Materia Medica

Echinacea purpurea fibrous root crown, leaves, and flower — original Roosters Peacock botanical visualization
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) — Purple Coneflower, Black Sampson
A complete species-specific whole-plant guide to Echinacea purpurea (eastern purple coneflower), featuring identification, aerial herb and root preparations with four home recipes, traditional history and folklore, constituents, modern evidence, harvesting,... Read more...
Original Roosters Peacock botanical visualization of the European elderberry Sambucus nigra mature fruiting shrub and pinnate serrated leaves
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) — European Elder, Black Elder
A comprehensive European elderberry (Sambucus nigra) materia medica: botanical identification and look-alikes, cooked berry syrup, old-fashioned elder rob, compote, drinks, natural dye, ingredients, modern research, cultivation, gathering and storage, cyanogenic-glycoside... Read more...
Elderflower (Sambucus nigra) — Elder Blossom, Elder Flower
A detailed Sambucus nigra elderflower Materia Medica with botanical identification, European traditional-use monograph amounts, five household recipes, cultivation, harvesting and drying, modern phytochemical research, safety, and Hyldemor, midsummer and household folklore. Read more...
Elecampane (Inula helenium) — Horseheal, Elf Dock, Scabwort
A guide to Inula helenium covering elecampane root identification, traditional respiratory and digestive use, preparation, research limits, allergy and safety. Read more...
Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.) — Euphrasy, Casse-Lunette
A careful guide to Euphrasia spp. covering eyebright identification, traditional use, limited evidence, taxonomy uncertainty and a strong warning against homemade eye drops. Read more...
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) — Siberian Ginseng, Ci Wu Jia
A researched guide to eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also called Siberian ginseng, covering its distinction from Panax ginseng, traditional adaptogen use, EMA status for fatigue and weakness, mixed clinical evidence, quality markers, adverse effects, pregnancy cautions, and digoxin-assay concerns. Read more...
Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) — Ma Huang, Mormon Tea
A safety-first guide to Ephedra sinica (ma huang) covering stimulant alkaloids, traditional context, modern evidence, exact U.S. dietary-supplement restrictions, cardiovascular and neurologic risks, pregnancy/child cautions, and botanical identification. Read more...
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) — Blue Gum, Fever Tree
A whole-plant guide to Tasmanian blue gum covering leaf traditions, aromatic chemistry, respiratory-use history, modern research, essential-oil toxicity, growing context, and safety. Read more...
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) — Night Willow-Herb, King's Cure-All
A whole-plant guide to evening primrose covering identification, traditional uses, edible history, seed oil and GLA, modern evidence, pregnancy questions, interactions, and safety. Read more...