My Medicinal Garden Part 2: More Medicinal Plants

This is a continuing list of my medicinal garden plants, part 2.

Catnip: Nepeta cataria    zones 3-8
Lamiaceae family, Medicinal/Beverage/Aromatic
Medicinal uses: To settle the stomach, sedative and since it powerfully stimulates sweating, fever reducing. It’s pleasant taste and gentle action make it suitable for colds, flu and fever, especially when mixed with elderflower and honey. It is an antiflatulent ( gets rid of gas) and settles indigestion and colic. A tincture makes it a good friction rub for rheumatic and arthritic joints and as an ointment, treats hemorrhoids.

Chamomile: Double Plants       zones 5-8
Chamaemelum nobile ‘Flora Plena’ ,
Medicinal/Beverage/ Aromatic
Medicinal uses: Digestive problems, such as pain, indigestion, acidity, gas, gastritis, bloating, colic, and irritable bowel syndrome.  It contains spiroether, which is a strong antispasmotic, which eases tense muscles and menstrual pain. Helps with sleep and is useful for hay fever and asthma. Externally: relieves itchy skin, eczema and sore nipples. Use EO (essential oil) for diaper rash, mix 5 drops EO with 20ml of carrier oil ( olive oil or other). Herbal tea made with the flowers, fresh or dried is very relaxing and calming for nervous conditions and insomnia.

Chamomile, Roman   zones 5-8
Asteraceae family ( daisy)  Medicinal/Beverage/Aromatic
Medicinal uses: same as above

Chives, Profusion (registered)  zones 5-8
Allium schoenoprasum ‘ sterile’
Alliaceae family (onion)     Culinary/Medicinal
Medicinal uses: Beneficial effect on the digestive system and the blood circulation. It improves the appetite, is digestive, hypotensive ( lowers blood pressure) and tonic. A good source of sulphur, folic acid, Vit c, potassium and iron. The juice of the plant may be used as an insect repellent and is good for companion planting. Mild diuretic effect and some antibacterial properties. Harvest frequently to prevent blooming, once in bloom chives have less flavor.

Chives, Garlic (flat leaved variety from Japan)  zones 3-9
Allium tuberosum
Same effects as above profusion chives.

Bloody Dock ( Bloody Sorrel)  zones 4-10
Rumex sanguineus
Polygonaceae family (Knotweed)      Culinary/Medicinal
Medicinal uses: Young leaves are used like spinach, fresh in salads or blanched in boiling water. High in iron. Externally used to treat skin cuts, swelling, rashes, boils. burns, bleeding, hemorrhoids, wounds, insect bites. Antiseptic and astringent.

Fo-Ti ( Black haired Mr He/ He Shoo Wu)  zones 7b-9
Polygonum mutiflrum
Polygonaceae family (Knotweed)   Medicinal
Medicinal uses: High cholesterol, blurred vision, dizziness with tinnitus, insomnia, knee pain, fortifies muscles, tendons, and bones, numbness of limbs, premature graying and aging, tonic for the elderly, weak connective tissue. Hypoglycemic, sedative, analgestic, astringent. Use the ROOT. Contains theobromine and theophylline. Dosage 50-100ml of 1:2 fluid extract. Caution for liver toxicity, only use occasionally.

This information is for entertainment purposes only and is not for use as medical advice. Always research all medicinal plants before use. This information is based on my own personal research and are from my plant labels in my garden. I will be continuing this series, so check back daily for more information.

Thanks.
Nurse Amy