Herb Library

MSM (organic sulfur)

An organic sulfur compound found in plants. Used for joint comfort, hair/skin/nail health, and exercise recovery. One of the most popular joint supplements.

Purshia mexicana

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, laxative, antirheumatic (internal), dermatological aid, cathartic, venereal aid. Documented among Havasupai, Hualapai, Paiute.

Conopholis alpina

Native American medicinal plant used as tuberculosis remedy. Documented among Keres, Western.

Artemisia ludoviciana

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, herbal steam, throat aid. Documented among Kiowa.

Diplazium meyenianum

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

Phacelia purshii

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external). Documented among Cherokee.

Microcos paniculata

Southeast Asian tree used in Vietnamese, Bangladeshi, and Thai traditional medicine for diarrhea, dysentery, and fever. Contains microcosin flavanones. Bark decoction for stomach complaints. Young leaves eaten as vegetable.

Silybum marianum

The most well-studied liver support herb. Silymarin, its active complex, has demonstrated hepatoprotective properties in numerous studies.

Silybum marianum (175mg capsule)

Standard milk thistle capsule — 175mg extract (140mg silymarin at 80% standardization). Take 3x daily with meals for liver support. The most common supplement format.

Silybum marianum (80% extract)

The gold standard liver herb — 80% silymarin standardization. Used in European hospitals for mushroom poisoning. 140mg 3x daily is the clinical dose.

Silybum marianum (oil)

Cold-pressed oil from milk thistle seeds — provides silymarin in a lipid-soluble form. Used for liver support, skin health, and antioxidant protection.

Silybum marianum (tea)

Crushed milk thistle seeds steeped as tea — milder than extract but still liver-supportive. Silymarin is poorly water-soluble so tea is less potent than capsules.

Silybum marianum (tincture)

Alcohol-extracted milk thistle — silymarin is partially alcohol-soluble. 30-60 drops 3x daily. Ironic that the liver herb is in alcohol, but the dose of alcohol is tiny.

Millettia brandisiana

Thai traditional medicine root used for vitality, muscle building, and male sexual health. Distinguished from Pueraria mirifica (female tonic). Contains pterocarpans and isoflavonoids. Used as rejuvenating tonic in northern Thai traditional medicine.

Albizia julibrissin

TCM "Collective Happiness Bark" — for grief, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Bark calms the spirit (Shen). Flowers (He Huan Hua) are used for similar purposes. Beautiful ornamental tree. Gentle mood support.

Claytonia perfoliata

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antirheumatic (external), eye medicine. Documented among Shoshoni, Thompson.

Mirabilis jalapa (root)

Pan-tropical ornamental plant ROOT used in Central American, Indian, and Pacific Island folk medicine for diarrhea, inflammation, and wound healing. Root contains mirabilis antiviral protein (MAP) and trigonelline. Aztec purgative medicine.

Glycine max (fermented paste)

Japanese fermented soybean paste — rich in probiotics, B vitamins, and isoflavones. Used for gut health, immune support, and as a mineral-rich broth base.

Vernonia missurica

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

Phoradendron sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as disinfectant, eye medicine, analgesic, gastrointestinal aid, gynecological aid. Documented among Cahuilla, Papago.

Mitragyna stipulosa

West and Central African tree related to kratom (M. speciosa) but with distinct alkaloid profile. Used in Ghanaian and Nigerian traditional medicine for malaria, pain, and hypertension. Contains rhynchophylline and mitraphylline rather than mitragynine.

Arenaria macradenia

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, antirheumatic (external), dermatological aid, respiratory aid. Documented among Kawaiisu.

Suaeda moquinii

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, ceremonial medicine, gastrointestinal aid, dermatological aid, kidney aid, misc. disease remedy. Documented among Hopi, Navajo, Kayenta, Paiute.

Euphorbia incisa

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

Aconitum sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as poison, febrifuge, respiratory aid, throat aid. Documented among Aleut, Blackfoot.

Cupressus macrocarpa

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

Menispermum dauricum

Has antiarrhythmic and analgesic effects. Used in TCM to relieve headache and insomnia. Also used against esophageal cancer.

Viburnum edule

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, pulmonary aid, cough medicine, antidiarrheal, cathartic, dermatological aid. Documented among Bella Coola, Carrier, Carrier, Northern.

Licania tomentosa

Brazilian urban tree commonly planted as shade tree. Leaf preparations used in folk medicine for diabetes, diarrhea, and inflammation. Contains quercetin and myricetin glycosides. Research on anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties ongoing.

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.

Moringa stenopetala

Ethiopian and Kenyan moringa species distinct from the common M. oleifera. Leaves are staple food in Konso and Gamo cultures of southern Ethiopia. Used for hypertension, diabetes, and water purification. Contains glucosinolates and flavonoids.

Thymus saturejoides

A medicinal plant (Thymus saturejoides) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Morus alba

Mulberry leaf — studied for blood sugar support (DNJ compound). The fruit (Sang Shen) nourishes blood and yin in TCM. Leaf and berry have different uses.

Dodecatheon hendersonii

Native American medicinal plant used as sedative. Documented among Pomo, Kashaya.

Barbula unguiculata

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), febrifuge. Documented among Seminole.

Silene acaulis

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

Phlox subulata

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

Atriplex obovata

Native American medicinal plant used as anticonvulsive. Documented among Hopi.

Mertensia ciliata

Native American medicinal plant used as breast treatment, dermatological aid, gynecological aid, misc. disease remedy. Documented among Cheyenne.

Sisyrinchium montanum

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, misc. disease remedy, poison. Documented among Iroquois.

Penstemon laetus

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

Zigadenus elegans

Native American medicinal plant used as poison, antirheumatic (external), diaphoretic, strengthener, dermatological aid, analgesic. Documented among Alaska Native, Eskimo, Inupiat, Keres, Western.

Castilleja parviflora

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

Cypripedium montanum

Native American medicinal plant used as reproductive aid. Documented among Okanagan-Colville.

Artemisia ludoviciana

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, dermatological aid, orthopedic aid. Documented among Carrier, Northern, Carrier, Southern.

Spiraea splendens

Native American medicinal plant used as laxative, venereal aid. Documented among Blackfoot.

Clethra acuminata

Native American medicinal plant used as antiemetic, emetic, febrifuge, gastrointestinal aid, liver aid. Documented among Cherokee.

Descurainia incana

Native American medicinal plant used as dermatological aid, throat aid. Documented among Gitksan, Navajo, Kayenta.