Medicinal Plants

Burdock is a common nuisance weed in North America that originated from Eurasia. I do not intentionally grow burdock, but somehow it always finds it way into my yard. Since I dig it up anyway, I dry the roots and some of the leaves to use in tea. 

Burdock has quite a few medicinal qualities, including inulin fiber for digestive health, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, immune support, and diuretic effects.

At this point mullein grows wild in my yard, and by that I mean I've stopped trying to control where it grows; it comes up wherever it wants. I usually find about 30 year-one plants in various places around the yard and in the gardens, and I cull all but 10, that way I know where the year-two plants will come up. 

Mullein is an expectorant that helps the body expel excess mucus. I use it for respiratory ailments - lung and cough - to bring up mucus from the chest or throat. It is also an anti-inflammatory. 

Leaves and flowers are dried and used in tea - 2 teaspoons mullein steeped in 1 cup boiled water for 15 minutes. Or the dried leaves and flowers can be steeped into an tincture/expectorant.