Living just outside the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, I’m blessed with a wealth of plants and herbs growing in their natural habitat. 1,500 various plants are native to the area, many which have been used throughout history for medicinal purposes.
Although foraging or picking plants inside the park is prohibited, St. John’s Wort grows naturally outside of the park on the western edges. Used to treat mild depression, the plant can be used in a tea, tincture, capsule or pill form. To help heal wounds, it can be used as an oil.
Laying on the outside perimeter of the park, Witch Hazel is another plant that can easily be located. The leaves and bark of this shrub can be made into teas and ointments.
While more commonly known to treat acne and scalp irritation, the plant also can be used to provide protection against skin damage, acts as an agent to sooth sore throats, aids in the treatment of hemorrhoids, and possibly in warding off infections.
Wood Nettle grows abundantly along the creek banks and mountain streams. Wearing gloves when obtaining this plant is necessary to avoid extreme irritation to skin. The leaves of Wood Nettle in the form of teas and tinctures are used for healthy kidney function, increase blood flow and aid in joint health.
Another plant common to the area is Striped Pipsissewa, a small but powerful herb. During the civil war, doctors often used the plant to treat depression and for centuries the Cherokee used it to treat various ailments.
These are just a few of the plants and herbs that can be foraged from the area and as this site grows, I will be adding many more that grow both locally and further afield as well as information and tips that will assist in creating a working herbal apothecary.