Materia Medica

Nigella sativa (Black Seed / Black Cumin), realistic botanical photo
Black Seed (Nigella sativa) — Black Cumin, Kalonji, Nigella
Black Seed Nigella sativa Materia Medica retaining original modern clinical evidence and safety discussion, with six measured culinary recipes, documented seed and tincture formats, exact botanical look-alikes, gardening and harvesting,... Read more...
Astragalus mongholicus / membranaceus (Huang Qi) plant growing in botanical garden, realistic photo
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) — Huang Qi, Milk Vetch
A whole-plant guide to Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), including Huang Qi tradition, root identification and preparations, modern evidence limits, autoimmune and medication cautions, cultivation and spiritual context. 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...
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...
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...
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...
Garlic (Allium sativum) — Common Garlic, Stinking Rose
A whole-plant garlic guide covering Allium sativum, sulfur chemistry, culinary use, cardiovascular research, bleeding cautions and folklore. Read more...