When Robert and L.A. Bonds purchased their Newton County farmland, it led to a fun scavenger hunt to determine which plants were already established and which ones they wanted to add. After years of trial and error, L.A. has identified four medicinal plants that must always be in her garden: goldenrod, mullein, nettles and purslane. She enjoys teaching others what she has learned about these plants, making teas from them and witnessing their ability to help others achieve better health. L.A. describes these herbs as having a similar, overall bitter flavor. Still, each also carries unique fruity notes that she enhances in her teas by adding dried fruit harvested from their organic garden. The medicinal use of these plants dates back thousands of years. Even so, L.A. recommends checking with your healthcare provider before consuming them.
GOLDENROD
Goldenrod is an herbaceous perennial in the same family as daisies and sunflowers. Its gorgeous yellow flowers bloom in late summer and autumn, causing people to mistake it for the similar-looking but allergy-causing plant called ragweed. Goldenrod’s scientific name, Solidago, means “to make whole.” Its leaves and flowers have long been used to make extracts and teas to soothe allergy symptoms and reduce inflammation. The herb is a key ingredient in Bonds’ Blissful Relief tea, created to help with various respiratory issues.
MULLEIN
Mullein is not as well-known as goldenrod, but the tall, velvety-leafed plant also carries potent power to soothe respiratory distress, particularly coughs and throat irritation. “Mullein is good for clearing out mucus,” L.A. said. “It’s been traditionally used for colds, bronchitis and for loosening up congestion.” Historically, mullein tea has also been said to improve digestive function, support the immune system and reduce overall inflammation. Bonds harvests fresh batches from her garden to form the basis of her Breathe Clear tea.
NETTLES
If you have ever been on a hike, you probably cringe at the word “nettle.” Most people know it as
an infamous stinging plant, with leaves and stems covered in fine hairs that penetrate the skin like microscopic needles and inject a bothersome cocktail of histamines. However, the nettle plants that the Bonds grow are devoid of this irritating feature. “We grow a lot of dead nettles,” L.A. said. “Because there are so many allergies in Georgia, we do a lot of respiratory teas. Nettle tea is good for seasonal allergies, but it also works as a diuretic that pulls toxins out of the urinary tract.” According to theherbalacademy.com, flowers and leaves from the dead nettle plant have antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent and styptic properties. Foragers have long harvested raw dead nettle as a wild edible green used in salads and smoothies. It is rich in quercetin, vitamins A, C and K, iron and fiber.
PURSLANE
“Our purslane grows prolifically,” L.A. said with a laugh. “It is traditionally used in Africa as a medicine.” She describes the plant as succulent-like, with tiny, lemony leaves that many people enjoy eating raw. “We sell it dried and fresh. Some people like to sprinkle it on top of eggs, things like that.”Purslane’s health benefits are many and have been touted since the 4th century B.C. Even the National Library of Medicine shared that purslane’s “medicinal value is evident from its use for treatment of burns, headache, and diseases related to the intestine, liver, stomach, cough, shortness of breath, and arthritis.”
