Herb Library

Hammada scoparia

North African and Arabian desert shrub used in Tunisian and Algerian folk medicine for diabetes, hypertension, and kidney stones. Contains alkaloids (carnegine, N-methylisosalsoline) and saponins. Traditional Bedouin remedy for urinary complaints.

Rhexia virginica

Native American medicinal plant used as throat aid. Documented among Micmac, Montagnais.

Alpinia oxyphylla

Korean warming herb for frequent urination, urinary incontinence, diarrhea, and excessive salivation. Warms the kidney and secures essence in Korean medicine.

Phormium tenax

Maori rongoā medicine — leaf gel applied like aloe vera for burns, wounds, boils, and skin infections. Root decoction for diarrhea and dysentery. Contains anthraquinones and muscinol. Leaf butt gel is the primary medicinal preparation.

Erigenia bulbosa

Native American medicinal plant used as toothache remedy. Documented among Cherokee.

Schoenoplectus acutus

Native American medicinal plant used as other, hemostat, dietary aid, ceremonial medicine, emetic, pediatric aid. Documented among Clallam, Cree, Woodlands, Montana Indian.

Oxytropis lagopus

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, throat aid. Documented among Blackfoot.

Gaura hexandra

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

Peganum harmala (root)

Middle Eastern medicinal root (distinct from seeds) used in Persian and Unani medicine for chronic skin conditions, joint pain, and menstrual disorders. Contains harmine, harmaline, vasicine. Root has different alkaloid ratios than commonly used seeds.

Peganum harmala

Traditional medicinal plant used for abortifacient, alterative, anodyne, aphrodisiac, asthma, cns depressant, cns stimulant, calculus, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Castilleja hispida

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid. Documented among Okanagan-Colville.

Calylophus hartwegii

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

Gentiana saponaria

Native American medicinal plant used as tonic. Documented among Dakota, Winnebago.

Agrimonia parviflora

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, blood medicine, dermatological aid, dietary aid, febrifuge, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Rubus hawaiensis

Native American medicinal plant used as antiemetic, dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Hawaiian.

Osteomeles anthyllidifolia

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

Desmodium sandwicense

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, respiratory aid, strengthener, tuberculosis remedy. Documented among Hawaiian.

Hieracium sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, tuberculosis remedy, oral aid. Documented among Iroquois, Thompson.

Astragalus bisulcatus

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

Erythroxylum impressum

A medicinal plant (Erythroxylum impressum) from the Erythroxylaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Corylus sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as antihemorrhagic, pulmonary aid. Documented among Chippewa.

Alnus serrulata

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, blood medicine, cathartic, cough medicine, dermatological aid, emetic. Documented among Cherokee.

Arnica cordifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as love medicine, eye medicine, antirheumatic (external), dermatological aid, tuberculosis remedy. Documented among Okanagan-Colville, Shuswap, Thompson.

Tiarella cordifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as oral aid, dermatological aid, dietary aid, eye medicine, hunting medicine, orthopedic aid. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois, Malecite.

Mirabilis nyctaginea

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, orthopedic aid, anthelmintic, febrifuge, burn dressing, urinary aid. Documented among Cherokee, Chippewa, Dakota.

Keckiella cordifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid. Documented among Mahuna.

Ampelopsis cordata

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

Plantago cordata

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

Streptanthus cordatus

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

Salix cordata

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, dietary aid, cold remedy. Documented among Malecite, Micmac, Thompson.

Caladium bicolor

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(tooth), angina, antiseptic, ascaricide, emetic, larvicide, purgative, sore.

Viola tricolor

A gentle herb traditionally used for skin conditions, respiratory comfort, and children's health.

Symphyotrichum ericoides

Native American medicinal plant used as herbal steam, stimulant. Documented among Meskwaki.

Calluna vulgaris

Mildly diuretic and urinary antiseptic herb used for cystitis and kidney problems. Traditional remedy for rheumatic pain and gout. The flowers are mildly sedative.

Nandina domestica

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(bones), ache(tooth), antitussive, breath, bronchitis, caries, cold, complexion, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Sisymbrium officinale

Native American medicinal plant used as pulmonary aid, veterinary aid. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois.

Stachys sylvatica

Celtic wound herb applied as a poultice to cuts and bruises; internally used for gout and cramps.

Albizia julibrissin

Called the "collective happiness bark" in TCM, used for emotional support, grief, anxiety, and insomnia. The flowers are also used.

Helichrysum odoratissimum

South African aromatic herb burned as incense by Zulu, Xhosa, and Sotho peoples to communicate with ancestors. Medicinally for colds, cough, fever, and wound healing. Contains flavonoids, phloroglucinols, and terpenoids. Culturally sacred plant.

Heliotropium europaeum

Traditional medicinal plant used for cancer, cholagogue, emmenagogue, fever, poison, wart.

Heliotropium indicum

Pan-tropical weed used in West African and South American folk medicine for wound healing, boils, and skin infections. EXTERNAL USE primarily. CAUTION: Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (indicine, heliotrine) — internal use is hepatotoxic.

Dichanthelium oligosanthes

Native American medicinal plant used as poison. Documented among Lakota.

Draba helleriana

Native American medicinal plant used as other, ceremonial medicine, cough medicine, emetic, eye medicine, kidney aid. Documented among Keres, Western, Navajo, Ramah.

Sium suave

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, anticonvulsive, orthopedic aid, gastrointestinal aid, hunting medicine, poison. Documented among Iroquois, Lakota, Ojibwa.

Eupatorium cannabinum

European immune and liver herb — for colds, flu, and liver congestion. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids — use only PA-free preparations or short-term. Not related to hemp/cannabis despite the name.

Galeopsis tetrahit

Traditional medicinal plant used for asthma, blood, bronchitis, cancer, diuretic, expectorant, lung, resolvent, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Hyoscyamus niger

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(tooth), alcoholism, analgesic, anaphrodisiac, anodyne, antispasmodic, asthma, cns depressant, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Angelica hendersonii

Native American medicinal plant used as antidote. Documented among Mewuk.