Tour #3

The Healing Garden at Health Center 3

A Project of:

  • Philadelphia Department of Public Health
  • Baltimore Avenue in Bloom
  • Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science
  • Wise Women's Center
  • Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's
  • Tree Tenders Program
  • UC Green

Begun in 1999, the Healing Garden at Health Center 3 is a project, initiated by Baltimore Avenue in Bloom and the District 3 Health Center with their Partners, to develop a landscape plan and interpreted garden installation for the center that focuses on plants with medicinal uses. Such a theme is particularly appropriate given the function of the center and its proximity to the nearby Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, the nation's oldest.

Phase I of the program, along 43rd Street, is in its first season of growth. The letters and numbers in the list below relate to plantings identified on the comprehensive plan for the healing garden.

THE HEALING GARDEN: MEDICINAL PLANTS

TREES
A. River Birch (Betula nigra) rheumatism, gout, scrofula, bladder infection, neuralgia; anti-inflammatory,, analgesic
B. Red Bud (Cercis canadensis) inner bark tea astringent; diarrhea and dysentery; folk cure for leukemia
C. Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) bark tincture for jaundice; diuretic; Indian wash for cuts, infections, wounds
D. Japanese Dogwood (Cornus officianalis) root bark tea for malaria and diarrhea; berries soaked in brandy as a digestive tonic; chewed twigs used to clean teeth.
E. Ginkgo (Ginkgo bilboa) anti-aging, memory,, blood flow to the brain
F. Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) colds, malarial and typhoid fevers; diaphoretic; nicotine addiction; tonic
G. Willow (Salix alba 'Niobe') bark used for diarrhea, fevers, pain, arthritis, rheumatism; salicylic acid from the bark is a naturally occurring aspirin.
SHRUBS
1. Bottlebush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) bark a tonic, narcotic and febrifuge
2. Barberry (Berberis gladwynensis 'Wm. Penn') Berberine (yellow) anti- inflammatory, astringent, hemostatic, anti-microbial, anticonvulsant, immunostimulant, uterotonic, berry tea appetite stimulant, diuretic, expectorant, laxative
3. Barberry (Berberis julienne) same as above
4. Box (Buxus sempervirens) venereal disease, leprosy, vermifuge, epilepsy, piles and toothache
5. Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus) root or bark tea used as an emetic, diuretic for kidneys and bladder by Native Americans; Settlers used tea as tonic for malaria; used as eye drop for failing vision
6. Camelia (Camelias Sasanqua) stimulant, astringent
7. Redtwig Dogwood (Cornus alba 'Ivory Halo') astringent, stimulant, typhoid fever; increases the pulse, elevates body temperature
8. Redosier Dogwood (Cornus sericea 'Silver and Gold) same as above
9. Daphne (D. mesereum) stimulant, desiccant- liniment for skin diseases; snake bite *
10. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia, Hamamelis mollis) astringent, tonic, sedative; used for hemorrhoids, piles, excessive menstrual flow, eye ailments
11. St. John'swort (Hypericum androsaemum 'Aubury Purple') external ulcers, wounds; bladder ailments, depression, dysentery, diarrhea, worms; sedative, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial; anti-retroviral
12. Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens cv 'Annabelle') root tea as diuretic, cathartic, emetic; bark poultice for wounds, sore muscles, sprains; bark chewed for heart trouble, stomach problems; root for kidney stones, bladder, and bronchial problems
13. Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) cathartic, antiseptic, tonic and astringent
14. Spice Bush (Lindera benzion) Chills, fevers; bark tea for worms; berry tea for coughs, cramps, irregular menses, croup, measles; oil from fruit for bruises, rheumatism *
15. Oregon Grapeholly ( Mahonia aquiflolium ) psoriasis, syphilis, dyspepsia; blood purifier
16. Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) jaundice; astringent, stimulant
17. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) spasmodic coughing; sedative, narcotic
18. Japanese Azalea (Rhododendron molle) anti-hypertensive
19. Rugosa Rose (Rosa Rugosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert') stomachache, liver pain, mastitis, dysentery, leukorrhea, rheumatism, blood circulation, "chi" restorer
20. Possumhaw (Viburnum nudum) diuretic, tonic, uterine sedative, antispasmodic; diabetes
SOURCES
  • A Modern Herbal (Mrs. M. Grieve)
  • American Medicinal Plants (Charles Millspaugh_
  • Peterson Field Guides: Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants (Foster/Duke)
  • Back to the Future: Traditional Medicinals Revisited (John W. Gruder, AB; Ara DerMarderosian)

September 2003