Humans have always relied on plant materials to encourage good health and to heal sickness. The knowledge of wildcrafting, selection, preparation, application and dosage has been passed down both orally and through ancient texts. Much of what was learned has been renedered obsolete by modern pharmacology, still it's of interest to know that some of our lowly garden plants have a rich folkloric history.

Each of our ancestral forebearers practiced different traditions based on the plants that occurred in their native homeland and the plants that could be obtained through trade. Even with little cross-culture communication, it's curious that so many plants were separately discovered to be useful for the same human conditions. Although the practice of "signatures" is now discredited, some still say that plants can talk to us and reveal their healing properties if we're sensitive enough.

   Index to traditional medicinal plants (A to B)

   Index to traditional medicinal plants (Ca to Cy)

   Index to traditional medicinal plants (D to F)

   Index to traditional medicinal plants (G to L)

   Index to traditional medicinal plants (M to P)

   Index to traditional medicinal plants (Q to T)

   Index to traditional medicinal plants (U to Z)