The following plants may be at risk but need further study, according to UpS members. They may grow abundantly in one region of the United States and be quite rare in another.
• Arnica (Arnica spp.)
• Anti-inflammatory
• Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
• Chest remedy
• Calamus (Acorus calamus)
• Carminative, spasmolytic, diaphoretic
• Chaparro (Castela emoryi): Antimicrobial; bitter tonic
• Elephant tree (Bursera microphylla): Antimicrobial
• Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.): Astringent, anti-inflammatory
• Gentian (Gentiana spp.): Gallbladder toner, bitter
• Goldthread (Coptis spp.): Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial
• Lobelia (Lobelia spp.): Emetic, stop smoking aid
• Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pendatum): Emmenagogue, diuretic, expectorant
• Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum): Laxative; toxic
• Oregon grape (Mahonia spp.; also Berberis aquifolium): Gastritis and general digestive weakness
• Pink root or Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica): Used to expel intestinal worms; toxic
• Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata): Tonic, diuretic
• Spikenard (Aralia racemosa, A. californica): Adaptogenic, expectorant
• Stoneroot (Collinsonia canadensis): Antilithic, litholytic, diaphoretic, diuretic
• Stream orchid (Epipactis gigantea): Sedative
• Turkey corn (Dicentra canadensis): Tonic
• Virginia snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria): For fever and convulsions:
• White sage (Salvia apiana): Astringent, antimicrobial
• Yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica): Anti-inflammatory
• Yerba santa (Eriodictyon californica): Expectorant
Jan Knight is editor of Herbs for Health and belongs to The National Center for the Preservation of Medicinal Herbs Advisory Council, a thirty-six member board made up of representatives from the news media, educational institutions, herbal practice, and other fields.
Click here for the original article, Plants at Risk.
—
