Medicinal Plant School

11/04/2023

Enjoying watching my Siberian ginseng plant going to seed. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosis) is commonly known as Eleuthero and often used medicinally for its adaptogenic properties. It is an easy grower which tolerates pretty much any soil type and is quite unfussy and pest resistant. The flowers (which smell exactly like the dried root) attract many wasps and pollinators. I have become interested in finding perennial medicinals that are hardy to New England but not often grown here. I was excited to find out Eleuthero is hardy to zone 3 which means it can be grown even in the coldest and most northerly parts of New England.

09/26/2022

Praying mantis hanging out on some Oregano waiting for a meal. Oregano, like all culinary herbs, has many medicinal properties. It is a powerful anti-fungal and anti-microbial. Oregano may also be of use in supporting digestive health.

09/25/2022

No Basil? No problem! Learn to make pesto from various wild herbs and greens.

Herbal Pesto is a mixture of greens or herbs, nuts, hard cheese, oil and (often) garlic all ground together into a somewhat uniform spreadable consistency. Pesto has been one of my favorite condiments ever since the first time I ate it when I was 11 and thought I had stumbled upon the food of the go...

09/24/2022

It's fall and Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) is in full bloom. Many folks think that they are allergic to Goldenrod but Goldenrod is actually an insect pollinated rather than a wind pollinated plant. Ragweed, which is wind pollinated, blooms inconspicuously at the same time as Goldenrod and is usually the real culprit. Goldenrod in tea or tincture form can be useful for soothing the itchy eyes and upper respiratory discomforts that often accompany allergies. It is also a fantastic kidney tonic and a valuable plant for pollinators.