Materia Medica

Frangula purshiana (Cascara Sagrada), realistic botanical photo
Cascara Sagrada (Frangula purshiana) — Sacred Bark, California Buckthorn
A safety-forward guide to Cascara Sagrada (Frangula purshiana), including bark identification, traditional stimulant-laxative use, FDA OTC status, anthranoid risks, cultivation and folklore. Read more...
Cinnamomum aromaticum / cassia (Chinese Cinnamon) bark, realistic photo
Cassia Cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum) — Chinese Cinnamon, Saigon Cinnamon
A guide to cassia or Chinese cinnamon, using the current Kew-accepted name Cinnamomum aromaticum while cross-referencing the widely used Cinnamomum cassia name. Covers culinary use, Rou Gui and Gui Zhi... Read more...
Nepeta cataria (Catnip), realistic botanical photo
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) — Catmint, Catwort
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) materia medica: botanical identification, traditional actions and preparations, detailed infusion and extraction methods, nepetalactone research, animal response, documented safety, Midwest cultivation, harvesting and folklore. 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...
Capsicum annuum (Cayenne), realistic botanical photo
Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) — Chili Pepper, Red Pepper
A whole-plant guide to Cayenne-type Capsicum annuum peppers, including culinary use, capsaicin and TRPV1 research, topical pain products, irritation safety, cultivation and fiery folklore. Read more...
Apium graveolens (Celery), realistic botanical photo
Celery Seed (Apium graveolens) — Smallage, Wild Celery
A whole-plant guide to celery and celery seed covering identification, food and herbal uses, plant chemistry, allergy risk, pregnancy cautions, interactions, and safety. Read more...
Centaurium erythraea (Centaury), realistic botanical photo
Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) — Common Centaury, Feverwort
A whole-plant guide to centaury covering identification, its bitter-herb tradition, digestive use, research, monograph context, preparation, and safety. Read more...
Cleavers (Galium aparine)
Cleavers (Galium aparine) — Goosegrass, Stickywilly, Catchweed
A whole-plant guide to cleavers (Galium aparine), including wild identification, leaves, stems, flowers and fruits, cut-and-sifted and powdered forms, traditional use, preparation, safety and folklore. Read more...
Inonotus obliquus (Chaga), realistic photo
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) — Birch Mushroom, Cinder Conk
A guide to chaga covering identification, traditional tea use, current research, medication cautions, high-oxalate kidney risk, and safety. Read more...
Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile), realistic botanical photo
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) — German Chamomile, Wild Chamomile
A whole-plant guide to German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), distinguishing it from Roman chamomile, with tea tradition, anxiety and sleep research, Asteraceae allergy and medication cautions, cultivation and folklore. Read more...
Lycopodium clavatum (Club Moss), realistic botanical photo
Club Moss (Lycopodium clavatum) — Wolf's Claw, Ground Pine
A safety-forward guide to Club Moss (Lycopodium clavatum), covering identification, traditional spore and plant uses, alkaloid and look-alike concerns, limited clinical evidence, ecology and folklore. Read more...
Original Roosters Peacock illustration of cattail marsh plants and harvested rhizomes
Cattail — Typha latifolia
Cattail (Typha latifolia): hand-extracted rhizome starch flour, edible shoots and pollen, authentic history and folklore, wetland metal accumulation, growing and preservation. Read more...