Herb Library

Desmodium perplexum

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

Erigeron philadelphicus

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, antihemorrhagic, abortifacient, analgesic, anticonvulsive, cold remedy. Documented among Blackfoot, Cherokee, Houma.

Vanclevea stylosa

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

Arceuthobium vaginatum

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

Linum puberulum

Native American medicinal plant used as eye medicine, gastrointestinal aid, panacea. Documented among Apache, White Mountain, Navajo, Ramah, Zuni.

Carex plantaginea

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

Desmodium glutinosum

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

Arctostaphylos pungens

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

Desmanthus illinoensis

Native American medicinal plant used as eye medicine, dermatological aid. Documented among Paiute, Pawnee.

Linum lewisii

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, eye medicine, analgesic, disinfectant, gastrointestinal aid, pediatric aid. Documented among Gosiute, Great Basin Indian, Navajo, Kayenta.

Erigeron strigosus

Native American medicinal plant used as heart medicine, analgesic. Documented among Catawba, Ojibwa.

Helianthus petiolaris

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, other, hunting medicine, panacea. Documented among Hopi, Navajo, Ramah, Thompson.

Premna serratifolia (Samoa)

Samoan traditional medicine preparation of Premna for skin infections, boils, and postpartum care. Used in traditional Samoan fofo (massage/medicine). Distinct preparation methods from mainland Asian uses. Leaf poultice for wounds and inflammation.

Thymophylla acerosa

Native American medicinal plant used as febrifuge. Documented among Isleta.

Psorospermum febrifugum

West African tree used in Malian and Burkinabe traditional medicine for malaria, skin diseases, and leprosy. Contains psorospermone xanthone with documented antitumor activity against leukemia cells. Name references fever-treating properties.

Bovista plumbea

Native American medicinal plant used as poison. Documented among Haisla and Hanaksiala.

Pellaea atropurpurea

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, kidney aid, preventive medicine. Documented among Mahuna.

Echinacea sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as throat aid, toothache remedy. Documented among Comanche.

Vernonia cinerea

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(head), ache(stomach), alexipharmic, amebiasis, antidote, cancer, cholera, colic, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Rubus odoratus

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antirheumatic (external), cathartic, cough medicine, dermatological aid, emetic. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois.

Lythrum salicaria

One of the only herbs possessing both astringent and demulcent actions. Helps clear dysentery and diarrhea, reduces inflammatory bowel disorders, and improves kidney, bladder, and vision function.

Androsace septentrionalis

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, panacea, venereal aid, witchcraft medicine. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Qualea grandiflora

Brazilian cerrado tree used in folk medicine of Goias and Minas Gerais for gastric ulcers, diarrhea, and skin infections. Bark decoction for throat infections. Contains squalene and betulinic acid. One of the most common cerrado tree species.

Filipendula rubra

Native American medicinal plant used as heart medicine, love medicine. Documented among Meskwaki.

Bahia dissecta

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, emetic, analgesic, antirheumatic (internal), contraceptive, gynecological aid. Documented among Keres, Western, Navajo, Ramah, Zuni.

Botrychium virginianum

Native American medicinal plant used as other, pediatric aid, emetic, snake bite remedy, diaphoretic, expectorant. Documented among Abnaki, Cherokee, Chickasaw.

Erigeron aphanactis

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, cathartic, emetic, gastrointestinal aid, eye medicine. Documented among Paiute, Shoshoni.

Gaillardia pinnatifida

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, diuretic, gynecological aid, psychological aid, misc. disease remedy, other. Documented among Hopi, Keres, Western, Navajo.

Silene campanulata

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

Pleopeltis polypodioides

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, oral aid, pediatric aid, vertigo medicine. Documented among Houma.

Ricinus communis (leaf)

Pan-tropical castor plant LEAF use (distinct from toxic seed/oil) in Ayurvedic and African medicine as poultice for joint pain, breast engorgement, and boils. Leaf is heated and applied topically. Contains ricinine but NOT ricin (seed only). External use relatively safe.

Mimulus ringens

Native American medicinal plant used as anticonvulsive, antidote. Documented among Iroquois.

Iberis amara

Traditional medicinal plant used for antirheumatic, antiscorbutic, asthma, bronchitis, cardiotonic, expectorant, gout, homeopathy, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, dermatological aid, emetic, febrifuge. Documented among Okanagan-Colville.

Woodwardia radicans

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic. Documented among Luiseno.

Hibiscus syriacus

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(head), antidiarrheic, cold, demulcent, dermatophytosis, dermatosis, diuretic, fever, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Prosartes trachycarpa

Native American medicinal plant used as eye medicine, dermatological aid, hemostat. Documented among Blackfoot, Okanagan-Colville.

Cornus drummondii

Native American medicinal plant used as venereal aid. Documented among Iroquois.

Heuchera cylindrica

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, antirheumatic (external), tuberculosis remedy, blood medicine. Documented among Blackfoot, Flathead, Kutenai.

Eriogonum rotundifolium

Native American medicinal plant used as emetic, psychological aid, sedative, throat aid. Documented among Keres, Western, Navajo.

Shepherdia rotundifolia

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

Cornus rugosa

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, emetic, kidney aid, tuberculosis remedy. Documented among Iroquois.

Smilax rotundifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antirheumatic (internal), burn dressing, dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, gynecological aid. Documented among Cherokee, Koasati.

Hoita orbicularis

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, febrifuge. Documented among Costanoan.

Viola rotundifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antidiarrheal, blood medicine, cold remedy, cough medicine, dermatological aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Osmunda regalis

Native American medicinal plant used as anticonvulsive, blood medicine, gynecological aid, kidney aid, pediatric aid, other. Documented among Iroquois, Seminole.

Shepherdia canadensis

Native American medicinal plant used as orthopedic aid, dermatological aid, gynecological aid, laxative, tuberculosis remedy, cathartic. Documented among Algonquin, Quebec, Carrier, Carrier, Northern.

Saxifraga ferruginea

Native American medicinal plant used as urinary aid. Documented among Bella Coola.