Herbs as Medicine: a Workshop in Learning About and Harvesting Medicinal Plants - Saturday, November 2, 1:00

It's probably no surprise to you that healing plants are a favorite hobby of mine. For the past 50 years, starting when my children were babies, I began learning about how different herbs can improve our health and cure some maladies. When I lived at our family farm, I had a huge medicinal herb garden and gave workshops in how to grow, harvest, prepare and use different ones. Now that I live at Prairie Hill, I'm fortunate enough to have a large "adopted plot" right at our entrance, and it's full of perennial medicinals. Now it's the time of year to harvest, especially the ones whose roots have the best healing properties. It's been a couple years since I've given a workshop in these life-benefiting plants, so it seems time to do it again. The next free Saturday here at Prairie Hill is two weeks from today, Nov. 2nd. I've reserved the common house living room for 1:00 then, and we'll gather there for a show and tell. I'll have examples of various healing herbs and we'll talk about how each can improve health as well as how to use each. Then we'll go down to my garden (called the Street Corner Garden here at Prairie Hill). You can decide which herbs sound like good ones for your medicine cabinet this winter, and everyone will harvest what they choose. I'll be available later to help you prepare them in the form that seems best for each herb.

 As you may know, using plants for healing is often much safer than using drugs, for they nurture the whole body in a softer way than the strong direct targeting that are more typical of drugs. And of course originally the medicine we use originally came from plants, until it was easier and more profitable to make artificial compounds using the plants for guidance. There's only one plant I grow that wouldn't be good for you to take internally: rue. But since it has good topical effects, I've decided not to discriminate against it. Just don't eat it!

Mostly people preserve healing plants by drying them for teas, tincturing them in alcohol to be strained after several weeks, or soaked in warm oil until ready to make a salve or lotion. We'll talk about these methods at the workshop. I know that many of you who read this blog live far away, but I think there are a good many folks who live relatively close by, and you are encouraged to participate. There's no charge, and it will do my heart good to share the bounty of these healing plants with you-all. I do wish it would rain before Nov. 2nd (we haven't had any significant rain in over two months here). But if it hasn't rained, I'll water the areas where we will be digging. Bring bags for carrying your harvests, blank labels for labeling them, and sturdy scissors. I think we have enough shovels here.

I'm pasting below a list of the plants growing here now that we can harvest on the 2nd, each with a short description of what people have been using them for (often for centuries). It would be helpful if I can get an approximate count of folks intending to come, so drop me a note at nanjfawcett@gmail.com if that's you. If you forget to do this but want to come anyway, that's fine! Hope to see you soon!

Nan

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Current Healing Herbs Growing in the Street Corner Garden (2024)

Anise Hyssop: Anise hyssop can help relieve congestion and chest pains, and can be used to treat bronchitis and respiratory infections. It also helps with gastrointestinal tract disorders. In addition, it is used to treat wounds and burns, and can help relieve itching from poison ivy. It has been used to reduce fevers by inducing sweating. Some Native American groups burned anise hyssop as incense to help with depression. 

Ashwaganda: Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal herb. It’s classified as an adaptogen, meaning that it can help your body manage stress. Ashwagandha also provides numerous other benefits for your body and brain. For example, it can boost brain function, lower blood sugar and cortisol levels, and help fight symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Astragulus: This root has many health benefits including immune-boosting, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. Astragalus is believed to prolong life and is used to treat a wide variety of ailments, such as fatigue, allergies and the common cold. It's also used against heart disease, diabetes and other conditions.

Black Cohosh: Today, black cohosh is most commonly used for menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats, vaginal dryness, heart palpitations, tinnitus, vertigo, sleep disturbances, nervousness, and irritability.

Borage:  used for skin disorders including eczema, itchy rash on the scalp, and a type of skin condition called neurodermatitis.

Burdock Root: It is known for improving blood sugar, treating and preventing infections, purifying the blood, diuretic, antioxidant, reducing inflammation, treating or preventing cancer.

Common Sage: Sage packs a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals, is loaded with antioxidants, and is thought to support oral health and relieve menopause symptoms; may reduce blood sugar levels; supports memory and brain health; may lower bad LDL cholesterol.

Dandelion root: Dandelion is an excellent source of potassium, a mineral and electrolyte that stimulates the heartbeat. Potassium may help the kidney filter toxins more effectively and improve blood flow. The polysaccharides in dandelion are known to reduce stress on the liver and support its ability to produce bile.

Echinacea: It is immune-boosting, and used as treatment for coughs and colds, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, gingivitis, influenza, canker sores, yeast infections, ear infections.

Elecampane: Elecampane is used for lung conditions including asthma, bronchitis, and as an expectorant to help loosen phlegm.

Goldenrod: Goldenrod has been used to treat tuberculosis, diabetes, enlargement of the liver, gout, hemorrhoids, internal bleeding, asthma, and arthritis. In folk medicine, it is used as a mouth rinse to treat inflammation of the mouth and throat.

Horehound: It’s a powerful expectorant, helping rid cough sufferers of nasty airway clogging and mucus. It also is good for digestion problems including side effects of diabetes, loss of appetite, indigestion, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and liver and gallbladder complaints.

Lemonbalm: It can help relieve stress, reduce anxiety, boost cognitive function, ease insomnia, treat cold sores, relieve indigestion and treat nausea.

Motherwort:  Motherwort nourishes the heart, and is used for heart conditions including irregular heartbeat, fast heartbeat, and heart symptoms. 

Mugwort: Mugwort may help stimulate digestion, reduce gas and bloating, and relieve indigestion. It’s traditionally used to regulate menstrual cycles, and may have antispasmodic properties that can ease menstrual cramps and promote regular flow. Mugwort is known for its calming and sedative effects. It may help improve sleep quality, reduce insomnia, and promote vivid dreams. It also has anti-inflammatory effects to relieve pain and swelling associated with conditions like arthritis and muscle aches. It contains antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. 

Peppermint: eases digestive upsets. relieves tension headaches and migraines, freshens breath, relieves clogged sinuses, improves energy, relieves menstrual cramps, fights bacterial infections, improves sleep.

Plantain: This plant is a miracle-healer! Its leaves can be used to treat small wounds, cuts, and second-degree burns, and also insect bites and stings. Internally they can soothe and heal the lungs by easing irritation and dryness, help improve digestion, lower inflammation, and relieve coughing. Plantain leaves can be used for gargles to treat mouth conditions like canker sores, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis as well as fending off bacteria that cause skin infections. Plantain leaves are also rich in antioxidants, which can help prevent cellular damage and delay early aging. 

Rosa rugosa: The berries of this bush have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat stomach aches, diarrhea, menstrual pain, and skin conditions. It's also been used to treat cardiovascular diseases and related risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and inflammation. They also have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-aging properties. 

Rue: Crushed rue leaves are placed in the ear canal to relieve ear aches and headaches. Externally, rue is applied as a skin antiseptic and insect repellant, as well as a poultice against rheumatic pain. This plant is poisonous to take internally for humans, so needs to be treated with care.

St. Johnswort: St. Johnswort – known by its scientific name Hypericum perforatum – is a medicinal herb with a history of use dating back to ancient Greece, where it was believed to have mystical properties. The name of the plant comes from the fact that it blooms around June 24th, the feast of Saint John the Baptist. The flowers and leaves of St. John’s wort contain active compounds – such as hypericin, hyperforin and quercetin – that have powerful health benefits. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and natural mood-boosting properties. 

Thyme: The plant is known to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects that may be useful in treating everything from intestinal infections to skin conditions.

Valerian: Valerian is a mild sedative and sleep aid that can help people fall asleep faster and sleep better. It's a popular alternative to prescription sleep aids because it's considered safe and gentle. It also reduces tension, anxiety, and stress. It can help with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause symptoms, migraine pain relief and ADHD management. 

Vervain:  Good for gum problems; menstrual cramps; depression, anxiety and mood swings; insomnia; respiratory problems, including colds, bronchitis and sore throats; elimination of toxins; headaches; kidney disorders; wounds and inflammation; digestive disorders.

Yarrow: Yarrow contains flavonoids that can increase saliva and stomach acid. It may also help with indigestion, heartburn, and menstrual cramps. It’s historically known for its ability to stop bleeding from cuts and wounds, and helps heal open sores and burns. It reduces inflammation, fights infection, and helps cure fevers and colds. Interestingly, in a controlled trial, it was found to reduce relapses in people with multiple sclerosis.