By Emily Round
At the entrance to UMass Amherst’s University Health Center there is a garden full of beautiful flowers and plants. Unlike many gardens, however, this one is full of medicinal herbs with uses ranging from curing toothaches to boosting your immune system. The University Health Services Medicinal Herb Garden was planted jointly by UHS and Physical Plant Landscaping this past May and has been thriving in the summer sun. Here’s a quick look at a couple of the herbs growing there!
Chocolate Mint: A tasty source of menthol; it can be used to calm upset stomachs, aid in digestion, and to stimulate appetites.
Hyssop: Analgesic; expectorant; calming effect; helps cure diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Peak-A-Boo: Cure toothaches
Feverfew: Relieves migraines and menstrual cramps; digestive aid; good for arthritis pain
Echinacea: Enhances immune system; reduces inflammation; help treat sore throats and urinary tract infections
St Johns Wort: Has anti-depressant effects; antiseptic
Sage: Antiperspirant; lowers blood sugar; good for sore throats and mouth ulcers
