Materia Medica

Larkspur (Delphinium spp.) — Knight's Spur, Staggerweed
A poison-first guide to larkspur (Delphinium spp.), covering toxic diterpenoid alkaloids, neuromuscular blockade, documented human bradycardia and ventricular arrhythmias, livestock poisoning, traditional-use context, garden safety, and why larkspur is not a home medicinal herb. Read more...
Phyllanthus niruri (Chanca Piedra / Stonebreaker), realistic botanical photo
Chanca Piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) — Stonebreaker, Gale of the Wind
A comprehensive guide to chanca piedra or stonebreaker (Phyllanthus niruri), covering traditional infusion and decoction use, species identification, kidney-stone research, studied amounts, urinary chemistry, safety, medication considerations and sourcing. Read more...
Larch (Larix decidua) — European Larch, Common Larch
A guide to European larch (Larix decidua) covering identification, resin and bark traditions, Alpine ethnobotany, modern laboratory research, preparation context, safety and folklore. Read more...
Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) — Cedron, Verveine
A practical guide to lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora), including aromatic leaf tea, traditional digestive and sleep uses, human research, preparation differences, safety and botanical synonyms. Read more...
Life Everlasting (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium) — Rabbit Tobacco, Sweet Everlasting
A guide to life everlasting, rabbit tobacco or sweet everlasting (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium), covering Eastern Woodlands ethnobotany, identification, traditional use, limited modern research and safety. Read more...
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) — May Bells, Our Lady's Tears
A safety-first guide to lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), covering historical cardiotonic use, cardiac glycosides, identification, research and poisoning risk. Read more...
Liverwort (Hepatica nobilis) — Liverleaf, Herb Trinity
A research-grounded guide to liverwort (Hepatica nobilis), including traditional liver and digestive uses, woodland botany, historical doctrine-of-signatures lore, limited modern evidence and Ranunculaceae safety concerns. Read more...
Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) — Indian Tobacco, Asthma Weed, Pukeweed
A safety-focused guide to Lobelia inflata, covering traditional respiratory use, lobeline pharmacology, smoking-cessation research, identification and toxicity concerns. Read more...
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) — Sea Parsley, Love Parsley
A research-grounded guide to lovage (Levisticum officinale), covering culinary use, traditional urinary applications, coumarin chemistry, garden tradition, pregnancy cautions and photosensitivity. Read more...
Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) — Mandragora, Satan's Apple
A safety-first guide to mandrake (Mandragora officinarum), covering ancient anesthetic use, tropane alkaloids, anticholinergic poisoning, historical medicine and centuries of folklore. Read more...
Maqui Berry (Aristotelia chilensis) — Chilean Wineberry, Maqui
A research-grounded guide to maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis), covering Mapuche tradition, anthocyanins and delphinidins, human clinical research, food use and current safety limits. Read more...
Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana) — Knotted Marjoram, Garden Marjoram
A research-grounded guide to sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana), covering culinary use, traditional herbal history, phytochemistry, limited PCOS pilot research, essential-oil distinctions and safety. Read more...