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Herb of the Month: Vick’s Salve Plant (Plectranthus species)

Other Names:  Plectranthus  

Description: Vick’s plant  is a fleshy,
fuzzy leaved  plant with spreading habits. It is grayish-green in
color. Leaves are roughly  triangular and scalloped  on the edges.

Cultivation: Vick’s Salve  plant grows easily from  cuttings, and will
spread  and root on its own. It  likes a fair amount of water and sun,
but will tolerate shade.  

Medicinal: Vick’s plant is  good for
treating stuffy  noses. Kristin Jayd-Jimenez makes her  “Booger Balm”
from it,  and unlike the real Vick’s  Balm, this can be used  directly
under the nose  without ill effects. It can  also be made into steam
treatments to help congestion.  

Sources:  Herbs and Spices for Florida Gardens by Monica Moran Brandies.