Ethnobotanical Information

Dive into the vibrant world of ethnobotanical insights, where ancient wisdom and modern science converge to illuminate the secrets of our botanical heritage, all within your reach.

Canada

Black Spruce

Picea mariana

Black spruce gum can be chewed for endurance while running. When the spruce gum is white it can be used to treat infected wounds or prevent cuts from becoming infected [23]. The tip or bud of the young spruce branch can be peeled and eaten to treat heart problems. The young cones can be boiled to make a mouth wash for mouth infections, toothache, or sore throat or to clear phlegm from the throat.

Harvest Times: Feb – May

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Lodgepole Pine

Pinus contorta

Smoldering twigs are applied to arthritic or injured joints for the pain and swelling. Its wood is used to make maul heads and leister pole [24].

Harvest Times: Nov - Dec

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Subalpine Fir

Abies Iasiocarpa

The needle has been used as a deodorant, and its smudge smoke has been inhaled for headaches. Poultice of leaves, and decoction of bark are applied for colds. Decoction of bark have been taken for tuberculosis [24].

Harvest Times: Jul – Oct

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White Spruce

Picea glauca

Inner bark can be boiled and used to make a wash for decayed teeth, skin sores, and burns. The pitch may be wrapped in cloth and used as a compress to draw the infection out of sores. Decoction of small branches with the pitch can be drunk to treat colds or influenza, while inner bark decoction used for treating arthritis [23].

Harvest Times: Jul - Sep

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Croatia

Helichrysum

Helichrysum italicum

The most documented traditional applications of Helichrysum italicum pertain to respiratory, digestive, and skin-related inflammatory ailments. Additional therapeutic uses encompass antimicrobial properties, wound healing, gall and bladder disorders, and analgesic applications [34].

Harvest Times: Jun

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Ecuador

Dorado Azul

Hyptis suaveolens

The medicinal important plant Hyptis suaveolens is used by various tribal communities of Maharashtra, Marathwada region to cure various diseases like, parasitical cutaneous, diseases, infection of uterus, and as a sudorific in catarrhal condition. The plant is stimulant carminative, antispasmodic, antirheumatic, antisuportic bath. It is also used for headache, stomachache, and snuff to stop bleeding of the nose [2]. Its leaves are commonly used in the treatment of stomach pain [3]. The plant is considered to be a stimulant, carminative, sudorific, and galactagogue. Infusion of plant is used in catarrhal conditions and parasitical cutaneous diseases. The leaf juice is taken in cases of colic and stomachache. The leaves and raps are considered to be antispasmodic and are used in antirheumatic and antisuporific baths. Hyptis suaveolens has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of skin complaints including burns and wounds [4].

Harvest Times: Jan - Dec

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Eucalyptus Blue

Eucalyptus bicostata

The native people of Ecuador have used the disinfecting leaves to cover wounds and repel insects. It has been found in the world today that does not cause an allergic reaction in people who have allergies to eucalyptol. n Iran, the decoction of its leaves known as “Okaliptus” has been used to treat diabetes mellitus by herb-al healers in Shiraz province. its oil is used externally for the treatmentof rheumatism, asthma, migraine and headache as well asantispasmodic, decongestant, diaphoretic and expectorant [21,22].

Harvest Times: Jun - Jul

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Incan Melissa

Lippia alba

In Brazil, the leaves are used to make an infusion against hypertension, stomach colic, nausea, bad cold, and external use to wound healing. The roots also have been used in an infusion for bad colds y coughs [15]. The plant is used in Mexico for the treatment of stomachache, soothevesiclese, and gastritis [16,17]. In Guatemala, the leaf is used by decoction for coughs, maceration for skin diseases, infusion for flatulence, burnt for nausea and vomiting, and crushed for headache [18]. The leaves and branches are used as infusion or decoction against insomnia and anxiety [19]. In Napo-Ecuador, the leaves are cooked with amazon chamomille or chilca and verbena, which are used to treat cough, fever, headache, and stomachache; together with other plants, it treats diseases caused by changes or climatic variations [20].

Harvest Times: May - Dec

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Paicotea

Ocotea aciphylla

A member of the Shuar indigenous group (located in Taisha, Morona Santiago province) explained that he and his ancestors used O. aciphylla to make infusions to treat diabetes and in purifying alcoholic beverages (personal communication with Gonzalo of Shuar, March 29, 2021). This indigenous group eats the mesocarp, and the flowers are prepared in preserves [8]. O. aciphylla has been used by indigenous groups to treat snake bites, as a stomachic, tonic, antirheumatic, and depurative [7,9,10]. The decoction or alcoholic macerate of stem bark has been used against dental caries, abdominal disorders, and bloody diarrhea [11].

Harvest Times: Jul - Dec

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Palo Santo

Bursera graveolens

Its wood is the most used part, with a sweet, balsamic odor, and has traditionally been used as incense in houses or churches [12]. B. graveolens is used in folk medicine for stomachache, rheumatism, as abortive, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, analgesic, depurative [13]. Dried leaves and bark have been used traditionally in Ecuador to threat dermatitis by aqueous infusion and as insecticide by burning the plant material [14].

Harvest Times: Oct – Nov

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Ocotea

Ocotea quixos

According to ethnobotanical knowledge, O. quixos, can be used to treat gastric and intestinal complaints, flu, colds, vomiting, diarrhea, wound healing and local anesthetic [5]. 3961.The leaves and fruit calices from ishpingo are used to prepare aromatic waters. In Ecuador, this species is part of the preparation of ritual foods, such as the traditional drink of the day of the dead, “colada morada”. Ishpingo is also used in some traditional remedies; the infusion is consumed to treat diabetes and to calm body aches, and it is also taken by women after childbirth to improve digestion [6]. The flowers are traditionally used by the indigenous people of the Amazon as a cinnamon-substitute spice and to aromatize sweets and cakes.

Ocotea Harvest Times: Jan - Dec

Ishpingo Harvest Times: Oct

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Ylang Ylang

Cananga odorata

Ylang–ylang oil is used in aromatherapy as sedative, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, and for treating trauma, acute anxiety, and phobias. It is reported to have relaxing effect when used for massaging humans. In some countries, the flowers are used for ceremonial purposes. Other uses of the oil include scenting of coconut oil in some countries [1].

Harvest Times: Jan – Dec

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France

Clary Sage

Salvia sclarea

The herb’s traditional use for cleansing the eyes has led to its specific epithet—meaning “clear”—as well as its common name. Traditionally, these particular species have been employed as therapeutic agents to address inflammatory conditions such as gingivitis, stomatitis, and aphthae, as well as to alleviate symptoms of the common cold and neurasthenia, enhance lactation, and inhibit excessive perspiration [31]. The seeds become mucilaginous when exposed to water and were once utilized to remove small dirt particles from the eyes. Clary sage imparts a muscatel flavor to alcoholic beverages and is employed to flavor wines, vermouths, and liqueurs, earning it the alternative common name of muscatel sage [31].

Harvest Times: Jun - Jul

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Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

The parts used (crude drug), both from wild and cultivated plants, are the aerial parts (Herba hissopi) known by traditional medicine to have health properties to treat several digestive, genitourinary, and respiratory disorders [32].

Harvest Times: Jun - Jul

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Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

The entire dried plant is employed for addressing stomach inflammation and skeletal discomfort; it is also utilized in postnatal care, uterine prolapse, fever, and combating negative air (mal aire); additionally, it serves as an incense for purification purposes. Foliage and blossoms are employed to alleviate headaches, dyspepsia, and rheumatic conditions, and they serve as emmenagogues, expectorants, and sedatives. Desiccated blossoms, foliage, stalks, and seeds are utilized for addressing colds, flatulence, as well as cardiac and nervous system issues [28].

Harvest Times: Jul

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Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus

The leaves of the plant are commonly used as a spice and as a source of antioxidant compounds employed in food conservation [9]. Rosemary has garnered widespread recognition as a spice possessing exceptional antioxidant attributes, and it is additionally employed for its antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties [33].

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Japan

Shell Ginger

Alpinia zerumbet

Historically, the seeds of A. zerumbet have been employed as medicinal herbs, believed to possess intestinal-regulatory properties. Furthermore, the plant’s stems serve as a valuable resource for paper production in various industries, while its leaves and rhizomes are commonly utilized in the preparation of herbal teas and as spices, respectively [2]. In Okinawa, it was once customary to utilize the leaves as a wrapping material for portable foods, as well as for steaming buns and rice cakes. The practice of enveloping the traditional rice cake, muchi, in these leaves continues to this day. The people of Okinawa, a region characterized by high temperatures and humidity that accelerate food spoilage, have acknowledged the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of A. zerumbet [35].

Harvest Times: Jan – Dec

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United States, Central Idaho

Blue Spruce

Picea pungens

Blue Spruce is widely used as an ornamental species, being planted in landscapes and shelterbelts in temperate zones [25]. The branches have been used in Chant of the Sun’s House ceremonies [26].

Harvest Times: May – Dec

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Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Infusion of roots and flowers has been used for side pains, flu, and diarrhea. Crushed blossoms chewed for sore throat. Plant used to make a steam bath for crippled, paralyzed people [26].

Harvest Times: Sep

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Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

The entire desiccated plant is employed for addressing stomach inflammation and skeletal discomfort; it is also utilized in postnatal care, uterine prolapse, fever, and combating negative air (mal aire); additionally, it serves as an incense for purification purposes. Foliage and blossoms are employed to alleviate headaches, dyspepsia, and rheumatic conditions, and they serve as emmenagogues, expectorants, and sedatives. Desiccated blossoms, foliage, stalks, and seeds are utilized for addressing colds, flatulence, as well as cardiac and nervous system issues [28].

Harvest Times: Aug

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Melissa

Melissa officinalis

Historically, Melissa officinalis has already been recognized as an herb with a lemon scent, calming, anti-gas, fever-reducing, antibacterial, spasmolytic, hypotensive, memory enhancing, menstrual, and thyroid-associated [27]. It has been used for colds, typhus fevers, chills, colics, and stomachaches [26].

Harvest Times: Jul

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Western Red Cedarwood

Thuja plicata

Red Western trees can grow to 50 meters tall with a conical to irregular crown. The bark is gray to reddish-brown and 10-25 mm thick. The bark fibrous and separated into flat, connected ridges. The name comes from the area it grows and its cedar-like appearance.

Harvest Times: Jun

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United States, North Idaho

Blue Spruce

Picea pungens

Blue Spruce is widely used as an ornamental species, being planted in landscapes and shelterbelts in temperate zones [25]. The branches have been used in Chant of the Sun’s House ceremonies [26].

Harvest Times: Aug

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Grand Fir

Abies grandis

Grand Fir is well known for its medicinal value. Pitch collected from young trees has been used as tonic and laxative, or for coughs and tuberculosis. It was also heated and mixed with catfish oil for constipation. Roots of the plant were used to cure gum boils and canker sores. Branches were used for purification rites or winter ceremonies [29].

Harvest Times: May - Dec

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White Fir

Abies concolor

This species has been used by several western North American tribes. Infusion of the foliage was used to treat rheumatism, while the resin has been used to treat cuts, wounds sores, and for respiratory troubles [30]. The soft bark resin eaten of infusion of bark taken for tuberculosis [26].

Harvest Times: May - Dec

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United States, Mt. Nebo

Blue Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Harvest Times: Aug

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Clary Sage

Salvia sclarea

Harvest Times: Jun - Jul

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Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Infusion of roots and flowers has been used for side pains, flu, and diarrhea. Crushed blossoms chewed for sore throat. Plant used to make a steam bath for crippled, paralyzed people [26].