Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a member of the honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae) family. A perennial that an grow up to 55 feet (occasionally taller), bearing sweetly scented flowers that bloom in June through August. Distribution: Valerian is native to Europe and Southwest Asia. While it prefers moist soil, it is adaptable and can thrive in a variety of environments. Its area of growth has significantly expanded, and it is now naturalized in parts of…
Native to Eastern and Central North America. Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) is one of the most abundant trees in the Eastern US, that can grow to heights of 100 feet. Medicinal Parts and compounds: Unripe fruit hulls, as well as bark and leaves. The therapeutic compounds include juglones, tannins, antioxidants including polyphenols and flavonoids. Black Walnut trees are valued not only for their natural, ornamental beauty, but also as a desirable…
Gentian (Gentiana lutea) is a perennial plant that can grow one to two meters tall with trumpet-shaped blossoms ranging in colours that include yellow, mauve and white, and vibrant blue. The genus of gentian is named for the Illyrian King Gentius, who was said to have discovered the therapeutic tonic properties of the plant. Common names: Great yellow gentian, bitter root, bitterwort, gall weed. Distribution: Gentian is native to the Himalayan Mountain regions and the Alps. Today, it grows in grassy alpine regions throughout Europe, China and parts of North America. Therapeutic Compounds Gentian root has a characteristic bitter taste…
Echinacea is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family that thrive in wet to dry prairies and wooded areas. The name “Echinacea” comes from the Greek word ἐχῖνος (ekhinos), meaning “hedgehog,” due to their spiny central disks. Native to: Northeastern China, Japan, and Korea Modern distribution: Echinacea is a popular garden flower,…
Codonopsis’ (Codonopsis pilosula) name is derived from the Greek words “Kodon” (meaning bell) and “Opsis” (meaning likeness), reflecting its bell-shaped green flowers with purple veins. There are over 40 species of the Campanulaceae family, and 21 are used therapeutically. Native to: Northeastern China, Japan, and Korea Common Names: dang shen, bonnet bellflower, and poor man’s ginseng –…
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) is a deciduous, woody climbing vine that grow along mid-level and tall canopy trees. Schisandra is unique, in that the berries possess five distinct flavor properties: bitter, sweet, sour, salty and hot. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is said that this complex flavour pertains to the five elements, meaning it has effects…
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a small fan palm tree that is the most common type of palm in the United States. It is named for the fine, sharp teeth or spines along each frond’s petiole (where the leaf joins the stem) that can easily break the skin. Native to: Southeastern United States and Mexico …
Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a deciduous member of the mint family and can grow up to 16 feet tall or be maintained as a shrub. It bears spikes of lavender coloured flowers that attract pollinators. While the fruit it bears are referred to as “berries”, they are drupes—bearing a single seed. Native to the Mediterranean…
Nettle (Urtica dioica) is named from the Latin word “uro” meaning “to burn”. Named such for the stinging effect the plant can have on those who handle them. Nettles have tiny, hollow hairlike spikes called trichomes that contain chemicals on their leaves and stem that can cause redness, swelling, and/or itching upon contact. Native to: Europe, northern…
Zingiber officinale. A flowering plant that is a member of the Zingiberaceae family, along with galangal and turmeric. It is said that the name ginger traces back to Sanskrit words for “horn” and “body” in reference to the shape of the root. Native to: Ginger is thought to have originated in tropical rainforests of Maritime…
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