Herb Library

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.

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).

Magnesium chloride hexahydrate

Magnesium chloride flakes dissolved in warm bath — transdermal magnesium absorption. Used for muscle cramps, stress, sleep, and restless legs. Very relaxing.

Grifola frondosa

A culinary and medicinal mushroom used in Japanese medicine for immune support and blood sugar balance.

Tinospora rumphii

Philippine bitter vine for malaria, fever, and as an immunomodulator; stem decoction is a traditional febrifuge.

Avena sativa (milky oat tops)

The fresh milky tops of oats harvested at the "milky" stage — a deep nervous system trophorestorative. Different from dried oat straw. Must be tinctured fresh.

Avena sativa (fresh milky extract)

MUST be tinctured fresh at the "milky" stage — the most prized form of oat medicine. A deep nervous system restorative for burnout, grief, and depletion.

Silybum marianum (tea)

Crushed milk thistle seeds steeped as tea — milder than extract but still liver-supportive. Silymarin is poorly water-soluble so tea is less potent than capsules.

Albizia julibrissin

TCM "Collective Happiness Bark" — for grief, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Bark calms the spirit (Shen). Flowers (He Huan Hua) are used for similar purposes. Beautiful ornamental tree. Gentle mood support.

Tamarindus indica

East African sour fruit for fever, constipation, and malaria; pulp is laxative; bark is astringent for diarrhea.

Aucklandia costus

Aromatic Kampo herb used for abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and nausea. Moves stagnant qi in the digestive system. CITES-listed endangered species.

Magnolia liliiflora

Kampo herb specifically for nasal congestion, sinusitis, and rhinitis. The dried flower buds are decocted and the warm vapor is also inhaled for sinus relief.

Ashwagandha + Warm Milk + Nutmeg + Honey

Ayurvedic-inspired bedtime drink — ashwagandha powder + warm milk + nutmeg + honey. The trendy evolution of traditional golden milk for nighttime stress and sleep support.

Cardiospermum halicacabum

Siddha anti-rheumatic for joint pain, swelling, and stiffness; leaf decoction and poultice are primary preparations in Tamil tradition.

Olea europaea subsp. africana

East African olive bark for malaria, sore throat, and eye infections; leaf tea for hypertension and diabetes.

Ficus religiosa

Siddha astringent bark for diarrhea, diabetes, and skin diseases; sacred tree in multiple traditions; bark gargle for tooth pain.

Zanthoxylum americanum

Circulatory stimulant and toothache remedy — chewing bark numbs mouth pain (contains xanthoxylum). For poor circulation, cold hands/feet, arthritis, and digestive weakness. Sichuan pepper (Z. bungeanum) is the culinary cousin.

Inula racemosa

Ayurvedic cardiorespiratory herb used for angina, asthma, and chest pain. Contains alantolactone with anti-ischemic and bronchodilator properties.

Bupleurum falcatum

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Quillaja saponaria

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

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.

Angelica acutiloba

Japanese equivalent of Dong Quai, central to many Kampo gynecological formulas. Used for blood deficiency, menstrual irregularities, anemia, and cold hands.

Eurycoma longifolia

A Southeast Asian herb used for male vitality, hormonal balance, and athletic performance support.

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.