Materia Medica

Beta vulgaris (Beetroot / Red Beet), realistic photo
Beetroot / Red Beet (Beta vulgaris): Dietary Nitrates, Betalains, Blood Pressure, Exercise Research & Safety
Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a familiar root vegetable with unusually high dietary nitrate and betalain content. This guide separates whole-food beet use from concentrated beetroot juice and powders, reviews blood-pressure... Read more...
Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus; syn. Cynara scolymus): Food, Artichoke Leaf Extract, Digestion, Cholesterol Research & Safety
Globe artichoke is a Mediterranean food plant now treated botanically within Cynara cardunculus; Cynara scolymus remains a familiar synonym in older herbal and clinical literature. This guide distinguishes the edible flower bud from medicinal leaf preparations, reviews dyspepsia and cholesterol research, explains cynarin and caffeoylquinic acids, and covers biliary and allergy cautions. Read more...
Hairy Agrimony / Xian He Cao (Agrimonia pilosa): Traditional Astringent Use, Tannins, Agrimonolide, Research & Safety
Hairy agrimony (Agrimonia pilosa), known in Chinese herbal tradition as Xian He Cao, is a Rosaceae perennial distinct from the European agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria already covered elsewhere in this guide. This article reviews its traditional astringent and hemostatic reputation, tannins, flavonoids and agrimonolide, mostly preclinical anti-inflammatory and antiviral research, the shortage of rigorous human trials, and an important contradiction: an older animal study prolonged bleeding and coagulation times rather than supporting simple home use to stop bleeding. Read more...