Materia Medica

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...
Cinnamomum verum (Cinnamon), realistic botanical photo
Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) — True Cinnamon, Sweet Cinnamon
A guide to Cinnamomum verum covering Ceylon cinnamon, cassia differences, coumarin, culinary use, glucose research and safety. Read more...
Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot), realistic botanical photo
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) — Coughwort, Foal's Foot
A careful guide to Tussilago farfara covering coltsfoot's traditional cough use, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, liver risk, smoke exposure and modern safety. 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...
Original botanical visualization of Myrtus communis common myrtle, glossy narrow evergreen leaves, white flowers with many stamens, dark berries
Common Myrtle (Myrtus communis) — True Myrtle, Greek Myrtle
A research-grounded guide to common myrtle (Myrtus communis), covering Mediterranean food and herbal traditions, phytochemistry, mouth-ulcer and reflux trials, preliminary 2026 cognitive research, essential-oil distinctions and safety. Read more...
Original botanical visualization of Rheum palmatum Chinese rhubarb, large lobed leaves and branched flower clusters in bright mountain meadow
Chinese Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) — Turkey Rhubarb, Indian Rhubarb
Chinese rhubarb root, called Da Huang in Chinese medicine, is primarily associated in modern European herbal regulation with short-term stimulant-laxative use for occasional constipation. This guide separates medicinal Rheum palmatum... Read more...
Editorial illustration labeled Common Sorrel and Rumex acetosa, showing arrow-shaped leaves and flowering stems
Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) — Garden Sorrel, Sour Grass
Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a tart perennial green. Explore identification, parts used and avoided, oxalate safety, three culinary recipes, history and modern folklore. Read more...