Materia Medica

Original Roosters Peacock botanical visualization of Acorus calamus, distinctive green lateral spadix, not cattail
Calamus (Acorus calamus) — Sweet Flag, Sweet Rush
A safety-forward guide to Calamus (Acorus calamus), covering wetland identification, aromatic rhizome history, chemotype differences, beta-asarone concerns, U.S. food prohibition, cultivation and folklore. Read more...
Original botanical visualization of Alhagi maurorum Camelthorn, thorny desert shrub with purple pea flowers and segmented pods
Camelthorn / Persian Manna Plant (Alhagi maurorum): Taranjabin, Traditional Uses, Kidney-Stone Research, Invasiveness & Safety
Camelthorn or Persian manna plant (Alhagi maurorum) is a thorny Old World Fabaceae herb with traditional diuretic, digestive and urinary-stone uses and a long Persian connection to taranjabin manna. This... Read more...
Frangula purshiana (Cascara Sagrada), realistic botanical photo
Cascara Sagrada (Frangula purshiana) — Sacred Bark, California Buckthorn
A safety-forward guide to Cascara Sagrada (Frangula purshiana), including bark identification, traditional stimulant-laxative use, FDA OTC status, anthranoid risks, cultivation and folklore. Read more...
Nepeta cataria (Catnip), realistic botanical photo
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) — Catmint, Catwort
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) materia medica: botanical identification, traditional actions and preparations, detailed infusion and extraction methods, nepetalactone research, animal response, documented safety, Midwest cultivation, harvesting and folklore. Read more...
Original botanical visualization: Uncaria tomentosa Cat's Claw climbing vine, hooks and foliage
Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) — Una de Gato, Uña de Gato
A whole-plant guide to Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa), including vine identification, Amazonian traditional context, evidence limits, autoimmune, bleeding, surgery, pregnancy and medication cautions. 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...
Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile), realistic botanical photo
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) — German Chamomile, Wild Chamomile
A whole-plant guide to German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), distinguishing it from Roman chamomile, with tea tradition, anxiety and sleep research, Asteraceae allergy and medication cautions, cultivation and folklore. Read more...
Lycopodium clavatum (Club Moss), realistic botanical photo
Club Moss (Lycopodium clavatum) — Wolf's Claw, Ground Pine
A safety-forward guide to Club Moss (Lycopodium clavatum), covering identification, traditional spore and plant uses, alkaloid and look-alike concerns, limited clinical evidence, ecology and folklore. Read more...
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Cordyceps), realistic photo
Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) — Caterpillar Fungus, Dong Chong Xia Cao
A guide to Cordyceps that distinguishes wild Ophiocordyceps sinensis from cultivated Cordyceps militaris, with traditional Chinese context, evidence limits, blood-sugar and bleeding cautions and sustainability concerns. Read more...
Vaccinium macrocarpon (Cranberry), realistic botanical photo
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) — American Cranberry, Bog Cranberry
A whole-plant guide to American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), including bog ecology, food use, recurrent-UTI prevention research, why cranberry does not treat an active UTI, warfarin caution, cultivation and folklore. Read more...
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...
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...