Herb Library

Prunus americana

Native American medicinal plant used as cough medicine, kidney aid, urinary aid, ceremonial medicine, oral aid, anthelmintic. Documented among Cherokee, Cheyenne, Chippewa.

Lysichiton americanus

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, dermatological aid, antirheumatic (external), antihemorrhagic, antirheumatic (internal), misc. disease remedy. Documented among Bella Coola, Clallam, Cowlitz.

Euonymus americana

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antihemorrhagic, dermatological aid, disinfectant, expectorant, gynecological aid. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois.

Erythronium americanum

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, febrifuge, hunting medicine, stimulant, contraceptive. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois.

Diphylleia cymosa

Native American medicinal plant used as diaphoretic, disinfectant, diuretic, misc. disease remedy. Documented among Cherokee.

Ampelocissus africana

West African wild grape vine used in Nigerian and Ghanaian traditional medicine for diarrhea, wound healing, and fracture treatment. Root decoction for dysentery. Leaf poultice for boils. Contains stilbenes related to resveratrol.

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.

Angelica dahurica

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

Galipea officinalis

A medicinal plant (Galipea officinalis) from the Rutaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Pimpinella anisum

Native American medicinal plant used as respiratory aid, cathartic, gastrointestinal aid, tonic. Documented among Cherokee, Delaware, Delaware, Oklahoma.

Eriogonum annuum

Native American medicinal plant used as diuretic, oral aid, pediatric aid, ceremonial medicine, dermatological aid, disinfectant. Documented among Lakota, Navajo, Ramah.

Matricaria recutita

A medicinal plant (Matricaria recutita) from the Asteraceae family used in traditional medicine.

Mercurialis annua

Traditional medicinal plant used for cholagogue, cyanogenetic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, hydragogue, laxative, poison, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Psathyrotes annua

Native American medicinal plant used as eye medicine, toothache remedy, gastrointestinal aid, pediatric aid, urinary aid. Documented among Paiute, Shoshoni.

Polypogon monspeliensis

Native American medicinal plant used as heart medicine. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta.

Symphyotrichum divaricatum

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, toothache remedy. Documented among Kawaiisu.

Melilotus indicus

Native American medicinal plant used as laxative. Documented among Pomo, Kashaya.

Purshia tridentata

Native American medicinal plant used as cough medicine, emetic, pulmonary aid, respiratory aid, gynecological aid, ceremonial medicine. Documented among Klamath, Montana Indian, Navajo.

Sambucus tridentata

Native American medicinal plant used as emetic, laxative. Documented among Paiute.

Fallugia paradoxa

Native American medicinal plant used as witchcraft medicine, ceremonial medicine, emetic, dermatological aid. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta, Navajo, Ramah, Tewa.

Asclepias perennis

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, dermatological aid, kidney aid, laxative, urinary aid, venereal aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Arbutus unedo

Traditional medicinal plant used for antiseptic, astringent, excrescence, intoxicant, narcotic, rheumatism, tonic, urogenital.

Lupinus arcticus

Native American medicinal plant used as poison. Documented among Eskimo, Inupiat.

Lonicera arizonica

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

Myosurus cupulatus

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

Arnoglossum atriplicifolium

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

Eriogonum compositum

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, dermatological aid, antidiarrheal. Documented among Okanagan-Colville, Sanpoil.

Senecio triangularis

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, sedative. Documented among Cheyenne.

Sagittaria cuneata

Native American medicinal plant used as veterinary aid, analgesic, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Cheyenne, Navajo, Ojibwa.

Garcinia atroviridis

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(ear), earache, parturition.

Ludwigia adscendens

Traditional medicinal plant used for poultice, skin, sore.

Asparagus officinalis

Diuretic vegetable and medicine used for urinary tract problems, rheumatic conditions, and fluid retention. Contains asparagine which has a diuretic effect. Also a gentle laxative.

Asparagus officinalis

The root of common asparagus — used in TCM (Tian Men Dong) for lung yin deficiency, dry cough, and as a kidney tonic. Different from Shatavari.

Pedicularis attollens

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, tonic. Documented among Washo.

Colchicum autumnale

Traditional medicinal plant used for alterative, cancer, corn, diuretic, fatality, gout, homeopathy, laxative, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Allium stellatum

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, pediatric aid. Documented among Chippewa.

Epilobium brachycarpum

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

Banisteriopsis caapi

Traditional medicinal plant used for hallucinogen, narcotic, psychedelic.

Isertia hypoleuca

A medicinal plant (Isertia hypoleuca) from the Rubiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Houstonia caerulea

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

Acacia nilotica

Strongly astringent bark used to contract and toughen mucous membranes. Applied as a gargle for sore throats, lotion for bleeding gums, wash for eczema, and eyewash. Taken for diarrhea.

Eriogonum baileyi

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

Platonia insignis

A medicinal plant (Platonia insignis) from the Clusiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Epixiphium wislizeni

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), snake bite remedy. Documented among Keres, Western.

Passiflora mollissima

A medicinal plant (Passiflora mollissima) from the Passifloraceae family used in traditional medicine.

Yucca baccata

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

Banisteriopsis muricata

South American vine related to ayahuasca (B. caapi) but used distinctly in Colombian and Venezuelan folk medicine for wound healing, fever, and malaria. Contains dimethoxyflavones rather than harmine alkaloids. Not psychoactive.