Herb Library

Butyrum clarificatum

Not an herb per se, but an essential Ayurvedic vehicle (anupana) used to deliver herbs and support digestion. Considered medicinal in Ayurveda.

Clarified butter + herbs (Ayurvedic)

Ayurvedic ghee infused with medicinal herbs (Brahmi, Ashwagandha, Shatavari). Ghee acts as a lipid-soluble carrier (anupana) increasing herb bioavailability.

Arundinaria gigantea

Native American medicinal plant used as kidney aid, stimulant, cathartic. Documented among Houma, Seminole.

Vicia nigricans

Native American medicinal plant used as laxative, dermatological aid, love medicine. Documented among Costanoan, Makah, Quinault.

Zingiber officinale (compress)

Hot ginger compress applied topically — increases blood flow to the area. Traditional macrobiotic/Japanese remedy for joint pain, congestion, and menstrual cramps.

Potentilla glandulosa

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, stimulant, tonic. Documented among Gosiute, Okanagon, Thompson.

Betula pumila

Native American medicinal plant used as gynecological aid, respiratory aid. Documented among Ojibwa.

Wedelia trilobata

Traditional medicinal plant used for amenorrhea, dysentery, feet, fever, sore.

Laburnum anagyroides

Traditional medicinal plant used for fatality, poison.

Verbesina encelioides

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, febrifuge. Documented among Hopi, Navajo, Kayenta.

Ribes aureum

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, orthopedic aid. Documented among Paiute, Shoshoni.

Rumex maritimus

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta.

Ericameria arborescens

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, gynecological aid, orthopedic aid. Documented among Miwok.

Dalea aurea

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Dakota.

Opuntia aurea

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, dermatological aid. Documented among Shoshoni.

Coreopsis tinctoria

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal. Documented among Cherokee.

Philadelphus lewisii

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, dermatological aid, antirheumatic (external), breast treatment, hemorrhoid remedy, pulmonary aid. Documented among Okanagan-Colville, Snohomish, Thompson.

Ranunculus inamoenus

Native American medicinal plant used as hunting medicine. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Mammillaria grahamii

Native American medicinal plant used as ear medicine. Documented among Pima.

Passiflora foetida

Traditional medicinal plant used for amygdalitis, asthma, bilious, cold, cough, cyanogenetic, depurative, emetic, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Selenicereus grandiflorus

Grand cactus is a heart tonic that helps restore heart function, strengthen the heart muscle including contraction and electrical communications, and relieve chest and breath restriction.

Leptodactylon pungens

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, kidney aid, disinfectant, gynecological aid, eye medicine. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta, Navajo, Ramah, Shoshoni.

Petradoria pumila

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, breast treatment, gynecological aid, dermatological aid, cathartic, ceremonial medicine. Documented among Hopi, Navajo, Kayenta, Navajo, Ramah.

Betula populifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as hemorrhoid remedy, dermatological aid, emetic. Documented among Iroquois, Malecite, Micmac.

Ligusticum grayi

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, cold remedy, cough medicine, gastrointestinal aid, panacea, pediatric aid. Documented among Atsugewi.

Rumex orbiculatus

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), antidote, blood medicine. Documented among Cree, Woodlands, Meskwaki, Potawatomi.

Papaver bracteatum

A medicinal plant (Papaver bracteatum) from the Papaveraceae family used in traditional medicine.

Digitalis lanata

Traditional medicinal plant used for cardiotonic, diuretic, dropsy, heart, poison, renitis, stimulant(cardio), tonic.

Malaxis unifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as diuretic. Documented among Ojibwa.

Mirabilis greenei

Native American medicinal plant used as pediatric aid. Documented among Karok.

Ratibida tagetes

Native American medicinal plant used as hunting medicine, sedative, analgesic, cathartic, ceremonial medicine, cough medicine. Documented among Keres, Western, Navajo, Ramah.

Silene laciniata

Native American medicinal plant used as burn dressing, dermatological aid. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Astragalus humistratus

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine, dermatological aid, panacea. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Astragalus crassicarpus

Native American medicinal plant used as anticonvulsive, hemostat, stimulant, tonic, veterinary aid. Documented among Chippewa, Lakota.

Melothria pendula

Native American medicinal plant used as snake bite remedy. Documented among Houma.

Guaiacum officinale

Caribbean hardwood resin — historical remedy for syphilis (16th century). Anti-inflammatory for gout, rheumatism, and arthritis. One of the densest woods (sinks in water). Endangered species — use cultivated sources.

Hylocereus guatemalensis

A medicinal plant (Hylocereus guatemalensis) from the Cactaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Tinospora sinensis

Related to Indian Guduchi, used in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for rheumatic pain, inflammation, and fever. The stem starch (satva) is especially valued.

Echinochloa crus-pavonis

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine, emetic. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Astragalus gummifer

Traditional medicinal plant used for emollient.

Plagiomnium juniperinum

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external). Documented among Heiltzuk.

Angelica venenosa

Native American medicinal plant used as orthopedic aid, poison. Documented among Iroquois.

Psathyrotes pilifera

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine, dermatological aid, emetic. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta.

Cinnamomum pubescens

A medicinal plant (Cinnamomum pubescens) from the Lauraceae family used in traditional medicine.

Clematis hirsutissima

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, veterinary aid, respiratory aid, witchcraft medicine. Documented among Montana Indian, Navajo, Ramah.

Smallanthus uvedalius

Native American medicinal plant used as burn dressing, dermatological aid, emetic, gynecological aid, other, analgesic. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois.

Vigna luteola

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, pediatric aid, respiratory aid, strengthener. Documented among Hawaiian.

Lithospermum caroliniense

Native American medicinal plant used as pulmonary aid. Documented among Lakota.