Herb Library

Symphytum officinale

TOPICAL USE ONLY. Traditionally used as a poultice for muscle and joint comfort. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids — internal use is dangerous.

Copaifera langsdorffii

A Brazilian tree resin rich in beta-caryophyllene — a cannabinoid receptor (CB2) agonist. Used for inflammation, pain, and skin support.

Coriandrum sativum

The seeds of the cilantro plant — used for digestive support, blood sugar balance, and as a gentle detoxifying herb. Different profile from the leaf (cilantro).

Mentha arvensis

The main commercial source of natural menthol. Used for digestive support, headache relief, and respiratory comfort.

Zea mays

Soothing diuretic herb used for urinary tract infections, cystitis, urethritis, and prostatitis. Also helpful for bedwetting in children and for kidney stones. Reduces fluid retention.

Cornus officinalis

A TCM kidney/liver astringent herb used for frequent urination, excessive sweating, and lower back weakness. Key ingredient in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.

Primula veris

Traditional European cough and bronchitis herb — expectorant saponins in root, calming properties in flowers. Ingredient in Sinupret (German sinus remedy). Protected wildflower in many countries.

Crossopteryx febrifuga

West African tree whose bark is one of the most commonly used antimalarial remedies across the Sahel. Used in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ghana for malaria, fever, diarrhea, and wounds. Contains alkaloids and tannins. Name 'febrifuga' references fever use.

Croton cajucara

Amazonian tree used in northern Brazilian folk medicine for diabetes, liver protection, cholesterol, and weight loss. Contains linalool, trans-crotonin, and clerodane diterpenes. CAUTION: Hepatotoxicity reported with chronic bark tea consumption.

Cuminum cyminum

A digestive spice used in Ayurveda and Middle Eastern medicine for bloating, gas, and as a cooling digestive. Rich in iron.

Cuminum cyminum (tea)

Roasted cumin seeds steeped in hot water — the classic Ayurvedic digestive tea. Cooling, carminative, and iron-rich. Drink warm after meals. Popular in India as daily tonic.

Murraya koenigii

An Indian culinary herb (NOT curry powder) used for digestive support, blood sugar balance, and hair health. Rich in carbazole alkaloids.

Taraxacum officinale (roasted root)

Roasted dandelion root — a caffeine-free coffee substitute with a rich, roasted flavor. Still provides liver support benefits. Popular with those quitting coffee.

Taraxacum officinale root (520mg)

Standard dandelion root capsule — for liver support, gentle detox, and digestive health. 520mg 1-3x daily with meals. The convenient format for daily liver tonic.

Taraxacum officinale (roasted)

Roasted dandelion root — the best caffeine-free coffee alternative. Rich, roasted flavor with liver-supporting benefits. Often blended with roasted chicory.

Oplopanax horridus

Pacific Northwest adaptogen — closely related to ginseng (same family). Sacred to many First Nations peoples. For blood sugar balance, respiratory support, and spiritual protection. Spiny, formidable plant.

Diindolylmethane (100mg)

Standard DIM capsule — 100-200mg daily. Promotes healthy estrogen metabolism (2-OH pathway). For hormonal acne, PMS, and estrogen dominance. Best with BioPerine.

Dioscorea opposita

A gentle TCM tonic that strengthens Spleen, Lung, and Kidney. Used for fatigue, poor appetite, diarrhea, and diabetes support. Also a food.

Isodon rubescens

A TCM herb for clearing heat-toxins in the throat and digestive tract. Contains oridonin which is being studied for various health applications.

Angelica sinensis (520mg)

Standard Dong Quai capsule — the convenient format for menstrual support. 520mg 3x daily. Best for blood deficiency patterns (TCM). Not a standalone menopause herb.

Angelica sinensis (extract)

Standardized extract of the "female ginseng." Used for menstrual regulation, blood nourishment, and menopausal support. Most studied form in clinical trials.

Croton lechleri

South American tree whose red sap is rich in proanthocyanidins. The extract SP-303 was clinically studied for treatment of diarrhea in AIDS patients and traveler's diarrhea, showing modest symptomatic benefit.

Sambucus nigra flower (syrup)

Sweet elderflower syrup — a traditional British/Scandinavian summer drink. Diluted with water or sparkling water. Also used for fever support and hay fever.

Sambucus nigra flower (extract)

Concentrated elderflower extract — standardized for flavonoids. Used for seasonal comfort, upper respiratory support, and fever.

Elephantopus scaber

Southeast Asian and tropical herb used in Malaysian (tapak liman), Indonesian, and Chinese folk medicine for hepatitis, fever, and kidney complaints. Contains elephantopin and deoxyelephantopin sesquiterpene lactones with documented anticancer activity.

DIM + Calcium D-Glucarate + Broccoli Extract

Estrogen metabolism support — DIM promotes 2-hydroxy estrogen pathway, Calcium D-Glucarate prevents estrogen recirculation, Broccoli Seed provides sulforaphane.

Eucommia ulmoides

A TCM kidney yang tonic used for lower back pain, bone strength, and blood pressure support. One of the few TCM herbs studied for hypertension.

Foeniculum vulgare (480mg)

Standard fennel seed capsule — for bloating, gas, and digestive comfort. Also used for lactation support. 480mg 1-3x daily.

Gadus morhua (fermented)

Traditionally fermented cod liver oil — provides vitamins A, D, and EPA/DHA in their natural forms. Used by Weston A. Price followers for bone/tooth health.

Boswellia carterii (essential oil)

Aromatic essential oil for meditation and inflammation — contains alpha-pinene and incensole acetate (anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory). For aromatherapy: anxiety, focus, and spiritual practice. Topical (diluted) for joint pain and skin aging. NOT for ingestion.

Ganoderma lucidum + Coffea

Coffee blended with Reishi mushroom extract — combines caffeine with adaptogenic/immune benefits. Smoother energy without coffee jitters. Trending functional beverage.

Garcinia cambogia

A tropical fruit rind containing hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Marketed for weight loss but evidence is weak. Liver toxicity concerns.

Ginger + SCOBY fermented tea

Kombucha secondary-fermented with fresh ginger — combines probiotic benefits with ginger's digestive power. The most popular kombucha flavor worldwide.

Hydrastis canadensis (500mg)

Standard goldenseal capsule — 500mg. SHORT-TERM USE ONLY (max 2-3 weeks). Not for daily long-term use. Rich in berberine. Endangered — consider Oregon Grape instead.

Centella asiatica (400mg)

Standard Gotu Kola capsule — 400mg. For cognitive support, wound healing, and venous health. 400mg 2-3x daily. Takes weeks for cognitive effects.

Chelidonium majus

A traditional European liver and gallbladder herb. The orange sap was used for warts. HEPATOTOXIC — professional use only, short-term.

Coffea arabica (unroasted)

Unroasted coffee beans — higher in chlorogenic acid than roasted. Studied for blood sugar, blood pressure, and weight management support.

Coffea arabica (400mg)

Standard green coffee bean extract capsule — 400mg standardized to 45-50% chlorogenic acid. For blood sugar and weight management. Contains caffeine.

Mixed green vegetable juice

Cold-pressed juice from kale, celery, cucumber, spinach, and other greens. Provides concentrated phytonutrients without fiber. Popular daily wellness ritual.

Mikania glomerata

Brazilian respiratory herb — in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. For asthma, bronchitis, and coughs. Contains coumarin (bronchodilator). Also traditional snakebite remedy. "Guaco Syrup" is sold in every Brazilian pharmacy as an OTC cough medicine.

Paullinia cupana (500mg)

Standard guarana capsule — slow-release caffeine (2-4x coffee beans). For energy, focus, and athletic performance. 500mg provides ~100mg caffeine.

Tinospora cordifolia

A key Ayurvedic immunomodulating herb, called "Amrita" (nectar of immortality), used for immune balance and liver support.

Hancornia speciosa

Brazilian cerrado fruit tree whose bark tea is widely used in traditional medicine for hypertension, diabetes, and inflammation. Latex applied for warts and skin conditions. Contains rutin, chlorogenic acid, and cyclitols. Fruit is popular regional delicacy.

Harpephyllum caffrum

South African tree whose bark is used in Zulu traditional medicine for skin conditions (acne, eczema, purulent dermatoses), blood purification, and dysentery. Contains gallic acid and methyl gallate. One of the most commercially traded South African medicinal barks.

Helichrysum italicum

An Italian essential oil prized for skin healing, bruises, scars, and anti-aging. One of the most expensive essential oils. Also used for respiratory support.

Helicteres isora

Indian and Southeast Asian shrub with distinctive screw-shaped fruits. Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine for diabetes, diarrhea, and colic. Fruit decoction for flatulence and gripe in children. Contains cucurbitacin B and betulinic acid.

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.

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.