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Calendula (Calendula Officinalis)
Pot Marigold, compositae-Aster family. Native to south central Europe and North Africa, this worthy medicinal is cherished for its bright orange and yellow flowers. Calendula is often grown as an ornamental cut flower and as such, many selections have been developed for color and stem length. The single petaled orange and golden yellow plants have been shown to have the highest resin content for medicinal use. The flowers have been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Traditionally used as a remedy for jaundice and headaches, the petals were considered an alternative to expensive saffron.
Applied externally, calendula actually promotes the reconstruction of skin tissue and can reduce scarring from burns and abrasions. The bitter resins of the plant have shown anti-viral properties and helped situations with lymphatic congestion. Calendula is a favorite ingredient of infused oils used in baby salves, healing salves and skin creams. Although it is considered an annual, Calendula will tolerate some freezing. In milder climates they will overwinter, often blooming again in late winter or early spring; a much needed ray of sunshine when the rest of the garden lays dormant. If your climate is colder the plants will die off in late fall, but in most cases will reseed and you will have an abundance of baby plants for harvesting later in the summer. A colorful gem in your herb garden. Hardy Annual. To Zone 10.
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California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Gold Poppy. This California wild flower with it's bright yellow/orange 2 inch wide cup shaped flowers, bloom above lacy blue-green foliage in the early spring. Found growing abundantly throughout the lower elevations of California, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada, it is a beautiful and worthwhile medicinal plant to naturalize in your garden. Highly regarded as an effective nervine used for anxiety, as a sedative, and in higher doses can aid with pain relief. Has been used effectively for calming agitated children. It is often used in combination with other nervines, such as Passion Flower, Valerian, or Skullcap. Easy to grow and will tend to naturalize in a garden situation. Requires full sun and preferably a well drained site. Perennial. Hardy to all zones.
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Cancer Bush (Sutherlandia frutescens)
Perennial and hardy, with red-orange flowers. A South African shrub used to treat cancer. An infusion made from the leaves is a traditional remedy for fevers, chicken pox, influenza, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, stomach and liver problems. Zone 11.
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Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
The seeds of cardamom are a digestive stimulant and antispasmodic and the rhizome is given for fatigue and fever. Cardamom makes an appealing house plant with its perfumed leaves. Pest free and easy to grow. Hardy to zone 10.
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Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
This herb is a Native American medicinal used as a worming aid, a tonic to the nervous system and an anti- spasmodic. It can be used as a poultice to relieve pain. The beautiful crimson colored flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Prefers part shade and a moist location. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
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Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana)
Cold hardy,deciduous tree, native to the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies. The bark is dried and cured for at least a year, after which it may be tinctured or made into an infusion to use as a laxative. Use with caution. Loves sun and water. Hardy to Zone 6.
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Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
An important nervine as well as a beautiful plant . Catnip is a great remedy for colds, fevers, and stressed nervous systems. Drought hardy and easy to grow. Forms a large mound of pretty green textured leaves with tall stalks of pinkish lavender flowers to 4 feet Well loved by bees, beneficial insects and Cats Perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
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Catnip Lemon (Nepeta citriodora)
Has all the same medicinal qualities as regular catnip with a strong citrus flavor. Makes a soothing and tasty tea. Cats who are heavy catnip addicts sometimes leave this plant alone. Easy to grow, quite drought tolerant and makes a large bushy specimen in the herb garden. Perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
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Catnip, Fassens (Nepeta faasenii)
Ornamental groundcover form of catnip with vibrant blue flowers that bloom for months. Silvery blue/gray foliage. Great border plant and for rockeries. Does not attract cats, but has a pleasant scent and makes a flavorful tea. Hardy perennial and quite drought tolerant. Hardy zones 3-9.
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Catnip, Japanese (Schizonepeta tenuifolia)
Jing Jie. This annual aromatic herb, native to China and Japan reaches about 2 feet in height with long spikes of delicate, lavender colored blooms. The aerial parts of the plant are used in Chinese medicine to stop excessive bleeding, to ease symptoms of the common cold and promote sweating. Easy to grow. This unusual herb is a useful, productive and attractive addition to the Chinese medicinal Garden. Annual.
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Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens)
This type of pepper produces very long, thin, dark red fruit. These are ground to powder and used medicinally. Cayenne is used as an analgesic for sore and inflamed muscles. It can aid in stimulating appetite and can help stop bleeding when applied to a wound externally. Also found to regulate blood pressure. Commonly used in cooking, adding zest to any dish. The plants are quite beautiful when laden with bright red peppers, which can be strung and dried. Tropical Perennial. Grow as an annual.
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Celandine (Chelidonium majus)
An herbaceous perennial that is self-seeding. This plant was traditionally used topically against warts and also as a penetrating alternative ingredient in hand and foot baths. DO NOT EAT!
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Celery Herb (Apium graveolens)
This is the wild celery used for the seed. Internally, it is used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and inflammation of the urinary tract. It can be used with dandelion to increase it's potency. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine for asthma, bronchitis, hiccups and flatulence. Not to be used during pregnancy. Hardy to zone 9.
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Centaury, European
Much easier to grow than Yellow Gentian, but with the same medicinal activity. Used when there is stomach or intestinal ulceration. A self-seeding annual.
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Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)
This plant makes a wonderfully soothing tea. Traditionally used as a tonifying gastrointestinal tonic and gentle sedative, also makes a great hair rinse. Plant as a low growing mat or lawn substitute. Perennia.l Hardy to zone 5.
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Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
Vitex is a drought hardy, deciduous, large shrub. It produces white to lavender flowers in fall. Traditional use: This plant is prized for its ability to restore balance to the female hormonal system. Throughout Europe, where herbal medicine has more of an unbroken tradition than the United States, Vitex is the number one herb to help relieve symptoms of female hormonal imbalances, such as depression, cramps, mood swings, water retention, weight gain and other PMS symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle. Vitex extracts have been prescribed for uterine fibroid cysts and to help ease the symptoms of menopause. It is hardy to Zone 6.
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Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)
Annual, growing to 12 inches with finely textured fernlike leaves and clusters of tiny white edible flowers in flat umbels. Self-seeds. Prefers partial shade and can be grown in a hanging basket in a shady cool spot. Burns in hot summer sun. This annual herb is experiencing a return to popularity. It's culinary experience is enhanced by it's diuretic and blood purifying properties. Other names: Beaked parsley, garden chervil, French parsley. Self seeding annual.
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Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
This biennial is native to England and Ireland. It is a stemmy, upright plant with a height of 2-5' and a width of 2 1/2'. The flowers are azure blue, 1-1/2" wide and close at mid-day. Blooms from July to September. Root is used as a coffee substitute. The young plant has an activity much like that of dandelion. Another bitter herb stimulating to the liver. Other names: Wild succory, wild chicory, coffee weed, blue sailors, blue dandelion, Italian dandelion, wild endive. Hardy to zone 3.
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Chinaberry Tree (Melia Azedarach)
A very lovely tree. Native to China and India. Bark was used as an emetic and to expel worms. The very hard nuts are used for making rosaries. Fragrant lilac flowers with purple centers in loose clusters in early summer. Grows 30 to 50 feet tall. This tree is closely related to the famous Neem tree. It has insecticidal properties. Zones 5-9.
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Chinese Coptis (Coptis chinensis)
Huang-lian, Chinese Gold-thread. This rare herb native to the cooler areas of China can be found as a groundcover along streams and in moist woodlands. Coptis prefers a thick forest mulch, acidic soil conditions nd an overstory of conifers and other evergreens. It is also extensively cultivated in the Szechwan province of China for use in traditional Chinese formulas. The bright yellow stringy roots are highly valued for their strong berberine content. Coptis is a heavy duty anti-microbial herb with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for treating gastrointestinal problems, gall bladder inflammation, abdominal cramping, and to control excessive bleeding. In addition, the roots have been used in preparations to relieve high fevers, sore throats, used externally for cankersores, pinkeye, swollen gums, and skin eruptions. Modern research has shown that the high berberine content in the roots has an antibiotic effect on patients with lung infections, vaginal infections and skin infections, along with enhancing bile production and showing a strong anti-fungal effect both internally and externally. In Traditional Chinese, Medicine Coptis is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs and is commonly found in herbal formulas. The glossy fern like foliage requires at least partial shade to full shade in hot summer areas and plenty of moisture and mulch to thrive. Chinese Coptis is at present being over harvested in its native habitat. World wide propagation of this excellent and rare botanical treasure is an exciting and worthwhile endeavor. Hardy to zone 5.
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Chinese Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa)
A medicinal species from China. The dried capsules are used to treat fevers, ringworm, scabies, ulcers, abscesses, tumors and hemorrhoids. They are also antibiotic. They have the same yellow flowers that appear before the leaves in early spring, as in other common forsythia varieties. Hardy to zone 5.
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Chinese Magnolia (Magnolia biondii)
Xin Yi Hua [flowers] Hou Po [Bark] Chinese Willow, Leaf Magnolia. This unusual medium sized magnolia originally from China can reach 40 feet in ideal conditions with an upright form. The pinkish-purple lemon scented flowers bloom before the attractive shiny foliage appears. The spring buds resemble giant pussy willows and the bark is gray. The aromatic bark known as Hou Po is used in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti–inflammatory, for digestive disorders, as a stimulant, and to promote sweating. The flower or preflower bud known as Xin Yi Hua is commonly used to unblock the nasal passages and alleviate the associated loss of smell, sinus headache and other common cold and sinus symptoms. In addition, it has also been used topically for toothaches. Prefers a well drained location with ample moisture. Hardy to zone 8.
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Chinese Pink (Dianthus superbus)
Qu Mai. Beautiful cottage garden flower with highly fragrant, rosy/purplish fringed petals .The plants form a thick mat of narrow blue green leaves and send up flower stalks 1 to 2 feet high. Important Chinese medicinal that acts as a diuretic, in addition to being anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic. Chinese Pink also stimulates peristalsis and lowers blood pressure. The entire plant is used medicinally. Showy addition to the herb garden. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
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Chinese Polygala (Polygala tenuifolia)
Yuan-zhi, Chinese Senega. This herb, which is native to China, Korea and Mongolia, is harvested for it's medicinal root. Commonly used in Chinese remedies for respiratory complaints. It is also known for its hypnotic and tranquilizing effects and has been used to treat epilepsy, depression, anxiety, mood swings and heart palpitations. It has also been used to help people with addictions to quit smoking, drinking or drug use and has shown in recent studies to have potential in treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease. An important Chinese medicinal to cultivate here in North America. Prefers a moist location and partial shade in hot summer areas. Perennial. Hardy to zone 6.50
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Chinese Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes kirilowii)
This perennial vine, native to southern China and Vietnam, regrows each year in early summer. The plant contains the anti-AIDS constituent trichosanthine. The kernel in the gourd is used as an expectorant. It is also used for treating skin conditions such as shingles. Hardy to zone 7.
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