Common Backyard
Trees and Plants
Australia has a deluge of gorgeous
native plants that have medicinal
properties. While indigenous
knowledge utilises our countrys
plants, its not commonly known that
you can grow alternative medicines
in your backyard. Until now.
Presenting our 3 part series to help
you plant smart and keep healthy.
All the plants featured in this series
can flourish in Australian backyards,
and all have the potential to help
you heal yourself holistically.
2
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
1. Tea tree
Its distinctive astringent scent gives
you an idea of this plants antiseptic
properties. While the indigenous
Australians were the first to be
clever enough to use it as such, its
since become a staple in many a
first aid kid and medicine cabinet
as a natural antibacterial ointment.
Therapeutic benefits
In the 1920s, scientific experiments proved that the tea-tree
oil was a far stronger antiseptic than anything used at the
time. Nowadays tea tree oil is used for everything from acne to
fungal skin infections.
3
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
2. Goats foot
This creeper plant will often
bring to mind the ocean. Its
common to see the signature
purple flowers dominating
coastal gardens and Australias
sandy coast fringes. The leathery
leaves form a cleft shape almost
like a goats hoof, and come with
contrastingly delicate funnelled
flowers.
Therapeutic benefits
First Australians from Northern Australia and in some parts of
New South Wales used goats foot leaves to relieve pain from
stingray and stonefish stings. Once crushed, the leaves were
then heated and applied straight onto the affected skin.
4
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
3. Aloe vera
This plant has been used for
its medicinal properties since
biblical times. There are a lot of
ailments than can be soothed
from having a pot or two of
aloe vera about the house,
including sunburn, cuts, rashes,
and digestive issues. Aloe vera is
even used as a beauty treatment
sometimes.
Therapeutic benefits
Aloe vera sap is the part of the plant that contains the good
stuff. This sap will speed up healing and reduce the risk of
infections for various wounds, burns of all kinds, and inflamed
skin conditions like eczema. You can also take the sap or aloe
vera juice internally for treating ulcerative colitis, indigestion
and chronic constipation.
5
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
4. Echinacea
This daisy-like perennial plant
provides lots of relief for colds,
coughs and inflammations, as
a general boost to the immune
system. While native to North
America, this no-nonsense
plant can survive in a variety of
climates, and doesnt need much
water to flourish. It was once
used by the Native Americans
as an application for stings and
bites from insects and snakes.
Therapeutic benefits
Taking echinacea is said to reduce the length and severity of
the common cold, especially when you start taking it at the
first sign of symptoms. The most common medicinal varieties
are Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia and E. pallida.
6
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
5. Pawpaw
These tasty tropical fruits are not
only a yummy treat in summer
they contain a huge amount of
vitamins and antioxidants that
can keep you at optimum health.
Therapeutic benefits
Pawpaw fruits are an excellent source of antioxidants, which
have been shown to protect against chronic illnesses such as
cancer and heart disease. They are also high in carotenes, and
vitamins C and A.
7
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
6. Passionfruit
These evergreen vines bear
delicious fruits in the warmer
months. As well as being tasty,
there are a swathe of health
benefits that make passionfruit a
great vine to add to your garden.
Therapeutic benefits
Passion Fruit contains alkaloids, which give a calming
effect. There are also a host of strong antioxidants to
keep your immune system uplifted. These trace goodies
include b-carotenes, potassium, carotenoids, riboflavin and
Cryptoxanthin-.
Finally, get the most out of your passionfruit vine with regular
watering and pruning. Pruning lets the sunlight filter through
the leaves to ripen your fruits to sweet perfection, and also
controls the fast growth and encourage new growth.
8
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
7. Lemon balm
A shrub of lemon balm in your
garden gives you a medicine for
a variety of medical ailments, as
well as the zesty aroma of mint
and lemon.
Therapeutic benefits
Lemon balm can be used on the skin and eaten or brewed as a
tea for different effects.
You can make a tea of your lemon balm leaves to help ease
colds, fevers, and stomach upsets like indigestion. This
diffusion is said to also have a calming effect, so many turn
to lemon balm to ease the symptoms of depression, anxiety,
insomnia and headaches.
9
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
8. Dill
This super herb is native to
diverse regions around the world,
including Russia, Africa and
the Mediterranean. Luckily this
means you can get it growing
almost anywhere to enjoy
both its fresh taste and health
benefits.
Therapeutic benefits
A tangy addition to fish, pickles and salads, dill lets you eat
your way to all natural better health.
10
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
9. Finger limes
Finger limes are a rainforest
delicacy. They come in a range
of colours, from deep green to
yellow, purple, pink and vivid
red. When halved, these native
Australian fruits reveal little
pearls within. The distinctive
lemon-lime flavour of their juice
is a real treat, not to mention a
wonderful alternative medicine.
Therapeutic benefits
Indigenous Australians have revered these fruits for years for
their flavour and way they ward off disease. They contain high
levels of folate, potassium, and have three times the Vitamin C
of a mandarin. They are also rich in Vitamin E, which is known
for increasing cell protection and warding off sickness.
The acidic juice and pulp and juice of finger limes can also be
used as an antiseptic.
11
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
10. Turmeric
With medicinal and culinary use
dating back to 2000 BC, turmeric
is a bit of a wonder food.
Therapeutic benefits
Turmeric is extremely high in antioxidants, which assist your
immune system in the fight against disease. It is also known for
its soothing anti-inflammatory properties, which can help both
arthritic inflammation and your digestive health.
12
Ready to plant your powerful,
medicinal plants?
13
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
11. Quandongs
These Australian native peaches
(santalum acuminatum),
traditionally a significant
food source for Indigenous
Australians, are packed with a
whole host of health benefits.
Therapeutic benefits
Quandongs contain twice the amount of vitamin C in an
orange, as well as loads of vitamin E, folate, magnesium,
calcium, iron and zinc. Due to their phenolic-based
antioxidants, quandongs are preventative against illnesses like
cancer, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimers disease.
14
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
Therapeutic benefits
Aboriginal people suck on the bright orange desert mushroom
to treat ulcers and soreness on the mouth and lips. These
mushrooms are also given to babies with oral thrush, and used
as natural teething rings.
15
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
Therapeutic benefits
Most commonly, St. Johns wort is used to treat anxiety,
been known to treat symptoms of menopause such as heart
palpitations and moodiness, premenstrual syndrome (PMS),
attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD).
16
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
14. Licorice
This sweet root (glycyrrhiza glabra) is
up to 50 times sweeter than sugar. In
fact, during the sugar rations of WWII,
it was the only sweet treat available in
Europe. Aside from being a healthier
alternative to sugar, licorice root is
also known to aid digestion.
Therapeutic benefits
The active ingredient in licorice is glycyrrhiza, which can
be used to treat upset stomachs, gastritis, irritable bowel
syndrome, heartburn and acid reflux. A cup of licorice tea
after a meal has been a traditional aid to digestion for many
years. Chilled licorice root tea is also a great refresher during
heatstroke.
Nice, rich soil will encourage the roots to spread, and whilst it
can be harvested at any time of the year, it may take 2-3 years
for the roots to reach the usable size of 1-5cm.
17
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
Therapeutic benefits
This native spinach is so high in antioxidants that Captain
James Cook took it on voyages to prevent scurvy. Warrigal
greens are also effective at preventing ulcers, contain sedative
properties, and have a high fibre content.
18
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
Therapeutic benefits
One of the worlds richest sources of vitamin C, the Kakadu
Plum can be used in many different ways. Kakadu plums have
been said to both treat and prevent cancer thanks to the
ellagic acid it contains, which helps to maintain healthy human
tissues. Kakadu plums have also been said to offset the effects
of Alzheimers disease.
19
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
Therapeutic benefits
Mountain pepper berries are known for their anti-inflammatory
properties and high antioxidant content. Pepper-berry has
been used by many traditional medical practitioners to
treat diseases like arthritis and digestive issues. Because
mountain pepper fruits and leaves can help slow absorption
of glucose from the stomach, its possible that both could act
preventatively against diabetes.
20
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
Therapeutic benefits
Native raspberries were used by Indigenous Australians to
treat diarrhoea. The fruit is also very rich in vitamin C and is
therefore known to offer a boost to the immune system.
21
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
19. Feverfew
These gorgeous daisy plants,
hypericum perforatum, will not only
cheer up your garden bed, but also
alleviate your headaches! The anti-
inflammatory leaves can be eaten
fresh or dried for the long-term and
consumed as a medicinal tea.
Therapeutic benefits
The leaves of feverfew can be chewed to take away the painful
throb of a headache. This plant is a great one to have on hand
for those prone to migraines.
The subtle flavour of the leaves means you can sprinkle them
on top of salads and other foods for headache relief or to
reduce inflammation in conditions such as arthritis or skin
conditions like eczema.
22
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
20. Marigold
Calendula officinalis, from flower petal
garnish in your salad to a medicinal
power-plant, the humble marigold is a
favourite around the world.
Therapeutic benefits
Marigold will sooth sunburn and other angry red skin disorders
such as acne, impetigo and varicose veins. It also acts an anti-
inflammatory for digestive problems such as stomach ulcers.
23
Your own backyard apothecary
24
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
21. Samphire
Samphire also goes by other
names such as sea asparagus, sea
beans, pickleweed and glasswort. A
succulent superfood that that grows
in brackish water near the ocean, it
grows well in many places around the
world, including the southern coast of
Australia.
Therapeutic benefits
Samphire is yet another wonder plant that kept convicts and
pirates alive and scurvy-free on brutal long journeys across the
sea. Its incredibly rich in folic acid and vitamins A, calcium and
iron. Its also said to cleanse the liver, improve mood and aid
cognitive function and digestion.
Samphire does well in soil that is light and sandy and prefers a
sunny, sheltered position out of the dangers of frost. If sowing
from seeds, start off in trays before moving to pots. Your
samphire is ready to enjoy when the shoots reach around 15cm.
25
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
Therapeutic benefits
Lemon myrtle is an amazing plant to have handy during
flu season. It is a powerful antioxidant that can ward off
illnesses, and its antiviral properties will stop disease carrying
microorganisms in their tracks. Lemon myrtle can be taken
as an oil or as a tea, used in cooking to spice up a recipe or
applied topically in the form of essential oil.
26
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
23. Macadamia
Tropical, crunchy and creamy
theres no doubt that macadamias are
delicious. The good news is that they
are also packed with a host of health
benefits.
Therapeutic benefits
Macadamia oil is excellent for repairing dry and damaged skin.
It can also be used as a natural way to protect yourself from
the sun, as opposed to many sunscreens that contain harsh
chemicals such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate and
avobenzone.
The nuts themselves are full of Omega-3 and good fatty acids
that reduce absorption of bad cholesterols. Minerals such as
magnesium will also help the stability and strength of the
bodys tissues and bones.
27
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
24. Eucalypts
Eucalypts, commonly known as gum
trees, form an intrinsic part of the
Australian identity with the bush. A
dominant part of the Australian flora,
Eucalypts come in a variety of shapes
and sizes from small shrubs to large
trees.
Therapeutic benefits
Eucalyptus are a powerful yet gentle antiseptic that can be
grown right in your own backyard.
The leaves have been used to treat colds, sore throats, allergies
and blocked sinuses for many years. An Indigenous Australian
remedy for an upset stomach is also a boiled infusion of
eucalyptus bark.
Eucalyptus products also make excellent antiseptics and
cleaning products that are a great alternative to standard
chemical-laden cleaners.
28
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
25. Chamomile
Chamomile, or rhodanthe
anthemoides, is widespread in eastern
Australia. It grows primarily in rocky
areas, preferring sandy soils, and
during winter pink buds may form
and stay dormant until opening in
early spring. Chamomile plants have
wonderful medicinal effects and are
easy to raise as long as you have a
little bit of sunshine on your side.
Therapeutic benefits
Calming cups of chamomile tea, a soothing salve for burns and
cuts theres so much these daisies can do. Research has also
shown that sipping chamomile tea while sick can reduce the
symptoms of colds, and its thought that chamomile tea can
even prevent muscle spasming and menstrual cramps.
29
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
26. Persimmon
These plants take patience but will
be with you for some time some
specimens in China are documented
as being over 300 years old. While
they are delicious, they have to be
picked at just the right time. The
acorn-shaped hachiya needs to be
super soft to be sweet enough to eat.
Therapeutic benefits
Persimmons can improve your health from the inside out.
Persimmons are said to prevent various types of cancer by
boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation and
improving blood circulation. Theyre even known to boost eye
health and help weight loss by kick starting the metabolism.
30
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
Therapeutic benefits
Nettle can be eaten or brewed up as a tea to provide all sorts
of health benefits. These include kidney support, pain relief
for arthritis, reduction in hypertension, treatment for digestive
issues like IBS, and it can even be used as an antibacterial
mouthwash. The leaves also boost the immune system by
stimulating the lymphatic system into action.
Indigenous Australians utilised the stings of nettle to stimulate
paralysed areas by beating the affected areas with the plant.
31
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
28. Midyim or
Midgen Berry
Midyim Berry is a cute little shrub
that bears white flowers and soft
sweet fruits. Native to the coastal
regions of northern New South
Wales and south east Queensland,
these berries have supple skin and
tiny edible seeds. A hardy native
berry, these fruits are wonderful in
pies and preserves.
Therapeutic benefits
Because these berries are native and hardy, you can grow
them without the aid of pesticides and harmful chemicals. It is
always better for your digestive system to take in fruits that are
grown locally, as you avoid introducing toxins and pesticides
into your body.
32
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
Therapeutic benefits
Aniseed myrtle is traditionally used for weight loss, lactation
and stomach complaints. You can make a tea from either fresh
or dried leaves it has quite a refreshing flavour.
33
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants
Therapeutic benefits
The leaf shoots and berries have a mild ginger flavour and can
be eaten fresh from the plant or used in cooking. Indigenous
Australians would crush the berries and mix with water to form
a gargle to soothe sore throats.
34
Reap natures benefits
35