Herb Library

Reynoutria multiflora (Zhi)

Steam-processed He Shou Wu — traditional 9x steaming with black beans transforms the raw laxative root into a blood/kidney nourishing tonic. ONLY use processed form. For premature graying, low back pain, and infertility. Raw form is laxative and hepatotoxic.

Cnicus benedictus

A bitter Mediterranean herb for digestive stimulation and lactation support. Different from Milk Thistle. Used in Swedish Bitters formulas.

Humulus lupulus

Beyond its use in brewing, hops is a traditional sedative herb used to support sleep and relaxation.

Marrubium vulgare

Traditional cough herb — horehound candy was once as common as cough drops. Contains marrubiin (expectorant and bitter). For dry, hacking coughs, bronchitis, and digestive upset. Very bitter taste.

Epimedium grandiflorum

A TCM herb for kidney yang deficiency — used for bone health, libido, and energy. Contains icariin which inhibits PDE5 (similar mechanism to certain ED drugs).

Armoracia rusticana

A pungent root used medicinally as a natural decongestant, digestive stimulant, and antimicrobial. Key ingredient in fire cider.

Armoracia rusticana (fresh root)

Fresh grated horseradish — a powerful sinus opener and circulatory stimulant. Key ingredient in fire cider. Allyl isothiocyanate provides the nasal-clearing punch.

Equisetum arvense

A silica-rich herb used traditionally for hair, skin, nail, and bone health, as well as urinary support.

Equisetum arvense (440mg)

Standard horsetail capsule — for hair, skin, nail, and bone health via bioavailable silica. Take with thiamine (B1) supplement as horsetail depletes it.

Equisetum arvense (extract)

Standardized extract of horsetail — provides bioavailable silica for bone, hair, nail, and connective tissue support. More concentrated than tea form.

Houttuynia cordata

A Japanese/Chinese herb used for respiratory infections, urinary infections, and as a detoxifying herb. Strong fishy smell when fresh. Popular in Asian cuisine.

Sophora japonica

TCM herb for cooling blood-heat — used for hemorrhoids, bleeding gums, and high blood pressure. Rich in rutin flavonoid.

Ilex guayusa

Ecuadorian Amazonian holly relative cultivated by Kichwa peoples for millennia as dawn ritual tea. Contains caffeine (highest of any holly), theobromine, and L-theanine. Provides alert calm like matcha. For energy, focus, and digestive health. Sustainable agroforestry crop.

Helichrysum italicum

Mediterranean anti-aging and wound herb — essential oil is prized in skincare for scar reduction, bruise healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Contains arzanol (anti-inflammatory). Expensive essential oil.

Coffee + Lion's Mane + Chaga

Coffee blended with Lion's Mane (focus) and Chaga (immune). Half the caffeine of regular coffee. The functional beverage category leader.

Hemidesmus indicus

Ayurvedic blood purifier and cooling herb — for skin diseases, urinary disorders, and as summer cooling drink (nannari sharbat). Different from true Sarsaparilla but similar uses. One of the best Pitta-pacifying herbs.

Cruciferous vegetable extract

A compound from cruciferous vegetables that converts to DIM in the body. Supports estrogen metabolism and hormonal balance. Studied for breast health.

Chondrus crispus

A red seaweed trending as a superfood — rich in 92 of 102 minerals the body needs. Used for thyroid support, gut health, and skin. Traditionally used in Ireland/Jamaica.

Panax japonicus

Japanese woodland herb related to Korean ginseng but with a milder tonic effect. Used traditionally as an expectorant for coughs, a mild immune stimulant, and in folk medicine for non-insulin-dependent diabetes and obesity.

Lonicera japonica

One of the most important TCM heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs. The flower buds are used for respiratory infections, fever, and inflammation.

Reynoutria japonica

An invasive plant that is also one of the richest natural sources of resveratrol. Used in TCM for blood circulation, inflammation, and Lyme disease protocols.

Nardostachys jatamansi

Ayurvedic brain calmative — Biblical spikenard (Mary Magdalene anointed Jesus feet). For insomnia, anxiety, and epilepsy. Contains jatamansone (sedative). Endangered — use cultivated sources. Related to Valerian.

Syzygium cumini

An Indian fruit whose seeds are one of Ayurveda's top blood sugar support herbs. Contains jamboline. The fruit is also nutritious.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum

A Chinese adaptogenic vine containing gypenosides similar to ginsenosides, used for longevity, stress resilience, and cardiovascular support.

Spatholobus suberectus

TCM blood-nourishing and blood-moving herb — name means "Chicken Blood Vine" because the cut stem bleeds red sap. For menstrual irregularity, numbness, and blood deficiency with stasis. Both nourishes and moves blood (unusual combination).

Simmondsia chinensis

Technically a liquid wax, not oil. The closest plant substance to human sebum. Used for skin moisturizing, hair care, and as a carrier oil for essential oils.

Ziziphus jujuba

A gentle TCM herb that harmonizes formulas, nourishes blood, and calms the spirit. Used in many classic formulas as a harmonizer.

Terminalia ferdinandiana

An Australian Aboriginal superfood with the highest recorded vitamin C content of any fruit (100x more than oranges). Used for immune and skin support.

Sceletium tortuosum

A South African succulent traditionally chewed by the San people for mood elevation and stress relief. Contains mesembrine, a natural SSRI-like compound.

Laminaria digitata

A brown seaweed rich in iodine, fucoidan, and minerals. Used for thyroid support, metabolic health, and as a nutritive mineral supplement.

Khaya senegalensis

West African mahogany tree whose bitter bark is widely used in Sahelian traditional medicine for malaria, fever, jaundice, and intestinal worms. Contains limonoids with antimalarial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Vetiveria zizanioides

Tropical cooling grass — root is used for perfumery, aromatherapy, and traditional cooling drinks. In Ayurveda: for excessive thirst, burning urination, and body heat. Vetiver essential oil calms anxiety and ADHD.

Pleurotus eryngii

A culinary mushroom studied for cholesterol support, antioxidant activity, and immune modulation. Contains ergothioneine — a unique antioxidant.

Combretum micranthum

West African daily health tea consumed across Senegal, Mali, and Guinea. Traditional use for malaria, liver protection, digestive support, and weight management. Contains combretin alkaloids.

Cola nitida

Original Coca-Cola ingredient — contains caffeine and theobromine. West African stimulant and social bonding ritual. For fatigue, headaches, and depression. Key ingredient in original cola recipes. Sacred in Yoruba and Igbo cultures.

Macrotyloma uniflorum

Siddha lithotriptic pulse for kidney stones, obesity, and menstrual disorders; seed decoction is a traditional stone-dissolving remedy.

SCOBY fermented tea

Fermented sweet tea containing probiotics, organic acids, and B vitamins. Used for gut health, immune support, and energy. Not technically an herb.

Symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast

The living SCOBY culture for making kombucha at home. A symbiotic colony of Acetobacter, Gluconobacter, and yeasts. Home brewing requires careful hygiene.

SCOBY fermented tea (commercial)

Commercially brewed kombucha — safer than home-brew due to quality control. Contains probiotics, organic acids, B vitamins, and trace alcohol (<0.5% typically).

Pueraria lobata

A TCM herb studied for cardiovascular support and alcohol consumption reduction. Invasive vine in the American South.

Sophora flavescens

TCM heat-clearing and damp-drying herb — for itchy skin conditions (eczema, scabies), vaginal infections, and diarrhea from damp-heat. Used topically as wash for genital itching. Contains matrine and oxymatrine (anti-tumor research in China).

Larix occidentalis

A prebiotic fiber from larch tree bark. Supports immune function and gut microbiome. Well-tolerated source of soluble fiber. Also used in children.

Bryophyllum pinnatum

Caribbean and Central American remedy for kidney stones, hypertension, respiratory infections, and wound healing.

Leea indica

Southeast Asian shrub used in Malay, Indonesian, and Indian traditional medicine for skin diseases, cancer sores, and body aches. Contains gallic acid, ursolic acid, and mollic acid glucoside with documented cytotoxic activity.

Cymbopogon citratus

A tropical grass with citrusy flavor used for digestive support, fever reduction, and as a calming tea. Also a potent insect repellent.

Corymbia citriodora

Aboriginal medicinal tree with lemon-scented leaves used for insect repellent, wound treatment, and respiratory conditions. PMD (citriodal) is an effective natural insect repellent.

Aloysia citrodora

A lemon-scented herb used for digestive comfort, relaxation, and as a pleasant tea. Studied for antioxidant and joint support properties.

Ligusticum striatum

A premier TCM blood-moving herb for headaches, menstrual pain, and cardiovascular support. Key in many classic formulas for pain.