Materia Medica

Speckled Alder (Alnus incana subsp. rugosa): Indigenous Traditions, Oregonin & Betulin, Nitrogen Fixation, Research & Safety
Speckled alder (Alnus incana subsp. rugosa; syn. Alnus rugosa) is a native wetland shrub of northeastern and north-central North America, including Illinois. Its bark and roots have documented Mi’kmaq and Ojibwe uses, while James Bay Cree knowledge has guided modern metabolic research. This guide covers oregonin-rich diarylheptanoids, betulin and related triterpenes, preclinical antimycobacterial and metabolic studies, Frankia nitrogen fixation, pollen allergy, sourcing and safety. Read more...
Oriental / Asian Water-Plantain — Ze Xie (Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. orientale; syn. Alisma orientale): Traditional Use, Alisols, Diuretic Research, Processing & Safety
Oriental or Asian water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. orientale; syn. Alisma orientale), known in Chinese medicine as Ze Xie / Alismatis Rhizoma, is an aquatic East Asian herb whose dried subterranean medicinal material has a long fluid-balance tradition. This guide covers current taxonomy, traditional processing, alisol triterpenoids, diuretic and metabolic research, limited human evidence, and dose- and preparation-dependent kidney and electrolyte safety. Read more...