Herb Library

Rubus idaeus (ketone)

The aromatic compound from red raspberries — marketed for weight loss but evidence is very weak. Most commercial products are synthetic, not from actual raspberries.

Rubus idaeus

Classic pregnancy tonic — for toning the uterus and preparing for labor. Also used for menstrual cramps, diarrhea, and sore throats. Rich in fragarine (smooth muscle relaxant), minerals, and vitamin C. Safe throughout pregnancy.

Metrosideros robusta

New Zealand rata tree used in Maori medicine for sore throat, wounds, and diarrhea. Bark decoction as gargle and internal remedy. Related to pohutukawa. Contains tannins and triterpenoids. Culturally significant as native forest canopy tree.

Crotalaria retusa

Traditional medicinal plant used for fever, hemoptysis, impetigo, poison, scabies.

Botrychium virginianum

Native American medicinal plant used as other, pediatric aid, emetic, snake bite remedy, diaphoretic, expectorant. Documented among Abnaki, Cherokee, Chickasaw.

Glyceria canadensis

Native American medicinal plant used as gynecological aid. Documented among Ojibwa.

Eryngium aquaticum

Native American medicinal plant used as emetic, gastrointestinal aid, antidote, diuretic, expectorant, snake bite remedy. Documented among Alabama, Cherokee, Choctaw.

Liatris laxa

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antidiarrheal, antiemetic, antirheumatic (external), dietary aid, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Seminole.

Hieracium venosum

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Rauvolfia serpentina

Rauwolfia quickly lowers blood pressure in acute situations through its chief alkaloid reserpine, which relaxes blood vessels around the heart. Also used as a mild relaxant and sedative.

Rauvolfia caffra

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

Ravensara aromatica

Traditional medicinal plant used for intoxicant, spice.

Machaeranthera grindelioides

Native American medicinal plant used as cough medicine. Documented among Hopi.

Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic. Documented among Kawaiisu.

Erigeron aphanactis

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, cathartic, emetic, gastrointestinal aid, eye medicine. Documented among Paiute, Shoshoni.

Alnus rubra

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, gastrointestinal aid, dermatological aid, pulmonary aid, analgesic, orthopedic aid. Documented among Bella Coola, Carrier, Northern, Carrier, Southern.

Actaea rubra

Traditional medicinal plant used for cold, cough, poison.

Mahonia haematocarpa

Native American medicinal plant used as eye medicine. Documented among Apache, Mescalero.

Persea borbonia

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, analgesic, antidiarrheal, antiemetic, antirheumatic (external), ceremonial medicine. Documented among Seminole.

Erythrina herbacea

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, tonic, analgesic, antiemetic, antirheumatic (external), laxative. Documented among Alabama, Choctaw, Creek.

Juniperus virginiana

Traditional medicinal plant used for abortifacient, bronchitis, convalescence, debility, emmenagogue, fatality, medicine, poison, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Eriophorum russeolum

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, eye medicine. Documented among Eskimo, Western.

Ribes triste

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, urinary aid, gynecological aid, eye medicine. Documented among Chippewa, Ojibwa, Tanana, Upper.

Gaillardia pinnatifida

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, diuretic, gynecological aid, psychological aid, misc. disease remedy, other. Documented among Hopi, Keres, Western, Navajo.

Delphinium nudicaule

Native American medicinal plant used as narcotic. Documented among Mendocino Indian.

Lepidium meyenii (red)

The red variety of maca — associated with prostate health, bone density, and female hormonal balance. Mildest flavor of the maca varieties.

Rhizophora mangle

Traditional medicinal plant used for angina, asthma, astringent, boil, dyspepsia, elephantiasis, emmenagogue, enuresis, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Acer rubrum

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antidiarrheal, dermatological aid, eye medicine, gynecological aid, misc. disease remedy. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois, Ojibwa.

Silene campanulata

Native American medicinal plant used as pediatric aid. Documented among Karok.

Quercus sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, emetic, pulmonary aid, throat aid, blood medicine, cold remedy. Documented among Alabama, Atsugewi, Chippewa.

Rubus idaeus

A traditional pregnancy and women's health tonic, rich in minerals and used to tone uterine muscles.

Rubus idaeus (tea)

The classic pregnancy tea (2nd-3rd trimester) — tones the uterus. Also used for menstrual support and as a mineral-rich daily tonic. Pleasant, mild taste.

Amaranthus retroflexus

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine, dermatological aid, gynecological aid, witchcraft medicine, gastrointestinal aid, throat aid. Documented among Cherokee, Iroquois, Keres, Western.

Eriogonum racemosum

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, orthopedic aid, blood medicine. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta, Navajo, Ramah.

Pterocarpus santalinus

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(head), ache(stomach), antidote, arrhythmia, astringent, bilious, cosmetic, depurative, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Adenostoma sparsifolium

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), cold remedy, emetic, gastrointestinal aid, laxative, pulmonary aid. Documented among Cahuilla, Coahuilla, Diegueno.

Ceanothus sanguineus

Native American medicinal plant used as burn dressing, dermatological aid. Documented among Okanagan-Colville, Sanpoil.

Monascus purpureus (on rice)

Rice fermented with Monascus yeast — naturally contains monacolin K (identical to lovastatin). Effective for cholesterol but regulated in some countries.

Rehmannia glutinosa

A foundational TCM blood tonic. Raw form clears heat; prepared (cooked) form nourishes blood and yin. Used in many classic TCM formulas.

Ganoderma lucidum (500mg)

Standard Reishi capsule — 500mg dual-extracted fruiting body. 1-3g daily. The "mushroom of immortality" in convenient format. Takes weeks-months for full immune modulation.

Ganoderma lucidum (extract)

Dual-extracted Reishi — hot water for polysaccharides, alcohol for triterpenes. The most comprehensive extraction for immune modulation and longevity.

Ganoderma lucidum (tea)

Sliced Reishi simmered 2+ hours — the traditional TCM preparation. Bitter taste. Captures water-soluble polysaccharides. Often blended with honey or other herbs.

Various (5 Bach flowers)

The 5 Bach Flower Essences: Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose, Impatiens, Cherry Plum, Clematis. Used for emotional crisis, shock, and stress. Extremely dilute.

Vitis vinifera (extract)

A polyphenol from grapes, Japanese Knotweed, and berries. Studied for cardiovascular health, longevity, and anti-aging through sirtuin activation.

Polygonum cuspidatum (extract)

Standardized trans-resveratrol from Japanese Knotweed root — the most common commercial source. 150-500mg daily. Studied for cardiovascular and anti-aging effects.

Retama raetam

North African and Middle Eastern desert broom used in Jordanian, Tunisian, and Libyan folk medicine for diabetes, hypertension, and skin conditions. Contains cytisine-related quinolizidine alkaloids. Biblical 'broom tree' under which Elijah rested.

Hedeoma reverchonii

A medicinal plant (Hedeoma reverchonii) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Rhamnus prinoides

Ethiopian tree whose leaves and bark are essential ingredients in traditional Ethiopian honey wine (tej) and beer (tella). Medicinally for malaria, stomach complaints, and as tonic. Contains emodin anthraquinones and flavonoids. Culturally indispensable in Ethiopia.