Herb Library

Ligustrum lucidum

A gentle TCM yin tonic for liver and kidney support. Used for premature graying, tinnitus, blurred vision, and bone weakness.

Eriobotrya japonica

TCM cough and lung herb — Pi Pa Ye. Used in the famous Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa (honey loquat cough syrup — the most popular cough remedy in Asia). For dry coughs, nausea, and thirst. Leaf hairs must be removed before use.

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.

Lycium chinense

A TCM liver and kidney yin tonic used for eye health, longevity, and blood nourishment. Closely related to Goji berry.

Lepidium meyenii (500mg)

Standard maca root capsule — 500mg. For energy, libido, and hormonal balance. 1-3g daily. Take in the morning (stimulating). Gelatinized form easier on stomach.

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.

Tinospora rumphii

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

Aristotelia chilensis

A Chilean berry with extremely high anthocyanin content — studied for blood sugar support, eye health, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Tithonia diversifolia

Caribbean and Central American bitter leaf for malaria, diabetes, and stomach pain; also a soil-enrichment plant.

Althaea officinalis (480mg)

Standard marshmallow root capsule — for digestive, respiratory, and urinary soothing. Take 1 hour APART from other medications (delays absorption due to mucilage).

Synsepalum dulcificum

West African taste-modifier — contains miraculin protein that makes sour foods taste sweet for 30-60 minutes. Used to help chemotherapy patients enjoy food (chemo causes taste distortion). For diabetes management (sweetness without sugar).

Tamarindus indica

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

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.

Moringa oleifera (capsule)

Moringa leaf powder in capsule form — avoids the grassy taste while providing the full nutritional profile. Typically 500-1000mg per capsule, 2-4 daily.

Paeonia suffruticosa

The root bark of tree peony — clears heat from blood, invigorates blood, and reduces swelling. Used for menstrual disorders and skin conditions.

Azadirachta indica var. indica

East African variant name for neem used specifically for malaria prevention, typhoid, and skin diseases in Swahili tradition.

Cardiospermum halicacabum

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

Ptychopetalum olacoides

A Brazilian Amazon herb traditionally used as a nerve tonic and for male vitality. Called "potency wood" for its traditional aphrodisiac use.

Verbascum thapsus (ear oil)

Mullein flowers infused in olive oil — the classic herbal ear drop for ear pain and mild infections. Often combined with garlic. Warm gently before dropping in ear.

Vernonia amygdalina

Pan-African bitter leaf for malaria, diabetes, stomach pain, and as a general health tonic; very widely used across the continent.

Erythrina mulungu

Brazilian anxiety and sleep remedy from the coral tree bark. Contains erythravine and erysodine alkaloids that act on nicotinic receptors. For anxiety, insomnia, nerve pain, and liver inflammation. Used as natural alternative to benzodiazepines in Brazilian herbal medicine.

Coffee + Lion's Mane + Chaga (original)

The original mushroom coffee that started the functional coffee trend. Half caffeine of regular coffee plus dual-extracted mushroom fruiting bodies.

Cacao + Reishi + Chaga

Hot chocolate enhanced with medicinal mushrooms — Reishi for calm, Chaga for immune support. A comforting evening adaptogen drink. Kid-friendly at low mushroom doses.

Cyperus rotundus

Widely used Ayurvedic digestive herb for diarrhea, dyspepsia, and fever. Also employed for menstrual irregularities and as an analgesic.

Sinapis alba

Traditional counterirritant — mustard plasters for chest congestion and joint pain. Activates TRPA1 pain channels (warming sensation). TCM Bai Jie Zi for phlegm-cold in lungs. Culinary condiment with antimicrobial properties.

Nauclea latifolia

West African tree and one of the most widely used antimalarial plants in Nigeria and Ghana. Also for toothache, diabetes, and hypertension. Contains naucleamides and strictosamide alkaloids. Fruit is edible (sweet when ripe).

Azadirachta indica (475mg)

Standard neem leaf capsule — for skin health, blood sugar, and immune support. 475mg 1-3x daily. Very bitter. LEAF capsules only (not seed oil — toxic internally).

Myristica fragrans

A warming spice used in small amounts for digestive support, sleep, and brain health. Contains myristicin. TOXIC in large amounts (>2 tablespoons).

Cocos nucifera (oral swishing)

Ayurvedic practice of swishing 1 tbsp coconut/sesame oil for 15-20 minutes. Shown to reduce Streptococcus mutans and plaque. Do NOT swallow — spit into trash.

Olea europaea (500mg)

Standard olive leaf extract capsule — 500mg standardized to 18-20% oleuropein. For immune, cardiovascular, and blood sugar support. 1-2 capsules twice daily.

Olea europaea (tincture)

Alcohol-extracted olive leaf — faster absorption than capsules. 30-60 drops 2-3x daily. For immune, cardiovascular, and antimicrobial support.

Origanum vulgare (oil capsule)

Oregano essential oil in capsule — 150mg per capsule. Very potent antimicrobial. Short-term use (10-14 days). Take with food. Follow with probiotics after course.

Origanum vulgare (enteric)

Enteric-coated oregano oil capsules — bypasses stomach to release in intestines. Used for SIBO, candida, and intestinal infections. Stronger than non-enteric.

Origanum vulgare (liquid oil)

Liquid oregano oil in olive oil carrier — 2-4 drops under tongue or in water. EXTREMELY potent. Short-term use only (7-14 days). Follow with probiotics.

Oroxylum indicum

Southeast Asian tree used across Thai, Indian, and Chinese medicine for diarrhea, dysentery, and respiratory conditions. Bark is a key ingredient in Ayurvedic Dasamoola (ten roots) formula. Contains baicalein and chrysin flavonoids.

Pleurotus ostreatus

A widely cultivated mushroom with natural statin-like compounds (lovastatin). Studied for cholesterol, blood sugar, and immune support.

Passiflora edulis

The fruit of passion vine — rich in antioxidants. The leaves (like P. incarnata) have calming properties. The fruit provides vitamin C and fiber.

Tabebuia impetiginosa

A South American bark tea traditionally used for immune support. Contains lapachol and beta-lapachone.

Tabebuia impetiginosa (tea)

South American bark tea — simmer 15-20 minutes. Traditional immune and candida support. Slightly bitter, earthy taste. Used throughout South America daily.

Geissospermum vellosii

A Brazilian tree bark studied for immune-modulating and antimicrobial properties. Contains flavopereirine. Preliminary research promising.

Myrcia sphaerocarpa

Brazilian traditional diabetes remedy whose leaves contain myrciaphenone compounds that inhibit alpha-glucosidase. Used in Amazonian folk medicine for blood sugar control. Name means 'alum stone tea' referring to the astringent taste.

Peperomia pellucida

Pan-tropical herb used in Filipino (ulasimang bato), Brazilian, and Indonesian folk medicine for gout, kidney problems, and hypertension. Whole plant eaten as salad in Philippines. Contains dillapiole, beta-caryophyllene, and peperomins with analgesic properties.

Polyscias fruticosa

Vietnamese traditional tonic herb called 'Vietnamese ginseng' (Dinh Lang). Used for fatigue, memory, physical endurance, and immune support. Root contains oleanolic acid saponins. Less stimulating than true ginseng. Popular in Vietnamese folk medicine.

Pseuderanthemum palatiferum

Vietnamese traditional medicine plant for hypertension, diabetes, and liver protection. Widely cultivated in Vietnamese home gardens. Called 'miraculous leaf' in Vietnamese folk medicine. Contains kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, and stigmasterol. Growing research interest.

Boerhavia diffusa

Meaning "that which renews the body," used in Ayurveda for kidney support, edema, urinary health, and as a rejuvenative tonic.

Inula racemosa

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