The land's pharmacy
Plant Medicine
An introduction to medicinal plants native to Southern California, drawn from traditional ethnobotanical knowledge.
Black Sage
Salvia mellifera
Traditional use: Pain relief
Habitat: Coastal sage scrub & chaparral
California Bay Laurel
Umbellularia californica
Traditional use: Headaches, migraines, toothaches
California Black Walnut
Juglans californica
Traditional use: Antioxidant & antibacterial compounds
California Everlasting
Pseudognaphalium californicum
Traditional use: Anti-viral · colds, coughs, stomach ailments
California Sagebrush
Artemisia californica
Traditional use: Pain relief, insect deterrent, fever reducer
Coast Live Oak
Quercus agrifolia
Traditional use: Tannic acid — dries out wounds
Mugwort
Artemisia douglasiana
Traditional use: Rashes (e.g. poison oak), menstrual cramps
Prickly Pear Cactus
Opuntia
Traditional use: Burn relief, blood sugar, digestion
Toyon
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Traditional use: Traditional preventative medicine
White Sage
Salvia apiana
Traditional use: Smudging, energy reset
A respectful note
This guide is for education only — it is not medical advice. Always learn from a qualified practitioner before foraging or using any plant, harvest ethically and sustainably, and never take more than the land can spare. Want to learn hands-on? Ask us about our plant-medicine programs.
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