Plants on the Nimitz trail, April 2024, Tilden Regional Park
I recently lead an herbal plant walk on the Nimitz trail, starting at Inspiration Point in Tilden Regional Park. I took photos of all the herbal plants (and also a few toxic plants) I saw along the way. These are in order of where I saw them.
Apologies that some of the photos aren’t the best. Plants in nature don’t always arrange themselves for the best portraits!
These images are starting points, please look up more detailed guides for more clues and precise ID information.
Please note: I’m listing some herbal actions, but not contraindications, plant parts used, or specific techniques — so there is a lot more to know before gathering or actually making remedies from any of these plants. Please do your own due diligence.
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) – Adoxaceae – Immune stimulant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory. (Raw berries are toxic.)
Cleavers (Galium aparine) – Rubiaceae – Lymphatic tonic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory. Great juiced.
Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) – Polygonaceae – Alterative, laxative, hepatic, cholagogue, tonic, aperient.
California Bay (Umbellularia californica) – Lauraceae – Analgesic, antifungal, expectorant.
Wild Oats (Avena sativa) – Poaceae – Nervine tonic, nutritive, adaptogen. (Growing amongst the grass.)
Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum) – Apiaceae – Can cause contact dermititis.
Wild Cucumber (Marah spp.) – Cucurbitaceae – Toxic
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) – Apiaceae – Carminative, digestive aid, expectorant.
Oxalis (Oxalis spp.) – Oxalidaceae – Edible in small amounts – high levels of oxalic acid.
Mustard (Brassica spp.) – Brassicaceae – Stimulant, diaphoretic, expectorant. Edible in small amounts raw, better to cook since it also has oxalic acid.
Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) – Montiaceae – Nutritive, demulcent, diuretic. Edible raw, great in salads.
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) – Rosaceae – Astringent, antidiarrheal, antioxidant. (The huge bramble in the middle with white flowers.)
Plantain (Plantago spp.) – Plantaginaceae – Demulcent, vulnerary, astringent, antimicrobial. (Rather terrible photo of one of my favorite plants.)
Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) – Anacardiaceae – Toxic (do not touch!)
Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa) – Scrophulariaceae – Alterative, anti-inflammatory, lymphatic tonic.
Hemlock (Conium maculatum) – Apiaceae – all parts are toxic (Shown in bloom and when smaller.)
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) – Asteraceae – Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, bitter, cholagogue, antirheumatic, laxative, tonic, diuretic.
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) – Asteraceae – Hepatic, galactagogue, demulcent, cholagogue, antihepatotoxic, bitter.
Mallow (Malva spp.) – Malvaceae – Demulcent, emollient, anti-inflammatory.
Wild Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) – Asteraceae – Digestive bitter, hepatoprotective, cholagogue.
Teasel (Dipsacus spp.) – Caprifoliaceae – Immunity tonic, diaphoretic, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory.
California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica) – Asteraceae – Antimicrobial, expectorant, analgesic. (Not the best time to photograph it, you can mostly see the dead branches from last season’s growth.)
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria spp.) – Rosaceae – Astringent, diuretic, antioxidant.
Nettle (Urtica dioica) – Urticaceae – Nutritive, diuretic, anti-inflammatory.
