Materia Medica

Arnica montana with yellow daisy-like flowers
Arnica (Arnica montana) — Mountain Tobacco, Leopard's Bane
A whole-plant guide to Arnica montana covering identification, flower heads and other plant parts, traditional topical use, modern research, safety, cultivation, conservation, folklore, magical correspondences and carefully labeled modern zodiac/Tarot... Read more...
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) bush growing in Nepal, realistic botanical photo
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) — Indian Ginseng, Winter Cherry
A whole-plant guide to Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) covering identification, roots, leaves, berries, seeds, powders and extracts, Ayurvedic tradition, modern stress and sleep research, thyroid and liver safety, growing, folklore, magical... 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...
Alnus glutinosa black alder leaves
Alder, Black (European) — Alnus glutinosa
Black alder or European alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a Eurasian wetland tree introduced into Illinois and other parts of North America. Its bark has a traditional astringent, fever and wound-use... Read more...
Original botanical visualization of Alhagi maurorum Camelthorn, thorny desert shrub with purple pea flowers and segmented pods
Camelthorn / Persian Manna Plant (Alhagi maurorum): Taranjabin, Traditional Uses, Kidney-Stone Research, Invasiveness & Safety
Camelthorn or Persian manna plant (Alhagi maurorum) is a thorny Old World Fabaceae herb with traditional diuretic, digestive and urinary-stone uses and a long Persian connection to taranjabin manna. This... Read more...
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...
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...
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...
Symphytum officinale (Comfrey), realistic botanical photo
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) — Knitbone, Boneset
A practical whole-plant guide to comfrey, including identification, traditional external use, topical research, pyrrolizidine-alkaloid safety and folklore. Read more...
Zea mays (Corn Silk), realistic botanical photo
Corn Silk (Zea mays) — Maize Silk, Corn Hair
A clear guide to corn silk from Zea mays, covering plant biology, traditional urinary use, preparation, research limits, interaction cautions and folklore. Read more...
Viburnum opulus (Cramp Bark), realistic botanical photo
Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus) — Guelder Rose, Snowball Tree
Learn about cramp bark, Viburnum opulus: botanical identity, traditional antispasmodic use, preparation, evidence limits, pregnancy cautions and folklore. Read more...