Materia Medica

Daisy (Bellis perennis) — Common Daisy, English Daisy, Bruisewort
Daisy (Bellis perennis) — Common Daisy, English Daisy, BruisewortMateria MedicaDaisy is a low perennial of the Asteraceae family native to Europe and naturalized widely in temperate regions. The flowering plant has a long folk tradition in European herbalism as a vulnerary for bruises, swellings, and minor wounds. Historical sources including Gerard, Culpeper, and Parkinson describe its use for trauma, pain, and as a gentle tonic. Modern research remains limited to preclinical studies of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing activity; clinical evidence is sparse.Actions & EnergeticsCooling and mildly astringent. Traditional actions include... Read more...
Original botanical image of resinous balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) buds and emerging spring leaves
Balm of Gilead (Populus balsamifera) — Balsam Poplar, Tacamahac
Balm of Gilead (Populus balsamifera) complete materia medica: balsam-poplar identification, fragrant resinous buds, traditional oil and salve recipes, tincture ratios, constituents, research, sensitivity cautions, and Midwest cultivation. Read more...
Bacopa / Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) growing in a wetland setting
Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) — Brahmi, Water Hyssop
Bacopa / Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) covering botanical identity, Ayurvedic actions and energetics, practical powder, fresh-juice, tincture, liquid-extract, decoction and tea preparation methods, the official Brahmi Ghrita formula, adult and clearly... Read more...
Abies balsamea (Balsam Fir) trees, realistic botanical photo
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) — Canada Balsam, Balm of Gilead Fir
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) Materia Medica: species-specific conifer identification, traditional Canada balsam resin history, five measured household preparations, compounds, research limits, safety, cultivation, propagation, winter harvest and folklore. Read more...
Barberry — Berberis vulgaris; original Roosters Peacock visual of full thorny fruiting shrub with red berries
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) — European Barberry, Common Barberry
European barberry (Berberis vulgaris) Materia Medica covering precise botanical identification, distinctly separate fruit and bark history, preparation ratios and measured recipes, isolated berberine research and interactions, cultivation and wheat-rust restrictions,... Read more...
Morella cerifera (Bayberry / Wax Myrtle), realistic botanical photo
Bayberry (Morella cerifera) — Wax Myrtle, Candleberry
Southern bayberry (Morella cerifera), also wax myrtle and candleberry: precise identification, distinct root bark and wax-bearing berries, historical root bark preparations, four measured household recipes, original candlemaking history, folklore, cultivation,... Read more...
Bee Balm — Monarda didyma; original flowering whole-plant image labeled with common and scientific names
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) — Oswego Tea, Bergamot
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) Materia Medica: accurate scarlet bee balm identification, Oswego tea history, measured infusion, floral vinegar, syrup, tincture and bath recipes, volatile-oil chemotypes, research, safety, USDA Zone 4–9... Read more...
Atropa belladonna (Belladonna / Deadly Nightshade), realistic botanical photo
Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) — Deadly Nightshade, Dwale
Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) Materia Medica: identification, historic pharmacy and folklore, standardized drug history, anticholinergic alkaloid research and poisoning, 4 non-contact botanical documentation activities, cultivation, and clear distinctions from unrelated nightshades. Read more...
Abscess Root / Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium reptans) flowering in a moist woodland
Abscess Root (Polemonium reptans) — Jacob's Ladder, Greek Valerian
Materia medica monograph for Abscess Root (Polemonium reptans), also known as Jacob’s Ladder, Greek Valerian, and Sweatroot, covering historical actions and indications, documented infusion, tincture and decoction doses, constituents, modern... Read more...
Styrax benzoin (Benzoin / Sumatra benzoin resin), realistic photo
Benzoin (Styrax benzoin) — Gum Benzoin, Benjamin
Styrax benzoin Sumatra benzoin Materia Medica: botanical resin identification, differentiation from Siam benzoin, documented historical compound tinctures, five aromatic and craft methods, resin chemistry, clinical evidence limits, cultivation, harvest, global... Read more...
Acacia / Gum Arabic (Senegalia senegal) with bipinnate leaves, cream flower spikes and flat pods in dry savanna
Acacia (Senegalia senegal) — Gum Arabic, Gum Acacia, Senegal Gum
Acacia / Gum Arabic (Senegalia senegal) covering botanical identity, traditional demulcent actions, official historical mucilage and syrup formulas, documented doses, constituents, modern fiber research, adverse effects, cultivation, gum harvesting, food... Read more...
Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry), realistic botanical photo
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) — European Blueberry, Whortleberry
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) Materia Medica with species identification, European dried-fruit decoction and oral-rinse traditional monograph amounts, five measured fruit recipes, anthocyanin research, night-vision legend, acidic woodland growing, safety and regional... Read more...