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ACACIA

Scientific Name: Acacia senegal

Common Names: Acacia, Gum Arabic, Cassie flower, Catechu, Egyptian thorn

Family: Fabaceae

Part Used: Resin

Habitat: Acacia is native to Africa and the middle east

Benefits: bind pills, stabilize emulsions, properties of glue (safe to eat), resin, carrier essential oils

 

ACAI BERRY

Scientific Name: Euterpe oleracea

Common Names: Acai Berry, Acai Berry, Açaí

Family: Arecac

Part Used: Berries

Habitat: native to South America

Benefits: considered super food, weight loss, digestion, cardiovascular, immune system, erectile dysfunction

 

ACORUS ROOT

Scientific Name: Acorus calamus

Common Names: Calamus root, Sweet Sledge. Sweet Myrtle

Family: Acoraceae

Part Used: Rhizome

Habitat: Native to India,(Wetlands)

Benefits: helps digestive, decreases phlegm, congestion, insomnia, tinnitus, chronic bronchitis, toothache (chew)

CAUTION: contains aserone (high toxicity), hallucinogenic (high doses)

 

AGARICUS BLAZEI MUSHROOM

Scientific Name: Agaricus blazei

Common Names: Agaricus blazei mushroom, Himematsutake, Cogumelo do Sol

Family: Agaricus subrufescens

Part Used: Fruiting body

Habitat: native to Brazil and Japan

Benefits: immune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, diabetes, eczema

CAUTION: may cause liver damage

 

AGAVE SYRUP

Scientific Name: Agave tequilana

Common Names: syrup, nectar

Family: Liliaceac

Part Used: Sap, Leaves, Flowers, Stalks

Habitat: tropical and Mediterranean

Benefits: sweetener, reduce caloric, pulque (fermented juice) dates to 200 AD, fiber, food , production of tequila

CAUTION: not sugar free

 

Agrimony

Scientific Name: Agrimonia eupatoria

Common Names: Common agrimony, church steeples, sticklewort

Family: Rosaceae

Part Used: Aerial

Habitat: temperate climate in Northern hemisphere

Benefits: sore throats, loose bowels, fevers, digestion, coughs, skin sores

CAUTION: make skin sensitive to sunlight, Do not take if pregnant

 

 

AJWAIN SEED

Scientific Name: Trachyspermum ammi Syn. Carum copticum

Common Names: Ajwain Seed, Ajwan, Ajwon

Family: Apiaceae

Part Used: Seeds

Habitat: native to India, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan

 

ALDER BUCKTHORN

Scientific Name: Rhamnus frangula Syn. Frangula alnus

Common Names: Alder Buckthorn, Alder Dogwood, Alder Buckthorn

Family: Rhamnaceae

Part Used: Aged bark

Habitat: Native to Europe, damp woodlands

Benefits: herbal medicine, laxative

CAUTION: If not aged causes intense intestinal spasms/vomiting

 

ALE HOOF

Scientific Name: Glechoma hederacea L

Common Names: Ground Ivy

Family: Lamiaceae

Part Used: Flowering Tops

Habitat: Native to Greece, but found all over the world

Benefits: wounds, coughs, gout, pain, wounds, insect bites

 

Alfalfa

Scientific Name: Medicago sativa

Common Names: Buffalo grass, chilean clover, lucerne

Family: Fabaceae

Part Used: Leaves, stems, sprouts

Habitat: native to southwestern Asia,Southeastern Europe, North America, North Africa

Benefits: arthritis, digestive problems, diuretic, high cholesterol, immune system, bad breath, body odor

CAUTION: Avoid if Pregnant/nursing , may promote miscarriage, never eat seeds (toxic- canavanine)

 

ALL-HEAL

Scientific Name: Prunella vulgaris L.

Common Names: Self-Heal, Blue Curls, Carpenter Herb

Family: Lamiaceae

Part Used: Whole Herb

Habitat: Native to North America, Europe, Asia

Benefits: antibiotic, antiseptic, conjunctivitis, sties, herpes, cold sores, sore throat, anticancer, antioxidant, wounds

 

ALLSPICE

Scientific Name: Pimenta officinalis

Common Names: Allspice, Pimento, Jamaica Pepper

Family: Myrtaceae

Part Used: Dried Fruit

Habitat: Native to southern Mexico, Central America, Caribbean

Benefits: digestion, Analgesic, Antioxidant, Muscle Relaxant

 

Aloe

Scientific Name: Aloe vera

Common Names: cape, barbados

Family: Asphodelaceae

Part Used: Leaves

Habitat: native to Mediterranean, Latin America,Caribbean

Benefits: minor burns, sun burn, cuts, poison ivy, skin care

CAUTION: Do not eat

 

American Ginseng

Scientific Name: Panax quinquefolius

Common Names: Ginseng, xi yang shen

Family: Araliaceae

Part Used: Root

Habitat: Native to Eastern North America, Canada

Benefits: adaptogen, immune system, stamina, digestive disorders, diabetes, ADHD

CAUTION: Avoid if you are pregnant or high blood pressure or

 

Amla

Scientific Name: Phyllanthus emblica

Common Names: Indian gooseberry

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Part Used: Fruit

Habitat: native to India

Benefits: inflammation, fevers, urinary tract infections, constipation

 

ANDIROBA OIL

Scientific Name: Carapa guianensis

Common Names: Andiroba Oil

Family: Meliaceae

Part Used: nut, bark, leaves

Habitat: Tropical rain forests

Benefits: skin healing, wounds, psoriasis, age spots, pain, circulation, arthritis, fever, worms

 

ANDROGRAPHIS

Scientific Name: Andrographis paniculate

Common Names: Andrographis , Creat, chuan xin lian, Kan jang, Kalmegha

Family: Acanthaceae

Part Used: Leaves, Roots

Habitat: Moist shady places , Native to China, India, Pakistan

Benefits: liver disorders, colds, bowels, colic, fevers, antispasmodic, immune system

 

Angelica

Scientific Name: Angelica archangelica

Common Names: holy ghost, wild celery, masterwort

Family: Apiacae

Part Used: Leaves, stems, seeds, roots

Habitat: native to Asia, Europe, eastern U.S

Benefits: menopausal troubles, appetite loss, digestive problems, respiratory ailments, arthritis, reproductive

CAUTION: not recommended in pregnancy

 

Anise

Scientific Name: Pimpinella anisum

Common Names: Anise

Family: Umbelliferae

Part Used: Seeds

Habitat: native to Egypt

Benefits: improve digestion, flatulence, bad breath, coughs

 

ANNATTO SEED

Scientific Name: Bixa Orellana

Common Names: Annatto Seed, achiote, lipstick tree

Family: Bixaceae

Part Used: Seeds

Habitat: Native to tropics of South America

Benefits: used for centuries to preserve/ flavor foods, antioxidant, anticancer, substitute for saffron (cheap)

 

 

ARJUNA

Scientific Name: Terminalia arjuna

Common Names: Arjuna

Family: Combretaceae

Part Used: Bark

Habitat: Native to India

Benefits: cardiovascular, hemorrhages, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, skin issues, antifungal

CAUTION: consult physician before use

 

Arnica

Scientific Name: Arnica montana

Common Names: Leopard’s bane, mountain daisy, mountain arnica

Family: Asteraceae

Part Used: Flowers

Habitat: native to central Asia, Siberia, Europe

Benefits: sore muscles, sprains, bruises, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-septic

CAUTION: never take internally

 

ARROWROOT POWDER

 

Scientific Name: Maranta arundinacea

Common Names: Arrowroot powder, Cassava, Manihot, Manicot, Yuca, Tapioca, Mandioca

Family: Marantaceae

Part Used: Root Powder

Habitat: Native to South America, Africa

Benefits: diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, easily digested starch, thickens like cornstarch, substitute for talcum

 

 

ASOFOETIDA ROOT

Scientific Name: Ferula asafoetid

Common Names: Asafoetida root , devil’s dung, hing, narthex

Family: Apiaceae

Part Used: Resin from root

Habitat: native to Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan

Benefits: digestive spice, cholesterol, gas, repels insects, hysteria, depression

CAUTION: uncooked can cause nausea/ vomiting

 

Ashwagandha

Scientific Name: Withania Somnifera

Common Names: Winter cherry, Indian ginseng, ajagandha

Family: Solanaceae

Part Used: Roots, leaves, seed

Habitat: native to India, Africa

Benefits: relieve stress, immune system, rejuvenator (used for 3000 yrs), diuretic, anti-inflammatory, sedative,anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, increase energy

CAUTION: NEVER take during pregnancy

 

Astragalus

Scientific Name: Astragalus membranous

Common Names: Huang qi, yellow leader, milk vetch

Family: Fabaceae

Part Used: Roots, rhizomes

Habitat: native to Mongolia, China

Benefits: Used in Chinese medicine for over 2000 yrs, diuretic, lowering high blood pressure, respiratory infections, colds, increases white blood cells, increase energy, immune system, excessive sweating, ulcers

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