Herb Library

Eragrostis eriopoda

Aboriginal food plant whose seeds were ground into flour for damper (bush bread). Used nutritionally as a gluten-free grain source by desert Aboriginal communities.

Geranium erianthum

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

Wrightia antidysenterica

Indian and Southeast Asian tree — Ayurvedic 'kutaja' specifically for dysentery and amoebic infections. Bark contains conessine alkaloid with anti-amoebic activity validated in clinical studies. For diarrhea, IBS, and hemorrhoids in Ayurveda.

Baccharis wrightii

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

Aloysia wrightii

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antirheumatic (internal), psychological aid, venereal aid. Documented among Havasupai, Walapai.

Cordylanthus wrightii

Native American medicinal plant used as venereal aid, ceremonial medicine, gynecological aid, analgesic. Documented among Navajo, Navajo, Kayenta, Navajo, Ramah.

Pseudognaphalium canescens

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, dermatological aid. Documented among Keres, Western.

Lotus wrightii

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, cathartic, disinfectant, gastrointestinal aid, panacea, witchcraft medicine. Documented among Navajo, Ramah, Zuni.

Thelypodium wrightii

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

Solidago rugosa

Native American medicinal plant used as liver aid, other. Documented among Iroquois.

Castilleja linariifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as contraceptive, gynecological aid, analgesic, gastrointestinal aid, blood medicine, cathartic. Documented among Hopi, Navajo, Ramah, Shoshoni.

Xanthosoma sagittifolium

Caribbean and West African food plant with medicinal leaf preparations. Heated leaf applied as poultice for boils and abscesses in Caribbean folk medicine. Rhizome (corm) eaten as staple food after cooking. Contains calcium oxalate — must be cooked.

Oenothera flava

Native American medicinal plant used as burn dressing, panacea, throat aid. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Xyris sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, pulmonary aid, witchcraft medicine. Documented among Seminole.

Platanthera ciliaris

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antidiarrheal, snake bite remedy. Documented among Cherokee, Seminole.

Agastache nepetoides

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

Hedychium flavum

A medicinal plant (Hedychium flavum) from the Zingiberaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Caltha palustris

Native American medicinal plant used as poison, cold remedy, dermatological aid, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic. Documented among Abnaki, Alaska Native, Chippewa.

Draba incerta

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, nose medicine. Documented among Blackfoot.

Forsythia viridissima

Korean species of forsythia used for respiratory infections, fever, and skin eruptions. Similar uses to F. suspensa but locally preferred in Korean traditional medicine.

Cimicifuga simplex

Traditional medicinal plant used for anodyne, bronchitis, febrifuge, rheumatism, sedative, throat, uteritis.

Cananga odorata

A tropical flower oil used in aromatherapy for anxiety, blood pressure support, and as an aphrodisiac. One of the main ingredients in Chanel No. 5.

Lactobacillus bulgaricus + Streptococcus thermophilus

Traditional fermented milk — the original probiotic food. Contains L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus. Some brands add additional strains. Look for "live active cultures."

Tolmiea menziesii

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

Satureja subspicata subsp. liburnica

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

Anisodus tanguticus

A medicinal plant (Anisodus tanguticus) from the Solanaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Polyporus umbellatus

TCM diuretic mushroom — promotes urination without depleting potassium. For edema, UTIs, and as cancer adjuvant (clinical use in China). Part of Zhu Ling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) for UTI with blood in urine. Immune-modulating polysaccharides.

Solidago flexicaulis

Native American medicinal plant used as throat aid, gastrointestinal aid, analgesic, hemostat, febrifuge. Documented among Chippewa, Iroquois, Menominee.

Zinc acetate/gluconate (lozenge)

Zinc lozenges for cold — dissolve in mouth every 2-3 hours. Studies show 33% reduction in cold duration. Zinc acetate form is most studied. Start within 24 hours.