We have a wonderful little plant nursery here in Portland called Mostly Medicinals, which carries a range of natives, Eastern and Western medicinal plants, as well as interesting, out-of-the-way plants that are fun to check out. It's run by a lovely fairy sprite named Laura and her assistant Sharin. They know their stuff when it comes to growing plants and making medicine and they both have a great way with the plants.
Laura likes to keep the energy flowing so they usually have great semi-annual sales that clear out a lot of their inventory which is also great for people like me...the plant addicts of the world! She will make some serious discounts as well as start a free pile.
Some of the gems she had out at the sale included: 3 different kinds of sage (golden, white, and black), 3 different kinds of Tulsi, Ashwaganda, Codonopsis, Maca, Skullcap, Elecampane, Echinacea, Monkeyflower, Partridge berry, California Spikenard (what?!), Blue Vervain, Blue Cohosh, Rue, Motherwort, Agrimony, Wood Betony, Arnica, Tobacco, Spilanthes, Tea, Soloman's Seal, and so much more!!
If you are into medicinals and have looked for them at plant nurseries then you know how hard it is to find ones that aren't used in landscape design or as culinary herbs. That is why Mostly Medicinals is so awesome, there just arent that many places to get these plants.
On a somewhat side note...A lot of our medicinal plants that are found in herbal commerce have been overharvested from the wild (American Ginseng, Black cohosh, Goldenseal, and many more), losing habitat due to deforestation (partridge berry), or are dying out from disease or insect infestation (slippery elm). Ethically, herb stores are not supposed to buy endangered herbs for commerce from wildcrafted sources, but I'm sure it still happens. I feel that if I am going to be using these herbs for my own health then I should be prepared to find a way to grow them myself.
I managed to walk out of there with 2 flats of plants for $12.50. No joke. This is a seriously awesome place to get plants that does not get the notoriety it deserves. Even if you aren't a total plant nerd, there is still much to be gleaned from getting to know the actual plants that you are using for medicine.
If you are interested in getting involved, she hosts a plant group on Wednesdays from 2-5 and they are generally in the nursery on Fridays and Saturdays. If you want to learn more about Mostly Medicinals, check out their website!
www.mostlymedicinals.com
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