Non-Native

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) and Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii)

Parts used: aerial portions

Medicinal uses: Catnip is settling to the stomach and a gentle sedative. Since it powerfully stimulates sweating, it also reduces fever. Its pleasant taste and gentle action make it a suitable remedy for colds, flu, and fever in children. Catnip is markedly antiflatulent, settling indigestion and colic. It is also useful in treating headaches related to digestive problems. A tincture of the herb makes a good friction rub for rheumatic and arthritic joints, and as an ointment, treats hemorrhoids.

Cautions: Do not take if pregnant (Chevallier 239).

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

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) Native

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Parts used: aerial portion

Medicinal uses: Unlike its close relative the Opium poppy, E. californica is not a narcotic, tending to normalize psychological functions rather that disorientating. A gentle antispasmodic, sedative, and analgesic, it is very useful for treating psychological issues in children.

Cautions: None stated (Chevallier 206-7).

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

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) Non-Native

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Parts used: flowers

Medicinal uses: Flower heads and volatile oils used to externally treat slow healing wounds, burns, dry skin, eczema, oral thrush, and hemorrhoids. Taken internally as anti-inflammatory to treat mouth and throat ailments. Improves digestion, stimulates bile production, heals gastric ulcers, and regulates menstrual disorders (Chevallier 73).

Additional uses: The flowers are edible and can be added as a garnish to any food. If dried and ground the flowers can be used as a coloring substitute for saffron or turmeric. Calendula can also be used as a dye plant and to bring out highlights in the hair of brunettes and blondes (Kowalchik 62).

Cautions: None known (Chevallier 73).

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

Burdock (Arctium lappa) Non-Native

Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Parts used: root, leaves, seeds

Medicinal uses: Dried roots used to treat gastrointestinal ailments. Root and leaf extracts are used to treat eczema, psoriasis, acne, skin infection, slow-healing wounds, dermatitis, itches, insect bites, and other ailments. Fresh root can be added to stir-fries and soups. Used as an alterative this plant cleanses the blood by cleansing and detoxifying the eliminative organs (Chevallier 65).

Additional uses: Burdock makes an exceptional addition to many foods. The root can be stir-fried, simmered in soups and stews, steamed, or sautéed. Spring leaves of first year plants can be served raw or prepared like spinach (Kowalchik 58-9).

Cautions: None known (Chevallier 65).

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

Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus ) Native

Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus )

Parts used: aerial portion

Medicinal uses: To treat an overactive thyroid gland and associated symptoms, especially nervousness and heart palpitations

Cautions: Take only under professional supervision. Do not take during pregnancy (Chevallier 230).

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

Borage (Borago officinalis) Non-Native

Borage (Borago officinalis)

Parts used: aerial portions, flowers, seed oil

Medicinal uses: Contains a high mucilage content therefore makes a good demulcent and soothes respiratory problems. It is also useful for sore or inflamed skin due to its emollient action. It can be applied as freshly squeezed juice, in a poultice, or as an infusion. The flowers encourage sweating and the leaves are diuretic. The seed oil is particularly rich in polyunsaturated fats. The oil can be used for premenstrual complaints, rheumatic problems, eczema, and other chronic skin conditions (Chevallier 178-9).

Additional uses: Borage can be used as a flavoring in a variety of foods. Its leaves and stems may be prepared similar to spinach but with a distinct cucumber flavor. Borage is also said to strengthen the resistance to insects and disease of any plants neighboring it, especially strawberries. This plant is also a favorite of bees (Kowalchik 53-4).

Cautions: Due to the presence of pyrrolizide alkaloids internal intake of this plant should be minimized. Also care should be taken when applying to broken skin (Chevallier 178-9).