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CACAO

Scientific Name: Theobroma cacao L.

Common Names: Cacao, Chocolate, cocoa

Part Used: Seeds

Habitat: Native to South America

Benefits: releases dopamine, helps mood disorders, improves circulation heart , decreases cholesterol, colds, decreases cholesterol, weight loss, eczema, antioxidant, appetite depressant, diuretic, body butter, oils, creams, coughs, skin issues

CAUTION: Avoid feeding to animals can be toxic

 

Calendula

Scientific Name: Calendula officinalis

Common Names: Pot marigold, poet’s marigold, Cape Weed

Family: Asteraceae

Part Used: Flowers

Habitat: native to Mediterranean

Benefits: induce menstruation, fevers, jaundice, sores, stomach issues, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, sunburn, eczema, wounds

CAUTION: Do not take if pregnant/Nursing/Could cause miscarriage

 

CAMPHOR

Scientific Name: Cinnamomum camphora

Common Names: Camphor

Family: Lauraceae

Part Used: oil from wood

Habitat: Native to Asia, Borneo, Taiwan. Trees are not harvest til over 50 years old

Benefits: pain, stimulates circulation, arthritis, expectorant, colds, breathing issues, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, IBS, colitis

CAUTION: Avoid when pregnant

 

 

CARAWAY SEED

Scientific Name: Carum carvi

Common Names: Caraway Seed

Family: Apiaceae

Part Used: Seeds, Oil

Habitat: Native to Africa

Benefits: bloating, colds, eye infections, fungus infections, toothaches, candida, IBS, colitis, heartburn

CAUTION: Beware if you have kidney issues

 

CARDAMOM

Scientific Name: Elettaria cardamomum

Common Names: Cardamom

Family: Zingiberaceae

Part Used: seed, pods, oil

Habitat: native to Asia, India

Benefits: antispasmodic, stomach cramps, morning sickness, digestion problems, bad breath, colds, calms nerves, anti-mucus

 

CAROB

Scientific Name: Ceratonia siliqua

Common Names: Carob, Locust Bean, St.John’s Bread

Family: Fabaceae

Part Used: Seed Pod

Habitat: Native to Mediterranean

Benefits: substitute for chocolate, low in calories, natural sweet, antitussive, astringent, hypoglycemic

 

CARROT (WILD)

Scientific Name: Daucus carota L.

Common Names: Carrot, Wild, Wild Carrot; Queen Anne’s Lace; Bird’s-nest

Family: Apiaceae

Part Used: root, seeds

Habitat: Native to fields Eastern United States, Canada, Europe, Asia

Benefits: known as Queen Anne’s Lace, natural morning after contraceptive, skin care

CAUTION: Do not use in pregnancy causes abortions

 

Cascara Sagrada

Scientific Name: Frangula purshiana

Common Names: Cascara buckthorn, California buckthorn, sacred bark

Family: Rhamnaceae

Part Used: Bark

Habitat: native to Pacific Northwest

Benefits: laxative, colitis, stomach cramps,jaundice, hemorrhoids

 

CASSIA NOMAME

Scientific Name: Cassia nomame

Common Names: Cassia Nomame , Hama-cha, Kita, nomame herba

Family: Fabaceae

Part Used: seed

Habitat: native to China

Benefits: Weight loss, diuretic

CAUTION: Avoid if pregnant women

 

Catnip

Scientific Name: Nepeta cataria

Common Names: Catmint, cat’s wort, catnip

Family: Lamiaceae

Part Used: Flowers, Leaves

Habitat: native to Asia, Europe

Benefits: coughs, scalp irritations, restlessness, gas, upset stomach, colds, fever, inflammation

CAUTION: Avoid if pregnant/nursing

 

Cat’s Claw

Scientific Name: Uncaria tomentosa

Common Names: Peruvian cat’s claw, hawk’s claw

Family: Rubiaceae

Part Used: Bark, root

Habitat: native to South/Central America

Benefits: bone pain, arthritis, intestinal problems, UTI, boost immune system, anti-inflammatory, HIV

CAUTION: Do not take if pregnant/nursing

 

Cayenne

Scientific Name: Capsicum annuum

Common Names: Red pepper, capsicum, chili pepper

Family: Solanaceae

Part Used: Fruit

Habitat: native to tropical regions

Benefits: pain, infections, toothache, arthritis, aid digestion, anti-bacterial, stimulate blood flow, antioxidants, cardiovascular

CAUTION: may irritate skin

 

CATUABA

Scientific Name: Erythroxylum catuaba Syn. Trichilia catigua, Anemopaegma mirandum

Common Names: Catuaba , caramuru, chuchuhuasha, pau de reposta

Family: Erythroxylaceae

Part Used: Bark

Habitat: Native to Central/South America

Benefits: Brazilian aphrodisiac, strengthen erections, impotence, prostatitis, protective against opportunistic infections HIV/AIDS

 

CELERY SEED

Scientific Name: Apium graveolens

Common Names: Celery Seed

Family: Apiaceae

Part Used: seeds, herb, root

Habitat: Native to southern Europe, hard to grow

Benefits: diuretic, pain, gout, inflammation, cellulite

CAUTION: Avoid if your not to take diuretics

 

CENTAURY

Scientific Name: Centaurium erythraea

Common Names: Centaury, Erythraea centaurium, bitterherb

Family: Gentianaceae

Part Used: flower aerial part

Habitat: Grows in dry pastures/woods

Benefits: bloating, heartburn, pain, gas, gout, anti-inflammatory

 

Chamomile

Scientific Name: Matricaria recutita

Common Names: German chamomile, wild chamomile

Family: Asteraceae

Part Used: Flower heads, oil

Habitat: Native to Asia

Benefits: fever, colic, indigestion, heartburn, gas, calming effect, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, ulcers

CAUTION: may cause reactions in people sensitive to ragweed

 

 

CHANCA PIEDRA

Scientific Name: Phyllanthus niruri

Common Names: Chanca Piedra , phyllanthus, quebra pedra, kidney stone tree

Part Used: arial parts

Habitat: Native to South America

Benefits: kidney stones, antiviral for hepatitis B and HIV, lower blood sugar, helps nerve damage

 

Chaparral

Scientific Name: Larrea tridentata

Common Names: Creosote bush, stinkweed, gobernadora, hediondilla

Family: Zygophyllaceae

Part Used: Leaves, twigs

Habitat: native to the U.S, Mexico

Benefits: rheumatism, intestinal problems, colds, bronchitis, diarrhea, urinary tract problems, toothaches, antioxidant, cancer

 

Chaste Tree

Scientific Name: Vitex agnus-castus

Common Names: Agnus castus, monk’s pepper, Abraham’s balm

Family: Verbenaceae

Part Used: Fruit

Habitat: native to Southern Europe, Western Asia

Benefits: has been used for over 2,500 yrs, menstrual cramps, promoting normal menstruation, menstrual disorders, PMS

CAUTION: NEVER take if pregnant

 

CHERRY

Scientific Name: Prunus serotine

Common Names: Wild Cherry Bark, Black Cherry, chokecherry

Family: Rosacease

Part Used: bark, fruit

Habitat: Native to North American

Benefits: cough, diarrhea, pain, colds, hoarseness, sharpens the eyesight, increases appetite

 

CHERVIL

Scientific Name: anthriscus cerefolium

Common Names: Chervil, chervel, sweet cicely

Family: Apiaceae

Part Used: Leave

Habitat: native to southern Russia, western Asia, France

Benefits: bad dreams, burns, stomach problems, antioxidants, headache, sinusitis, ulcer, infections

 

CHICKWEED

Scientific Name: Stellaria media

Common Names: Chickweed, Starweed

Part Used: whole herb

Habitat: Moist shady soil like woods and meadows

Benefits: inflammation, wounds, obesity, burns, skin irritations, rashes, hair balls (animals), digestive issues, laxative

 

Chicory

Scientific Name: Cichorium intybus

Common Names: Succory, wild succory, coffee weed

Family: Asteraceae

Part Used: Whole herb

Habitat: native to Asia, Europe, North America

Benefits: cleaning blood, nerve tonic, diuretic, loss of appetite

CAUTION: Avoid if you have gallstones

 

CHINESE FOXGLOVE

Scientific Name: Rehmannia glutinosa

Common Names: Rehmannia root, Chinese Foxglove, Shu Di Huang

Part Used: root

Habitat: leaves at ground level , ornamental in United States

Benefits: blood loss, pain related to kidney deficiency, cough, fever, incontinence, uterine bleeding, vertigo, regulates menstrual flow, astringent, boost energy protects

CAUTION: May cause dizziness, heart palpitations, diarrhea, loss of appetite

 

CHRYSANTHEMUM

Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium, C. sinense Syn. Dendranthema morifolium

Common Names: Mums, Ju Hua, Chu Hua, Florist’s Chrysanthemum

Family: Asteraceae

Part Used: Flowers

Habitat: Native to China, Japan ( in texts published 500 A.D.)

Benefits: headache, inflamed eyes, colds, swelling throat, vertigo, sores, boils, anxiety

 

CILANTRO

Scientific Name: Coriandrum sativum

Common Names: Cilantro, Chinese parsley

Family: Apiaceae

Part Used: seeds, oil

Habitat: Native to Asia, Africa

Benefits: improves digestion, depurative, boost energy

 

Cinnamon

Scientific Name: Cinnamonum verum

Common Names: Chinese cassia, ceylon cinnamon, saigon cinnamon

Family: Lauraceae

Part Used: Bark

Habitat: native to India, Indonesia, Africa, South America

Benefits: soothe digestion, colds, nausea, inflammation, antifungal, antibacterial, antispasmodic

 

Clubmoss

Scientific Name: Lycopodium clavatum

Common Names: Ground pine, stag’s horn moss, wolfs claw moss

Family: Lycopodiaceae

Part Used: Whole plant

Habitat: native to Southern Hemisphere

Benefits: used for over 2000 years, laxative, purgative, postpartum pain, fever, weakness, stop bleeding, kidney/urinary disorders, stomach, memory issues, Alzheimers

 

COFFEE

Scientific Name: Coffea Arabica

Common Names: Coffee, java, joe

Family: Rubiaceae

Part Used: Beans

Habitat: Native to Ethiopia, middle east, Europe.

Benefits: lower rates of stroke, prostate cancer, diabetes, depression, headaches, cough, weight loss

 

COLT’SFOOT

Scientific Name: Tussilago farfara

Common Names: Colt’s Foot, Coughwort

Part Used: Leaves, stems

Habitat: Hardy perennial, grows in wet areas

Benefits: respiratory disinfectant, expectorant, cough suppressant, asthma, colds

 

Comfrey

Scientific Name: Symphytum officinale

Common Names: Knitbone, slippery root, black wort

Family: Boraginaceae

Part Used: Leaves, roots

Habitat: native to Europe, Asia

Benefits: poultice stop bleeding, diarrhea, bronchitis

CAUTION: Never take internally

 

Cordyceps

Scientific Name: Cordyceps sinensis

Common Names: Caterpillar fungus, Zhiling, Cs-4

Family: Clavicipitaceae

Part Used: Fruiting body

Habitat: Native to Himalayan Plateau

Benefits: builds physical strength/endurance, dilates airways, increase oxygen to blood, asthma, cough, anti-inflammatory, relax bronchial walls

 

COPAIBA BALSAM

Scientific Name: Copaifera Officinalis Syn. Copaifera langsdorfii, Copaifera jacquinii

Common Names: copaiva, Jesuits balsam, palo de aceite, capivi

Family: Fabaceae

Part Used: trunk

Habitat: Native to South America, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela

Benefits: antibacterial, diuretic, disinfectant, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, fungal, pain, athlete foot, psoriasis, dandruff, cough, cold

CAUTION: large amounts can be toxic

 

COPTIS

Scientific Name: Coptis spp

Common Names: Chinese goldthread, Huang Lian, Figwortflower, Canker Root

Part Used: Root

Habitat: native to Asia, North America

Benefits: infections, boost immunity, anti-tumor, stimulate brain

 

CORNFLOWERS

Scientific Name: Centaurea cyanus Syn. Leucacantha cyanus

Common Names: Cornflowers, Bachelor-s-button, , bluebottle, bluebonnets

Family: Asteraceae

Part Used: Flowers

Habitat: Native to North America, grows in grasslands and woodlands

Benefits: eye wash, hair, skin conditions, rash, wounds

 

COSTMARY

Scientific Name: Tanacetum balsamita L.

Common Names: Costmary, Balsam Herb. Costmarie, Alecost

Family: Asteraceae

Part Used: Leaves

Habitat: Native to Northern areas

Benefits: fragrance, skin care, potpourri, herbal baths

CAUTION: Avoid if pregnant

 

COUCH GRASS

Scientific Name: Agropyron repens Syn. Elymus repens

Common Names: Couch grass, Twitch grass, witchgrass, dogs grass, scutch

Family: Graminaceae

Part Used: Rhizome

Habitat: Open grasslands of America, Asia, Australia, Europe

Benefits: urinary infections, antibiotic, diuretic, sore throat, clears phlegm, colds

CAUTION: toxic to birds

 

CRANBERRY

Scientific Name: Vaccinium macrocarpon

Common Names: Cranberry, bog cranberry

Family: Ericaceae

Part Used: Berry

Habitat: Native to acidic bogs in Northern Hemisphere

Benefits: antioxidants, cardiovascular health, wounds, urinary disorders, diarrhea, kidney issues

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