Caprifoliaceae/Honeysuckle family

Common Valerian – Valeriana Officinalis: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Valium of the 19th Century

Leave a Comment
Common Valerian – Valeriana Officinalis

Common valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a rare garden escape around Haliburton, Ontario. The pictures here are of plants I grew and harvested for medicinal root tea. Valerian is one of my primary go-to herbal medicines. If I am having an anxious time, especially acutely, this is the medicinal tea I brew. Doctors used to recommend … [Read more…]

Honeysuckles – Lonicera SPP.: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Nectar of Wild Plants

Leave a Comment
Honeysuckles - Lonicera SPP.

Honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.) are sometimes poisonous, sometimes edible and sometimes medicinal. But always a favorite of nectar seekers like the ruby-throated hummingbird along with all-stars like scarlet bee balm and cardinal flower. Some human folks seek the nectar too. The most abundant native honeysuckle here is American/Canadian Fly (Lonicera canadensis), which likes openings in deciduous … [Read more…]