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Alfalfa – Known officially as Medicago Sativa, Alfalfa is a flowering plant in the pea family. Grown all over the world, it has been utilized in herbal medicine for centuries. Native Americans used it to promote blood clotting and treat jaundice.
American Ginseng – Officially known as Panax Quinquefolius, this herb is of the ivy family and native to the hardwood forests of eastern North America. Used by Native Americans long before Europeans arrived, it was used not only to heal a wide variety of ailments; but, also for spiritual and ceremonial purposes. Recognized as one of the five most valuable plant medicines by the Seneca, traditional uses included flu, colds, fever, sinus problems, to reduce swelling, and as a laxative. The herb was smoked like tobacco by the Iroquois, and used in sweat baths by the Seminole. It was also dried for use in teas and tonics by the Cherokee, Creek, Houma, Mimac, Mohegan, and Potawatomi for a variety of medicinal purposes. Some tribes used at as a body rub. Another not so common use was using the herb to attract a mate, such as the Meskwaki women to gain a husband, and Pawnee men who used Ginsing as a love charm.
Allspice – Formally known as Pimenta Dioica, this fragrant spice is not only used in cooking and seasoning, but also as an herbal remedy, also known as Jamaica Pepper, Kurundu, Myrtle Pepper, Pimenta, Clove Pepper, and Newspice. It’s dried unripe berries have long been used in teas for treatment of colds, menstrual cramps, upset stomach, indigestion, flatulence, diabetes, toothaches, and relief of muscle aches and pains.
American Licorice – Officially known as Glycyrrhiza Lepidota, and sometimes called wild licorice, it is native to most of North America, from central Canada south through the United States to California, Texas and Virginia, but absent from the southeastern states. Its roots have been widely used by a number of Native American tribes in teas for the treatment of cough, diarrhea, chest pain, fever, stomach aches, and to speed the delivery of the placenta after childbirth.
American Mistletoe – Specifically known as Phoradendron Leucarpum, this is a species of mistletoe which is native to the United States and Mexico. Its common names include Eastern Mistletoe, Hairy Mistletoe, Oak Mistletoe, Pacific Mistletoe, or Western Mistletoe. Native Americans used Phoradendron for blood pressure, lung problems, epilepsy, headache, abortions and as a contraceptive. The Cherokee made a tea ooze that was used to bathe the head for headache and the Creek made a concoction for lung troubles, such as tuberculosis. The Mendocino Indians often used the root to induce abortions and to prevent conception. Other uses included chewing on the root for toothaches, rubbing the body with a decoction of leave for painful limbs and joints. It was also used by some tribes in religious ceremonies.
Antelope Sage – Formally known as Eriogonum Jamesii, this herb is a species of wild buckwheat also known as James’ Buckwheat. Native to southwestern North America, in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Nebraska; it was often used as a contraceptive by Native Americans, such as the Navajo. The women would drink one cup of a decoction of the root during menstruation. The root was chewed or used in teas as a cardiac medicine, for stomach aches, and depression. Some made a wash that was used for sore eyes.
Arnica – A member of the sunflower family, one species, called Arnica Montana, has been used for centuries by Native Americans as a topical cream or ointment to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation, treat sprains and bruises, and heal wounds.
Aspen – Aspen trees are native to cold regions with cool summers. In North America, this includes the far north portions and extending south at high altitudes in the mountains. There are several varieties of Aspen trees, one of which — the Quaking Aspen, which was used by both Native Americans and early pioneers to treat fever, scurvy, cough, pain, and as an anti-inflammatory.
Astragalus – A large genus of about 3,000 species of herbs and small shrubs, it is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Common names include milk-vetch (most species), locoweed (some species in the western U.S.), and goat’s-thorn. Used in Native American remedies, the dried roots was often in combination with other herbs, to strengthen the body against disease.
Disclaimer: These herbs have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. Plants listed here must not be used to diagnose, treat, or heal medical conditions. Many are poisonous.
Acer glabrum var. douglasii (Douglas maple), used by Plateau tribes as a treatment for diarrhea.
Acer glabrum var. glabrum The Blackfoot take an infusion of the bark in the morning as a cathartic. The Okanagan-Colville, when hunting, use a branch tied in a knot & placed over the bear's tracks while hunting to stop the wounded bear. The Thompson people use a decoction of wood & bark taken for nausea caused by smelling a corpse.
Acer saccharinum (silver maple), an infusion of bark removed from the south side of the tree is used by the Mohegan for cough medicine.
Acer saccharum (sugar maple), used by the Mohegan as a cough remedy, & the sap as a sweetening agent & to make maple syrup.
Actaea rubra (red baneberry), used by the Algonquin for stomach pains, in some seasons for males, other seasons for females.
Agrimonia gryposepala, used by the Iroquois to treat diarrhea. Also used by the Cherokee to treat fever, by the Ojibwa for urinary problems, & by the Meskwaki & Prairie Potawatomi used it as a styptic for nosebleeds.
Alnus rhombifolia, used by some Plateau tribes for female health treatment.
Alnus rubra, used to treat poison oak, insect bites, & skin irritations. The Blackfoot Confederacy used an infusion made from the bark of red alder to treat lymphatic disorders & tuberculosis. Recent clinical studies have verified that red alder contains betulin & lupeol, compounds shown to be effective against a variety of tumors.
Artemisia californica (California Sagebrush), used by the Cahuilla & Tongva to alleviate menstrual cramps & menopause by taking it as a decoction, & consuming it regularly before the menstruation period. They also used it as an aid for child labor since the plant stimulates the uterine mucosa, quickening the process. The Cahuilla people chewed on the leaves, dried or fresh, to fight colds & coughs. The Ohlone used it to remove pain by applying it to wounds & teeth, to treat colds, coughs, & rheumatism by making it into a tea bath, & as a poultice for asthma.
