Forest garden climbers that can heal
Suggestions for an extra layer in the medicinal forest garden with climbing plants that have medicinal potential
Here are some great examples of climbers that can heal, from ivy to passionflower, rose to magnolia vine, and more. Some are easy to grow and others I am still working on! Planning to include climbers is a good way of making more use of the space available in permaculture designs. The climbing plants suggested here have either traditional or present-day medicinal uses that vary from antispasmodics to sedative bitters and other herbal actions.
Medicinal forest garden layers
The medicinal forest garden is an ideal place to grow climbers. I have been exploring which plants are both climbers and medicinal to see what they can offer. My interest is in those plants suited to a temperate climate, and seasonal changes mean that they need to be somewhat hardy, though some can do best with a sheltered location. One of the important aspects of design with permaculture principles is the effective use of space. In the context of plant layers this means effective access to light and moisture and warmth. Permaculture designers often point out that forest gardens are much like young woodland edges which reflect this layering principle - at least seven layers can be identified from underground to ground cover, followed by herbaceous plants and shrubs, the lower canopy and then an upper canopy of trees. The additional layer is that of the climbers, the plants that can span from the ground all the way up into the overstorey. There is a lot more to permaculture design than the concept of layering plants, but it is quite fundamental to the biodiverse nature of forest gardens. So here are a few suggestions for medicinal climbers!
Sweet tea vine (Gynostemma pentaphyllum)
A perennial Asian climber in the melon family (Cucurbitaceae), growing in woodland up to 8 m high. Also known as 'jiaogulan' and is a calming adaptogenic herb. Prefers a rich moist soil. This plant dies down over winter and protection is likely to be needed from frost. Often grown as an annual from cuttings in colder climates and is best kept in a greenhouse in colder climates. The leaves in tea have a sweet, slightly cucumber flavour, with an aftertaste like green tea. Can be used fresh or harvested and dried. The leaves can also be included in salads and stir fry. It is sedative, hepatic, adaptogenic, hypotensive and immune tonic. Constituents include sterols, flavonoids and saponins similar to those in ginseng.
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Common ivy is a climbing plant from the ginseng family (Araliaceae). It grows over the ground and up trees and walls, and is widespread in hedgerows and woodlands throughout Europe and Asia. Ivy readily climbs to 15 m in trees. The leaves can be harvested in spring and can be used fresh or dried. This is a bitter herb containing alkaloids and triterpene saponins. The leaves are antibacterial, antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic, emetic, emmenagogue, and vermifuge. The leaf extract is sold for arthritic and respiratory conditions such as cough and bronchitis. Caution as large doses of the leaves can cause diarrhoea and vomiting. Not recommended for use in pregnancy.
Hop (Humulus lupulus)
A climbing plant long used in treating nervous and skin complaints, the hop can grow to 6 m in hedgerows and woodland. This plant is in the Cannabidaceae family. It is a hardy perennial plant prefers rich soil in a sheltered position and can grow in sun or light shade. Is drought tolerant once established. The fruits or hops are bitter, antibacterial, antispasmodic, diuretic and sedative, and can be used to increase digestive secretions. Female cones or strobiles are harvested in summer as they start to ripen, before going brown, and then dried. Also traditionally used to increase milk production in nursing mothers. Used as an infusion or a tincture for insomnia. Avoid in pregnancy.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)
A climber with scented flowers traditionally used for a range of complaints. Also known as woodbine, the honeysuckle is a deciduous twining climber, growing up to 7 m or more in height. It has attractive fragrant two-lipped flowers, white or yellow in colour and flushed with pink or red. Harvest flowers as buds or just before they open in early summer. Lay flowers on a tray and allow to dry till completely crisp. Use as a tea or to make a syrup or glycerol extract. Harvest stems in autumn or winter and dry for later use. This plant contains saponins and tannins and is expectorant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, laxative, antispasmodic (flowers), diuretic (stems) and astringent (leaves). Can be used externally as a wash for skin inflammation and infection. The red berries are purgative and are not suitable for consumption.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Passionflower or maypop is a North American climbing plant with sedative properties. it is a hardy evergreen perennial that grows in moist well-drained soil, preferring full sun and a sheltered position. Passionflower grows to 6 m in North American fields and thickets. The dried aerial parts have historically been used as a sedative and hypnotic (for insomnia) and for "nervous" gastrointestinal complaints. Leaves and stems are harvested after some berries have matured. these can be dried and used as infusion or tincture. A tea made from 4-8 g dried herb can be taken daily. The principal constituents are flavonoids and alkaloids. Used in Europe for nervousness and insomnia. Avoid in pregnancy. Caution with machinery as drowsiness may occur.
Dog rose (Rosa canina)
Not technically a climber, this widespread plant will readily throw up long arching shoots which can be trained or allowed to form a high hedge. A deciduous shrub with thorny stems up to 3 m, scented flowers and scarlet hips with anti-inflammatory effects. The leaves are antimicrobial, astringent, antioxidant and diuretic. The flower buds and petals are astringent, antioxidant and anxiolytic. Rose hips are anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, hypolipidemic, diuretic, laxative and tonic. Young leaves can be harvested fresh or to dry for use in an infusion. The flowers can be harvested fresh. For drying the flower petals need to be free of moisture and placed in a single layer. Rose hips can be harvested after the first frosts before they start to wrinkle.
Magnolia vine (Schisandra chinensis)
Schisandra is a plant of northern China that grows to 9 m by streams on forest edges. The berries provide a traditional medicine remedy used for respiratory, insomnia and skin disorders. It is known as 'wu wei zi' (five flavour fruit) with salty, sweet, sour, pungent and bitter flavours. This is a hardy deciduous climber that grows in moist well-drained soil, in part or full shade. Berries can be harvested when ripe and dried, to be taken as tincture or powder. A syrup can be made by soaking the berries in glycerol for 4 weeks. A decoction of 5 g of crushed schisandra berries in 100 ml of water is suggested to be taken over a 24-hour period. This plant has hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties and is considered an alternative to ginseng as a restorative in treating stress and nervous complaints. Note that both male and female plants are needed for the production of the berries.
Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara)
A scrambling or climbing plant traditionally used in arthritis, digestive and skin complaints. Also known as woody nightshade, this plant is in the potato family or Solanaceae. It is a hardy European perennial climber to 1-2 m high, that can grow in light shade, preferring moist soil. It sprawls somewhat and is best recognised by its purple and yellow flowers followed by red berries. The roots and twigs are harvested after leaf fall and dried. A decoction of stem or root is used. This plant is diuretic, antispasmodic, anodyne, antifungal and purgative. It is recognised in Europe for external use in treating skin conditions such as warts. However, this plant is not appropriate for internal use without qualified practitioner advice. The berries are not edible due to alkaloid content.
Getting climbing plants established
It may not always be so easy to get some climbers established. For example, although I have had initial success in germinating Passiflora species, it is much fancied by our local Devon slugs hiding in nearby lush foliage. Like many other young plants with fresh growing shoots, there is a period of vulnerability to slugs and snails. I don't like to use slug pellets so an alternative option is to clear the surrounding space while a plant is establishing and provide physical barriers (these could include crushed eggshell, grit, coarse wool, or guards cut from plastic water bottles). Another strategy is to grow a climber on in a pot until it is larger and tougher and able to withstand predation more easily. Thicker stems and more extensive roots will also help less hardy plants that could be affected by cold. Some climbers tend to leaf out while there is still a danger of frost, so they need to be protected by draping mesh or sacking over. In some cases, even though young shoots may be frosted and die then there are fresh shoots soon after.
Using natural or created features for suppport
Climbing plants usually have long stems and may use tendrils or twining stems to support themselves provided there is something to attach to. Some shrubs can be encouraged to grow upward with a bit of support such as horizontal wires. Filling in forest layers with a selection of climbing healing plants can involve using features such as trellis or walls or even trees to support sprawling shrubs.
More climbers and sprawling plants
Other medicinal climbersor scramblers to consider include bramble (Rubus fruticosus), goji (Lycium barbarum), wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), all included in my book Trees and Shrubs That Heal (2023).