Materia Medica A–D

Browse the Roosters Peacock Materia Medica from A through D. Each linked entry opens a published herbal monograph.

A

Abscess Root (Polemonium reptans) — Jacob’s Ladder / Greek Valerian / Sweatroot

Acacia / Gum Arabic (Senegalia senegal) — Gum Acacia / Senegal Gum / Hashab

Acacia Babul / Babool (Vachellia nilotica) — Egyptian Thorn / Prickly Acacia / Nile Acacia

Acacia Catechu / Khadira (Senegalia catechu) — Cutch Tree / Black Catechu / Khair

Açaí / Acai Berry (Euterpe oleracea) — Açaí Palm / Assai Palm / Naidí

Acalypha / Indian Copperleaf (Acalypha indica) — Kuppaimeni / Indian Nettle / Three-Seeded Mercury

Acanthus (Acanthus mollis): Whole-Plant Guide to Identification, Traditional Use, Ornament, History & Safety

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) — Barbados Cherry / West Indian Cherry

Achyranthes (Achyranthes bidentata): Whole-Plant Guide to Root Tradition, Identification, Research & Safety

Aconite / Monkshood (Aconitum napellus): Toxicity, History, Identification & Safety Guide

Adder’s Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum): Identification, Traditional Use, Folklore & Safety

Adhatoda / Vasaka / Malabar Nut (Justicia adhatoda) — Vasa / Adulsa

Adonis / Spring Pheasant’s Eye (Adonis vernalis) — Spring Adonis / Oxeye

Agar / Agar-Agar (Gelidium & Gracilaria spp.) — Kanten / Japanese Isinglass

Agarwood / Aloeswood / Oud (Aquilaria malaccensis) — Agaru / Gaharu / Eaglewood

Agave / Century Plant (Agave americana) — American Agave / Maguey

Ageratum / Flossflower (Ageratum houstonianum) — Blue Mink / Mexican Ageratum

Agnus Castus / Chaste Tree / Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) — Chasteberry / Monk’s Pepper

Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) — Common Agrimony / Church Steeples

Agueweed / Stiff Gentian (Gentianella quinquefolia) — Five-Flowered Gentian / Gall-Weed

Ajuga / Common Bugle (Ajuga reptans) — Creeping Bugle / Carpet Bugle

Ajwain / Carom (Trachyspermum ammi) — Yavani / Ajowan

Akebia / Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata) — Five-Leaf Akebia / Mu Tong

Alangium / Ankol (Alangium salviifolium) — Ankola / Sage-Leaved Alangium

Albizia / Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin) — He Huan Pi / He Huan Hua

Alder Buckthorn / Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) — Frangula Bark

Alecost / Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita) — Bible Leaf / Sweet Mary

Aletris / True Unicorn Root (Aletris farinosa) — White Colic-Root / Star Grass

Alexanders / Alisander (Smyrnium olusatrum) — Black Lovage / Wild Celery

Alfalfa / Lucerne (Medicago sativa) — Leaf, Seed & Sprout Guide

Alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria): Whole-Plant Guide to Root Dye, Traditional Use, History & Safety

Allspice / Pimento (Pimenta dioica) — Berry, Leaf & Culinary Guide

Aloe Vera (Aloe vera) — Inner Gel, Latex & Whole-Leaf Guide

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.): Whole-Plant Guide to Grain, Greens, Traditional Food Use, Nutrition & Safety

Amla (Phyllanthus emblica): Whole-Plant Guide to Indian Gooseberry, Traditional Use, Research & Safety

Anamu (Petiveria alliacea): Whole-Plant Guide to Traditional Use, Plant Chemistry, Research & Safety

Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata): Whole-Plant Guide to Bitter Tradition, Research, Preparation & Safety

Angelica (Angelica archangelica): Whole-Plant Guide to Traditional Uses, Research, Safety, Growing & Folklore

Anise (Pimpinella anisum): Whole-Plant Guide to Culinary Use, Traditional Uses, Research, Safety & Folklore

Anise Hyssop / Blue Giant Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) — Fragrant Giant Hyssop

Annatto / Achiote (Bixa orellana): Whole-Plant Guide to Seed Color, Culinary Tradition, Research & Safety

Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens): Whole-Plant Guide to Culinary Use, Traditional Herbal Use, Growing & Safety

Arnica (Arnica montana): Whole-Plant Guide to Traditional Topical Use, Research, Safety & Folklore

Aronia / Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa): Whole-Plant Guide to Fruit, Polyphenols, Food Use, Research & Safety

Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea): Whole-Plant Guide to Rhizome Starch, Food Tradition, Preparation & Safety

Asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida): Whole-Plant Guide to Resin, Culinary Tradition, Herbal History & Safety

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Whole-Plant Guide to Traditional Use, Research, Safety, Growing & Folklore

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus): Whole-Plant Guide to Traditional Use, Research, Safety & Folklore

Avens (Geum urbanum): Whole-Plant Guide to Root, Traditional Uses, Preparation, Folklore & Safety

Adder’s Tongue, American (Trout Lily) — Erythronium americanum

Alder, Black (European) — Alnus glutinosa

Aconite, Chinese (Fu Zi) — Aconitum carmichaelii

Alder, Red — Alnus rubra

Anise, Star — Illicium verum

Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng): Whole-Plant Guide to Traditional Use, Research & Safety

B

Black Chokeberry — see Aronia / Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

Bacopa / Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) — Water Hyssop

Balm of Gilead / Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera) — Tacamahac

Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea): Whole-Plant Guide to Needles, Resin, Traditional Use, Aromatic History & Safety

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris): Whole-Plant Guide to Berberine, Traditional Use, Research, Interactions & Safety

Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Whole-Plant Guide to Culinary Use, Traditional Uses, Research, Safety & Folklore

Basil, Holy (Tulsi) — Ocimum tenuiflorum

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis): Whole-Plant Guide to Culinary Use, Traditional Uses, Research, Safety & Folklore

Bayberry (Morella cerifera / Myrica cerifera): Whole-Plant Guide to Root Bark, Wax, Traditional Use & Safety

Bee Balm / Bergamot (Monarda didyma): Whole-Plant Guide to Tea, Culinary Use, Traditional Herbalism & Safety

Beetroot / Red Beet (Beta vulgaris): Dietary Nitrates, Betalains, Blood Pressure, Exercise Research & Safety

Belladonna / Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna): Poisoning, Identification, Historical Use & Safety Guide

Benzoin (Styrax benzoin): Whole-Plant Guide to Resin, Incense, Traditional Use, Perfumery & Safety

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus): Whole-Plant Guide to Fruit, Anthocyanins, Traditional Use, Research & Safety

Bistort (Persicaria bistorta): Whole-Plant Guide to Astringent Root, Traditional Use, Food History & Safety

Bitter Melon / Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia): Food Tradition, Herbal Use, Diabetes Research & Safety

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) — Black Snake Root, Bugbane

Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) — Stagbush, Sweet Viburnum

Black Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) — Henbane, Stinking Nightshade

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) — Peppercorn, Kali Mirch

Black Seed / Black Cumin (Nigella sativa): Culinary Tradition, Traditional Use, Human Research & Safety

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) — American Walnut, Eastern Black Walnut

Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus): Seaweed Guide to Iodine, Traditional Use, Research, Contaminants & Safety

Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus): Whole-Plant Guide to Bitter Tradition, Digestion, History & Safety

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis): Toxicity, Identification, Historical Use, Escharotic Risk & Safety Guide

Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) — Squaw Root, Papoose Root

Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) — Egyptian Blue Lotus, Sacred Blue Lily

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) — Swamp Verbena, Wild Hyssop

Boldo (Peumus boldus): Whole-Plant Guide to Leaf Tradition, Digestion, Research, Toxicity & Safety

Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum): Whole-Plant Guide to Fever Tradition, Identification, Research & Safety

Borage (Borago officinalis): Whole-Plant Guide to Food History, Traditional Uses, Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids & Safety

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata): Whole-Plant Guide to Frankincense Resin, Ayurvedic Use, Research & Safety

Buchu (Agathosma betulina): Whole-Plant Guide to Aromatic Leaves, Traditional Urinary Use, Research & Safety

Buckthorn, Common — Rhamnus cathartica

Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus): Whole-Plant Guide to Traditional Thyroid & Heart Use, Research, Interactions & Safety

Burdock (Arctium lappa): Whole-Plant Guide, Traditional Uses, Preparation, Safety & Folklore

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus): Traditional Use, Migraine Research, Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids & Safety

C

Camelthorn / Persian Manna Plant (Alhagi maurorum): Taranjabin, Traditional Uses, Kidney-Stone Research, Invasiveness & Safety

Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris): Nutrition, Research, Preparation & Safety

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea): Traditional Use, Aromatics, Research, Growing & Safety

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): Culinary Tradition, Research, Essential Oil & Safety

Copal (Bursera spp.): Resin Traditions, Botanical Sources, Research & Safety

Cubeb (Piper cubeba): Tailed Pepper, Traditional Use, Research & Safety

Cohosh, Black — Actaea racemosa

Cohosh, Blue — Caulophyllum thalictroides

Cacao — Theobroma cacao

Calamus — Acorus calamus

Calendula — Calendula officinalis

California Poppy — Eschscholzia californica

Caraway (Carum carvi): Whole-Plant Guide to Seeds, Culinary Use, Digestion, Research & Safety

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum): Whole-Plant Guide to Pods, Seeds, Ayurveda, Culinary Use, Research & Safety

Carom — see Ajwain / Carom (Trachyspermum ammi)

Carrot, Wild (Queen Anne’s Lace) — Daucus carota

Cascara Sagrada (Frangula purshiana): Whole-Plant Guide to Traditional Laxative Use, Safety & Folklore

Catnip (Nepeta cataria): Whole-Plant Guide to Traditional Use, Research, Safety, Cats & Folklore

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa): Whole-Plant Guide to Amazonian Tradition, Research, Safety & Folklore

Cattail — Typha latifolia

Cayenne (Capsicum annuum): Whole-Plant Guide to Food, Capsaicin Research, Topical Use, Safety & Folklore

Celery Seed (Apium graveolens): Whole-Plant Guide to Culinary Use, Traditional Herbalism, Allergy & Safety

Centaury (Centaurium erythraea): Whole-Plant Guide to Bitter Tradition, Digestion, Research & Safety

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): Whole-Fungus Guide to Traditional Use, Research, Oxalate Risk & Safety

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): Whole-Plant Guide to Tea, Traditional Uses, Research, Safety & Folklore

Chanca Piedra / Stonebreaker (Phyllanthus niruri): Traditional Use, Kidney-Stone Research, Preparation & Safety

Chaparral / Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata): Traditional Use, Liver Toxicity, Research & Safety Guide

Chaste Tree / Vitex / Agnus Castus (Vitex agnus-castus) — Chasteberry / Monk’s Pepper

Cherry, Black (Wild Cherry Bark) — Prunus serotina

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium): Whole-Plant Guide to Culinary Use, Traditional Herbalism, Identification & Foraging Safety

Chickweed (Stellaria media): Whole-Plant Guide to Food Use, Traditional Topical Use, Research & Safety

Chicory (Cichorium intybus): Whole-Plant Guide to Root, Greens, Coffee Substitute, Inulin, Research & Safety

Chinese Angelica — see Dong Quai / Chinese Angelica (Angelica sinensis)

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): Whole-Plant Guide to Culinary Use, Nutrition, Research, Growing & Safety

Chocolate Vine — see Akebia / Chocolate Vine / Mu Tong (Akebia quinata)

Cinnamon, Cassia (Chinese) — Cinnamomum aromaticum

Cinnamon, Ceylon (True) — Cinnamomum verum

Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans): Identification, Traditional Use, Research & Safety

Cleavers (Galium aparine): Whole-Plant Guide, Identification, Traditional Use, Preparation & Safety

Clover, Red — Trifolium pratense

Club Moss (Lycopodium clavatum): Whole-Plant Guide to Spores, Traditional Uses, Safety & Folklore

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara): Whole-Plant Guide to Traditional Respiratory Use, Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids & Safety

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): Whole-Plant Guide, Traditional Uses, Topical Research, Safety & Folklore

Common Periwinkle — see Lesser Periwinkle / Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Common Vervain — see European Vervain / Common Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

Cordyceps: Guide to Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris, Traditional Use, Research & Safety

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): Whole-Plant Guide to Seed, Leaf, Culinary Use, Tradition & Safety

Corn Silk (Zea mays): Plant Guide, Traditional Urinary Use, Preparation, Research & Safety

Costmary — see Alecost / Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita)

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus): Plant Guide, Traditional Use, Preparation, Safety & Folklore

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon): Whole-Plant Guide to Food, UTI Research, Safety & Folklore

Culver's Root (Veronicastrum virginicum): Native Plant, Traditional Use, Research & Safety

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum): Culinary Tradition, Research, Essential Oil & Safety

Curry Leaf (Bergera koenigii; syn. Murraya koenigii): Culinary Use, Research & Safety

Cutch — see Acacia Catechu / Khadira (Senegalia catechu) — Cutch Tree / Black Catechu / Khair

D

Daisy (Bellis perennis)

Damiana (Turnera diffusa)

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Datura / Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)

Deer’s Tongue (Trilisa odoratissima; syn. Carphephorus odoratissimus)

Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

Dill (Anethum graveolens)

Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus)

Dock, Yellow — Rumex crispus

Dong Quai / Chinese Angelica (Angelica sinensis)

Doradilla — see Rose of Jericho / Resurrection Plant (Selaginella lepidophylla)

Dragon’s Blood (Daemonorops draco; accepted as Calamus draco)

Drumstick Tree — see Moringa / Drumstick Tree (Moringa oleifera)