Materia Medica

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...
Elecampane (Inula helenium) — Horseheal, Elf Dock, Scabwort
A guide to Inula helenium covering elecampane root identification, traditional respiratory and digestive use, preparation, research limits, allergy and safety. Read more...
Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.) — Euphrasy, Casse-Lunette
A careful guide to Euphrasia spp. covering eyebright identification, traditional use, limited evidence, taxonomy uncertainty and a strong warning against homemade eye drops. Read more...
Datura (Datura stramonium) — Jimsonweed, Devil's Trumpet, Thornapple
A safety-first guide to highly poisonous Datura stramonium (jimsonweed), covering identification, tropane alkaloids, historical context, poisoning symptoms, emergency response, child/livestock risk, and why it is inappropriate for home medicinal use. Read more...
Deer's Tongue (Trilisa odoratissima) — Vanilla Plant, Wild Vanilla
A species-specific guide to Deer's Tongue, now accepted as Trilisa odoratissima (syn. Carphephorus odoratissimus), covering identification, aromatic history, coumarin chemistry, U.S. added-coumarin regulation, safety, and native-garden value. Read more...
Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus) — Cretan Dittany, Hop Marjoram
A whole-plant guide to Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus) covering endemic Cretan botany, traditional and EMA-recognized uses, modern research, essential-oil safety, current 2026 conservation status, legal protection, and sustainable cultivation. Read more...
Dragon's Blood (Calamus draco) — Dragon's Blood Resin, Sangre de Drago
A species-focused guide to Southeast Asian Dragon's Blood, preserving the familiar name Daemonorops draco while noting the current accepted name Calamus draco, and covering resin sources, traditional use, phytochemistry, research, safety, product identity, and sourcing. Read more...
Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) — Curly Dock, Sour Dock
A guide to Rumex crispus covering yellow-dock root, anthraquinones, traditional bitter use, leaf oxalates, kidney-stone cautions and safety. Read more...