Herb Library

Kelussia odoratissima

Endemic Iranian mountain herb used as both food and medicine by Bakhtiari nomads. For digestive complaints, bloating, and as sedative. Contains phthalides similar to celery. Endangered due to overharvesting from the Zagros Mountains.

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.

Pinus insularis

A medicinal plant (Pinus insularis) from the Pinaceae family used in traditional medicine.

Catha edulis

Traditional medicinal plant used for anorexia, aphrodisiac, asthma, astringent, cns stimulant, chest, cough, debility, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

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.

Vetiveria zizanioides

Tropical cooling grass — root is used for perfumery, aromatherapy, and traditional cooling drinks. In Ayurveda: for excessive thirst, burning urination, and body heat. Vetiver essential oil calms anxiety and ADHD.

Heteranthera reniformis

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

Silphium compositum

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

Brassica rapa (fermented)

Korean fermented cabbage — rich in Lactobacillus kimchii and other probiotics. Used for gut health, immune support, and metabolic health. A functional food staple.

Lomatium graveolens

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

Thalictrum pubescens

Native American medicinal plant used as hemostat, liver aid. Documented among Iroquois.

Lupinus kingii

Native American medicinal plant used as eye medicine, dermatological aid, panacea. Documented among Hopi, Navajo, Ramah.

Polygonatum biflorum

Native American medicinal plant used as antidiarrheal, breast treatment, dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, gynecological aid, pulmonary aid. Documented among Cherokee, Chippewa, Menominee.

Pleurotus eryngii

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

Combretum micranthum

West African daily health tea consumed across Senegal, Mali, and Guinea. Traditional use for malaria, liver protection, digestive support, and weight management. Contains combretin alkaloids.

Angelica genuflexa

Native American medicinal plant used as cathartic, analgesic, eye medicine. Documented among Bella Coola, Gitksan.

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.

Hyptis capitata

Traditional medicinal plant used for ache(stomach), amenorrhea, carminative, chest, constipation, cyanogenetic, diarrhea, dyspepsia, and other conditions. Known from ethnobotanical records across multiple cultures.

Acacia koa

Native American medicinal plant used as diaphoretic, pediatric aid, strengthener. Documented among Hawaiian.

Ipomoea indica

Hawaiian medicinal vine used in traditional healing for broken bones (poultice), skin infections, and as a laxative. Root decoction for internal complaints. Contains ergine-related compounds. Culturally significant in Polynesian medicine.

Asteracantha longifolia

Ayurvedic herb used for urinary disorders, male reproductive health, anemia, and liver conditions. Seeds are considered aphrodisiac and diuretic.

Hibiscus sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as blood medicine, laxative, pediatric aid, strengthener. Documented among Hawaiian.

Garcinia indica

Traditional medicinal plant used for cardiotonic, demulcent, fissure, vermifuge.

Cola nitida

Original Coca-Cola ingredient — contains caffeine and theobromine. West African stimulant and social bonding ritual. For fatigue, headaches, and depression. Key ingredient in original cola recipes. Sacred in Yoruba and Igbo cultures.

Macrotyloma uniflorum

Siddha lithotriptic pulse for kidney stones, obesity, and menstrual disorders; seed decoction is a traditional stone-dissolving remedy.

Strophanthus kombe

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

SCOBY fermented tea

Fermented sweet tea containing probiotics, organic acids, and B vitamins. Used for gut health, immune support, and energy. Not technically an herb.

Symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast

The living SCOBY culture for making kombucha at home. A symbiotic colony of Acetobacter, Gluconobacter, and yeasts. Home brewing requires careful hygiene.

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).

Bidens sp.

Native American medicinal plant used as dietary aid, gastrointestinal aid, pediatric aid, respiratory aid, strengthener, throat aid. Documented among Hawaiian.

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.

Cordia subcordata

Polynesian medicinal tree used across Pacific Islands for cough, sore throat, and skin conditions. Leaf poultice for wounds. Bark decoction as gargle. Culturally important timber tree in Hawaii. Contains allantoin and pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

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.

Blechnum orientale

Traditional medicinal plant used for anthelminthic, boil, dropsy, urinary.

Pueraria lobata

A TCM herb studied for cardiovascular support and alcohol consumption reduction. Invasive vine in the American South.

Aleurites moluccanus

Hawaiian state tree with extensive Polynesian medicinal use. Roasted nut oil for skin conditions, burns, and constipation. Bark decoction for oral thrush. Raw nuts are purgative and TOXIC. Oil is the primary safe medicinal form.

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.

Sophora flavescens

TCM heat-clearing and damp-drying herb — for itchy skin conditions (eczema, scabies), vaginal infections, and diarrhea from damp-heat. Used topically as wash for genital itching. Contains matrine and oxymatrine (anti-tumor research in China).

Benincasa hispida

Ayurvedic cooling herb used for epilepsy, mental disorders, peptic ulcer, and urinary conditions. The juice is considered a brain tonic and anti-hemorrhagic.

Cypraea moneta

Central Asian Unani calcined shell preparation used for calcium supplementation, acid peptic disease, and bone weakness. Processed through traditional calcination.