Herb Garden

It is likely that the cultivation of herbs at the University of Tart started already in the 17th century in connection with the teaching of medicine and pharmacy. Herbs were also grown in the Univeristy's Botanical Garden in the beginning of the 19th century, although it was only in 1873 that, for the first time, medicinal and poisonous plant beds appeared on the layout plan of the Garden's grounds.

To meet an increasing public interest in plants that help to strengthen health, a new herb and spice garden was opened in the Botanical Garden in 2011, located along the wall facing the Emajogi River. The Herb Garden collection is designed to be both an educational resource for our visitors and a place to relax and reflect among the plants.

Since ancient times, folk medicine has made use of herbs in in the form of herbal teas, tinctures, infusions, body wraps, poultices, or other applications, with each culture developing its own traditional natural medications. The Herb Garden introduces visitors to many plants extensively used in Estonian folk medicine, to the healing properties of those plants as well as to Estonia's native spice plants. Around 400 species and varieties of medicinal plants grow in this 130 square metre garden.

In the free-form beds you can see both familiar and less familiar wild species, as well as cultivated plants. Plants are arranged by genus. In this garden you will find 64 genera. The largest genera are: Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Solanaceae and Scrophulariaceae.

In 2013, a new spice garden was added to the herb garden, with 54 taxa. Among other warm-season plants, this bed includes Paraguayan candyleaf (Stevia rebaudiana) and honeyherb (Lippia dulcis). Honeyherb, also known as Aztec sweet herb, is much sweeter than its species-mate candyleaf.

Remember! No herbal medicine is good to use a lot of at one time and for a long time.