Starting Our Medicinal Garden | Wild Arizona Thistle Along the Fence Line Welcome back to the ranch! In today’s video, I’m sharing the first steps in developing our medicinal garden space. As we begin planting and planning, I’ve taken time to observe the wild plants already thriving here—and one of the most striking is the native Arizona thistle (Cirsium arizonicum), which grows along the length of our property. Instead of disturbing this beautiful wild plant by transplanting it into the medicinal garden, I’ve decided to leave it where it naturally grows. Not only does this protect the thistle’s role in the ecosystem, but it also prevents it from becoming too invasive around the other delicate medicinal herbs I’ll be cultivating. The Arizona thistle has been traditionally valued in herbal practices. While research is limited, it’s believed to have the following medicinal uses:
Digestive support: Historically used as a bitter herb to help stimulate digestion.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Some indigenous uses suggest it may help reduce inflammation.
Wound care: Thistle poultices have been used in folk medicine for minor wounds and skin irritation.
Energy and resilience: Like many thistles, it’s respected for its hardy nature—reminding us of the strength and adaptability needed in healing work.
As I continue to learn about this plant’s properties, I hope to thoughtfully integrate it into my personal herbal practice—harvesting mindfully and respecting its place in the landscape. Thank you for joining me on this journey toward creating a healing space rooted in permaculture and native plant wisdom.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow along as we build our medicinal garden and explore wild Arizona plants together!