Herb Library

Bupleurum falcatum

Central Kampo herb used for liver conditions, alternating chills/fever, chest tightness, and irritability. Forms the basis of many important Kampo formulas.

Salvia fruticosa

Mediterranean sage species consumed as daily tea across Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. Lower thujone content than common sage making it safer for regular consumption. For sore throat, digestive complaints, and menopausal symptoms. Antioxidant and antimicrobial.

Blumea balsamifera

Filipino and Southeast Asian herb for kidney stones, hypertension, and rheumatism. Approved as herbal medicine in the Philippines for dissolving urinary stones.

Santalum album

Sacred aromatic — Ayurvedic cooling herb for the mind and skin. For UTIs (urinary antiseptic), acne, anxiety, and meditation. Contains alpha- and beta-santalol. One of the most expensive woods. Endangered — use sustainably sourced.

Croton lechleri

The red sap of this Amazonian tree is used topically for wound healing and internally for digestive ulcers. Contains taspine and proanthocyanidins.

Dioscorea batatas

Korean spleen and kidney tonic used for fatigue, poor appetite, chronic diarrhea, and frequent urination. Also used for diabetes support and lung dryness.

Alstonia scholaris

Ayurvedic bitter tonic used for chronic fevers (especially malaria), diarrhea, skin diseases, and respiratory ailments. The bark contains antimalarial alkaloids.

Sauropus androgynus

Southeast Asian leafy vegetable used in Malaysian and Indonesian traditional medicine as galactagogue (breast milk stimulant) and for weight loss. CAUTION: Excessive consumption of raw juice caused bronchiolitis obliterans outbreak in Taiwan.

Kigelia africana

African skin remedy — fruit extract for skin firming, anti-aging, and treating skin cancers (traditional). Used in upscale skincare products. Fruit hangs on rope-like stalks (looks like sausages). Bark decoction for rheumatism and snakebite.

Schisandra sphenanthera

The southern variety of Schisandra — similar but not identical to S. chinensis. Used in TCM for liver support and as an astringent.

Hippophae rhamnoides

A nutrient-dense berry rich in omega-7 fatty acid, used for skin health, mucous membrane support, and cardiovascular wellness.

Hippophae rhamnoides

A Tibetan/Himalayan berry rich in omega-7 (palmitoleic acid). Used for skin, mucous membranes, cardiovascular health, and radiation protection.

Chondrus crispus (gel)

Blended sea moss gel — the trending superfood preparation. Add 1-2 tbsp to smoothies daily. Provides 92 minerals. Must be refrigerated. Viral on social media.

Senna italica

North African and Middle Eastern wild senna used in Saharan and Sudanese traditional medicine as laxative, for skin diseases, and fever. Milder than Alexandrian senna. Contains sennosides A and B. Bedouin remedy for constipation and stomach complaints.

Serratia peptidase (enzyme)

A proteolytic enzyme originally from silkworms. Used for inflammation, sinus congestion, and scar tissue. Take on empty stomach for systemic effects.

Convolvulus pluricaulis

An Ayurvedic medhya rasayana (brain tonic) for memory, concentration, and anxiety relief. One of the most important cognitive herbs in Ayurveda.

Convolvulus pluricaulis

Ayurvedic Medhya Rasayana (brain rejuvenative) — one of four premier brain herbs in Ayurveda. For memory, learning, anxiety, and insomnia. Especially used for children with poor concentration. Contains shankhapushpine. Sweet, cooling, and calming.

Asparagus racemosus

A premier women's tonic in Ayurvedic medicine, meaning "she who possesses 100 husbands." Used for reproductive and hormonal support.

Asparagus racemosus (500mg)

Standard Shatavari capsule — Ayurveda's premier women's reproductive tonic. 500mg 2x daily. For fertility, lactation, menopause, and as a yin/cooling adaptogen.

Vitellaria paradoxa

Unrefined shea butter from West Africa — the richest natural skin moisturizer after cocoa butter. Contains triterpenes for anti-inflammatory skin support. Safe for babies.

Asphaltum punjabianum

A mineral-rich resin exuding from Himalayan rocks. Used in Ayurveda as a powerful rejuvenative (rasayana) for energy, cognition, and mineral delivery.

Asphaltum (purified extract)

Purified, standardized Shilajit extract — removes heavy metals and contaminants. Provides fulvic acid and dibenzo-alpha-pyrones for energy and mineral delivery.

Rehmannia glutinosa var. purpurea

Korean steamed (processed) Rehmannia used for blood and yin deficiency, anemia, dizziness, and menstrual irregularity. Processing transforms cooling raw herb into warming blood tonic.

Scutellaria lateriflora

A gentle nervine herb used for nervous tension, sleep support, and emotional balance. One of the most valued herbs in Western herbalism.

Scutellaria lateriflora (tea)

One of the most calming nervine teas — for nervous tension, anxiety, and sleep. Mild taste. Best from reputable sources (historical germander adulteration).

Scutellaria lateriflora (tincture)

Fresh-tinctured American Skullcap — the FRESH tincture is considered far superior to dried. One of the best fast-acting nervines for tension, anxiety, and nerve pain.

Ulmus rubra

A mucilaginous North American bark for soothing digestive, respiratory, and urinary tract membranes. Endangered — consider alternatives like Marshmallow.

Ulmus rubra (tea)

Mucilaginous bark tea — steep in warm (not boiling) water for maximum mucilage. The most soothing tea for sore throat, heartburn, and GI irritation.

Quillaja saponaria

A Chilean tree bark rich in saponins — used as a natural surfactant, vaccine adjuvant (QS-21), and traditionally for respiratory support.

Polygonatum multiflorum

Musculoskeletal restoration herb — for damaged tendons, ligaments, joints, and connective tissue. Moistening and nourishing. TCM Yu Zhu nourishes yin and moistens dryness. Herbalist Jim McDonald popularized the joint/tendon use.

Annona muricata

Tropical cancer-fighting folk remedy — contains annonaceous acetogenins (anti-tumor in lab studies). Widely used in Caribbean and South American folk medicine. Fruit is delicious. CAUTION: neurotoxic compounds (annonacin) linked to atypical Parkinsonism.

Bidens pilosa

A pan-tropical weed used in African, Asian, and South American folk medicine for immune support, blood sugar, and wound healing.

Mentha spicata

A gentler mint than peppermint, used for digestive comfort and studied for its anti-androgenic properties in hormonal balance.

Mentha spicata (extract)

Standardized spearmint extract — studied for anti-androgenic effects (reducing male pattern hormones in women). Used for PCOS, acne, and hirsutism.

Nardostachys jatamansi

A sacred Himalayan herb used in Ayurveda for mental calm, sleep, and skin/hair health. The biblical "nard" used to anoint. Contains jatamansone.

Illicium verum

A warming digestive spice and the natural source of shikimic acid (used to make Tamiflu). ONLY use Chinese star anise — Japanese star anise is toxic.

Stemona tuberosa

Southeast Asian and Chinese medicinal root for cough, bronchitis, and external parasites (lice, scabies). Contains stemofoline and stemonine alkaloids with antitussive activity. Used in TCM (Bai Bu) and Thai traditional formulas for chronic cough.

Pfaffia paniculata

A Brazilian adaptogen called "para todo" (for everything). Used for energy, immune support, and hormonal balance. Contains pfaffic acid and ecdysteroids.

Lessertia frutescens

A Southern African adaptogenic herb traditionally used for immune support, stress resilience, and overall vitality. Called "the cancer bush" though this is not a medical claim.

Acorus calamus

Warming digestive tonic used for bloating, gas, colic, and poor digestive function. Important herb in Ayurvedic medicine valued as a rejuvenator for the brain and nervous system.

Zanthoxylum bungeanum

Not actually pepper — produces unique "numbing" sensation (hydroxy-alpha-sanshool activates touch receptors). TCM warms the middle jiao and kills parasites. For digestive coldness, abdominal pain, and roundworms. Key in Sichuan cuisine.

Valeriana wallichii

Ayurvedic sedative herb used for insomnia, anxiety, hysteria, and epilepsy. Closely related to European valerian with similar valepotriate content.

Calophyllum inophyllum

A Pacific Island oil used topically for wound healing, scars, skin regeneration, and anti-aging. Rich in calophyllolide and delta-tocotrienol.

Euphorbia hirta

Filipino dengue remedy — used to increase platelet count during dengue fever. Philippine Department of Health acknowledged its traditional use. Also used for asthma, diarrhea, and kidney stones. Contains quercitrin and gallic acid.

Tetrapleura tetraptera

West African spice tree fruit used in Ghanaian (prekese) and Nigerian (aridan) traditional medicine for hypertension, diabetes, convulsions, and postpartum care. Fruit has four characteristic wing-like ridges. Contains aridanin saponins and scopoletin.

Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora

Southeast Asian culinary herb with licorice-anise flavor. Antimicrobial and digestive aid. Rich in eugenol and linalool. Different from Holy Basil (Tulsi) — this is primarily culinary. Staple in Thai curries and Vietnamese pho.

Thuja occidentalis

Homeopathic wart remedy and immune stimulant. Contains thujone (neurotoxic). For warts (topical), respiratory infections, and immune support. Homeopathic Thuja 30C is commonly used for vaccine reactions. Herbal form requires careful dosing.

Thunbergia laurifolia

Thai traditional detoxification herb — 'Rang Jued' means neutralize poison. Used for drug detox, alcohol hangover, insecticide poisoning, and liver protection. Contains rosmarinic acid, apigenin, and delphinidin. Listed in Thai Hospital Formulary for poison treatment.