During the warmer months, the College of Pharmacy at Leonard Hall in Pocatello is surrounded by gorgeous, flourishing plants, herbs and flowers of all kinds. While it is pleasing to the eye, with bright green peppermint and multicolored California poppies, the garden is actually full of plants that were traditionally used medicinally. Our resident Groundskeeper and Instruction Assistant, Vyonne Jenks, works every spring and summer to keep the garden immaculately groomed. Stop by and take a look when you visit the Pocatello campus!
California Poppy
While the California poppy is a gorgeous flower, it is also used for a variety of health benefits. The poppy is known to help with insomnia, promoting relaxation, nervous agitation, aches, and even bed-wetting in children. When combined with other herbs, it is also used to treat long term mental tiredness, depression, and other psychiatric conditions.
Lavender
Lavender has been a favorite in medicinal use for many years. Its smell and appearance is appealing on its own, but can also aid in treating anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, depression, headache and pain. Just the scent of lavender can be relaxing and effective.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a part of the mint family, and can be used for digestive problems, including upset stomach, bloating, intestinal gas (flatulence), vomiting, and colic; for pain, including menstrual cramps, headache and toothache; and for mental disorders, including hysteria and melancholia, along with anxiety, ADHD, and sleeping problems as well.
Peppermint
Peppermint has been used to treat colds, inflammation in the mouth or throat, sinus infections, inflammation of the mouth and throat, and even digestive issues such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, and irritable bowel syndrome. It is said to be useful when applied to the skin for pain, itchiness, headaches, rash, etc.
Roman Chamomile
Roman chamomile is a plant that can be taken to treat indigestion, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Similar to other plants, it can be applied on one’s skin to treat pain and swelling. It is sometimes used in a steam bath to help with hay fever or a sore throat.
Sage
Sage is an herb that some people use to help with digestive problems such as stomach pain or loss of appetite, as well as depression, Alzheimer’s, and memory loss. Women can use it to aid in menstrual pain and reducing hot flashes during menopause, and can be applied for cold sores.
St. John's Wort
St. John’s wort is a small, yellow flowering plant that is known to cure the blues, otherwise known as depression and the effects that can come along with it. There is some scientific evidence that it can be effective when treating depression.
Sweet Woodruff
The herb resembling small white flowers known as Sweet Woodruff has been used to treat insomnia, hysteria, agitation, migraine, wounds, swelling and skin diseases. It has been taken in an effort to prevent lung, stomach, liver, and urinary disorders.
Wormwood
Wormwood has been used to treat fevers, depression, memory loss, liver disease, loss of appetite, upset stomach, and various other ailments. The oil has been said to increase one’s sexual desire, to stimulate one’s imagination, and for digestive disorders. It can also be applied to the skin.