Herbs
This page exposes the app’s herb catalog with origin stories, conditions, and tradition-based data.
Turmeric
Used for over 4,000 years in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, turmeric was considered a sacred herb in ancient India. Referenced in Sanskrit ...
Ayurveda · South Asia
Ashwagandha
One of the most important herbs in Ayurveda, ashwagandha has been used for over 3,000 years. Its name means 'smell of horse' in Sanskrit, re...
Ayurveda · India, North Africa
Ginger
Ginger has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. Confucius is said to have eaten ginger with every meal. In ancient Greece and Rome, it ...
Traditional Chinese Medicine · Southeast Asia
Echinacea
Native American tribes including the Cheyenne, Sioux, and Comanche used echinacea as a universal remedy for over 400 years before European c...
Indigenous/Native American · North America
Lavender
The ancient Egyptians used lavender in mummification and perfume. The Romans used it to scent their baths, beds, and clothes — the name come...
Mediterranean · Mediterranean Basin
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Called 'The Queen of Herbs' in Ayurveda, tulsi has been worshipped in India for over 5,000 years. Hindu scriptures describe it as a manifest...
Ayurveda · India
Valerian
Hippocrates described valerian's therapeutic properties, and Galen prescribed it for insomnia. During World War II, valerian was used in Eng...
Western Herbalism · Europe, Asia
Moringa
Moringa trees have been used medicinally for over 5,000 years. Ancient Mauryan warriors were fed moringa leaf extract to give them energy an...
African Traditional Medicine · India, Sub-Saharan Africa
Elderberry
The elder tree was considered sacred in many European cultures. Hippocrates called it his 'medicine chest' and referenced it in his writings...
Western Herbalism · Europe, North America
Reishi Mushroom
In ancient China, reishi was known as the 'Mushroom of Immortality' and the 'Herb of Spiritual Potency.' For 2,000 years it was reserved exc...
Traditional Chinese Medicine · East Asia
Chamomile
Chamomile has been used medicinally for 5,000 years. Ancient Egyptians dedicated it to their sun god Ra and used it to treat malaria. The An...
Western Herbalism · Europe, Western Asia
Licorice Root
Licorice root has been used medicinally for over 4,000 years. Found in the tomb of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun, it was valued so highly it ...
Unani/Islamic Medicine · Southern Europe, Middle East
Peppermint
Dried peppermint leaves have been found in Egyptian pyramids dating to 1000 BC. Ancient Greeks and Romans used it to flavor sauces and wine....
Western Herbalism · Europe
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle has been used as a liver remedy for over 2,000 years. The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder wrote of its use for bile-related co...
Western Herbalism · Mediterranean
Turmeric
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, turmeric (jiāng huáng) has been documented for over 1,000 years in texts including the Tang Bencao. TCM pra...
Traditional Chinese Medicine · India
Rhodiola
Viking warriors used rhodiola to enhance physical endurance and resilience for over a millennium. The Chinese emperors sent expeditions to S...
Traditional Chinese Medicine · Arctic Europe, Asia
Oregano
In ancient Greece, oregano was associated with joy — its name means 'joy of the mountain' from the Greek 'oros' (mountain) and 'ganos' (joy)...
Mediterranean · Mediterranean
Lion's Mane
In ancient China, lion's mane was reserved for Buddhist monks and emperors as a prized tonic for the mind and spirit. Buddhist monks consume...
Traditional Chinese Medicine · Asia
Black Seed
Known in Arabic as 'habbatus sauda,' black seed has been used for over 3,000 years. Archaeologists discovered black seed oil in Tutankhamun'...
Unani/Islamic Medicine · Middle East
Rosemary
Ancient Greeks believed rosemary strengthened memory — students wore garlands of it during exams. It was burned in sick rooms as a disinfect...
Mediterranean · Mediterranean
Saffron
The world's most expensive spice by weight, saffron has been used medicinally for over 3,500 years. Ancient Persians used it in royal baths ...
Persian Medicine · Iran, Greece
Neem
Called 'the village pharmacy' in India, the neem tree has been used in Ayurveda for over 4,000 years. Ancient Sanskrit texts reference neem ...
Ayurveda · India, Myanmar
Astragalus
Astragalus (huang qi) has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 2,000 years and is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Chinese p...
Traditional Chinese Medicine · China
Cat's Claw
Used for over 2,000 years by the Ashaninka people of Peru, cat's claw (uña de gato) is one of the most important medicinal plants of the Ama...
Amazonian Plant Medicine · Amazon Rainforest
Dandelion
Though dismissed today as a garden weed, dandelion was cultivated as medicine for centuries. Ancient Chinese herbalists used dandelion to tr...
Western Herbalism · Europe, Asia
Feverfew
Feverfew was recorded in the first century AD by Greek physician Dioscorides. Its name derives from the Latin 'febrifugia' meaning fever red...
Western Herbalism · Balkans
Schisandra
Schisandra (wu wei zi — 'five-flavor berry') has been used in TCM for over 2,000 years. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs of Chinese med...
Traditional Chinese Medicine · China, Russia
Hibiscus
Hibiscus tea, known as 'karkadé' in Egypt and Sudan, 'zobo' in Nigeria, and 'bissap' in Senegal, has been a cornerstone of African healing f...
African Traditional Medicine · West Africa
Andrographis
Called 'the King of Bitters' in Asia, andrographis has been used for over 2,000 years in Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese, and Southeast Asian...
Thai Traditional Medicine · India, Sri Lanka
Maca
Maca has been cultivated in the Andes for over 2,000 years at altitudes above 14,000 feet where almost nothing else will grow. Incan warrior...
Latin American Curanderismo · Andes, Peru
Thai Black Ginger
Known in Thailand as 'Krachai Dam' (black ginger), Kaempferia parviflora has been used in Thai traditional medicine for centuries as a royal...
Thai Traditional Medicine · Thailand, Laos, Myanmar