Medicinal Plants

Cleavers -- Galium aparine

Found at SU? YES
When? January - April; Winter to early Spring
Where? Cleavers can be found in the untamed, taller grass. It is a viney herb that appears after the winter when when the dry ground absorbs the water. It tends to grow in neglected parts of the yard, along fencerows, and in gardens. The plant is a light green vine with whorled leaves, like a bicycle wheel, with tiny white flowers. It is also sticky so it will attach to your clothes. It is a weed, but unlike others, it is pretty easily managed and has great qualities! On the Southwestern University campus plenty of cleavers can be found behind the observatory (near the softball field).

Use? Recipe here!
Cleavers can be used as a remedy for allergies by cooling and flushing the lymphatic system. The most popular method for this is to make tea. By use of a poultice, the herb can be used to treat burns, rashes, eczema, and skin inflammations. It is also a popular herb to treat urinary tract infections.

Yarrow -- Achillea millefolium

Found at SU? YES
When? January-April; Winter to Spring
Where? Found in open grasslands as well as covering the base of active forests. At Southwestern, it can be found covering untamed areas. Yarrow is plentiful and almost impossible to miss walking from the observatory to the graveyard. 
Use? 
Yarrow is an antiseptic, fighting bacteria, and has antispasmodic (suppresses muscle spasms) properties.  The herb contains salicylic acid, a compound similar to the active ingredient in aspirin, and a volatile oil with anti-inflammatory properties. These properties make is useful to relieve pain associated with gynecologic conditions, digestive disorders, and other conditions. Yarrow can also relieve symptoms of menstrual cycle and uterine disorders, such as cramps and endometriosis. Yarrow also has a drying effect and can be used as a decongestant. Sinus infections and coughs with heavy mucus production may be improved by yarrow, especially when mixed with equal parts of goldenseal.

Yarrow also makes your garden healthier. It works to repel some insect pests while attracting good predatory insects such as wasps and ladybugs.

Preparation: Most make a tea with either an ounce of dried ground leaves in a pint of boiled water, or dropping loose dried leaves into a pint of boiling water and letting it steep(soak) five minutes. For a more potent tea, allow it to steep ten to fifteen minutes. Some prefer to add ingredients such as goldenseal or a dash of cayenne pepper to enhance decongesting effects.

Ashe Juniper -- Juniperus ashei

Found at SU? YES
When? Berries can be harvested when ripe, and leaves can be harvested year-round.
Where? Juniperus ashei can be found throughout much of Central Texas. This tree often forms extensive low forests or dense cedar breaks on the limestone hills and slopes of the Hill Country and the Edwards Plateau. Sadly, it is considered an invasive weed over much of its range. This tree can be found over much of the Southwestern Universities campus. The most dominated region is the entire forest area near the softball field (near the observatory). 
Use? astringent, diuretic, bitter, carminative, expectorant, antimicrobial, emmenagogue.
*Juniper should not be used during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Topical use may result in redness and irritation of the skin. With prolonged use, Juniper can irritate the kidneys, and so should not be used in cases with active kidney inflammation. Short term overdose can result in gastrointestinal bleeding, increased pulse rate and decreased body temperature, while long-term overdose may result in personality changes, cystitis, kidney damage, and convulsions.
Preparation? 
Eaten Raw, the berries serve as a strong digestive stimulant and carminative. An infusion of the berries or leaves into tea is used for coughs, as an expectorant, and to kill bacteria in the lungs, kidneys, and urinary tract. The infused oil or essential oil used topically is an effect local stimulant for painful joins or rheumatoid arthritis. 

Gumweed -- Grindelia spp.

Found at SU? YES

When? August - October; Late Summer to early Fall

Where? Found in areas of untamed, longer grass. Areas on SU campus include edges of intramural field and forest down by the observatory and graveyard. 

Use? Grindelia is considered to posses strong anti-spasmodic as well as expectorant actions. Remedies made from grindelia herb are used to treat many skin problems including burns, treatment of poison ivy rash, dermatitis, eczema, and a variety of other skin eruptions. 

Preparation?

The herb can be used fresh ground into an herbal poultice for topical problems. The dried herb is also used for preparing herbal infusions, tincture and other remedies. The leaves and the flowering stems of the grindelia are the parts used in the preparation of the homeopathic remedy.

Oenethera speciosa -- Evening Primrose

Found at SU? YES

When? January-April; Winter to early Spring

Where? Often found in grassy fields. Especially in fields that have not been mowed or maintained. The more untamed the area, the more likely to see Evening Primrose. At SU, O. speciosa can be found in a number of places including the academic mall and any area with sufficient grass coverage. A place where they are often found is down near the observatory as this is the most untamed area on campus. The graveyard is also another place where there are found. 

Use? Evening primrose oil has benefits for skin rashes such as eczema, and may also be useful for rheumatoid arthritis. Although many have spoken of its ability to neutralize pain associated with the menstrual cycle, studies do not support this. 

Preparation: Evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds and usually put into capsules for use. 

Rosemary -- Rosemarinus officinalis

Found at SU? YES

When? Rosemary is an evergreen woody shrub that flowers only in the summer. 

Where? Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region. It grows in dry, sandy, or rocky soils. It can be found in front of Mundy hall at Southwestern University. 

Use? Rosemary is used as an antiseptic, astringent, and a food preservative. It is also used in lotions to help treat oily skin and compress treatment of bruises and sprains. It is a helpful muscle relaxant that helps improve circulation in the affected area. It also helps improve relaxation of muscles of the digestive tract and uterus (menstrual cramps). Some suggest that Rosemary has beneficial effects on the brain. Carnosic acid, one of the components found in Rosemary, can protect our brain from free radicals, thus helping as prevention against strokes and neurodegenerative diseases. Used in aromatherapy, Rosemary is said to improve concentration and memory. 

Preparation: Oil is extracted from the stem, flowers, and leaves of the Rosemary shrub. 

Chickweed -- Stellaria media

Found at SU? YES

When? January - April; Winter to early Spring

Where? Chickweed can be found in nearly any place of the world. It is native of all temperate and North arctic regions. At Southwestern, it can be found wherever the grass has been allowed to grow for a week or so. On the untamed edges of the intramural field as well as the observatory forest area, chickweed can be found. 

Use? The leaves of chickweed have been used as a poultice for inflammation and indolent ulcers. The water in which chickweed is boiled can also be used on the affected part.  

Preparation: The leaves of chickweed are usually broken down and put into an ointment. 

Taraxacum officinale -- Dandelion

Found at SU? YES

When? January-April; Winter to early Spring. 

Where? Dandelions can be found easily 

Use? Dandelions are effective as a general tonic that helps strengthen the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and intestines. It improves bile flow and reduces inflammation in cases of hepatitis and cirrhosis. Dandelions are also believed to dissipate gallsones and improve kidney functions, thereby improving overall health and clearing dkin problems. 

Externally, the white sap from the stems and roots can be applied directly to sores and bee stings to relieve pain. 

Preparation: Dandelion herbs and roots are available fresh or dried in a variety of forms, including tinctures, liquid extract, teas, tablets, and capsules. Dandelion can be found alone or combined with other dietary supplements. 

Sophora secundiflora -- Texas Mountain Laurel

Found at SU? YES

When? Year round. Flowers in February-March.

Where? Can be found on the Southwestern campus behind FJS, in front of Mundy, and in front of the Cullen building. 

Use? Crushed beans boiled in water, strained & liquid poured into ears to soothe aching. 

Glandularia bipinnatifida -- Purple prairie verbena

Found at SU? YES

When? March-October

Where? Normally found in areas of longer, untamed grass. Often seen on the side of roads. Much is found near the observatory and the graveyard. Also, on the edges of the intramural fields, much can be found along the fence line. 

Use? Used in lowering fevers, treating colds, obstructed menses, scrofula, gravel, and worms. Also used as a digestive stimulant and endocrine/thyroid tonic.

Preparation: The most effective way is to infuse fresh leaves and roots into a hot tea and drink it very slowly. 

Smilax rotundifolia -- Greenbrier

 

Found at SU? YES

When? Smilax rotundifolia is a deciduous climber that can be seen flowering in June. 

Where? Behind the observatory, where the grass is untamed, you can find a surplus of S. rotundifolia. It can also be found climbing the fences of the intramural field. 

Use? The stem prickles can be rubbed on the skin to relieve localized pain, muscle cramps, and twitching. A tea made from the leaves and stems can be used to treat rheumatism and stomach problems. The leaves can be used to create a poultice for burns and rashes. From the roots, a tea can be made that is said to help the expelling of afterbirth. Reports that the root contains the hormone testosterone have yet to be confirmed, however, they may contain steroid precursore.

Ligustrum japonicum -- Japanese Privet

Found at SU? YES

When? Leaves can be harvested year round, but the plant flowers from April-June. 

Where? Can be found in woods and thickets in lowland and hills. At Southwestern, the forest area behind the observatory is a spot where they can be found. They are also found behind the Kappa Alpha fraternity. 

Use? The fruit of the Japanese privet is said to be a nutrient tonic. Extracts from the plant show antibacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, and hypotensive activity. 

Medicinal Plants in Blue

A= Cleavers -- Galium aparine

B= Yarrow -- Achillea millefolium

C= Ashe Juniper -- Juniperus ashei

D= Gumweed -- Grindelia spp.

E= Evening Primrose -- Oenethera speciosa

F= Rosemary -- Rosemarinus officinalis

G= Chickweed -- Stellaria media

H= Dandelion -- Taraxacum officinale

I=  Texas Mountain Laurel -- Sophora secundiflora

J= Purple prairie verbena -- Glandularia bipinnatifida 

K= Greenbrier -- Smilax bona-nox

L= Japanese Privet --  Ligustrum japonicum