Yogi

Cardamom seed is a uniquely flavored culinary herb in the ginger family. But cardamom seed is more than its delicious flavor. This herb is warming and has been traditionally used to support healthy stomach function, balance urination, promote normal respiratory mucous and soothe indigestion and gas.

Carob is a species of flowering evergreen shrub or tree in the pea family that is native to the Mediterranean region. Cultivated for its edible seed pods, carob contains up to 8% protein and is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Carob Pod tastes a lot like chocolate, and being free from the stimulants caffeine and theobromine contained in chocolate, is a popular chocolate substitute.

Cat's Claw is a tropical vine that grows in the rainforest and jungle areas of South America, the bark of which has been used as a general stamina-supporting herb by indigenous people there for hundreds of years. More recently, Cat's Claw Bark has been used by herbalists to support the immune system. This valuable herb also helps maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels already within the normal range, and open up peripheral circulation, making it helpful for the skin and joints. Cat's Claw Bark is also believed to support the health of the digestive tract lining.

Cayenne Pepper is a stimulating herb made from the dried pods of a certain variety of chili pepper. Well known for its fiery heat and pungent smell, cayenne is not only a popular culinary herb in many cuisines, but has also been used medicinally for thousands of years. Cayenne and other chilies, especially the red varieties, supports the production of endorphins, the mood elevating brain chemicals responsible for the "chili eater's high;" hence cayenne is used to support balanced mood. In addition, cayenne helps promote circulation.

Celery Seed, a member of the parsley family, is a widely used food herb. Ayurveda uses celery seed to support kidney and bladder function. In folk medicine, celery seeds are reputed to support digestion, respiratory, menstrual and sexual functions.

Chamomile is a flowering plant in the daisy family that is native to Europe and Asia. The flower is a mild relaxant that supports balanced mood; hence a cup of tea made with chamomile is a time-honored remedy for inducing sleep.

Chaste tree is a large shrub (up to twenty-two feet tall) native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe, where it flourishes along riverbanks and nearby foothills. The tree produces a dark brown, peppercorn-size fruit that has a pleasant peppermint-like odor. Chaste tree berry was used medicinally by ancient Greeks and Romans to encourage chastity, but in the first years of the common era, the Greek physician Dioscorides recommended chaste tree berry specifically for support of the womb and to encourage milk flow shortly after birth. Today, herbalists use chaste tree berry primarily to support the health of the female reproductive system, such as helping to reduce the symptoms of PMS.

Chebulic Myrobalan Fruit (Haritaki) is considered by some to be the single most important Ayurvedic herb, and is one of the three herbs in the famous Ayurvedic remedy triphala. Widely used in Tibetan medicine, it is called the "king of herbs," and in Ayurveda, haritaki is known as "the mother." Haritaki is strongly astringent, and is used to promote skin function, as well as to support digestion and elimination. Haritaki is also mildly laxative.

Chinese Amur Cork Tree Bark, called Huang Bai in China, is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. It includes berberine, a natural chemical that makes the herb appear yellow. Used primarily to reduce "heat energy" in the body, this herb is also used to support proper bowel, vaginal and urinary tract function, and healthy joints in the knees and feet.

Chinese Goldenthread Root is one of the coldest and bitterest herbs used in Chinese medicine. Goldenthread is a close relative of an extremely bitter and very useful American herb, the well-known goldenseal. In Chinese medicine, goldenthread is used to promote a calm mood and to support sleep.

Chrysanthemums were first cultivated in China as a flowering herb as far back as the 15th century B.C.E. Chrysanthemum is a "cooling" herb traditionally used to help support the lungs and soothe the head. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, chrysanthemum is often combined with honeysuckle for a delicious drink that is especially useful for cooling the body.

Cinnamon Bark comes from a small evergreen tree that is native to Sri Lanka. Cinnamon is a pungent, sweet and hot spice that warms and energizes the body as a whole and supports normal function of the respiratory and digestive tracts. It helps to promote circulation to the joints and supports immune function.

Citric acid is a mild acid that occurs in citrus fruits, such as lemons and limes. It is added to tea to impart a light and pleasant sour taste.

Clove Buds are the aromatic dried flower buds of a tree in the Myrtle family. The English name clove derives from Latin clavus (nail), as the shape of the buds resembles small nails. Clove bud is widely used as a healthy spice in Asian herbal traditions. With a warming quality, clove promotes circulation in the stomach, promoting digestion and helping to reduce gas.

Cocoa Powder is created from the separation of the cocoa butter from cocoa beans. Cocoa powder is used as a flavor and has recently gained attention as a source of antioxidants.

The shells of the cocoa bean, cocoa shells are a source of chocolate, and more recently have been receiving attention as a natural source of antioxidants.

CoffeeBerry®, the outer layer of the coffee fruit, is a rich source of antioxidants. It contains polyphenols, which act to help reduce free oxygen radicals in the body. Chlorogenic acid is the compound present in coffee which has been long known for its beneficial antioxidant properties.

Coriander seed is not just a delicious spice used in cooking. According to Ayurveda, the seeds support urinary tract health and helps to soothe stomach upset, indigestion and gas.

Cornsilk, the yellowish thread-like strands inside the husks of corn, is a traditional remedy for promoting urinary tract health. A soothing diuretic that promotes easy urination, cornsilk helps balance water in the body.

Ever wonder why all cough syrup is cherry flavored? This flavorful herb native to North America was traditionally used to soothe the throat.