Herb Library

Vaccinium macrocarpon (36mg PACs)

Standardized cranberry with 36mg proanthocyanidins (PACs) per dose — the clinical dose for UTI prevention. PACs prevent E. coli from adhering to bladder wall. Takes daily use for prevention (not treatment). 36mg PACs = 10 oz pure cranberry juice.

Sambucus nigra (lozenge)

Elderberry in lozenge/throat drop form — provides local throat soothing plus systemic immune anthocyanins. Often with zinc and vitamin C for triple immune action.

Sambucus nigra (standardized extract)

Standardized elderberry extract — clinical evidence for reducing flu duration by 4 days and cold duration by 2 days. Contains anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucoside) and lectins. Blocks viral hemagglutinin. The #1 immune supplement in America.

Sambucus nigra + Zinc picolinate

Elderberry extract + 15mg Zinc in capsule — the convenient immune duo. Daily for prevention, every 2-3 hours with zinc lozenges during acute episodes.

Sambucus nigra + Zinc

Combination of elderberry extract with zinc — two of the most evidence-based immune support ingredients. Zinc lozenges alone can reduce cold duration by 33%.

Zingiber officinale (5% gingerols)

Standardized ginger extract — 5% gingerols and shogaols. Clinical evidence for nausea (pregnancy, chemotherapy, post-surgical), osteoarthritis pain, and migraine. 250mg 4x daily for nausea. As effective as metoclopramide in some studies.

Lycium barbarum

TCM yin-nourishing superfruit — for eyes, liver, and kidneys. Eaten daily by Chinese elders. Contains zeaxanthin (eye protection), LBPs (polysaccharides), and betaine. Clinical evidence for macular degeneration. Sweet, pleasant taste. A true food-medicine.

Astragalus membranaceus (standardized)

Standardized Astragalus extract — typically standardized to astragaloside IV and polysaccharides. The supplement form of Huang Qi. For immune support, telomere health (TA-65 contains cycloastragenol), and cardiovascular protection. Take between illnesses.

Lutein/Zeaxanthin (10mg/2mg)

Macular pigment carotenoids — filter blue light and protect against age-related macular degeneration. AREDS2 formula includes 10mg lutein + 2mg zeaxanthin. From marigold (Tagetes) flower extract. Takes 6+ months to build macular pigment density.

Perna canaliculus

Marine anti-inflammatory — contains unique omega-3s (ETA, OTA) not found in fish oil. Clinical evidence for osteoarthritis and asthma. Lipid extract (Lyprinol/PCSO-524) is the studied form. From pristine New Zealand waters. For joint inflammation and respiratory conditions.

Hypericum perforatum (0.3% hypericin)

German standardized extract — 300mg 3x daily (0.3% hypericin). Matches SSRIs for mild-moderate depression in meta-analyses. LI 160 and WS 5572 are the most-studied extracts. Full effect takes 4-6 weeks. THE most drug-interacting herb known.

Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa (seed)

TCM premier insomnia herb — nourishes Heart blood and calms the Shen. For insomnia with palpitations, anxiety, and night sweats. Key ingredient in Suan Zao Ren Tang (Jujube Seed Decoction), one of TCMs most important sleep formulas. Dose: 15-30g in decoction.

Zinc L-carnosine complex

A chelated zinc-carnosine complex — studied for gastric mucosal protection, H. pylori, and gut barrier integrity. Not an herb but commonly used with herbs.

Zinc acetate/gluconate (lozenge)

Zinc lozenges for cold — dissolve in mouth every 2-3 hours. Studies show 33% reduction in cold duration. Zinc acetate form is most studied. Start within 24 hours.

Zinc picolinate

One of the most bioavailable forms of zinc. Essential for immune function, wound healing, taste/smell, testosterone, and skin health. Often deficient.