August's Plant of the Month: Ashwagandha Latin name: Withania somnifera, Solanaceae Common names: Ashwagandha, Winter Cherry, Indian Ginseng* Growth: About 2 feet in height, native to India. In Central Florida Ashwagandha is a nice herbaceous…continue reading 
Achillea millefolium Latin name: Achillea millefolium, Asteraceae Common names: Yarrow, Milfoil Growth: In Central Florida can be used as a ground cover, the bipinnate leaves grow low to the ground and appear almost fern like,…continue reading 
I cringe when I hear the word "superfood" uttered in a mixed crowd. Between GOOP and Dr Oz, health and nutrition fads fill up my Facebook feed daily, and they fade into distant memory as…continue reading 
See notes and slides from Emily's presentation at this link. Herbalist Emily Ruff presented "Swamp Medicine: Healing Plants of Central Florida" at the 2017 International Herb Symposium, highlighting medicinal plants growing in the subtropical climate…continue reading 
Wesak is also known as the Buddha Full Moon. Wesak is the celebration of Buddha's enlightenment. Gathering to chant and pray are an important part of a traditional Wesak celebration. It is said that Wesak…continue reading 
Insulin plant (Costus pictus) is the subject of numerous studies from the National Institute of Health for its effects on - you guessed it - hyperglycemia and diabetes. It has a history of use in…continue reading 
Maranta arundinaceae, commonly known as Arrowroot, is a beautiful herbal ally to grow here in sunny Central Florida. It loves our tropical weather and thrives in humid environments. The rhizomes of this plant have been…continue reading 
Plants that bring forth pollinators, grow in abundance, and provide food and medicine, are our favorite additions to a garden. One in particular comes to mind and that is Sambucus nigra, commonly known as Elderberry.…continue reading