Aunt Annie's List: Medicinal Herbs List

• Codonopsis (Dang shen)
  
  This vigorous climbing plant has unusual violet green bell shaped flowers. Will die down completely each winter and come back from the roots quite late in the spring. Harvest roots after 3 years. Traditional use: this is an important Chinese medicinal herb similar in action to ginseng. It's sweet tasting roots have been shown to boost red blood cells and hemoglobin counts. It has been used as a tonic for treating anemia, fatigue, poor appeite and diabetes. Sometimes called the Poor Mans Ginseng. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.

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• Comfrey, Russian (Symphytum x uplandicum)
  
  This excellent selection is a productive strain for home garden and medicinal use. It has the highest allantoin content. very productive of biomass for the homestead Bocking no.14.
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           Comfrey, True (Symphytum officinale)
  
  Comfrey has been used for centuries for healing wounds, ulcers and broken bones. Tea and poultices of leaves or roots are used. Comfrey contains allantoin, a hormone-like substance that stimulates cell division. This variety is the original medicinal comfrey which produces viable seed and high quality roots and leaves for medicine Hardy perennial to zone 3.
• Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus)
  
  Beautiful shrub for the herbal hedge. It has large white flowers in the spring and pretty red berries in fall. The bark contains valeric esters and the tea or tincture of the dried bark effectively alleviates menstrual cramps. The bark should be harvested from the yearly spring prunings. Hardy to zone 1.

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• Dong Quai (Angelica polymorpha sinensis)
  
  This is the most important herb in China for women. A bittersweet, aromatic herb that acts primarily as a tonic, especially for the female reproductive system and liver system. It is also a mild laxative, sedative and painkiller, with some antibacterial activity. Difficult to grow. Requires a moist fertile environment, but not too wet. A challenging plant for the ambitious herbal gardener. Rusty colored, feathery leaves. Hardy to zone 5.
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• Elecampane (Inula helenium 'Goliath')
  
  A giant plant with velvety pointed leaves and large yellow flowers. Traditionally used as a respiratory herb, the root is dug after a year or 2 in the fall. The root preparations have been used to quiet irritable bronchial coughs and also helpful for asthma, and tuberculosis. It has an overall anti-bacterial effect and will also stimulate digestion and tone the stomach. Very drought tolerant and satisfying to grow. Great at the back of a border. Hardy to zone 3.

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• False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
  
  Traditionally used as a purgative, emetic and anti-inflammatory. Nice blue violet flower spikes. This plant is also under study as a potential booster of the immune system. Perennial. Zone 3.
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           Fennel, Bronze (Foeniculum vulgare dulce 'Rubrum')
  
  Traditional use: The chopped leaves are excellent with fish. It has been used as an antiseptic, expectorant, and carminative (relieves gas). It has been shown to counter the effects of cramping laxatives. It's gentle enough for babies, specifically for colic. This plant gets quite large and is very ornamental. Self seeding biennial. Hardy to zone 5.
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           Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium)
  
  Traditional use: A medical survey in England indicates that 1-4 leaves of feverfew infused in a tea or eaten in a sandwich daily reduced the number and severity of migraine attacks in some people. In addition it has shown some pleasant side effects that include: a sense of well being, a lack of tension and relief from arthritis. Sweet garden plant that is easy to grow. Attracts beneficial insects and blooms most of the summer. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
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• Fringed Sage Brush (Artemesia frigida/estafiata)
  
  Native sagebrush forms an aromatic low growing shrub up to 20 inches tall with striking silvery green foliage. A hardy perennial. The seeds were eaten by the Great Basin Indians and the Hopi used the leaves to flavor corn. Also used medicinally for skin ailments and wound healing. Hardy to zone 4.

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• Winter Savory (Satureja hortensis)
  
  This sweet culinary delight is native to central Europe and the Mediterranean. Grows to 2 feet tall with a nice rounded form and shiny, aromatic, evergreen leaves. Makes a very nice rock garden plant or in a kitchen herb planter.The leaves add a distinctive peppery flavor to bean and meat dishes. Medicinally, Winter Savory has been used internally for colic, stomach upset, flatulence and nausea. Not for use during pregnancy. Used externally it has antiseptic qualities and is known to minimize the pain and itching from insect bites. Quite deer and drought resistant, but requires full sun and well drained soil. Winter Savory prefers a more marginal site rather than a rich garden soil. Hardy perennial. Hardy to zone 6.
• Wolfberry (Lycium chinense)
  
  Gou Gi Zi. Matrimony Vine. A medicinal food in China where the young leaves and shoots are cooked. The sweet berries are snacked on fresh or added to soups or made into a medicinal wine. The leaves, roots, and fruits are all highly valued in Chinese medicine. Wolfberry strengthens the skeletal system, improves liver function and strengthens eyesight. It has also been shown to increase white blood cell count and aids in tissue regeneration. Beautiful perennial shrub. Can reach 12 feet with purple blooms beginning in early summer, followed by scarlet berries in late Summer and Fall. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
• Woodruff, Sweet (Galium odoratum)
  
  Traditional use: As an ingredient in German punch it was considered helpful in the treatment of migraines, nervous conditions and stomach pains. Used during the Middle Ages to purify with its fragrance. These plants need a rich, moist shaded spot in the garden. Forms a dense mat with sweet little flowers. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
• Yomogi (Artemisia princeps)
  
  kui hao. Japanese mugwort. The Japanese make delicious rice dumplings called Yomogi mochi with this herb. Medicinally, the leaves are used for moxabustion in Japan and is also used to treat eczema, itchy skin, and excessive womb bleeding in China. This variety has pretty variegated foliage. Perennial prefers full to partial sun. Hardy to zone 5.  
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           Zi Cao (Lithospermum erythrorhizon)
  
  Tzu Ts’ao’. Chinese Gromwell. A native to northern China and Japan. This is a very green, vigorous plant with many small white flowers giving way to the stone hard nutlets. The root contains a purple dye. In Chinese Medicine, the root is employed as an ointment for the treatment of eczema, boils, and burns. Internal use of this plant is not recommended. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4. 

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• Tibetan Gentian (Gentiana tibetica)
  
  Qin Jiao, Yellow Gentian. Another rare specimen from the Himalayas of Tibet and Western China. This hardy perennial has an attractive rosette of fleshy, slightly variegated leaves. The unusual tubular flowers, bluish or light greenish white in color, form at the top of a bare stem reaching 2 feet or so in full bloom. 
  
   The Tibetan Gentian has been used historically in Chinese medicine as well as Tibetan and Ayurvedic formulas. Gentian is a bitter herb commonly taken as a tea from the dried leaves to improve digestive and liver function. In TCM, it has been utilized in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and as a nervine in small doses.  
  
   This extremely hardy and rare Gentian is easier than other types to grow in a garden setting. It prefers partial shade in very hot summer areas and enjoys a moist soil . Perennial. Zone 4.
• Tuberous Comfrey (Symphytum tuberosum)
  
  The leaves and roots are significantly lower in Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in this variety of comfrey while the allantoin content is relatively high, making some herbalists prefer this one. The flowers are a cream color reaching 18 to 24 inches high. Hardy to zone 4.
• Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
  
  This plant is widely used to allay pain, nervous unrest, migraines and insomnia. It has an excellent sedative and anti-spasmodic action. It can have the opposite reaction in certain individuals and long term use can cause day time grogginess. The root is famous for its pungent odor, usually dug in the fall of the second year. The plant is quite majestic in the herb garden with a large mound of attractive feathery foliage sending up tall flower stalks with medium sized off-white/pinkish umbels with a sweet smell and are loved by bees and beneficial insects. Valerian truly appreciates a garden setting with ample moisture and fertility. Prefers partial shade in hot areas. Pernnial. Hardy to zone 4.
• Vanilla Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)
  
  Sweet Vernal grass. European grass with a sweet vanilla aroma similar to Woodruff. A tincture of its flowers in wine is said to give immediate relief from hay fever. Perennial. Hardy to zone 3.

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•     Skullcap, Baical (Scutellaria baicalensis)
  
  Huang qin. Chinese medicinal prescription for fevers, colds, hypertension, insomnia, headaches, hepatitis, diphtheria, shingles and other ailments. Many of it's uses are now supported by clinical studies. Used in China for thousands of years. Stunning deep blue flowers on a small shrub-like plant.This is a fantastic plant for the herbal landscape. Striking as a mass planting or hedge. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4.

• Sage, Dwarf (Salvia officinalis)
  
  This is a dwarf version of the standard variety. Great for borders, as it doesn't get very large. Has the same medicinal and culinary properties great for container gardens. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
• age, Extracta (Salvia officinalis)
  
  This selection of regular garden sage is higher in essential oil content making it more desirable for medicinal use. Sage has been used as both a mouthwash and a gargle to treat mouth and throat infections. It is a strong astringent, anti- bacterial and anti-fungal. Modern research now reflects the ancient world's association of sage with women's health and fertility. It has been used to treat digestive problems and diarrhea and is a great help in drying up milk during weaning. Chinese women use sage hair rinse to avoid having their hair turn gray and it is a great seasoning for poultry and soups in the kitchen. This variety is very pretty with velvety leaves and showy purple flowers. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
• Sage, Whorled/Lilac Sage (Salvia verticillata)
  
  Little known sage with attractive heart shaped leaves flowering at 1 to 2 feet with vibrant purple/blue flowers. Makes a pleasant tea for all respiratory conditions. Very attractive plants that deserves more attention. Medicinally used like Clary sage. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
• Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
  
  Wu Wei Zi. Magnolia Vine. An important Chinese medicinal that is astringent and demulcent. It's berries are used to treat nervous conditions, chronic coughs, asthma, thirst, frequent urination, and diarrhea. Has adaptogenic, aphrodisiac, and immune-enhancing properties. Best to plant 2 or more to assure ample fruit production. Hardy, deciduous climbing vine, the fragrant pink or white flowers produce clusters of bright red fruits. Prefers a shady spot. Hardy to zone 5.
• Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)
  
  This thorny, deciduous, nitrogen fixing shrub is native to temperate Europe and Asia. The plant can thrive in maritime or inland climates and is tolerant of a wide range of soil types. Sea buckthorn has been receiving a lot of attention for its berries, which produce a nutritionally packed juice high in vitamin C, amino acids and loaded with anti-oxidants. The freshly pressed juice has been used as a tonic for exhaustion, as a cold remedy and has been touted as a cancer preventative in recent studies. Externally, the juice and the oil from the fruit are used in cosmetics, for various skin disorders and as a natural sun block. The medicinal oil from the fruit has been used for excema, for burns, for radiation injury and taken internally for intestinal problems. The plants are easy to grow and quite drought hardy once established. They can eventually reach 30 feet and make a great screen or hedge. Male and female plants are required for fruit production; 1 male for every 8 females. Ee are offering unsexed seedling plants, best to plant more than one. Hardy perennial to zone 4.
• kullcap pontica (Scutellaria pontica)
  
  Turkish Skullcap. This unique skullcap has a very low growing habit with rounded downy green leaves which form a 6 inch high mound and unusual reddish purple flowers blooming in thick profusions most of the summer. Great border plant, which prefers rocky full sun conditions. Aerial parts of the plant have been used traditionally as a nervine tea. Hardy perennial from NE Anatolia, Turkey. Hardy to zone 6.

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• Red Stem Wormwood (Artemesia scoparia)
  
  Yin-chen. This useful artemesia is found naturalized throughout North Africa, tropical Asia and most of Europe. It has been used extensively in Chinese Medicine to remove damp-heat, treat jaundice, hepatitis and gallbladder inflammation and is an effective anti-bacterial treatment for several strains of Staph and strep.The entire aerial parts of the plant are used.The greenish/silvery leaves are highly fragrant and are a lovely contrast with the richly colored stems. Requires full sun and a sandy or well drained soil. Biennial. Hardy to zone 3.
• Rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa)
  
  Sheng Di Huang. Chinese Foxglove. Virtually unknown in North America, this is one of the most important tonic herbs in Chinese medicine. The fresh or dried roots have been used for over 2,000 years. It has special importance as a remedy for “thirst disease”, associated with diabetes and for hemorrhages and excessive menstruation. Known to lower blood sugar, tone the heart sysytem while showing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Native to Northern China, this rare variety of foxglove flowers 1 foot high with deep red/purple trumpet shaped blooms. Low growing creeper. Hardy to zone 5.
• Rosemary, Hill Hardy (Rosemary officinalis cv. Hill Hardy)
  
  A compact plant with an upright growth habit. Hardy to minus 10 degrees. Zone 6.
• Sage, Azure Blue (salvia azurea grandiflora)
  
  This hardy sage has the bluest of blue flowers. The grayish/green foliage forms a small mound sending up dense flower spikes as tall as 5 feet. Native to the Central and Southwestern states, it has a strong camphorous smell to the leaves. The plant is drought hardy and tolerant of a variety of soil conditions. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
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           Sage, Berggarten (Salvia officinalis 'Berggarten')
  
  A lovely plant with pretty, round, gray/green silvery foliage and a robust low growth habit. It can be used like a garden sage. In the kitchen as a savory seasoning and as a medicinal tea for colds and flu. Very pretty selection. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
• Sage, Clary (Salvia sclarea)
  
  This sage is used extensively in perfumes as a fixative and fragrance. Clary is the scent of "Euphoria". The flowers and leaves used as a tea were said to improve eyesight and or clairvoyance, depending on how you interpret the folklore. Harvested in the evening or early morning hours for the highest essential oil content. Biennial. Large, green textured leaves and a showy stalk of purple/blue and white blooms that are incredibly beautiful when examined closely. Make this a treasured plant in the herb garden. Easy to grow and more tolerant of wet sites and heavy soil than most plants. Hardy to zone 4.

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• Pennyroyal Dwarf (Mentha pulegium "nana")
  
  A nice creeping variety that looks good between stepping stones. Has peppermint scented leaves that repel ants and fleas and used for delayed menstruation. Not for use during pregnancy. Likes part shade and plenty of moisture. Hardy to zone 6.

• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
  
  This herb is Known for its healing effect on the heart. It helps to calm the entire nervous system. Another great herbal ally for women at all stages of life. Can be very helpful for PMS, menopausal symptoms, postpartum stress and depression. Easy to grow. Plant that forms a large mound of pretty scalloped leaves sending up flower stalks to 5 feet with whitish/pink wooly flowers that bees adore. A motherwort plant should grow in every woman’s garden. Hardy perennial to zone 4.
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• Motherwort, Siberian (Leonurus sibiricus)
  
  An important plant in Chinese medicine. It has been used as an emmenagogue, diuretic and vasodilator. The entire plant is said to be useful for clearing the eyes, increasing vigor and stimulating circulation. Can be used interchangeably with regular Motherwort. This plant is even showier with finely scalloped leaves and pretty magenta/pink blossoms blooming on tall 5 foot stalks. Biennia.l Hardy to zone 4.
• Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
  
  Valued herb since ancient times. Chinese medicine highly values mugwort as the main ingredient in Moxa sticks used in moxabustion of acupuncture points. In Europe, it was used to flavor beer before the cultivation of hops. Long used as a nervine tea, it can also help to relax and dry the milk supply of a weaning Mother. Traditionally an important ingredient in dream pillow. A strong tea at bedtime is sure to bring on some wild dreams. Can get over 5 feet tall. Mugwort is a graceful plant which make sa great hedge or back border. Will naturalize easily if allowed to set seed. The tops can be cut and dried as the flowers open. Very hardy and drought tolerant. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4.
• NavajoTea Plains (Thelesperma filifolium)
  
  Greenthread, Dep’E Tewa (meaning Coyote Plant). This attractive plant with finely divided thread-like leaves and yellow coreopsis-like flowers. Native to the plains of the Central US. The leaves make a tasty tea, which has been used traditionally for mild urinary tract problems. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and beneficial insects. The plant is quite drought hardy once established. It prefers a sandy soil and full sun. Perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
• Oregon Grape (Mahonia nervosa)
  
  A perennial evergreen shrub. Native to the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Grape has a bitter and cold energy that serves as a gentle stimulant to the liver while it helps to shrink and dry the mucous membranes. It has been used to treat psoriasis, poor appetite, indigestion, oral herpes and bronchitis. Considered a potential analog for Goldenseal. It has a high berberine content in the roots, which are dug in fall or early spring. The berries make a great purple dye. Plant can grow to 6 feet with shiny green leaves. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.

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• Laserwort (Saposhnikoba divaricata)
  
  Fang feng. An important Chinese remedy for colds, fevers and sinus problems (especially those of a persistent wind, moist nature). The roots are analgesic, anti-spasmodic, fever-reducing, and antibacterial. It is also used to harmonize the spleen and liver system and to treat migraines and rheumatoid arthritis. A close relative to parsley. Its leaves are eaten as a potherb in China. Hardy to zone 5.
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           Lavender Czech (Lavandula angustifolia Krajova)
  
  A hardy lavender strain from my ancestors homeland. Stout mounded plants give a profuse fragrant early summer bloom. Hardy to zone 5. 

• Himalayan Valerian
  
  Valeriana jatamansii, Valeriana Wallichii, Indian Valerian. Herbaceous perennial from the mountains of the NW Himalaya of Nepal and India. This rare and endangered Valerian species has a unique musky aroma resembling a cross between European Valerian and Patchouli. The fragrance from the roots is identical to the fragrance of the true nard or Nardostachys jatamansi and is often used as a substitute in the production of Nard oil. Himalayan or Indian Valerian has been used traditionally for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine. It is commonly used for migraine symptoms, epilepsy, insanity, delirium, insomnia, skin diseases, obesity, scorpion stings, snake bites and as an essential oil in perfumery. The plant makes a sweet ground cover with heart shaped leaves and delicate pinkish white flowers which bloom starting in mid winter. It prefers a moist and shady location and will form a lush green patch with its spreading medicinal rhizomes. Like its cousin, Himalayan Spikenard, the Himalayan Valerian, is suffering from over-harvesting in Nepal and India. Very hardy and a sturdy, easy to grow plant. This very rare and a unique Valerian species is in need of preservation. Perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
• Horehound (Marribium vulgare)
  
  Well known as a cough remedy. Infusions are also useful for weak stomach, lack of appetite and persistent bronchitis. This herb was used to flavor the old fashioned horehound candies. Easy to grow with pretty lighter green foliage and stalks of pale blooms. Harvest flowering plant for tea tincture or cough syrup. Can multiply quickly if not controlled. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4.
• Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)
  
  A treasured medicinal food plant. The root is grated and preserved in vinegar as a spicy condiment. Traditionally used in Chinese, European and American food. It has a strong effect on the respiratory system, clearing the sinuses and increasing phlegm production. Prefers a fertile garden location; full sun or part shade. Multiplies readily and will create a large patch if left unchecked. Hardy perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
• Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
  
  Traditionally used for treatment of colds and coughs. Hyssop has effective anti-viral properties in addition to being diuretic and promoting a sweat. The plant is nice in mass plantings creating a mini hedge while the flowers range from deep blue to bright pink and bees love them. Easy to grow and very hardy to zone 3.

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• Gentian, Tibetan (Gentiana tibetica)
  
  Qin Jiao, Yellow Gentian. Another rare specimen from the Himalayas of Tibet and Western China. This hardy perennial has an attractive rosette of fleshy, slightly variegated leaves. The unusual tubular flowers, bluish or light greenish white in color, form at the top of a bare stem reaching 2 feet or so in full bloom. 
  
   The Tibetan Gentian has been used historically in Chinese medicine as well as Tibetan and Ayurvedic formulas. Gentian is a bitter herb commonly taken as a tea from the dried leaves to improve digestive and liver function. In TCM, it has been utilized in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and as a nervine in small doses.  
  
   This extremely hardy and rare Gentian is easier than other types to grow in a garden setting. It prefers partial shade in very hot summer areas and enjoys a moist soil . Perennial. Zone 4.
• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
  
  Traditionally used in combination with Echinacea for colds and flu. Goldenseal is a very bitter anti -microbial herb. It is strong medicine and should not be used long term but is excellent especially when used in combination with other herbs for digestive disorders, peptic ulcers, excess mucus, sinusitis, excessive menstruation, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Not to be given to pregnant women or patients with high blood pressure. Goldenseal is a woodland herbaceous perennial. Organic cultivation of this plant should be a high priority. It has been severely overharvested in its natural habitat. Likes a shady moist location preferably under a canopy of hardwood trees, but any shade will work. Hardy to zone 4.
• Himalayan Rhubarb (Rheum emodi or Rheum austral )
  
  Himalayan Rhubarb, Indian Rhubarb. Native to the Himalaya of India, Bhutan and Tibet. We are pleased to be able to offer this unique variety of medicinal rhubarb, which can be found at elevations from 8,000 to 13,000 feet. This species has huge leaves which measure up to 3 feet in width. The plant itself can reach heights of 9 feet, especially in fertile soil. Himalayan Rhubarb prefers a full sunny location and thrives in a moist, fertile soil.  
  
   Most rhubarbs can handle heavier clay soils better than many other herbs and makes a striking addition to the spring landscape. 
  
   The root of Himalayan Rhubarb is commonly sold as a remedy for stimulating the bowels and has a mild purgative action when used in small quantities and should be used with some caution as its effect can be uncomfortable in large doses. In Ayurvedic Medicine, it is often given to children and the elderly in combination with ginger root for stomach troubles of all kinds, including diarrhea from teething, pitta dysentery, jaundice and liver problems. It has astringent properties which tone the gut and helps remove waste while the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities help in healing an inflamed intestine. 
  
   A beautiful specimen for the Ayurvedic Herb garden. The large size and hardiness, along with the huge leaves make for quite a show as a garden centerpiece. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4.

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