Community Food Co-op

Voted Bellingham's best grocery store. Full-service deli, hot bar, salad bar featuring organic, local, and natural foods. Everyone can shop, anyone can join. Co+op, stronger together.

Welcome! Everyone can shop the Community Food Co-op!
360-734-8158|
  • menu bar three linesMENU
    • Shop Online
    • Hours & Locations
      • Community Food Co-op, Downtown Store, 1220 North Forest Street at Holly StreetDowntown Store
        1220 North Forest Street at Holly Street
        Bellingham, Washington
        7 am - 9 pm
        360-734-8158
      • Cordata Co-Op exteriorCordata Store
        315 Westerly Road at Cordata Parkway
        Bellingham, Washington
        7 am - 9 pm
        360-734-8158
    • In Our Stores
      • Celebrating Our Co-op’s 50th Anniversary
      • Community Rooms
      • Customer Input
      • How to Shop
      • Dirty Dozen / Clean 15
      • Service Desk
      • What’s on Sale?
      • Contact Us
    • Departments
      • Bakery
      • Bulk
      • The Co-op Bakery Cafe
      • Dairy & Refrigerated
      • Deli & Deli To Go
      • Floral & Garden
      • Grocery
      • Meat & Seafood
      • Mercantile
      • Produce
      • Specialty Cheese
      • Wellness
      • Wine, Beer, & Spirits
    • About Us
      • Awards
      • Co-op Blog
      • Magazine & E-news
      • Our History
      • Strategic Plan
      • Sustainability at the Co-op
      • Vision, Mission, and Values
      • Contact Us
    • Community Giving
      • Community Shopping Days
      • Donations & Sponsorships
      • Donate at our Registers
      • Farm Fund
      • The Real Food Show
    • Join Us
      • Become a Co-op Member • Join Today!
      • Board of Directors
      • Employment
      • Local Business Partners
      • Sell to the Co-op
    • Recipes
      • Recipes
      • Cooking Videos
  • What’s on Sale?
  • Bakery Online Orders
  • Shop Online
  • Careers
  • Join Today!
  • Cooking Classes
  • Hours and Locations
You are here: Home / FLORAL & GARDEN / Grow and Forage Medicinal Herbs

Grow and Forage Medicinal Herbs

basket full of foraged medicinal herbs

Despite the recent erratic weather we have been experiencing, Spring has officially sprung. As soil temperatures warm and the daylight hours continue to expand, many eager gardeners are already well into their gardening season. Whether you are a seasoned gardener, a novice wanting to flex their green thumb, or simply curious about growing herbs, below are some common medicinal plants that can be easily incorporated into your garden plots, raised beds, soil pots, or even countertop planters.

Many medicinal herbs are easy to grow and do not require a lot of space to produce a decent harvest. If you do not have an existing garden, you can purchase terra cotta pots and other small, mobile planters at most garden supply stores. These can be set outside on a porch or even inside by a window as long as they are able to receive a fair amount of sunlight. If growing herbs is not an option, skip to the weed section to find common weeds that can be used as medicine. As always, talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new herbal regimens.

a field of bright orange calendula flowers, medicinal herb

Calendula (Calendula officinalis): Calendula is a personal favorite of mine. Its bright colored flowers are edible and can be added fresh to summertime salads. The dried flowers make a pleasant tea that helps to lower inflammation, soothe the gastrointestinal tract, and help to promote lymph movement throughout the body. The flowers can also be used to make salves, helping to ease inflammatory conditions of the skin and to help shorten the healing time of shallow wounds or burns.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): Chamomile’s small white flowers can be dried to make a mild tea that helps to improve digestion, settle an upset stomach, reduce cramping, and ease an unsettled mind.

field of white and yellow chamomile flowers, medicinal herb
close up photo of a lemon balm plant, medicinal herb

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): A common garden favorite, lemon balm leaves have a pleasant citrus taste that makes it perfect for teas or adding directly to smoothies. Lemon balm is a nervine, meaning that it helps to promote a sense of calm and can help reduce feelings of anxiety. It has been shown to improve cognition and to help reduce insomnia. Additionally lemon balm has antiviral properties and can be especially useful topically for cold sores.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria): Not just for cats! Catnip is a gentle mint that is calming to the nervous mind and can help settle digestive complaints associated with anxious feelings. It can be especially helpful for kids who get upset stomachs when under duress, easing symptoms of loose stools while simultaneously promoting a sense of calm. Catnip is another tasty herb whose leaves make a great tea when dried. If you have a cat at home, it is also fun to watch as they interact with this plant, often rubbing their backs and faces in the fragrant leaves.

close up of catnip plant, medicinal herb
close up of peppermint plant, medicinal herb

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): A common herb, peppermint leaves add flavor to teas while also helping a myriad of complaints. It is especially effective at decreasing nausea and easing abdominal cramping and pains. Caution should be used in people who have heartburn or reflux though as peppermint can worsen these symptoms via its ability to relax the lower esophageal sphincter. In these cases, spearmint make a great substitute (along with calendula and chamomile).

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): Like many culinary herbs, thyme is also a potent medicinal. It is a strong antimicrobial and can be added to teas and foods to help fight off infection. Additionally, it is anti-spasmodic and so can be useful for helping to control coughs. For respiratory complaints, its leaves can be added to a hot bath or a simmering pot of water, its fumes gently inhaled to access the lungs and help fight off colds and other infections.

side view of thyme plant, herb
field of medicinal herb yarrow in evening sun

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Yarrow’s flowers and feather-like leaves act as a mild bitter, helping to improve digestive function and decrease abdominal cramping when used as a tea. It also has antimicrobial properties and helps to modulate inflammation. Topically it can be added to salves to help fight infection and reduce bleeding.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium): Not for the faint of tastebuds as this herb has a potent bitter taste. Its leaves can be eaten fresh or in teas to help with chronic inflammation. It can be especially helpful for headaches and migraines. Use with caution, as sometimes the fresh leaves can cause some people to get canker sores. In these cases, discontinue use.

close up of feverfew flowers, medicinal herb

Forage Medicinal Weeds

Let’s be honest, the definition of a weed versus an herb is more of a matter of opinion rather than a key distinguishing feature. Indeed, many of the weeds growing in our lawns, along sidewalks, or at the edges of walking paths have a multitude of medicinal benefits and would fit right at home in a cultivated medicinal garden. Below are some common “weeds” that can be found locally. Be careful before harvesting to make sure they are not in an area sprayed with chemicals. And be sure to leave some behind for the bees and other wildlife.

grass with dandelions

Dandelions (Taraxacum officinalis): all parts of this plant are medicinal and edible. This time of year, the leaves are at their most palatable. Slightly bitter, they make a great addition to salads or steamed greens. In the colder months of the fall and winter, their roots can be harvested, chopped up, and dried (or lightly roasted) to make a tea with a pleasant nutty aroma. Dandelions are helpful for digestive complaints, especially slow digestion and constipation. The inulin contained in the plant acts as a prebiotic, meaning it helps feed beneficial gut bacteria. Its roots and leaves help support gallbladder and liver health, can help ease skin conditions like acne and eczema, and its leaves act as a mild diuretic.

Plantains (Plantago spp): The leaves of plantain are great at healing superficial wounds. They can be applied directly onto intact skin or used in salves for more topical uses. They work well for mild burns, insect bites, bee stings, skin abrasions, and rashes.

close up of broadleaf plantain plant
close up of red clover flowers in field, medicinal herb

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): Taken internally as a tea, the red-purple flowers of this common plant have many uses. They act as a sedative, helping to support a sense of calm and relaxation. The flowers also help support liver function and thus can be useful in chronic skin conditions such as eczema and acne. They are a potent phytoestrogen and can be helpful for those experiencing menopausal symptoms.

Cleavers (Galium aparine): Also known as bed straw this sticky plant is fun to play with as it’ll attach to clothes and hair easily. The leaves of cleavers help aid the lymphatic system, especially of the head and neck and so can be useful for congestion issues. Pairs especially well with calendula.

close up of sticky cleaver plant, medicinal herb
Dr. Kelley Garrison, ND

By Kelley Garrison, ND

Dr. Garrison is a licensed naturopath at Northwest Life Medicine Clinic who specializes in stress and stress-related conditions such as anxiety, panic disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome. She enjoys working with patients to find the root cause of their symptoms and helps them cultivate the resources needed to feel healthy and resilient. You can find her at nwlifemedicine.com.

FLORAL & GARDEN| HOT OFF THE PRESS| NUTRITION| WELLNESS catnip| chamomile| dandelion| gardener| gardening| herbal wellness| herbs| homeopathic medicine| naturopathic medicine| plantain| yarrow

Categories

  • BAKERY
  • BULK
  • DELI & CATERING
  • EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
  • FARM FUND
  • FLORAL & GARDEN
  • GROCERY
  • HOLIDAY
  • HOT OFF THE PRESS
  • LOCAL
  • MEAT & SEAFOOD
  • NUTRITION
  • PRODUCE
  • RECIPES
  • SALES
  • SPECIALITY DIET
  • SPECIALTY CHEESE
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • THE CO-OP DIFFERENCE
  • UNCATEGORIZED
  • WELLNESS
  • WINE, BEER, & SPIRITS
A bottle of rose sits next to a heart shaped candle, two bottles of nail polish, and two mineral bath packets.

Valentine’s Gifts for You and Yours

Show your Valentine, your Galentine, and yourself some love this Valentine’s Day with unique gifts, wine, flowers, chocolate, and more from the Community Food Co-op. We’ve curated some loving inspiration to make your Valentine’s Day special.  Heart Pillar from Big Dipper Wax Works Bask in the warm glow of this [...]

Bring Life Home With Indoor Plants

Many medicinal herbs are easy to grow and do not require a lot of space to produce a decent harvest. Additionally, many common “weeds” have medicinal properties.

holiday gifts

Holiday Gift Giving

Shop the Co-op for your holiday gift giving! We’ve got something for everyone: the universally loved Co-op gift card, creative toys & crafts for kids, vibrant houseplants, wine & food, pretty home decor, apparel, and more!

enews-sign-up-image

get connected and save - click here to sign up for our e-news

DOWNTOWN STORE & DELI • map • 360-734-8158 • 7 am – 9 pm
meat and deli counter: 7 am – 7 pm
made-to-order counter: 7 am – 6 pm
salad/hot bar: 7 am – 6 pm

CORDATA STORE & DELI • map • 360-734-8158 • 7 am – 9 pm
meat and deli counter: 7 am – 7 pm
made-to-order counter: 7 am – 6 pm
salad/hot bar: 7 am – 7 pm

Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok

Machine Readable Files

Copyright © 2023 Community Food Co-op

0