Herb Library

Ulmus rubra (lozenge)

Slippery elm in lozenge form — provides mucilaginous coating for sore throat and cough. One of the most effective natural throat soothers.

Ulmus rubra (powder)

Fine ground slippery elm bark — mix with water to form a mucilaginous gruel. The most soothing GI preparation. Can be made into a porridge for convalescents.

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.

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.

Rumex acetosa

Culinary sour green — French sorrel soup is a classic. High in oxalic acid and vitamin C. For fever, scurvy (historical), and as digestive tonic. Related to Sheep Sorrel. Use in moderation due to oxalates.

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.

Drosera rotundifolia

A carnivorous plant used in European respiratory medicine for dry, spasmodic coughs and bronchitis. Contains plumbagin with antispasmodic properties.

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.

Viola odorata

One of the leading herbs researched for treatment of breast, lung, and intestinal cancers. Sweet violet reduces glandular swellings, dissolves tumors and nodules, and moistens dry conditions.

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.

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.

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.

Eurycoma longifolia (300mg)

Standard Tongkat Ali capsule — 300mg. For male vitality, testosterone support, and athletic performance. Look for standardized 100:1 or 200:1 extracts.

Potentilla erecta

A European astringent herb used for diarrhea, mouth/throat inflammation, and wound healing. Rich in tannins.

Tremella fuciformis

A beauty mushroom used in TCM and Chinese cuisine for skin hydration, lung yin support, and as a plant-based hyaluronic acid source.

Tribulus terrestris (500mg)

Standard Tribulus capsule — for male vitality and athletic performance. 500-1500mg daily. Bulgarian and Indian varieties have different saponin profiles.

Tribulus terrestris (extract)

Standardized extract (40-90% saponins) of Tribulus — used for male vitality, athletic performance, and urinary support. Bulgarian and Indian varieties differ.

Amla + Haritaki + Bibhitaki (tea)

Traditional Triphala preparation — steep in warm water overnight or simmer briefly. The Ayurvedic daily digestive and gentle cleansing tonic. Bitter but effective.

Cecropia peltata

Caribbean and Central American hypotensive and antidiabetic; leaves used for hypertension, asthma, and diabetes.

Prunus mume

Japanese macrobiotic superfood — salt-pickled ume plum. Extremely sour and salty. For hangover, nausea, digestive upset, and alkalizing the body. TCM Wu Mei stops diarrhea, generates fluids, and expels parasites. Part of Wu Mei Wan formula.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (400mg)

Standard Uva Ursi capsule — for short-term UTI support (MAX 1-2 weeks). 400mg 3x daily. Requires alkaline urine to activate arbutin. Take with sodium bicarbonate.

Wrightia tinctoria

Siddha specific for psoriasis and skin diseases; leaf oil applied topically; bark decoction for dysentery and stomachache.

Vitex negundo

An Asian species of Vitex used in Ayurveda and TCM for joint pain, respiratory support, and as an anti-inflammatory. Different from Vitex agnus-castus.

Undaria pinnatifida

A Japanese brown seaweed rich in fucoxanthin — studied for metabolic health, thyroid support, and cardiovascular benefits. Common in miso soup.

Tibicos (sugar water ferment)

Dairy-free probiotic ferment — kefir grains fed with sugar water. Rich in beneficial bacteria and yeasts. The vegan alternative to milk kefir.

Triticum aestivum

Young wheat grass juice — rich in chlorophyll, enzymes, and nutrients. Used as a nutritive green supplement. Gluten-free (harvested before grain forms).

Marrubium vulgare

A traditional European cough herb, the flavoring in horehound candy. Used for respiratory support and as a bitter digestive tonic.

Paeonia lactiflora

A TCM blood-nourishing herb used for menstrual regulation, muscle relaxation, and liver support. Key ingredient in many gynecological formulas.

Ilex paraguariensis

A South American caffeinated herb traditionally consumed as a social tea, providing energy support and antioxidants.

Curcuma zedoaria

TCM blood-mover — E Zhu breaks blood stasis and dissolves masses. For uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and abdominal pain from stagnation. Related to turmeric but different actions. Contains curcumenol and curdione (anti-tumor research).

Clinoptilolite (mineral)

Volcanic mineral with cage-like structure that traps heavy metals and toxins. For heavy metal detox, gut health, and alkalizing. Microporous structure acts like a molecular sieve. Quality varies enormously — only use purified clinoptilolite.