At the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy, a once-unused parking lot has been transformed into the Heber W. Youngken Jr. Medicinal Garden, where a diverse array of plants with medicinal properties thrive. The garden, located between Woodward, Avedisian, and Tyler halls on the northeast corner of campus, serves as a living classroom under the guidance of Elizabeth Leibovitz, the garden coordinator. She educates students about pharmacognosy, the study of drugs derived from natural sources, emphasizing the origins of many modern pharmaceuticals.
Leibovitz highlights the significance of understanding the natural roots of medicine. She notes that while many people view pharmacy as simply the study of medicine and pharmacists as healthcare providers, fewer appreciate the detailed scientific background involved in drug development and use. “Pharmacists are almost a type of primary care provider,” she said, underscoring their accessibility and expertise in drug interactions and dosage.
A key message Leibovitz conveys is the potential risks associated with self-medicating using plants or dietary supplements. She cautions that many individuals assume plant-based remedies are inherently safe, but these substances can interact with prescription medications or may lack therapeutic efficacy. “Most people don’t talk to their doctor about the dietary supplements they’re taking,” she said, warning of possible adverse interactions that often go unnoticed except by pharmacists.
The garden is named after Heber W. Youngken Jr., the first dean of the College of Pharmacy when it relocated to Kingston from its origins as Providence College of Pharmacy. Both Youngken Jr. and his father were prominent pharmacognosists, with the senior Youngken authoring a well-known textbook on the subject. Their work laid foundational knowledge on how natural compounds can be modified and used effectively as medicine, even influencing the structure of some synthetic drugs.
Among the garden’s collection are numerous plants often classified as weeds but long valued for their medicinal properties. Many were introduced during European colonization and continue to grow wild locally. For example, plantain—or ribwort—is referred to as the “band-aid plant” due to its traditional use in treating cuts and bug bites through a simple poultice made from crushed leaves.
Leibovitz also distinguishes between food, dietary supplements, and medicines, noting that while supplements are regulated more like food products and positioned as diet aids, they often carry medicinal effects. This distinction is important in managing patients with multiple health conditions who may be using supplements alongside prescribed drugs. Pharmacists, she says, frequently identify potential risks from such combinations, reinforcing the need for professional guidance.
Beyond its practical application, the Heber W. Youngken Jr. Medicinal Garden encourages visitors to connect with the natural world. Leibovitz observes that engagement with the garden’s flora offers a form of healing and mindfulness. “There’s medicine in observing the natural world,” she remarked, describing the sense of awe and tranquility the garden inspires—an experience she says is rare in modern life.
Though the garden remains a relatively under-visited site on campus, tours are offered throughout the year, highlighting this unique resource for understanding the intersection of nature and pharmacy.