Herb Library

Senecio spartioides

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, cathartic, gynecological aid, analgesic, ceremonial medicine, eye medicine. Documented among Navajo, Navajo, Ramah, Zuni.

Allium ursinum

European wild garlic with similar but milder properties to cultivated garlic. Used to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as an antimicrobial, and as a spring cleansing tonic.

Quisqualis indica

Used in TCM specifically to treat internal parasites, particularly roundworm and pinworm in children.

Lycopodium obscurum

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), blood medicine, gynecological aid, diuretic, hemostat. Documented among Chippewa, Iroquois, Ojibwa.

Crotalaria retusa

Traditional medicinal plant used for fever, hemoptysis, impetigo, poison, scabies.

Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic. Documented among Kawaiisu.

Frangula rubra

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

Aquilegia canadensis

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

Eriophorum russeolum

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, eye medicine. Documented among Eskimo, Western.

Gaillardia pinnatifida

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, diuretic, gynecological aid, psychological aid, misc. disease remedy, other. Documented among Hopi, Keres, Western, Navajo.

Rhizophora mangle

Traditional medicinal plant used for angina, asthma, astringent, boil, dyspepsia, elephantiasis, emmenagogue, enuresis, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Silene campanulata

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

Quercus sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, emetic, pulmonary aid, throat aid, blood medicine, cold remedy. Documented among Alabama, Atsugewi, Chippewa.

Cornus sericea

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

Lachnanthes tinctoria

Traditional medicinal plant used for cardiotonic, cough, hypnotic, intellect, pneumonia, poison, stimulant.

Ceanothus americanus

Lymphatic and splenic herb — strongest action on the spleen of any Western herb. For mononucleosis, tonsillitis, swollen glands, and splenomegaly. Used during American Revolution as tea substitute (hence the name).

Amaranthus retroflexus

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine, dermatological aid, gynecological aid, witchcraft medicine, gastrointestinal aid, throat aid. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois, Keres, Western.

Eriogonum racemosum

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, orthopedic aid, blood medicine. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta, Navajo, Ramah.

Ceanothus sanguineus

Native American medicinal plant used as burn dressing, dermatological aid. Documented among Okanagan-Colville, Sanpoil.

Erodium cicutarium

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

Salix bonplandiana

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

Sequoia sempervirens

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, liver aid, ear medicine, stimulant, tonic, venereal aid. Documented among Houma, Pomo, Pomo, Kashaya.

Pleopeltis polypodioides

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

Hedeoma reverchonii

A medicinal plant (Hedeoma reverchonii) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

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.

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.

Crataegus rivularis

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

Dalibarda repens

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

Erigeron pulchellus

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, analgesic, anticonvulsive, antihemorrhagic, cold remedy, cough medicine. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois.

Eriogonum sphaerocephalum

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, cold remedy. Documented among Paiute, Shoshoni.

Clematis columbiana

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

Iberis amara

Traditional medicinal plant used for antirheumatic, antiscorbutic, asthma, bronchitis, cardiotonic, expectorant, gout, homeopathy, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Corydalis sempervirens

Native American medicinal plant used as hemorrhoid remedy. Documented among Iroquois.

Eriogonum androsaceum

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antirheumatic (external), dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, herbal steam, orthopedic aid. Documented among Thompson.

Polypodium virginianum

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, heart medicine, analgesic, throat aid, dermatological aid, cold remedy. Documented among Abnaki, Algonquin, Quebec, Bella Coola.

Holodiscus dumosus

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, cold remedy, gastrointestinal aid, disinfectant, emetic, venereal aid. Documented among Paiute, Shoshoni.

Cleome serrulata

Native American medicinal plant used as eye medicine, blood medicine, ceremonial medicine, dermatological aid, throat aid, febrifuge. Documented among Gosiute, Navajo, Ramah, Oregon Indian.

Pseudotsuga menziesii

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

Conioselinum scopulorum

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, gynecological aid, respiratory aid, snake bite remedy. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta.

Iris missouriensis

Native American medicinal plant used as toothache remedy, emetic, ceremonial medicine, kidney aid, urinary aid, analgesic. Documented among Great Basin Indian, Klamath, Montana Indian.

Juniperus scopulorum

Native American medicinal plant used as antiemetic, antirheumatic (external), ceremonial medicine, cold remedy, cough medicine, febrifuge. Documented among Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Crow.

Acer glabrum

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, panacea, hunting medicine, antiemetic, gynecological aid, snake bite remedy. Documented among Blackfoot, Navajo, Ramah, Okanagan-Colville.

Parnassia fimbriata

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, pediatric aid, stimulant, venereal aid. Documented among Cheyenne, Gosiute.

Nuphar lutea

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antirheumatic (internal), blood medicine, heart medicine, tuberculosis remedy, venereal aid. Documented among Bella Coola, Gitksan, Haisla and Hanaksiala.