PLANT ID: IN YOUR YARD

Have you ever wondered, “What are these plants growing in my yard?”

You will be surprised to find that what is growing at our feet has so much to offer us. You can identify medicinal herbs in your yard year round but spring time in particular contains some of my favorite flowers. Although most of these herbs can be found growing in our own backyard, you can also find them happily thriving in fields, pastures and gardens. As new life begins to blossom, breaking through the crust of winter, plants begin to show their bright colors and beauty.

These plants have historical uses of aiding in a multitude of ailments that relieve symptoms like common cough, headache, and digestive issues. Each plant has specific actions, dosage and parts of the plant that are used. Take time to observe these beauties but please always be conscious of the plants and their powers. Be respectful when harvesting. Please always consult with an herbalist before consumption.

Here are a few that I found in my yard

CRANES BILL geranium Palmated cleft leaves. Flowers have 5 petals ranging in colors white, pink, purple & blue. Found growing in most soil so long as its not waterlogged.

Herbal Uses: astringent, coughs, colds, detoxifying, digestion, canker sores, diarrhea, hemorrhoids.

CHIKWEED stellaria media Crawling and creeping like herb. Oval shaped leaves opposite of one another with hairy stem. Flowers have 5 double lobed petals and are teeny white with small red dots.

Herbal Uses: lymphatic, high vitamin content, lowers cholesterol, thyroid aid, expectorant, blood cleanser, burns, cuts, insect bites.

Found at Remedy: Chikweed Tincture, Men’s Wellness, and Rebuild & Repair

CLEAVERS galium aparine Crawling and creeping like herb. Lance shaped leaves. Square shaped stem hairy and clings to everything. Flowers are tiny star shaped greenish to white in color.

Herbal Uses: lymphatic, diuretic, kidneys, gallstones, bladder, arthritis, cysts, psoriasis.

DANDELION taraxacum Deeply toothed notched basal leaves forming a rosette base. White milky latex juice in hollow stem. Flower is yellow and each petal is an individual flower. (fun fact!)

Herbal Uses: lymphatic, diuretic, detoxifying, liver, gallbladder, kidney, diabetes, heartburn, blood pressure, acne, coffee substitute.

Found at Remedy: Detox Tincture, Men’s Wellness

GROUND IVY glechoma hederacea Ground covering herb. Kidney shaped round to wavy toothed leaves. Flowers blue violet-purplish.

Herbal Uses: anti-bacterial, coughs, cold, bronchitis, bladder, kidney, arthritis, tinnitus.

VIOLET viola Leaves are palmate & opposite and often heart shaped. The flowers are asymmetrical with a hairy center usually purple but also blooms as white & yellow flowers too.

Herbal Uses: lymphatic, diuretic, expectorant, headache, cramps, cysts, breast health, heart health, grief, heartache.

Found at Remedy: Women’s Wellness