Materia Medica

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...
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...
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...
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...
Vitex agnus-castus chaste tree with palmate leaves, violet flower spikes and dark fruits
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) — Vitex, Agnus Castus, Monk's Pepper
Chaste Tree / Vitex / Agnus Castus (Vitex agnus-castus) materia medica covering botanical identity, traditional menstrual use, standardized extract research for PMS, product-specific dosing, constituents, dopaminergic and hormonal cautions, adverse... Read more...
Original botanical visualization of Rheum palmatum Chinese rhubarb, large lobed leaves and branched flower clusters in bright mountain meadow
Chinese Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) — Turkey Rhubarb, Indian Rhubarb
Chinese rhubarb root, called Da Huang in Chinese medicine, is primarily associated in modern European herbal regulation with short-term stimulant-laxative use for occasional constipation. This guide separates medicinal Rheum palmatum... Read more...
Saffron (Crocus sativus) — True Saffron, Za'faran
True saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus, not safflower or turmeric. This evidence-aware guide reviews human research on mood, PMS and cognition; explains crocin, picrocrocin and safranal; covers adulteration and quality standards; and separates ordinary culinary use from concentrated medicinal use and pregnancy safety. Read more...
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) — Ague Tree, Cinnamon Wood
Sassafras is an aromatic eastern North American tree with a long food, cultural, and herbal history. This guide separates traditional uses from modern evidence and explains the crucial distinction between safrole-containing root bark and oil versus regulated safrole-free food flavorings. Read more...
Senna (Senna alexandrina) — Alexandrian Senna, Tinnevelly Senna
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...
Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) — Mother's Heart, Lady's Purse
Shepherd’s purse is an edible mustard-family weed with a long traditional reputation for bleeding. This guide reviews modern taxonomy, identification, menstrual and postpartum clinical studies, the limits of hemostatic claims, pregnancy safety, and practical sourcing. Read more...
Editorial soapwort botanical illustration labeled Soapwort and Saponaria officinalis at the top
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) — Bouncing Bet, Fuller's Herb
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) has a history in textile washing and herbal lore. Explore its botany, saponin chemistry, three non-ingestible cleaning recipes, safety and modern cleansing symbolism. Read more...
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) — Klamath Weed, Goatweed
St. John’s Wort is one of the best-studied medicinal herbs for mild-to-moderate depression, but also one of the most interaction-prone. This guide reviews the human evidence, hyperforin and hypericin chemistry, CYP/P-glycoprotein drug interactions, photosensitivity, topical traditions, identification and sourcing. Read more...