The Doctor’s Medicinal Garden

Many of the trees and plants in the garden, surrounding the restored Doctor’s home, served as a "natural pharmacy" from which the nineteenth century doctor could prepare remedies and cures for the villagers. This authentic garden was developed and maintained by the Southern Ontario Unit of the Herb Society of America. The following perennial herbs are typical of those commonly used to stock a storehouse of remedies.

Comfrey
Symphytum officinale

Old time remedy herb used for compresses applied to injuries.

Elecampane
Inula helenium

Also known as wild sunflower, this was a very common cold remedy herb.

Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum

As the name implies this herb was used for broken bones.

Horehound
Marrubium vulgare

Still popular today as horehound candy, this herb was a common ingredient in lozenges.

Coltsfoot
Tussilago farfara

Many old time herbs have names that reflect a use from the past but this herb was not used exclusively for colts! This plant was a remedy for colds and bronchitis.

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