More Than Just a Pretty Landscape

Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Did you know that your garden is more than just a pretty picture? Plants are great multitaskers whose bark, berries, flowers, fruits, galls, gums, leaves, rhizomes, roots, seeds, stems, and wood have a myriad of uses.

This is thanks to the fact that all plants contain phytochemicals, which are part of the plant's immune system and help to protect them from viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These same phytochemicals help to protect human cells from environmental toxins and the body's own natural chemical processes.

Because of their antioxidant properties, phytochemicals are used in the manufacture of medicines, perfumes, disinfectants, sweeteners, solvents, soaps, cleansers, and many other products.

For example, chamomile and lavender teas are used to alleviate anxiety; blueberries and blackberries to make dyes; thyme and black oak to make disinfectants; aloe vera and witch hazel in skin care products; balsam fir and alliums in insect repellents.

For a list of more plant uses, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWHz0c-PyBCb5YmQesmeYDA - Click on Midweek with Dennis - Chemistry in the Garden: The Pharmacy in Your Plants.

The following are some common plants that may be in your garden that offer not only color and beauty to your landscape, but are beneficial in many ways.

Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata), a perennial native herb, was used by Native Americans to treat sore throats, toothaches, and other ailments. Now it's used as a dietary supplement to stimulate the immune system and to treat upper respiratory infections.

Smooth Purple Coneflower, Echinacea laevigata, leaves, flowers, roots, and seeds are used medicinally. - Steven Selberling, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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Paper White Narcissus have been used from the time of ancient Egypt to present days in the manufacture of perfumes. Narcissus tazetta, N. jonquil, and N. poeticus are the species most commonly used because of their intense fragrance. An essential oil is extracted from the freshly picked flowers and used in the perfumery-making process.

The Paper White Narcissus (Narcissus tazetta), provides an essential oil used to make perfumes. - Flowers, Franco Folini, CC-BY-SA 2.0

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Camellia (Camellia sinensis) leaves contain a stimulant that is used in making caffeinated teas. In early spring, they are harvested to make white, green, oolong, and black teas. Small young leaves and leaf buds are for making green tea, the older larger leaves for oolong and black teas, and the buds for white tea.

Camellia, Camellia sinensis, leaves are used to make assorted teas - Flower Detail, Doug McAfee, CC BY-NC 2.0

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American White Oak (Quercus alba) is used in the tanning process. Tannins are organic compounds found in the cell sap of the bark, wood, and leaves of the white oak. They have an acidic reaction with specific proteins in animal skins to create leather. The tannins in oak bark are also used for its astringent and antibacterial properties in medicines.

American White Oak, Quercus alba, contains tannin, which is also found in other oaks, hemlocks, and American sumac leaves. - Fruit and Leaves Detail, - Jim Robbins, CCBY-NC-ND 4.0

American White Oak, Quercus alba - The highest concentrations of tannins are found in its heartwood and sapwood. - Bark (Williamsburg,VA) Jim Robbins, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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Yucca, Spanish Bayonet (Yucca aloifolia) contains saponins in its roots, which canˇbe used to make soap and shampoo. Saponin is a natural plant toxin with antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. When mixed with water, it creates a soapy lather used as the basis for making soap and shampoo. It's found in yucca roots. The root is also an ingredient in medicines prescribed to treat upset stomachs, arthritis, and inflammation. The plant juice has been used as a varnish.

Yucca, Spanish Bayonet, Yucca aloifolia, roots can be used to make soap and shampoo. - Flowers, Gertjan van Noord, CC BY-ND 2.0

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So as you stroll around your garden admiring your plants, thank them for the many contributions that they make to our health and well-being.

For more information:
https://homegrown.extension.ncsu.edu/2021/12/18/growing-medicinal-plants-in-the-home-garden/