Herbal complex & botanicals

Herbal & Botanical

59 herbs and botanicals — traditional uses, benefits and important cautions.

59 shown

Aloe Vera

Aloe barbadensis

A succulent whose gel soothes skin and whose latex is a harsh laxative.

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

An adaptogen from Ayurveda studied for stress and sleep.

Astragalus

Astragalus membranaceus

A Chinese tonic root used for immune support.

Bacopa

Bacopa monnieri

An Ayurvedic \"brahmi\" herb studied for memory.

Bilberry

Vaccinium myrtillus

A wild relative of blueberry used for eyes and circulation.

Black Cohosh

Actaea racemosa

A root traditionally used for menopausal symptoms.

Boswellia

Boswellia serrata

The source of frankincense, used for inflammation and joints.

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

A marigold flower used mainly for skin healing.

Cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum

A fragrant spice used for digestion and breath.

Cat's Claw

Uncaria tomentosa

An Amazonian vine bark used for immune and joint support.

Cayenne

Capsicum annuum

A hot chilli whose capsaicin is used for pain and circulation.

Chaga

Inonotus obliquus

A birch fungus rich in antioxidants.

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

A gentle flower used as a calming tea and digestive aid.

Cinnamon

Cinnamomum verum

A warming bark spice studied for blood-sugar support.

Clove

Syzygium aromaticum

A warming spice with eugenol, used for toothache and digestion.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps militaris

A fungus used traditionally for stamina and energy.

Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

A tart berry used to help prevent urinary tract infections.

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

A common weed whose leaf and root are used as a mild diuretic and digestive.

Devil's Claw

Harpagophytum procumbens

An African root used for joint and back pain.

Dong Quai

Angelica sinensis

A Chinese \"female ginseng\" root used for menstrual health.

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

A popular immune-support botanical taken at the first sign of a cold.

Elderberry

A dark berry used for colds and flu symptoms.

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

An aromatic seed used for bloating and digestion.

Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum

A seed used in cooking and studied for blood sugar and lactation.

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

A daisy-family herb used to help prevent migraines.

Garlic

A culinary bulb studied for heart and circulation support.

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

A warming root widely used for nausea and digestion.

Ginkgo

An ancient tree whose leaf extract is studied for circulation and memory.

Ginseng (Panax)

An adaptogenic root traditionally used for energy and resilience to stress.

Gotu Kola

Centella asiatica

An Ayurvedic/Asian herb used for skin healing and circulation.

Green Tea

Camellia sinensis

A lightly processed tea rich in antioxidant catechins.

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

A traditional heart tonic from the hawthorn tree.

Holy Basil (Tulsi)

An Ayurvedic adaptogen used for stress and wellbeing.

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

A fragrant flower used for relaxation and sleep.

Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis

A lemony mint-family herb used for calm and focus.

Lion's Mane

Hericium erinaceus

A shaggy mushroom studied for nerve and cognitive support.

Liquorice Root

Glycyrrhiza glabra

A sweet root used for digestion and sore throats — but risky in excess.

Maca

Lepidium meyenii

A Peruvian root used for energy and libido.

Marshmallow Root

Althaea officinalis

A mucilage-rich root that soothes throat and gut linings.

Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

A thistle whose seed compound silymarin is used for liver support.

Nettle

A common plant used for hay fever and joint comfort.

Nettle Root

Urtica dioica (root)

The root, distinct from the leaf, used for prostate symptoms.

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

A pungent culinary herb; oil is used as an antimicrobial.

Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

A climbing flower traditionally used for anxiety and sleep.

Peppermint

Mentha × piperita

A cooling herb used for digestion and IBS symptoms.

Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

A legume flower containing plant oestrogens (isoflavones).

Reishi

Ganoderma lucidum

A medicinal mushroom used as a calming immune tonic.

Rhodiola

An adaptogen from cold regions studied for fatigue and stress.

Rosehip

The fruit of the wild rose, high in vitamin C, used for joints.

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus

An aromatic culinary herb with antioxidant compounds.

Sage

Salvia officinalis

A culinary herb studied for memory and menopausal sweats.

Saw Palmetto

A palm berry used for prostate and urinary symptoms.

Schisandra

Schisandra chinensis

A \"five-flavour\" adaptogen berry from Chinese medicine.

Slippery Elm

A soothing inner-bark mucilage for throat and digestion.

St John's Wort

Hypericum perforatum

A flowering herb studied for low mood — but with many drug interactions.

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

A culinary herb with antimicrobial thymol, used for coughs.

Turmeric

A golden spice whose active compound curcumin is studied for anti-inflammatory effects.

Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

A root traditionally used as a sleep and relaxation aid.

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

A traditional wound and fever herb.

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