Nature's Pharmacy: Ancient Knowledge, Modern Medicine

Janette Ryan-Busch

In 1985, she and her family bought another farm and moved to their current location just outside of Iowa City. There she owns and operates a produce herb and flower business called Fae Ridge Farms. In 1994, Janette opened a small store at the farm that is open to the public each weekend from 11a.m. - 5p.m., June 1 through Dec 24th.

Janette has worked with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for over a decade. She has served on 3 different committees with the Department as a representative of the small alternative organic farm. Janette worked extensively on both pieces of organic legislation passed by the state as well as on national organic legislation.

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Janette Ryan-Busch and many other Iowa women take an active role in creating new state organic standards as well as growing and selling organic produce.

Organic growers avoid the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and genetically altered material on their farms. They control crop diseases through crop rotation, organic soil enhancers, natural pest predators and effective composting.

They draw upon a belief in a holistic relationship between the earth and its inhabitants - that all plants and animals play a role in maintaining the health of the whole system - and that the illness of any part affects the whole.

Belief in natural processes has fostered an interest in herbal healing among some organic growers and many herb growers avoid the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

3. Comfrey in Bloom Farm Store in Background

6. Veronica chamaedrys (Speedwell)

Veronica chamaedrys Speedwell Name, Habit and Appearance: A short, upright stalk with paired leaves topped with numerous flowers 2 to 6 inches long. Legend and Folklore: In old England, it was famous as a cure for coughs, asthma and catarrh. It was applied externally to various skin diseases and was a common cure for the "itch." Its root was also used as a preventative against pestilential fevers. Medicinal Uses: The whole plant was used when in flower for its diaphoretic, astringent, and stimulant properties.

7. Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)

Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) Name, Habit and Appearance: A feathery-leaved plant that blooms in June to September with minute white flowers in flattened terminal, loose heads. Legend and Folklore: This was the plant with which Achilles stanched the wounds of the Greeks at Troy. In early Europe it was considered one of the devil's plants and was used in divination and spells. Yarrow tea was considered a remedy for severe colds and childhood measles, for baldness and cramps. In Norway it was thought to cure rheumatism; and chewing fresh leaves was said to suppressed the pain of toothaches. Medicinal Uses: The whole plants are collected in August when in flower; and used as a diaphoretic, astringent, and stimulant.

Artemisia vulgaris
(Mugwort)

Recommended for "shakings of the 'joynts' inclining to Palsie."