Herb Library

Plagiomnium juniperinum

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external). Documented among Heiltzuk.

Polytrichum commune

Native American medicinal plant used as gynecological aid. Documented among Nitinaht.

Heuchera americana

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, eye medicine, gastrointestinal aid, antidiarrheal. Documented among Chippewa, Menominee, Sioux, Teton.

Angelica venenosa

Native American medicinal plant used as orthopedic aid, poison. Documented among Iroquois.

Balsamorhiza hookeri

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, urinary aid, gynecological aid. Documented among Paiute, Washo.

Psathyrotes pilifera

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

Cinnamomum pubescens

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

Clematis hirsutissima

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, veterinary aid, respiratory aid, witchcraft medicine. Documented among Montana Indian, Navajo, Ramah.

Oenothera villosa

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

Heterotheca villosa

Native American medicinal plant used as disinfectant, sedative, analgesic, ceremonial medicine, emetic, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Cheyenne, Hopi, Navajo, Kayenta.

Grindelia hirsutula

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

Tetradymia comosa

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, cough medicine, gastrointestinal aid, misc. disease remedy, pulmonary aid, antidiarrheal. Documented among Paiute, Shoshoni.

Thaspium barbinode

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

Smallanthus uvedalius

Native American medicinal plant used as burn dressing, dermatological aid, emetic, gynecological aid, other, analgesic. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois.

Arctostaphylos columbiana

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

Elsholtzia pilosa

A medicinal plant (Elsholtzia pilosa) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Vigna luteola

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, pediatric aid, respiratory aid, strengthener. Documented among Hawaiian.

Lithospermum caroliniense

Native American medicinal plant used as pulmonary aid. Documented among Lakota.

Veronica peregrina

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

Rosmarinus tomentosus

A medicinal plant (Rosmarinus tomentosus) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Scutellaria elliptica

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, antidiarrheal, breast treatment, gynecological aid, kidney aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Polygonatum pubescens

Native American medicinal plant used as antihemorrhagic, carminative, eye medicine, hunting medicine. Documented among Abnaki, Iroquois.

Townsendia strigosa

Native American medicinal plant used as throat aid, gynecological aid, gastrointestinal aid, nose medicine. Documented among Hopi, Keres, Western, Navajo.

Eriodictyon trichocalyx

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), antirheumatic (internal), blood medicine, cold remedy, cough medicine, febrifuge. Documented among Cahuilla.

Calcium oxide fossil

Unani mineral medicine (lithified sea urchin spine) calcined and powdered for kidney stones and urinary calculi; traditional lithotriptic.

Astragalus allochrous

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

Grindelia hirsutula

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine. Documented among Diegueno.

Asclepias hallii

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

Rosa rugosa

Japanese and Korean medicinal rose used for liver qi stagnation, menstrual pain, and digestive bloating. The fragrant flowers are brewed as a calming tea.

Antidesma pulvinatum

Native American medicinal plant used as antiemetic, dermatological aid, tuberculosis remedy. Documented among Hawaiian.

Hammada scoparia

North African and Arabian desert shrub used in Tunisian and Algerian folk medicine for diabetes, hypertension, and kidney stones. Contains alkaloids (carnegine, N-methylisosalsoline) and saponins. Traditional Bedouin remedy for urinary complaints.

Hancornia speciosa

Brazilian cerrado fruit tree whose bark tea is widely used in traditional medicine for hypertension, diabetes, and inflammation. Latex applied for warts and skin conditions. Contains rutin, chlorogenic acid, and cyclitols. Fruit is popular regional delicacy.

Rhexia virginica

Native American medicinal plant used as throat aid. Documented among Micmac, Montagnais.

Alpinia oxyphylla

Korean warming herb for frequent urination, urinary incontinence, diarrhea, and excessive salivation. Warms the kidney and secures essence in Korean medicine.

Camptotheca acuminata

Toxic herb containing camptothecin, used to treat breast cancer, stomach and colon carcinoma, and chronic leukemia.

Phormium tenax

Maori rongoā medicine — leaf gel applied like aloe vera for burns, wounds, boils, and skin infections. Root decoction for diarrhea and dysentery. Contains anthraquinones and muscinol. Leaf butt gel is the primary medicinal preparation.

Erigenia bulbosa

Native American medicinal plant used as toothache remedy. Documented among Cherokee.

Schoenoplectus acutus

Native American medicinal plant used as other, hemostat, dietary aid, ceremonial medicine, emetic, pediatric aid. Documented among Clallam, Cree, Woodlands, Montana Indian.

Oxytropis lagopus

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

Terminalia chebula

Called the "King of Medicines" in Tibetan medicine. One of three fruits in Triphala. Used for digestive health, detoxification, and cognitive support.

Gaura hexandra

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

Peganum harmala (root)

Middle Eastern medicinal root (distinct from seeds) used in Persian and Unani medicine for chronic skin conditions, joint pain, and menstrual disorders. Contains harmine, harmaline, vasicine. Root has different alkaloid ratios than commonly used seeds.

Peganum harmala

Traditional medicinal plant used for abortifacient, alterative, anodyne, aphrodisiac, asthma, cns depressant, cns stimulant, calculus, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Harpephyllum caffrum

South African tree whose bark is used in Zulu traditional medicine for skin conditions (acne, eczema, purulent dermatoses), blood purification, and dysentery. Contains gallic acid and methyl gallate. One of the most commercially traded South African medicinal barks.

Castilleja hispida

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

Calylophus hartwegii

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

Harungana madagascariensis

African relative of St. John's wort used across tropical Africa and Madagascar for liver complaints, digestive disorders, and malaria. Contains hypericin-type compounds and anthraquinones. European phytomedicine (Haronga extract) approved in Germany for dyspepsia.

Gentiana saponaria

Native American medicinal plant used as tonic. Documented among Dakota, Winnebago.