Herb Library

Sterculia setigera

West African tree producing gum (karaya gum) used in Senegalese and Malian traditional medicine for cough, dysentery, and wound healing. Gum used as bulk laxative and pharmaceutical excipient. Bark decoction for syphilis and tuberculosis.

Mentzelia sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as poultice. Documented among Miwok.

Geranium viscosissimum

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, eye medicine, other, dermatological aid, gynecological aid, love medicine. Documented among Blackfoot, Sanpoil, Thompson.

Arctostaphylos viscida

Native American medicinal plant used as dietary aid, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Miwok.

Coreopsis palmata

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

Ribes bracteosum

Native American medicinal plant used as venereal aid, dermatological aid, reproductive aid, laxative, cold remedy, pediatric aid. Documented among Bella Coola, Haisla, Nitinaht.

Pluchea foetida

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

Ailanthus altissima

Antidiarrheal herb used to treat dysentery and duodenal ulcers. Also used as an astringent and anthelmintic.

Anthemis cotula

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, anticonvulsive, antirheumatic (internal), dermatological aid, diaphoretic, emetic. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois, Karok.

Astragalus praelongus

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

Forestiera pubescens

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

Viola striata

Native American medicinal plant used as witchcraft medicine. Documented among Iroquois.

Chimaphila maculata

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antirheumatic (internal), cancer treatment, cold remedy, dermatological aid, emetic. Documented among Cherokee, Nanticoke.

Desmodium incanum

Jamaican male vitality tonic for back pain, erectile dysfunction, and kidney complaints; root decoction is most common form.

Struchium sparganophorum

West African aquatic herb used in Yoruba (Nigeria) traditional medicine for malaria, fever, and headache. Leaves eaten as bitter vegetable. Related to bitterleaf (Vernonia) but aquatic habitat. Contains sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids.

Athyrium filix-femina

Native American medicinal plant used as febrifuge, reproductive aid, venereal aid. Documented among Iroquois.

Trifolium dubium

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

Citrus sudachi

A medicinal plant (Citrus sudachi) from the Rutaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Rhus ovata

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, cough medicine, analgesic, gynecological aid. Documented among Cahuilla, Coahuilla, Diegueno.

Potentilla recta

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

Eriogonum umbellatum

Native American medicinal plant used as burn dressing. Documented among Klamath.

Eriogonum umbellatum

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, venereal aid, gastrointestinal aid, disinfectant, emetic, cold remedy. Documented among Kawaiisu, Mahuna, Navajo, Kayenta.

Rhus sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, analgesic, anthelmintic, anticonvulsive, carminative, cathartic. Documented among Iroquois, Winnebago.

Rhus glabra

Sumach is used for all excessive watery states where discharges need to be toned and healed. It tones the entire alimentary canal, heals internal ulcers, and helps regulate blood sugar.

Corallorrhiza maculata

Native American medicinal plant used as basket medicine, hunting medicine, love medicine, tuberculosis remedy, veterinary aid, witchcraft medicine. Documented among Iroquois, Navajo, Kayenta, Nevada Indian.

Flagellaria indica

Aboriginal vine medicine used for stomach cramps, headache, and topically for sores. The roots are crushed and soaked for internal use.

Rumex verticillatus

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

Lonicera oblongifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, gynecological aid, psychological aid, sedative, urinary aid. Documented among Iroquois.

Castanea sativa

Astringent herb whose leaves are used for whooping cough, paroxysmal coughs, and bronchitis. The bark is a traditional remedy for diarrhea and fever. Leaves also used as a gargle for sore throats.

Osmorhiza berteroi

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, emetic, cold remedy, throat aid, veterinary aid, adjuvant. Documented among Bella Coola, Blackfoot, Cheyenne.

Osmorhiza sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as emetic, pulmonary aid, analgesic, antidiarrheal, blood medicine, cathartic. Documented among Bella Coola, Iroquois, Miwok.

Malus coronaria

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, hemorrhoid remedy, oral aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Eupatorium purpureum

Native American medicinal plant used as adjuvant, antirheumatic (internal), diuretic, gynecological aid, kidney aid, misc. disease remedy. Documented among Cherokee, Chippewa, Mahuna.

Swertia chirayita

Himalayan bitter herb cultivated in Nepal and Pakistan, used in Ayurvedic medicine as a febrifuge, digestive tonic, and liver protectant. Traditionally used for malaria, constipation, skin diseases, and worm infestations.

Arundinaria gigantea

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, kidney aid, stimulant. Documented among Choctaw, Houma.

Tabernaemontana divaricata

South and Southeast Asian ornamental with medicinal uses in Ayurveda and Thai medicine. Root for toothache and worm infections. Latex for eye infections (diluted). Contains coronaridine and voacangine indole alkaloids with analgesic properties.

Tacca chantrieri

Southeast Asian ornamental with striking black flowers used in Thai and Chinese folk medicine for gastric ulcers, hypertension, and burns. Rhizome contains taccalonolide diterpenoids with documented anti-tumor activity in modern research.

Tacca leontopetaloides

Polynesian medicinal and food plant — one of the original canoe plants brought by Pacific voyagers. Starch extracted for food; whole rhizome used medicinally for stomachache and as poultice for stings. Important famine food across Pacific Islands.

Pandanus tectorius

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, laxative, pediatric aid, strengthener. Documented among Hawaiian.

Lactuca biennis

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antidiarrheal, antiemetic, antihemorrhagic, heart medicine, gynecological aid. Documented among Bella Coola, Ojibwa.

Eriogonum tenellum

Native American medicinal plant used as febrifuge, gynecological aid. Documented among Keres, Western.

Ranunculus acris

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, dermatological aid, oral aid, sedative, throat aid, antidiarrheal. Documented among Abnaki, Bella Coola, Cherokee.

Potentilla arguta

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

Eriophorum angustifolium

Native American medicinal plant used as panacea. Documented among Eskimo, Kuskokwagmiut.

Astragalus kentrophyta

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

Coreopsis tripteris

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antihemorrhagic. Documented among Meskwaki.

Eriogonum elatum

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

Larix laricina

Native American medicinal plant used as cough medicine, disinfectant, laxative, kidney aid, blood medicine, burn dressing. Documented among Abnaki, Algonquin, Quebec, Algonquin, Tete-de-Boule.