Healing shrubs and therapeutic trees: twig talk with Sandi Ford.

For many people, a medicinal herb garden conjures up the image of sage, rosemary, lavender, and chamomile growing outside the kitchen door with bundles of lovely herbs hanging to dry in the pantry. But medicinals include not just perennial herbs and flowers, but trees and shrubs as well.

Many people feel they won't reap the benefits of planting a medicinal tree or shrub for many years, but this is not necessarily true. These days two and three year old plants can be purchased at reasonable prices. These trees are already fruiting or else large enough to yield at least small amounts of leaves, flowers, twigs, and bark. Here are a few favorites to consider.

Hawthorne (Cratageus spp.) is a mid-size tree valued for its unique growth pattern, its thorns which provide safe nesting habitat for birds, and its flowers, leaves and fruits, all of which nourish and strengthen the heart and circulator, system It will flower and fruit better in full sun, but will also grow in partial shade.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is one of the few plant medicines that can still be found in any local drug store. Witch Hazel loves water and partial shade, so planting it near a stream, run off, or in a low lying area works well. However, it will also thrive in a drier spot with partial shade. Its distinctive flowers appear in late Fall to early Winter. The young leaves and new growth can be harvested for cosmetic uses, first aid, and their astringent properties.

Then there's good old Sassafrass (Sassafrass alidbum), another native tree used for hundreds of years by Native Americans and Appalachian folk as a blood cleanser and for making root beer. It can be planted in full sun to part shade.

There are a number of medicinal shrubs to consider as well, and these can vary, greatly in size and habitat. Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium), one of the larger native shrubs (some consider it a small tree, reaching anywhere from six to thirty feet) grows well in partial shade or sun. Like most Viburnums, it has pretty white clusters of flowers m Spring.

A close relative of Black Haw from Europe is Crampbark (Viburnum opulus). Crampbark can grow to ten to twelve feet, but it lends itself to pruning and shaping more than Black Haw. Thus, it can be kept as a smaller shrub if desired. With profuse early spring flowers reminiscent of hydrangea followed by red berries in the fall. Though not completely interchangeable, both Black Haw and Crampbark can be used for relieving menstrual and digestive cramping.

A favorite of traditional healers all over Europe and North America is Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). A medium to large shrub, Elderberry prefers damp areas and part to full sun. Lacey umbrellas of creamy white flowers appear in early summer and turn into clusters of deep purple-black berries by late summer or early fall. The flowers are traditionally used for stimulating immunity and helping to lower a fever while the berries can be made in to a syrup for warding off colds and flus.

Another native shrub underutilized in landscaping is Oregon Grape (Mahonia spp.), commonly known as Grape Holly. Beautiful yellow drooping flowers in spring to early summer turn to gorgeous clusters of hazy, bluish purple "grapes" later in the season. Preferring part to full shade, it makes an excellent addition to a shade garden. Its roots are bright yellow due to the medicinal compound berberine, also found in Goldenseal. This bitter constituent stimulates the liver and digestive system. Oregon Grape root is also a highly prized for skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis.

Whether for food, medicine, native plant preservation, or beauty, there are as many reasons to plant a medicinal landscape as there are individuals. It's important to remember that all gardens are medicinal: contact with the earth and plants, and creating and basking in beauty, are in themselves healing.

Elderberry Syrup
preventative tonic and immune booster

2 ounces by weight of elderberries (or herb mix *)
1 quart water
1 cup honey (sugar or maple syrup will work)
6 Tbs. brandy (optional)

Place berries (and herbs if added) in water and bring to a boil. As
soon as it boils, lower heat to a simmer for half an hour. Strain
and return liquid to pan, simmering down to one pint (or half the
original amount). Turn off heat and stir in sweetener until fully
dissolved. Brandy can be added as a preservative, but if syrup will
be served to children, reduce or omit the brandy.

Store your syrup in the refrigerator. When making larger amounts,
keep a 1/2-1 pint jar in the refrigerator and freeze the rest.

* Herbs that combine nicely with elderberry include fresh ginger,
rosehips, hibiscus, and cardamom, but it is delicious on its own, too!

Medicinal shrubs and trees to consider:

Redroot (Ceanothus americana), Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis), Rosa rugosa (Rosa rugosa), Native Hydrangea (Hydrangea arboresens), Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginica), Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum americanum), Gingko (Gingko biloba), Birch (Betula spp.), Willow (Salix spp.)

Sandi Ford, Clinical Herbalist and owner of Gardens for Beauty, Food, and Medicine, designs and installs medicinal landscapes, has a clinical practice, and teaches in the Asheville and surrounding areas. She can be reached at 828-299-1479 or [e-mail].