Herbs    A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

R

Rabbit Tobacco – Formally called Gnaphalium Obtusifolium, it is also known as Cherokee Tobacco, Indian Posey, Old Field Balsam, Sweet Everlasting, Cudweed, Poverty Weed, Fussy Gussy, and Sweet White Balsam. It grows almost anywhere—in pastures, woodlands, on prairies, and in thickets in the eastern states, East of Colorado. Native Americans have long used the stem, leaves, and flowers for various medicinal purposes, including asthma, colds, cough, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, diarrhea, insect repellent, sleep aid, and numerous other uses. It was often smoked in place of tobacco by both Native Americans and early settlers and contained no nicotine. The smoke was thought to have held a spiritual or mystic power for many Indians. The Cheyenne often dropped the leaves onto hot coals, and the Cherokee were known to use it in sweat baths. The Creek used it as a cold remedy, as a poultice applied to the throat for mumps, and as a sedative; the Koasati used it for fever; and the Menominee used it for headache and as a psychological aid when dried leaves were steamed as an inhalant for “foolishness.” Many tribes thought the smoke had a restorative power that could revive the unconscious or paralyzed. When a poultice was made, it was used on bruises, skin, and mouth sores. The Cherokee also made a salve of the herb, mixing it with lard and rubbing it on the chest to relieve congestion and induce sweating. The plant’s juice had a reputation as an aphrodisiac and an anti-venereal potion. In teas, it is said to induce sleep, help migraines, sinus troubles, cough, and asthma, ease stomach problems, act as a mild nerve sedative, and increase appetite.

Ragleaf Bahia – Officially known as Bahia Dissecta, this flowering plant in the daisy family is also called yellow ragweed or yellow ragleaf. The Navajo tribe also called it Twisted Medicine. Native to the southwestern United States as far North as Wyoming and northern Mexico, several tribes used it in teas as a contraceptive.

Raspberry – Known by the biological names Rubus Idaeus and Rosaceae, the leaves and fruits have a long tradition of use during pregnancy to strengthen and tone uterine tissue, assist contractions, and check for hemorrhage during labor. As an astringent, it helps in many cases, including diarrhea, and can alleviate mouth problems such as mouth sores, bleeding gums, and inflammation; it can also be gargled for sore throats. Fresh or dried leaves were also steeped in tea to help with digestive complaints and mild nausea.

Red Clover – Officially called Trifolium Pratense, this clover species is native to Europe, Western Asia, and northwest Africa but is planted and naturalized in many other regions. Traditionally, it has been used to treat cancer, whooping cough, respiratory problems, and skin inflammation such as psoriasis and eczema; to “purify” the blood; and to improve circulation and support menopause and cardiovascular health.

Rhodiola – Officially known as Rhodiola rosea, it is also known as Golden Root, Roseroot, and Aaron’s Rod. It grows in cold regions of the world, including the Rocky Mountains. It has long been used to improve mood and alleviate depression. It has also been found to improve physical and mental performance and reduce fatigue, stress, and anxiety.

Rooibos – Native to South Africa, Rooibos is technically called Aspalathus Linearis and is commonly known as Red Bush, though it is not red. It has long been used in teas to help with nervous tension, allergies, digestive problems, infant colic, asthma, heartburn, stomach ulcers, nausea, and skin conditions.

Rose Hip – Also called Rose Haw, it is officially known as Rosa canina. More than 10,000 cultivated varieties of this fragrant rose plant are native to Europe and the Middle East. The rose hip is the fruit of the rose plant, typically red to orange but ranging from dark purple to black in some species. Rose hips have long been used in foods and herbal remedies. Teas have been made to soothe coughs, urinary tract problems, kidney issues, and diarrhea as an astringent, and to treat depression, spasms, and inflammation.

Rosemary – Technically known as Rosmarinus Officinalis, this fragrant herb of the Mint family has needle-like leaves and is native to the Mediterranean region. It has long been used for culinary and medicinal purposes, including improving memory, relieving muscle pain and spasms, stimulating hair growth, and supporting the circulatory and nervous systems. It is also believed to increase menstrual flow, act as an abortifacient, treat indigestion, and improve the immune system. It may also have anti-cancer properties, support the liver, and treat viruses.

S

Sage – Technically known as Salvia Officinalis, this small evergreen shrub is also known as garden sage and common sage. The term Salvia is derived from the Latin word salvere, which means “to heal.” The most prominent member of the mint family, containing over 900 species worldwide. Many Native Americans have long held sage sacred because of its purifying energies. Burning sage is thought to improve overall well-being, provide balance, cleanse the body and mind of negative spirits, and allow individuals to connect to the spiritual realm. Long utilized in smudging ceremonies, it is also said to enhance intuition, improve mood and cognition, and ward off negativity and toxicity.

People have been cooking with sage for thousands of years. Like other culinary herbs, it has long been considered a digestive aid and appetite stimulant. The herb has also been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. It has been used in teas, poultices, and smoked for numerous conditions such as flatulence, abdominal cramps, bloating, spasms, bleeding, diarrhea, colds, flu, cuts, bruises, irregular menstruation, tuberculosis, stomach ache, excessive perspiration, sores, cough, throat infections, inflammation, depression, memory loss, and Alzheimer’s disease. It has also been used to aid in childbirth, is helpful in menstrual cramps, to stop breast milk production, menopause symptoms, and many other illnesses and diseases.

Saltbush – Officially known as Atriplex, there are several hundred species, also known as Orache. It includes many desert and seashore plants that tolerate high salt content in the ground. Their name derives from the fact that they retain salt in their leaves. Various species have long been used for various health conditions, including pain, sores, spider and insect bites, rashes, stomach aches, and more. It has also been used to purify water. The Hopi were known to burn and inhale the smoke for epilepsy and used it in kiva fires for ceremonial medicine; the Paiute used to boil the leaves, which they used for sore muscles and aches, and a poultice was applied to the chest for colds. In addition to using it for insect bites, the Navajo were known to have used the leaves for pain, cough, gastrointestinal problems, and as a toothache remedy.

Sarsaparilla – Scientifically called Smilax Regelii and Smilax Aspera, this perennial trailing vine with prickly stems is native to Central America. It is most commonly known for its use in soft drinks. It has been used worldwide for centuries, and in the 1400s, Europeans introduced it into medicine through contact with indigenous tribes in South America. It has several medicinal uses, including treatment for syphilis, digestion, pain, blood cleansing, arthritis, colds, impotence, gonorrhea, rheumatism, wounds, fever, cough, hypertension, skin diseases, leprosy, and cancer. Like many other herbs, it has antioxidant properties. The Penobscot were known to use pulverized, dried sarsaparilla roots with Sweetflag as a cough remedy.

Sassafras – Officially known as Sassafras Albidum, these small trees or shrubs are native to eastern North America from Maine to Ontario, and from South Carolina to Florida and Texas. Native Americans used sassafras extensively for food and medicine long before European settlers arrived, and its bark became one of the New World’s first exports. In early American folklore, explorers and settlers associated the tree’s pleasant aroma with healing and protection from evil influences, and extracts of the bark and roots soon became a panacea elixir sought by Europeans. Over the years, it has been used as a blood purifier and remedy to treat measles, chickenpox, colds, flu, and fever.

Savory – Officially known as Satureja, Savory is a genus of aromatic plants in the Mint family, related to rosemary and thyme. About 30 species are called savories, with names including Mountain Savory, Summer Savory, and Winter Savory. Summer savory, more highly prized as a spice and folk medicine, has long been believed to act as an aphrodisiac. It also has several medicinal uses, including aiding the system and treating flatulence, diarrhea, cough, and colic. It has warming effects and was also used on the chest for congestion.

Saw Palmetto – Scientifically known as Serenoa Serrulata, this small palm grows throughout southeastern North America, and people and wildlife have long prized its berries. Native Americans have used saw palmettos for many purposes, including food; the leaves are used to weave baskets and ceremonial dance fans. People have used the heartwood for traditional medicinal purposes and pounded it into flour. It has been used to treat diarrhea and abdominal pain, aid digestion, and support coughs, respiratory congestion, inflammation, prostate health, sexual vigor, and appetite stimulation.

Schisandra – Officially known as Magnolia Vine, this shrub genus has many medicinal uses. It is a tonic herb that helps people recover after illness, can improve mood, protect the liver, improve sexual function, treat skin irritations, hepatitis, respiratory conditions, cough, and fatigue, and is an antioxidant. Laboratory studies also indicate it can help with blood pressure, brain efficiency, and the nervous system, increase endurance, and build strength.

Senna Leaves – Scientifically known as Arabic Sana, this is a large genus of flowering plants native throughout the tropics, with a small number of species reaching into temperate regions. It is well known as a laxative and is helpful with the spleen, liver, anemia, typhoid, cholera, jaundice, gout, rheumatism, tumors, bronchitis, leprosy, dysentery, skin disorders, dyspepsia, and cough.

Shavegrass – Formally known as Equisetum Arvense, it is also known as Horsetail, Scouring Rush, and Bottle Brush. First recommended by the ancient physician Galen, several cultures have used Shavegrass as a folk remedy for kidney and bladder troubles, arthritis, bleeding ulcers, and tuberculosis; to treat wounds and stop bleeding; and to treat nosebleeds and hemorrhoids. It has also been used to treat urinary problems and the prostate gland and to stop bedwetting.

Skullcap – Officially called Scutellaria Lateriflora, this perennial herb in the mint family is native to North America and grows throughout Canada and the Northern United States. Also known as Blue Skullcap, Hoodwort, Virginian Skullcap, and Mad Dog, Native American women traditionally cultivated and used it for menstrual cycles to stimulate the reproductive system. Some tribes used the herb in purification ceremonies. The Iroquois used the root to clear the throat, while other tribes used some species as bitter tonics for the kidneys. It has also been found to relieve stress and support the nervous system for insomnia, tension, and restlessness. A powerful medicinal herb, it is an anti-inflammatory and abortifacient that has been used as a sedative for treating epilepsy, hysteria, anxiety, throat infections, headache, pain, anxiety, convulsions, and more. Pregnant women should not take Skullcap.

Skunk Cabbage – See Eastern Skunk Cabbage and Western Skunk Cabbage

Slippery Elm – Technically called Ulmus Rubra, the Slippery Elm is a species native to eastern North America, from Southeast North Dakota, East to southern Quebec, South to northernmost Florida, and West to eastern Texas. The tree had many traditional uses by Native Americans, including using the inner bark fiber for thread, bowstrings, ropes, clothing, and more; the wood was used for numerous purposes, and the bark and leaves were used in washes and teas for medical purposes. Treatments included digestive disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, sore throats, ulcers, gout, arthritis, stomach aches, intestinal worms, cough, bronchitis, and other respiratory irritations. Whole bark was also used as an abortifacient but sometimes had serious consequences, including the death of the mother. Washes were used to treat skin conditions, vaginitis, hemorrhoids, toothaches, and spider bites.

Spearmint – Officially called Mentha Spicata, and also known as  (Spear Mint or Spearmint), is a species of mint native to much of Europe and Southwest Asia, Garden Mint, Menthol Mint, Mint, Sage of Bethlehem, Silver Mint, and Spear Mint. It is native to Central Europe. Still, it is now naturalized throughout the U.S. and Canada. A medicinal herb tea made from fresh or dried leaves has a pleasant and refreshing taste. It has been used to treat fever, bronchitis, chills, cramps, chronic gastritis, common cold, headache, indigestion, morning sickness, motion sickness, nasal congestion, nausea, and painful menstruation. Externally, it has been used for bruises, stiffness, muscle soreness, and rheumatism.

Spirulina – A type of blue-green algae that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that boost the immune system and help protect against allergic reactions. It is also said to help with infections, liver health, and certain types of cancer.

Star Anise– Officially known as Illicium Verum, it is the fruit of a small tree that grows in Asia. It has a licorice-like flavor and is used as a spice in cooking and medical remedies. It has been used to treat rheumatism, colic, flatulence, headache, nausea, vomiting, gastric distress, flu, cough, and whooping cough; to stimulate appetite; to aid digestion; and to increase milk production in new mothers. Some folk remedies recommend it to facilitate birth, increase libido, and relieve menopausal discomforts.

Star Grass – Formally known as Hypoxis, it has often been called African Star Grass and African Potato, native to South Africa. Traditional healers have long used the roots of several species to treat urinary infections, heart weakness, internal tumors, and nervous disorders. One species, in particular, Hypoxis Hemerocallidea, has been called a “wonder herb” and “miracle cure” and is said to alleviate many related ailments such as the common cold, flu, arthritis, tumors, and cancer. The Catawba tribe used a species in tea for dysentery.

Stevia is a genus of about 240 species of herbs and shrubs in the sunflower family. It is native to subtropical and tropical regions from western North America to South America. Stevia rebaudiana, commonly known as Sweetleaf and Sugarloaf, has long been used as a sweetener to treat heartburn, obesity, flatulence, diabetes, and hypertension.

Stiff Goldenrod – Officially called Oligoneuron rigida, also known as Prairie Goldenrod, Rigid Goldenrod. The leaves and blossoms are an effective antiseptic and astringent that stops bleeding. It has long been a valuable remedy for treating all kinds of hemorrhages. Often, Native Americans ground the flowers into a lotion and used it to treat bee stings.

St. John’s Wort – Officially known as Hypericum Perforatum and Tipton’s Weed, Chase-devil, or Klamath Weed, St. John’s Wort is most commonly used as an antidepressant. It has also been used to relieve muscle problems and to reduce swelling, sprains, cramps, bruises, varicose veins, menopausal symptoms, and anxiety.

Stoneseed – Also known as Lithospermum officinale, this genus of plants in the Boraginaceae family is commonly called Gromwell. People have long ground the mature seeds into a powder and used it as a sedative to treat bladder stones and arthritis. Many Native Americans, such as the Shoshoni, also used its roots as a contraceptive. A syrup from a decoction of the root and stems was also used to treat eruptive diseases such as smallpox, measles, and itch.

Sumac – Scientifically called Rhus Glabra, this shrub is native to North America and found in all 48 mainland states of the USA and southern Canada. Also called Dwarf Sumac, Mountain Sumac, Scarlet Sumac, Smooth Sumac, Upland Sumac, White Shoemake, Vinegar-tree, and Red Sumac, Native Americans used it extensively for food and medicine. Native Americans ate young shoots, roots, and fruit raw. The fruit was also cooked, and tribes believed Sumac could foretell the weather and the changing seasons, so it was held as a sacred plant. An infusion of the bark or roots was used as an antiseptic, astringent, and diuretic to treat colds, diarrhea, and fever; to increase breast milk flow; and to treat sore mouths and throats, bladder inflammation, and painful urination. The leaves were infused for asthma, diarrhea, and stomach aches. A poultice of the leaves and berries was used to treat skin rashes, burns, poison ivy, and skin eruptions. The powdered bark was often made into an antiseptic salve, and the leaves were chewed for sore gums and rubbed on sore lips. The berries have been chewed as a remedy for bed-wetting, and an infusion of the blossoms has been used as an eye wash for sore eyes. The plant’s milky latex is used as a salve on sores. Mild decoctions from the bark were also used as a gargle for sore throats. It has also been found to help treat late-onset diabetes, constipation, and painful or difficult menstruation. It may have possible applications in treating tuberculosis and some cancers.

Sweet Everlasting – See Rabbit Tobacco

Sweetflag – Officially known as Acorus Calamus, this plant, native to Southern Asia, has long since been introduced to most parts of the world. Also called Calamus, Sweet Sedge, and Myrtle Flag, it has a long history of medicinal use in many herbal traditions. The root has been used to treat flatulence, colds, cough, heart disease, bowel problems, colic, cholera, menstrual problems, dropsy, headache, sore throat, spasms, toothache, and swelling. It has also been used externally to treat skin eruptions, rheumatic pain, and arthritis. Some Native American tribes considered the root a panacea; others thought it had mystic powers.

Sweetgrass – Officially known as Hierochloe Odorata, it gets its name from its sweet, aromatic fragrance. Native to much of northern Eurasia and North America, it has long been used for spiritual and medicinal purposes. Known as the hair of Mother Earth, Native Americans regard Sweetgrass as a sacred medicine and continue to use it in shamanic healing. People usually braid sweetgrass clippings, then dry them before burning. Its vanilla-like scent attracts good spirits and positive energy. It is used to purify auras, cleanse objects, and clear ceremonial areas or healing spaces of negative energy. It is also believed to carry prayers into the spirit world. People have used it in tea to help treat the common cold, flu, fever, congestion, sore throat, and venereal infections. It has also been used to stop bleeding in the uterus, expel the placenta after childbirth, and prevent miscarriage. Infusions were used to treat eye infections, blood-thinning, edema, swelling, and chafing. It does not produce an open flame but a sweetly scented smoke. Sweetgrass can also be carried or worn as a protective amulet.

Disclaimer:  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and we make no medical claims nor intend to diagnose, treat, or heal medical conditions. Women who are pregnant or nursing or persons with known medical conditions should consult their physician before taking any herbal products.

Herbs    A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z