Herb Library

Liparis loeselii

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

Forsythia viridissima

Korean species of forsythia used for respiratory infections, fever, and skin eruptions. Similar uses to F. suspensa but locally preferred in Korean traditional medicine.

Clinopodium douglasii

Native American medicinal plant used as cold remedy, febrifuge, anthelmintic, toothache remedy, kidney aid, love medicine. Documented among Cahuilla, Costanoan, Karok.

Anemopsis californica

Traditional Hispanic Southwest remedy — "herb of the taming." For infections of mucous membranes: sinusitis, sore throats, gum disease, and yeast infections. Also anti-inflammatory for joints. Important curanderismo (folk healing) herb.

Baccharis pteronioides

Native American medicinal plant used as antirheumatic (external), venereal aid. Documented among Yavapai.

Sauvagesia erecta

Traditional medicinal plant used for tumor.

Anemopsis californica

A Southwestern herb used by many Native American tribes for mucous membrane support, sore throat, urinary infections, and skin conditions.

Ilex paraguariensis

A South American caffeinated herb traditionally consumed as a social tea, providing energy support and antioxidants.

Eriodictyon californicum

A California/Southwest herb used by indigenous peoples for respiratory support, asthma, and as a pleasant-tasting carrier for bitter medicines.

Cimicifuga simplex

Traditional medicinal plant used for anodyne, bronchitis, febrifuge, rheumatism, sedative, throat, uteritis.

Taxus cuspidata

Traditional medicinal plant used for cyanogenetic, diuretic, emmenagogue, poison.

Cananga odorata

A tropical flower oil used in aromatherapy for anxiety, blood pressure support, and as an aphrodisiac. One of the main ingredients in Chanel No. 5.

Lactobacillus bulgaricus + Streptococcus thermophilus

Traditional fermented milk — the original probiotic food. Contains L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus. Some brands add additional strains. Look for "live active cultures."

Pausinystalia yohimbe

African aphrodisiac — yohimbine is an alpha-2 antagonist (increases norepinephrine). Prescription drug for erectile dysfunction. OTC supplements have inconsistent yohimbine content. DANGEROUS side effects possible. Not for casual use.

Paullinia yoko

A medicinal plant (Paullinia yoko) from the Sapindaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Tolmiea menziesii

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

Daphne genkwa

Traditional medicinal plant used for anthelminthic, antidote(mushroom), antiphlogistic, antitussive, ascites, bruise, bubo, cancer, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Yucca schidigera

Desert anti-inflammatory — Native American remedy for arthritis and joint pain. Contains steroidal saponins (anti-inflammatory). Also used as natural foaming agent in beverages and pet food (reduces fecal odor). Root bark makes natural soap.

Satureja subspicata subsp. liburnica

A medicinal plant (Satureja subspicata) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Taxus yunnanensis

A medicinal plant (Taxus yunnanensis) from the Taxaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Origanum syriacum

A medicinal plant (Origanum syriacum) from the Lamiaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Zaleya pentandra

Sahelian herb used in Hausa (Nigerian) and Sudanese traditional medicine for intestinal worms, cough, and wound healing. Whole plant decoction for stomach pain. Contains triterpenoid saponins. Used in ethnoveterinary medicine for livestock.

Anisodus tanguticus

A medicinal plant (Anisodus tanguticus) from the Solanaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Zanha golungensis

East African tree from the soapberry family used in Mozambican and Tanzanian traditional medicine for malaria, stomachache, and wound treatment. Roots prepared as decoction for fever.

Zanthoxylum chalybeum

East African tree used by Maasai and other pastoralist communities for malaria, cough, and toothache. Bark chewed for dental pain (numbing effect from alkylamides). Contains pellitorine and chelerythrine. Important Maasai traditional medicine.

Berberis integerrima

Central Asian barberry used in Unani medicine for liver disorders, jaundice, and fever. The sour berries are also used culinarily and the root bark contains berberine.

Desmodium incanum

Native American medicinal plant used as analgesic, febrifuge, gastrointestinal aid. Documented among Seminole.

Curcuma zedoaria

TCM blood-mover — E Zhu breaks blood stasis and dissolves masses. For uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and abdominal pain from stagnation. Related to turmeric but different actions. Contains curcumenol and curdione (anti-tumor research).

Clinoptilolite (mineral)

Volcanic mineral with cage-like structure that traps heavy metals and toxins. For heavy metal detox, gut health, and alkalizing. Microporous structure acts like a molecular sieve. Quality varies enormously — only use purified clinoptilolite.

Zephyranthes sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as toothache remedy. Documented among Seminole.

Anemarrhena asphodeloides

TCM heat-clearing and yin-nourishing herb — for high fever, night sweats, diabetes, and dry cough. Contains mangiferin (anti-diabetic) and timosaponins (anti-inflammatory). Often paired with Huang Bai (Phellodendron) in Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan.

Polyporus umbellatus

TCM diuretic mushroom — promotes urination without depleting potassium. For edema, UTIs, and as cancer adjuvant (clinical use in China). Part of Zhu Ling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) for UTI with blood in urine. Immune-modulating polysaccharides.

Solidago flexicaulis

Native American medicinal plant used as throat aid, gastrointestinal aid, analgesic, hemostat, febrifuge. Documented among Chippewa, Iroquois, Menominee.

Zinc L-carnosine complex

A chelated zinc-carnosine complex — studied for gastric mucosal protection, H. pylori, and gut barrier integrity. Not an herb but commonly used with herbs.

Zinc acetate/gluconate (lozenge)

Zinc lozenges for cold — dissolve in mouth every 2-3 hours. Studies show 33% reduction in cold duration. Zinc acetate form is most studied. Start within 24 hours.

Zinc picolinate

One of the most bioavailable forms of zinc. Essential for immune function, wound healing, taste/smell, testosterone, and skin health. Often deficient.

Ziziphora clinopodioides

Iranian and Central Asian highland herb used in traditional Persian medicine for digestive spasms, diarrhea, fever, and as carminative. Rich in pulegone and menthone. Important in Kurdish and Afghan folk medicine. Often used as wild thyme substitute.

Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa

The seed of the sour jujube, one of TCM's most important herbs for insomnia, anxiety, and heart-blood deficiency. Calms the spirit.

Ziziphus mauritiana

Pan-tropical jujube relative used in Ayurveda, Unani, and African medicine. Bark decoction for diarrhea and wounds. Leaf paste for boils and abscesses. Root for fever. Different species from Chinese jujube (Z. jujuba). Fruit is popular snack across tropics.

Zornia latifolia

Brazilian herb called 'maconha brava' (wild marijuana) though unrelated to cannabis. Used in Brazilian folk medicine for urinary infections, kidney stones, and bronchitis. Contains zornoside flavonoids. Mild sedative properties reported.