Herb Library

Quillaja saponaria

A Chilean tree bark rich in saponins — used as a natural surfactant, vaccine adjuvant (QS-21), and traditionally for respiratory support.

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.

Saponaria officinalis

A saponin-rich herb traditionally used as an expectorant for respiratory congestion and externally for skin conditions. Also used as a natural soap.

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.

Solanum incanum

East African Solanum used in Ethiopian, Somali, and Kenyan traditional medicine for skin conditions (warts, ringworm), toothache, and sore throat. Fruit juice applied directly to warts and fungal infections. Contains solamargine with antitumor activity.

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.

Sarcostemma acidum

Traditional medicinal plant used for antidote, bite(dog), insecticide, poison.

Vernonia anthelmintica

Unani and Ayurvedic seed used for skin disorders including vitiligo and psoriasis, intestinal worms, and fever. Contains vernolide compounds with anti-inflammatory activity.

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.

Oxydendrum arboreum

Native American medicinal plant used as gynecological aid, antidiarrheal, dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, oral aid, pulmonary aid. Documented among Catawba, Cherokee.

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.

Gentiana algida

Tibetan bitter herb for fever, liver-bile disorders, and infectious diseases. Gentians are among the most important fever-clearing herbs in Tibetan medicine.

Thymus mastichina

Traditional medicinal plant used for sclerosis, spice.

Tillandsia usneoides

Native American medicinal plant used as febrifuge. Documented among Houma.

Catalpa longissima

Traditional medicinal plant used for blennorrhagia, fever, sore(throat).

Coridothymus capitatus

A medicinal plant (Coridothymus capitatus) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Sedum lanceolatum

Native American medicinal plant used as gynecological aid, laxative. Documented among Okanagan-Colville.

Lindera sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as anthelmintic, pediatric aid. Documented among Mohegan.

Tetradymia canescens

Native American medicinal plant used as gynecological aid, tonic, abortifacient, analgesic, ceremonial medicine, cold remedy. Documented among Hopi, Navajo, Navajo, Ramah.

Dryopteris carthusiana

Native American medicinal plant used as antidote. Documented among Bella Coola.

Xanthium spinosum

Native American medicinal plant used as emetic, gastrointestinal aid, pulmonary aid, snake bite remedy, throat aid, kidney aid. Documented among Cherokee, Mahuna.

Phlox hoodii

Native American medicinal plant used as laxative, pediatric aid, pulmonary aid. Documented among Blackfoot.

Ononis spinosa

Traditional medicinal plant used for aperient, cancer, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, gout.

Sonchus asper

Native American medicinal plant used as pediatric aid, sedative, heart medicine, poison. Documented among Iroquois, Navajo, Kayenta.

Arthrospira platensis (powder)

Spirulina in powder form — for smoothies and green drinks. 3-6g daily. Deep green color and mild oceanic taste. The most nutrient-dense food by weight on earth.

Asplenium sp.

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

Spondias pinnata

Southeast Asian tree used in Thai and Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Bark decoction for dysentery and diarrhea. Leaf paste for skin diseases. Fruits eaten for scurvy prevention. Contains tannins and flavonoids.

Gamochaeta purpurea

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, misc. disease remedy. Documented among Houma.

Marshallia obovata

Native American medicinal plant used as misc. disease remedy. Documented among Catawba.