Herb Library

Anacardium humile

Brazilian cerrado dwarf cashew relative used in folk medicine of central Brazil for diarrhea, diabetes, and wound healing. Bark decoction for stomach complaints. Contains anacardic acids and gallic acid. CAUTION: Related to poison ivy — skin sensitization possible.

Polymnia edulis

A medicinal plant (Polymnia edulis) from the Asteraceae family used in traditional medicine.

Angelica archangelica

A European herb traditionally used for digestive support and respiratory health. Not to be confused with Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis).

Angelica dahurica

A TCM herb for sinus congestion, headaches, and skin conditions. Opens nasal passages and expels wind-cold patterns.

Angelica archangelica (essential oil)

Steam-distilled angelica root oil — deeply grounding aromatherapy oil. Used for anxiety, digestive support, and in perfumery. Photosensitizing — avoid sun after use.

Solidago odora

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, antidiarrheal, cold remedy, cough medicine, diaphoretic, febrifuge. Documented among Cherokee.

Eriogonum annuum

Native American medicinal plant used as diuretic, oral aid, pediatric aid, ceremonial medicine, dermatological aid, disinfectant. Documented among Lakota, Navajo, Ramah.

Matricaria recutita

A medicinal plant (Matricaria recutita) from the Asteraceae family used in traditional medicine.

Mercurialis annua

Traditional medicinal plant used for cholagogue, cyanogenetic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, hydragogue, laxative, poison, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Melilotus indicus

Native American medicinal plant used as laxative. Documented among Pomo, Kashaya.

Anthocleista djalonensis

West African tree used in Guinean, Nigerian, and Ghanaian traditional medicine for diabetes, hypertension, and malaria. Bark decoction for fever and liver complaints. Contains sweroside and fagaramide. Name references Fouta Djallon highlands of Guinea.

Fallugia paradoxa

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

Ribes rotundifolium

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, misc. disease remedy, sedative, other. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois.

Vittaria lineata

Native American medicinal plant used as other, pediatric aid, psychological aid. Documented among Seminole.

Asclepias perennis

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, dermatological aid, kidney aid, laxative, urinary aid, venereal aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Erythroxylum pulchrum

A medicinal plant (Erythroxylum pulchrum) from the Erythroxylaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Eriophorum callitrix

Native American medicinal plant used as hemostat. Documented among Ojibwa.

Rumex arcticus

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal. Documented among Eskimo, Inuktitut.

Nephroma arcticum

Native American medicinal plant used as strengthener. Documented among Eskimo, Inuktitut.

Lupinus arcticus

Native American medicinal plant used as poison. Documented among Eskimo, Inupiat.

Petasites frigidus

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, respiratory aid. Documented among Eskimo, Inupiat.

Lonicera arizonica

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

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium

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

Arracacia xanthorrhiza

Traditional medicinal plant used for antiseptic, breast, burn, purgative, sore, swelling.

Eriogonum compositum

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

Petasites sagittatus

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid. Documented among Cree, Woodlands.

Ludwigia adscendens

Traditional medicinal plant used for poultice, skin, sore.

Lavandula latifolia

Traditional medicinal plant used for abortifacient, cancer, carminative, cholagogue, diuretic, emmenagogue, fumigant, nervine, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Glyceria obtusa

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, orthopedic aid. Documented among Catawba.

Clitoria mariana

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

Toxicodendron pubescens

Native American medicinal plant used as emetic, dermatological aid, oral aid, pediatric aid, sedative, poison. Documented among Cherokee, Delaware, Oklahoma, Iroquois.

Chamaecyparis thyoides

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic. Documented among Ojibwa, South.

Colchicum autumnale

Traditional medicinal plant used for alterative, cancer, corn, diuretic, fatality, gout, homeopathy, laxative, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Persea americana

Mexican folk remedy — avocado leaf tea for blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney support, and digestive comfort. Contains persin (toxic to some animals, not humans).

Banisteriopsis caapi

Traditional medicinal plant used for hallucinogen, narcotic, psychedelic.

Tagetes erecta

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

Nicotiana rustica

Traditional medicinal plant used for cancer, cold, fumitory, insecticide, masticatory, narcotic, snuff, tobacco, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Carica pentagona

A medicinal plant (Carica pentagona) from the Caricaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Eriogonum baileyi

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

Clematis baldwinii

Native American medicinal plant used as other. Documented among Seminole.

Yucca baccata

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, antiemetic, gastrointestinal aid, ceremonial medicine, gynecological aid, cathartic. Documented among Keresan, Navajo, Navajo, Ramah.

Banisteriopsis muricata

South American vine related to ayahuasca (B. caapi) but used distinctly in Colombian and Venezuelan folk medicine for wound healing, fever, and malaria. Contains dimethoxyflavones rather than harmine alkaloids. Not psychoactive.

Dioscorea composita

Traditional medicinal plant used for piscicide.

Lomatium nudicaule

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, throat aid, analgesic, antirheumatic (external), cough medicine, dermatological aid. Documented among Cowichan, Kwakiutl, Nitinaht.

Echinocactus sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as oral aid. Documented among Mahuna.

Barringtonia asiatica

Pacific Island and Southeast Asian coastal tree used in Polynesian and Filipino medicine for cough, skin conditions, and as fish poison. Seed contains saponins used to stun fish. EXTERNAL USE primarily — bark poultice for rheumatism and skin infections.

Barringtonia racemosa

Southeast Asian and Pacific coastal tree used in Malay, Indonesian, and Fijian medicine for cough, diarrhea, and skin conditions. Bark decoction for stomach complaints. Seeds contain saponins used as fish poison. Leaf poultice for chickenpox.

Amomum xanthioides

Traditional medicinal plant used for cancer(stomach), cancer(uterus), nausea, sore(throat), stomachic, stomatitis, tonic.