About the Medical Garden
About the Garden The Medical Garden was created so faculty, students, staff, and visitors could explore the common herbs and plants used to treat illnesses over the years. Herbal treatments have a long tradition in medicine for treatment of diseases and conditions. Local nature artist Susan Carlton Smith proposed the idea in the 1960’s, and the Medical Garden was created in 1977. Pamphlets with more information about the Medical Garden can be found at the Library Service Desk on Level 2R.
Directions to the Duke Medical Garden Take the elevator to Level 0 (Searle Center) and proceed to the exit. Upon exiting the Searle Center, turn right and follow the building around to the stairs leading to the Medical Garden on the balcony. NOTE: There are also plants outside the Entrance to the Library (Level 2) and immediately outside the Searle Center (Level 0).
Bee Balm
Name: Monarda didyma (bee balm, Oswego tea)
Family Name: Labiatae (mint family)
Native Range: Eastern and Central United States
North Carolina: Woody stream banks in the mountains, also naturalized in the coastal plain
Description: Believed by early Americans to be a mild menstrual regulator and appetite stimulant, bee balm has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Blue Flag Iris
Name: Iris versicolor (blue flag iris)
Family Name: Iridaceae (iris family)
Native Range: North America
Description: Blue flag iris was chiefly used to treat syphilis and skin diseases. It was commonly employed by Native Americans to cleanse and treat wounds and sores. The plant has astringent properties and can be used as a diuretic, a mild laxative, or to relive nausea and vomiting. Do not use during pregnancy. In large doses, blue flag iris will actually increase vomiting.
Blue Violet
Name: Viola papilionacea (blue violet)
Family Name: Violaceae (violet family)
Native Range: Eastern North America
North Carolina: Lawns, hedgerows, alluvial woods, and pastures
Description: Blue violet was once thought to possess similar qualities as sweet violet, such as arresting breast and stomach cancer or treating coughs and chest colds (mild expectorant), but it is not currently used in herbal preparations.
Boxwood
Name: Buxus sempervirens (box, boxwood)
Family Name: Buxaceae (boxwood family)
Native Range: Europe
Description: Once used to treat secondary syphilis and epilepsy and as a substitute for quinine in treating malaria, the extremely poisonous box is now rarely used medicinally. All parts of this plant are extremely toxic. Never take internally.
Cardinal Flower
Name: Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)
Family Name: Campanulaceae (bluebell family)
Native Range: Eastern North America
North Carolina: Marshes, stream banks, wet meadows, and low woods
Description: Native Americans used cardinal flower to treat syphilis and to destroy and expel intestinal worms.
Comfrey
Name: Symphytum officinale (comfrey, knitbone)
Family Name: Boraginaceae (borage family)
Native Range: Europe
Description: Comfrey has long been considered valuable to promote the healing of bruises, broken bones, sprains, and fractures. It has also been employed for bronchial troubles. Recent research indicates that comfrey may cause sever liver damage.
Fennel
Name: Foeniculum vulgare (fennel)
Family Name: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae (carrot, celery, and parsley family)
Native Range: Mediterranean and the Caucasus
North Carolina: Naturalized in disturbed areas
Description: Used primarily to relieve bloating and to settle stomach pain, fennel has also been investigated for its antioxidant and antibiotic effects, as well as its ability to decrease blood pressure.
Foxglove
Name: Digitalis purpurea (foxglove)
Family Name: Plantaginaceae (fleaworts family)
Native Range: Western Europe
Description: In the eighteenth century, William Withering recognized that the leaves of the foxglove both acted as a diuretic and regulated the heartbeat. He consequently used the herb to successfully treat the symptoms of heart failure. Although newer pharmacotherapies are being developed for congestive heart failure, digitalis preparations are still prescribed by today’s doctors. Foxglove is potentially fatal in overdose. Do not self-medicate.
Garlic
Name: Allium sativum (garlic)
Family Name: Amaryllidaceae ( part of the onion sub-family of the lily family)
Native Range: Central Asia
Description: In addition to its well-known culinary uses, garlic is also employed medicinally to counter infection, reduce cholesterol, and improve circulatory disorders, such as high blood pressure. Research published as recently as this year supports these applications.
German Chamomile
Name: Matricaria recutita (German chamomile, scented mayweed)
Family Name: Asteraceae or Compositae (sunflower family)
Native Range: Europe
Description: Chamomile is a popular remedy for children’s ailments, such as teething, earache, and colic. Consumed widely as a tea, it is considered helpful for menstrual pain and during labor. Commonly used as a mild sedative, it can also serve as an anti-inflammatory and an antiseptic. Recent evidence suggests that it may inhibit the growth of viruses. Some people have strong allergic reactions to chamomile.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Name: Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-pulpit, Indian turnip)
Family Name: Araceae (arum family)
Native Range: Eastern North America
North Carolina: Hearty woods and bogs
Description: Jack-in-the-pulpit was used by Native Americans to treat a variety of chest conditions, among them tuberculosis, asthma, and rheumatism. Some parts of this plant are extremely toxic. Use only under professional supervision.
Lavender
Name: Lavandula officinalis (lavender)
Family Name: Lamiaceae or Labiatae (mint family)
Native Range: France and the Mediterranean
Description: Lavender is widely used for its soothing and calming effects. The oil is valuable as a wound cleanser due to its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. When inhaled it can decrease inflammation associated with bronchitis.
Parsley
Name: Petroselinum crispum (parsley)
Family Name: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae (carrot, celery, and parsley family)
Native Range: Europe and Eastern Mediterranean
North Carolina: Species has rarely escaped from cultivation
Description: Parsley is a strong diuretic and a mild stimulant for menstruation. The leaves are very nutritious. Studies show that parsley has antifungal and antibacterial effects, and contains phytoestrogens.
Peppermint
Name: Mentha x piperata (peppermint)
Family Name: Lamiaceae or Labiatae (mint family)
Native Range: Unknown; in cultivation since at least 1000 B.C.E.
North Carolina: Naturalized throughout
Description: Thought to be a hybrid between watermint and spearmint, peppermint is strongly antibacterial, has cooling properties for the skin, and is an antispasmodic for the digestive system. It may also be useful for inhibiting the replication of HIV.
Periwinkle
Name: Vinca minor (periwinkle)
Family Name: Apocynaceae (dogbane family)
Native Range: Europe
North Carolina: Escaped from cultivation in scattered localities
Description: Periwinkle is used as an astringent and also to stop bleeding internally or externally. It has also been used to treat arteriosclerosis. Recent research supports these usages. The periwinkle family has also been recognized as important for the treatment of diabetes and cancer.
Pot Marigold
Name: Calendula officinalis (pot marigold)
Family Name: Asteraceae or Compositae (sunflower family)
Native Range: Southern Europe
Description: Pot marigold has been employed in the treatment of heart disease and is well known as a skin remedy. It can be used as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, or antifungal. There are ongoing investigations of this plant as a therapeutic agent for treating HIV. It also stimulates the production of human lymphocytes, can reduce the activity of cancerous tumors in rats, and has been investigated for its use in autoimmune disorders.
Rosemary
Name: Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)
Family Name: Lamiaceae or Labiatae (mint family)
Native Range: Mediterranean
Description: Rosemary is a circulatory stimulant and allegedly improves the memory. Since it also stimulates the adrenal glands, it is used to aid those recovering from long-term illnesses. Research shows it can inhibit skin tumors and has antimicrobial activity.
Spiderwort
Name: Tradescantia virginiana (spiderwort)
Family Name: Commelinaceae (spiderwort family)
Native Range: Eastern North America
North Carolina: Rarely found in the dry woods of the lower Piedmont region
Description: The root is believed to soothe and relieve irritation of the mucous membranes.
Thyme
Name: Thymus serpyllum (thyme)
Family Name: Lamiaceae or Labiatae (mint family)
Native Range: Europe
North Carolina: Species has rarely escaped from cultivation
Description: A powerful astringent, thyme is used in the treatment of asthma and hay fever. It is also employed as an antiseptic.
Wild Geranium
Name: Geranium maculatum (wild geranium, American cranesbill)
Family Name: Geraniaceae (geranium family)
Native Range: Eastern and Central North America
North Carolina: Alluvial woodlands in the mountains and Piedmont region
Description: Wild geranium was recognized as a powerful astringent. It was used by Native Americans as a treatment for canker sores, sore throats, diarrhea, and cholera.
Wood Sorrel
Name: Oxalis acetosella (wood sorrel)
Family Name: Oxalidaceae (oxalis family)
Native Range: Europe and eastern North America
North Carolina: Damp woods at high elevations in the mountains
Description: Compresses of wood sorrel are useful for cooling high fevers, reducing swelling, healing wounds, and stanching bleeding. It can also be employed to treat high blood pressure. Wood sorrel is poisonous and can cause kidney failure at high doses. Do not take internally.
Yarrow
Name: Achillea millefolium (yarrow, milfoil)
Family Name: Asteraceae or Compositae (sunflower family)
Native Range: North America, Europe, and temperate Asia
North Carolina: Open meadows and on roadsides in the mountains
Description: Known both for its anti-inflammatory and gynecological properties, yarrow has been in wide use for centuries as a wound-healing herb. Research has demonstrated that yarrow can serve as an antifungal and an anti-inflammatory and even has the ability to reduce blood glucose levels in diabetic mice.
Yellow Anisetree
Name: Illicium parviflorum (star anise, yellow anisetree)
Family Name: Illiciaceae (star anise family)
Native Range: Tropical and subtropical North America
Description: Relatives of this species are commonly used as a spice, and in many Asian countries these related species are used to relive stomach cramps. Some species of Illicium are toxic. Do not self-medicate.