Infusion (hot water, covered)
Pour water just off the boil over 1–2 tsp of leaf or flower, cover, steep 8–10 minutes, strain. Covering matters: the aromatic oils leave with the steam.
Leaves and flowers — tulsi, thyme, chamomile, catnip, calendula
Practical reference
Herb usage guide
How to actually use every plant in the library: the part that carries the medicine, the preparation that extracts it, when to take it and how much. Start with the four base methods, then look up your herb below.
The four base methods
Decoction (kadha, simmered)
Simmer 1 tsp of root, bark or seed in 2 cups of water until it reduces to about 1 cup (15–20 minutes), then strain.
Hard material — ginger, cinnamon, giloy, neem bark, reishi
Churna (powder with a carrier)
Stir 1/4–1/2 tsp of powder into warm milk, water, ghee or honey. The fat or warm liquid is the carrier (anupana) that moves the herb where it is needed.
Roots and fruits — ashwagandha, shatavari, triphala, amla
Oil, paste or wash (external)
Infuse the herb in warm oil over a water bath for 30–45 minutes, or mix powder with water into a paste. Always patch test on the inner forearm for 24 hours first.
Skin and joints — calendula, neem, brahmi, turmeric
Rules that apply to every herb
- Start at the lowest listed dose for a week before increasing anything.
- One new herb at a time, so you can tell what is working and what is not.
- Tonics (ashwagandha, shatavari, reishi) need 6–8 weeks; digestives and teas act the same day.
- Cycle long-term herbs: 3 weeks on, 1 week off.
- Leave 2 hours between a herb and prescription medication, and clear anything herbal with your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood thinners, thyroid or diabetes medication, or before surgery.
- Buy by botanical name (e.g. Calendula officinalis, not ornamental marigold) and store powders airtight, away from light.
Look up a herb
60 herbs
AshwagandhaWithania somnifera
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Root · Leaf
Daily amount: 300-600 mg of root extract daily, or 3-6 g of root powder (churna). Effects build over 4-8 weeks of continuous use.
How to prepare
- Ksheerapaka (milk decoction) — Simmer 1 tsp root powder in 1 cup milk with 1/2 cup water until reduced to one cup. Strain and sweeten lightly.Evening, about an hour before bed
- Churna with honey — Mix 1/2 tsp powder into a teaspoon of raw honey or warm water.Morning on an empty stomach for stamina
Avoid / take care: Avoid in pregnancy · Caution with hyperthyroidism and with thyroid medication · May interact with sedatives and immunosuppressants
TurmericCurcuma longa
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Rhizome (root) · Fresh root
Daily amount: 1-3 g of dried powder daily with food. Absorption improves markedly with black pepper and a fat such as ghee or oil.
How to prepare
- Golden milk (haldi doodh) — Whisk 1/2 tsp turmeric and a pinch of black pepper into a cup of hot milk with a little ghee.Evening, or after physical exertion
- Fresh paste — Grind fresh root into a paste for topical use on bruises and blemishes.Topical, 15-20 minutes then rinse
Avoid / take care: High doses may worsen reflux or gallstone conditions · May increase bleeding risk with anticoagulants · Pause therapeutic doses before surgery
TriphalaEmblica officinalis, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Fruit
Daily amount: 1/2 to 1 tsp of powder, or 500-1000 mg in tablet form, once daily. Suitable for long-term use.
How to prepare
- Overnight infusion — Stir 1 tsp powder into a cup of warm water, leave covered overnight, drink the liquid in the morning.Morning on an empty stomach for cleansing
- Warm water dose — Mix 1/2 tsp powder into warm water and drink immediately.One to two hours after dinner for regularity
Avoid / take care: Start at a low dose; too much causes loose stools · Avoid in pregnancy and during acute diarrhoea · Take two hours apart from other medication
TulsiOcimum tenuiflorum
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Seed · Whole plant
Daily amount: 2-4 fresh leaves chewed daily, or 300-600 mg extract, or one to two cups of tea.
How to prepare
- Tulsi kadha — Boil 10 leaves with grated ginger, 3 black peppercorns and a small piece of cinnamon in 2 cups water until halved. Add honey off the heat.Twice daily at the first sign of a cold
- Steam inhalation — Add a handful of leaves to hot water and inhale the steam under a towel.Evening for blocked sinuses
Avoid / take care: May thin the blood; caution with anticoagulants · Avoid high doses when trying to conceive · Do not add honey to boiling liquid
BrahmiBacopa monnieri
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Whole plant
Daily amount: 300 mg of standardised extract, or 1-2 g powder daily, taken with a fat for absorption.
How to prepare
- Brahmi ghrita — Stir 1/2 tsp powder into a teaspoon of warm ghee.Morning before study or focused work
- Brahmi tea — Steep 1 tsp dried leaf in hot water for 10 minutes; add cardamom.Afternoon slump
Avoid / take care: Can cause nausea or cramping if taken without food · May slow thyroid medication absorption · Mildly sedating when combined with other calming herbs
GingerZingiber officinale
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Rhizome (root)
Daily amount: Up to 1 g dried powder or 3 g fresh root daily, split across doses.
How to prepare
- Appetiser slice — Thin slice of fresh ginger with a pinch of rock salt and a squeeze of lime.15 minutes before a meal
- Ginger decoction — Simmer 1 tsp grated root in 2 cups water for 10 minutes; strain.After meals, or through the day when unwell
Avoid / take care: Reduce with active gastritis, ulcers or reflux · High doses may interact with blood thinners · Keep under 1 g/day in pregnancy
AmlaPhyllanthus emblica
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Fruit · Seed · Leaf
Daily amount: 1-3 g powder daily, one fresh fruit, or 20 ml juice diluted in water.
How to prepare
- Amla water — Stir 1 tsp powder into a glass of room-temperature water.Morning, before food
- Hair oil infusion — Warm amla powder in coconut oil, cool, strain and massage into the scalp.Weekly, left on for an hour before washing
Avoid / take care: Sourness can aggravate reflux in sensitive people · May lower blood sugar; monitor if diabetic · Avoid large doses with bleeding disorders
NeemAzadirachta indica
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Bark · Twig · Seed oil · Root bark
Daily amount: Short courses only: 250-500 mg powder daily for 2-4 weeks, then a break.
How to prepare
- Neem paste — Grind fresh leaves with a little water into a paste.Topical on blemishes, 20 minutes then rinse
- Neem wash — Boil leaves in water, cool and use the strained liquid as a rinse.Daily for irritated skin or scalp
Avoid / take care: Not for children, pregnancy or while breastfeeding · Avoid long continuous internal use; can stress the liver · May lower blood sugar and reduce fertility at high doses
ShatavariAsparagus racemosus
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Root (tuber)
Daily amount: 3-6 g of powder daily, usually taken in warm milk.
How to prepare
- Shatavari milk — Simmer 1 tsp powder in a cup of milk with a pinch of cardamom for 5 minutes.Morning or bedtime
Avoid / take care: Avoid with asparagus allergy · May not suit high Kapha or oedema-prone conditions · Consult a clinician with hormone-sensitive conditions
GuggulCommiphora mukul
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Gum resin from bark
Daily amount: Typically 500 mg of purified guggulu two to three times daily, after food.
How to prepare
- Yogaraja guggulu tablet — Standard classical tablet taken with warm water.After meals, in courses of 4-8 weeks
Avoid / take care: Avoid in pregnancy and with thyroid medication · Can cause skin rash or stomach upset · Interacts with statins and blood thinners
FenugreekTrigonella foenum-graecum
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Seed · Leaf
Daily amount: 5-10 g of seeds daily, soaked overnight, or 1 tsp powder.
How to prepare
- Soaked seed water — Soak 1 tsp seeds in a glass of water overnight; drink the water and chew the seeds.Morning on an empty stomach
- Hair mask — Grind soaked seeds into a paste and apply to the scalp.Weekly, 30 minutes before washing
Avoid / take care: Can lower blood sugar; monitor with diabetes medication · Avoid therapeutic doses in pregnancy · May cause a maple-like body odour
LicoriceGlycyrrhiza glabra
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Root
Daily amount: 1-2 g powder daily, short courses of no more than 4-6 weeks.
How to prepare
- Throat infusion — Steep 1/2 tsp powder in hot water for 10 minutes; sip slowly with honey.Twice daily for a raw throat
Avoid / take care: Raises blood pressure and lowers potassium with prolonged use · Avoid with hypertension, kidney disease or in pregnancy · Interacts with diuretics and corticosteroids
PeepalFicus religiosa
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Bark · Tender leaf · Root bark · Fruit
Daily amount: Bark decoction (kwatha) 20-40 ml once or twice daily, or 1-3 g of dried bark powder. Use in short courses.
How to prepare
- Bark decoction — Simmer 1 tbsp coarse dried bark in 2 cups water until reduced by half; strain and cool.Once daily, or as a skin wash and gargle
- Tender leaf infusion — Steep 2-3 washed tender leaves in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes.Morning during damp, congested weather
Avoid / take care: Do not harvest bark from roadside or sprayed trees · Avoid internal use in pregnancy without supervision · Latex from cut leaves can irritate sensitive skin
JamunSyzygium cumini
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Seed · Bark · Fruit · Leaf
Daily amount: 1-3 g of dried seed powder daily with water, or fruit in season.
How to prepare
- Seed churna — Dry the seeds fully, grind to a fine powder and store airtight. Take 1/2 tsp in water.Twice daily, 30 minutes before meals
- Bark gargle — Boil 1 tbsp bark in 2 cups water for 10 minutes; cool and strain.As a mouth rinse for ulcers or bleeding gums
Avoid / take care: Can lower blood sugar; monitor closely with diabetes medication · Avoid the fruit on an empty stomach · Stop two weeks before surgery
Guava LeafPsidium guajava
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Bark · Fruit
Daily amount: One to two cups of leaf tea daily (about 3-6 g dried leaf), in short courses.
How to prepare
- Leaf tea — Simmer 5-6 tender leaves in 2 cups water for 10 minutes; strain.After meals, or through the day for loose stools
- Mouth rinse — Use the cooled leaf decoction undiluted as a swish and spit.Twice daily for sore gums
Avoid / take care: Excess can cause constipation · May lower blood sugar; monitor with diabetes medication · Avoid concentrated extracts in pregnancy
HarsingarNyctanthes arbor-tristis
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Flower · Bark · Seed
Daily amount: 10-20 ml of fresh leaf juice, or 2-4 leaves boiled as a decoction, once daily.
How to prepare
- Leaf decoction — Boil 3-4 fresh leaves in a cup of water until reduced by half; strain and sip warm.Morning on an empty stomach, in courses of 2-3 weeks
- Flower infusion — Steep a few dried night-fallen flowers in hot water for 10 minutes.Evening, for restlessness
Avoid / take care: Very bitter; can cause nausea on an empty stomach · Avoid in pregnancy and while breastfeeding · Keep courses short and take breaks between them
BanyanFicus benghalensis
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Bark · Aerial root · Leaf · Latex
Daily amount: Bark decoction 20-40 ml daily, or 1-3 g bark powder, in short courses.
How to prepare
- Bark decoction — Simmer 1 tbsp dried bark in 2 cups water until halved; strain.Once daily, or as a wash for irritated skin
- Hair oil infusion — Warm bark powder and aerial root pieces in coconut oil, cool and strain.Weekly scalp massage before washing
Avoid / take care: Strongly astringent; can dry the gut with prolonged use · Avoid internal use in pregnancy · Not for people with constipation-prone digestion
EucalyptusEucalyptus globulus
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Leaf oil
Daily amount: External and inhaled use only: 2-3 drops of essential oil in a steam bowl, or 1-2% dilution in carrier oil.
How to prepare
- Steam inhalation — Add 2-3 drops of oil (or a handful of fresh leaves) to a bowl of just-boiled water; drape a towel and breathe for 5 minutes with eyes closed.Morning and before bed during congestion
- Chest rub — Mix 4-5 drops of oil into 2 tsp warm sesame or coconut oil and massage over chest and upper back.At night, under warm clothing
Avoid / take care: Never swallow eucalyptus essential oil — it is toxic even in small amounts · Do not apply on or near the face of infants and young children · Avoid during an asthma flare unless your clinician has approved it
HibiscusHibiscus rosa-sinensis
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Flower · Leaf · Root
Daily amount: Tea: 1-2 g dried flower per cup, up to 2 cups daily. External hair use as needed.
How to prepare
- Hibiscus tea — Steep 1 tsp dried petals in a cup of hot water for 5-7 minutes; strain and add a little honey once cooled.Mid-morning or afternoon, not on an empty stomach
- Hair mask — Grind fresh flowers and leaves with a little water or yoghurt into a paste; apply to scalp and lengths.30-45 minutes before washing, once a week
Avoid / take care: May lower blood pressure — care if you already take antihypertensives · Avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy · Sour and cooling; can unsettle very weak digestion in cold weather
CloveSyzygium aromaticum
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Flower bud · Bud oil
Daily amount: Culinary use freely; 1-2 buds chewed or 250-500 mg powder daily. Oil for external and dental use only, diluted.
How to prepare
- Clove and ginger decoction — Simmer 2 cloves and a slice of fresh ginger in a cup of water for 5 minutes; strain.After a heavy meal, or at the start of a cold
- Toothache dab — Dilute 1 drop clove oil in 4-5 drops coconut oil and dab on the tooth with cotton.As needed, short term, until you see a dentist
Avoid / take care: Clove oil is strong — never use it undiluted on gums or swallow it · Large doses may increase bleeding risk with blood thinners · Very heating; reduce with high Pitta, acidity or ulcers
BhringrajEclipta alba
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Whole plant
Daily amount: Powder 1-3 g daily with warm water, or oil applied to the scalp 2-3 times a week.
How to prepare
- Bhringraj hair oil — Warm 2 tablespoons of bhringraj-infused coconut or sesame oil and massage into the scalp; leave 1 hour before washing.Evening, twice a week
- Bhringraj churna — Stir 1-2 g powder into warm water or honey.Morning, before food
Avoid / take care: Very cooling — may aggravate cold hands, feet or sluggish digestion · Patch test the oil; some people react to the raw leaf paste · Avoid internal use in pregnancy without professional advice
ManjisthaRubia cordifolia
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Root · Stem
Daily amount: Powder 1-3 g daily with warm water; usually taken in 6-8 week courses.
How to prepare
- Manjistha skin tea — Simmer 1 teaspoon of root powder in a cup of water for 5 minutes; strain.Once daily, mid-morning
- Face paste — Mix 1/2 teaspoon powder with rose water into a thin paste; wash off after 10 minutes.Twice a week
Avoid / take care: Can tint urine and stools orange-red — harmless but expected · Avoid in pregnancy and while breastfeeding · Very cooling; pair with ginger if digestion is weak
PunarnavaBoerhavia diffusa
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Root · Leaf · Whole plant
Daily amount: Powder 1-3 g twice daily with warm water, or as a decoction.
How to prepare
- Punarnava decoction — Simmer 1 teaspoon powder in 2 cups water until reduced to half; strain.Morning and late afternoon, before meals
- Punarnava and ginger tea — Add a pinch of dry ginger to the decoction for extra warmth.Cold, damp weather
Avoid / take care: Do not self-treat swelling that is sudden, painful or one-sided — see a doctor · Avoid alongside prescription diuretics without medical advice · Not recommended in pregnancy
Mucuna PruriensMucuna pruriens
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Seed · Root
Daily amount: Powder 1-3 g daily with warm milk or water; start low and build slowly.
How to prepare
- Kapikacchu milk — Whisk 1 teaspoon powder into a cup of warm milk with a pinch of cardamom.Evening
- Morning tonic — Stir 1/2 teaspoon powder into warm water with honey.Before breakfast
Avoid / take care: Do not combine with levodopa, MAOIs or antidepressants without medical supervision · Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding and with psychiatric medication · Raw seed hairs are irritant — use only prepared powder
KarelaMomordica charantia
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Fruit · Seed · Leaf
Daily amount: 30-50 ml fresh juice on an empty stomach, or 1-2 g dried fruit powder daily.
How to prepare
- Karela juice — Blend one deseeded bitter melon with a little water, strain, and dilute to taste.Morning, empty stomach
- Dried karela powder — Stir 1 g powder into warm water.Before lunch
Avoid / take care: Can lower blood sugar — monitor closely if you take diabetes medication · Avoid in pregnancy; seeds are not suitable for children · Excess juice may cause cramps or loose stools
RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Flowering top · Essential oil
Daily amount: 1-2 g dried leaf as tea, up to twice daily. Diluted essential oil for external use only.
How to prepare
- Rosemary tea — Steep 1 tsp dried leaf in a cup of hot water, covered, for 8 minutes.Mid-morning or after a heavy meal
- Scalp oil — Warm 2 tbsp coconut or sesame oil with a sprig of rosemary, cool, and massage into the scalp.Evening, 1-2 hours before washing
Avoid / take care: Avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy · Undiluted essential oil must never be swallowed · Large amounts may irritate an already acidic stomach
ChamomileMatricaria chamomilla
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Flower
Daily amount: 1 cup of tea from 2-3 g dried flowers, one to three times daily.
How to prepare
- Evening infusion — Steep 2-3 g dried flowers in covered hot water for 5-10 minutes.30-60 minutes before bed
- Skin compress — Brew strong tea, cool completely, and apply on a clean cloth.As needed
Avoid / take care: Avoid if allergic to ragweed, daisies or marigold · May add to the effect of sedatives — check with your doctor · Very strong brews can be nauseating on an empty stomach
CinnamonCinnamomum verum
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Inner bark · Leaf · Bark oil
Daily amount: 1-3 g powdered bark daily, or one small stick simmered in water or milk.
How to prepare
- Cinnamon decoction — Simmer a 2 cm stick in a cup of water for 5 minutes; add ginger for colds.Morning or on the first sign of a cold
- Cinnamon in milk — Stir 1/4 tsp powder into warm milk with a pinch of cardamom.Evening
Avoid / take care: Prefer true (Ceylon) cinnamon for daily use; cassia is high in coumarin · Monitor closely if you take blood-sugar or blood-thinning medication · Avoid large medicinal doses in pregnancy
Stinging NettleUrtica dioica
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Root · Seed
Daily amount: 2-4 g dried leaf as tea, two to three times daily; root is used separately.
How to prepare
- Nettle leaf tea — Steep 2 g dried leaf in hot water for 10 minutes; drink warm.Morning and afternoon
- Cooked nettle greens — Blanch young leaves for 2 minutes (this removes the sting), then cook like spinach.With lunch
Avoid / take care: Never eat raw — fresh leaves sting until cooked or dried · Care if you take diuretics, blood-pressure or blood-sugar medication · Avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy
Reishi MushroomGanoderma lucidum
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Fruiting body · Spore
Daily amount: 1.5-3 g dried mushroom or 1 g dual-extract powder daily.
How to prepare
- Reishi decoction — Simmer sliced dried reishi in water for 45-60 minutes; the brew is meant to be bitter.Late afternoon or evening
- Extract in cocoa — Whisk 1 g extract powder into warm cocoa or milk with a little honey.Evening
Avoid / take care: Avoid with blood thinners or before surgery — may slow clotting · Care if you take immunosuppressants · Stop if it causes dryness of mouth, rash or upset stomach
ColeusColeus forskohlii
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Root · Leaf
Daily amount: 1-2 g dried root powder daily, or standardised forskolin extract as directed.
How to prepare
- Root powder — Stir 1 g powder into warm water.Before lunch
- Pickled root — The fresh root is traditionally pickled and eaten in small quantities with food.With meals
Avoid / take care: Can lower blood pressure — avoid with antihypertensive medication unless supervised · Avoid with blood thinners and before surgery · Not for use in pregnancy or with active stomach ulcers
BarleyHordeum vulgare
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Grain · Sprout · Grass
Daily amount: Barley water 1-2 cups daily, or barley used as a grain in place of rice or wheat.
How to prepare
- Barley water (yavagu) — Simmer 2 tbsp barley in 1 litre water for 30 minutes, strain, and drink warm.Through the day
- Roasted barley flour (sattu) — Mix roasted barley flour with water, a pinch of salt and lemon.Mid-morning in hot weather
Avoid / take care: Contains gluten — avoid in coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity · Its drying nature can aggravate Vata if taken excessively · Take separately from medicines; the fibre can slow absorption
AsparagusAsparagus officinalis
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Spear (young shoot) · Root
Daily amount: A regular food portion, 100-200 g cooked spears, several times a week.
How to prepare
- Steamed spears — Steam 4-6 minutes and finish with ghee, lemon and black pepper.With lunch
- Asparagus soup — Simmer trimmed spears with cumin and a little rice, then blend smooth.Midday meal
Avoid / take care: Avoid medicinal doses with kidney disease or on strong diuretics · Can cause gas and a strong smell in urine — both harmless · Rare allergy in people sensitive to onions, garlic and lilies
MoringaMoringa oleifera
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Pod · Seed · Bark
Daily amount: Leaf powder 2-4 g (about half to one teaspoon) daily; fresh leaves and pods as food.
How to prepare
- Leaf powder — Stir half a teaspoon into warm water, dal or a smoothie.With breakfast or lunch
- Drumstick pods — Simmer the pods in sambar or a light soup until tender.Midday meal
Avoid / take care: Avoid root and root bark entirely, and avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy · May add to the effect of blood-pressure, thyroid and diabetes medication · Large amounts on an empty stomach can loosen the bowels
GiloyTinospora cordifolia
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Stem · Leaf · Root
Daily amount: Stem powder 1-3 g twice daily, or 20-30 ml of fresh stem decoction.
How to prepare
- Kadha (decoction) — Boil a crushed finger-length stem in 2 cups water until halved; strain.Morning, empty stomach
- Satva / powder — Mix 1 g starch extract or powder in warm water or honey.Twice daily after food
Avoid / take care: Avoid with autoimmune disease — it stimulates immune activity · Rare reports of liver injury with prolonged, unsupervised use · Stop before surgery and check with a doctor if on diabetes medication
CardamomElettaria cardamomum
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Pod · Seed
Daily amount: 2-3 pods a day, or 250-500 mg of ground seed.
How to prepare
- Cardamom milk — Crush 2 pods into warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg.Before bed
- After-meal chew — Chew the seeds of one pod slowly after eating.After lunch and dinner
Avoid / take care: Culinary amounts are safe; keep concentrated extracts out of pregnancy · May lower blood pressure slightly — watch if already on medication · Avoid high doses with gallstones
Black PepperPiper nigrum
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Fruit (peppercorn)
Daily amount: A pinch to 500 mg of freshly ground pepper with meals.
How to prepare
- With turmeric — Add a pinch of pepper to any turmeric milk or paste.With the turmeric dose
- Trikatu honey — Mix equal pepper, long pepper and dry ginger; take a pinch in honey.Before meals
Avoid / take care: Reduce with acid reflux, gastritis or ulcers — it is strongly heating · Piperine raises blood levels of many drugs; check with a pharmacist · Keep to culinary amounts in pregnancy
FennelFoeniculum vulgare
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Seed · Bulb · Leaf
Daily amount: 1-2 teaspoons of seed daily, whole or as tea.
How to prepare
- Fennel tea — Steep a crushed teaspoon of seed in hot water for 8 minutes.After meals
- Mukhwas — Chew a pinch of roasted seeds plain or with a little rock sugar.After lunch and dinner
Avoid / take care: Avoid concentrated fennel oil in pregnancy and for infants · Mild oestrogen-like activity — caution with hormone-sensitive conditions · Possible cross-reaction if you are allergic to carrot or celery
Aloe VeraAloe barbadensis miller
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf gel · Leaf
Daily amount: Fresh inner gel 10-20 ml daily; topically as needed.
How to prepare
- Fresh gel juice — Scoop the clear inner gel only, blend with water, and drink at once.Morning, empty stomach
- Topical gel — Apply the clear gel directly to clean skin or scalp.Any time
Avoid / take care: Never take the yellow latex under the skin — it is a harsh laxative · Avoid internal use in pregnancy, breastfeeding and for children · May lower blood sugar and potassium; caution with diabetes or diuretics
Gotu KolaCentella asiatica
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Whole plant
Daily amount: Powder 1-2 g daily, or 30-60 ml of fresh leaf juice.
How to prepare
- Leaf juice — Blend a handful of fresh leaves with water and strain.Morning
- Brahmi-style ghee — Stir 1 g of powder into warm ghee or milk.Evening
Avoid / take care: Avoid in pregnancy and with active liver disease · Can deepen the effect of sedatives and anti-anxiety medication · Take in cycles of 6 weeks with a break rather than continuously
SaffronCrocus sativus
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Stigma (thread)
Daily amount: A few threads (about 30 mg) daily; do not exceed 1.5 g a day.
How to prepare
- Kesar milk — Steep 4-5 threads in warm milk with a pinch of cardamom.Evening
- Saffron water — Soak threads in a spoon of warm water for 10 minutes, then add to food.Any time
Avoid / take care: High doses (above 5 g) are toxic and can cause bleeding · Avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy without a practitioner's guidance · May add to the effect of antidepressants and blood thinners
LemongrassCymbopogon citratus
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Stalk · Essential oil
Daily amount: 1-2 cups of tea daily from 1 teaspoon dried or 1 fresh stalk.
How to prepare
- Lemongrass tea — Simmer a bruised stalk with ginger for 5 minutes and strain.Mid-morning or evening
- Steam inhalation — Add a few drops of the essential oil to hot water and inhale.When congested
Avoid / take care: Avoid medicinal doses and the essential oil internally in pregnancy · Undiluted oil irritates skin — always dilute in a carrier oil · Very frequent strong tea may not suit people with low blood pressure
MintMentha spicata / Mentha piperita
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Essential oil
Daily amount: A handful of fresh leaves daily, or 1-2 cups of mint tea.
How to prepare
- Mint tea — Steep a small handful of fresh leaves in hot water for 5 minutes.After meals
- Pudina chutney — Grind mint with coriander, cumin, lemon and a little salt.With lunch
Avoid / take care: Peppermint can worsen reflux by relaxing the valve at the top of the stomach · Do not apply mint oil to the face of infants or small children · Avoid concentrated oil with gallstones or severe liver disease
Lemon BalmMelissa officinalis
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Essential oil
Daily amount: 1-2 cups of fresh leaf tea daily, or 300-600 mg dried leaf in capsules.
How to prepare
- Lemon balm tea — Steep 2 tsp fresh leaves (or 1 tsp dried) in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Cover while steeping.Afternoon or early evening
- Calm blend — Combine equal parts lemon balm, chamomile and lavender flowers for a gentle night tea.One hour before bed
Avoid / take care: Use cautiously in pregnancy and thyroid conditions · May interact with thyroid medication · Avoid very long-term continuous use without breaks
WheatgrassTriticum aestivum
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Young grass · Leaf
Daily amount: 30 ml fresh juice daily on an empty stomach, or 3-5 g powder in water.
How to prepare
- Fresh wheatgrass shot — Juice young wheatgrass and drink immediately, diluted with water if needed.Morning, before food
- Wheatgrass powder — Stir 1 tsp powder into a glass of water or coconut water.Morning
Avoid / take care: Avoid if you have a wheat allergy or celiac disease · Start small; larger doses can cause nausea or diarrhoea · Consult a clinician during pregnancy or illness
GoldensealHydrastis canadensis
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Root · Rhizome
Daily amount: 500-1000 mg dried root powder daily, or 2-4 ml tincture, for short courses only.
How to prepare
- Goldenseal tea — Simmer 1 tsp dried root in 1 cup water for 10 minutes. Strain and sip.At the first sign of a cold, for up to one week
- Throat rinse — Cool the tea and use as a gargle for sore throat.Several times a day during a cold
Avoid / take care: Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding · Not for long-term or high-dose use · Caution with high blood pressure
LavenderLavandula angustifolia
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Flower · Flower oil · Leaf
Daily amount: 1-2 tsp dried flowers as tea, or 2-4 drops essential oil in a diffuser.
How to prepare
- Lavender tea — Steep 1 tsp dried flowers in hot water for 5-7 minutes.Evening before bed
- Sleep pillow — Fill a small sachet with dried lavender flowers and place near your pillow.At bedtime
Avoid / take care: Use essential oil diluted on skin · Avoid large internal doses in pregnancy · May enhance the effect of sedatives
Kava KavaPiper methysticum
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Root · Rhizome
Daily amount: 60-250 mg kavalactones daily in divided doses, or as a traditional cold-water preparation.
How to prepare
- Kava drink — Knead kava root powder in cold water, strain through a cloth and sip slowly.Evening, occasional use
- Capsule extract — Take a standardized extract with a small amount of fat-containing food.Evening, as needed
Avoid / take care: Avoid with alcohol and liver disease · Not for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding · Check legality in your country
ValerianValeriana officinalis
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Root · Rhizome
Daily amount: 300-600 mg standardized root extract 30-60 minutes before bed.
How to prepare
- Valerian tea — Steep 1 tsp dried root in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Add honey to mask the taste.30-60 minutes before bed
- Sleep tincture — Take valerian tincture in a little water.Evening
Avoid / take care: Do not take before driving or operating machinery · Avoid with alcohol and sedatives · Not for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding
PassionflowerPassiflora incarnata
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Flower · Stem
Daily amount: 1-2 g dried herb as tea, or 200-400 mg extract twice daily.
How to prepare
- Passionflower tea — Steep 1 tsp dried leaf in hot water for 10 minutes.Evening, before bed
- Night blend — Combine with valerian and lemon balm for a stronger sleep formula.One hour before bed
Avoid / take care: Avoid in pregnancy · Caution with sedatives and antidepressants · Stop before surgery
AlfalfaMedicago sativa
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Sprout · Seed
Daily amount: 5-10 g dried leaf daily as tea, or a handful of sprouts in food.
How to prepare
- Alfalfa tea — Steep 1 tbsp dried leaf in hot water for 10 minutes.Morning
- Sprout salad — Add a handful of fresh alfalfa sprouts to salads or sandwiches.With meals
Avoid / take care: Avoid with blood-thinning medication such as warfarin · Not for use with immunosuppressive drugs · Use sprouts cautiously in pregnancy
AnisePimpinella anisum
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Seed · Leaf
Daily amount: 1-2 g seeds as tea, or 0.3-2 ml essential oil in appropriate dilution.
How to prepare
- Anise tea — Lightly crush 1 tsp seeds and steep in hot water for 10 minutes.After meals or for coughs
- Digestive chew — Chew a small pinch of seeds after a heavy meal.After meals
Avoid / take care: Avoid large doses in pregnancy · Use essential oil only in tiny, diluted amounts · Caution with hormone-sensitive conditions
AstragalusAstragalus membranaceus
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Root
Daily amount: 4-8 g dried root daily as decoction, or 250-500 mg extract twice daily.
How to prepare
- Astragalus broth — Simmer 5-10 g sliced root in broth or soup for 1-2 hours.Lunch or dinner, long-term
- Immune tea — Simmer astragalus with ginger and goji berries for 20 minutes.Morning, during cold season
Avoid / take care: Do not use during acute fever or infection · Avoid with immunosuppressive medication · Consult a clinician in pregnancy
Bee BalmMonarda didyma
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Flower
Daily amount: 1-2 tsp dried leaf and flower as tea, twice daily.
How to prepare
- Bee balm tea — Steep 1 tsp dried herb in hot water for 10 minutes.At first sign of a cold or after meals
- Mouth rinse — Cool the strong tea and swish around the mouth.Twice daily for mouth sores
Avoid / take care: Avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy · Caution with thyroid conditions · Do not apply undiluted essential oil to skin
BilberryVaccinium myrtillus
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Fruit · Leaf
Daily amount: 20-60 g dried fruit daily, or 80-160 mg extract twice daily.
How to prepare
- Bilberry tea — Simmer 1 tbsp dried berries in water for 10 minutes.Morning
- Eye-rest smoothie — Blend fresh or frozen bilberries with a little water.Afternoon
Avoid / take care: Monitor blood sugar if taking diabetes medication · Caution with blood-thinning medication · Avoid high doses in pregnancy
Black CherryPrunus serotina
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Bark · Fruit
Daily amount: 2-4 ml bark tincture twice daily, or bark decoction, short-term.
How to prepare
- Bark decoction — Simmer 1 tsp dried bark in 1 cup water for 10-15 minutes. Strain.For coughs, up to one week
- Cough syrup — Mix the decoction with honey and a little lemon.As needed for cough
Avoid / take care: Never chew or consume the pits — they contain cyanide · Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding · Short-term use only
BoswelliaBoswellia serrata
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Gum resin · Bark
Daily amount: 300-500 mg standardized extract two to three times daily with food.
How to prepare
- Boswellia capsules — Take with a meal containing fat to improve absorption.With meals, divided doses
- Frankincense steam — Add a drop of diluted oil to a bowl of hot water and inhale.For chest congestion
Avoid / take care: Consult a clinician in pregnancy · Caution with blood-thinning medication · Avoid high doses if you have reflux
ThymeThymus vulgaris
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Flowering top
Daily amount: Culinary amounts are safe; medicinal tea uses 1-2 tsp dried leaf per cup, 1-3 cups daily.
How to prepare
- Thyme chest tea — Steep 1-2 tsp dried thyme in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain and add honey.Morning and afternoon during a cold
- Throat gargle — Steep 1 tbsp thyme in 1 cup hot water, cool and strain.Gargle 2-3 times daily
Avoid / take care: Avoid large medicinal doses in pregnancy · May stimulate the thyroid in very high amounts · Caution with blood-thinning medication
CalendulaCalendula officinalis
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Flower · Leaf
Daily amount: 1-2 tsp dried flowers per cup of tea, or 1-2 ml tincture, 2-3 times daily.
How to prepare
- Calendula skin wash — Steep 1 tbsp dried flowers in 1 cup boiling water for 15 minutes, cool and strain. Apply with a clean cloth.2-3 times daily on affected skin
- Calendula tea — Steep 1 tsp dried flowers in hot water for 10 minutes.After meals for digestive comfort
Avoid / take care: Avoid in pregnancy and while breastfeeding · Skip if allergic to ragweed, daisies or other Asteraceae plants · Use only Calendula officinalis, not ornamental marigolds
CatnipNepeta cataria
Full herb profile →Usable parts: Leaf · Flowering top
Daily amount: 1-2 tsp dried leaf per cup of tea, 1-3 cups daily, especially before bed.
How to prepare
- Catnip bedtime tea — Steep 1-2 tsp dried catnip in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain and add honey if desired.30 minutes before bed
- Digestive infusion — Mix catnip with equal parts fennel and steep for 10 minutes.After meals
Avoid / take care: Avoid in pregnancy and while breastfeeding · May increase drowsiness with sedative medication · Use sparingly for children under guidance