Herbs & Botanicals

Tonka Bean (Dipteryx odorata): Coumarin, Fragrance, U.S. Food Law, Traditional Use & Safety
Tonka bean is the intensely fragrant seed of the South American tree Dipteryx odorata and one of the original natural sources of coumarin. This guide reviews its botany, fragrance and traditional uses, explains human coumarin hepatotoxicity, and states the U.S. food restriction accurately: foods containing added coumarin from tonka beans or tonka extract are deemed adulterated. Read more...
Senna (Senna alexandrina): Constipation Evidence, Sennosides, Safety & Proper Use
Senna is a well-established stimulant laxative herb, not a detox or weight-loss remedy. This guide explains modern taxonomy, leaf versus pod preparations, how sennosides work, what regulators recognize, short-term use, interactions, melanosis coli, and the risks of chronic or excessive use. Read more...
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): Whole-Plant Guide, Food, Traditional Uses, Research & Safety
A whole-plant guide to fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), including the living plant, leaves, sprouts and seeds, cut-and-sifted and powdered forms, food use, traditional herbal use, current research and safety. Read more...