Catuaba (Trichilia catigua): traditional uses of the bark, preparation, contraindications and how to tell it apart from other plants sold as catuaba.
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Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): Properties and Benefits
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): traditional uses, eugenol, preparation methods, recipes and contraindications, with a warning about clove oil in babies.
Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum): Properties and Benefits
Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum): traditional uses, how to prepare the leaf tea and juice, contraindications, and precautions with anticoagulants and diuretics.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum): Properties and Benefits
Anise (Pimpinella anisum): traditional digestive and calming uses, how to prepare the tea and tincture, contraindications, and how it differs from star anise.
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia): Benefits and Uses
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia): traditional uses, leaf tea and juice preparation, hypoglycemia risk with diabetes drugs and contraindications in pregnancy.
Lovage (Levisticum officinale): Properties and Benefits
Lovage (Levisticum officinale): traditional uses as a digestive and diuretic herb, how to make lovage tea, plant compounds and contraindications.
Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis): Properties and Benefits
Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis): traditional uses, tea and essential oil, active compounds, contraindications, and why whole leaves must come out before eating.
Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana): Properties and Benefits
Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana): traditional uses in Africa, preparation, active compounds and contraindications, with a warning about the toxic raw fruit.
Gas Plant (Dictamnus albus): Properties and Benefits
Gas Plant (Dictamnus albus): traditional uses, preparation, phytochemicals and contraindications of a phototoxic plant with liver risk when taken internally.
Chinese Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia): Benefits and Uses
Chinese Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia): traditional uses, preparation, how it differs from Ceylon cinnamon, and contraindications tied to coumarin and the liver.
Elemi (Canarium luzonicum): Properties and Benefits
Elemi (Canarium luzonicum): aromatic resin used in essential oil for diffusers and skin care, with contraindications in pregnancy.
Marsh Cudweed (Gnaphalium uliginosum): Benefits and Uses
Marsh Cudweed (Gnaphalium uliginosum): plant used in traditional infusions for mild hypertension and sore throat, with contraindications in pregnancy.
Chinese Thorowax (Bupleurum chinense): Benefits and Uses
Chinese thorowax (Bupleurum chinense): TCM root for liver, digestion, and fevers, with preparation forms, synergies, and contraindications.
Black Cumin (Nigella sativa): Properties and Benefits
Black cumin (Nigella sativa): seeds traditionally used for immunity, digestion, and inflammation, with preparation methods, dosing, and contraindications.
Dragon’s Blood (Daemonorops draco): Benefits and Uses
Dragon’s Blood (Daemonorops draco): traditional uses of the resin, tincture and poultice preparation, phytochemistry, and contraindications.
Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua): Properties and Benefits
Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua): properties, preparation, synergies, and contraindications of the pod used as a natural chocolate substitute.
Dulse (Palmaria palmata): Properties and Benefits
Dulse (Palmaria palmata): red seaweed rich in iodine, with traditional uses, preparation methods, and contraindications for thyroid conditions.
African Potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea): Benefits and Uses
African Potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea): traditional uses, preparation, contraindications, and the risk of interaction with antiretroviral drugs.
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum): Properties and Benefits
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum): digestive spice used in teas, with traditional effects on digestion, circulation, and known contraindications.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa): Properties and Benefits
Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is an aphrodisiac plant used in teas and tinctures, with traditional effects on libido and anxiety, and pregnancy contraindications.
Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis): Benefits and Uses
Summer savory (Satureja hortensis): properties, traditional uses, tea preparation, contraindications, and care for this aromatic Lamiaceae herb.
Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana): Benefits and Uses
Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana): a traditional stimulant laxative for occasional use, with preparation, contraindications, and usage limits.
Guaco (Mikania glomerata): Properties and Benefits
Guaco (Mikania glomerata): traditional use for respiratory conditions, tea and syrup preparation, anticoagulant interactions, and pregnancy warning.
Espinheira Santa (Maytenus ilicifolia): Benefits and Uses
Espinheira Santa (Maytenus ilicifolia): digestive properties, traditional uses for gastritis and ulcers, tea preparation, and pregnancy warnings.
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes): Properties and Benefits
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes): medicinal mushroom for immune support, culinary and traditional uses, preparation, recipes, and safety precautions.
Corydalis (Corydalis yanhusuo): Properties and Benefits
Corydalis (Corydalis yanhusuo): TCM plant for pain relief and sedation, traditional uses, preparation, recipes, and pregnancy contraindications.
Chicory (Cichorium intybus): Properties and Benefits
Chicory (Cichorium intybus): traditional uses, tea preparation, digestive and liver properties, contraindications, and safe consumption guidelines.
Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea): Benefits and Uses
Common centaury (Centaurium erythraea): digestive properties, traditional uses, infusion preparation, and contraindications of this bitter herb.
Common Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris): Properties and Benefits
Common bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris): traditional uses, always-cooked shoot preparation, phytochemicals, and contraindications of this fast-growing grass.
Baobab (Adansonia digitata): Properties and Benefits
Baobab (Adansonia digitata): traditional uses, tea and decoction preparation, nutritional properties, and contraindications of this vitamin C-rich African tree.
Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa): Properties and Benefits
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa): traditional uses, tea and cream preparation, and contraindications in pregnancy and hormone-sensitive cancer.
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus): Properties and Benefits
Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus): traditional uses, decoction and tincture preparation, pregnancy contraindications, and drug interactions before use.
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana): Properties and Benefits
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana): traditional uses, phytochemistry, dosage forms, and the toxicity risks and contraindications for pregnancy and children.
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus): Properties and Benefits
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus): traditional uses in teas and poultices, preparation methods, and contraindications for diabetes and pregnancy.
Jurubeba (Solanum paniculatum): Properties and Benefits
Jurubeba (Solanum paniculatum): traditional uses, tea and tincture preparation, liver-supporting properties, and contraindications of this Brazilian plant.
Coconut (Cocos nucifera): Properties and Benefits
Coconut (Cocos nucifera): traditional uses, oil and water benefits, phytochemistry, preparation methods, and contraindications explained for coconut palm.
Caraway (Carum carvi): Properties and Benefits
Caraway (Carum carvi) supports digestion and eases gas; see traditional uses, preparation methods, recipes, and contraindications.
Bupleurum (Bupleurum falcatum): Properties and Benefits
Bupleurum (Bupleurum falcatum) is used in Chinese medicine for the liver; see traditional uses, preparation methods, and important contraindications.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): Properties and Benefits
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): traditional uses, tea and essential oil preparation, digestive and calming properties, and usage precautions.
Red Spiderling (Boerhavia diffusa): Benefits and Uses
Red Spiderling (Boerhavia diffusa): traditional uses, preparation methods, diuretic and hepatoprotective properties, and pregnancy precautions.
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis): Properties and Benefits
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis): diuretic properties, root tea preparation, phytochemical profile, and contraindications for kidney stones and pregnancy.
Brazilian Ginseng (Pfaffia paniculata): Benefits and Uses
Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia paniculata): traditional uses, decoction and tincture preparation, phytochemical profile, and contraindications for pregnancy.
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis): Properties and Benefits
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis): traditional uses for cough and digestion, tea preparation, and essential oil contraindications in pregnancy and children.
African Ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus): Benefits and Uses
African ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus): traditional uses, tea preparation, and contraindications for pregnancy and blood thinners.
Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis): Benefits and Uses
Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis): traditional uses, tea preparation, and contraindications for pregnancy, surgery, and blood thinners.
Dill (Anethum graveolens): Properties and Benefits
Dill (Anethum graveolens): traditional uses, tea preparation, and contraindications for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those on blood thinners.
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis): Properties and Benefits
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis): caffeine-free South African tea, Khoisan tradition, studied properties, and contraindications in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis): Benefits and Uses
Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis): traditional Ayurvedic uses, infusion recipe, studied properties, and contraindications for pregnancy.
Sweet Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus): Benefits and Uses
Sweet Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus): North American herb for cough and palpitations, with infusion, tincture, and contraindications for thyroid issues.
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): Properties and Benefits
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): Ayurvedic tree for heart support, with bark decoction preparation, phytochemical profile, and contraindications for blood thinners.