California Native Medicinal Plants
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PLANT LIST
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Type | Medicinal Use |
| Achillea millefolium | Yarrow | perennial | For acute fevers, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory. |
| Actea rubra | Baneberry | perennial | Root is anti-inflammatory, vasodialator, antispasmodic and sedative. Berries are very toxic. |
| Angelica hendersonii | Angelica | perennial | Seeds for acid indegestion, nausea. |
| Aralia calofornica | California Spikenard | perennial | Lung tonic, antimicrobial and antifungal. |
| Artemesia californica | California Mugwort | perennial | Tea is antifungal and antimicrobial, a variety of first aid purposes. |
| Asarum caudatum | Wild Ginger | perennial | Induces sweat, secretion. |
| Chlorogalum pomeridianum | Amole Lily, Soap Plant | perennial | Hair treatment, shampoo. |
| Dicentra formosa | Bleeding Heart | perennial | Narcotic-analgesic for pain and central nervous disorders. |
| Epipactis gigantea | Stream Orchid | perennial | Mood-elevating antisposmodic and sedative. PMS. |
| Eriodictyon californicum | Yerba Santa | perennial | Decongestant, lungs and sinuses, a general cold and allergy tea. |
| Eschscholzia californica | California Poppy | perennial | Antianxiety, sedative, analgesic. |
| Frankenia salina | Yerba Reuma | perennial | Astringent, antimicrobial, wash for skin irritations. |
| Heuchera micrantha | Alumn Root | perennial | Astringent, tannins, mouthwash for sore gums and throat. |
| Mentha arvensis | Brook Mint | perennial | Menthol, stomach distress, diaphoretic. |
| Osmorhiza occidentalis | Sweet Root | perennial | Antifungal. |
| Pedicularis densiflora | Indian Warrior, Betony | perennial | Skeletal muscle relaxant, for adrenalin-stressed muscles. |
| Romneya coulteri | Matilija Poppy | perennial | External skin wash, antimicrobial. |
| Salvia spathacea | Hummingbird Sage | perennial | Decongestant, expectorant, mild anti-microbial, delicious tea. |
| Satureja douglasii | Yerba Buena | perennial | Diaphoretic for mild fevers, skin wash for rashes, nice tea. |
| Scrophularia californica | Figwort | perennial | Anti-inflammatory for skin and mucosa, tonic for arthritis, bruises, stings. |
| Smilacina racemosa | False Solomon's Seal | perennial | Sore throat, respiratory excitability. |
| Trillium ovatum | Trillium | perennial | Uterine bleeding. |
| Vancouveria hexandra | Inside-Out Flower | perennial | Sinus congestion, chronic rhinitis, hay fever. |
| Arctostaphylos spp. | Manzanita | shrub | Tannins, lowers pH of urine, moderates blood sugar levels. |
| Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Uva Ursi | shrub | Cystitis and urethritis, sitz bath after birthing. |
| Berberis aquifolium, B.nervosa, B.repens, B.pinnata | Oregon Grape | shrub | Bitter tonic, stimulant to liver and skin protein metabolism, anti microbial for the skin and intestinal tract. |
| Ceanothus cunneatus, C.velutinus, C.integerrimus | Red Root | shrub | Astringent to membranes, good gargle and mouthwash for sore throat. |
| Crataegus douglasii | Hawthorn | shrub | Heart tonic. |
| Eriogonus spp. | Buckwheat Bush | shrub | Phosphorous concentrator, soothes inflamed membranes, eyewash. |
| Garrya spp. | Silk Tassel | shrub | Smooth muscle relazer, sedative to central nervous system, stomach cramps, anticholinergic without secretory supression (dry mouth). |
| Gaultheria shallon | Salal | shrub | Astringent, anti-inflammatory, colic in children, pain reliever for scrapes, abrasions and burns. |
| Lepechinia calycina | Pitcher Sage | shrub | Uterine tonic, antioxidant, sunscreen. |
| Myrica californica | Pacific Wax Myrtle | shrub | Tincture for inflamed gums, vasodialator, shrinks membranes, sore throats. |
| Salvia apiana | White Sage | shrub | Diterpenes for staph and candida and Klebsiella pneumoniae. |
| Vaccinium spp. | Huckleberry, Blueberry | shrub | Lowers pH of urine, moderates blood sugar levels. |
| Aesculus californica | California Buckeye | tree | Strengthens capillaries and treats edema for chronic congestion. Care is needed for proper dosage. |
| Arbutus menziesii | Madrone | tree | Astringent, bladder infections, sitz bath for postpartum mothers, yeast infections. |
| Sequoia sepmervirens | Redwood | tree | Tea is a remedy for recovery from lung infections. |
| Thuja plicata | Red Cedar | tree | Antifungal, antibacterial, smooth muscle stimulant. |
| Umbellularia californica | California Bay | tree | Antimicrobial skin wash, antifungal athlete's foot, smelling salt, careful of nose bleeds. |
Prepared by Chris Dye
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