Zone: Inner Walkway (The Kitchen Pharmacy)

Season of Interest: Early to Mid-Summer (June – July)

The Doctor’s Notes (Medicinal Use)

Dr. Woodward would have appreciated this plant as a rugged, native alternative to imported medicines. In 19th-century practice, it was used for:

• Respiratory Ailments: A decoction of the roots was used to treat sore throats, coughs, and tonsillitis.

• Astringent Properties: The plant is rich in tannins; the root bark was often used to stop internal and external bleeding and as a wash for skin ulcers.

• Spleen and Lymph: Some 19th-century eclectic physicians believed it could reduce an enlarged spleen and help clear congested lymph nodes.

The Household Assistant (Kitchen Use)

This plant’s name comes directly from its role during the American Revolution, a story the Woodward family likely shared with pride:

• The "Liberty Tea": During the Revolutionary War, when imported Chinese tea was boycotted, the dried leaves of this shrub became the most popular tea substitute in the colonies. It is naturally caffeine-free and has a savory, slightly spicy flavor.

• Native Dye: The deep red roots were used by early settlers to create a reddish-brown dye for wool and linen.

• Winter Browse: On a working farm like the Woodwards', this shrub was valuable because it provided a hardy food source for deer and livestock during the winter months.

Botanist’s Corner

• Form: A compact, deciduous shrub that usually grows to about 3 feet tall and wide.

• Foliage: Features broad, ovate leaves with prominent veins and finely toothed edges.

• Flowers: Produces delicate, lacy clusters of white flowers that look like small puffs of foam. These flowers are incredibly fragrant and are a magnet for native butterflies and hummingbirds.