Medicinal Herbs

This member of the Solanaceae (tomato family) is from India. While it is easy to grow, it does not do well in cool, wet conditions. (Withania somnifera) Medicinal: The roots...

Compared to cultivated yarrows, common yarrow is the hardiest and most medicinally active. Flowers are usually white with occasional pink flowers, borne in flat-topped clusters. Yarrow self-sows readily. For the...

An extra-hardy medicinal marshmallow that has a higher concentration of active muco-polysaccharides than common marshmallow. (Althea officinalis) Medicinal: See common marshmallow. Growing instructions: Perennial in zones 4-9. Stratification for 2...

Nettles are found in rich moist soil, especially along shaded stream banks. They are rich in vitamins A and C, iron, and trace minerals. The young shoots and leaves are...

Native wildflower grows as a rosette of very woolly, gray-green leaves the first year, producing a tall spike of bright yellow 3/4" flowers in the second year. First year plants...

Also called Virginian Skullcap or Mad-Dog Skullcap. The latter name refers to its historical use in treating rabies. Small purple-blue flowers are borne in slender one-sided racemes in the leaf...

Also known as Japanese Catnip. Wonderfully aromatic herb with highly dissected foliage and small, clustered lavender blooms borne in spikes above the foliage. Belongs to the same family as catnip...

Sacred tobacco (wild tobacco) is used ceremonially and medicinally by various tribes of Native Americans. This one is from the Midewiwan tribe. The dried leaves are used as an insecticide...

Also known as Toothache Plant. A spreading, highly ornamental plant with gold and red cone-shaped flowers borne above glossy green leaves. Easy-to-grow annual that can be brought indoors and grown...

Also known as Golden Root Skullcap and Chinese Skullcap. Small purple-blue flowers are borne on many simple racemes. Long, lanceolate leaves. (Scutellaria baicalensis) Medicinal: In traditional Chinese medicine the root...

A hardy and handsome biennial sage grown for its dense and well-branched spires of pale-blue flowers with pink-purple bracts. The aromatic flowers have a vanilla-balsam aroma and are used in...

The classic medicinal plantain with many healing properties. (Plantago major) Medicinal: A popular topical remedy for bug bites, stings, cuts, and bruises, the leaves can be chewed and applied immediately...

Large bushy plant with aromatic leaves with soft silvery undersides and small red-brown flowers. Unlike most other wormwoods that have no culinary uses, mugwort is used to season the stuffings...

Upright stems with pungent leaves shaped like a lion's tail. Used as a source of green dye for wool. (Leonurus cardiaca) Medicinal: Traditionally used for menstrual and uterine conditions as...

Also known as Pot Marigold. Yellow-orange, 3" flowers add a nice color to salads. Flowers also used as a food color, natural dye, and substitute for saffron. (Calendula officinalis) Medicinal:...

Small aromatic white flowers are borne in sprays on tall plants. Naturalizes easily. (Valeriana officinalis) Medicinal: Pharmacological studies have shown valerian root to be an effective tranquilizer and calmative. Growing...

Ornamental herb with lacy leaves topped with buttons of gold flowers that dry nicely in arrangements. Strong-scented foliage is used to repel flies. (Tanacetum vulgare) Growing instructions: Perennial in zones...

Though sage is best known as a flavoring for meats, dressings, and sauces, as a medicinal plant it has traditionally been used as a tonic for the nerve and digestive...

Beautiful orange/yellow flowers responsible for brilliant flashes of color along hillsides in California in the summertime. (Eschscholzia californica) Medicinal: California poppy is a calming sedative and mild antispasmodic gentle enough...

Plants resemble parsley. The aromatic leaves are used as a potherb and the root is used medicinally. (Saposhnikoba divaricata/Ledebouriella divaricata) Medicinal: Known in China as Fang Feng. Used to treat...