Medicinal Plants Found in Forests

Forest-grown medicinal plants account for the majority of today's alternative healing herbs. According to the University of Kentucky, deforestation threatens many of these important plants, and many small businesses focus on growing them. Medicinal plants have been used to treat everything from upset stomach to cancer. There are hundreds of known medicinal plants found in forests, and more are discovered every year.

American Ginseng

• According to Wilkes University, American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) is a perennial herb that grows along the East Coast of North America. It is a rare plant and is considered threatened in New Hampshire. Medicinal properties of cultivated plants tend to deteriorate after 10 years, unlike wild plants that improve with age. It is used to promote immune system health, cholesterol levels and memory. American ginseng also has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties.

Goldenseal

• According to Michael T. Murray, N.D., in his book "The Healing Power of Herbs," goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is a perennial native to Eastern North America. The medicinal parts of this plant are the roots and rhizome. Goldenseal was used by American Indians to reduce inflammation of the mucous membranes in the respiratory, genitourinary and digestive tracts during infections.

Black Cohosh

• Black cohosh (Actea recemosa) aids in relieving women's health issues like menopause and menstrual cramps. Black cohosh reduces leutenizing hormone, which has an estrogenic effect on the body, helping to reduce hot flashes and hormone related depression. The medicinal part of black cohosh is the root.

Wild Ginger

• According to the University of Vermont, wild ginger (Asarum canadense) was used as a form of birth control by American Indians. It is also used as an antimicrobial and contains anti-tumor properties due to the aristolochic acid found in the roots. It has a slow growth rate and produces purplish brown flowers in the spring. It is named after the ginger flavor of its roots.

Bloodroot

• According to Non-Timber Forest Products, bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) has been used for various skin conditions like warts and eczema. Bloodroot has constituents that make it an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. It also has diuretic, antiseptic and sedative properties. Large amounts of the alkaloids in the sap can be poisonous. Bloodroot grows more frequently in deciduous woods and is an indicator species for birch-maple-basswood forests.

Slippery Elm

• Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is a deciduous tree with a medicinally powerful inner bark that becomes mucilaginous when mixed with water. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this helps to coat and soothe all parts of the digestive tract. It may also protect against ulcers and excessive amounts of acidity. Slippery elm helps to relieve diarrhea and stomach complaints. Because of its effect on the digestive tract, slippery elm is being considered as a treatment for Crohn's disease and gastroesophegeal reflux disease (GERD).