Artichoke
In traditional western herbalism, the leaf of the Artichoke is used, while the fresh flower head base is used in...
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is in the Nightshade family, same as Tomatoes, Potatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants.
Black Elderberry
An old English adage says the summer doesn’t start until the Elder tree flowers and ends when the berry is...
California Poppy
Though in the same family as the Opium Poppy, this species of Poppy has a distinct set of alkaloids and...
Catnip
How does Catnip entice cats? The phytochemical nepetalactone reportedly has aphrodisiac qualities — and elicits pheromone activity involved in feline...
Chamomile
From the Middle Ages to 1700s, "strewing herbs" including Chamomile were scattered on the floors of English homes for fragrance...
Chaste Tree
During the 3-day secret women's festival Thesmophoria, Grecian matrons from Athens would string together Chaste Tree leaves and line their...
Cordyceps
This mushroom has become popular thanks to the 2023 fictional post-apocalyptic zombie drama The Last of Us, loosely inspired by...
Corydalis
The tuber has been used for over 1,000 years in traditional Chinese herbalism.4,6
Dandelion
Dandelion flowers expand in the morning and during good weather, while closing up in the evening and rain.2,8,11
Echinacea
Echinacea is on the United Plant Savers “At Risk” list to call attention to the vulnerability of wild populations of...
Elder flower
The Elder tree has a rich history of superstition, folklore and mysticism.3,6
Eleuthero
In ancient China, the common form of this herb was extracted in wine; today we use a slightly higher proof...
Ginger
Ginger is one of the few herbs that is used in Traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese herbalism; but...
Guayusa
The Kichwa people of Ecuador revere Guayusa, using it daily to strengthen family ties and promote conviviality.6
Holy Basil
In Hindi, the other common name of “Tulsi” translates to “matchless,” as the herb is revered in Ayurveda.2
Hops
The common name of Hops is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word hoppan, meaning “to climb.”8
Kava
Kava is used ceremonially, including welcoming receptions for dignitaries like the Queen of England and the Pope.
Lavender
Once the flowers and leaves are removed, the sticks can be bound and burned as incense.3
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is a great companion plant for brassicas (like Broccoli, Cauliflower and Cabbage) in the garden.6
Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle is in the same family as Artichoke, and the bud and flower look very similar but are smaller...
Myrrh
Myrrh is used for incense, perfume, and dessert flavoring as its resin is quite fragrant.6
Oregano
One of the volatile oils in Oregano, carvacrol, is also found in Thyme, another member of the Lamiaceae (mint family).3
Passionflower
The tropical fruit, Passionfruit, is related to Passionflower but is a different species called Passiflora edulis.5
Propolis
Often referred to as bee glue, scrapings or secretions, it is made from a mixture of bee saliva, enzymes, beeswax,...
Reishi
The Chinese characters that make up the name Ling Zhi portray a “shaman crying for rain”, signifying the divine and...
Rhodiola
Its botanical name R. rosea and other common name “Roseroot”, were named for the rose-like fragrance of the root.4,6
Rosemary
In early times, it was believed that “wherever Rosemary flourished, the woman ruled the house.”3
St. John's Wort
A fun pastime for children, and also for species identification, is to hold the plant up to the sun to...
Turmeric
Modern research and clinical studies began in India in the 1970s and it has become one of the most well-studied...
