Herb Library

Notopterygium incisum

TCM wind-damp herb for the UPPER body — partner of Du Huo (lower body). For neck/shoulder stiffness, occipital headache, and upper body joint pain from wind-cold-damp. Very warming and aromatic. Key herb in Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang.

Quassia amara

One of the most bitter substances in nature — used as digestive bitter, antimalarial, and insecticide. For loss of appetite, dyspepsia, and intestinal parasites. Contains quassin (appetite stimulant). Used in brewing as hops substitute.

Combretum indicum

Southeast Asian vine used in Filipino, Thai, and Ayurvedic medicine for intestinal roundworms — seeds are the primary anthelmintic. Flowers change color white-pink-red over 3 days. Contains quisqualic acid (AMPA receptor agonist). For parasites and fever.

Rauvolfia caffra

East/Southern African relative of R. vomitoria; bark for fever, malaria, and mental illness; contains reserpine-type alkaloids.

Rhinacanthus nasutus

Thai traditional medicine plant for ringworm, eczema, herpes, and skin fungal infections. Root contains rhinacanthin compounds with antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Applied topically and taken internally.

Rhodiola crenulata

A high-altitude Tibetan Rhodiola species — used for altitude sickness adaptation and as a general adaptogen. Similar but not identical to R. rosea.

Agaricus blazei

A Brazilian medicinal mushroom used in Japanese complementary medicine for immune support. Contains unique beta-glucans.

Saussurea lappa

Tibetan aromatic herb for wind-humor disorders, digestive pain, asthma, and cholera. One of the most important herbs for wind-related conditions in Sowa-Rigpa.

Salvia fruticosa

Mediterranean sage species consumed as daily tea across Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. Lower thujone content than common sage making it safer for regular consumption. For sore throat, digestive complaints, and menopausal symptoms. Antioxidant and antimicrobial.

Sauropus androgynus

Southeast Asian leafy vegetable used in Malaysian and Indonesian traditional medicine as galactagogue (breast milk stimulant) and for weight loss. CAUTION: Excessive consumption of raw juice caused bronchiolitis obliterans outbreak in Taiwan.

Kigelia africana

African skin remedy — fruit extract for skin firming, anti-aging, and treating skin cancers (traditional). Used in upscale skincare products. Fruit hangs on rope-like stalks (looks like sausages). Bark decoction for rheumatism and snakebite.

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.

Asparagus racemosus (500mg)

Standard Shatavari capsule — Ayurveda's premier women's reproductive tonic. 500mg 2x daily. For fertility, lactation, menopause, and as a yin/cooling adaptogen.

Vitellaria paradoxa

Unrefined shea butter from West Africa — the richest natural skin moisturizer after cocoa butter. Contains triterpenes for anti-inflammatory skin support. Safe for babies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Calophyllum inophyllum

A Pacific Island oil used topically for wound healing, scars, skin regeneration, and anti-aging. Rich in calophyllolide and delta-tocotrienol.

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.

Thuja occidentalis

Homeopathic wart remedy and immune stimulant. Contains thujone (neurotoxic). For warts (topical), respiratory infections, and immune support. Homeopathic Thuja 30C is commonly used for vaccine reactions. Herbal form requires careful dosing.

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.

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.

Zingiber officinale + Piper nigrum + Piper longum

Ayurvedic formula of Ginger, Black Pepper, and Long Pepper. A powerful digestive fire (Agni) stimulant and bioenhancer that increases absorption of other herbs.

Triphala + Trikatu + Guggul

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

Cecropia peltata

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

Carmona retusa

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

Curcuma aromatica

Japanese spring turmeric used in Kampo for blood stasis, chest pain, jaundice, and mental conditions. Contains aromatic turmerone and differs from common turmeric.

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.

Crataeva nurvala

Ayurvedic herb for urinary stones, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and bladder conditions. The bark has demonstrated litholytic and anti-inflammatory activity.

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.

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.

Marrubium vulgare

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