Herb Library

Hypoxis colchicifolia

Southern African relative of African potato (H. hemerocallidea) used in Zulu medicine for urinary conditions, testicular swelling, and dizziness. Contains hypoxoside and rooperol. Less studied than African potato but widely used in KwaZulu-Natal.

Hyssopus officinalis

A biblical herb used in European traditions for respiratory support, digestive health, and as an expectorant.

Citrus ichangensis

A medicinal plant (Citrus ichangensis) from the Rutaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Hymenopappus filifolius

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine, emetic, toothache remedy, blood medicine, dermatological aid, other. Documented among Hopi, Navajo, Navajo, Kayenta.

Artemisia tripartita

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

Podocarpus elatus

Aboriginal bush food used for throat pain and as a nutritious fruit. The fleshy receptacle is edible while the actual seed is not. Contains antioxidant compounds.

Madhuca longifolia

Siddha remedy for diabetes, skin diseases, and rheumatism; flower is edible and fermented; seed oil used topically for joint pain.

Heliotropium indicus

A medicinal plant (Heliotropium indicus) from the Boraginaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Castilleja affinis

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, disinfectant. Documented among Costanoan.

Porteranthus stipulatus

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), cold remedy, dermatological aid, emetic, kidney aid, liver aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Spigelia marilandica

Traditional medicinal plant used for cardiotonic, digestive, malaria, narcotic, poison, sedative, soporific, vermifuge.

Monotropa uniflora

A unique parasitic plant (no chlorophyll) — white/translucent. Used in small doses as a nerve pain remedy and emotional first aid. Very limited supply.

Oemleria cerasiformis

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, dermatological aid, laxative, tuberculosis remedy. Documented among Kwakiutl, Makah.

Zanthoxylum alatum

Traditional medicinal plant used for dentifrice, odontitis, piscicide, stomachic.

Stephania glabra

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(body), ache(head), antibiotic, asthma, convulsion, eye, hyperglycemia, inflammation, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Thespesia populnea

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(head), bactericide, bite(bug), bite(insect), cancer, cardiotonic, cholera, cold, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Lupinus pusillus

Native American medicinal plant used as disinfectant, ear medicine, hemostat. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta.

Osmunda claytoniana

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

Solanum tuberosum

Native American medicinal plant used as emetic, psychological aid, eye medicine, dermatological aid. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois, Rappahannock.

Pinus pinea

Traditional medicinal plant used for tumor(bladder).

Arisaema triphyllum

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(head), aptha, asthma, bactericide, bite(snake), bronchitis, cancer, carminative, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Pinus banksiana

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, anticonvulsive, stimulant, pulmonary aid. Documented among Cree, Woodlands, Ojibwa, Potawatomi.

Populus ?jackii

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

Ipomoea purga

Traditional medicinal plant used for cathartic, diuretic, hydragogue, purgative, sore.

Mahonia japonica

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(back), alexiteric, cough, dysentery, enteritis, fever, hepatoma, knee, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Aucuba japonica

Traditional medicinal plant used for burn, swelling.

Cinnamomum sieboldii

Traditional medicinal plant used for balsamic, diaphoretic, febrifuge, stomachic.

Cryptotaenia japonica

A medicinal plant (Cryptotaenia japonica) from the Apiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Abies sachalinensis

A medicinal plant (Abies sachalinensis) from the Pinaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Gentiana scabra

Traditional medicinal plant used for abscess, ache(head), ache(stomach), apertif, arthritis, bitter-principle, boil, cold, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Cephalotaxus harringtonii

A medicinal plant (Cephalotaxus harringtonii) from the Cephalotaxaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Ligustrum japonicum

Traditional medicinal plant used for bactericide, coffee, tonic.

Skimmia japonica

Traditional medicinal plant used for atrophy, cachexia, palsy, poison, restorative, tonic.

Stephania japonica

Traditional medicinal plant used for astringent, cancer, fever, itch, tumor, urogenital.

Oenanthe javanica

A medicinal plant (Oenanthe javanica) from the Apiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Polygonum virginianum

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

Arachis hypogaea (wild variety)

Wild/heirloom peanut varieties — higher in resveratrol, oleic acid, and antioxidants than commercial peanuts. The "superfood" peanut. Used in ceremonial cacao.

Juniperus communis

A traditional urinary tract herb used for its diuretic and antiseptic properties. Not for long-term use.

Phoradendron juniperinum

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, witchcraft medicine, antidiarrheal, antirheumatic (external), pediatric aid, dermatological aid. Documented among Hopi, Keres, Western, Navajo.

Juniperus sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as pulmonary aid, antirheumatic (external), dermatological aid, orthopedic aid, tonic, analgesic. Documented among Apache, Western, Blackfoot, Creek.

Kaempferia galanga

Southeast Asian rhizomatous herb commercially cultivated in Indonesia and Vietnam. Used in traditional medicine as an expectorant, carminative, and for digestive disorders, rheumatism, and topically for swellings and skin diseases.

Antennaria rosulata

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

Solanum aviculare

Aboriginal plant used for rheumatic joint swelling and skin conditions. Contains solasodine, a precursor for industrial steroid hormone production.

Ceiba pentandra

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(head), alopecia, antidiarrheic, asthma, astringent, bladder, bowel, catarrh, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Myrica esculenta

Ayurvedic herb used for sinusitis, nasal congestion, cough, and diarrhea. The bark is astringent and the fruit is eaten fresh in Himalayan regions.

Micromeria congesta

A medicinal plant (Micromeria congesta) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Lupinus caudatus

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

Perideridia kelloggii

Native American medicinal plant used as antiemetic. Documented among Pomo, Pomo, Kashaya.