ANDROGRAPHIS  Andrographis paniculata   

Annual              Uses: medicinal   (Kalmegh) In Scandinavia this is now the main herb used to fight the common cold, flu, and upper respiratory infections. Clinical trials have shown that this herb really works and many believe that it is better than echinacea. Like echinacea, it works by boosting the immune system, helping the body to battle infections and to prevent them from reoccurring in the future. But it does more: it has adaptogen like properties, it has anticancer activity, it is a bitter tonic, and it is an antioxidant that has been shown to protect the liver. In China and India the plant is commonly used to treat a wide range of infections such as gastrointestinal complaints, hepatitis, herpes, and throat infections. In short this is one amazing medicinal herb! Easy to grow annual and easy to use.

http://www.altcancer.com/andcan.htm

BLACK COHOSH Cimicifuga racemosa

Perennial            Uses: medicinal   North American woodland plant reputed to be effective against rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, and uterine cramps. Has estrogenic, hypoglycemic, sedative, and anti-flammatory properties.

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Cimicifuga+racemosa

BUTTERBUR Petasites hybridus 

Perennial            Uses: medicinal   Clinical studies show that it significantly reduces the risk of migraine attack and relieves asthma and chronic bronchitis. Traditionally used since the Middle Ages for whooping cough and as a mucus-reducing cough remedy. Prefers wet locations. Purple-rose flowers in spring. Ht. 1m/3ft.

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Petasites+hybridus

http://botanical.com/products/learn/butterbur.html

http://www.henriettesherbal.com/php/get.php?id=7406

CAMPHOR SOUTHERNWOOD Artemisia camphorate

Perennial            Uses: household medicinal, culinary Camphor scented form with a more compact growth habit, ideal for low hedges. Ht. 60cm (2 ft).

CNIDIUM Cnidium monnieri       

Annual              Uses: medicinal   (She Chuang) Chinese stimulant and aphrodisiac used to treat impotency. Also used as a vaginal wash against trichomoniasis, and to treat scabies and fungal diseases.

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Cnidium+monnieri

Corydalis,  Ferny Corydalis cheilanthifolia

Perennial            Uses: medicical This evergreen perennial has fern-like bronze-tinted leaves and forms rosettes. Its flowers are deep yellow. Clumping perennial with foliage resembling that of maiden hair fern or bleeding heart. Spur-shaped flowers are yellow and hang in dainty clusters. As with bleeding hearts and maiden hair ferns, this plant loves moist, rich, humus-filled soil and protected spaces. Useful in pain disorders. Also shown to have antibacterial and anti malarial activity

http://www.botany.wisc.edu/garden/db/speciesdetail.asp?genus=Corydalis&species=cheilanthifolia

http://www.answers.com/topic/corydalis

http://www.library.uow.edu.au/adt-NWU/uploads/approved/adt-NWU20050308.121024/public/02Whole.pdf

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Corydalis+cava

http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/kings/dicentra-cana.html

EPHEDRA Ephedra nevadensis

Tender Perennial            Uses: medicinal (Mormon Tea) Unusual native of the southwestern U.S. desert regions. Foliage resembles that of the horsetail plant. Makes a pleasant refreshing beverage tea, an excellent substitute for coffee or tea. Contains traces of ephedrine, a nerve stimulant resembling adrenaline. Has tonic effects, improves kidney action, and relieves asthma. Prefers dry, alkaline soil.

FO-TI Polygonum multiflorum

Perennial            Uses: medicinal    (He-shou-wu) Legendary Oriental "Elixir of Life" said to possess fantastic rejuvenating properties. Some believe fo-ti was used by a certain Professor Li Chung Yun who lived to the ripe old age of 256! So the story goes, early in life Li developed the penchant for taking a daily concoction containing the "elixir of life." He is said to have outlived 23 wives, and left behind 11 generations of descendents when he died in 1933. Virility- and longevity-promoting prowess aside, fo-ti is one of the most widely used tonic herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Roots are used to restore blood, liver and kidneys, and is prescribed for conditions as varied as vertigo, insomnia, lumbago, and constipation. Recent evidence shows it to be effective against high blood pressure and hardening of the veins and arteries. Climber.

MEADOWSWEET Filipendula ulmaria

Perennial            Uses: medicinal   Attractive European wildflower with sweet almond-scented, yellow-white or reddish flowers. Contains salicylic acid, chemically similar to ASA. Useful for flu, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, fever, etc. Once added to herbal beers and wine.

http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/meadow28.html

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Filipendula+ulmaria

PYRETHRUM Tanacetum  cinerariifolium

Perennial            Uses: insecticide   (Chrysanthemum) Source of one of the safest of all insecticides. White daisy flowers contain pyrethrins which act directly on the nervous systems of aphids, mites, leafhoppers, cabbageworms and other insects. Will not harm fish, waterfowl, plants or mammals. To make pyrethrum spray, mix 1 tblsp freshly ground dried flowers with 2 qt. (2 litres) hot water. Add a little soap and let stand.  This is a high potency strain grown for the world pyrethrum market. Certified

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Tanacetum+cinerariifolium

ROSEROOT Rhodiola rosea (Sedum rosea) 

Perennial            Uses: medicinal (Golden root) Fascinating "new" medicinal herb first studied by the Russians decades ago. Roseroot is only the second North American herb after ginseng to be recognized as an 'adaptogen', a herb with the ability to restore the body and mind after physical and mental exertion and stress. Its rose-scented roots contain unique compounds that are thought to account for the adaptogenic properties. Russian research also shows that the roots improve learning and memory, and act as a tonic. In folkloric medicine, the leaves were used like aloe to treat cuts and burns, and the Eskimos used a decoction of the flowers for stomachache and intestinal discomfort, and for tuberculosis. The colour of the flowers is indistinct, with greenish yellow, reddish and purplish tones competing for attention. Roseroot must be one of the hardiest medicinal plants known: it survives Arctic areas thoroughout the north without difficulty. Perennial growing to 5-40cm/2-16in high.

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Rhodiola+rosea

SENEGA, CHINESE Polygala tenuifolia

Perennial            Uses: medicinal   (Yuan zhi, Siberian milkwort) Like the North American senega, roots are excellent for coughs, particularly when there is excess phlegm, and for bronchitis and asthma. In Chinese medicine, it calms the spirit and opens the flow of chi in the heart, which in western terms may be related to its sedative and tranquilizing properties. Used for anxiety, insomnia, palpitations, poor memory, and depression, especially in cases of excessive brooding and pent-up emotions. Very hardy. Needs full or partial sun in a well-drained location. Much easier to grow than the North American species. Ht. 25cm/10in.

http://permaculture.info/cgi-bin/eden?plant=5034

http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/usdisp/polygala-sene.html

SCULLCAP Scutellaria baicalensis 

Perennial            Uses: medicinial   (Baikal scullcap; Huang qin)  'Oriental Blue' One of Chinese medicine’s most important herbs is now all dressed up for the flower garden! English breeders managed to coax the hardy perennial to throw up bigger purple-blue flowers and more of them. The result is a beautiful new ornamental herb for sunny borders or mass plantings. Ht. 40cm/15”.

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Scutellaria+baicalensis

ST. JOHNSWORT, ELIXIR Hypericum perforatum

'Medizinal' Noted for its calming effect; valuable for nervous disorders such as insomnia, depression and bedwetting. The oil has remarkable soothing and healing action when rubbed into painful joints and strained muscles. Bright yellow flowers. Active constituent is hypericin. Hypericin has known antiviral properties and is under investigation as a possible treatment against HIV. Cultivar with higher active constituents, hypericin and related compounds.

VANILLA GRASS Anthoxanthum odoratum

Perennial            Uses: medicinal   (Sweet vernal grass) European grass with a sweet vanilla aroma, similar to woodruff. Pollen causes hay fever, but interestingly, a tincture of its flowers in wine is said to give immediate relief from hay fever. Clump-forming grass, 12", non-invasive. Incense plant.

SHA YUAN Astragalus chinensis

Perennial            Uses: medicinal   (Chinese milkvetch) Differs from Astragalus membranaceus in that the seeds are medicinal, not the roots. Seeds tonify the liver and kidney, helping to restore poor vision caused by deficient functioning of those organs. Relieves yang deficient symptoms such as lower back pain, tinnitis, spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation and urinary problems. Chinese sources indicate that A. chinensis is very similar to A. membranaceus, with minor differences. A. chinensis has 6-10 flowers in each of raceme while A. membranaceus has 10-22 flowers. A. membranaceus flowers have a wing and keel with a long claw-like structure, but there is no mention if this is the same in A. chinensis. The seeds of the two species are very similar.