Medicinal Herbs

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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:...

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...

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...

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...

Native to the mountains of southern California, this woody perennial with greenish-grey leaves is used by Native Americans for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. Has large flowers, averaging 3/4" long, white,...

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 Chinese Milk Vetch. A legume with a reclining, spreading growth habit. (Astragalus membranaceus) Medicinal: The 4th or 5th year root is a traditional Chinese herb, Huang Qi,...

A woody-stemmed herb with balsam scented leaves and clusters of yellow, lemon-scented flowers. (Hypericum perforatum) Medicinal: Harvest flowers shortly after the plant comes into bloom. Olive oil extracts of the...

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...

Tall, ornamental, velvety leaved plant with large, soft pink flowers clustered in the leaf axils. A plant of many uses, the seeds, flowers, and young leaves of marshmallow make a...

Originally native to northern Europe, angelica is now used and cultivated in medicinal gardens world-wide. The plant consists of a basal clump of tall, hollow stems giving rise to large,...

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...

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...

Use this mint for teas or for amusing your cat. Note that only about two out of three cats are amused: the remainder do not have the dominant gene for...

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...