Alfalfa is a perennial flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world, including the United States. Alfalfa has been cultivated for centuries for its valuable medicinal properties.
Astragalus membranaceus, a member of the fabeaceae, or pea family native to Northern China and Mongolia, is now cultivated worldwide. It has been used in herbal medicine for more than 2,000 years, and is considered one of the most important herbs used in Traditional Chinese medicine.
Butterfly Pea flower is known for its color-changing properties but is also packed with antioxidants as it has properties similar to green tea when steeped, helping your body lower risk of infection and supports heart health.
Elettaria cardamomum, a member of the tropical Zingiberaceae family, is one of several species of herbaceous plants native to India that produce the well known light green, spicy pods we know and love. While India remains the world’s largest producer of Cardamon, it is now cultivated worldwide, particularly coming from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala.
Camellia sinensis, a premium green tea powder from Japan, is stone-ground from shade-grown tea leaves cultivated and processed according to strict traditional standards. Known for its vibrant emerald color, complex umami flavor profile, and rich ceremonial history in Japanese tea culture, it contains high concentrations of L-theanine and antioxidants.
Chamomile is an herb that comes from the daisy-like flowers of the Asteraceae plant family. Gentle and nurturing, chamomile is an anti-inflammatory and stomach soother. The plant also aids with fighting insomnia and restlessness.
Chlorophyll is the antioxidant-rich green pigment found in plants. Among a multitude of other benefits, chlorophyll helps to eliminate toxins, boost digestion and hydrate the skin.
Cinnamomum verum, a member of the Lauraceae family, is also known as True or Ceylon cinnamon, referring to its homeland in Sri Lanka. Cinnamon bark has been used for thousands of years in both Eastern and Western Traditional herbal systems.
Syzygium aromaticum, a member of the Myrtaceae family, is native to the Molucca Islands of Indonesia, also referred to as the “Spice islands”. This small island chain was the epicenter of the European spice trade in the 16th century due to the clove, nutmeg, and mace originally found only here. It was traditional in Moluccan culture to plant a clove tree each time a child was born.
Coriandrum Sativum, a member of the Apiaceae or Carrot family, is native to the Mediterranean and Asia, and has been used as a medicinal spice for at least 7,000 years. Recently, seeds were even recovered in the tomb of King Tut in Egypt. Coriander is the seed of the well-known culinary herb cilantro and, as such, has similar uses and benefits.
Sambucus nigra, a member of the Adoxeaceae family, is also known as black elderberry. It has had a long and illustrious career in Traditional European and North American herbal medicine. Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician, referred to elderberry as “Nature’s medicine chest” due to the long list of health benefits.
With a delicate and sweet flavor, Elderflower is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Hand-picked on a family farm on the island of Kauai, Hawai'i, ginger is known to relieve digestion, help relieve stomach pain & nausea.
Lycium Chinense, or Lycium Barbarum, are two closely related species in the Solanaceae, family of plants. This is also known as the Nightshade family and includes some commonly known plants, such as, the potato, tomato, pepper, and tobacco. Goji berries are indigenous to China and Tibet and have been cultivated among the floodplains of the fertile Yellow river for over 700 years.
Greek Mountain Mint is an antioxidant-rich plant that is hand-grown in pristine mountain environments in Greece. The plants’ tiny pale yellow flowers, light green buds, and silvery leaves contain large amounts of essential oils and are all rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients.
Hibiscus sabdariffara, a member of the Malvaceae family, is the most commonly used variety for medicinal use originating from West Africa and now cultivated worldwide. Cultivation is most intensive throughout tropical regions in China, Thailand, Mexico, Sudan, Egypt, Senegal, and Jamaica. Hibiscus is used by cultures the world over for its delicious, refreshing flavor and ruby red color.
Cyclopeia Intermedia is a medium sized flowering bush native only to small areas of Coastal South Africa. Most honeybush is gathered from sustainable populations in the wild, but cultivation is becoming more common in areas of South Africa that have favorable conditions to its growth.
Quisetum Arvense, sometimes called Shavegrass or Scouring rush for its ability to polish metal, is an ancient plant in the Equisetaceae family that once covered the earth more densely than forests over 350 million years ago. It is named for the shape of its foliage that somewhat resembles that of a horse’s tail. although it’s just a couple of feet in height, it was once as tall as a palm tree.
Thanks to high concentrations of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, sweet and floral jasmine flowers help promote beautiful, healthy skin and support a healthy immune system.
Panax Quinqefolius, a member of the Araliaceae family, is native to the woodlands of the Eastern United States and Southern Canada, including the Appalachian Mountains, west to the Ozarks of Missouri. Ginseng is perhaps the most well known of all medicinal plants, “the Muhammad Ali” of herbs.
Lavandula angustifolia, the narrow leaved or English lavender, is one of the many varieties of this famous herb family native to the Western Mediterranean, now grown worldwide. This variety is the ideal species for medicinal consumption, due to its potent properties.
Melissa officinalis, a member of the Lamiaceae family, is native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. To the ancients, Melissa was considered a cure-all and comprehensive tonic to the system. It is a staple herb to have on the shelves of the kitchen pantry as a regular after-meal option in a plant-based, preventative lifestyle.
Lemon Verbena is a fragrant plant in the Verbenaceae family native to Western South America where it continues to grow in the wild. It is a staple grassroots herb in South America used for all manner of ailments, much like how peppermint is to the European tradition.
There are dozens of varieties of lemongrass, each with unique tastes and fragrances. Certain varieties have hints of ginger, rose, or various citrus notes, due to variations in aromatic oil content, making each one uniquely sought after for specific recipes or tea combinations.
Tilia Cordata, a member of the Tiliaceae family, also called the small leaved Linden, is native to Europe and Northern Asia. It is a moderately large deciduous tree with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant greenish-white flowers. Linden is a popular tree in urban landscaping and its lusciously sweet fragrance is attractive to both people and honeybees.
Myristica fragrans, known as Nutmeg, is a member of the Myristicaceae family native to a small volcanic island chain in Indonesia, historically known as the “Spice islands”. Mace is the thin, fragrant, leathery pulp, called an aril, that wraps around the nutmeg pit. Mace has a slightly lighter, more aromatic fragrance and flavor compared to nutmeg, yet with an abundance of shared chemistry and similar uses and applications.
Urtica diocia, is a member of the Urticaceae family native to Europe, Asia, Northern Africa, and Western North America. Nettles are an erect perennial herb, growing to five feet or so. It has creeping roots, square stems, lance-shaped leaves with serrated edges, and clusters of small green flowers. It is named for the millions of hair-like needles covering its leaves and stem that pack a dose of formic acid when they burst.
Avena sativa, a member of the Poaceae family, an important source of food, medicine, and a soil building cover crop, is native to the fertile crescent of the Far East. One of the most common of all domesticated crops, it is now cultivated worldwide, long utilized as a source of sustenance and nutrition, as well as a valuable herbal medicine.
Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have utilized the peels from citrus fruits for millennia. Peels of citrus are substantial sources of nutrients, antioxidants, and enzymes that increase the value of a formula and enhance its assimilation into the body.
Rubus idaeus leaf, harvested from the raspberry plant, has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine across Europe and North America. Prized for its gentle astringent properties and nutrient profile rich in vitamins and minerals, these dried green leaves brew into a pleasant, mild tea.
Trifolium Pratense is a member of the Fabaceae, or bean family, native to Northern Africa, Asia, and Europe. It has since naturalized and has been happily growing in virtually every corner of the world. Red clover is grown extensively as a nitrogen-fixing cover crop in organic agriculture to build healthy soil and has a long history of medicinal use in varied cultures throughout the world.
Quisetum Arvense, sometimes called Shavegrass or Scouring rush for its ability to polish metal, is an ancient plant in the Equisetaceae family that once covered the earth more densely than forests over 350 million years ago. It is named for the shape of its foliage that somewhat resembles that of a horse’s tail. although it’s just a couple of feet in height, it was once as tall as a palm tree.
Rosa Canina, commonly known as Dog-Rose, is a member of the Rosaceae family, native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia. The flowers are usually pale-pink in color, and this plant has a habit of climbing up into tall trees by using its grappling hook-like thorns to hold on to the trunk. The fruit of the rose is called its hip, and dog-rose has some particularly attractive hips bursting with flavor and aromas.
Rosa Damascena, one of the more than 100 species of Rose in the aptly named Rosaceae family, also known as Damask rose, or Rose of Castille, is thought to be native to the Middle East. You may find yourself wondering why there are over 5,000 varieties of Roses that have been cultivated for well over a thousand years.
Sweet and savory, saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, also known as ‘saffron crocus.’ The vivid colored threads are collected and dried and often used as mainly a seasoning and coloring agent.
With an earthy, peppery flavor, sage leaf is an anti-inflammatory and digestion aid. This aromatic plant can also help relieve chest colds and congestion.
In China Schisandra Berry is called Wu We Zi, meaning the five- flavored berry, because it is said to contain Sweet, Bitter, Pungent, Salty, and Sour tastes. According to the principles of natural medicine, each of these flavors has a specific function in the body.
Mentha Spicata, a member of the Lamiaceae family, is native to Europe and Asia, and is now on the loose just about everywhere else. Spearmint is most famous, perhaps, for lending its fragrance and flavor to chewing gum and mouthwash, or as the adornment for the infamous mojito; however, there is a lot more to this unique species of mint.
Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have utilized the peels from citrus fruits for millennia. Peels of citrus are substantial sources of nutrients, antioxidants, and enzymes that increase the value of a formula and enhance its assimilation into the body.
Ocimum sanctum is a member of the Lamiatae family. Highly aromatic, different varieties of Tulsi may smell and taste of peppermint, cloves, licorice, or lemon, as well as having distinct characteristics of their own.
Native to Southwest India, Turmeric is now cultivated throughout the tropics. Studies have shown that consuming small amounts each day, as little as 1 gram, have measurable benefits over time. Turmeric is a medicinal powerhouse of mythic proportions, with too many benefits to list.
Vanilla Planifoila, a member of the Orchidceae family, is one of the three species grown commercially throughout the world. Native to Mexico, where it was once a common ingredient in a hot mug of Aztec cacao, it has since moved around the world and been adopted into cultures far and wide. Vanilla beans or pods come from a unique species of climbing orchid.
