Sowing the Seeds of Science

By Katherine Noll
June 14, 2010

The Mϋtter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia may be known for its medical oddities (the conjoined liver of Siamese twins Chang and Eng Bunker, the Soap Lady and more) but it was this place that first sparked the idea of Northampton Community College's medicinal garden.

"The Science Club visited the museum in the fall," Mike MacDonald, a biological science major and president of the Science Club, said, "and the medicinal garden at the museum got us talking about doing the same thing here. I am especially interested in this project because I want to go into horticulture as a career."

The College of Physicians was founded in 1787, and its medicinal garden was originally used to replenish doctors' medicine cabinets. These days, MacDonald says, drug companies in the United States study plants, and then synthesize the chemicals found in them to produce medicines.

Science Club members began planting in the new garden on June 3. The plot is part of the Tribute Garden and is located between Penn and Commonwealth Halls.

"This space is ideal. It's right off the science labs, has ideal sun exposure and is protected from the wind," MacDonald added.

Club advisor Doris Kressly, who recently returned from a trip from the United Kingdom, was inspired by the gardens she toured there, including one created in 1673 that was over 4 acres.

"It contained herbs you can use as well as medicinal herbs," she said, "which made me think of the possibility of the art department having a plot and growing plants for dyes."

Sharing and expanding the garden across NCC departments is a high priority for the club. The new medicinal plot includes a row of herbs grown specifically for the culinary department, and other students will be encouraged to use the plants for research purposes.

 

"This is not only a showcase for the Science Club, but it's available to anyone who wants to do research," MacDonald said.

The plants, which include lavender, sage, purple coneflower (Echinacea) and lemon balm (see below for a complete list) were grown from seedlings in the Penn Hall greenhouse.

"Some of the seedlings were 'cooked,'" MacDonald explained, "and I ended up having to buy plants. But it was a good learning experience."

Since the plot is part of the Tribute Garden, Kressly plans to buy boxwood for the corners of the garden in memory of her father. And MacDonald's father, a pharmacist at Ritter Pharmacy in Southside Bethlehem, made a monetary contribution to the garden.

"He has always been interested in medicinal herbs," MacDonald remarked.

Once the garden is planted, club members will focus on maintenance, including weeding and watering.

Medicinal Plants:

Lavender
Coreopsis
Lupine
Evening Primrose
Sage
Blazing Star
Foxglove
Lemon Balm
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
Yarrow
Chamomile

Culinary Herbs:

Thyme
Rosemary
Parsley
Oregano