Materia Medica

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...
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...
Ocimum basilicum (Sweet Basil), realistic botanical photo
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) — Sweet Basil, Common Basil
Sweet Basil Ocimum basilicum Materia Medica: botanical identification and tulsi distinctions, six precise culinary/herbal recipes, tincture extraction method, constituent chemotypes and estragole context, cultivation, harvest and detailed Greek, Italian and... Read more...
Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) — original labeled botanical image of a living full potted bay tree
Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) — Bay Leaf, Sweet Bay, True Laurel
Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) Materia Medica: true culinary bay identification and toxic laurel look-alikes, six household recipes, tincture method, aromatic constituents, research, protected cold-climate cultivation, harvesting, Apollo and Daphne, wreath... Read more...
Tanacetum balsamita costmary with gray-green crenate leaves and yellow button flower heads
Alecost / Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita) — Bible Leaf / Sweet Mary
Alecost / Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita) materia medica covering botanical identity, Bible Leaf and culinary history, traditional digestive use, polyphenols, variable carvone/camphor/thujone essential-oil chemotypes, research limits, pregnancy and essential-oil safety, cultivation... Read more...
Smyrnium olusatrum Alexanders with glossy divided leaves and yellow-green compound umbels
Alexanders / Alisander (Smyrnium olusatrum) — Black Lovage / Wild Celery
Alexanders / Alisander (Smyrnium olusatrum) materia medica covering its historic vegetable use, botanical identity, Apiaceae foraging safety, roots/leaves/shoots/fruits, isofuranodiene-rich furanosesquiterpenes, heat conversion to curzerene, modern research limits, cultivation and food... Read more...
Pimenta dioica allspice branch with glossy leaves, white flowers and green unripe fruits
Allspice (Pimenta dioica) — Pimento, Jamaica Pepper
Allspice / Pimento (Pimenta dioica) materia medica covering botanical identity, dried berry and leaf use, Caribbean culinary traditions, eugenol-rich chemistry, essential-oil safety, modern research limits, cultivation, harvesting and folklore. Read more...
Pimpinella anisum Anise plant with flowers and seeds
Anise (Pimpinella anisum) — Aniseed, Sweet Cumin
A whole-plant guide to true anise (Pimpinella anisum), including identification, leaves, flowers, fruits/aniseed, culinary and traditional uses, modern research, safety, growing, folklore, magical correspondences, zodiac and tarot associations. Read more...
Agastache foeniculum anise hyssop with upright lavender flower spikes and opposite toothed leaves
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) — Blue Giant Hyssop, Fragrant Giant Hyssop
Anise Hyssop / Blue Giant Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) materia medica covering botanical identity, North American traditional use, culinary tea use, estragole-rich chemotypes, modern research limits, essential-oil safety, cultivation, pollinator value,... Read more...
Capsicum annuum (Cayenne), realistic botanical photo
Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) — Chili Pepper, Red Pepper
A whole-plant guide to Cayenne-type Capsicum annuum peppers, including culinary use, capsaicin and TRPV1 research, topical pain products, irritation safety, cultivation and fiery folklore. Read more...
Coriandrum sativum (Coriander), realistic botanical photo
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) — Cilantro, Chinese Parsley
Explore coriander as a whole plant: cilantro leaf, coriander seed, culinary history, traditional digestive use, research limits, allergy cautions and folklore. Read more...
Dill (Anethum graveolens) — Dill Weed, Dill Seed
A whole-plant guide to dill, including dill leaf and seed, culinary history, traditional digestive use, research limits, Apiaceae allergy cautions and folklore. Read more...