Garden Healing

GARDEN HEALING — By Lisa M. Belisle, M.D., M.P.H. (Farmers' Almanac 2009, pp. 80-83)

[Lede, over photo] Mimi's garden is a magical place. My daughter has spent many an autumn afternoon there, blissfully arranging flowers and pressing cider under the watchful eye of our family friend. Twelve-year-old Abby is learning what people have known for centuries, gardening is good for the soul. What she may not realize is that exercising one's green thumb may be equally advantageous for the body.

Plants have been a part of healing traditions for millennia. The Sumerians first noted the medicinal use of thyme and caraway more than five thousand years ago.

Many cultures continue to rely on nature's bountiful botanicals. Herbal apothecaries are an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and India's Ayurvedic system. Use of herbs, sometimes called phytotherapy, is also popular in Europe; more than 65% of Germans partake of this practice.

Modern biomedicine has benefited greatly from the practice of herbalism. According to one source, more than 120 mainstream medicines have plant origins. These include aspirin (from willow bark, or Salix purpurea) and cancer-fighting tamoxifen (from Pacific yew, or Taxus brevifolia).

Plant potency can have its pitfalls. Many medicinal herbs have side effects. Ongoing use of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), for example, can cause sensitivity to the sun. Some plants interact with other substances, or are potentially toxic. Garlic and certain vitamin K-rich greens can exaggerate the effects of blood-thinning prescriptions, while kava kava (Piper methysticum rhizome) has been linked to liver failure.

Understanding the health impact of plants can require years of education. In Germany, physicians receive specific training in phytotherapy, and undergo a test of their knowledge before prescribing herbs to patients. Many American states require TCM practitioners (also called acupuncturists) and Naturopathic Doctors (physicians with special training in herbs and supplements, also called N.D.s) to attend accredited schools and pass licensing exams.

It is possible to grow (and use) your own herbs safely without having an advanced degree, though there are some caveats. Longtime gardener Mary Webber (also known as Mimi) cautions, "People shouldn't try to dose themselves." Individuals who are taking medications, have known illnesses, or are pregnant should seek the counsel of a knowledgeable healthcare provider. It's also reasonable to: - Start slowly. Experiment with one healing plant at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed. - Do your research. Is the herb you are considering safe? Effective? Much of the information about garden herbs is anecdotal. More work has been done on concentrated herbs (those sold over the counter). For more information, visit www.naturalstandard.com. - Harvest the correct plant. Remember the Spanish proverb that cautions "More grows in the garden than the gardener knows she has sown." - Pick the right parts. Some remedies require roots; others, leaves. Know what you need. - Prepare the harvested plant correctly. Improper herb drying can yield a moldy, unusable mess. - Let your medical care provider know that herbs are a part of your wellness routine.

↗“More grows in the garden than the gardener knows she has sown.”

Healthy adults who wish to experiment with herbs can begin by doing their homework. Webber suggests investing in a reputable reference book, such as The Healing Herbs: the Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature's Medicines by Michael Castleman (Bantam Books, 1995). Many accomplished herbalists also offer hands-on sessions. Gail Faith Edwards, author of Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs (Ash Tree Publishing, 2000) holds regular classes at her mid-coast Maine farm.

Each of the herbs below has been labeled "Generally Recognized as Safe" by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or "Likely Safe" by the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, when taken in amounts commonly found in food. Some of these should not be used by children, while pregnant or nursing, or if taking certain medications. Visit www.naturaldatabase.com for more information.

Whether you add heart-easing blooms to your plate, or breath-easing parsley to your mouth, your body will benefit from the greening of your garden. As will your soul. Just ask Abby or Mimi. They can tell you that "More grows in the garden than the gardener knows she has sown."

READY TO GROW? Try one of the following herbal approaches: - HEADACHES: feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), grown or chewed two leaves daily (Asteraceae/Compositae family, can cause allergic reactions); peppermint oil applied to the forehead and temples for tension headaches. - INDIGESTION: caraway and coriander in cooking, or peppermint (Mentha piperita) tea after meals. - CONGESTION: rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) steeped in a steam bath or as an infusion. - STRESS: chamomile (Matricaria recutita) as tea or bathwater; sweet violet (Viola odorata), the 'hearts-ease,' in spring salads. - GAS: dill (Anethum graveolens) seeds steeped or chewed. - HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: garlic (Allium sativum), the 'stinking rose,' one clove daily. - HIGH CHOLESTEROL: oats/oatstraw (Avena sativa); two servings of oats daily. - RECOVERY FROM SURGERY OR ILLNESS: chickweed (Stellaria media), cooked, in salads, or as tea; used by biodynamic gardener Cordelia Lane of New Elm Farm in her 'Eartha's Herbals' skin salves. - SOUR BREATH: parsley (Petroselinum crispum); avoid wild parsley unless an experienced herbalist (poisonous look-alikes).

OTHER RESOURCES cited: Susun Weed, Wise Woman Herbal: Healing Wise (Ash Tree Publishing, 1989).