Plants are listed in alphabetical order by common name. Click on the common name to see a photograph of the plant.
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| Common name | Latin name | Growth cycle | Part used | Toxicity | Traditional Use |
| Fang Feng, Laserwort, Siler Root | Saposhnikovia divaricata, Ledebouriella divaricata, Siler divaricatum | Perennial | Root | O |
Used in TCM for wind conditions, it releases the exterior and expels wind. For wind dampness and pain, wind and especially migraines. Also used for fevers andsinus problems, it is analgesic, antipyretic and antibacterial. |
| Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare | Perennial | Seeds | O |
Fennel is mild in nature and tastes good, so it makes a great children’s remedy and is used as a flavoring agent. For kids: gas (adults too), colic (given to the breastfeeding mom), nausea, tummy aches, teething pain: also for coughs, congestion, helps drain babies with congestion, babies with congestion when teething. A galactogogue, it increases milk flow in breastfeeding women, is great for nursing mothers and decreases colic in babies. Gold fennel is grown as a vegetable and is the best teething remedy for babies. Cut the stalks into big pieces and freeze. Let baby use as a teething biscuit; the cold numbs, the oils act as an anesthetic and it tastes good. |
| Fenugreek | Trigonella foenum-graecum | Annual | Seed | O |
Culinary uses. Used for adult onset diabetes. A rare warming bitter, it binds endotoxins in the gut in leaky gut syndrome and is useful for IBS, and also helps improve weight gain in degenerative illness. In TCM, it nourishes the kidney and is used for exhaustion. |
| Feverfew | Tanacetum parthenium | Perennial | Flowering tops and leaves | O |
Migraines, especially vasodilative headaches, where the head feels like it will explode up or out, with pain behind the eyes or temples, which are better with cold applications. |
| Figwort | Scrophularia nodosa | Perennial | Flowering herb and root | O |
Alternative for skin issues, and used in cancer remedies. Used externally for hemorrhoids. For chronic swollen lymph nodes, hemorrhoids, ovarian cysts, cystic breast disease and lymphatic stagnation with heat. |
| Fireweed, Bloodvine, Blooming Sally, Rose Bay Willow-herb, Great Willow Herb | Epilobium angustifolium | Perennial | Herb | O |
Southwestern herb for candidiasis of the upper or lower respiratory tract, anti-inflammatory for mucous membranes. Chronic pasty diarrhea, without heat and fever, and green or yellow in color. Anti-inflammatory herb for mouth, throat, stomach and intestinal inflammation. Externally it cools, soothes and helps bring down swelling. |
| Flame Azalea | Rhododendron calendulaceum | Perennial | Twigs | XX |
Not to be used except by a trained herbalist. Antirheumatic externally. Gynecological aid for women as a tea. Fungus on twigs eaten to appease thirst. A juicy growth (a gall) found on leaves is eaten raw in salads. |
| Foamflower | Tiarella cordifolia | Perennial | Root | O |
A wound plant, also used as eye medicine. Antidiarrheal. |
| Foxglove | Digitalis purpurea | Perennial or biennial | Leaves | XX |
Not to be used except by a trained herbalist. A profound heart tonic, foxglove is the original source of Digoxin (Lanoxin). It enables the heart to beat more strongly, slowly and regularly, without requiring more oxygen. Helps urination in congestive heart failure. |
| French Tarragon | Artemisia dracunculus | Perennial | Leaves | O |
Culinary herb with a peppery anise flavor. Essential to French cuisine, in Fines Herbes mix. As a tea to stimulate appetite, and a digestive tonic. The root reduces toothache. |
| Garlic | Allium sativum | Biennial | Root bulb, green tops | O |
Garlic is a two year crop, planted the previous fall for a crop in the summer. The bulbs and green tops (snapes) are used in cooking. Medicinally, it has been used for lung infections, e.g. pneumonia, especially PCP pneumonia which is a fungal pneumonia secondary to AIDS. It is used for hypertension with arteriosclerosis and hyperlipidemia, and is a blood thinner. Antifungal, antibacterial. Garlic was a wound field dressing up through WWII. Colds, flu, many uses. Culinary favorite. May be toxic to cats. |
| Gentian, Closed Gentian | Gentiana lutea (yellow), G. andrewsii and G. ssp. | Perennial | Root | O |
The blue species are threatened; all are cultivated here and abroad. Gentian is a digestive bitter: exceptionally outstanding, still found in Angostura bitters sold commercially. Every bitters formula in Europe includes gentian. Bitters stimulate liver function, are anti-inflammatory, help leaky gut, increase digestion, absorption, and elimination, decrease food allergies, increase bile secretion and excretion, are nutritive, anti-hepatotoxin, for women with reproductive problems. Gentian will help normalize blood sugar levels, helps with sugar cravings, borderline diabetes and hypoglycemia. |
| Geranium, Scented | Pelargonium spp. | Perennial | Herb | O |
Herb of the Year for 2006 with an amazing ability to mimic the scent of other flowers and foods. Used extensively for aromatherapy, it has aromatic, astringent and emollient properties. As a medicinal plant, geranium has traditionally been considered an astringent and used as a folk remedy in the treatment of ulcers. It is taken internally as a remedy for minor digestive ailments, plus kidney and bladder disorders. Externally, it is applied to rashes and cracked skin. The essential oil is a major component of geranium oil, which is used in aromatherapy and skin care. A terpine hydrate synthesized from geraniol is known to be an effective expectorant and some anticancer properties. Leaves are reported to have antifungal activity. |
| Ginseng, American Ginseng, Seng, Sang | Panax quinquefolium | Perennial | Rhizome | O |
Endangered. Do not use unless you plant it or use organically woods grown. Do not gather or wildcraft it. Uses: Great tonic remedy. Tonifies the nervous system by normalizing function, immune system function, and endocrine function. For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, “fried” patients. It normalizes the blood sugar level. For depleted, deficient insomnia (not excess). American ginseng is more tonifying than Siberian ginseng, but Siberian ginseng is cheaper and more appropriate for constant use. American ginseng (3 mos.) vs. Siberian ginseng (9 mos.). Also used for deficient immune system, frequent colds and flu, for a wide range of nonspecific conditions where patients are “depleted,” deficient or exhausted. |
| Globeflower | Trollius spp | Perennial | Leaves & stem | O |
Used for thrush by the Cherokee. |
| Goldenseal | Hydrastis canadensis | Perennial | Root | O |
Endangered, use only when appropriate or use analog. Use only organically grown, woods grown, sustainable herb. Do not wildcraft. Use analogs when possible. NOTE: Goldenseal has no systemic antibacterial function, it only works on tissues it touches. It does not mask urine drugs, in fact, if found in the urine, companies do a higher sensitivity test, assuming you are trying to mask drugs. Effective for mucous membrane tissue with lack of tonicity, boggy, atonic with tendency to over secretion, and/or bleeding and infection: gingivitis, conjunctivitis, strept throat, UTIs, gastritis, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, sinusitis, laryngitis, for erosion of cervix, vaginal candidiasis, thrush (orally), for prolapsed uterus with tendency toward chronic low grade bleeding, prolapsed bladder with chronic low grade bleeding. Analogs for berberine: Yellow Root, Barberry, Oregon Grape Root, Yellow Thread, Coptis. Goldenseal also contains hydrastine which is not in the berberine analogs. |
| Gotu Kola | Hydrocotyle asiatica or Centella asiatica | Perennial | Herb | O |
Small creeping tropical plant used for centuries in India. Believed to have remarkable rejuvenating properties. One or two freshly chopped leaves daily in salads or liquefied in juice are said to be sufficient to revitalize the cells of the brain and to retard the aging process. Research shows that it is valuable for the treatment of burns, wounds, scars and varicose veins because it stimulates the development of connective tissue. |
| Gravel Root, Queen of the Meadow | Eupatorium purpurea | Perennial | Root | O |
Used for urinary tract pain with urinary calculi, dull pain radiating from lower back, down through buttocks into inner thigh (not sciatic pain). |
| Great Merrybells, Largeflower Bellwort | Uvularia grandiflora | Perennial | Entire plant | O |
The Menominee used the plant for swellings. The Ojibwa used the root for stomach pain and pleurisy, pain in the solar plexus, also for backache. |
| Green Dragon | Arisaema dracontium | Perennial | Entire plant | X |
The Menominee used Green Dragon as a gynecological aid plant for female disorders. The root was used as a sacred item in sacred bundles and gave supernatural dreams to the owner. |
| Ground Ivy, Gill-over-the-Ground | Glechoma hederacea | Perennial | Herb | O |
Used against hot damp coughs, bronchitis, and pneumonia, it is expectorant and antiviral. Has been used for lead poisoning and mercury poisoning. |
| Hawthorn tree | Crataegus oxyacanthoides, C. monogyna | Perennial | Berries, flowers, leaves | O |
Hawthorn is heart food, an amphoteric or trophorestorative to the heart, and can be used for any heart condition. Nervine for ADD and ADHD. In TCM, it is used for disturbed shen (mind). |
| Hellebore, Black Hellebore, Christmas Rose | Helleborus niger | Perennial | Dried rhizome | XXX |
Not to be used except by a trained herbalist. Hellebore is diuretic, antimicrobial, and laxative. The dried rhizome is the only part which can be safely used, usually as a flushing out treatment for kidneys and bowels. Cathartic. The fresh plant is poisonous. |
| Helonius, Fairy Wand, False Unicorn Root, Blazing Star | Chamaelirium luteum | Perennial | Root | O |
Severely threatened species, use only organically grown. For hormonal infertility and hormonal imbalances, use with licorice, dang gui and shatavari. For women coming off of birth control pills, it helps normalize the reproduction system; use with Chaste tree. For PMS, use with chaste tree, blue vervain, motherwort. In Mother’s cordial: for preparation and anxiety in birth. For Menopause: it normalizes hormones, palpitations; use with Chaste tree, licorice, alfalfa. Also for menstrual discomfort: dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea if hormonal. |
| Henbane | Hyoscyamus niger | Annual | Herb | XXX |
Not to be used except by a trained herbalist. Henbane is a powerful cerebral and spinal sedative used since remote ages to induce sleep and allay pains. Often an ingredient in witches’ brews for its power of throwing victims into convulsions and in witches’ “flying ointments” (combined with datura and belladonna). Treats nervous irritability with delirium, mania, face flushed and dilated pupils, particularly in fevers. Nervous cough, spasmodic coughs, bladder spasms, headache, and insomnia. Antispasmodic to the smooth muscles of the GI tract, used for IBD, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’’s. |
| Henbit | Lamium amplexicaule | Perennial | Leaves | O |
Eaten raw or cooked in Europe and Asia. |
| Hepatica, Liverwort | Hepatica nobilis var. acuta [Sharplobe] | Perennial | Plant and roots | O |
Emetic, laxative, liver aid, alterative, analgesic for labor pains. Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa [Roundlobed] is an abortifacient, anticonvulsive, liver aid, dysentery. |
| He Shou Wu, Fo Ti | Polygonum multiflorum | Perennial | Root | O |
This is a major tonic remedy for symptoms of aging in TCM. Rich in iron. Legendary elixir of life said to possess rejuvenating properties. Roots are used to restore blood, liver and kidneys, and is prescribed for condition as varied as vertigo, insomnia, lumbago, and constipation. Effective against high BP and hardening of the arteries. |
| Hollyhock | Althea rosea | Biennial | Leaves and flowers | O |
Hollyhock mallows contain soothing mucilage that soothes all mucous membranes. Tea soothes oral inflammation, bowel lining in IBS, gastric lining. Contains FOS, food for the beneficial gut flora. |
| Holly, Chinese | Ilex cornuta | Perennial | Bark, leaves, fruit | O |
The Chinese use holly in a variety of ways. The bark, leaves and fruit are used in herbal medicine for their general tonic value as well as for diseases of the kidney. The fruit is edible. |
| Horehound | Marrubium vulgare | Perennial | Herb | O |
Lung herb, used for most lung conditions, as its energy is pretty neutral. Bronchitis, irritative coughs, chest colds. Also used as a flavoring for candy. |
| Horseradish | Armoracia rusticana | Perennial | Root | O |
Opens the sinuses and lungs, antiasthmatic; used for head colds, sinus congestion. Also culinary uses. |
| Hyssop | Hyssopus officinalis | Perennial | Herb | O |
One of the oldest documented herbs, mentioned in the Bible, it is an ancient plant, growing where civilization started. It is an aromatic plant. Viral conditions: Colds, flu, viral pneumonia, intestinal viruses, bronchitis. Carminative. Mixes well with sage and echinacea for colds. |
| Indian Cucumber | Medeola virginiana | Perennial | Root | O |
The Iroquois used crushed dried berries and leaves for babies with convulsions. Panacea compound. Raw root chewed and spit on hook to make fish bite. |
| Isatis, Woad | Isatis tinctoria | Biennial | Root or leaf | O |
Woad is a dye plant, and is also profoundly antiviral and antibacterial. For acute infections. Picts painted themselves blue with this before going into battle. For ages it was the main source of blue dye in Europe. |
| Ivy, Common Ivy, English Ivy | Hedera helix | Perennial | Leaf, stem, berry, seed | X |
An ancient plant, believed by the Greeks to treat intoxication, its toxic leaves are used as a poultice to soothe neuralgia, rheumatism, and sciatica, and in a tincture for toothache and whooping cough. They reduce fevers, expel worms, and in a compress, reduce cellulite. They contain saponins and in solution, darken hair and black silk and taffeta. The leaves kill some amoebas, fungi and mollusks. |
| Jack in the Pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum | Perennial | Root | X |
Analgesic root poultice. Carminative. Cold and cough remedy. Diaphoretic, expectorant, stimulant, TB remedy (Cherokee). |
| Jacob’s Ladder, Greek Valerian | Polemonium caeruleum, P. elegans, P. reptans | Perennial | Plant and root | O |
The whole plant was once used in Europe as an astringent and alterative in treating syphilis and rabies. Boiled in olive oil, it makes a hair dressing and black dye. P. reptans root was used as a powerful cathartic and diuretic. Not used medicinally now. |
| Jimsonweed | XXX |
See Thorn Apple | |||
| Johnny Jump Up, Heartsease, Tricolor Violet | Viola tricolor | Biennial | Herb, flower | O |
An old English favorite with charming small purple, lavender and yellow flowers. It was once a potent symbol of romance for courting couples. Used for dropsy (edema secondary to heart failure), respiratory catarrh and skin eruptions. The flowers are edible. |
| Juniper | Juniperus communis | Perennial | Berry | O |
Used for chronic low grade cystitis with profuse mucous when the discharge is clear or white, or cold, damp chronic conditions. Cold, damp kidney, lung, stomach fire, cold damp spleen. For short term use only. |
| Ladies Tresses, Spiral Orchid | Spiranthes odorata | Perennial | Root | O |
The Seminole used a root decoction as a blood purifier. The Paiute used roots as food. This is a rare member of the orchid family; it is fragrant and a hummingbird plant. |
| Lady’s Mantle | New name, Alchemilla xanthochlora, old name, Alchemilla vulgaris | Perennial | Leaf | O |
Well known as a Woman’s herb, it has an affinity for the uterus and pelvic organs. Prolapsed uterus, urinary incontinence, menorrhagia. Uterine weakness with body tissue and tendency toward excessive bleeding. Dew collected in leaves was alchemist’s dew. |
| Lamb’s ear | Stachys byzantina | Perennial | Leaf | O |
A useful ornamental. Kids love the texture to use as a powder puff. Makes a great garden Band-Aid™, and can also be used as a cork for a bottle. |
| Lamb’s quarters, Pigweed | Chenopodium album | Perennial | Leaf | O |
An edible green used like spinach. One caution: if the soil it grows in is contaminated with nitrates, the plant will absorb these and can sicken you. Medicinally used to prevent scurvy. The leaves are also used for stomachaches and as a poultice for burns. Cold leaf tea is taken for diarrhea. The juice of the stems is applied to freckles and sunburn. An infusion is taken in the treatment of rheumatism. The leaves are applied as a wash or poultice to bug bites, sunstroke, rheumatic joints and swollen feet. The seeds are chewed in the treatment of urinary problems. The crushed fresh roots are a mild soap substitute. |
| Lascivious Goat Weed, Epimedium, Yin Yang Huo | Epimedium spps. E. machianthum, E. grandiflorum | Perennial | Leaf | O |
In TCM this is used for impotence, low sperm count, low sperm motility and deficient kidney yang, premature ejaculation, frequent urination, lower back pain, knee pain. Short term use only, not for long term use. |
| Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Perennial | Flowers | O |
Increases nerve conductivity and increases movement and relieves stagnation: emotions, depression. Internally and topically for some types of headaches, vasoconstrictive migraines, travel and emotional sickness, bilious headaches with nausea, antiseptic and expectorant for hot damp lung conditions. Very useful to move thing that are stuck. Carminative - gas, bloating, indigestion. Essential Oil Uses: Burn remedy, fresh aloe gel with 1 drop lavender e. o. on burns. Antiseptic, for cuts, scrapes, scratches, wounds. Lavender tea or e. o. in baths for stress, tension and sore muscles. As an inhalation for sinus congestion or sinus infection or lung infections with tea tree e. o. Lavender e. o. and tea tree e. o. are the only e. o. which can be used straight on skin topically without dilution. Lavender has culinary uses and is found in French herb mixes. Perfume and cosmetic uses. A classic and perennial favorite. |
| Lawn Daisy | Bellis perennis | Perennial | Herb, flower | O |
A decoction of plant clusters can be taken as a gastrointestinal aid. Tender young leaves and white petals are eaten in spring salad. Flower infusion added to baths for sallow skin. Skin wash for eczema, a douche for thrush, and as a lung expectorant. Tea given to listless children. May slow the growth of breast tumors. Good wound plant. |
| Lemon Balm | Melissa officinalis | Perennial | Herb | O |
A mood elevator, lemon balm is useful against depression and seasonal affective disorder. The Gladdening Herb. An antiviral used for herpes, and also used to treat hyperthyroidism. Kids' remedy. |
| Liatris, Gay Feather | Liatris spicata | Perennial | Root | O |
Liatris is analgesic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant. It repels insects. Antibacterial; used for a sore throat gargle. |
| Licorice, Chinese and European | Glycyrrhiza uralensis, G. glabra | Perennial | Root | O |
Normalizes the immune system. Rich in isoflavones (genisteine) which have anticancer properties and competitively binds with estrogen for receptor sites. Extremely effective with gastric and duodenal ulcers. Used to harmonize formulas, to help them work well together and to detoxify toxic herbs. Antiherpetic. Powerfully tonifies the adrenal glands. Often used as a flavoring agent. Makes cigarettes taste bad, useful to quit smoking. |
| Lily, Canada, Meadow Lily | Lilium canadense | Perennial | Root | O |
The roots are edible. A poultice made from the bulbs is applied to snakebites. A tea made from the bulbs is stomachic and is also used in the treatment of irregular menses and dysentery. |
| Lily, Day | Hemerocallis fulva | Perennial | Root, flowers | O |
Day lilies are widely used as a food in Eastern Asia. Young roots are eaten raw, older ones are cooked. Young shoots are edible raw. Flower buds are eaten raw, older ones cooked. Open flowers eaten raw, fried or added to soups. The root is used as an acute remedy for gout. |
| Lily, Easter, White Trumpet Lily | Lilium longiflorum | Perennial | Whole herb | O |
Edible Uses: Flowers, leaves, root. The bulb is cooked. Mild flavored and slightly sweet. Young leaves and stems may be cooked. Eating the leaves and stems severely harms the vitality of the bulb and is not recommended. Flower buds are eaten. Medicinal Uses: antiasthmatic, antitussive, expectorant; sedative. The bulb is antiasthmatic, antitussive, expectorant, sedative and tonic (nutritive). It is used in the treatment of coughs, hemoptysis, insomnia and fidgetiness in the later stage of febrile disease. |
| Lily, Turk’s Cap | Lilium superbum | Perennial | Root | O |
The root is edible. The bulb is diuretic, an emmenagogue, emollient and expectorant. This lily is used to relieve heart diseases, pain in the cardiac region and angina pectoris. |
| Lily of the Valley | Convallaria majalis | Perennial | Rhizome | X |
Superior in some ways to digitalis for congestive heart failure, lily of the valley is non-cumulative over time but can be overdosed. Prescribed for lack of cardiac tone with edema, dyspnea, and a feeble, quickened pulse. Treats mild to moderate CHF. |
| Lion’s Tail, Lion’s Ear, Wild Dagga | Leonotis leonurus | Perennial | Herb | O |
The botanical name means lion’s ear but the impressive orange flower spikes look more like a lion's tail than an ear. It is a tall native of southern Africa where it is used for epilepsy, headache, hypertension and for stomach and bronchial problems. It is used like marijuana by Hottentot tribesmen as the resinous tops and leaves have a euphoriant effect. Dagga is the local name for marijuana in southern Africa, hence the name wild dagga. |
| Liriope, Border Grass, Lilyturf | Liriope muscari | Perennial | Root | O |
A member of the Lily family. Used as a dye and fragrance plant. See closely related Turf Lily Grass, Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus). |
| Lobelia, Indian Tobacco, Pukeweed | Lobelia inflata | Perennial | Fresh herb, seed | O |
Lobelia is an antispasmodic for the lungs, especially asthma. Antispasmodic to CNS, and MSS for Petit mal seizures. Reduces nicotine cravings. Crush lobelia on wound as poultice (you can mix it with tobacco) to remove heat and pain and quickly reduce swelling. The seed may be infused in oil as a trauma oil. Lobelia can cause vomiting. |
| Lobelia, Great Blue | Lobelia syphilitica | Perennial | Root | O |
Specific for syphilis, and a diuretic. Homeopathically for diarrhea. Analgesic, cold remedy. Cough medicine. |
| Lobelia, Cardinal Flower | Lobelia cardinalis |
Perennial | Fresh herb, seed | O |
A milder antispasmodic than L. Inflata, used for bronchial spasms. Analgesic. Cold remedy. Hummingbirds love it. |
| Lungwort | Pulmonaria officinalis | Perennial | Herb and leaves | O |
Contains PAs like the rest of the borage family and was used for coughs, bronchitis, excess mucus, hemorrhoids and diarrhea. It is a stunningly beautiful plant. |
| Lupine | Lupinus sp, L. perennis | Perennial | Roots, leaves | O |
The leaves may be applied to poison ivy blisters. Antiemetic, antihemorrhagic, both as cold infusions. GI aid for indigestion and gas. Diuretic. Used often in horse medicine and as fodder for horse and cattle. The seeds remove toxins and were planted around Chernobyl, to absorb radiation. |
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