Evidence-aware herbalism. Traditional knowledge meets modern curiosity.
- Allergies & Allergic Rhinitis
Evidence-based herbal approaches for seasonal and year-round allergies, from sneezing to itchy eyes.
- Anxiety Protocol draft
Evidence-based herbal and nutritional approaches for anxiety management.
- Early Cold & Immune Support
Evidence-based herbal approaches for cold prevention and early treatment.
- Focus & Attention
Evidence-based herbal approaches for attention, working memory, mental fatigue, and ADHD symptoms.
- Liver Support & Hepatic Health
Evidence-based herbal approaches for fatty liver disease, elevated liver enzymes, liver detoxification, and hepatoprotection.
- Blood Sugar Management
Evidence-based herbal approaches for blood sugar control, insulin resistance, and diabetes prevention.
- Joint Pain & Arthritis
Evidence-based herbal approaches for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and general joint pain.
- Migraine
Evidence-based herbal approaches for migraine prevention, acute treatment, and symptom management.
- Nausea & Vomiting
Evidence-based herbal approaches for pregnancy nausea, chemotherapy-induced nausea, post-operative nausea, and general digestive upset.
- Digestion Support
Evidence-based herbal approaches for functional digestive disorders including IBS, dyspepsia, bloating, nausea, and constipation.
- PMS & PMDD
Evidence-based herbal approaches for premenstrual syndrome symptoms including mood changes, pain, breast tenderness, and hormonal regulation.
- Stress & Burnout
Evidence-based herbal approaches for chronic stress, adrenal fatigue, burnout, and HPA axis dysregulation.
- Sleep & Insomnia
Evidence-based herbal approaches for sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and overall sleep quality.
- Tickly Cough
Evidence-based herbal approaches for dry, tickly cough using demulcent herbs.
- American Ginseng Panax quinquefolius
Cooling adaptogen with strong evidence for cancer-related fatigue, blood sugar control, and cognitive function. Over 300 years of use in Chinese medicine, but beware widespread product adulteration.
- Ashwagandha Withania somnifera
Premier Ayurvedic adaptogen with strong evidence for stress, sleep, and anxiety. Rare convergence of traditional and clinical evidence, but significant individual variation and serious contraindications.
- Andrographis Andrographis paniculata
Asian medicinal herb with strong evidence for shortening cold and flu symptoms. Recognized by WHO and used clinically in Nordic countries for decades. Remarkably safe in herbal form, but injectable derivatives can be dangerous.
- Astragalus Astragalus membranaceus
Ancient Chinese medicine with strong modern evidence for immune support, fatigue, and metabolic health. Remarkably safe with thousands of years of use, but works subtly over time - not an instant fix.
- Beetroot Beta vulgaris L.
Modern evidence-based supplement for blood pressure and athletic performance, with strong clinical support for cardiovascular benefits via nitrate-to-nitric-oxide conversion. Not a traditional medicinal herb - uses emerged from 21st-century research.
- Berberine Berberis aristata (and other species)
Alkaloid compound from multiple traditional plants with exceptionally strong evidence for blood sugar and cholesterol. A rare example of traditional medicine validated by rigorous modern science, but significant bioavailability challenges and drug interactions.
- Black Cohosh Actaea racemosa
Traditional North American herb with strong evidence for menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes. Comparable to low-dose HRT in trials, with favorable cardiovascular effects and no reproductive tissue risks.
- Black Walnut Juglans nigra
North American folk remedy with a single regulatory-approved use: traditional vermifuge (worm expulsion). Zero human trials exist. The primary compound, juglone, is mutagenic in lab assays. Short-term use only — 14 days maximum without practitioner oversight.
- Boswellia Boswellia serrata
Ancient Ayurvedic anti-inflammatory with strong modern evidence for joint pain. Bioavailability challenges mean formulation matters - a lot. Excellent safety profile.
- Bacopa Bacopa monnieri
Ayurvedic 'Medhya Rasayana' (mind rejuvenative) with solid evidence for memory and cognitive enhancement. Effects take 12 weeks minimum to manifest. Well-tolerated but requires patience and quality product selection.
- Butterbur Petasites hybridus
European herb with strong evidence for migraine prevention and allergic rhinitis. Critical safety requirement: ONLY use PA-free standardized extracts (Petadolex, Ze 339). Raw herb is hepatotoxic.
- Cat's Claw Uncaria tomentosa
Amazonian vine with solid evidence for arthritis and inflammation. Well-studied safety profile (52-week trials), but narrow therapeutic focus and important drug interactions.
- Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla
Well-studied herb with solid evidence for anxiety and mixed results for sleep. Traditional European use is extensive, but modern research focuses on concentrated extracts rather than traditional tea preparations.
- Cordyceps Ophiocordyceps sinensis
Traditional Chinese medicinal fungus with strong evidence for respiratory conditions, kidney support, and immune function. Wild harvesting is unsustainable - modern standardized extracts from cultivated sources show clinical efficacy.
- Cramp Bark Viburnum opulus
Classic Western antispasmodic with centuries of use for dysmenorrhea and smooth muscle cramps. The clinical trials that exist — and they're good ones — tested a completely different preparation for kidney stones. The gap between traditional and clinical evidence is unusually wide here.
- Dandelion Taraxacum officinale
Traditional European bitter tonic with official recognition for digestive and urinary support. Strong traditional use backed by regulatory approval, but human clinical evidence is surprisingly thin - only one small trial exists despite 1,000+ years of use.
- Devil's Claw Harpagophytum procumbens
Kalahari-native root with Cochrane-endorsed evidence for low back pain and osteoarthritis. Narrow indication, solid data, and a favorable safety profile compared to the NSAIDs it was tested against. The evidence base is aging but consistent.
- Echinacea Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida
North American immune herb for cold prevention and acute treatment. Fresh alcoholic extracts most effective. Best evidence for preventing infections and reducing antibiotic use.
- Elderberry Sambucus nigra
Modern extract with conflicting evidence for colds and flu. The 2020 RCT contradicts earlier positive studies, making this one to approach with caution despite popular use.
- Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium
Strong evidence for migraine prevention with pharmaceutical-grade extracts showing 1.9 fewer migraines per month. Traditional European use is extensive, but quality control is a crisis - commercial products vary 150-fold in active compounds.
- Gentian Gentiana lutea
Europe's premier digestive bitter with 2,000+ years of continuous use and solid regulatory backing. Mechanism well-understood, safety record excellent, and how you take it changes what it does.
- Ginger Zingiber officinale
Well-researched herb with strong evidence for nausea/vomiting and promising data for pain conditions. Used across multiple cultures for over 200 years, with modern trials confirming traditional anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory uses.
- Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba
Well-studied herb with strong evidence for modest cognitive benefits in dementia and mild cognitive impairment. The research specifically uses pharmaceutical-grade standardized extracts, not traditional preparations.
- Goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis
North American woodland plant with centuries of traditional use as a mucosal antiseptic, but no clinical evidence of efficacy for any indication. Most significant medically for potent CYP enzyme inhibition — goldenseal can substantially increase or decrease blood levels of dozens of pharmaceuticals.
- Gotu Kola Centella asiatica
Ancient brain tonic from Ayurveda and TCM with modest evidence for cognitive function, stronger support for anxiety and wound healing. Excellent safety profile but effects are gentler than often claimed.
- Gymnema Gymnema sylvestre
Strong clinical evidence for blood sugar control and metabolic health. Used traditionally in Ayurveda, with modern research confirming diabetes benefits. The 'sugar destroyer' that lives up to its name.
- Kava Piper methysticum
Pacific Island plant with strong evidence for anxiety relief. Works through GABA pathways without addiction risk, but requires strict quality control due to rare but serious liver risks.
- Holy Basil Ocimum sanctum (syn. O. tenuiflorum)
Well-studied Ayurvedic adaptogen with strong evidence for stress, anxiety, and metabolic support. Excellent safety profile across 24 clinical trials with no significant adverse events. Less individual variation than ashwagandha, but evidence base is newer and smaller.
- Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
Mediterranean aromatic with strong evidence for anxiety and sleep. Rare case of traditional use validated by modern trials, but effectiveness varies by preparation - standardized oil beats tea or inhalation for long-term use.
- Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis
Gentle European nervine with solid evidence for anxiety, sleep, and cognitive support. Centuries of traditional use validated by modern trials, with an excellent safety profile and no serious contraindications.
- Lion's Mane Hericium erinaceus
Medicinal mushroom with strong evidence for cognitive function and mild cognitive impairment. Unique ability to promote nerve growth factor (NGF) and cross the blood-brain barrier. Safe, well-tolerated, but evidence concentrated in older adults with cognitive decline.
- Maca Lepidium meyenii
Peruvian root crop with strong evidence for sexual function, menopausal symptoms, and physical performance. Non-hormonal mechanisms, phenotype-specific effects, but high product variability makes quality critical.
- Magnolia Bark Magnolia officinalis
Ancient Asian remedy with modern evidence for stress and sleep. Notable for calming effects without sedation in most people, but limited single-ingredient research makes it hard to isolate magnolia-specific effects.
- Marshmallow Root Althaea officinalis
One of the safest medicinal herbs in use, with 2,000+ years of cross-cultural use for soothing irritated mucous membranes. Mechanism is physical (mucilage coating), safety exceptional. Best for dry cough, throat irritation, and GI inflammation.
- Milk Thistle Silybum marianum
European herb with strong evidence for protecting the liver, particularly in cirrhosis and fatty liver disease. Silymarin studied in over 26 clinical trials.
- Oat Straw Avena sativa
Well-documented nervine with strong acute evidence for cognitive performance and cerebrovascular benefits at 12 weeks. EMA-recognized for mental stress and sleep. Best evidence for mental focus and vascular health.
- Passionflower Passiflora incarnata
European traditional nervine with solid clinical evidence for anxiety and sleep. Anxiolytic effects comparable to benzodiazepines without memory impairment or job performance issues.
- Peppermint Mentha piperita
Well-researched digestive herb with strong evidence for IBS relief. Cool, minty taste and aroma. Multiple formulations available from simple tea to pharmaceutical-grade capsules.
- Pau d'Arco Handroanthus impetiginosus
South American bark with centuries of indigenous use for infections, pain, and dysmenorrhea. One small human trial found significant pain reduction in menstrual cramps. No RCTs exist. Primary safety concern is anticoagulant interaction.
- Reishi Ganoderma lucidum
Revered East Asian mushroom with solid evidence for immune support and cancer adjunct therapy. Strong traditional-modern convergence, but wide preparation variability and unclear optimal standardization.
- Rhodiola Rhodiola rosea
Arctic adaptogen with strong evidence for stress-related fatigue, endurance performance, and mild depression. Traditional use across circumpolar cultures validated by modern clinical trials, with favorable safety profile compared to conventional treatments.
- Saw Palmetto Serenoa repens
Conflicting evidence for prostate health (recent research questions benefits), stronger evidence for hair loss. Traditional North American medicine with long history of use, but modern trials using standardized extracts show mixed results depending on indication and formulation quality.
- Schisandra Schisandra chinensis
Traditional adaptogen from East Asian medicine with emerging evidence for muscle strength, liver support, and menopausal symptoms. Significant drug interactions and sex-dependent effects require careful consideration.
- Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis
Mediterranean herb with strong evidence for memory, mood, and hair growth. Rare convergence of traditional digestive use and modern cognitive research. Generally safe at therapeutic doses but significant dose-dependent effects.
- Skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora
North American nervine with emerging clinical evidence for sleep and mood. Quieting without sedating - but real hepatotoxicity risk means this herb requires more than casual use.
- St. John's Wort Hypericum perforatum
One of the most researched herbs for mild-to-moderate depression, with evidence comparable to SSRIs but ten-fold better tolerability. The catch: serious drug interactions make it incompatible with many medications.
- Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica
One of Europe's most thoroughly codified medicinal plants, with distinct evidence for the root (BPH) and leaf (blood sugar, diuresis, joint support). Unusually clean safety record — no documented liver toxicity across all major surveillance databases.
- Tribulus Tribulus terrestris
Ayurvedic herb with credible evidence for erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction. The testosterone booster reputation is largely unearned for healthy men — real effects are for people with functional sexual decline, not performance enhancement.
- Turmeric Curcuma longa
Strong evidence for joint pain and inflammation with numerous rigorous trials. The catch: you need enhanced bioavailability formulations - traditional preparations don't absorb well enough to work consistently.
- Valerian Valeriana officinalis
Ancient European sleep remedy with moderate evidence for sleep improvement and anxiety reduction. Generally well-tolerated with extensive safety data, though effectiveness varies between individuals due to differences in how bodies process the herb and extract quality differences.
- Vitex Vitex agnus-castus
European herb with strong evidence for PMS and breast pain. Works through dopamine pathways to reduce prolactin - effects build over 3 months. Not a quick fix, but remarkably effective for the right person.