From Native Yardening:

I often hear people defend invasive plants by saying, “But it’s medicinal!”

And yes, that’s the reason some invasive species were brought to North America in the first place.

But because they evolved in different parts of the world, they don’t fit into the natural checks and balances of our native ecosystems and they’re able to overtake large areas.

If you’re someone who uses invasive species medicinally, I have good news.

If a species is invasive to your area, you don’t need to intentionally plant it in your yard. It’s already growing all around you. And you’re actually doing a favor to the environment by harvesting as much of it as you can.

And if you have a garden where you grow medicinal plants, you can use that space to grow ones that are native to where you live!

Now you have a wider range of plants to work with AND it’s eco-friendly.

Here are a few of the many medicinal plant species that are native to North America.

Plant medicine is sacred to many cultures. You don’t have to use plant medicine, but please be respectful of it.

Some of these plants have research in western literature backing up the benefits, others do not. They’ve all been traditionally used for these benefits. Do with that information what you will.

The listed benefits and species are not exhaustive. Research what part(s) of each plant are used and how to prepare them properly before consuming anything.

*Consult your doctor before consuming any new herbs or supplements, research drug interactions and side effects, and never consume a plant if you’re not 100% sure you’ve identified it correctly, none of this is medical advice.*

Species listed:

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Bee balm (Monarda fistulosa)

Common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata)

American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)

Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Pony beebalm (Monarda pectinata)

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

Osha root (Ligusticum porteri)

Narrow-leaf coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia)

Parry’s agave (Agave parryi)

The color key for BONAP’s native range maps is included at the end of the slides