Verdant Apothecary
Materia Medica

Plant Profiles & Health Benefits

A working reference of medicinal plants — their traditional uses, energetics, and the conditions they have served for generations.

Agrimony

Agrimonia eupatoria

Parts used · Aerial parts (leaves, flowers)

  • ✦Astringent that tones and tightens tissues — useful for diarrhea and loose bowels.
  • ✦Traditionally used to soothe sore throats and bleeding gums as a gargle.
  • ✦Supports liver and gallbladder function; a gentle bitter for sluggish digestion.
  • ✦Eases urinary tract irritation and mild incontinence.
  • ✦Folk remedy for emotional 'holding patterns' and unexpressed tension.

Aloe Vera

Aloe barbadensis

Parts used · Inner leaf gel; latex (use with caution)

  • ✦Topical gel cools and heals burns, sunburn, and minor wounds.
  • ✦Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial; speeds skin regeneration.
  • ✦Internally (food-grade gel) soothes acid reflux, ulcers, and irritated gut lining.
  • ✦Mild laxative effect from the latex — short-term use only.
  • ✦Rich in polysaccharides that support immune modulation.

Anise Hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

Parts used · Leaves and flowers

  • ✦Aromatic carminative — relieves gas, bloating, and indigestion.
  • ✦Gentle expectorant for coughs, colds, and bronchial congestion.
  • ✦Diaphoretic action helps break low-grade fevers through gentle sweating.
  • ✦Calming nervine; lifts the mood and eases mild anxiety.
  • ✦Tea is a delicious licorice-mint flavor children often enjoy.

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

Parts used · Root

  • ✦Premier adaptogen — helps the body resist and recover from chronic stress.
  • ✦Restores depleted nervous systems; supports deep, restful sleep.
  • ✦Modulates cortisol and supports healthy thyroid and adrenal function.
  • ✦Builds strength, stamina, and lean tissue (a classic Ayurvedic rasayana).
  • ✦Improves focus, memory, and cognitive resilience under stress.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Parts used · Root, leaves

  • ✦Traditional Indigenous remedy for colds, flu, and immune support — similar in action to echinacea.
  • ✦Root infusion used as a wash for snakebites, sores, and skin irritations.
  • ✦Diuretic properties support kidney and urinary tract health.
  • ✦Mildly stimulates lymphatic drainage.
  • ✦Tea was used historically to expel worms.

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Parts used · Aerial parts

  • ✦Renowned for breaking deep, achy fevers — especially the 'bone-deep' aches of flu.
  • ✦Strong diaphoretic; promotes sweating to support the body's fever response.
  • ✦Stimulates the immune system at the onset of acute viral illness.
  • ✦Bitter tonic that supports liver function.
  • ✦Traditionally taken as a hot tea — best for short-term acute use only.

Borage

Borago officinalis

Parts used · Leaves, flowers, seed oil

  • ✦'Borage for courage' — uplifts the spirit, eases grief and sadness.
  • ✦Cooling and demulcent; soothes dry, irritated respiratory tissues.
  • ✦Adrenal restorative; supports recovery from burnout and stress.
  • ✦Seed oil is rich in GLA — supports skin, hormones, and inflammation.
  • ✦Mild diuretic and diaphoretic action.

Bottle Gourd

Lagenaria siceraria

Parts used · Fruit (cooked)

  • ✦Cooling and hydrating — excellent in hot weather and for dry constitutions.
  • ✦Supports liver detoxification in Ayurvedic tradition.
  • ✦High water and fiber content aids digestion and gentle weight management.
  • ✦Traditionally used to support healthy blood pressure and blood sugar.
  • ✦Soothes urinary irritation and supports kidney function.
  • ✦⚠ Always taste a small piece raw — bitter gourds contain toxic cucurbitacins; discard if bitter.

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea

Parts used · Leaves

  • ✦Raw juice is a classic remedy for stomach ulcers and gastritis.
  • ✦Wilted leaves applied as a poultice ease mastitis, joint pain, and bruises.
  • ✦High in sulforaphane and indoles — supports liver detox and cellular health.
  • ✦Fermented (sauerkraut) feeds beneficial gut bacteria.
  • ✦Anti-inflammatory; rich in vitamin C, K, and fiber.

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

Parts used · Flowers

  • ✦One of the finest vulneraries — heals cuts, scrapes, rashes, and slow-healing wounds.
  • ✦Antimicrobial and lymphatic; supports tissue repair and reduces swelling.
  • ✦Internally, soothes inflamed gut tissue, ulcers, and gastritis.
  • ✦Gentle enough for babies (diaper rash) and sensitive skin.
  • ✦A staple in salves, oils, baths, and washes.

California Poppy

Eschscholzia californica

Parts used · Aerial parts and root

  • ✦Gentle, non-addictive sedative — eases anxiety and racing thoughts.
  • ✦Promotes restful sleep without morning grogginess; safe for children in small doses.
  • ✦Mild analgesic; helpful for tension headaches and nerve pain.
  • ✦Calms an overstimulated nervous system.
  • ✦Unlike opium poppy, contains no narcotic alkaloids.

Carolina Geranium

Geranium carolinianum

Parts used · Root and leaves

  • ✦Powerful astringent — root used for diarrhea, dysentery, and internal bleeding.
  • ✦Mouthwash for canker sores, bleeding gums, and sore throats.
  • ✦Topical wash for hemorrhoids, weeping wounds, and skin irritation.
  • ✦High in tannins — tones and tightens lax mucous membranes.
  • ✦Traditional Indigenous remedy across the southeastern US.

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

Parts used · Flowers

  • ✦Calms the nervous system — eases anxiety, irritability, and tension.
  • ✦Soothes digestive upset: cramps, gas, indigestion, and colic in babies.
  • ✦Anti-inflammatory; helpful for ulcers and mild IBS.
  • ✦Promotes restful sleep without sedation.
  • ✦Topically (tea or compress) eases skin irritation, conjunctivitis, and minor wounds.

Chickweed

Stellaria media

Parts used · Fresh aerial parts

  • ✦Cooling, moistening, and nutritive — rich in vitamins and minerals.
  • ✦Topical poultice draws heat from rashes, bites, boils, and itchy skin.
  • ✦Internally supports lymphatic movement and gentle weight loss.
  • ✦Soothes hot, dry coughs and irritated mucous membranes.
  • ✦Edible spring green — wonderful in salads and pestos.

Chicory

Cichorium intybus

Parts used · Root, leaves, flowers

  • ✦Roasted root is a classic coffee substitute that supports the liver.
  • ✦Bitter that stimulates digestion, bile flow, and appetite.
  • ✦Inulin-rich root feeds beneficial gut bacteria (a powerful prebiotic).
  • ✦Supports healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
  • ✦Mild diuretic and laxative; eases constipation.

Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

Parts used · Leaves, flowers

  • ✦Mild antimicrobial action — supports immune defense like its allium cousins.
  • ✦Rich in vitamins A, C, K, and folate.
  • ✦Supports cardiovascular health by aiding healthy blood pressure.
  • ✦Stimulates appetite and gentle digestion.
  • ✦Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds support overall wellness.

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

Parts used · Leaves and root (topical use only)

  • ✦'Knit-bone' — speeds healing of sprains, broken bones, and torn ligaments.
  • ✦Allantoin promotes rapid cell regeneration in wounds and bruises.
  • ✦Soothes inflamed joints, muscle strains, and arthritic pain.
  • ✦Powerful vulnerary in salves, poultices, and compresses.
  • ✦⚠ For external use only — pyrrolizidine alkaloids can damage the liver if taken internally.

Common Flax

Linum usitatissimum

Parts used · Seeds and seed oil

  • ✦Rich in soluble fiber — soothes constipation and feeds the gut.
  • ✦Mucilage coats and calms an irritated digestive tract.
  • ✦High in lignans and omega-3 ALA; supports heart and hormone health.
  • ✦Ground seeds support healthy cholesterol levels.
  • ✦Poultice of crushed seed eases boils, abscesses, and inflamed skin.

Couch Grass

Elymus repens (Agropyron repens)

Parts used · Rhizome (root)

  • ✦Gentle, soothing diuretic for urinary tract infections and irritation.
  • ✦Helps dissolve and pass kidney gravel and small stones.
  • ✦Demulcent action coats and calms inflamed urinary membranes.
  • ✦Supports prostate health and eases enlarged prostate symptoms.
  • ✦Safe for long-term use — a true tonic for the urinary system.

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Parts used · Root, leaf, flower

  • ✦Root is a premier liver tonic — supports detoxification and bile flow.
  • ✦Leaf is a powerful potassium-sparing diuretic — relieves water retention safely.
  • ✦Bitter taste primes digestion and supports nutrient absorption.
  • ✦Supports healthy blood sugar and cholesterol metabolism.
  • ✦Whole plant is rich in vitamins A, C, K, calcium, and iron.

Dill

Anethum graveolens

Parts used · Seeds and leaves

  • ✦Classic carminative — eases gas, bloating, hiccups, and colic.
  • ✦'Gripe water' for fussy babies traditionally made with dill seed.
  • ✦Mild galactagogue; supports healthy milk supply in nursing parents.
  • ✦Calming to the nervous system; supports restful sleep.
  • ✦Antimicrobial action gently supports oral and gut health.

Elecampane

Inula helenium

Parts used · Root (fresh or dried rhizome)

  • ✦Identification: a tall, stately perennial with large, rough, oval leaves and bright yellow sunflower-like blooms up to 4 inches across. The root is thick, branching, and aromatic with a warm, camphor-like scent.
  • ✦Premier respiratory tonic — one of the best expectorants for deep, congested coughs, chronic bronchitis, and unproductive mucus in the lungs.
  • ✦Stimulates digestion and appetite as a warming bitter; useful for sluggish digestion, gas, bloating, and poor assimilation.
  • ✦Antimicrobial and antiparasitic — traditionally used for respiratory infections, tuberculosis convalescence, and intestinal worms.
  • ✦Supports the lungs in asthma and emphysema by relaxing bronchial spasms and promoting clearer breathing.
  • ✦Soothes irritated mucous membranes in the throat, sinuses, and digestive tract with demulcent and expectorant action.
  • ✦Immune support: helps the body fight bacterial and fungal infections, especially when mucus is thick and stagnant.
  • ✦For the mind: clearing the lungs often brings mental clarity and lightness — Elecampane is said to lift the 'fog' of congestion and low energy.
  • ✦Topically, the root decoction has been used as a wash for skin eruptions, itching, and minor wounds.
  • ✦Harvesting: dig the large fleshy roots in autumn of the second or third year after flowering has finished. Wash, slice, and dry thoroughly — the dried root retains a strong aromatic scent.
  • ✦⚠ Avoid during pregnancy and with known allergy to the Asteraceae (daisy) family. Large doses may cause nausea or vomiting.

Echinacea

Echinacea angustifolia / E. purpurea (Purple Coneflower)

Parts used · Root, seeds, leaves, flowers

  • ✦Identification: E. purpurea is the easiest to grow — broad, toothed leaves and large purple-pink drooping ray flowers around a prominent spiky orange-brown cone. E. angustifolia is narrower, with hairy stems, thinner leaves, and pale purple rays that often droop or curl back.
  • ✦Premier immune stimulant — activates macrophages, T-cells, neutrophils, and natural killer cells at the first sign of cold or flu.
  • ✦Cold & flu: shortens the duration and severity of upper respiratory infections, sore throats, sinus congestion, and fever when taken at the very first tickle or chill.
  • ✦Respiratory diseases: supports bronchitis, lingering coughs, and chest congestion by promoting expectoration and calming inflamed airways.
  • ✦Allergies: helps modulate the immune response to seasonal pollen, dust, and molds; often combined with nettle and goldenrod for hay-fever support.
  • ✦Urinary tract infections: antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action soothes urinary irritation, supports the body's defense against UTIs, and pairs well with uva-ursi or couch grass.
  • ✦Antiviral and antibacterial properties help the body resist a broad range of seasonal pathogens.
  • ✦Supports lymphatic drainage and reduces swollen glands, especially in the throat and neck.
  • ✦Wound healer and antimicrobial; used traditionally for boils, abscesses, burns, and slow-healing sores.
  • ✦Anti-inflammatory action soothes sore gums, gingivitis, urinary tract irritation, and skin eruptions.
  • ✦For the mind: builds resilience and steadiness — Echinacea helps the body meet seasonal stress with confidence, easing the anxious, 'run-down' feeling that often precedes illness.
  • ✦For the body: deep immune tonification without overstimulation; strengthens the body's natural defense rhythm when used in pulses at the onset of infection, then rested.
  • ✦Supports healthy mucous membranes in the sinuses, lungs, and digestive tract — a frontline defense barrier.
  • ✦Traditionally used as a blood purifier and alterative to support chronic skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
  • ✦E. purpurea (purple coneflower) is favored for aerial parts and flowers with a gentler, broader action; E. angustifolia root is prized for stronger, more sustained immune support.
  • ✦Helps the body recover faster after illness, travel, or prolonged stress by restoring immune vitality.
  • ✦Harvesting: gather aerial parts (leaves and flowers) of E. purpurea just as flowers begin to open, cutting above the lowest leaves. For E. angustifolia root, wait until plants are at least 3–4 years old, dig in autumn after flowering has finished, scrub clean, and dry. Seeds can be collected from the dried cone once it turns dark and hard.

Evening Primrose

Oenothera biennis

Parts used · Seeds (oil), leaves, flowers, roots

  • ✦Identification: a biennial wildflower with a basal rosette of lance-shaped leaves the first year and a tall, reddish flowering stalk the second. Bright yellow, four-petaled flowers open at dusk and fade by morning, giving way to elongated seed pods.
  • ✦Edible food and forage: young leaves add a mild, peppery note to salads or cooked greens; taproots of first-year plants can be boiled or roasted like parsnip; flowers brighten salads and syrups; seeds are pressed for nutrient-dense oil.
  • ✦Seed oil is one of the best concentrated sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid the body uses to make anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.
  • ✦Supports hormonal balance and eases PMS symptoms such as breast pain, bloating, mood swings, and irritability.
  • ✦Traditional ally for menopausal comfort — may reduce hot flashes and night sweats when used consistently.
  • ✦Soothes chronic inflammatory skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, acne, and dermatitis from the inside out.
  • ✦Eases nerve-related pain and tingling, including diabetic neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis discomfort.
  • ✦Supports cardiovascular health by helping maintain healthy cholesterol levels and blood vessel tone.
  • ✦Calming to an overstimulated nervous system; traditional use as a gentle sedative for restlessness and tension.
  • ✦Used in late pregnancy under professional guidance to encourage cervical ripening and prepare the body for labor.
  • ✦For the mind: hormonal steadiness and reduced physical discomfort often bring emotional resilience, patience, and clearer sleep.
  • ✦For the body: nourishes skin, hormones, nerves, and membranes — a whole-system tonic for anyone prone to dryness, heat, or inflammation.
  • ✦Harvesting: gather leaves and flowers in summer; collect seed pods in late summer or autumn when they turn brown and begin to split. First-year roots are best dug in late autumn or early spring before the flower stalk rises.
  • ✦⚠ Avoid in pregnancy except under qualified supervision; may interact with blood thinners, seizure medications, or psychiatric drugs. Consult a practitioner before therapeutic dosing.

Sea Moss (Irish Moss)

Chondrus crispus / Genus Eucheuma

Parts used · Whole dried thallus (seaweed)

  • ✦Mineral-dense — naturally provides iodine, potassium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and iron to support thyroid and overall vitality.
  • ✦Rich in mucilage (carrageenan) that soothes sore throats, dry coughs, and irritated bronchial passages.
  • ✦Demulcent action coats and calms the digestive tract; supports gut lining repair and gentle, regular elimination.
  • ✦Prebiotic fibers feed beneficial gut bacteria, supporting microbiome balance.
  • ✦Traditional tonic for convalescence, low energy, and post-illness recovery.
  • ✦Topically (gel) hydrates skin, calms eczema and psoriasis, and supports collagen-rich complexion.
  • ✦Supports healthy mucous membranes throughout the respiratory and reproductive systems.
  • ✦⚠ High in iodine — use moderately if you have thyroid conditions; source from clean, tested waters to avoid heavy metals.

Yellow / Curly Dock

Rumex crispus

Parts used · Root and leaves

  • ✦Iron-rich root traditionally used to support anemia and blood building.
  • ✦Gentle laxative and liver stimulant — moves a sluggish bowel.
  • ✦Supports lymphatic drainage and skin clearing (eczema, acne).
  • ✦Cooling and slightly astringent; helpful for hot, itchy skin conditions.
  • ✦Fresh leaf rubbed on stinging nettle stings brings rapid relief.

For educational purposes. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified herbalist or medical practitioner before using herbs medicinally.