Herb Library

Lythrum salicaria

One of the only herbs possessing both astringent and demulcent actions. Helps clear dysentery and diarrhea, reduces inflammatory bowel disorders, and improves kidney, bladder, and vision function.

Solanum xanti

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, orthopedic aid. Documented among Kawaiisu.

Sarracenia purpurea

Native American medicinal plant used as gynecological aid, urinary aid, diuretic, abortifacient, orthopedic aid, venereal aid. Documented among Algonquin, Quebec, Algonquin, Tete-de-Boule, Cree, Woodlands.

Dalea purpurea

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid. Documented among Montana Indian.

Sanicula bipinnatifida

Native American medicinal plant used as panacea, snake bite remedy. Documented among Miwok.

Angelica atropurpurea

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, carminative, cold remedy, febrifuge, misc. disease remedy, oral aid. Documented among Cherokee, Delaware, Delaware, Oklahoma.

Orthocarpus purpureoalbus

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

Salix discolor

Native American medicinal plant used as gynecological aid, throat aid, analgesic, febrifuge, antidiarrheal, emetic. Documented among Algonquin, Tete-de-Boule, Blackfoot, Cree, Woodlands.

Androsace septentrionalis

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, panacea, venereal aid, witchcraft medicine. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Spiraea ?pyramidata

Native American medicinal plant used as tonic. Documented among Thompson.

Peucedanum decursivum

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(head), analgesic, antitussive, apoplexy, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, carminative, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Qualea grandiflora

Brazilian cerrado tree used in folk medicine of Goias and Minas Gerais for gastric ulcers, diarrhea, and skin infections. Bark decoction for throat infections. Contains squalene and betulinic acid. One of the most common cerrado tree species.

Filipendula rubra

Native American medicinal plant used as heart medicine, love medicine. Documented among Meskwaki.

Stillingia sylvatica

Eclectic medicine alterative — for chronic skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis), syphilis (historical), and lymphatic congestion. Fresh root is most potent. Contains stillingine. Often combined with other alteratives (Burdock, Red Clover).

Porophyllum ruderale

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(bones), bite(snake), erysipelas, spasm, sudorific.

Cinchona spp

A medicinal plant (Cinchona spp) from the Rubiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Alstonia constricta

Aboriginal antipyretic used for fever, especially malarial fever. Contains alstonine and other indole alkaloids with antimalarial and bitter tonic properties.

Crotalaria rotundifolia

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

Chrysothamnus sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as febrifuge, toothache remedy, venereal aid, cold remedy, oral aid, throat aid. Documented among Isleta, Jemez, Keres, Western.

Ericameria bloomeri

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

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium

Native American medicinal plant used as sedative, analgesic, antirheumatic (internal), cold remedy, cough medicine, misc. disease remedy. Documented among Alabama, Cherokee, Choctaw.

Polygala polygama

Native American medicinal plant used as cough medicine. Documented among Montagnais.

Bahia dissecta

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, emetic, analgesic, antirheumatic (internal), contraceptive, gynecological aid. Documented among Keres, Western, Navajo, Ramah, Zuni.

Waltheria americana

Traditional medicinal plant used for abortifacient, asthma, debility, depurative, diarrhea, eruption, fever, purgative, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Cypripedium arietinum

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Iroquois.

Boehmeria nivea

Traditional medicinal plant used for anodyne, antidote(arrow poison), bite(bug), bite(snake), boil, demulcent, diuretic, dysentery, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Grindelia decumbens

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

Erythrina herbacea

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, tonic, analgesic, antiemetic, antirheumatic (external), laxative. Documented among Alabama, Choctaw, Creek.

Aquilegia canadensis

Native American medicinal plant used as gynecological aid, heart medicine, dermatological aid, kidney aid, witchcraft medicine, antidiarrheal. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois, Meskwaki.

Silene campanulata

Native American medicinal plant used as pediatric aid. Documented among Karok.

Cornus sericea

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, cough medicine, emetic, febrifuge, ceremonial medicine, anthelmintic. Documented among Cree, Hudson Bay, Ojibwa, Thompson.

Pinus resinosa

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, stimulant, analgesic. Documented among Algonquin, Tete-de-Boule, Ojibwa, Ojibwa, South.

Erodium cicutarium

Native American medicinal plant used as misc. disease remedy, gynecological aid, dermatological aid, disinfectant, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Costanoan, Jemez, Navajo, Kayenta.

Trillium erectum

Native American medicinal plant used as panacea, pediatric aid, cancer treatment, cough medicine, dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Abnaki, Cherokee, Iroquois.

Salix bonplandiana

Native American medicinal plant used as febrifuge, antidiarrheal. Documented among Costanoan, Kawaiisu.

Pleopeltis polypodioides

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, oral aid, pediatric aid, vertigo medicine. Documented among Houma.

Rhamnus prinoides

Ethiopian tree whose leaves and bark are essential ingredients in traditional Ethiopian honey wine (tej) and beer (tella). Medicinally for malaria, stomach complaints, and as tonic. Contains emodin anthraquinones and flavonoids. Culturally indispensable in Ethiopia.

Chamaesyce glyptosperma

Native American medicinal plant used as gland medicine, gynecological aid, snake bite remedy. Documented among Iroquois, Thompson.

Tetrapanax papyrifera

Traditional medicinal plant used for cystitis, diuretic, dysuria, fever, lactogogue.

Heuchera richardsonii

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, eye medicine, dermatological aid. Documented among Blackfoot, Cree, Woodlands, Lakota.

Geranium richardsonii

Native American medicinal plant used as hemostat, nose medicine, panacea. Documented among Cheyenne, Navajo, Ramah.

Ricinus communis (leaf)

Pan-tropical castor plant LEAF use (distinct from toxic seed/oil) in Ayurvedic and African medicine as poultice for joint pain, breast engorgement, and boils. Leaf is heated and applied topically. Contains ricinine but NOT ricin (seed only). External use relatively safe.

Mimulus ringens

Native American medicinal plant used as anticonvulsive, antidote. Documented among Iroquois.

Senna alata

A medicinal plant (Senna alata) from the Fabaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Betula nigra

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, cold remedy, gastrointestinal aid, urinary aid, analgesic. Documented among Cherokee, Chippewa.

Crataegus rivularis

Native American medicinal plant used as poison. Documented among Mendocino Indian.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Aboriginal medicine tree with kino (gum) used for diarrhea and sore throat, bark wash for skin sores, and leaf steam inhalation for respiratory congestion.

Dalibarda repens

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, venereal aid. Documented among Iroquois.