Materia Medica

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) — Mexican Holly, Old Woman's Broom
A whole-plant guide to Damiana (Turnera diffusa), including identification, Mexican and Central American traditional use, aphrodisiac claims, limited human research, safety, cultivation and spiritual folklore. Read more...
Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) — Grapple Plant, Wood Spider
A guide to Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), covering Kalahari ecology, secondary-root use, traditional digestive and joint applications, evidence limits, gastrointestinal and medication cautions, and sustainability. Read more...
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) — Chinese Angelica, Female Ginseng
A whole-plant guide to Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis), covering root identity, Chinese herbal context, women's-health claims, research limits, bleeding, pregnancy and hormone-sensitive cautions, and cultural history. Read more...
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) — Featherfew, Bachelor's Buttons
A guide to Tanacetum parthenium covering feverfew's traditional history, migraine-prevention research, preparation differences, allergy and pregnancy cautions. Read more...
Flax (Linum usitatissimum) — Linseed, Common Flax
A whole-plant flax guide covering Linum usitatissimum, flaxseed nutrition, fiber, food use, research, medication timing and safety. Read more...
Fo-Ti (Reynoutria multiflora) — He Shou Wu, Chinese Knotweed
A careful Fo-Ti guide covering Reynoutria multiflora, raw versus prepared He Shou Wu, traditional tonic use, limited evidence and major liver-injury risk. Read more...
Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) — Olibanum, Sacred Frankincense
A guide to Boswellia sacra frankincense resin covering harvest, incense tradition, research-species distinctions, smoke and supplement safety, and folklore. Read more...
Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) — Wild Hydrangea, Seven Barks
A careful guide to Hydrangea arborescens covering root-bark tradition, urinary folklore, species identification, limited evidence and toxicity concerns. Read more...
Kola Nut (Cola nitida) — Cola Nut, Guru Nut
A guide to Cola nitida covering kola nut's West African cultural tradition, current Malvaceae classification, caffeine, theobromine and stimulant safety. Read more...
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) — West Indian Lemongrass, Citronella Grass
A guide to Cymbopogon citratus covering lemongrass tea and food use, traditional herbal context, essential-oil differences and safety. Read more...
Linden (Tilia spp.) — Lime Tree, Basswood, Limeflower
A guide to Tilia × europaea and related linden species covering flower tea, European traditional use, modern taxonomy, safety and folklore. Read more...
Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) — Indian Lotus, Water Lily
A whole-plant guide to Nelumbo nucifera covering edible lotus rhizomes and seeds, flower and leaf traditions, spiritual symbolism, research limits and safety. Read more...