Herb Library

Aplectrum hyemale

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, dermatological aid, dietary aid, pediatric aid. Documented among Catawba, Cherokee.

Yucca filamentosa

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, ceremonial medicine, misc. disease remedy, sedative, orthopedic aid. Documented among Catawba, Cherokee, Nanticoke.

Adenanthera pavonina

Southeast Asian and Pacific tree used in Indonesian and Indian traditional medicine. Bark decoction for diarrhea and blood purification. Leaf paste for rheumatism and gout. Seeds used as weights (remarkably uniform 4 grains each). Contains galactomannan.

Mentzelia multiflora

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine, dermatological aid, disinfectant, gastrointestinal aid, eye medicine. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta, Navajo, Ramah.

Aframomum daniellii

West African spice plant used in Cameroonian and Nigerian traditional medicine and cuisine. Seeds for digestive complaints, cough, and malaria. Contains 1,8-cineole and alpha-terpineol. Used in Igbo pepper soup and traditional healing.

Silene capensis

A Xhosa sacred plant used to induce vivid, prophetic dreams. Traditionally taken before bed mixed with water and frothed. Research is very limited.

Aquilaria malaccensis

The world's most expensive wood — infected heartwood produces aromatic resin. Used in TCM for digestive Qi stagnation, and in Middle Eastern/Asian perfumery and meditation.

Aglaonema commutatum

A medicinal plant (Aglaonema commutatum) from the Araceae family used in traditional medicine.

Gentianella quinquefolia

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, gastrointestinal aid, laxative, sedative, stimulant, tonic. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois, Meskwaki.

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis

Native American medicinal plant used as adjuvant, antirheumatic (external), dermatological aid, herbal steam, kidney aid, panacea. Documented among Bella Coola, Kwakiutl, Kwakiutl, Southern.

Polygonum alpinum

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, cough medicine. Documented among Tanana, Upper.

Albizia adianthifolia

East and Southern African tree used in Zulu and Shona medicine for skin diseases, headache, and eye conditions. Bark decoction for inflammation and diarrhea. Root for tapeworm. Contains saponins and triterpenoids. Used in traditional dream medicine.

Alnus sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as antihemorrhagic, heart medicine, analgesic, antiemetic, antirheumatic (internal), cathartic. Documented among Carrier, Micmac, Mohegan.

Rhamnus alnifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as antidote, blood medicine, cathartic, dermatological aid, orthopedic aid, pediatric aid. Documented among Iroquois, Meskwaki, Potawatomi.

Adiantum aleuticum

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, antihemorrhagic, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Lummi, Makah, Skokomish.

Isocoma acradenia

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, throat aid. Documented among Cahuilla.

Cornus alternifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, anthelmintic, antidiarrheal, antidote, blood medicine, dermatological aid. Documented among Cherokee, Chippewa, Iroquois.

Ambrosia ambrosioides

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antihemorrhagic, cough medicine, gynecological aid. Documented among Pima.

Persea planifolia

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

Tilia americana

Native American medicinal plant used as eye medicine, antidiarrheal, cough medicine, dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, snake bite remedy. Documented among Algonquin, Quebec, Cherokee, Iroquois.

Staphylea trifolia

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (internal), dermatological aid, gynecological aid, pediatric aid, sedative, ceremonial medicine. Documented among Iroquois, Meskwaki.

Frasera sp.

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

Viola conspersa

Native American medicinal plant used as heart medicine. Documented among Ojibwa.

Cornus florida

Traditional medicinal plant used for antiperiodic, astringent, cancer(breast), cathartic, cholera, dentifrice, dysentery, fever, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Dracocephalum parviflorum

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, panacea, pediatric aid, analgesic, eye medicine, febrifuge. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta, Navajo, Ramah.

Leymus mollis

Native American medicinal plant used as strengthener. Documented among Nitinaht.

Arceuthobium americanum

Native American medicinal plant used as antihemorrhagic, pulmonary aid, dietary aid, tuberculosis remedy. Documented among Bella Coola, Carrier, Southern.

Alnus viridis

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, dermatological aid, antirheumatic (internal), dietary aid, gynecological aid, pediatric aid. Documented among Cree, Woodlands, Eskimo, Alaska, Eskimo, Inuktitut.

Phryma leptostachya

Native American medicinal plant used as throat aid, antirheumatic (internal). Documented among Chippewa, Ojibwa, South.

Adiantum pedatum

Traditional medicinal plant used for catarrh, cold, cough, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, hoarseness, medicine, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Veronica americana

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

Aralia racemosa

Native American medicinal plant used as misc. disease remedy, tuberculosis remedy, burn dressing, cough medicine, dermatological aid, diaphoretic. Documented among Algonquin, Quebec, Cherokee, Chippewa.

Daucus pusillus

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, cold remedy, dermatological aid, febrifuge, snake bite remedy. Documented among Costanoan, Miwok.

Senna hebecarpa

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, cathartic, dermatological aid, febrifuge, heart medicine, misc. disease remedy. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois.

Bletilla striata

Hemostatic herb that promotes leukocyte and platelet aggregation. Used for hematuria, blood splitting, and as an antimicrobial.

Adonis vernalis

Toxic herb used in TCM to treat heart disease and depression. Contains cardiac glycosides including cymarol and convallatoxin.

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.

Carapa guianensis

Traditional medicinal plant used for arthritis, cold, feet, fever, flu, insecticide, insectifuge, itch, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Angelica dahurica

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

Justicia pectoralis

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(stomach), aphrodisiac, cachexia, chest, chest-cold, cough, fever, flu, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Syzygium anisatum

Aboriginal Australian plant with strong anise flavor used for digestive complaints, coughs, and as a food flavoring. Contains anethole, the compound responsible for anise flavor.

Solidago odora

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

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.

Antidesma bunius

Southeast Asian fruit tree used in Filipino and Indonesian traditional medicine. Leaf tea for hypertension. Bark decoction for snakebite. Fruit juice for digestive complaints. Rich in anthocyanins and phenolic compounds.

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.

Rumex arcticus

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