Herb Reference Database

Herbs & Botanicals

Every entry says three things: what the tradition uses it for, what research has actually looked at, and what to be careful about. No efficacy scores, no rankings.

Herbs and practices affect people differently — nothing here suits everyone. Take it as reference.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Reishi

Ganoderma lucidum

Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to calm the spirit and support restful sleep and general resilience. Modern routes are mush…

Ginseng (Red)

Panax ginseng

Traditionally used in Chinese and Korean practice for energy, mental focus, and vitality. The root is rarely eaten as food — it ar…

Berberine (Huang Lian type)

Coptis chinensis

Traditionally used in Chinese medicine (huang lian) for digestive heat and dampness patterns. The bitter root goes into small amou…

Goji Berry

Lycium barbarum

Traditionally used in Chinese food therapy and medicine for eye comfort and general nourishment. Eaten as food — handfuls in conge…

Astragalus

Astragalus membranaceus

Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to support the body's defenses, especially around seasonal changes. Sliced into soups and s…

Sour Jujube Seed

Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa

Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to calm the spirit and support restful sleep. The seeds are simmered into porridges and eve…

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

Traditionally used in Chinese and Western herbal practice for digestive comfort, for nausea, and as a warming remedy during cold s…

Licorice Root

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Western products) / G. uralensis (TCM Gan Cao)

Traditionally used in Chinese medicine as a harmonizer that rounds off harsh formulas, and in Western herbal practice for cough an…

Chrysanthemum Flower

Chrysanthemum x morifolium (cultivated ju hua)

Traditionally used in Chinese medicine for eye comfort and headache, and as a tea during feverish colds. Dried flowers steep as a…

Ayurveda

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a rasayana (rejuvenative) for stress, sleep quality, and general vitality. In practice it goes d…

Shilajit

Asphaltum punjabianum

Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenative for vitality and stamina. Resin dissolved in warm milk or water — a mountain prod…

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

Traditionally used in Ayurveda and as a culinary spice for joint comfort and digestive ease. At home it is the golden spice — rice…

Western Herbalism

Tongkat Ali

Eurycoma longifolia

Traditionally used in Southeast Asian folk practice for male vitality and stamina. The root is simmered as a bitter tea in Malay a…

Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

Traditionally used in European herbal practice for restlessness and to support falling asleep. The dried root is steeped as a bitt…

Lion's Mane

Hericium erinaceus

Traditionally used as both food and folk tonic for digestive comfort and mental clarity. Sliced like a steak when fresh and simmer…

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

Traditionally used in European herbal practice as an evening tea for calm and digestive ease. As a household default it is steeped…

Black Cohosh

Actaea racemosa

Traditionally used in North American folk practice for menopause-associated discomfort. The root is prepared as a tincture or a si…