Herb Library

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).

Lycium chinense (bark)

The root bark of the wolfberry plant — used differently from the berry. Clears deficiency heat, cools blood, and reduces steaming bone syndrome.

Theobroma speciosum

A medicinal plant (Theobroma speciosum) from the Sterculiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Lepidium meyenii (raw powder)

Raw maca root powder — the traditional Peruvian form. 1-3 tsp daily in smoothies. Malty butterscotch flavor. May cause GI upset in some (gelatinized form is gentler).

Lepidium meyenii (blended)

Maca powder blended into smoothies — the most common way to consume maca. Malty/butterscotch flavor blends well with cacao, banana, and nut butters.

Verbena macdougalii

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine, febrifuge. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Cicuta virosa

Native American medicinal plant used as poison. Documented among Alaska Native, Eskimo, Inupiat, Eskimo, Kuskokwagmiut.

Macropiper excelsum

New Zealand pepper tree closely related to kawakawa. Maori rongoā for stomach complaints, bladder issues, and as topical pain reliever. Leaves often characteristically riddled with insect holes. Contains myristicin and elemicin. Important cultural plant.

Micromeria varia subsp. thymoides

A medicinal plant (Micromeria varia) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Euphorbia helioscopia

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, pediatric aid. Documented among Iroquois.

Maerua crassifolia

Sahelian tree used in Sudanese, Nigerien, and Malian traditional medicine for stomachache, wounds, and fever. Leaves eaten as famine food. Bark decoction for malaria. Important in Tuareg and Hausa folk medicine systems.

Magnesium L-threonate (Magtein)

The ONLY form of magnesium shown to cross the blood-brain barrier. Studied for cognitive function, memory, and sleep. Patented as Magtein. 1-2g daily.

Magnesium oxide

The most common but LEAST bioavailable magnesium form (4% absorption). Best used as a laxative/stool softener rather than for magnesium repletion. Very inexpensive.

Magnolia officinalis

A TCM herb for digestive stagnation and phlegm, now studied for its compounds honokiol and magnolol which support relaxation and sleep.

Schisandra chinensis

The "five flavor berry" of TCM — sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent. An adaptogenic liver protector used for stress, mental clarity, and endurance.

Afzelia africana

West African anti-inflammatory bark decoction for edema, hernia, and body pain; leaf poultice for wounds.

Asplenium trichomanes

Native American medicinal plant used as abortifacient, breast treatment, cough medicine, liver aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Ophiopogon japonicus

TCM yin-nourishing herb for Lung and Stomach — for dry cough, thirst, constipation from dryness, and palpitations. Moistening and cooling. Key herb in Mai Men Dong Tang (for dry cough) and Sheng Mai San (for qi/yin deficiency). Common ornamental plant.

Peucedanum sandwicense

Native American medicinal plant used as laxative, pediatric aid, reproductive aid. Documented among Hawaiian.

Malva sylvestris

A mucilaginous herb related to marshmallow, used for soothing respiratory, digestive, and urinary tract tissues.

Physocarpus malvaceus

Native American medicinal plant used as hunting medicine. Documented among Okanagan-Colville.

Erythroxylum mamacoca

A medicinal plant (Erythroxylum mamacoca) from the Erythroxylaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Brunfelsia uniflora

Brazilian traditional remedy for arthritis, rheumatism, and syphilis. Root contains brunfelsamidine and scopoletin. Used by Amazonian tribes as ritual purgative. CAUTION: All parts contain toxic brunfelsamidine — narrow therapeutic window.

Aquilegia micrantha

Native American medicinal plant used as gynecological aid, hemostat. Documented among Navajo, Kayenta.

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.

Ipomoea pandurata

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), cough medicine, diuretic, expectorant, kidney aid, laxative. Documented among Cherokee, Creek, Iroquois.

Mansoa hirsuta

Brazilian caatinga vine with garlic-like odor used in northeastern Brazilian folk medicine for respiratory infections, flu, and inflammation. Contains alliin-like sulfur compounds despite being unrelated to garlic. For colds and infections.

Leptospermum scoparium

Honey from New Zealand Manuka tree flowers — contains methylglyoxal (MGO) with proven antimicrobial properties. Used for wound healing and digestive health.

Leptospermum scoparium (UMF 15+)

UMF 15+ (or MGO 514+) medical-grade Manuka honey. Proven wound-healing properties. FDA-cleared Medihoney used in hospitals. The gold standard of medicinal honeys.

Leptospermum scoparium (lozenge)

Lozenges made with genuine Manuka honey — provides direct MGO antimicrobial action to the throat. Check for UMF/MGO rating on product. Delicious and effective.

Ipomopsis multiflora

Native American medicinal plant used as ceremonial medicine, analgesic, dermatological aid, pulmonary aid. Documented among Navajo, Ramah, Zuni.

Lithospermum multiflorum

Native American medicinal plant used as panacea. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Mentzelia multiflora

Native American medicinal plant used as diuretic, psychological aid, tuberculosis remedy, emetic. Documented among Keres, Western, Navajo.

Schkuhria multiflora

Native American medicinal plant used as oral aid. Documented among Navajo, Ramah.

Hydrocotyle umbellata

Native American medicinal plant used as cough medicine, respiratory aid, sedative. Documented among Seminole.

Hackelia floribunda

Native American medicinal plant used as poison, orthopedic aid. Documented among Isleta, Navajo, Ramah.

Rhaponticum carthamoides

A Siberian adaptogen used by Russian athletes for physical performance. Contains ecdysteroids (20-hydroxyecdysone) studied for muscle and endurance support.

Pilocarpus microphyllus

Traditional medicinal plant used for asthma, bright's disease, cardiosedative, diabetes, diaphoretic, dropsy, epilepsy, expectorant, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Margaritaria discoidea

West African tree used in Ghanaian and Nigerian traditional medicine for malaria, pain, and as purgative. Bark decoction for fever. Contains securinine alkaloids with CNS stimulant properties. Used in traditional veterinary medicine.

Dryopteris marginalis

Traditional medicinal plant used for poison, vermifuge.

Calendula officinalis

Premier wound-healing herb — for cuts, burns, diaper rash, and radiation dermatitis. Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and lymphatic. Calendula cream/salve is a medicine cabinet essential. Internal use for GI inflammation and menstrual cramps.

Tithonia diversifolia

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

Origanum majorana

Mediterranean herb — milder cousin of oregano. Traditional remedy for digestive complaints, headaches, and insomnia. May help regulate menstrual cycles and lower androgen levels in PCOS. Calming nervine.

Markhamia tomentosa

West African tree used in Yoruba and Igbo traditional medicine for rheumatism, cough, and wound healing. Bark decoction for pain. Leaf preparations for skin conditions. Contains lapachol-type naphthoquinones with antimicrobial properties.

Campanula aparinoides

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

Viola cucullata

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antidiarrheal, blood medicine, cold remedy, cough medicine, dermatological aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Equisetum palustre

Native American medicinal plant used as gastrointestinal aid, laxative. Documented among Ojibwa.