Herb Library

Sanguisorba officinalis

TCM herb for cooling blood and stopping bleeding — for hemorrhoids, bloody diarrhea, and heavy menstruation. Astringent tannins. Used topically for burns and eczema. Both European and TCM traditions.

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.

Mixed green superfood blend

Blended superfood powder — typically spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, barley grass, moringa, and other greens. Convenient daily nutrition boost.

Paullinia cupana

A Brazilian seed containing 2-4x more caffeine than coffee beans. Used for energy, cognitive support, and athletic performance. Slow-release caffeine.

Paullinia cupana (500mg)

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

Hagenia abyssinica

Ethiopian traditional anthelmintic; dried female flower clusters used to expel tapeworms; once widely traded.

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.

Lawsonia inermis

Ancient cosmetic and medicinal plant — used for 5000+ years for hair dyeing, body art, and cooling the body. Contains lawsone (red-orange dye). Medicinally: antifungal, wound healing, and headache (paste on forehead).

Grifola frondosa

A large, prized culinary and medicinal mushroom. Contains D-fraction beta-glucans studied for immune modulation, blood sugar, and blood pressure support.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Coffee + Hericium erinaceus

Coffee blended with Lion's Mane mushroom extract — caffeine for alertness + Lion's Mane for nerve growth factor. The most popular cognitive functional coffee.

Piper longum

Ayurvedic bioavailability enhancer — more potent than black pepper for absorption of other herbs. Contains piperine and piperlongumine. Warming digestive for cold/sluggish digestion. Key Trikatu ingredient with black pepper and ginger.

Cervus nippon (velvet antler)

TCM yang tonic — harvested from growing deer antler (before calcification). For kidney yang deficiency: low back pain, impotence, infertility, and fatigue. Contains IGF-1, collagen, and chondroitin. Used by athletes for joint health and recovery. Ethical concerns exist.

Lychnophora ericoides

Brazilian cerrado mountain plant used as substitute for European arnica. For bruises, sprains, inflammation, and muscle pain. Contains lychnopholide sesquiterpene lactones with anti-inflammatory activity. Traditionally soaked in cachaca (sugarcane spirit).

Lepidium meyenii (gelatinized)

Pre-cooked (gelatinized) maca — starch removed for easier digestion. Preferred form for those with sensitive stomachs. Same benefits as raw maca.

Lepidium meyenii (tincture)

Alcohol-extracted maca — concentrated format. 30-60 drops 1-2x daily in morning. Avoids the powder bulk. Slightly malty, slightly bitter flavor.

Magnesium chloride hexahydrate

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

Mangifera indica

Mango leaves are used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine for blood sugar support. Contains mangiferin — studied for metabolic and antioxidant properties.

Garcinia mangostana

A Southeast Asian fruit whose rind contains xanthones with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The whole fruit is a prized tropical delicacy.

Rubia cordifolia

The premier blood-purifying (rakta shodhak) herb in Ayurveda. Used for skin conditions, lymphatic support, and menstrual regulation.

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.

Glycerol monolaurate (from coconut)

A monoglyceride derived from lauric acid in coconut oil. Used for immune support with antimicrobial properties against certain bacteria and viruses.

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.

Morinda officinalis

A TCM kidney yang tonic — different from Noni (M. citrifolia). Used for lower back/knee weakness, impotence, and bone strengthening.