Herb Library

Pycnanthemum torreyi

A medicinal plant (Pycnanthemum torreyi) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Penstemon barbatus

Native American medicinal plant used as witchcraft medicine, diuretic, dermatological aid, hunting medicine. Documented among Apache, White Mountain, Navajo, Tewa.

Phyllospadix torreyi

Native American medicinal plant used as pediatric aid, strengthener. Documented among Kwakiutl.

Dimorphocarpa wislizeni

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine, dermatological aid, throat aid, nose medicine, hemorrhoid remedy, pediatric aid. Documented among Apache, White Mountain, Hopi, Keres, Western.

Arabis glabra

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, panacea, pediatric aid. Documented among Cheyenne.

Heteromeles arbutifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, dermatological aid, analgesic, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Costanoan (Olhonean), Diegueno, Mendocino Indian.

Epigaea repens

Native American medicinal plant used as kidney aid, analgesic, antidiarrheal, emetic, gastrointestinal aid, pediatric aid. Documented among Algonquin, Quebec, Cherokee, Iroquois.

Ribes laxiflorum

Native American medicinal plant used as eye medicine, tonic, cold remedy, tuberculosis remedy. Documented among Bella Coola, Lummi, Skagit.

Erigeron flagellaris

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine, dermatological aid, disinfectant, hemostat, snake bite remedy, veterinary aid. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Strophostyles helvula

Native American medicinal plant used as misc. disease remedy, dermatological aid. Documented among Houma, Iroquois.

Allionia incarnata

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

Abronia turbinata

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

Clematis vitalba

Traditional medicinal plant used for blood, cancer, diuretic, kidney, poison, purgative, rubefacient, scrofula, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Opuntia imbricata

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, ear medicine, strengthener. Documented among Keres, Western.

Pourouma cecropiaefolia

Traditional medicinal plant used for intoxicant, masticatory.

Lycopodium dendroideum

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Montagnais.

Bocconia arborea

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(tooth), analgesic, anesthetic, collyrium, dropsy, eruption, jaundice, sore, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Nicotiana glauca

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(head), anodyne, boil, hirudicide, insecticide, piles, poison, sore, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Trema micranthum

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

Trichilia emetica

Southern African tree used in Zulu and Shangaan medicine for stomach complaints, kidney problems, and as an emetic. Seed oil (mafura butter) used topically for skin conditions and rheumatism.

Trillium sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antirheumatic (external), blood medicine, cold remedy, dermatological aid, gynecological aid. Documented among Iroquois, Pomo, Kashaya.

Eupatorium triplinerve

Traditional medicinal plant used for bronchosis, cardiotonic, chest-cold, constipation, diaphoretic, diarrhea, emetic, fever, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Hydnocarpus kurzii

Traditional medicinal plant used for bactericide, bruise, fever, leprosy, lupus, ophthalmia, parasiticide, piscicide, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Cercocarpus montanus

Native American medicinal plant used as strengthener, gastrointestinal aid, gynecological aid, hunting medicine, panacea, laxative. Documented among Keres, Western, Navajo, Navajo, Ramah.

Polianthes tuberosa

Traditional medicinal plant used for alterative, astringent, cosmetic, detergent, diarrhea, diuretic, emetic, fever, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Pseudostellaria jamesiana

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

Cupaniopsis anacardioides

Aboriginal plant used for fish poisoning treatment and skin infections. The bark decoction is used as a wash for sores and the tree provides shade medicine camps.

Oenothera caespitosa

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, ceremonial medicine, gynecological aid. Documented among Blackfoot, Isleta, Navajo, Kayenta.

Erigeron caespitosus

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, eye medicine. Documented among Paiute.

Lysimachia thyrsiflora

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

Phlox caespitosa

Native American medicinal plant used as burn dressing, cathartic, ceremonial medicine, diuretic, gynecological aid, toothache remedy. Documented among Navajo.

Angelica laxiflora

A medicinal plant (Angelica laxiflora) from the Apiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Lallemantia royleana

Unani cooling mucilaginous seed for fever, cough, and urinary burning; soaked seeds form a gel used as a refreshing drink.

Papaver somniferum

Unani sedative used for insomnia, pain, cough, and diarrhea. Seeds contain trace opiates and are used in low-dose traditional preparations for calming.

Tulipa gesneriana

Traditional medicinal plant used for poison.

Liriodendron tulipifera

A North American tree bark used in Appalachian folk medicine for fever, rheumatism, and as a digestive bitter. Contains alkaloids including liriodenine.

Opuntia phaeacantha

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

Aleurites fordii

Traditional medicinal plant used for burn, edema, ejaculation, emetic, hemostat, masturbation, poison, scabies, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Alhagi pseudalhagi

Central Asian sweet manna exudate from camel thorn used as a gentle laxative, fever reducer, and demulcent in Unani medicine. Dissolves in water for a sweet drink.

Operculina turpethum

Strong Unani purgative herb used for constipation, edema, and joint disorders. The white-stemmed variety is preferred medicinally over the black-stemmed form.

Phyla nodiflora

Native American medicinal plant used as orthopedic aid, pediatric aid. Documented among Houma.

Calamintha nepeta subsp. glandulosa

A medicinal plant (Calamintha nepeta) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Chorizanthe staticoides

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

Satureja cilicica

A medicinal plant (Satureja cilicica) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Curcuma longa (leaves)

While turmeric root gets the attention, the leaves are also used in South/Southeast Asian cooking and traditional medicine for digestive and anti-inflammatory support.

Thamnosma montana

Native American medicinal plant used as emetic, gastrointestinal aid, laxative, analgesic, cold remedy, dermatological aid. Documented among Havasupai, Kawaiisu, Paiute.

Pteryxia terebinthina

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

Turraea robusta

East African Meliaceae tree used in Kenyan and Tanzanian traditional medicine for malaria, convulsions, and stomachache. Contains limonoids (turranolide) with insecticidal and antimicrobial properties. Root decoction for fever in children.