Herb Library

Parietaria officinalis

Mediterranean and European diuretic and demulcent for kidney stones, cystitis, and chronic cough.

Abutilon incanum

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Hawaiian.

Ranunculus pensylvanicus

Native American medicinal plant used as hunting medicine, dermatological aid. Documented among Ojibwa, Potawatomi.

Polygonum pensylvanicum

Native American medicinal plant used as anticonvulsive, veterinary aid, antihemorrhagic, gynecological aid, antidiarrheal, hemorrhoid remedy. Documented among Chippewa, Iroquois, Menominee.

Hydrocotyle vulgaris

British and Celtic folk remedy for skin wounds and liver complaints; distinct from Centella asiatica despite similar common name.

Penstemon sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as tuberculosis remedy, cold remedy, cough medicine, pulmonary aid, snake bite remedy, toothache remedy. Documented among Creek, Natchez, Navajo.

Pentaclethra macrophylla

West African tree whose fermented seeds (ugba) are an Igbo delicacy. Bark decoction for wound healing, gonorrhea, and convulsions. Seed oil for skin conditions. Contains paucine and pentaclethra saponins. Important in Nigerian ethnomedicine.

Uvularia perfoliata

Native American medicinal plant used as cough medicine, eye medicine, orthopedic aid, pediatric aid. Documented among Iroquois.

Desmodium perplexum

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

Lophophora williamsii

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(back), ache(head), anodyne, arthritis, cardiotonic, corn, fever, hallucinogen, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Phyllanthus muellerianus

West African climbing shrub used in Guinean, Ivorian, and Ghanaian traditional medicine for wound healing, dysentery, and sexually transmitted infections. Contains ellagitannins and gallic acid with strong antimicrobial activity.

Jatropha curcas

Traditional medicinal plant used for abortifacient, ache(stomach), ache(tooth), alopecia, anasarca, anodyne, antidote, antidote(comocladia), and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Lyonia mariana

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

Lewisia pygmaea

Native American medicinal plant used as psychological aid. Documented among Thompson.

Acacia leucophloea

A medicinal plant (Acacia leucophloea) from the Fabaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Piliostigma thonningii

West and Central African tree used in traditional medicine for cough, diarrhea, snakebite, and wound healing. Bark decoction widely used across Sahel for dysentery. Leaves applied as poultice for skin infections.

Pycnanthemum pilosum

A medicinal plant (Pycnanthemum pilosum) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Pimenta racemosa

Caribbean tree whose leaves produce bay rum oil used in Caribbean folk medicine for muscle pain, scalp health, and as rubefacient. Traditional bay rum aftershave has medicinal origins. Contains eugenol, myrcene, and chavicol. EXTERNAL USE primarily.

Juniperus pinchotii

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, ceremonial medicine, gynecological aid, other. Documented among Comanche.

Arceuthobium vaginatum

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

Angadenia berteroi

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

Arctostaphylos nevadensis

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, antidote. Documented among Karok.

Pinus strobus (tea)

Fresh pine needle tea — rich in vitamin C and shikimic acid. Traditional Native American winter remedy. Pleasant taste. Use only identified, non-toxic pine species.

Tradescantia pinetorum

Native American medicinal plant used as veterinary aid. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Heuchera rubescens

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, pediatric aid, eye medicine, venereal aid, antidiarrheal. Documented among Gosiute, Paiute, Shoshoni.

Phyllodoce empetriformis

Native American medicinal plant used as tuberculosis remedy. Documented among Thompson.

Piper umbellatum

Pan-tropical pepper relative used in Brazilian, Central African, and Caribbean folk medicine for inflammation, fever, and liver protection. Leaf poultice for headache (placed on forehead). Contains 4-nerolidylcatechol with anti-inflammatory properties.

Clematis lasiantha

Native American medicinal plant used as burn dressing, dermatological aid, cold remedy, herbal steam. Documented among Miwok, Shasta.

Pistacia atlantica

Persian and North African tree whose resin, fruits, and leaves all have medicinal uses. Resin (bane) chewed for oral health and digestion. Fruit for stomach complaints. Used extensively in Iranian traditional medicine for GI disorders, liver conditions, and wounds.

Eugenia uniflora

Traditional medicinal plant used for repellant(insect).

Sarracenia sp.

A medicinal plant (Sarracenia sp.) from the Sarraceniaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Pinus rigida

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (internal), burn dressing, dermatological aid, laxative. Documented among Iroquois, Shinnecock.

Erythrina berteroana

Traditional medicinal plant used for dysmenorrhea, female, narcotic, piscicide, poison, soporific.

Pittosporum undulatum

Australian and Azorean tree used in Aboriginal Australian medicine for headache and sores. Seed resin applied topically. Leaf tea in Azorean folk medicine for respiratory complaints. Contains saponins and pittosporogenin. Invasive species in many regions.

Gentiana alba

Native American medicinal plant used as alterative. Documented among Potawatomi.

Populus deltoides

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, ceremonial medicine. Documented among Ojibwa, South, Omaha.

Plantago major

A common "weed" that is a gentle and effective first aid herb, used topically for insect bites and skin irritation, and internally for respiratory support.

Carex plantaginea

Native American medicinal plant used as snake bite remedy. Documented among Menominee.

Plantago major (fresh poultice)

The classic herbal first aid — chew a fresh plantain leaf and apply to insect bites, stings, or splinters. Draws out venom/irritants. Works in minutes. Free and everywhere.

Gentiana affinis

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

Coleus amboinicus

Pan-tropical aromatic succulent herb used in Indonesian (daun jinten), Indian, and Caribbean folk medicine for cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and digestive complaints. Leaf juice for insect bites. Contains carvacrol and thymol. Culinary herb in many cultures.

Asclepias tuberosa

A Native American herb for respiratory infections, pleurisy, and bronchial inflammation. Named for its traditional use with pleurisy.

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(tooth), anodyne, bactericide, depilatory, emetic, erysipelas, lactagogue, lactogogue, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Grindelia fastigiata

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

Desmodium glutinosum

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

Arctostaphylos pungens

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, dermatological aid, ceremonial medicine, emetic. Documented among Cahuilla, Navajo, Ramah.

Rhododendron ponticum

Traditional medicinal plant used for gout, hydrocoele, intoxicant, narcotic, rheumatism.

Cinnamomum porrectum

A medicinal plant (Cinnamomum porrectum) from the Lauraceae family used in traditional medicine.