Herb Library

Symphyotrichum laeve

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

Hordeum murinum

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

Rubus canadensis

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal. Documented among Delaware, Oklahoma, Menominee.

Smilax herbacea

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

Malacothrix glabrata

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine. Documented among Apache, White Mountain.

Cyperus laevigatus

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, dermatological aid, strengthener, venereal aid. Documented among Hawaiian.

Stachys aspera

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, emetic. Documented among Meskwaki.

Equisetum laevigatum

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, contraceptive, dermatological aid, urinary aid, hypotensive, ceremonial medicine. Documented among Costanoan, Diegueno, Hoh.

Heliopsis helianthoides

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

Rosa blanda

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, hemorrhoid remedy, eye medicine, analgesic, orthopedic aid. Documented among Meskwaki, Ojibwa, Ojibwa, South.

Mirabilis oxybaphoides

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

Mentzelia laevicaulis

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (internal), dietary aid, ear medicine, febrifuge, misc. disease remedy, dermatological aid. Documented among Cheyenne, Gosiute, Mendocino Indian.

Aureolaria flava

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, other. Documented among Cherokee.

Viola pubescens

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

Rivea corymbosa

Traditional medicinal plant used for carminative, contraceptive, diuretic, divination, evil eye, fear, hallucinogen, narcotic, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Hibbertia scandens

Aboriginal Australian climbing plant used topically for skin rashes, sores, and inflammation. The vine is crushed and applied as a poultice to affected areas.

Gutierrezia sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, ceremonial medicine, emetic. Documented among Hopi, Keresan.

Abronia fragrans

Native American medicinal plant used as dietary aid, psychological aid, dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, cathartic, diaphoretic. Documented among Keres, Western, Navajo, Navajo, Kayenta.

Symphoricarpos sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic. Documented among Chippewa.

Ceanothus velutinus

Native American medicinal plant used as other, dermatological aid, cough medicine, febrifuge, ceremonial medicine, orthopedic aid. Documented among Great Basin Indian, Karok, Modesse.

Eriogonum niveum

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

Euphorbia marginata

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), gynecological aid, poison. Documented among Lakota, Pawnee.

Yucca elata

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine. Documented among Apache, Western.

Yucca glauca

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid. Documented among Montana Indian.

Calotropis procera

East African and Sahel remedy for skin diseases, joint pain, and parasites; latex applied to warts and ringworm. Toxic.

Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani

Native American medicinal plant used as emetic, oral aid, hemostat, snake bite remedy, tuberculosis remedy, love medicine. Documented among Cherokee, Cree, Woodlands, Iroquois.

Zeuxine strateumatica

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

Polygonatum multiflorum

Musculoskeletal restoration herb — for damaged tendons, ligaments, joints, and connective tissue. Moistening and nourishing. TCM Yu Zhu nourishes yin and moistens dryness. Herbalist Jim McDonald popularized the joint/tendon use.

Polygonatum odoratum

A yin-nourishing TCM herb used for dry coughs, thirst, and joint dryness. Also used in Western herbalism for musculoskeletal support.

Rumex acetosa

Culinary sour green — French sorrel soup is a classic. High in oxalic acid and vitamin C. For fever, scurvy (historical), and as digestive tonic. Related to Sheep Sorrel. Use in moderation due to oxalates.

Soulamea amara

Pacific Island tree used in New Caledonian Kanak traditional medicine and Fijian folk medicine for fever, pain, and infections. Contains quassinoids. Related to quassia. Bark extremely bitter — typical of Simaroubaceae medicinal plants.

Annona muricata

Tropical cancer-fighting folk remedy — contains annonaceous acetogenins (anti-tumor in lab studies). Widely used in Caribbean and South American folk medicine. Fruit is delicious. CAUTION: neurotoxic compounds (annonacin) linked to atypical Parkinsonism.

Viburnum recognitum

Native American medicinal plant used as contraceptive, orthopedic aid. Documented among Iroquois.

Morella cerifera

Native American medicinal plant used as febrifuge, throat aid, anthelmintic, gastrointestinal aid, pediatric aid, analgesic. Documented among Choctaw, Houma, Koasati.

Pteridium caudatum

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

Diplacus longiflorus

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

Solidago spectabilis

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

Rubus trivialis

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, antirheumatic (internal), dermatological aid, hemorrhoid remedy, oral aid, stimulant. Documented among Cherokee, Seminole.

Linum australe

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, gynecological aid. Documented among Hopi.

Mikania scandens

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

Isocoma pluriflora

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, pediatric aid, analgesic, cough medicine, orthopedic aid. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta, Pima.

Magnolia grandiflora

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, kidney aid. Documented among Choctaw, Koasati.

Quercus falcata

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, dermatological aid, disinfectant, emetic, febrifuge, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Artemisia abrotanum

Traditional medicinal plant used for antiseptic, cordial, detergent, emmenagogue, expectorant, fever, hair-oil, stimulant, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Cosmos parviflorus

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

Malacothrix sonchoides

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

Cleonia lusitanica

A medicinal plant (Cleonia lusitanica) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Bidens pilosa

A pan-tropical weed used in African, Asian, and South American folk medicine for immune support, blood sugar, and wound healing.