Taking a closer look at common West Virginia plants that might be able to cure what ails you.
This story was originally published in the March 2019 issue of Wonderful West Virginia. To subscribe, visit wonderfulwv.com.
written by Nicole Scott
photographs courtesy of Ashley SanJulian
It’s no secret that West Virginians are deeply proud of our state’s natural beauty. And yet so many of us spray our lawns with weed killer to kill off flowers and herbs that we perceive as pests. But these plants aren’t just beautiful—they’re useful, too.
Ashley SanJulian, owner of Gum’s Hollow Apothecary in Jane Lew, wants to teach people to appreciate the plants growing in their yards.
SanJulian worked as a licensed practical nurse at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg until her son was diagnosed with celiac disease. “He was just so sick. I told my husband, ‘I don’t care if I’m poor, I want to be with him.’ So I quit my job and we sold and downsized our home significantly. That’s what started everything.”
At the same time, she began researching herbal remedies to treat her son’s ailment. “I saw a vast improvement,” she says. This inspired her to pursue her interest further, and she spent two and a half years getting a certification in herbalism. But her interest in natural cures didn’t become a business until two years ago.
SanJulian had just emerged from a dark period in her life, after losing her best friend in a car wreck. “I had never thought about opening a business, but after that dark winter came spring, and everything came to life again. I was so inspired,” she says. “I started making my own products. People had an interest, people wanted to know more.”
She opened her apothecary in spring 2017, making and selling concoctions made from herbs that are native to our state. “My objective is to point out the herbs people overlook that are native to West Virginia,” she says. “As someone with a nursing background, I think there’s a beautiful marriage to be had with Western and natural, holistic medicines. Stinging nettles, for example, are nature’s multivitamin. Rosehips are full of vitamin C.”
But SanJulian is quick to stress that you don’t need a lot of training to enjoy the bounty of your backyard. “Just think about your ancestors, who went out and wildcrafted herbs and made herbal medicines for their families. They didn’t have certification,” she says.
Long before hospitals and pharmacies reached these mountains, Native Americans and the European settlers that came later had to depend on plants to cure what ailed them. They brewed ginseng into tea to reduce fatigue, rubbed jewelweed on their poison ivy rashes, and used sassafras as a blood thinner. With her business, SanJulian hopes to rekindle that relationship we once had with the land. “My big goal is to see people feel liberated to make their own medicine, because it’s so easy,” she says. “Our Earth provides us with what we need, when we need it.”
DISCLAIMER: It’s always a good idea to check with your physician before taking anything new, just in case of allergies or drug interactions.
Dandelions
One of the most commonly overlooked herbs is the dandelion. Everyone is familiar with their bright yellow, frayed appearance, but few appreciate the medicinal uses of this diuretic spring herb. Its leaves are full of vitamins and minerals, and it is great for cleansing the lymphatic system. SanJulian often makes a breast massage salve with dandelion and a few other herbs to encourage lymphatic health.
Its roots are also widely used to aid in digestion. For instance, SanJulian uses dandelions to create a liver tonic that can be used to help wean people off coffee. She also recommends making your own dandelion wine or dandelion green pesto for some delicious herb-infused meals.
Red Clover
Red clover is a plant you can find soon after the spring’s final frost. Its radiant spikes, ranging from purples to pinks, are difficult to miss among the newly green grass.
SanJulian praises red clover for its amazing benefits as a topical aid, helping those suffering with eczema or other skin-related issues like rashes, bug bites and stings, and burns. Much like dandelion, it is also rich in vitamins and minerals and is a great lymphatic system detoxifier, assisting with issues like swelling or congestion by eliminating toxins from our bodies’ tissues.
Elder
No matter which form it takes—berry or flower—elder is SanJulian’s most prized and beloved herb. For her, it brings back childhood memories of her father, who made delicious elderberry jams and jellies. Now, she gives it to her children every single day for a multitude of uses. SanJulian’s primary reason for using elder is for immune support, given its antiviral and antibacterial qualities.
This midsummer herb thrives near water sources and is more abundant than most realize. The lacey flowers are easy to spot due to their delicate, dainty beauty. The elderberry, meanwhile, takes on a dark violet sheen.
Yarrow
Wild yarrow, which makes its home near creeks, is known for its abundant white petals and yellow centers. It is primarily used as an astringent, which SanJulian uses to help heal abrasions. Harvesting, drying, and grinding the leaves into a powder makes a useful styptic. Placing this powder on a cut or scrape will often stop bleeding nearly instantly.
Yarrow also has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
Mullein
With its large, soft, and velvety leaves and yellow flowers, mullein is difficult to miss. It can be found anywhere from the middle of an open field to a railroad causeway. It can be used to treat upper respiratory and sinus issues. SanJulian suggest making a mullein glycerite to help soothe affected membranes. Its expectorant nature helps bring up mucus to treat coughing and troubled breathing. You can also make mullein ear oil out of the flowers to calm ear aches, allergies, and asthma.