Herb Library

Alstonia constricta

Aboriginal antipyretic used for fever, especially malarial fever. Contains alstonine and other indole alkaloids with antimalarial and bitter tonic properties.

Crotalaria rotundifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as throat aid. Documented among Seminole.

Chrysothamnus sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as febrifuge, toothache remedy, venereal aid, cold remedy, oral aid, throat aid. Documented among Isleta, Jemez, Keres, Western.

Ericameria bloomeri

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

Senecio spartioides

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, cathartic, gynecological aid, analgesic, ceremonial medicine, eye medicine. Documented among Navajo, Navajo, Ramah, Zuni.

Cypripedium arietinum

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Iroquois.

Allium ursinum

European wild garlic with similar but milder properties to cultivated garlic. Used to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as an antimicrobial, and as a spring cleansing tonic.

Lycopodium obscurum

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), blood medicine, gynecological aid, diuretic, hemostat. Documented among Chippewa, Iroquois, Ojibwa.

Pluchea lanceolata

Ayurvedic anti-rheumatic herb for joint pain, sciatica, and respiratory conditions. One of the best herbs for Vata disorders involving pain and stiffness.

Botrychium virginianum

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

Glyceria canadensis

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

Eryngium aquaticum

Native American medicinal plant used as emetic, gastrointestinal aid, antidote, diuretic, expectorant, snake bite remedy. Documented among Alabama, Cherokee, Choctaw.

Liatris laxa

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antidiarrheal, antiemetic, antirheumatic (external), dietary aid, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Seminole.

Hieracium venosum

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

Ravensara aromatica

Traditional medicinal plant used for intoxicant, spice.

Machaeranthera grindelioides

Native American medicinal plant used as cough medicine. Documented among Hopi.

Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus

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

Erigeron aphanactis

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

Eriophorum russeolum

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, eye medicine. Documented among Eskimo, Western.

Delphinium nudicaule

Native American medicinal plant used as narcotic. Documented among Mendocino Indian.

Cornus sericea

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, cough medicine, emetic, febrifuge, ceremonial medicine, anthelmintic. Documented among Cree, Hudson Bay, Ojibwa, Thompson.

Pterocarpus santalinus

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(head), ache(stomach), antidote, arrhythmia, astringent, bilious, cosmetic, depurative, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Adenostoma sparsifolium

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), cold remedy, emetic, gastrointestinal aid, laxative, pulmonary aid. Documented among Cahuilla, Coahuilla, Diegueno.

Picea rubens

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, misc. disease remedy, pulmonary aid, throat aid. Documented among Cherokee, Montagnais.

Ceanothus sanguineus

Native American medicinal plant used as burn dressing, dermatological aid. Documented among Okanagan-Colville, Sanpoil.

Erodium cicutarium

Native American medicinal plant used as misc. disease remedy, gynecological aid, dermatological aid, disinfectant, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Costanoan, Jemez, Navajo, Kayenta.

Various (5 Bach flowers)

The 5 Bach Flower Essences: Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose, Impatiens, Cherry Plum, Clematis. Used for emotional crisis, shock, and stress. Extremely dilute.

Pleopeltis polypodioides

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

Hedeoma reverchonii

A medicinal plant (Hedeoma reverchonii) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Rhamnus prinoides

Ethiopian tree whose leaves and bark are essential ingredients in traditional Ethiopian honey wine (tej) and beer (tella). Medicinally for malaria, stomach complaints, and as tonic. Contains emodin anthraquinones and flavonoids. Culturally indispensable in Ethiopia.

Chamaesyce glyptosperma

Native American medicinal plant used as gland medicine, gynecological aid, snake bite remedy. Documented among Iroquois, Thompson.

Heuchera richardsonii

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, eye medicine, dermatological aid. Documented among Blackfoot, Cree, Woodlands, Lakota.

Geranium richardsonii

Native American medicinal plant used as hemostat, nose medicine, panacea. Documented among Cheyenne, Navajo, Ramah.

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.

Senna alata

A medicinal plant (Senna alata) from the Fabaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Erigeron pulchellus

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, analgesic, anticonvulsive, antihemorrhagic, cold remedy, cough medicine. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois.

Clematis columbiana

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

Eriogonum androsaceum

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antirheumatic (external), dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, herbal steam, orthopedic aid. Documented among Thompson.

Holodiscus dumosus

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, cold remedy, gastrointestinal aid, disinfectant, emetic, venereal aid. Documented among Paiute, Shoshoni.

Pseudotsuga menziesii

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

Conioselinum scopulorum

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, gynecological aid, respiratory aid, snake bite remedy. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta.

Iris missouriensis

Native American medicinal plant used as toothache remedy, emetic, ceremonial medicine, kidney aid, urinary aid, analgesic. Documented among Great Basin Indian, Klamath, Montana Indian.

Parnassia fimbriata

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, pediatric aid, stimulant, venereal aid. Documented among Cheyenne, Gosiute.

Petrophyton caespitosum

Native American medicinal plant used as burn dressing, gastrointestinal aid, ceremonial medicine, narcotic. Documented among Gosiute, Navajo, Kayenta.

Euphorbia brachycera

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, dermatological aid, gynecological aid, analgesic, witchcraft medicine. Documented among Navajo, Navajo, Kayenta, Navajo, Ramah.

Rosa rubiginosa

A medicinal plant (Rosa rubiginosa) from the Rosaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Eriogonum gracillimum

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

Chaetopappa ericoides

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, pediatric aid, nose medicine, panacea, reproductive aid, sedative. Documented among Havasupai, Hopi, Keres, Western.