Materia Medica

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) — Indian Mulberry, Cheese Fruit
A research-grounded guide to noni (Morinda citrifolia), separating traditional Polynesian uses from modern juice marketing while covering phytochemistry, limited human evidence, liver-injury reports, potassium and medication cautions. Read more...
Olive Leaf (Olea europaea) — Olive, Oleuropein
A research-grounded guide to olive leaf (Olea europaea), covering Mediterranean traditional use, oleuropein and other phenolics, human cardiometabolic research, newer meta-analysis findings, product differences and safety. Read more...
Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium) — Holly-Leaved Barberry, Mountain Grape
A research-grounded guide to Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium / Mahonia aquifolium), covering taxonomy, berberine-rich root bark, traditional bitter-herb use, topical psoriasis trials, evidence limits, drug interactions and pregnancy safety. Read more...
Orris Root (Iris × germanica) — Iris Root, Florentine Iris
A research-grounded guide to orris root from Iris × germanica and Iris pallida, covering violet-like irone fragrance, perfumery and flavor tradition, herbal history, limited clinical evidence, species identification and irritation/allergy safety. Read more...
Osha (Ligusticum porteri) — Bear Root, Colorado Cough Root
A research-grounded guide to osha or bear root (Ligusticum porteri), covering Indigenous and Hispanic Southwestern traditions, respiratory-use history, limited modern clinical evidence, wild-harvest conservation, poisonous Apiaceae look-alikes and safety. Read more...
Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) — Twinberry, Squaw Vine, Checkerberry
A research-grounded guide to partridgeberry or twinberry (Mitchella repens), covering woodland identification, Indigenous and folk women’s-use traditions, floral chemistry, major modern research gaps and pregnancy safety concerns. Read more...
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) — Guang Huo Xiang, Patchouly
A research-grounded guide to patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), also known as Guang Huo Xiang, covering perfumery, traditional Chinese herbal use, patchouli alcohol and other constituents, evidence limits, flavoring status and fragrance-allergy safety. Read more...
Pau d'Arco (Handroanthus impetiginosus) — Taheebo, Lapacho
A research-grounded guide to pau d’arco, taheebo or lapacho (Handroanthus impetiginosus; formerly Tabebuia impetiginosa), covering traditional inner-bark use, lapachol and beta-lapachone research, cancer-claim evidence limits, bleeding concerns and pregnancy safety. Read more...
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) — European Pennyroyal, Pudding Grass
A safety-first guide to pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), covering traditional use, pulegone and menthofuran toxicology, severe essential-oil poisoning, pregnancy danger, liver injury and emergency safety considerations. Read more...
Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor) — Common Periwinkle, Running Myrtle
A safety-focused guide to lesser or common periwinkle (Vinca minor), covering vincamine and other indole alkaloids, traditional use, older clinical evidence, the distinction from synthetic vinpocetine and Madagascar periwinkle, and internal-use cautions. Read more...
Peruvian Bark (Cinchona spp.) — Cinchona, Jesuit's Bark, Quinine Bark
A safety-focused guide to Peruvian bark and Cinchona species, covering Indigenous and colonial history, quinine’s antimalarial legacy, cinchonism, blood and kidney reactions, cardiac risks, drug interactions and why bark is not equivalent to prescription quinine. Read more...
Pine (Pinus spp.) — Scots Pine, White Pine, Pine Needles
A research-grounded guide to true pine (Pinus spp.), focusing on Scots pine and Eastern white pine, traditional uses, chemistry, food context, essential-oil distinctions, yew look-alike danger and safety. Read more...