Cleavers: Spring’s Sticky Gift to the Lymphatic System

If you have walked through a hedge in spring and found yourself covered in small sticky green things, you have had an intimate encounter with Galium aparine. Cleavers, goosegrass, sticky willy: it has more country names than almost any plant in the British tradition,...

Elderflower: From Spring Blossom to Medicine Cabinet

The elder tree (Sambucus nigra) is almost entirely useful from root to berry tip. Most people know the berry from winter immune supplements, but fewer know the flower, which has its own distinct and valuable medicinal character. The flower and the berry come from the...

Violet: The Humble Plant with Deep Roots

Violets (Viola odorata and related species) grow quietly at the edges of things: the corner of the garden, the base of the hedge, the shaded part of the lawn. They are small enough to be overlooked and distinctive enough to be recognized by everyone. Almost nobody...

Getting Your Medicinal Garden Ready: April Tasks

April is the pivot month for the medicinal herb garden. Everything that was dormant is waking up, the ground is becoming workable in most temperate climates, and the decisions you make in the next few weeks will determine the abundance and quality of your harvest...

Companion Planting for the Medicinal Herb Garden

Companion planting is the practice of designing plant combinations that benefit each other in various ways: deterring pests, attracting beneficial insects, improving soil health, or supporting growth through physical means. In the medicinal herb garden, the...