Look Down, There’s Medicine Right Under Your Feet!

By UVM Herbalism Club: EJ Haley, Kat O’Neill, Ruth Torelli, Ben Vandel, Marlie Hunt, Lindsay Otero

Herbalism: the study or practice of the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants. In a time of such political and environmental unrest, there has been a surge in turning to plants to inform us in our food and medicine. More and more people are growing their own food and using herbal remedies on a daily basis as an alternative or in addition to Western medicine. However, herbalism and plant-based medicine are not new–they are, in fact, some of the oldest forms of medicine. Herbal knowledge has been integral to societies around the world for thousands of years. As herbalism becomes more mainstream, it is important to acknowledge that this practice is rooted in ancestral knowledge from Indigenous cultures all over the world. In Vermont and on the UVM campus, we must recognize that we are living on the unceded traditional lands of the Abenaki Nation and that crediting, honoring, and protecting long-lived Indigenous knowledge and traditions without overshadowing them is vital. Practicing gratitude is a core value in the practice and lifestyle of herbalism, stemming from the gratitude practices of Indigenous peoples. It is important to note that practices of herbalism and plant-based medicine do not necessarily seek to serve as a cure for specific ailments but act as a means of encouraging overall wellness. As such, herbalism is often labeled as a lifestyle. Contemporary herbalism is also used as a gentle support against the daily toxins we are exposed to in modern life–physically, mentally, and spiritually.

A major hindrance many people face when beginning to explore herbalism is a perceived lack of accessibility in their community to both knowledge and materials. While it is true that some places seem more equipped to foster the practice of herbalism, whether that be an established herbal community or abundant apothecaries, it is also true that herbalism can be incredibly accessible to anyone who takes an extra moment to look at the plants growing around them. There are multitudes of common plants often considered weeds or only grown for ornamental value that many pass by without realizing the potential medicine right under their feet.

The primary goals of UVM Herbalism Club are to share herbal knowledge and promote the accessibility of plant-based medicine on campus and in the greater Burlington community. We strive to foster awareness of our place as humans in the ecological web around us and to expand understanding of how wellness factors into our relationships with the Earth. Our explorations of wellness sovereignty emphasize collaborative workshopping and education, ensuring that those who are interested can always find a safe and accessible space in our club. As students on the UVM campus, you have access to a whole network of medicinal plants that are simply growing on campus and waiting for you to discover them! Here, we detail 12 easily identifiable plants found on campus, how to harvest them, and what can be done with them.

Prior to exploring the medicinal plants on campus, one should take note of the important rules and principles that guide a proper harvest. These are excellently summed up in Robin Wall Kimmerer’s seminal book Braiding Sweetgrass, which discusses Indigenous philosophies in relation to nature and culturally relevant plant-based healing, both in the corporeal sense and emotional and societal aspects: 

The Honorable Harvest (p.183):

Know the ways of the ones who take care of you, so that you may take care of them.

Introduce yourself. Be accountable as the one who comes asking for life.

Ask permission before taking. Abide by the answer.

Never take the first. Never take the last.

Take only what you need.

Take only that which is given.

Never take more than half. Leave some for others.

Harvest in a way that minimizes harm.

Use it respectfully. Never waste what you have taken.

Share.

Give thanks for what you have been given.

Give a gift, in reciprocity for what you have taken.

Sustain the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever

Some of these concepts are straightforward, like sharing and only harvesting in small amounts, while others may seem difficult to understand, like introducing yourself and asking permission. It can initially feel strange or even uncomfortable to have a conversation with a plant, but the more experiences you have in and with nature, and the more you look to plants as friends and teachers, as fellow organisms in our shared environment, the more intuitive it feels. It is key to approach plants with respect and love, as it will be reciprocated back to you.

When foraging, it is incredibly important to be careful where you harvest from. Plants are a product of their environment, and a dandelion right on the side of the road, constantly breathing exhaust and interacting with noxious materials is not going to be as healthy as a dandelion found in the woods. Generally, a good rule is to harvest at least 10 feet away from a footpath and at least 25 feet away from the road. Other than these precautions, the UVM campus is overall considered a safe place to harvest, since pesticide use is minimal. If you are unsure, test the soil! This can be done through UVM’s Plant and Soil Science department located in Jeffords Hall. Finally, after harvesting, best practices for processing and storing foraged herbs are to keep them in a brown paper bag to dry–this bag should then be placed somewhere dark and drafty (think an attic or hanging the bag beside your window). It is critical to keep the herbs out of direct sunlight, hence the opacity of the bag.

In addition to these guidelines, it is also essential to be aware of both the health of the plant and the health of your body. Be wary of herbal interactions with medications you take, as although these substances are plants, they do not lack chemical significance. Do your research, consult with herbalists, and err on the side of caution. If you are looking for assistance with herbal wisdom, an excellent resource in our community is Railyard Apothecary, a worker-owned local co-op in downtown Burlington with vast plant medicine knowledge and resources. While it is important to be knowledgeable about any possible side effects, don’t let this deter you from using herbal medicine! Herbalism is a vast and rewarding practice, and beginning to truly notice what is growing around you and how to use it might just change your life.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Harvest practices: The whole plant can be harvested! Spring is the best time to harvest leaves & fall is best for roots. When harvesting the entire plant, leave a tiny piece of taproot for it to regrow.

Common uses: Dandelion flowers can be made into fritters or infused into honey. The leaves can be put in salads or made into tea. Its roots can be used to make a bitter tincture, or can be roasted, ground, and brewed into a coffee substitute.

Dandelion is a plant known to many, and because of that, it is easy to identify! This bright plant fills green spaces everywhere–any major green space on campus will have an abundance of dandelions, especially those that are mowed less frequently. This plant supports digestion and overall detoxification.

Broadleaf plantain/narrowleaf plantain (Plantago major/lanceolata)

Harvest practices: Leaves can be harvested from spring to fall. Be sure to only take 1-2 per plant!

Common uses: Plantain is mostly used externally for wounds and bug bites. The leaves can be made into a poultice by crushing or chewing them up. Leaves can also be infused into oil and prepared as a salve for longer preservation.

Plantain is a common low-growing herb and is found wherever grass is growing. Once you know how to identify it, you will see it everywhere! Look for it in any of the greens on campus, especially outside of Jeffords. 

Yarrow (​​Achillea millefolium)

Harvest practices: The leaves and flowers can be harvested from summer to fall. The easiest way to do this for a mature yarrow plant is to hold the bottom of the plant and use your other hand to strip leaves and flowers from the stem.

Common uses: This plant is a rockstar for healing wounds and stopping bleeding. Fresh flowers and leaves can be infused into oil for salve or crushed/chewed up and applied as a topical poultice. Its leaves and flowers can also be made into tea to slow heavy menstrual bleeding. 

Yarrow is a plant you can find in grassy areas–where it tends to sprawl–and can be distinguished by its delicate feather-like leaves. When given enough space and the right resources, yarrow can grow up to three feet tall and produce a fluffy bunch of white or pink flowers. Its Latin name, ​​Achillea, pays homage to its legendary use by the Greek mythological figure Achilles. In myth, he is said to have received protective powers from yarrow after bathing in an herbal bath of the plant, and in turn, used its hemostatic properties to treat wounded soldiers.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Harvest practices: Leaves are the main part of the plant used, and can be harvested from spring to fall. When harvesting leaves, gauge the size of the plant and take only a few leaves - maybe two or three. For plants with multiple layers of leaves, harvest from the second or third layer from the center. 

Common uses: Mullein is an ally to the lungs, a power that we all know UVM students could use. The herb functions as an expectorant and demulcent, soothing the airways by acting as an anti-inflammatory and promoting mucus upheaval. It can be prepared as a tea or added to smoking blends. When dipped in wax, the stalk can also be used as a torch!

With its downy leaves formed in a basal rosette and characteristic stalk sporting bright yellow flowers, mullein is a staple medicinal plant. While it can grow nearly anywhere, similar to plantain and dandelion, it is not quite as prolific. Mullein can be found sporadically around campus if you know what to look for, but be careful not to confuse this for lamb’s-ear (Stachys byzantina), which has different medical qualities.

Hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum)

Harvest practices: The leaves and flowers can both be harvested in spring, and the berries can be harvested in fall once they turn red. 

Common uses: Hawthorn is a strong ally for the heart and circulatory system. Berries are often made into syrups, jams, and glycerates, and can be ingested raw or prepared in food. Leaves and flowers can be crushed to be made into tea.

Hawthorn trees are found in woodlands across the central and eastern United States, as well as in lawns and green spaces in more urban areas, as they are popular landscape and street trees. They are smaller trees with distinct true thorns (be careful of these when harvesting!) and bright red berries that ripen in the fall. There are beautiful hawthorn trees outside of Marsh Life Science and at the beginning of the Living & Learning walkway (close to Harris-Millis).

Red & white clover (Red: Trifolium pratense, White: Trifolium repens)

Harvest practices: Flowers and the leaves directly under the flowers can be harvested throughout the summer, while color is still vibrant, up until they turn brown. Make sure to pick after the morning dew has dried. 

Common uses: Both species of clover offer support in dealing with congestion, coughs, and colds. Red clover in particular has additional benefits in its ability to purify blood, provide plant-based estrogen, and balance hormones. Clover is often dried and used in teas, tinctures, and salves. Ensure during the drying process that plant material has not browned, as browned clover is not safe to use as medicine. 

Clover grows just about everywhere in Vermont and New England, with red clover serving as Vermont’s state flower! Look out for its small flowers which appear from late spring into September. Red clover grows taller and more vertically, with dark pink flowers, while white clover grows shorter with white flowers. Clover can be found throughout grassy areas on campus. 

Self-heal/Heal All (Prunella vulgaris)

Harvest practices: Leaves and flowers can be harvested spring to fall, but offer the best medicine in mid-summer. 

Common uses: Prunella can be used both internally and externally. It is strongly antiviral, making it a wonderful ally for healing cold sores. Its leaves can be crushed up and used as a poultice, or infused into an oil for salve. It can also be brewed into a tea to heal a wide variety of ailments as its folk name, “heal all,” suggests. 

This is a small, low-growing, but mighty plant supporting countless systems and functions of the body. It sports teardrop-shaped fuzzy leaves on a square stem with clusters of tiny purple flowers.  It has a known lookalike, deadnettle (Lamium purpureum), which is also a safe and medicinal plant. Prunella can be found in grassy and disturbed areas around campus, especially patches to the north and west of the Redstone Pines behind the Catholic Center. 

Violets (Viola spp.)

Harvest practices: Violet flowers should be harvested in spring and early summer when the color of the flower is still vibrant. The leaves are best harvested from spring to early summer when they are tender and vibrant.

Common uses: Violets have an immense history as a medicinal plant, as their flowers and leaves possess respiratory benefits, helping with coughing and congestion. Additionally, the plant has anti-inflammatory properties and contains salicylic acid, which functions as a natural pain reliever. Flowers can be made into sugars and syrups, used to decorate salads and baked goods, or made into a delicate perfume. Leaves can be harvested from spring through summer and eaten in salads, made into pesto, or dried and made into a nutritive tea.

Violets, while often seen in manicured landscapes, also dot wild landscapes across the Northeast with their distinctive purple flowers. Historically, violets have also served as a symbol of queer love and are given as tokens of affection in the sapphic community. There is a large violet patch north of the Redstone Pines behind the Catholic Center.

Rosehips and petals (Rosa rugosa)

Harvest practices: The fruit of the plant (rosehips) can be harvested from late summer to fall, and the petals of the flowers are ready for harvest when they simply fall off with a light pull, usually in the summer. 

Common uses: Rose is often used for love and grief medicines, as it is beneficial to take when big emotions and life changes are occurring. Rosehips are high in vitamin C and great for immune function and pain reduction. Rose petals are extremely versatile and can be used to make glycerates and delicate perfumes, put into baked goods, and added to sugar as flavoring. Rosehips can be made into jams, used in teas and herbal tonics, or eaten whole.

Both rose flowers and rosehips grow on the same rose plants, which are large shrubs that are often used for ornamental value. These plants have characteristic bright orange/red fruits and light pink flowers with bright yellow centers. Mostly concentrated on Athletic Campus, this plant can be found along the Living & Learning pathway and outside of Harris-Millis up to the Patrick Gym.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Harvest practices: Echinacea flowers and leaves can be harvested from summer through fall. When found in the wild (and not in intentionally planted landscapes, such as where it is present on campus), the root can be dug up, dried, and powdered to be made into tea, which can aid in immune function and provide anti-inflammatory properties.

Common uses: This plant is deeply supportive of immune system health and is a classic example of whole-plant medicine. The leaves and flowers can be dried and made into a tea, but it is most effective in a tincture. 

Echinacea is a plant of vibrant beauty that blooms with large, purple, spiky flowers. It is commonly cultivated in gardens for its aesthetic value and the benefits it offers to pollinators. It can be found in UVM’s Apiary just east of the Interfaith Center behind UHeights.

Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)

Harvest practices: The scaled, needle-like foliage can be harvested gently from branches of this tree year-round.

Common uses: It is often boiled in hot water to be used for sinus steams. Direct ingestion of the plant should be avoided, especially in large quantities. Cedar can also be burned as a scent and energy cleanser.  

Cedar is a strong tree whose foliage crackles when burned and emits an earthy, cleansing scent. The plant has a long history as a medicinal and sacred plant in Indigenous communities. There are many cedar trees on the green east of Southwick Music Hall.

White pine (Pinus strobus)

Harvest practices: Needles can be harvested year-round, and the plant is an especially good respiratory ally in the winter. 

Common uses: White pine needles can be infused into aromatic, soul-soothing, sinus-opening massage oils, or they can be made into a tea for a boost of vitamin C. As an expectorant (having the ability to discharge mucus), white pine needle facial steams are beneficial during cold season.

White pines are tall trees whose needles have many medicinal properties. Their evergreen nature means that this plant is available for year-round harvesting. There are numerous white pines on the green east of Southwick Music Hall and the main green across from Waterman. H

Art by Emma Polhemus