Medicinal Herbs Grown in the Pacific Northwest

Ginseng

• Ginseng is produced for local use in the Pacific Northwest through agroforestry plantations and alley cropping (growing plants between stands of trees), according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. The service advises that the U.S. monitors the ginseng trade, requiring all dealers and growers to register.

Culinary Herbs

• Many culinary herbs also have medical uses. These include anise, basil, borage and chamomile. According to Oregon State University, "Medicinal herbs are so specialized and often controversial that mention of their use will be ancillary, and only if the herb is also used for culinary purposes."

Resources

• The University of Washington supports a medicinal herb garden as a resource for herbalists, medics and botanists. A virtual tour of the garden --- which includes herbs and their uses --- is available at the National Network of Libraries of Medicine website. The university warns that anyone intending to use medicinal herbs should consult a qualified medical professional.