Save Endangered Herbs in Your Own Backyard
By Rebecca Snow, UVM student
Medicinal plants have been utilized by humans across the globe as a
primary source of medicine for thousands of years. With the
resurging popularity of traditional healing practices, herbal medicine
has been accelerating in the 1970s; our green healers (medicinal
plants) have both thrived and suffered. Every day, more and more
people are learning about the countless applications plant species
have for supporting human health and wellbeing. Unfortunately,
as people learn about these beneficial attributes, many rare
botanicals have been harvested to the point of endangerment, a
phenomenon that has potentially radical ecological implications.
As the negative consequences of unsustainable harvest are
recognized, it is imperative to move forward and focus on how the
gardening community can collectively strive to replenish these
declining populations of vital medicinal plants, by incorporating
them in home or market gardens. According to the American
Herbal Products Association (AHPA), nearly 50% of Americans
use medicinal herbs, resulting in over-harvesting of plant material.
This ecosystem depletion is intimately tied to the lack of education
in many lay-people (non-certified or untrained herbalists), resulting
in the removal of the most genetically strong and physically vital
plants. People harvest these plants, perhaps not out of malice or
ill-intention, but with the assumption that the smaller, developing
individuals would simply fill the voids. However, when the
biggest and healthiest individuals are removed, genetic diversity is
also removed. Subsequently, this has caused a decline in the
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strength and vigor of wild populations. If threatened species can be
incorporated into garden space, amongst herbs, flowers and
vegetables, and others in the appropriate wild habitat on private
land, the increasing number of endangered and ‘at-risk’ plants will
decline, and wild populations will resurge, providing future
generations with the opportunity to sustainably interact with these
plant healers.
Two wonderful things about incorporating medicinal herbs into the
landscape are their aesthetic benefits and ecological suitability for
beneficial insects. Many medicinal species such as black cohosh
(Cimicifuga racemosa), can be propagated easily by root cutting or direct
seeding, with plantings at 2ft. spacing. In just a few years, the plant
will produce shoots from the prolific rhizomes, large compound
leaves, and numerous tiny white flowers. This plant is a wonderful
addition to any garden, and much appreciated by pollinating insects.
Black cohosh is thought to provide relief from joint & muscle pain,
as well as increased hormonal balance and stability in older women.
Another plant with great medicinal qualities is the slippery elm, or
‘red’ elm (Ulmus rubra), whose inner bark is used as a soothing
demulcent for sore throats & gastrointestinal upset. This plant is
classified as endangered because its efficacy and global popularity has
resulted in over-harvesting. The unparalleled role trees play in the
natural world is remarkable. The far-reaching roots of this plant will
harness nutrients deep within the soil, prevent erosion, help
conserve soil water and nutrients and provide habitat for many
creatures.
NOFA Notes Summer 2006
By introducing medicinal species into one’s garden, farm, or “At Risk” Plants
woodlot, diversification is amplified in the growth habits, cycles, andAmerican Ginseng - Panax quinquefolius
productivity of preexisting species, which works to create a more Black Cohosh - Actaea racemosa (Cimicifuga)
vital, attractive, and resilient landscape. The growing herbal market Bloodroot - Sanguinaria canadensis
provides yet another benefit of planting medicinal species. As many Blue Cohosh - Caulophyllum thalictroides
of the most popular plants are now at risk and cannot be removed Echinacea - Echinacea spp.
from the wild, the demand for organically and sustainably grown Eyebright - Euphrasia spp.
plant material is high. Depending on the specifications of one’s False Unicorn Root - Chamaelirium luteum
landscape, the potential for increasing the amount of threatened Goldenseal - Hydrastis canadensis
plant stock incorporated into a setup can provide enough plant Lady’s Slipper Orchid - Cypripedium spp.
material to replenish wild populations and generate an additional
Lomatium - Lomatium dissectum
source of income.
Osha - Ligusticum porteri, L. spp.
However, it would be unjust to approach medicinal plants purely for Peyote - Lophophora williamsii
their economic benefit to humans, as these amazing species offer so Slippery Elm - Ulmus rubra
much more to the natural world than mere human-health remedies. Sundew - Drosera spp.
We can enjoy the countless ways these plants help us in the healing Trillium, Beth Root -Trillium spp.
of our own bodies and those of our friends, family, and community True Unicorn - Aletris farinosa
members with great appreciation and sustainable production. Plant Venus’ Fly Trap - Dionaea muscipula
medicines have innumerable applications in supporting human and Virginina Snakeroot - Aristolochia serpentaria
animal health and wellbeing- from relieving muscle ailments, to Wild Yam - Dioscorea villosa, D. spp.
immune and bronchial system support, to homemade anti-
dandruff shampoos and bug-repellants.
Resources:
If one is curious about acquiring planting stock in order to integrate Horizon Herbs, LLC, Williams, OR: www.horizonherbs.com
medicinal plants into the landscape, several organizations can help. Elixir Farm, specializing in Chinese and Indigenous medicinal
As the beneficial properties of herbs have been recognized for plants: www.elixirfarm.com
thousands of years, committed herbalists and plant healers have Richters Herb Specialists, Ontario, Canada: www.richters.com
been on the forefront of preserving this invaluable resource. Over a
decade ago, a group of herbalists who shared a concern for the
extermination of medicinal herbs that are disappearing from
their native habitats came together to unify their efforts. United
Plant Savers (UpS), a non-profit organization in Barre, VT,
focuses on the preservation & conservation of medicinal
species, by developing programs to maintain and increase native
species and their habitat, and promoting sustainable and organic
production as a means of supplying the market with high
quality medicinal herbs.
Since its inception, UpS has provided thousands of goldenseal
(Hydrastis Canadensis) rootstock to sustainable growers. A variety
of other roots and seeds are available, at a very low cost to
growers interested in interacting with the plant healing
community, by devoting their time and land to the stewardship
and resurrection of these amazing plant healers. Additionally, at
the bottom of this article is a list of “at risk” species, due to the
threat of over harvesting, habitat destruction, and poor logging
and agricultural practices. Many small seed companies offer
stock through their mail order catalogs.
Incorporating threatened medicinal plants into the home or
market garden, and thereby replenishing wild populations is
essential. Our communities can collectively save these vital
medicinal plant species from irreversible extinction, as we enjoy
the beauty and productivity of our enhanced landscapes, and
potential economic opportunities. The alarming rate at which
medicinal plants are disappearing from the wild is a clear sign
that humans need to change the way the natural world is
viewed. Education is the most effective method for promoting
harmonious interactions with the natural world. Please inform
others about the risks associated with removing plant material
from its native habitat, and encourage your neighbors to join
your efforts in the planting of threatened species.
Page 9 NOFA Notes Summer 2006