Herb Glossary

Ashwagandha Root (Withania somnifera)

An essential herb in Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha calms and rejuvenates the nervous system. As an adaptogen, it protects the body from the negative impact of stress and supports the immune and adrenal systems. It has sedative properties that usher in restful sleep while also being anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving. The cherry on top is that ashwagandha supports healthy blood-sugar metabolism and helps with memory loss and cognitive functioning.

Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus)

Astragalus is a darling in Western herbalism and Traditional Chinese medicine. It's an adaptogen that protects the body from the impact of stress. Astragalus is also an immunomodulator, so it acts on the immune system for a more extended period and has a balancing rather than a stimulating effect on the body. It has anti-viral and anti-microbial properties, making it an extraordinary herb for most conditions.

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)

Burdock is most useful at the initial stage of infection because it activates white blood cell activity and helps purify the blood. Also, it is nutritive, helping with digestion and food absorption.

Calendula Flowers (Calendula officinalis)

Known in medieval Europe as the "poor man's saffron," calendula (marigolds) brightens any garden landscape. With its unique immune-stimulating properties, calendula helps to detoxify swollen lymph nodes. Topically, it is scientifically proven to help with rashes, wounds, abrasions, eczema, and cold sores while easing pain from inflammation. Many skincare products contain calendula because it improves skin elasticity and hydration. As a bonus, it's a beautiful skin softener.

Catnip Leaves (Nepeta cataria)

Catnip is known for making cats friskier, but it has a somewhat different effect on us! It is a very gentle sedative that safely promotes sleep. This minty-lemony flavored herb helps reduce fevers, dissolve excess mucous, and works to prevent inflammation.

Chamomile Flowers (Matricaria recutita)

These bright yellow and white flowers are well-known for anxiety, sleep, and stress-related conditions, but that's just the beginning. In North America, enslaved African Americans used chamomile to remedy stomach aches, anxiety, nausea, asthma, and allergies. In Mexico, it is known as "manzanilla," which means "little apple" because of its apple-like scent. In certain parts of Mexico, there is a tradition of giving children their first bath in diluted chamomile tea. This practice is beautiful and fitting because chamomile is one of the best nervines for children. 

Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum vera, C. cassia)

In Chinese texts, you can find records of cinnamon from as far back as 4,700 years ago. In the Bible, holy anointing oil includes two kinds of cinnamon, and in the 1st century A.D., cinnamon was worth 15 times the value of silver because of its many uses. There are over 100 varieties of cinnamon trees, yet two are commonly used. Cinnamomum cassia (cassia or Chinese cinnamon) is the most common. It is spicier and more pungent, preferred for meats and soups. Cinnamomum verum, or "true cinnamon," is lighter, sweeter, more brittle, and better suited for deserts. As a warming, stimulating, anti-viral, and anti-tussive herb, it helps combat the common cold and flu while suppressing coughs. Cinnamon is also effective at relaxing and soothing muscles. It is also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and carminative (relieving gas and bloating), and it is known for lowering blood pressure, among other actions.

Echinacea Leaves and Root (Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea)

Echinacea root and its beautiful narrow leaves are detoxifying and immune-stimulating, making it the gold standard for naturally fighting colds, flu, and upper respiratory infections while supporting healing. Western herbalists use echinacea to detoxify organ systems (especially the lymph, lungs, and skin), lower blood glucose levels and blood pressure, and help with tooth and gum disease.

Elderberries and Blossoms (Sambucus nigra)

Elderberries have been a folk remedy for centuries in Northern America, Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. They are known for their ability to prevent upper respiratory infections. These pretty berries contain vitamins A, B, and C and have strong antioxidant properties, so they help you recover quicker from a cold or the flu and protect cells from damage. They're also anti-inflammatory and beautiful for minor aches and pains. In addition, elderberries are anti-microbial, so they kill or inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms in the body, making them useful for bacterial infections. While elderberry gets most of the fame and glory, elder leaves and blossoms are potent and can stand on their own. When taken in a warm tea, elder blossoms also help open the capillaries and eliminate excess heat from the body, making it an excellent fever reducer. These tender white blossoms are skin detoxifiers, so they are food for your skin in teas, creams, washes, and salves.

Elecampane Root (Inula helenium)

Used in Europe and Asia for thousands of years, elecampane activates the movement of thick, stuck substances in the lungs. Elecampane is widely used for bronchitis, asthma, and coughs with white phlegm, particularly when pain relief is needed.

Garlic Bulbs (Allium sativum)

Garlic is an excellent immune system builder that has dozens of essential benefits. It is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial, so it's great for coughs, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and hoarseness. Garlic is also a digestive aid that helps relieve gas and bloating and is anti-parasitic. If that wasn't enough, it also helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)

The Spaniards introduced ginger to the Americas, and it is now cultivated extensively in the West Indies. Traditionally used to warm the stomach, aid digestion, and dispel chills, ginger is a potent anti-inflammatory, indicated for coughs and bronchitis. It also helps decrease headaches and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Hibiscus Flowers (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Affectionately known as "China rose" and the "Queen of the Tropics," hibiscus is refreshingly soothing, tangy, and slightly sweet. In the Caribbean, it is the primary ingredient in sorrel. According to the USDA Nutrient Database, it contains essential minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. It also contains B vitamins, such as niacin and folic acid.

Honey

Honey is a beautiful gift from nature that fills us with gratitude. It strengthens the immune system and is incredibly helpful when suffering from seasonal allergies, coughs, or a sore throat. Honey is prebiotic, so it's an excellent digestive aid. When unfiltered and unpasteurized, Honey retains all its natural enzymes, vitamins, and antioxidants. Our proprietary blend combines wildflower, orange blossom, purple blossom, and summer berry honey.

Hops Cones (Humulus lupulus)

While hops are well known as the main ingredients in beer, herbalists use the raw plant to help with sleeplessness, restlessness, headaches, and nervous exhaustion.

Kava Kava Root (Piper methysticum)

This sacred Hawaiian herb is a well-respected sedative known to pave the way for pleasant, peaceful sleep. It is well known for being helpful for anxiety and can increase happiness to the point of euphoria. In addition, kava kava is an analgesic (pain reliever), anti-spasmodic (reduces muscle spasms), and an aphrodisiac. Oh boy! Well, when used to promote sleep, renowned herbalist Michael Tierra says it best: "In [therapeutic] doses, it will induce an immediate sense of ease, warmth, and relaxation that continues to increase over several hours. There is never any accompanied drowsiness or disorientation, just a sense of ease and well-being." What more can we say?

Lavender Flowers (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender's tiny flowers range from purple and blue to slightly grey and are found in many calming tea blends because they are scientifically proven to slow the mind, relax the spirit, and help alleviate restlessness, insomnia, and depression. It is calming, cooling, cleansing, and purifying, adding a slight flowery taste to herbal blends. Lavender's scent is unmistakable. Its flowers and essential oil are scientifically proven to be calming and helpful for muscle spasms. It is soothing to irritated skin, helps with wounds, fights infections, reduces inflammation, and decreases pain. Also, as a digestive herb, it calms the stomach and helps relieve gas, colic, nausea, and vomiting.

Lemon Balm Leaves (Melissa officinalis)

In Greek, Melissa means "honeybee" and is still rubbed on beehives to attract and encourage bees to stay together. Believed to be the balm mentioned in Virgil's "Georgics," Homer's "Odyssey," and Shakespeare's "Merry Wives of Windsor," lemon balm has a slight honey flavor. It is incredibly soothing to the nervous system. It's a mild sedative that's excellent for anxiety, stress, insomnia, and depression and is particularly beneficial during the menopausal years. You'll also find lemon balm in formulas for migraines, eczema/skin infections, herpes viruses, and digestive problems (upset stomach, gas, bloating, and colic).

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice is one of the most important herbs in Chinese medicine. It's known as the "Peacemaker" because it balances Yin and Yang herbs and neutralizes side effects in formulas. For adrenal concerns, accept no substitutes! We include it in our formulas because it is a go-to herb for bronchial problems such as catarrh, bronchitis, and coughs. It reduces throat irritation and has an expectorant action. Licorice also helps reduce fevers and inflammation.

Linden Leaves and Flowers (Tilia cordata)

Linden's sweet smell and flavor delight the senses as it calms the body and mind. Linden is an impressively relaxing nervine, helping with irritability, hyperactivity, and emotional imbalances.

Mullein Leaves (Verbascum thapsus)

Mullein's uses have varied over time. The Cherokee used it for rashes, Creek Indians drank a tea decoction from its roots for coughs, and other tribes smoked the roots or dried leaves to treat asthma. For these reasons, herbalists favor mullein to remedy respiratory disorders, including seasonal allergies, asthma, and coughs.

Nettle Leaves (Urtica dioica)

Nettle (stinging nettle) is a weed you probably see every day without knowing a treasure is in front of you. Once used in Europe to create fine cloths and paper, nettle has one of the highest chlorophyll levels among plants. It is nutrient-rich, packed with Vitamins A, B2, C, and K, and has calcium, iron, and potassium. Its high iron content combats tiredness and anemia. Women love nettle because it strengthens bones, hair, nails, and teeth. Though the fresh plant may sting, its high iron content combats lethargy and anemia, making it worth it.

Olive Oil

Olives contain a high amount of vitamin E and antioxidants and are naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. It is proven to boost heart health and lower the risk of stroke. Olive oil is beneficial for skin inflammations, making it an invaluable component of many hair and body products. Additionally, it is non-toxic and hypoallergenic.

Orange Peel (Citrus sinensis)

In addition to its delicious taste and high vitamin C content, orange peel aids in lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It also helps our bodies make collagen (a protein that heals wounds) so we can more readily absorb iron and boost the immune system. It is excellent for eliminating mucous and supporting digestion. Orange peel also helps reduce the desire for sugar, which is very helpful during perimenopause. Finally, it is a stimulant that increases the effect of all herbs in a formula and serves as a flavor balancer in most blends.

Passionflower Leaves (Passiflora incarnata)

Passiflora is excellent for insomnia, especially when nervous tension or agitation occurs in the evening. It works directly through the central nervous system. The wonderful thing is that it supports sleep without forcing it, so you don't feel out of it when you rise. 

Pau d’arco Bark (Tabebuia impetiginosa)

Pau d'arco has been used medicinally in South America for thousands of years. Commonly known as lapacho or "tea of the Incas," Pau d'arco is a favorite of indigenous tribes in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It boosts the immune system and reduces cold and flu symptoms. Pau d'arco is a prized blood purifier that helps eliminate harmful substances in the body. As a bonus, it doesn't contain caffeine and is rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and iodine.

Peppermint Leaves (Mentha × piperita)

Peppermint is a hybrid plant that's a cross between spearmint and watermint. It's a powerful, tasty ally to other nerve-soothing herbs because it nurtures the nervous system. Also, peppermint has significant calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels, so you can feel great about having it. In addition, this tasty herb helps reduce fever and discomfort while boosting the immune system.

Plantain Leaves (Plantago major)

Quite different from the plantains many of us grew up eating, the herb plantain is a garden weed and is a silent powerhouse. It has bioactive compounds that balance the histamine response, making it great for allergy symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. It is also anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and analgesic (pain-relieving). Notably, it's a vulnerary (wound healer), so it helps heal many types of wounds, from minor cuts to small puncture wounds.

Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus)

Red raspberry helps with painful cramps and heavy bleeding during menstruation. It is an excellent source of bioavailable calcium, making it more easily absorbed into the body. In addition, raspberry leaves are nutrient-rich, containing vitamins A, C, E, and B, iron, magnesium, and manganese. Bonus: it helps reduce blood sugar levels, too.

Red Clover Blossoms (Trifolium pratense)

Each red clover has four leaves, making it a symbol of luck and happiness since medieval times. Its cross-like shape was once a popular symbol in Christianity as well. Today, it is well-known for its ability to buffer the effects of estrogen reduction, helping with hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and PMS symptoms stemming from hormonal imbalances. In addition, it detoxifies the liver and cleanses the blood, promoting safe and effective elimination.

Rose Hips (Rosa canina and Rosa rubiginosa)

Rosehips are the round part of the rose flower just below the petals. They contain seeds well known for their extraordinarily high vitamin C content. Rosehips help reduce inflammation while supporting heart health and decreasing pain.

Rose Petals (Rosa spp.)

One of the most beautiful symbols of love, rose petals offer a sensory experience that is a tonic for the heart. It is mildly antidepressant, uplifting emotions and helping alleviate stress, so herbalists often use it for grief and heartbreak. In addition, roses are astringent, so they help tighten the skin back after wounds and trauma and decrease secretions.

Skullcap Leaves (Scutellaria lateriflora)

Skullcap helps with many nervous conditions, including insomnia and prolonged stress. Herbalist 7Song uses skullcap to calm the mind at night: "I see it most useful for people who constantly need to take charge. They make constant contingency plans and feel personally insulted when things don't go their way. They may have insomnia and cannot initially fall asleep due to thinking about all the things they could have done differently that day." Sound familiar? Skullcap will help to calm your mind so you can experience peaceful sleep.

Spearmint Leaves (Mentha spicata)

Native to Southeast Asia, spearmint is a calming and soothing culinary herb. It helps decrease irritability, release muscle tension, and aids sleep. Since it has a milder flavor than its parent, peppermint, it is particularly suitable for children.

Squaw Vine (Mitchella repens)

Also known as partridge berry, squaw vine is an excellent reproductive system tonic for women when used daily. It helps with cramping, heavy bleeding, nervous exhaustion, and irritability.

Stevia Leaves (Stevia rebaudiana)

Native to South America and used by the Guarani Indians for centuries, stevia is also known as candy leaf, honey leaf, and sweet leaf. It is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, without the calories of refined sugar. It does not activate an insulin response, making it preferred by people with diabetes. Stevia is among nature's sweetest gifts.

Triphala (Terminalia emblica)

This combination of fruits from the chebulic tree is used extensively in India for detoxification, internal cleansing, and blood purification, the building blocks for good health and immune system support.

Tulsi Leaves (Ocimum sanctum)

Also known as holy basil, tulsi is a sacred plant in the Hindu religion. In Sanskrit, tulsi means "beyond compare." It is immunomodulating, so it helps bring the immune system back into balance. It is also anti-viral, helping ward off infections. Tulsi is also a nervine, fostering feelings of being calm and grounded while allowing the mind and body to better handle stress.

Turmeric Root (Curcuma longa)

Turmeric has been held sacred in India for over 4,000 years. In Hinduism and Buddhism, turmeric is a symbol of purity and fertility. It is known as "Indian saffron" and is curry's main ingredient. Turmeric has dozens of medicinal uses because it is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. It is also a powerful ally for respiratory and digestive conditions.

Wild Cherry Bark (Prunus serotina)

Wild cherry bark is often found in over-the-counter cough medicines because of its delicious flavor and relaxing, decongesting properties. It calms respiratory nerves and aids digestion while slightly warming and comforting.

Yarrow Leaves and Flowers (Achillea millefolium)

Herbalist Matthew Wood calls Yarrow a "master of fever." It opens the pores and induces sweating, which cools the body. Yarrow helps eliminate mucus, especially from the sinuses, and because it is anti-inflammatory, it reduces swelling.

Yerba Santa Leaves (Eriodictyon californicum)

First used by Native American healers and then Spanish settlers, Yerba Santa has been a valuable herbal remedy for centuries. It is one of the best decongestants for lung and sinus conditions and is incredibly helpful for colds and allergies. As an expectorant, Yerba Santa helps remove phlegm from the respiratory tract.