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!

Blueberry (Vaccinum spp.) Native to Eastern N. America

Blueberry (Vaccinum spp.)

Parts used: fruit, leaves

Medicinal uses: Fruits and extracts are used to treat diarrhea and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. Improves cardiovascular system and vision. Leaves used against diabetes, arthritis, gout, poor circulation, and complaints of the digestive system, kidneys, and urinary tract and externally against mucosal inflammations, dermatitis, hemorrhoids, and other skin conditions.

Nutritional information: They are an excellent source of flavonoids, especially anthocyanidins. These antioxidant compounds are responsible for the blue, purple, and red pigments. Blue berries are also a very good source of vitamin C, soluble and insoluble fiber, including pectin. They are also a good source of manganese, vitamin E, and riboflavin (Murray 259).

Cautions: Do not take the leaves for longer than 3 weeks at a time (Chevallier 147).

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

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) - Eastern N. American Native

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Parts used: root

Medicinal uses: Native American uses for menstrual and menopausal discomfort, childbirth. Also used for nervous conditions, snakebite, high blood pressure, arthritis.

Cautions: Not to be used during pregnancy or if breast feeding (Chevallier 82).

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

Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) - Native & Non-Native

Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)
Some native (white stems, ground crawlers) some Non-Native (Rubus procerus , the Himalayan Blackberry (PDF), highly invasive).

Parts used: leaves, berries, root

Medicinal uses: Roots are harvested in the fall or before new growth in the spring. Roots traditionally used for diarrhea, dysentery, wounds, and female tonic. Leaves are strongly astringent and may be used as a mouthwash to strengthen spongy gums and ease mouth ulcers; a decoction can be used to relieve diarrhea and hemorrhoids.

Nutritional information: Raspberries and blackberries are an excellent source of fiber, manganese, vitamin C, flavonoids, and ellagic acid. They are a very good source of vitamin B2 as well as a good source of other B vitamins, such as folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B6 (Murray 312).

Cautions: none known (Chevallier 263).

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

Bee balm (Monarda didyma) Native

Bee balm (Monarda didyma)

Parts used: leaves

Medicinal and other uses: Used to flavor drinks, salads, and stuffing; oil infusions of the leaves were used for hair; their antiseptic properties make them useful for acne, steam-inhalations for colds and brewed for nausea, flatulence, and insomnia.

Cautions: None known (Bremness 192).

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

Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.) Non-Native

Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.)

Parts used: shoots, adult cane

Edible uses: Young shoots are edible.

Other uses: This plant can be used for a variety of purposes including flooring, blinds and screens, various arts and crafts applications, and construction material.

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

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflora) Non-Native

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflora)

Parts used: flowers

Medicinal uses: Known in Chinese medicine as Jie-Geng, these mid-to-late summer, vibrant, star-shaped, blue-violet blooms have traditionally been used to treat sore throats, coughs, bronchitis, chest pain, and tonsillitis.

Cautions: None stated

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

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) Non-Native

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)

Parts used: root, shoots

Medicinal actions: A strong diuretic used for a variety of urinary problems, including cystitis. It is also useful for rheumatic conditions, helping to “flush” wastes from the joints out through one’s urine. It is also bitter, mildly laxative, and sedative.

Cautions: Do not take if you suffer from kidney disease (Chevallier 174).

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

Apple (Malus pumila) Non-Native

Apple (Malus pumila)

Parts used: fruit

Nutritional information: They are an excellent source of vitamin C, pectin and other fibers as well as being a good source of potassium. Most of the apple’s important nutrients are contained in its skin, and raw apples are higher in many nutrients and phytochemicals as well (Murray 251).

Cautions: Mind the worms (Curtis 1016).

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

Angelica (Angelica spp.) Non-Native

Angelica (Angelica spp.) Non-Native

Parts used: Chinese angelica (Dong quai) (A. sinensis): rhizome, European angelica (A. archangelica): root and aerial portions

Medicinal uses: Chinese: used as a blood tonic for deficiency conditions such as anemia, palpitations, and lowered vitality. Also regulates the menstrual cycle and is a warming herb to the circulatory system. European: a warming tonic herb for digestion and circulation, but does not have the same tonic action as Chinese angelica (Chevallier 63).

Additional uses: The stem of European angelica can be candied. The root and seeds have been used to flavor liquors with their licorice-like flavor. As a dye plant angelica produces a green dye when mordanted with iron (Kowalchik 13).

Cautions: Do not take during pregnancy (Chevallier 63).

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

Alkanet (Anchusa officinalis) Non-Native

Alkanet (Anchusa officinalis) Non-Native

Parts used: flowers, young leaves, root

Medicinal and other uses: Flowers and young leaves can be added to salads. A root decoction is given as a blood cleanser and expectorant for coughs. Powdered root rind is used to color hair and medicines. It can also be used as a fabric dye.

Cautions: None stated (Bremness 145).