70+ Wild Herbs, Medicinal and Edible Plant Uses and Descriptions
Wild Herbs of North America, Plant Descriptions with Herbal Use Information, Scientific Names, History, Folklore, Herb Growing Information, Plant and Flower Habitats and and Known Cautions for Use.
The following information is based on historical uses of wild herbs found in herbal lore and anecdotal writings. Most herbs have not been researched enough to scientifically prove their benefits in humans. Read Disclaimer
Aletris farinosa
Rare herbal wildflower used for "women's complaints".
Difficult to grow. Read more..
Angelica
Aromatic herb. Fresh root is said to be toxic. Use wild Angelicas with caution. Read more...
Bee Balm
The leaves and flowers make a fragrant herbal tea for colds. Great Potpourri ingredient. Read more...
Blackberry
Delicious wild berries. Roots and leaves have uses in herbalism. Herbal tea ingredient. Read more.
Black Cohosh
"The Menopause herb". Black Cohosh herb root is most often used for hot flashes. Read more...
Bloodroot
One of springs first woodland wildflowers. Used as a highly disputed herbal remedy for cancer. Read more...
Black Walnut
Black Walnut hulls are made into a herbal tincture for use as a parasite cleanse. Read more...
Blue Cohosh
Root used in herbal teas and tinctures for difficult menstruation and to induce labor. Read more...
Burdock
Burdock herbal extracts have recently been found to be effective against acne and even wrinkles. Read more...
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed root is used to clear the lungs, and as an antispasmodic. Read more...
Catnip
Catnip herb isn't just for cats, it may be beneficial for humans, too. Easy to grow! Read more...
Chamomile
Makes a tasty, relaxing herbal tea. Chamomile herb tincture is used for pain. Read more...
Ephedra
Ephedra has been used for weight loss and asthma, but is now illegal in most places. Read more...
Evening Primrose
The source of Evening Primrose Oil. an infusion of the leaves is said to be helpful for senility. Read more...
Ginkgo Biloba
A concentrated extract of Ginkgo leaves is used as a herbal remedy to enhance cognitive abilities. Read more...
Ginseng
Ginseng is an endangered and regulated plant that grows in the forests of Eastern North America. Read more...
Goat's Rue
Rarely used today, this uncommon wildflower has many historical uses in herbal medicine. It is said to increase breast milk. Read more...
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is endangered due to over harvesting in some places, but is easy to grow. Historical use as an antibiotic.Read more...
Greek Valerian
The root is used as a herbal tincture for coughs and colds. An infusion has been used as a hair rinse. Read more...
Ground Ivy, Alehoof
Ground Ivy is a common yard weed, used for spa baths to help back pain, and has many other uses in herbal medicine. More..
Heal - All, Prunella
Prunella Vulgaris herb is known as Heal All. It has many reputed health benefits, both externally and internally. Read more...
Honeysuckle
Sweet smelling invasive plant. Decoction of stems can be used in place of Goldenseal. Read more...
Jewelweed
Jewelweed is best known as an external remedy for Poison Ivy, oak and other rashes. Read more...
Joe Pye weed
The root and flowers can be uses as a diuretic herbal tea to relieve kidney and urinary problems. Read more...
Lemon Balm
Makes a tasty herbal tea and tincture. It has many uses as a calming herb and for its anti-viral properties. Read more...
Lobelia
Also known as Indian Tobacco, Lobelia has been used for asthma and in smoking cessation products. It can make you throw up. Read more...
Lousewort
A poultice of the crushed root is applied to swellings, sore muscles, varicose veins, and tumors. Read more...
Lyre Leaf Sage
Lyre-leaved sage has some of the same properties of the other sages but is very weak. Read more...
May-apple
The ripe fruit is used to make an herbal jelly. The rest is highly poisonous in large doses. Read more..
Motherwort
Motherwort is known as a woman's herb which is said to be helpful at many stages of life. Read more...
Mountain Mint
The fresh or dried leaves of Mountain Mint are brewed into a refreshing mint-like herbal tea. Read more...
Mugwort
An infusion of Mugwort is used in the treatment of all matters connected to the digestive system, and to enhance dreaming. Read more...
Mullein
The leaves are often used as an herbal remedy for lung complaints. An infusion of the flowers in oil is used for ear infections. Read more...
Passionflower
Used extensively in Europe as an herbal sedative. Common plant of Southern U.S. fence rows and fields. Read more...
Perilla
The seeds and are used as a table spice in the Orient, and leaves are used in sushi. Read more...
Plantain
Appears in all but the best kept yards, Plantain is said to be as useful as it is common. Read more...
Pokeweed
The toxicity of Pokeweed is controversial, as are the medicinal claims. The early growing shoots are eaten as a pot herbs. Read more...
Rabbit Tobacco
This herb is know to be at it's best in dying, and is said to have an affinity in balancing life and death. Read more...
Red Clover
Red Clover herb is edible. The young leaves and new flowers are harvested, and are used in salads, soups, or as a pot herb. Read more...
Sassafras
Sassafras is the original source of herbal root beer, and is often made into a fragrant tasty tea. . Read more...
Skullcap
Skullcap is considered a calming herb for the nerves. It was used as an herbal remedy for rabies. Read more...
Soapwort
Soapwort herb can be made into a soap by boiling the whole plant (but especially the root) in water. Read more...
Solomon’s Seal
A poultice of the fresh roots is an herbal remedy for fading bruises Used to ease sore muscles and joints. Read more...
Spearmint
Spearmint essential oil is used as a flavoring and commercially prepared oral hygiene products. Read more...
Speedwell
Speedwell was once a highly regarded in England as a healthy, relaxing, herbal tea and tonic. Read more...
St. John’s Wort
Herb most commonly used for mild depression, but it may counteract or negate the effects of some prescription medications. Read more...
Sumac
A cold herbal infusion of the ripe berries makes a drink that is somewhat like Pink Lemonade. Read more...
Sweet Cicely
Herbal tea made from the root is claimed to be a digestive aid. A weak infusion was used to bathe sore eyes. Read more...
Sweet Clover
An aromatic herb. Once dried, the leaves may not be safe for internal use. Read more...
Trout Lily
Edible used as fresh salad additives, flowers are tasty, or cooked as a pot herb. Read more...
Usnea
Often called Old Man’s Beard. Greatly used by Native Americans. Major treatment of mucous membrane systems.
Vervain
Vervain is a bitter herb used herbally as a nervine, for insomnia and women's complaints. Read more...
Watercress
Watercress has a mildly hot mustard flavor, very good fresh in salad or on a sandwich or cooked as a pot herb. Read more...
Wild Ginger
A woodland herb that could be used sparingly as a Ginger substitute in an emergency situation. . Read more...
Wild Lettuce
The concentrated latex is used as a herbal pain remedy often compared to opium but is very weak. Read more...
Wild Quinine
Wild Quinine herb has been commonly sold as Echinacea purpurea for more than 50 years and seems to have the same benefits. Read more...
Wild Yam
A cream made from herbal infused oil is used to alleviate many of the symptoms of menopause and PMS. Read more...
Wood Sorrel
Wood Sorrel herb has been used to relieve hemorrhages and urinary disorders, and as a blood cleanser. Read more...
Yarrow, Milfoil
Yarrow herb tea is used to regulate menses, and purify the blood, and for many other herbal uses. Read more...
