Herb Library

Abrus precatorius (leaf)

Pan-tropical vine whose LEAVES (distinct from extremely toxic seeds) are sweet-tasting and used in West African and Indian folk medicine as sweetener and for cough, colds, and sore throat. Leaves contain glycyrrhizin-like compounds. Seeds are LETHAL — never use.

Eruca sativa

Traditional medicinal plant used for cyanogenetic, diuretic, rubefacient, sclerosis(liver), scurvy, stimulant, stomachic, vesicant.

Aframomum daniellii

West African spice plant used in Cameroonian and Nigerian traditional medicine and cuisine. Seeds for digestive complaints, cough, and malaria. Contains 1,8-cineole and alpha-terpineol. Used in Igbo pepper soup and traditional healing.

Ocimum kilimandscharicum

Traditional medicinal plant used for insecticide, medicine, repellant(insect).

Sansevieria trifasciata

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(head), baldness, bite(snake), earache, fever, itch, malaria, sore, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Capparis tomentosa

Traditional medicinal plant used for fatality, poison, witchcraft.

Silene capensis

A Xhosa sacred plant used to induce vivid, prophetic dreams. Traditionally taken before bed mixed with water and frothed. Research is very limited.

Elaeis guineensis

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(head), anodyne, antidote, aphrodisiac, hair-oil, poison, soap, spice, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Rauvolfia vomitoria

Traditional medicinal plant used for aphrodisiac, bite(snake), congestion, convulsion, dislocation, dyspepsia, emetic, enteritis, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Tetracarpidium conophorum

West African fertility herb; seed and leaf preparations for male reproductive health, diabetes, and hypertension.

Akebia quinata (fruit)

The fruit of the Akebia vine — used in TCM for promoting Qi flow, urination, and as a galactagogue. Different therapeutic use from the stem.

Albizia adianthifolia

East and Southern African tree used in Zulu and Shona medicine for skin diseases, headache, and eye conditions. Bark decoction for inflammation and diarrhea. Root for tapeworm. Contains saponins and triterpenoids. Used in traditional dream medicine.

Albizia julibrissin (flower tea)

The flowers of the "collective happiness tree" brewed as a gentle calming tea. Lighter and more pleasant-tasting than the bark. For grief, anxiety, and emotional support.

Albizia julibrissin

The flowers of the "happiness tree" — used for lifting spirits, resolving grief, and promoting emotional balance. Gentler than the bark.

Rhamnus alnifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as antidote, blood medicine, cathartic, dermatological aid, orthopedic aid, pediatric aid. Documented among Iroquois, Meskwaki, Potawatomi.

Allium tuberosum

Chinese/garlic chives — used in TCM for kidney yang support and as a digestive warming herb. Rich in allicin-like compounds. Both food and medicine across Asia.

Pseudocymopterus montanus

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

Aster foliaceus

Native American medicinal plant used as veterinary aid, dietary aid, gastrointestinal aid, venereal aid. Documented among Okanagan-Colville, Okanagon, Thompson.

Cornus alternifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, anthelmintic, antidiarrheal, antidote, blood medicine, dermatological aid. Documented among Cherokee, Chippewa, Iroquois.

Sadleria cyatheoides

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

Ambrosia ambrosioides

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antihemorrhagic, cough medicine, gynecological aid. Documented among Pima.

Campanulastrum americanum

Native American medicinal plant used as pulmonary aid, cough medicine, tuberculosis remedy. Documented among Iroquois, Meskwaki.

Arceuthobium americanum

Native American medicinal plant used as antihemorrhagic, pulmonary aid, dietary aid, tuberculosis remedy. Documented among Bella Coola, Carrier, Southern.

Lonicera canadensis

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, dermatological aid, pediatric aid, psychological aid, sedative, venereal aid. Documented among Iroquois, Menominee, Montagnais.

Trollius laxus

Native American medicinal plant used as oral aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Pulsatilla patens

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antirheumatic (external). Documented among Omaha.

Diphylleia cymosa

Native American medicinal plant used as diaphoretic, disinfectant, diuretic, misc. disease remedy. Documented among Cherokee.

Ampelocissus africana

West African wild grape vine used in Nigerian and Ghanaian traditional medicine for diarrhea, wound healing, and fracture treatment. Root decoction for dysentery. Leaf poultice for boils. Contains stilbenes related to resveratrol.

Justicia pectoralis

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(stomach), aphrodisiac, cachexia, chest, chest-cold, cough, fever, flu, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Pimpinella anisum

Native American medicinal plant used as respiratory aid, cathartic, gastrointestinal aid, tonic. Documented among Cherokee, Delaware, Delaware, Oklahoma.

Polypogon monspeliensis

Native American medicinal plant used as heart medicine. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta.

Vittaria lineata

Native American medicinal plant used as other, pediatric aid, psychological aid. Documented among Seminole.

Petasites frigidus

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, respiratory aid. Documented among Eskimo, Inupiat.

Argyreia nervosa (leaf)

Indian vine whose LEAVES (distinct from psychoactive seeds) are used in Ayurveda as poultice for skin diseases, boils, and wounds. Leaf paste for aphthous ulcers. Contains flavonoids and phenolic acids. Leaves do not contain ergine alkaloids found in seeds.

Ephedra fasciculata

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, venereal aid. Documented among Pima.

Balsamorhiza sagittata

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (internal), dermatological aid, analgesic, cold remedy, febrifuge, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Flathead.

Eriogonum compositum

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, dermatological aid, antidiarrheal. Documented among Okanagan-Colville, Sanpoil.

Senecio triangularis

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, sedative. Documented among Cheyenne.

Petasites sagittatus

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid. Documented among Cree, Woodlands.

Viola sagittata

Native American medicinal plant used as witchcraft medicine. Documented among Iroquois.

Sagittaria cuneata

Native American medicinal plant used as veterinary aid, analgesic, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Cheyenne, Navajo, Ojibwa.

Withania somnifera (leaf)

While the root is most famous, Ashwagandha leaves are used topically for wounds/inflammation and as a tea for fever and immune support.

Erigeron speciosus

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, contraceptive, gynecological aid. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Persea americana

Mexican folk remedy — avocado leaf tea for blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney support, and digestive comfort. Contains persin (toxic to some animals, not humans).

Populus tacamahacca

Traditional medicinal plant used for medicine.

Abies balsamea

All parts of balsam fir can be used as medicine to heal the lungs and skin. The resin is a strong choice for healing the respiratory tract and eliminating sore throats.

Bambusa vulgaris

Bamboo leaf tea is used in Asian traditions for clearing heat, calming irritability, and urinary support. Rich in silica and antioxidants.

Passiflora mollissima

A medicinal plant (Passiflora mollissima) from the Passifloraceae family used in traditional medicine.