Herb Library

Piper methysticum (traditional prep)

Traditional Pacific Island preparation — root pounded and soaked in water (NOT alcohol extract). The traditional water preparation has 3000+ years of safe use in Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Samoa. Noble cultivars only. Hepatotoxicity linked to non-noble/non-root parts.

Micromeria congesta

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

Sideritis athoa

A medicinal plant (Sideritis athoa) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Kefir grains (fermented milk)

Fermented milk drink with 30-50 strains of bacteria and yeasts. More diverse probiotics than yogurt. Used for gut health, immune support, and bone health.

Lupinus caudatus

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

Gymnocladus dioicus

Native American medicinal plant used as laxative, stimulant, psychological aid, dietary aid, gynecological aid, hemostat. Documented among Dakota, Meskwaki, Omaha.

Ocimum suave

A medicinal plant (Ocimum suave) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Khaya senegalensis

West African mahogany tree whose bitter bark is widely used in Sahelian traditional medicine for malaria, fever, jaundice, and intestinal worms. Contains limonoids with antimalarial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Silphium compositum

Native American medicinal plant used as gynecological aid, stimulant. Documented among Cherokee.

Lomatium graveolens

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, gastrointestinal aid, throat aid. Documented among Gosiute.

Pleurotus eryngii

A culinary mushroom studied for cholesterol support, antioxidant activity, and immune modulation. Contains ergothioneine — a unique antioxidant.

Knema globularia

Thai and Malay Peninsula tree in the nutmeg family used in traditional Thai medicine for wound healing, skin infections, and diarrhea. Red sap from bark applied to cuts. Contains lignans and neolignans distinct from true nutmeg.

Strophanthus kombe

Traditional medicinal plant used for cardiotonic, diuretic, heart, poison, poison(arrow), stimulant.

SCOBY fermented tea (commercial)

Commercially brewed kombucha — safer than home-brew due to quality control. Contains probiotics, organic acids, B vitamins, and trace alcohol (<0.5% typically).

Veronica salicifolia

Key Maori rongoā plant for diarrhea, dysentery, and ulcers. Captain Cook noted its use by Maori for scurvy. Leaf tea for kidney and bladder complaints. One of the most frequently cited plants in Maori traditional medicine literature.

Vitis vinifera

Unani sour condiment medicine from unripe grapes for hot temperament conditions, nausea, and liver inflammation; also used as a gargle.

Mitragyna speciosa

A Southeast Asian tree with dose-dependent stimulant/sedative effects. HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL — regulatory status varies. Significant safety concerns.

Mitragyna speciosa

Traditional medicinal plant used for delirium, fever, fumitory, masticatory, narcotic, sedative, splenomegaly, vermifuge, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Euphausia superba

Omega-3s bound to phospholipids for better absorption than fish oil. Also contains astaxanthin. Used for cardiovascular, joint, and brain health.

Aloe barbadensis

Ayurvedic cooling herb used for skin burns, constipation (latex), liver support, and menstrual regulation. Gel and latex have very different therapeutic profiles.

Thelypteris kunthii

Native American medicinal plant used as orthopedic aid, psychological aid. Documented among Seminole.

Elaeocarpus bancroftii

Aboriginal rainforest food-medicine from North Queensland. The blue fruit is edible and the kernels roasted for food. Traditionally used for general wellness.

Strobilanthes kunthiana

Tamil sacred flower that blooms once every 12 years; leaf decoction used in Siddha for fever, inflammation, and menstrual disorders.

Brachychiton populneus

Aboriginal food-medicine tree with the root used for diarrhea and stomach ailments. Seeds roasted as a coffee substitute and bark fibre used for string.

Terminalia chebula var. citrina

Third myrobalan in Tibetan medicine, smaller yellow-colored variety specifically used for bile-humor disorders, eye conditions, and fever with bile involvement.

Rhododendron groenlandicum

Subarctic survival tea — used by First Nations, Inuit, and fur traders across northern Canada. For colds, coughs, and sore throats. Contains ledol (toxic in large amounts). Brew lightly — NEVER boil (concentrates toxins).

Heracleum laciniatum

A medicinal plant (Heracleum laciniatum) from the Apiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Asplenium horridum

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, oral aid, stimulant. Documented among Hawaiian.

Machaeranthera pinnatifida

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

Galium verum

Celtic and Scandinavian folk remedy for urinary complaints, epilepsy, and as a styptic wound herb; also used as a gentle sedative.

Cypripedium pubescens

Lady's slipper provides pain relief and support for women's reproductive health. It is a wonderful relaxant to the nervous system and possesses natural pain-relieving properties.

Oxytropis lambertii

Native American medicinal plant used as poison, laxative. Documented among Hopi, Lakota, Navajo, Kayenta.

Chenopodium album

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, dietary aid, antirheumatic (external), antirheumatic (internal), carminative, antidiarrheal. Documented among Carrier, Cherokee, Cree, Woodlands.

Scrophularia lanceolata

Native American medicinal plant used as antihemorrhagic, blood medicine, cold remedy, dermatological aid, gynecological aid, kidney aid. Documented among Iroquois.

Phyla lanceolata

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (internal). Documented among Mahuna.

Physalis lanceolata

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Omaha, Ponca, Winnebago.

Catharanthus lanceus

A medicinal plant (Catharanthus lanceus) from the Apocynaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Lannea microcarpa

West African savanna tree used in Burkina Faso and Malian traditional medicine for wound healing, diarrhea, and hypertension. Bark rich in tannins and flavonoids. Fruit eaten fresh. Important shade tree in Sahelian agroforestry.

Ranunculus lapponicus

Native American medicinal plant used as dietary aid. Documented among Eskimo, Kuskokwagmiut.

Larix occidentalis

The bark of larch produces prebiotics (arabinogalactans) that strengthen the immune system, improve digestion, help reduce tumor cells, and treat middle ear infections in children.

Larix occidentalis

A prebiotic fiber from larch tree bark. Supports immune function and gut microbiome. Well-tolerated source of soluble fiber. Also used in children.

Penstemon grandiflorus

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, gastrointestinal aid, febrifuge. Documented among Dakota, Kiowa, Pawnee.

Plantago aristata

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antidiarrheal, antidote, burn dressing, dermatological aid, eye medicine. Documented among Cherokee.

Uvularia grandiflora

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, analgesic, gastrointestinal aid, pulmonary aid, orthopedic aid. Documented among Menominee, Ojibwa, Potawatomi.

Prosartes smithii

Native American medicinal plant used as love medicine. Documented among Makah.

Erigeron grandiflorus

Native American medicinal plant used as poison. Documented among Gosiute.

Castilleja minor

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid. Documented among Kawaiisu.

Collomia grandiflora

Native American medicinal plant used as febrifuge, laxative. Documented among Okanagan-Colville.