Common Medicinal Plants
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of Northern California Drawings and text by Beth Sabo 44
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YERBA SANTA Scientific Name Nativity
Eriodictyon californicum
Habitat
Serpentine slopes; rocky, dry exposed areas This sticky evergreen shrub grows abundantly throughout CA’s Serpentine slopes. It’s dark, resinous leaves are used by Native Americans and Western herbalists to cure coughs and other ailments of the respiratory system.
Herbal Uses
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CA Native
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Table of Contents
42
Acorns
4
Bay Laurel
6
Black Walnut
8
Buckeye
10
California Poppy
12
Elderberry
14
Fennel
16
Gumplant
18
Horsetail
20
Milk Thistle
22
Mugwort
24
Oak Gall
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Pearly Everlasting
28
Pennyroyal
30
Plantain
32
Rosehips
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Usnea
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Willow
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Yarrow
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Yerba Santa
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YARROW Scientific Name
Achillea millefolium
Nativity
CA Native
Habitat
Grasslands, woodlands, coastal bluffs Yarrow’s scientific name tells it all, “Achilles’ plant with a million leaves,” referring to its healing properties when injured even the strongest of warriors in the field. The fresh plant can be poulticed on or packed into an open wound to stop bleeding, and disinfect the abrasion. Alternatively, the plant can be taken internally as a tea, tincture, or capsule to increase blood flow and heart rate in cases of slow circulation, heart problems, or numbness. As it increases blood flow, the plant can be used to aid headaches and reduce fevers.
Herbal Uses
4
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ACORNS
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Scientific Name Nativity
From many species of Oak and Tanoak trees CA Native
Habitat
Oak woodlands, redwoods
Herbal Uses
Acorns were an important food source for Native Americans, who would leach out the tannins in creeks and prepare as acorn mash. Acorns were also an important part of the process of tanning leather. The tannins from acorns would help to make leather and fur pliable, easy to work with, long- lasting, and comfortable to wear.
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WILLOW Scientific Name Nativity Habitat Herbal Uses
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Salix species Many species are CA Natives Riparian zones The willow was an important tree to Native Americans, who cultivated specific trees as sources for arrow wood. Willow is the source of salicilin - the biological inspiration for aspirin, and was used by ancient and modern civilizations to relieve headaches, reduce fevers, increase blood flow, and soothe aches and pains.
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BAY LAUREL Scientific Name Nativity Habitat Herbal Uses
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Umbelularia californica CA Native Riparian zones, woodlands, oak savannahs The bay tree’s large amount of secondary compounds create a heavily scented leaf, full of astringent qualities. This makes the bay a “go to” for scented oils and inhalation- relaxing muscles and relieving tension associated with headaches, high blood pressure and nervous energy. Native Americans also enjoyed the seed of the tree as a roasted nut. Soups, stews and sauces can also be seasoned with the leaf.
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USNEA
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Scientific Name Nativity
Usnea species
Habitat
Found in trees- woodlands, redwoods
Herbal Uses
Usnea is not a plant at all, but a lichen - a symbiotic partnership between algae and fungi. Usnea is one of the strongest antifungals in the herbal world. Tinctures and teas can be made to take internally to reduce issues with yeast and fungi, teas can be applied externally on fungal infections as cold compresses and poultices. The whole plant can be used as a bandage, and was often used by Native Americans as an absorptive material for shoe soles, padding, and diapers.
CA Native
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BLACK WALNUT Scientific Name
Juglans nigra.
Nativity
CA Native
Habitat
Oak savannahs, riparian zones, woodlands Black walnuts are an important food sources for Native and modern Americans. The nut of this tree is delicious- even more flavorful than the cultivated English walnut, but smaller and much more difficult to access. The walnuts are protected by a fleshy fruit covering that is full of tannic acids, juglone, and natural iodine. When dried, these hulls turn black and are collected and ground into a powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal, and antiparasitic powder. It can be used to treat intestinal worms and fungal afflictions of the skin.
Herbal Uses
36
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ROSEHIPS Scientific Name Nativity Habitat Herbal Uses
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Rosa gymnocarpa CA Native Woodlands, redwoods Our native rose may appear diminutive when compared to the showy roses of classic English gardens. But its delicate flowers produce a fruit that is an important herb. The rose hip holds the seeds of the rose and can be eaten fresh (seeds removed) or dried for further preparation as a tea, jelly, or component in syrups. Rosehips are delicious, sweet, and full of vitamin C, thus strengthening the immune system and relieving headaches, bladder infections, and dizziness.
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BUCKEYE Scientific Name Nativity Habitat Herbal Uses
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Aesculus californica CA Native Riparian zones, springs This tree has a graceful structure with smooth bark, showy flowers, and palm- shaped (palmate) leaves. The seed of this tree is the most useful part. High in tannic acids, the Native Americans would leach the tannins out in creeks- damming the creek first to create a temporary pond. The toxins would enter to water and act as a poison for fish, temporarily slowing their swim and making them easy to catch. Seeds would be removed from the creek and prepared for food.
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PLANTAIN Scientific Name Nativity
Plantago lanceolata
Habitat
Disturbed areas, cultivated lands, grasslands Western Herbalists harvest the leaves and roots of this plant for 2 main purposes: 1) as a poultice or cold compress to clean and pack wounds, and 2) to tincture and use as lymph system cleanser.
Herbal Uses
12
Non- Native, Invasive
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CALIFORNIA POPPY
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Scientific Name
Eschscholzia californica
Nativity
CA Native
Habitat
Grasslands, woodlands, coastal scrub
Herbal Uses
A relative to the opium poppy, Native Americans and Western Herbalists harvest the entire plant while in bloom, using roots, stems, leaves, and flowers to ease nervous energy and encourage sleep.
13
PENNYROYAL Scientific Name Nativity
Mentha pulegium
Habitat
Riparian zones, usually by still water created by ponds, seeps, and springs If you have ever walked around a pond in summer, you have surely smelled the strong, minty aroma of Pennyroyal. Its bushy inflorescences attract a multitude of bees! The leaves of this plant can be used fresh or dried in teas and tinctures to strengthen the urinary tract and encourage menstrual bleeding, as well as reduce fevers, and aid in illness related to the digestive tract.
Herbal Uses
14
Non- native
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ELDERBERRY
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Scientific Name Nativity
Sambucus neo- mexicana
Habitat
Riparian zones
Herbal Uses
The elderberry has many uses to Native and Western herbalist. The hollow stems of this shrub can be made into vessels for medicines, seeds, or secret messages. The beautiful, white inflorescence is an important component in teas to break fevers during sickness. After being pollinated, the flowers become abundant bundles of small, purple fruit, often covered in a white blush. High in antioxidants, these tangy berries can be used in syrups to strengthen the immune system.
CA Native
15
PEARLY EVERLASTING Scientific Name
Anaphalis margaritacea
Nativity
CA Native
Habitat
Grasslands- particularly disturbed areas near springs and sources of water This plant, aptly named for its everlasting “flowers,” (phyllaries) that resemble little pearls, is used in teas to soothe sickness and discomfort in the throat and respiratory system. This is a plant that you smell before you see– a strong maple syrup aroma fills your nose while you begin your search for this tasty tea plant.
Herbal Uses
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FENNEL Scientific Name Nativity Habitat Herbal Uses
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Foeniculum vulgare Non- Native, Invasive Disturbed areas, cultivated areas, roadsides Well known as a culinary herb, fennel is also used in the herbal world to cure digestive ailments. The seeds can be chewed, tinctures taken, or tea consumed to help one digest a large meal or settle upset stomachs.
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OAK GALL Scientific Phenomena
Nativity Habitat Herbal Uses
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An allergic reaction by the oak tree when eggs are implanted into the bark by a cynipid wasp, Andricus quercuscalifornicus. There are many types of galls, each form specific to a particular species of gall wasp. CA Native Oak trees, oak woodlands The oak gall is one of the most astringent herbal remedies. It can be used to tighten, tone, and strengthen the walls of the digestive tract and is used as a tincture in cases of diarrhea, dysentery, and other extreme digestive upsets.
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GUMPLANT Scientific Name Nativity
Habitat Herbal Uses
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Grindelia species About 8 species (and many subspecies) exist in CA. 6/8 are CA Natives Coastal bluffs, rocky exposed grasslands This charming plant is laden with cheerful yellow flowers that appear to be overflowing cups of cream. The “cream” is actually latex exuded by the plant, full of important resins for herbal remedies. Flower heads are collected during full bloom. Teas can be used to clear congestions in the throat, as well as asthma. Balms may also be prepared to heal rashes of the skin, especially those caused by poison oak.
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MUGWORT Scientific Name Nativity Habitat Herbal Uses
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Artemesia douglasiana CA Native Riparian zones, shaded woodlands Best known for it’s ability to induce vivid dreams, mugwort has many other medicinal uses. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the plant is compressed into tablets, dried, and burned to release energy and encourage physical stamina. The plant has also been used to season meats, substitute hops in beer making, and assist in the delivery of babies.
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HORSETAIL
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Scientific Name Nativity
Equisetum species
Habitat
Riparian zones, springs
Herbal Uses
Horsetail is thought to be the first plant to colonize land. It is rich in Silica and the raw plant can be used as a file when rubbed crosswise against nails or skin. Because of its rich silica content, teas and tinctures are made from this herb to strengthen hair and nails, tonify the blood vessels, and improve incontinence.
CA Native
21
MILK THISTLE
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Scientific Name Nativity
Silybum marianum
Habitat
Grasslands, oak savannahs, woodlands
Herbal Uses
The leaf of this plant is huge, succulent, and armored with large pikes around its margins. While it does not look like an edible plant, the leaves are commonly harvested spikes removed, and cooked to provide a supper green similar to kale or spinach. The seed of this plant is a sought- after herbal remedy for liver ailments. The seeds can be ground and taken as a powder, tincture, or capsule to encourage liver cleansing.
Non- native, Invasive
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