Herb Library

Ulmus rubra

A mucilaginous North American bark for soothing digestive, respiratory, and urinary tract membranes. Endangered — consider alternatives like Marshmallow.

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.

Quillaja saponaria

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

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.

Pfaffia paniculata

A Brazilian adaptogen called "para todo" (for everything). Used for energy, immune support, and hormonal balance. Contains pfaffic acid and ecdysteroids.

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.

Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora

Southeast Asian culinary herb with licorice-anise flavor. Antimicrobial and digestive aid. Rich in eugenol and linalool. Different from Holy Basil (Tulsi) — this is primarily culinary. Staple in Thai curries and Vietnamese pho.

Ashwagandha + Guggul + Kelp + Selenium + Zinc

Comprehensive thyroid support — Ashwagandha for T4 conversion, Guggul for thyroid stimulation, Kelp for iodine, Selenium and Zinc for thyroid enzyme cofactors.

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.

Tribulus terrestris

An Ayurvedic herb used for reproductive health, urinary support, and athletic performance. Widely used in men's health formulas.

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.

Triphala + Trikatu + Guggul

Comprehensive Ayurvedic digestive formula — Triphala for gentle cleansing, Trikatu for digestive fire, Guggul for metabolic support. Traditional Ayurvedic combination.

Carmona retusa

Philippine DOH-approved mouthwash and antidiarrheal; leaf decoction for stomach pain, diarrhea, and oral hygiene.

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

A traditional urinary tract herb containing arbutin, used for short-term bladder and urinary support.

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.

Warburgia salutaris

Southern African medicinal tree with extremely pungent bark used in Zulu and Shangaan medicine for colds, cough, chest complaints, and malaria. Contains drimane sesquiterpenes (warburganal, polygodial) with potent antimicrobial activity. Critically endangered due to overharvesting.

Eutrema japonicum

Japanese pungent condiment — contains allyl isothiocyanate (antimicrobial). Real wasabi is extremely expensive; most "wasabi" is colored horseradish. For digestive support, food safety, and sinus clearing. Anti-inflammatory and anticancer research.

Triticum aestivum

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

Withania coagulans

Pakistani and Indian medicinal plant distinct from ashwagandha (W. somnifera). Fruit enzymes coagulate milk (natural rennet). Used in Pakistani folk medicine for diabetes, wound healing, and dyspepsia. Contains withanolides with hypoglycemic activity.

Berberis integerrima

Central Asian barberry used in Unani medicine for liver disorders, jaundice, and fever. The sour berries are also used culinarily and the root bark contains berberine.

Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa

The seed of the sour jujube, one of TCM's most important herbs for insomnia, anxiety, and heart-blood deficiency. Calms the spirit.