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An old world medicinal. The aromatic fern-like leaves were used for purifying a room, flavoring food and beer, repelling insects, as a green dye plant and as a folk remedy for worms. Considered toxic in large doses, internal use is not recommended in modern herbalism, but this opinion is based on ingesting concentrated extracts rather than the fresh spring leaves. A traditional plant for an old world herb garden, it makes a striking back border accent growing up to 5 feet tall with large flat clusters of gold button flowers. Very hardy perennial. Lkes full sun and is very drought tolerant, once established. Volunteers freely. Hardy to zone 3.
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Traditional use: Highly medicinal tree from Australia. The antiseptic oil is distilled from the leaves of this plant. The oil has proven anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and has anti-viral properties which make it valuable for skin infections, burns, bruises, cuts, herpes, warts, yeast infections, gingivitis and many other conditions that require a powerful antiseptic. It can be applied directly on sensitive tissues without irritation. Easy to grow with attractive delicate, feathery foliage and heavily peeling bark. Makes an excellent potted tree. Hardy to zone 9.
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Used primarily as a culinary spice, thyme is an important medicinal as well. Used traditionally as a cough remedy and expectorant, it is also antibacterial and anti-fungal when used topically. An excellent ingredient in healing salves and cough formulas, as well as a healing tea when sick with respiratory complaints. Fragrant little plants with tiny pinkish/white blooms forming dense mini-bushes Perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
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Extremely low growing lemon thyme with pink blooms. Great between stones or pathways. Sweet little plant and looks beautiful in any herb garden. Hardy perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
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A pretty creeping thyme with a strong orange scent with slightly variegated leaves. Makes a great rockery plant. The leaves are a refreshing addition to cooking and teas. Hardy perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
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This rare and pungent thyme originating from Spain and Portugal is a very attractive, delicate plant with small, resinous leaves and upright branching producing small white blooms. It grows into a compact, nicely shaped mound with a very strong scent. Spanish Thyme is a bit more camphorous than German thyme, but still delicious as a culinary spice. It has been used interchangeably with English and German Thyme for medicinal puposes. Thyme is well known as a cough remedy specific for bronchitis, pertussis and general upper respiratory congestion. Used externally, Thyme is both anti-microbial and anti-fungal and can be used for all sorts of skin rashes, minor scrapes and infections. The essential oil extracted from thyme, Thymol, is used extensively in antiseptic mouthwash, as well as other external applications. This sweet plant is perfect for the rockery or sunny edge of the garden. Prefers well drained, sandier soi. Full sun. Very drought tolerant once established.
Perennial. To zone 7.
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Qin Jiao, Yellow Gentian. Another rare specimen from the Himalayas of Tibet and Western China. This hardy perennial has an attractive rosette of fleshy, slightly variegated leaves. The unusual tubular flowers, bluish or light greenish white in color, form at the top of a bare stem reaching 2 feet or so in full bloom.
The Tibetan Gentian has been used historically in Chinese medicine as well as Tibetan and Ayurvedic formulas. Gentian is a bitter herb commonly taken as a tea from the dried leaves to improve digestive and liver function. In TCM, it has been utilized in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and as a nervine in small doses.
This extremely hardy and rare Gentian is easier than other types to grow in a garden setting. It prefers partial shade in very hot summer areas and enjoys a moist soil . Perennial. Zone 4.
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Originally from Argentina and Bolivia. This Tobacco is now widely naturalized in dry desert areas around the globe. The leaves are mild enough to provide a good smoke. A poultice of the leaves is known to heal wounds and skin infections. It will rid the body of lice and the dog of fleas. Perennial. Zone 8.
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This rare tobacco variety comes from New Orleans where it was bred from the tobacco and was originally grown by the Native Americans of the region. It is an extremely strong tobacco, which after a long fermentation process is very dark colored. This heirloom is a unique treasure, easy to save seed from as long as it is isolated. Can grow to 8 feet in a hot sunny garden with fertile soil. All tobacco plants are so beautiful and stately in the herbscape. Annual.
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Hopi Tobacco. A Northern hardy Tobacco strain of Tobacco with lush Green leaves and a high nicotine content. Used ceremonially by the Hopi People. Annual.
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This wild cultivated Tobacco has been used as an integral part of Huichol ceremony for thousands of years. Their cultivar grows to about 3 feet with showy and abundant flowers and highly resinous leaves for curing. Striking and rare tobacco. Prefers full sun. Annual. Not Frost hardy.
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Shirley Tobacco. Another favored smoking tobacco from Virginia. Stately plants bear well and the tobacco cures to a mellow smoke. This is worth a try if growing your own smoking tobacco is your goal. Half Hardy Annual. Enjoys full sun and can grow to 6 feet in good soil.
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This is a very mellow smoking tobacco, which matures readily even if the summer is cool or the growing season short. Highly recommended. Flowers are lavender and the plant could grow to be five feet tall. Annual. Not hardy.
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Originating from North East Asia, well known as an ingredient in the famous Essiac formula this is a strong purgative herb. The roots can be used to cleanse the system and the stems can be cooked and eaten like other Rhubarb in the spring, but the leaves are toxic. Easy to grow perennial. Turkey Rhubarb grows quickly into a large plant with huge roundish leaves on reddish stems. Likes fertile, moist locations and acidic soil and deep mulch. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4.
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Turmeric is believed to have been used to preserve food before the widespread use of refrigeration. Indian healers used Turmeric to treat obesity. We now know that turmeric has a beneficial effect on the liver, stimulating the flow of bile and the breakdown of dietary fats. Studies also confirm that this herb is useful for preventing blood clots. A potent anti-inflammatory, herbalists recommend turmeric for the pain and swelling of arthritis. Tropical perennial plant, the lush green leaves need high humidity and prefer partial shade. Tender zone 11.
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Beautiful plant native to the eastern hardwood forest with a pair of vibrant leaves and a striking white flower. The root has been used as an expectorant and as a rinse for inflammation of the gums and canker sores. Requires moist, shaded conditions.
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Udo, Aralia cordata, Japanese Spikenard, Mountain Spikenard, Mountain Asparagus, Jiu Yan Du Huo. Native to Japan, Korea and China, this ginseng relative and cousin to our local California spikenard can be found growing along the forested banks above creeks and waterways. The young shoots are much prized as an edible delicacy and are actually cultivated in Japan in underground tunnels where they are added to a variety of traditional dishes including Miso soup with a taste similar to asparagus, with a hint of fennel. In the wild, the shoots are harvested only when young and tender and the immature leaves are enjoyed as well. In Japan the plant is highly prized for Udowormy tea, which is made from Udo leaves infested with the pupae of the Japanese beetle. The tea made from the leaves is valued as a remedy for stress and anxiety. Traditionally, the roots have been used in TCM to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief for chronic arthritis, back pain, toothache, etc. The root has also been used for respiratory ailments such as asthma, tuberculosis and chronic bronchitis. Udo prefers a partly shady to full shade location with plenty of moisture and room to grow. It can reach 4 feet in height and width and will make an eye catching addition to that shady corner of your garden. Hardy Perennial. Zone 7.
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Bearberry. Kinnik kinnik. Traditional use: This plant has been used as an effective anti-bacterial agent for mild urinary infections. It is specific for urethritis and bladder infections by acidifying the urine making the environment inhospitable to infection. Excellent remedy especially when used in combination with cranberry juice. The tannins in Uva Ursi are strong and it is not an herb to use long term. The cured leaf is popular in native smoking mixtures. A creeping evergreen shrub which does well on exposed slopes with small pink flowers and pale red berries similar to its relative, Manzanita. Very drought tolerant. Hardy to zone 2.
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This plant is widely used to allay pain, nervous unrest, migraines and insomnia. It has an excellent sedative and anti-spasmodic action. It can have the opposite reaction in certain individuals and long term use can cause day time grogginess. The root is famous for its pungent odor, usually dug in the fall of the second year. The plant is quite majestic in the herb garden with a large mound of attractive feathery foliage sending up tall flower stalks with medium sized off-white/pinkish umbels with a sweet smell and are loved by bees and beneficial insects. Valerian truly appreciates a garden setting with ample moisture and fertility. Prefers partial shade in hot areas. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4.
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Sweet Vernal grass. European grass with a sweet vanilla aroma similar to Woodruff. A tincture of its flowers in wine is said to give immediate relief from hay fever. Perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
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A sacred plant for the Druids, Romans, and Egyptians used since ancient times. This medicinal herb has a colorful history as an aphrodisiac to "secure the favor of ladies” and used by sorcerers and witches for its ability to give magical powers to those who used it. The old herbal texts commonly referenced it for “female Hysteria”. Vervain is a bitter herb which aids digestion and has a sedative effect. The plant is easy to grow with a tight mound of unusual shiny, green, scalloped foliage sending up 2 foot high stalks with small lilac blue flowers. Easy to grow. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4.
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Rau ram. This remarkable herb from Vietnam has excellent flavor and grows like a weed. It is not hardy and will have to be grown indoors in the winter. Use just like Coriander. Tender perennial. Zone 11.
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This endangered east coast woodland plant is the food of choice for the endemic pipevine swallowtail butterfly. The aromatic root was traditionally used as a low dose botanical for the treatment of snakebites, fever and headaches. As this plant species nears extinction in the wild due to loss of habitat, it is feasible to establish plantings in our backyard woodland gardens. Prefers a well drained soil with plenty of moisture and dappled shade. A delicate and rare specimen for the woodland garden. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4.
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Asian Chasteberry. Originally found growing in the foothills of western China and East Asia, as high as 4000 feet. This unusual cultivar has attractive cannabis shaped leaves and lavender purple blooms. Vitex negundo prefers a well drained site in full sun and is very drought tolerant once established. The roots, leaves and fruits of the plants have traditionally been used as a decoction to treat heat stroke, dysentery, malaria and to promote a sweat in feverish conditions. Has a history of use in Chinese medicine and Ayurveda as an infection fighter, and a toni . Easy to grow into an attractive 12 foot shrub/small tree. Very hardy to zone 6.
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Usually seen naturalized on stream banks, this water loving herb is known for its sprightly taste. Many gardeners don’t realize that watercress can grow beautifully in containers or very moist areas of a garden, as long as it receives regular ample watering and part shade in hot climates. It is a hardy perennial which forms a dense spreading mat of bright round, green leaves with delicate white blooms. Hardy to all
zones.
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Rattle Bush. Easier species to cultivate and medicinally interchangeable with true wild indigo. Blue/green clover-like leaves can grow up to 5 feet tall with striking indigo blue pea shaped flowers. A showy specimen in the garden with interesting seed pods in the fall. Long lived perennial. Hardy to zone 4.
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Wild Black Cherry, Choke Cherry. Hardy landscape tree growing to 25 feet and covered with white blooms in the spring followed by reddish purple fruit, great for syrups and Jam. The bark has a distinctive bitter almond smell when mixed with water, decocted and mixed with honey for a traditional cough syrup. The wild cherry bark syrup is a well known remedy for respiratory complaints such as bronchitis and coughing associated with the common cold. It is also effective for diarrhea and indigestion in children and has a general tonifying effect on the body. Easy to keep pruned for sustainable bark harvesting and a great wildlife tree as many species besides humans are attracted to its tasty fruits. The Wild Cherry has lovely fall color and is very tolerant to heat and drought once established. Hardy to zone 2.
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This plant grows wild in South Africa and is used as a smokeable euphoric by the Hottentot tribe. Internally, the tea of the dried leaves is taken to treat headaches, bronchitis epilepsy, and the common cold. Stunning in the garden, these plants are truly majestic growing to 10 feet tall in fertile conditions. Hummingbirds love them. Beautiful flowers of long tubes of orange. Likes full sun and a hot climate. Tender perennial. Hardy to zone 9.
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The root oil has been used in perfumes. The root, itself, is a digestive tonic prescribed for colic and flatulence. Native Americans used it as a contraceptive and to treat colds, sore throats, nervous conditions and cramps. Another beautiful woodland plant that requires a well drained, shady site. Pretty
plant which forms a mat of decorative, tropical looking leaves. Hardy to zone 3.
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This is the species most commonly used for its medicinal root. The plant is a little trickier in a garden setting. It prefers very good drainage and does not want to be over watered. The bitter, fresh root has been used as a strong antiseptic and anti-microbial used both internally and on the skin. It can be purgative in large doses and is contraindicated in pregnancy. Can be helpful in situations of toxified blood, lymph stagnation and fevers. The plant is a bit smaller in height than the Australis, but also requires full sun and is a hardy perennial to zone 5.
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